Mrs. Corsino's Christmas Note

December 17, 2009

Dear Parents,

Hi! I just want to take a moment to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! It’s been such a wonderful first semester here in second grade! I really feel like the children have learned so much and made great progress!

As I’ve been reflecting on our time together, I have thanked the Lord so many times for placing your family in my life. I know that there are no accidents with God…He intentionally places people together for His purposes. One of the greatest gifts He has given me is the privilege of teaching your children…not only about reading, writing, science, math, spelling, etc…but about His love for them.

During our Christmas concert and our Second Grade Chapel, I was truly blessed by the message that the children presented…and listening to them quote their Bible verse (Luke 2:8-19…just in case you want to reread it! J) brought tears of joy to my eyes! I am so proud that, in the middle of all of the hustle and bustle of the season, they know what Christmas is truly about!
I pray that you enjoy your time with your sweet children. Have fun…spend some time relaxing…and take a few moments to reflect on what Jesus did for all of us! I love you all!

In Christ’s Name,

Jennifer Corsino

NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 17TH

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

It was a wonderful week here in second grade! We had sooooo much fun at our Polar Express pajama party on Tuesday and at our class Christmas party today! I just love being able to celebrate Jesus' birthday here at school! We are truly blessed at NCS!

In addition to all of the fantastic fun, we did lots of learning! Here are just a few highlights of our week:

• Reading - We reviewed all of our reading strategies and continued our unit on camoflage with a selection called "How to Hide an Octopus." The children buddy read this selection! We read some fun Christmas stories, too!


• Math - We reviewed the math concepts we learned this semester.


• Science - We finished up our unit on outer space.


• Writing - We reviewed how to write a 5 paragraph essay, and then we wrote one about the Christmas item we brought in.


• Handwriting - We finished up our review of printing. We will begin cursive writing in January!


• Language Arts - We reviewed capitalization, punctuation, and base words. We also learned about declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences.


• Bible - We continued discussing the very first Christmas and practicing our verse, too!

I pray that all of you have a blessed Christmas!

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

SECRET WORD: Giving

NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 11TH

Hi, everyone! Happy Friday! If I had to describe this week in one word, if would definitely be the word BUSY!!! We did sooooo many things!

We went on a fun field trip to see Santa's Holiday Revue, and we had a great time! The children really seemed to enjoy it! It was a great kick-off to Christmas!

We spent a lot of time practicing for our Christmas Concert on Thursday night and for our chapel on Friday, too, and all of our hard work paid off! I am SO PROUD of the children for both of their performances! Weren't they adorable?!?! More than that, I am happy because I know that they really understand what Christmas is all about. It's not about presents...or food...or decorations...or even family get togethers. All of those things are just ways that we celebrate. It's about Jesus and how He left His glorious home in Heaven to be born in a stable, just so that He could grow up and die on the cross to pay for our sins. That's the best gift ever!

In addition to all of these practices, we did lots of learning! Here are a few highlights:

• We practiced counting money and making change in math, and we took our math test on money. We practiced adding and subtracting both with and without regrouping, too!


• We practiced spelling some of the more difficult Word Wall Words.


• We read some fantastic Christmas stories!


• We did some Christmas crafts.


• We reviewed how to write descriptions, and we described Christmas items.

It's hard to believe that next week is the last week of school before Christmas break! Here are a few reminders:

• MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH - LAST DAY THAT HOT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED UNTIL JANUARY - BE SURE TO PACK A LUNCH FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (...AND THURSDAY IF YOUR CHILD WILL GO TO AFTER CARE ON THE HALF DAY.)


• TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH - POLAR EXPRESS PARTY! Have your child wear his/her jammies to school!


• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH - Send in a wrapped gift from the dollar store. Boys buy for boys...girls buy for girls!


• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH - Christmas breakfast/party at 8:30 and gift exchange! Feel free to join us! This is also an EARLY RELEASE DAY!

This week, I've been thinking a lot of what it must have been like for Mary the night the angel told her that she was going to have a baby...God's baby! She must have been scared to death! She was a young girl not yet married...and in those days you could get stoned for being pregnant our of wedlock and for "cheating" on your fiancee, which is what people probably thought had happened. But Mary trusted God to work it all out. Luke 2:19 says that "...Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." She didn't whine, or complain, or talk about how unfair it was or how difficult it would be for her. She "treasured up all these things." She thought about them. And she trusted. I pray that in my life, I will trust the Lord like that!

Have a GREAT weekend!

In Christ's Name

:) Jen Corsino and Rachel Lupia

PS We will not have a Star Student next week!

SECRET WORD: ANGELS

NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 4TH

Hi! Happy December! It's hard to believe that it's this time of year! Second grade is almost half over! Ahhhhhh! I am having such a great time with all of these kiddos...I need for the year to SLOW DOWN!!!

It was a FANTASTIC, busy week here at NCS! We jumped right into the holiday fun! We made some ornaments and gifts, read some Christmas stories, and did some Christmas writing! We spent a lot of time preparing for our Christmas chapel which will be NEXT FRIDAY MORNING! We practiced our lines, learned some songs, and painted the scenery. Ask your child to tell you about it! Be sure to send your child to school that day dressed in costume! :)

On top of all the fun, we did tons of learning! We continued learning about animals that use camoflage, we read a fun story about chameleons, and we practiced the strategies asking questions, drawing conclusions, and predicting to help us become better readers. Here are some other things we learned:

• Science - We learned about shadows and how they look different at different times of the day.
• Math - We practiced counting coins, using the fewest coins to make an amount of money, and making $1.00 using coins. Please continue to practice this at home! Thanks!
• Language Arts - We practiced identifying base words; we practiced the "1-1-1 Rule" (Ask your child about it!); and we learned about linking and helping verbs.
• Writing - We reviewed expository writing and did some journaling.

HERE ARE A FEW REMINDERS OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

• THERE WILL BE NO SPELLING OR READING TESTS FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS! WE WILL RESUME A "NORMAL" SCHEDULE WHEN WE RETURN FROM CHRISTMAS BREAK!
• MONDAY, DECEMBER 7TH - PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING A CHRISTMASSY ITEM TO SCHOOL...AN ORNAMENT, A WRAPPED BOX, A KNICK-KNACK, ETC. WE WILL BE USING THESE FOR WRITER'S WORKSHOP...WE WILL BE LEARNING HOW TO WRITE DESCRIPTIONS. THANKS!
• TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
  Field trip to Mahaffey Theater to see Santa’s Holiday Revue. Please send in $6.00 to pay for this trip if you naven't done so yet because we have to pay the theater. Thanks! We will be leaving the school at 11:15...right after lunch...and we should be back by dismissal time! Remember, your child may wear something "Christmassy" with their uniform that day...like a Christmas pin or necklace, Christmas socks, a Santa hat, etc.
• WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH - We will be going to the church at 8:15 AM to practice for our Christmas program. We should return to school around 10:00 AM.
• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH
  We will be going to the church around 11:15 to practice for the Christmas program. We should return to school around 1:45. The Christmas program at Northside Baptist Church is at 7:00 that night. The children need to wear dressy Christmas clothes that evening.
• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
  Our second grade chapel! We are acting out the Christmas Story…so be sure to have your child practice his/her lines at home. Remember to send your child to school that morning dressed like his/her character. Narrators and “regular people” should be dressed like someone from Bible times.
• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH – CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY!
  We will be having a DOLLAR STORE GIFT EXCHANGE! Please, please, please shop at the dollar store so that everyone gets something worth the same amount. Thank you! If your child is a boy then buy something for a boy, and if your child is a girl buy something for a girl. Please send it in wrapped. On the tag, write either “To a boy” or “To a girl” and have your child sign his/her name. We will have a celebration breakfast starting at 8:30 that day. There is a sign-up sheet on our classroom door in case you'd like to send something yummy in. THANKS! You may join us for the fun if you’d like!
  This day is also an early release day!
  
• DECEMBER 18th-JANUARY 1ST - CHRISTMAS BREAK! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

This week during my personal devotion time I was reading in the book of 1 Timothy verses 6-10, which says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." This time of year, although I enjoy it greatly, can sometimes cause me financial stress. I want to buy the perfect gifts for friends and family members, but I usually can't afford what I'd like to buy, which makes me feel badly. Verses like this put me back in my place. Life isn't about what we have, or even about what material things we can give. It's about our love for the Lord and for one another...and we need to be content with what He has given us in this life!

Have a great weekend!

In Christ's Name,

:) Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be BAILEY.

Mrs. Lupia's will be SYDNEY.

SECRET WORD: MANGER

NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 20TH

HI, everyone! Happy Friday! It's been a terrific week here at NCS in second grade! Thanksgiving on the Lawn was the highlight of the week! It was really great to see so many of you there. I enjoyed listening to the sweet children sing, eating the yummy food, and, most of all, giving thanks to the Lord for all of the blessings in my life! The kiddos did a FANTASTIC job filling the shoeboxes for our Operation Christmas Child project. What a wonderful thing it is to be a blessing to someone else!

Some other things we did included:

• Reading - We began a new unit called "Look Again!" about animals that use camoflage. We practised asking questions and summarizing while reading.




• Writing - We learned what expository writing is and wrote a few expository pieces, including how to make Thanksgiving dinner!




• Math - We spent lots of time practicing coin counting.




• Language Arts - We talked about base words and reviewed capitalization & punctuation.




• Science - We began a unit on outer space, focusing on how the Earth moves, how the sun seems to move (but doesn't really), and how our shadows change as the sun's position changes in the sky.




• Social Studies - We continued to learn about the Pilgrims and the Indians.

Here are some important reminders:

• NOVEMBER 23-27
  No school! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!




• TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
  Field trip to Mahaffey Theater to see Santa’s Holiday Revue. Please send in $6.00 to pay for this trip ASAP because we have to pay the theater. Thanks! Your child may wear a Santa hat, Christmas headband, or Christmas pin that day! I have heard from one person who wants to chaperone...so there's room for one more! Just let me know in your child's agenda, and I'll let you know if there's still a spot available!




• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH
  Christmas program at Northside Baptist Church




• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
  Our second grade chapel! We are acting out the Christmas Story…so be sure to have your child practice his/her lines at home. Remember to send your child to school that morning dressed like his/her character. Narrators and “regular people” should be dressed like someone from Bible times.




• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH – CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY!
  We will be having a DOLLAR STORE GIFT EXCHANGE! Please, please, please shop at the dollar store so that everyone gets something worth the same amount. Thank you! If your child is a boy then buy something for a boy, and if your child is a girl buy something for a girl. Please send it in wrapped. On the tag, write either “To a boy” or “To a girl” and have your child sign his/her name. We will have a celebration breakfast starting at 8:30 that day. One of our room moms will contact you and let you know if you need to bring anything. THANKS! You may join us for the fun if you’d like!
  This day is also an early release day!




• DECEMBER 18th-JANUARY 1ST - CHRISTMAS BREAK! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! (School resumes on Monday, January 3rd.)

This week, I've been thinking a lot about being thankful. Sometimes, I focus on the things I don't have and forget about all the blessings God has given me. I think about my little tiny house...about how I don't have enough money to buy my little guy the Lego Death Star for Christmas...about how I can't go to McDonald's anytime I want...and I feel sorry for myself. But then I remember that I am a child of God! The Maker of the Universe loves ME! And He has given me what He knows that I need to be the best I can be...for HIM! I am so very thankful for His love...and for all the gifts He has blessed me with---my wonderful family, my amazing friends, this special job, a home, clothes, food...the list just goes on and on!

This week, be sure to count your blessings and remember to thank God for each and every one of them!

In Christ's Name,

:) Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS After Thanksgiving Break, Mrs. Corsino's Star Student will be JACE.

Mrs. Lupia's will be Jayce.

SECRET WORD: GRATEFULNESS

Newsletter November 13th

Hi, Everyone! It's been another wonderful week of fun and learning here at NCS! Veteran's Day was the highlight of our week! We talked about what this holiday means and shared our Flag Projects with one another. They were soooooo creative! We wrote about the meaning of this holiday, too, and today at chapel we brought our flags for the whole school to see!

Here are some other things we did and learned:

• We practiced singing the song that we will be performing during our Thanksgiving on the Lawn Celebration next Thursday, November 19th.
• We practiced the play we will be performing on the morning of December 11th.
• We learned what a fairy tale is.
• We read "Cinderella" and used the reading strategies asking questions, visualizing, and monitoring & clarifying while reading to help us understand the story.
• We wrote fairy tales with our turkeys as main characters. These are so funny!!!
• We reviewed quotation marks and comma usage.
• We learned about finding the nearest ten, comparing numbers, ordinal numbers, and odd/even numbers. We practiced counting coins and telling time, too!

Here are some announcements and reminders of upcoming events:

• Next THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH we will have our Thanksgiving on the Lawn Celebration. The orders were due this past Monday. If you did not place an order for your child to eat Boston Market, please be sure to pack your child a lunch that day. I hope that many of you can join us for this wonderful time of giving thanks. Our second graders will be singing a song! The festivities begin at 10:00!
• Be sure to send in your items for Operation Christmas Child ASAP! We will be assembling the boxes on Thursday. Thanks so much to those of you who have already sent in your items!
• Remember, it costs $7.00 to ship each box, so we're hoping that each family can contribute $14.00 so that we can ship your child's 2 boxes. You may make the check out to Samaritan's Purse. We are also in need of some plastic shoebox containers. Thanks!
• We will be taking another field trip to the Mahaffey Theater to see Santa's Holiday Revue on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH. Please send in $6.00 ASAP so that we can pay for this wonderful trip. Thanks so much! If you were unable to chaperone last time and would like to this time, we are able to take only 2 chaperones per class...so the first 2 I hear from will be able to join us! It should be fun!
• Our Christmas Program at Northside Baptist Church will be on Thursday, December 10th.
• Our second grade chapel will be on Friday, December 11th around 8:15 AM. Be sure to send your child to school dressed in costume that day!
• We would like to make some Christmas crafts with the children and are asking any family that is able to send in a $5.00 donation to help pay for the craft supplies. Thanks soooo much!
• Please also send in your Entertainment Books if you haven't done so yet!

For my personal devotion time this week, I have been reading in the Book of Philippians. The verse that really impacted me was Chapter 2 verses 3-4 which says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." We all need to put others before ourselves...that is what the Lord wants us to do. This time of year, it can be easy to focus on our own needs and desires. There are so many things to do to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But this time of year, we should be giving thanks for all that we have and thinking of ways that we can be a blessing to one another. Thanks so much for always being such a blessing to me!!!

In Christ's Name,

:) Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be SARAH.

Mrs. Lupia's will be PATRICK.

SECRET WORD: Gobble, gobble!

NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 6TH

Hi! HAPPY NOVEMBER! Can you believe it's already almost Thanksgiving?!?!? Where is the year going?!?!?!

We've had a terrific week here in second grade! We spent some time discussing what we're thankful for...Mrs. Corsino's class wrote 5 paragraph essays to tell what they're thankful for, and Mrs. Lupia's class wrote some fun acrostic poems! We hung up the ADORABLE turkeys that your children made at home, and next week we'll be writing make-believe stories with them as main characters. I can hardly wait to see what the children come up with!!!

We had a great time at our field trip to the Mahaffey Theater, too! It's such fun to learn about science! I was so impressed with how the theater taught such advanced science concepts as Newton's Laws of Motion and made it really silly and fun!!!

Here are some other things we learned:

• Social Studies - We talked about the history and symbolism of the American Flag.
• Science - We discussed reducing, reusing, and recycling.
• Math - We practiced telling what numbers come before, between, and after other numbers; we learned how to find the nearest ten; and we compared numbers.
• Reading - We read "The Story of Three Whales," and while reading we practiced asking questions, monitoring & clarifying, and summarizing. We also talked about Main Idea and Details.
• Language Arts - We reviewed comma usage.
• Bible - We learned about trusting God in all things.

Here are a few important announcements/reminders:

• Flag Project Due - Wednesday, November 11th
• Please send in your Operation Christmas Shoe Items starting next week! Remember...we are also in need of plastic shoebox containers and funds to mail the boxes. ($7 per box)
• Thanksgiving on the Lawn - Thursday, November 19th - Be sure to send in your money and order ASAP!
• Christmas Program - December 10th at Northside Baptist Church
• Our Second Grade Chapel - Friday, December 11th - Your child's part is in his/her Friday Folder. Be sure to practice each night! On the morning of the 11th, have your child come to school dressed to look like his/her part. It's going to be SOOOOO CUTE!!!
• If you'd like to have a conference, there is a sign-up sheet for Mrs. Lupia on her door. For Mrs. Corsino, please write a note in your child's agenda. (Mrs. Corsino is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons after 3:30 or Monday or Thursday mornings at 7:30.)
• We are also in need of items to make some fall wreaths by next Friday...so if you have any scraps in your craft drawer---cloth leaves, berries, material...anything you can think of that we can glue onto our wreaths, that would be great!
• We would like to do some Christmas crafts with the children. If you would like to donate $5.00 cash or a gift card to Wal-Mart or Michael's, we would really appreciate it!!!

During my personal devotion time this week, I've been reading in the Book of Ephesians. One verse that really got me thinking was Chapter 2 verses 8-10 which says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Our salvation is a free gift...there is nothing we need to do to "earn" it...we get it just by being a part of God's family when we accept Jesus as our Savior. But when we are a part of his family, we should do good works to share the love of the Lord with the world! Good works don't get us "saved," but they do make Jesus smile!

Enjoy your weekend!

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be MITCHELL.

Mrs. Lupia's will be AUSTIN.

SECRET WORD: freedom

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 30TH

Hi! HAPPY PUMPKIN DAY! We had such a fun-filled day! We finished writing our make-believe stories about our pumpkin characters, and we turned them into picture books! We estimated the circumference of our class pumpkin and how many seeds were in the pumpkin, and then we measured it, carved it, and counted the seeds to see how close our estimates were! While carving, we talked about how a jack-o-lantern can remind us of Jesus. We cut off the top and talked about how God wants us to open our minds up to him. We cleaned out all the "yucky stuff" and discussed how Jesus cleans us from our sins. We carved hearts for the eyes to remind us of how Jesus wants us to see others the way He sees them...with love. Then we carved a cross for the nose to remind us of how Jesus died on the cross for us. The mouth we carved into the shape of a fish to remind us to tell others about Jesus. After that, we carved rectangle ears to remind us of Bibles and to remind us to "listen to" God's Word. Finally, we put a candle inside to remind us that the Bible tells us to be a light to the world!

Before pumpkin day officially started, we had a wonderful time in chapel "kicking off" our Operation Christmas Child project. We will be doing this a little bit differently this year. We will be asking each child to send in 10 of a certain item...for example, someone may be asked to send in 10 toothbrushes...someone may be asked to send in 10 balls...someone may be asked to send in 10 bags of hard candy...etc. We are trying to make 34 boxes for each second grade classroom. On November 19th, we will be putting these boxes together in class (We would love to have some parent helpers!) after our Thanksgiving on the Lawn Celebration. It should be tons of fun! What a great way to share Jesus' love with others!

Here are some other things we learned this week:

• Reading - We read the story "Corduroy" and practiced the reading strategies Making Predictions and Making Inferences.


• Language Arts - We learned about quotation marks and practiced finding them in our reading and using them in our writing.


• Math - We practiced making numbers using ones, tens, and hundreds blocks; we practiced reading and writing number words up to 100; and we practiced reading graphs.


• Writing - We learned how to begin a story by using a "5 finger lead" and how to write a make-believe story with a beginning, middle, and end.


• Science - We learned about different types of soil.


• History - We reviewed map skills, focusing on continents, countries, and states, and we talked about the symbolism of the American Flag.


• Bible - We learned about how God set the Israelites apart, and how we are "set apart" to be different from the rest of the world even though we live in the world. We are special to God!

Here are just a few reminders:

• Our field trip to the Mahaffey Theater will be NEXT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH. BE SURE TO PACK A LUNCH FOR YOUR CHILD THAT DAY AS WE WON'T BE BACK TO SCHOOL IN TIME TO EAT HOT LUNCH! THANKS!


• The Book Fair is next week! Mrs. Corsino's class will shop on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH---THE SAME DAY AS THE FIELD TRIP---at 1:50 in the afternoon. Please be sure to send your child to school with money in a baggie or in an envelope labeled with your child's name that day!


• The flag project is due on NOVEMBER 11TH!


• We will be having our annual THANKSGIVING ON THE LAWN from 10-12 on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH. An order form will be coming home in the Friday Folder! An adult meal will cost $8 and a child's meal $5. YUM!

During my personal devotion time this week, I've been reading in the Book of Galatians. One tiny little verse that "jumped out" at me was a portion of verse 6 which says, "...God does not judge by external appearances..." It fit in with what I've been teaching the children about kindness this week. Just because someone doesn't look pretty or handsome...maybe they're dirty...missing teeth...wearing old, torn-up clothes...doesn't mean they're not kind. And just because someone looks pretty or handsome...wearing expensive designer clothes or shoes... having perfect teeth and a beautiful smile...having a wonderful complexion...doesn't mean they are kind. We need to notice what's on the inside of people...listen to the things they say and watch the things they do. God sees our hearts and He notices what's on the inside!

Have FUN this weekend!

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be FAITH.

Mrs. Lupia's will be ADRIANNA.

SECRET WORD: FLAG

NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 23RD

Hi! We have had such a FANTASTIC week of FALL FUN! We just love our jobs! Where else can you come to work wearing a Doctor Seuss hat or a chicken on your head?!?!?! It was great to see the children dressed up each day to celebrate our school's homecoming! We hope to see many of you at tonight's game...GO MUSTANGS!!!!!

In addition to all the fun, we learned, learned, learned! Here are just a few highlights:

• Reading - We read a wonderful fictional selection called The Butterfly House. We talked about point of view and sequencing, and practiced lots of reading strategies, including Monitoring/Clarifying and Summarizing. We continued reading our rain forest chapter book in reading group, too, and we compared/contrasted some animals that we read about!



• Math - We practiced telling time to the minute, counting money past one dollar, and reading graphs. We learned about estimation and how to record numbers represented by tens and ones blocks.



• Science - We learned about the layers of the Earth and began learning about rocks. On Monday, the Young Scientists went to the Science Lab and observed minerals inside the rocks. Fun!



• Writing - We reviewed how to write a 5 paragraph essay, and we finished writing our habitat reports. Some of these are already graded and in this week's Friday Folder. If your child's isn't in there, it will be next week! They worked really hard on these!



• Language Arts - We reviewed comma usage, capitalization, and end punctuation. We learned about homonyms, too!



• We also had Firefighter Trese come and talk to us about fire safety, which the children really enjoyed!

Here are a few announcements/reminders:

• October 30th - PUMPKIN DAY! Your child may wear orange to school that day or anything with a pumpkin on it!



• The BOOK FAIR is coming up the week of November 3rd! MRS. CORSINO'S CLASS will preview the fair on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, and we will shop on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH at 1:50 in the afternoon. Feel free to send your child to school with money to buy books that day!



• November 5th - Field trip to Mahaffey Theater - Be sure to pack your child a lunch that day as we won't be back in time for hot lunch!



• November 11th - Flag project due!!!



• Second grade is in charge of chapel in December. We will be doing a short Christmas Play. Sometime before Thanksgiving, we will let you know what your child's part is so that you can keep your eyes out for a costume!



• In February or March we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss' Birthday. The children will be allowed to dress up like the Cat in the Hat or another character from a Dr. Seuss book that day. We just wanted to give you a "heads up" about this so that you can be looking when the Halloween costumes go on sale!



• Please be sure to send your child's "book baggie" and bookmark to school each day! I check these most afternoons to see what the children are reading!



• Please be sure to practice addition and subtraction facts up to 18 with your child at home. Thanks!



• Bible - Moses and the 10 Commandments

We would really like to have the chance to conference with all of our families sometime in the next month 0r so. We are available after school (at 3:15) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please let me know a date and time you would like to come by writing a note in your child's agenda. (We can do these in 15 minute increments...so you could either come at 3:15, 3:30, or 3:45. If someone else has already requested the date and time that you ask for I will write a note suggesting a different time that's close to the one you requested.) Thanks!

For my personal devotion time this week, I have been reading in the Book of 2 Corinthians. A verse that spoke to me was Chapter 4 Verses 8-9 which says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Even when we go through difficulties in our life, we have God on our side. Sometimes when we are experiencing something hard, it's the best time for others to see the work of Jesus in our lives!

Have a Fun Fall weekend with your sweeties!

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Next week's STAR STUDENT in Mrs. Corsino's class is SAMUEL.

Mrs. Lupia'S STAR STUDENT is MARIA.

***We are trying to start working on our end of the year memory books, but we are in need of a few items:

• clear page protectors (the size of a regular sheet of copy paper)



• solid colored scrapbook paper (the size of a regular sheet of copy paper)



• gift cards to Wal-Mart so that we can develop the pictures

Please feel free to send these items in as you are able! Thanks!

SECRET WORD: ROCKS

NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 16TH

Hi! We've had another AMAZING week here at NCS! On Monday I (Mrs. Corsino) spent the day observing at Cross Bayou Elementary. It was great to see some new ideas! Mrs. Lupia kept all of our Young Scientists that day! They did many exciting activities, including playing a science game! Then, on Tuesday, I was home because my 8th grade son was sick with a fever. I am SO READY for all of the bugs to go away!!! :) We had a wonderful sub teach your children in my absence.

I was back on Wednesday, and both Second Grade classes spent the rest of the week learning, learning, learning! We began writing our reports about habitats. Thanks so much for doing the research at home. I am so proud of how well the children are doing with their writing! We will hopefully finish these reports next week.

Some other things we learned included:

• Reading - We read a fun story called "The Paper Crane," and we practiced using our reading strategies, focusing on Asking Questions.






• Math - We learned how to add 3 numbers, and we also learned how to use Number Rule Machines!






• Language Arts - We reviewed capitalization and punctuation rules.






• Social Studies - We talked about Christopher Columbus and sang "The Columbus Rap."






• Science - We continued to learn about animals and their habitats, as well as the Earth and its landforms.






• Bible - We've been learning about the 10 commandments.

During my personal devotion time this week, I finished reading the book of 1 Corinthians and started reading 2 Corinthians. I like 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 3-4, which says, "Praise be to the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." It's so true. If we look to God, He will comfort us when we are feeling sad or distressed, and we, knowing the Lord, can be a comfort to those around us. We all really do need each other in this crazy world we live in!

Here are some announcements and reminders:

Next week ( October 19-23) is our Homecoming Week! Dress up days will be as follows:

• Monday, 10/19 – Wear attire of your favorite sports team.






• Tuesday, 10/20 – Crazy hat and crazy socks day






• Wednesday, 10/21 – Mismatch Day






• Thursday, 10/22 – Mustang Roundup Day (Dress like a cowboy/cowgirl!)






• ALSO NEXT THURSDAY, we are asking each child to bring in a small pumpkin decorated to look like a character in a story. (See note in the Friday folder). We will be using this for a writing activity the following week.






• Friday, 10/23 – School Spirit Day – Wear red, white, and blue!
  






• Also NEXT FRIDAY, we are asking each child to bring in a teddy bear because we will be reading Courderoy the following week, so we want to "kick things off" with a Teddy Bear Picnic!

On Friday, October 30th we will be celebrating "Pumpkin Day" in second grade! We will spend some time thanking God for Autumn and for pumpkins! Your child may come to school dressed in orange that day, or wearing a shirt (or socks, or a pin, etc.) with a pumpkin on it. Let me know if you would be willing to send in a pumpkin treat (cookies, pumpkin bread, etc.) that day for the children to enjoy! I would also love to carve a pumpkin and bake the seeds, so if you would like to send in a big pumpkin for us, that would be wonderful! Please let me know by writing a note in your child's planner. Thanks!

November 5th – Field Trip to the Mahaffey Theater to see a fun show about science. The $6.00 to cover the cost of this trip will be due next Friday, 10/16. Thanks!

November 11th – Flag Project Due – More information is in the Friday Folder.

Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND with your sweeties!

In Christ's Name,
Jen Corsino and Rachel Lupia

PS Next week, Mrs. Corsino's Star Student will be LAUREN!

Mrs. Lupia's Star Student will be KAMRYN.

*This year, we are asking that no dogs or cats be brought in for star student due to some pet allergies. It's hard to keep track of who's allergic to what, so it's just easier to leave our furry friends at home! Feel free to send in photos to share!

SECRET WORD: HABITAT

*Please be sure to practice addition and subtraction facts up to 18! (for example, 18-9, 17 + 3, etc.)

NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 9

Hi! Happy Friday! It was so nice to see so many of you at our auction last night! It was a fun time, and I appreciate your love and support for our school more than I can say!

It's been another wonderful week of fun and learning here in second grade! We continued learning more about the different kinds of animals God created, and we made posters with pictures cut from magazines of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and arthropods. We practiced our categorization skills, and the children did a fantastic job!

Here are some other things we learned:

• Reading - We read "The Elves and the Shoemaker" and practiced asking questions about the story and making connections, too! We also continued to read our chapter book about rain forests during reading group.
• Math - We learned how to tell time to the minute, we learned about fact families, and we learned that addition and subtraction are related!
• Language Arts - We reviewed nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and compound words. We also learned about putting commas between items in a series. We learned what a thesaurus is, too, and practiced using one.
• Writing - We learned about invitations, practiced journaling, and learned how to write a 5 paragraph essay.
• Bible - We learned about how God parted the Red Sea!

Here are some announcements and reminders:

The week of October 19-23 is our Homecoming Week! Dress up days will be as follows:
Monday, 10/19 – Wear attire of your favorite sports team.
Tuesday, 10/20 – Crazy hat and crazy socks day
Wednesday, 10/21 – Mismatch Day
Thursday, 10/22 – Mustang Roundup Day (Dress like a cowboy/cowgirl!)
Friday, 10/23 – School Spirit Day – Wear red, white, and blue!

On Friday, October 30th we will be celebrating "Pumpkin Day" in second grade! We will spend some time thanking God for Autumn and for pumpkins! Your child may come to school dressed in orange that day, or wearing a shirt (or socks, or a pin, etc.) with a pumpkin on it. Let me know if you would be willing to send in a pumpkin treat (cookies, pumpkin bread, etc.) that day for the children to enjoy! I would also love to carve a pumpkin and bake the seeds, so if you would like to send in a big pumpkin for us, that would be wonderful! Please let me know by writing a note in your child's planner. Thanks!

November 5th – Field Trip to the Mahaffey Theater to see a fun show about science. Please send in $6.00 to cover the cost of this trip by next Friday, 10/16. Thanks!

November 11th – Flag Project Due – More information will come home soon about this!

For my personal devotion time this week, I've been continuing to read in the book of 1 Corinthians. A verse that I've been thinking about is Chapter 10 verse 31 which says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." The part that jumped out at me was whatever you do. So when we're driving down the road late for work, we should be driving for the Lord...and when we're doing 10 loads of laundry on a Saturday, we should do it for the Lord...and when we're at the grocery store, we should be shopping for the Lord. WHATEVER we do, we should do it for the glory of God. It was a bit of a crazy week for me, and thinking about this really helped my attitude. After all, everything I'm doing, I'm doing for Jesus...and He deserves nothing but my best...with a smile!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend! Live for the Lord!

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be GABRIEL.

Mrs. Lupia's Star Student will be CORI.

SECRET WORD: comma

NEWSLETTER - October 2nd

Hi! Happy October! We have had a FANTASTIC week here in 2nd grade! We spent some time talking about food chains and food webs, and the children made their own food chain puppets and "acted out" the food chain! Fun! We continued learning about different types of animals and habitats, reviewing mammals and reptiles and focusing on amphibians and the rain forest. We made some animals out of construction paper and categorized them, too! Here are some of the other things we learned:

• Language Arts - comma usage
• Math - using addition facts to help us subtract; relating addition and subtraction
• Bible - We continued learning about Moses, focusing on the last plague that God sent to Pharaoh, and we talked about the Passover Meal. Then, we had our very own Passover Celebration!
• Reading - We began a new unit about kindness and read a fun story called "Mushroom in the Rain." We practiced the reading strategies we have learned this year and talked about ways to be kind.
• Writing - We finished making our Jolly Postman books, and we learned how to write a thank-you note, too!
• We also made some cute pumpkins to hang on our October bulletin board!

Here are some announcements and reminders of upcoming events:

• Thursday, October 8th - Denim and Diamonds Auction - Please plan to attend this fun-filled evening!
• Friday, October 9th - HALF DAY and END OF THE GRADING PERIOD.
• October 19-23 - HOMECOMING WEEK! The children may come to school dressed-up in the following themes:

MONDAY - Dress in the attire of your favorite sports team

TUESDAY - Crazy hat and crazy socks day

WEDNESDAY - Mismatch Day (Wear things that clash!)

THURSDAY - Mustang round-up day (Wear Western clothes.)

FRIDAY - Wear red, white, and blue to show school spirit!

• November 5th - Field trip to the Mahaffey Theater - Remember to send in $6.00 with your child to cover the cost of the trip. Also, remember to pack a lunch that day!

This week during my personal devotions, I have been reading in the Book of 1 Corinthians. I was thinking about Chapter 4 verse 2 which says, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." It got me thinking about the way you trust me with your sweeties...and I pray that I am proving faithful! I love them so very much and when I teach them I do it with all of my heart. Thank you so much for allowing me this privilege!

Have THE BEST weekend!

In Christ's Name,

:) Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

Next week's Star Student in Mrs. Corsino's class will be MITCHELL.

Next week's Star Student in Mrs. Lupia's class will be LOGAN.

SECRET WORD: amphibian (Sorry... I forgot to include one last week so everyone got the half dollar!)

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 25

Hi! What a fun-filled day we had celebrating Johnny Appleseed! Thanks so much to everyone for sending in items, and thanks to those of you who were able to come and help today! The children had SO MUCH FUN, and we couldn't have done it without you!



In addition to learning all about Johnny Appleseed throughout the week, we did many, many other things! Here are just a few:

• Reading - We read a fun story called "Tomas and the Library Lady" and another one called "Dear Polar Bear," and we practiced reading strategies.


• We colored in Johnny Appleseed's journey on a map and reviewed north, south, east, and west with a song.


• Language Arts - we reviewed common and proper nouns, possessive nouns, and action verbs, and then we took a quiz!


• Math - We reviewed "key words" that tell us to add and subtract, and we practiced adding doubles and doubles plus one.


• Writing - We continued to learn the parts of a letter as well as how to address an envelope, and we made our own Jolly Postman books!


• Science - We continued learning about habitats and we discussed the traits of reptiles. We also learned about the parts of an apple blossom!

Second Grade at NCS is such a busy place! Here are a few reminders of upcoming events:

• October 8th - Diamonds and Denim Auction - Please come for a fun-filled evening!


• November 5th - Field trip to Mahaffey Theater! Mrs. Corsino's chaperones will be MR. MULLHOLAND and MRS. BACON. Please be sure to pack a lunch that day! The cost for entry and for transportation will be $6.00 and you may start sending that in any time!
• To celebrate Veteran's Day in November, we will be learning about the American Flag. As a part of this unit, we will be asking the children to do a project at home. They will need to create an American Flag. Anything goes! They may do it on a poster board, decorate a cake to look like a flag, paint a T-shirt, etc. Be creative! A note will come home reminding you about this in October, but we just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can start thinking about ideas! It will be due on November 11th. :)

This week during my devotion time at home, I have been reading in the Book of Romans. I was thinking about chapter 15 verse 2 which says, "Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." We talk a lot in second grade about the importance of building one another up, not tearing one another down. When we say and do things for one another, it makes Jesus smile! Thanks for all the wonderful things you do for us here at NCS every day! We love you!

Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!

In His Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be TAYLOR.

Mrs. Lupia's Star Student will be GAVIN.

NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 18TH

Hi, everyone! It's been another WONDERFUL WEEK in second grade here at NCS! Today was Hispanic Heritage Day, and the children had lots of fun celebrating! We heard from some wonderful speakers with Hispanic backgrounds, and we did tons of fun activities, too! Have your child tell you all about it!

We did lots and lots of learning this week, too! We continued learning about Johnny Appleseed! We discussed his journey across several states, and we learned lots of things about the life he lived! We learned some things about apples and apple trees, too, as well as about animals and their habitats. Ask your child to tell you what we've learned about mammals and about rain forests!

Here are some other things we studied this week:

• Math - subtraction stories; double-digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping.
  
• Science - We concluded our plant experiment and began learning about animals!!!
• Writing - We read a cute story called Jolly Postman and leaned the proper way to write a letter; We finished our autobiographies! YAY! The sloppy copies will come home soon (you may see your child's in the Friday folder either this week or next week) and the published copies will go into your child's memory book until the end of the year when you will take them home!


• Language Arts - Possessive nouns and pronouns


• Reading - We reviewed the long e spellings, made connections, made predictions, made inferences, and discussed characterization.


• Bible - We continued learning about Moses' life and about the plagues God sent because Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites.

Don't forget!!! Next Friday we will be celebrating all that we've learned about Johnny Appleseed! The fun will start at 1 and go until about 2:30. Remember to send in your assigned item and let me know if you'll be able to come and help with the fun! It should be a blast!!! Your child may come to school dressed like Johnny Appleseed or like someone from the pioneer period that day!

We will also have a chance to shop at the "Christmas in September" sale in the high school library next week! Both classes will get to preview the books next Tuesday, September 22nd, and we will make our purchases on Thursday, September 24th. Be sure to send your child to school with money that day if he/she would like to buy a book! Reading is so much fun!!!

Also, we will be taking a field trip to the Mahaffey Theater on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH to see the production "Newton's Revenge," which is a live stage show to teach about the role of physics in our everyday lives. The cost will be $6.00 for students and chaperones. If you'd like to come, we can only take 2 chaperones per class, so the first 2 notes we see in the planners will be "the lucky winners!" You may start sending the $6.00 in whenever you can! The bus will be leaving school around 9:45 that day and returning around noon, so everyone will need to pack a lunch that day as we won't be back to school in time for lunch in the Surfside Cafe. Thanks!

This week, Mrs. Neri came to our classroom to talk about a reading incentive that our school will be doing. We are encouraging the children to READ, READ, READ, because research shows that "good readers" also perform well across other subject areas. So...we will be setting a school wide goal of how many hours we want the student body to read this year. If they meet the goal, they will get to choose something ZANY for Mrs. Neri...and maybe for us teachers...to do! Today the children came up with ideas like having us dress up like a chicken, kiss a pig, get a pie in our faces, etc. So please encourage your child to read, and be sure to keep track of minutes read on the bookmark each day!

This week I've been thinking a lot about the everyday stresses we all feel in our lives. It's soooo important to put things into perspective...I know that I get so caught up in being perfect (which I WILL NEVER be able to do no matter how hard I try) that I sometimes forget about all the wonderful things the Lord is doing in my life. He has given me so many gifts...my husband and my wonderful children...this AMAZING job with your sweet children...a home...food...family...friends...the list of blessings just goes on and on. I need to remember to thank God and praise Him for taking care of me. "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart..."(Psalm 9:1).

Enjoy your blessings this weekend!

In His Name,

:) Jennifer Corsino and Rachel Lupia

*Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be MACAULEY!

*Mrs. Lupia's Star Student next week will be GAVIN!

SECRET WORD: applesauce

NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 11

Hi! Happy Friday! I'd like to start by thanking our wonderful room moms...Mrs. Sellers, Mrs. Clees, and Mrs. Harper in Mrs. Corsino's room...and Mrs. Shannon in Mrs. Lupia's room...for all that they have done! We couldn't pull off things like the auction, Johnny Appleseed Day, and all of our other fun days without your planning and help! Thanks so much to the rest of you, too, for giving your time and for sending things in for us! You are such a blessing!

It's been a short week here in second grade, but we've still accomplished lots and lots! We had a wonderful chapel today to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We sang several American songs and listened to the testimony of a veteran. During reading time, we read a story called "The Library," and we made connections by sharing our own library experiences. Some other things we learned included:

• Math - addition stories and turnaround facts


• Language Arts - action verbs, contractions, and compound words; We learned the Verb Hoe-Down and practiced the Pronoun Rap, too!
  
• Bible - the story of Moses - The children used baby dolls and acted out the story!


• Reading - Making inferences, making connections, and predicting
  
• Writing - We continued working on our autobiographies. The children are learning how to write a 5 paragraph essay! I am so proud of how hard they are working on this! We wrote a story from the perspective of a seed, too!
• Science - plants - We are continuing to observe what's happening with our plants...we are comparing the one with tin foil on its leaves to the one without the tin foil on Monday! We planted some lima beans, too, and we're watching them grow!
• Social Studies - Johnny Appleseed, continents, and the 4 directions

Thanks so much to those of you who have sent in items for our class basket! So far, Mrs. Corsino's basket only has 3 items in it...so if you're out and about shopping and are able to pick something up, that would be great! Remember, our theme is "Under the Sea!" Mrs. Lupia's basket is filling up...her theme is "Froggies, Froggies Everywhere!" Our Auction, "Denim and Diamonds," will be on Thursday, October 8th. We are looking forward to a fun-filled evening!

Here are a few more announcements/reminders:

• Next Friday, 9/18th, we will be celebrating Spanish Heritage Day! You don't have to do anything to prepare for this day...but we just wanted to let you know that it's coming up! We will celebrate all the Spanish that we've learned that day!
• Johnny Appleseed Day is coming up on Friday, 9/25th from 1-2:30. We need some parent volunteers from each class to make this day a success, so please write a note in your child's planner to let us know if you'll be able to come and help! There is a note in your child's Friday Folder to let you know what item we need you to send in! Thanks!
• Encourage your child to read Magic Treehouse books! This week we made our passport booklets! If your child takes and passes a test on http://www.magictreehouse.com/ at home, you can print out their passport seal and send it to school. They will get a reward, and they will get to glue their seal in their booklet! FUN!
• Some other fun websites to visit at home include spellingcity.com, aplusmath.com, and starfall.com!
• Remember to send in a small flashlight with your child! We are looking forward to using these soon!

During my own personal devotion time this week, I have been focusing on the issue of trusting God. It's not always easy because sometimes bad things happen in our lives, but Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Even though I don't always understand why things happen, I know that, in the end, God will make everything right. I can't trust my own perspective; I need to trust the Lord!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend!

In Christ's Name,
Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

PS Mrs. Corsino's Star Student next week will be EMILY!
Mrs. Lupia's Star Student will be ANDREW.

SECRET WORD: APPLES!!!

NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 4

Hi, everyone!!! HAPPY FRIDAY! We had another SENSATIONAL SECOND GRADE WEEK! We began the week on Monday by reviewing the scientific method and beginning a science experiment about plants. We have two almost identical plants, and we covered the leaves of one of them to see what would happen. Next week we will compare the 2 plants! Ask your child to tell you his/her prediction about what is going to happen!

We spent the week learning about plants. We observed the inside of lima beans and peanuts and talked about what we observed. We read about the parts of plants and discussed what they need to live and grow.

For reading, we enjoyed a funny selection called "Come Back, Jack." We practiced using the reading strategies making predictions, making connections, and comparing & contrasting. We read some great selections in reading group, too!

Other things we learned included:
Math: pictographs and bar graphs; We began our math speed drills, too!
Writing: Reviewed the 5 steps of the writing process; worked on autobiographies.
Language Arts: subject and object pronouns
Bible: We painted rainbows to remind us of how God keeps his promises, and we talked about what slavery was like in Egypt when Moses was born

Here are a few important announcements/reminders:

• Please send in a baby picture and a family picture with your child next week! We will use these for a project, so you won't get them back until the end of the year in the Memory Books!


• We are asking each child to bring in a flashlight to keep at school for some fun activities.


• If your child has a doll and a basket to bring in next week, he/she may. We will be acting out the story of Moses.


• JOHNNY APPLESEED DAY IS COMING UP! It is tentatively scheduled for FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH in the afternoon...pending approval from our calendar committee. We will need some parent volunteers to make this day a success, so please let me know if you'll be able to come and help! We will also be asking you to send in items...watch for your item in next week's Friday folder.


• NO SCHOOL NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH - LABOR DAY!!!


• Denim and diamonds auction - October 8th - Please send in items for our classroom baskets!!! Mrs. Corsino's basket is "Under the Sea" and Mrs. Lupia's is "Froggies, Froggies Everywhere!"


• Next week's STAR STUDENT in Mrs. Corsino's class will be JOHN!!!


• Next week's STAR STUDENT in Mrs. Lupia's class will be RHYS!


• Mrs. Corsino's library day is Tuesday and Mrs. Lupia's is Friday. Remember to have your child return his/her library books!


• Be sure to record your child's reading on his/her bookmark each day!


• Remember to send in Box Tops for Education!


• An entertainment book came home with your child last week. You may either purchase it, sell it, or return it to school!


• Be sure to see the flyer in the Friday Folder about "Christmas in September!"


• The soccer coach is looking for parent volunteers. Call the elementary office if you're interested!

Last week during class, a "teachable moment" happened, and the children and I stopped and read Matthew 25:31-46. Read it in your Bible if you have a chance! It's a great reminder that, whatever we do for people here on Earth, we are really doing for Jesus! :) Mrs. Corsino

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino and Mrs. Lupia

SECRET WORD: growing

*Both Mrs. Lupia's and Mrs. Corsino's classes are in need of plastic page protectors and solid colored 8 1/2 by 11" scrapbook paper for our Memory Books!

NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 28th

Hi! Happy Friday! We had another STUPENDOUS SECOND GRADE week! We began our "regular routine," and the children are doing great! Our reading unit this month is "Sharing Stories," and we had lots of fun reading stories from the genre "Humorous Fiction." To go along with the selection Ant and the Three Little Figs, we ate some Fig Newtons earlier in the week. Then, today we used fruit and other foods to create animals...and then we ate them. YUM!

We talked about the scientific method for science, and we did an experiment to determine if a frog would float better on a small lily pad or on a big one. Ask your child to tell you all about it! Then, during out Afternoon Adventure time one afternoon, we measured how far a second grader could jump! (We didn't have any frogs...)

Other topics of study included:

• Phonics - Ways to spell the long e sound


• Language Arts - Common and proper nouns


• Reading - Making connections with what we read


• Writing - Planning our autobiographies


• Bible - God keeps His promises


• Math - patterning and tally marks

I just want to take a moment to remind you about our upcoming "Denim and Diamonds" Auction. It will be on October 8th! Mrs. Corsino's class basket is titled "Under the Sea," and Mrs. Lupia's is "Froggies, Froggies Everywhere!". We would LOVE it if you could send in some items to fill our baskets up...for Mrs. Corsino's basket it could be things like goggles, sunscreen, a beach towel, gift cards to the aquarium or a fun place on the beach, etc. For Mrs. Lupia it could be things like toy frogs, a gift card to the Frog Pond restaurant, etc. Thanks so much for all you do! Be sure to put this date on your calendars...it will be tons of fun!

Here are a few announcements/reminders:

• Homework is due each Thursday.


• We need each child to bring in a flower from his/her yard or neighborhood NEXT THURSDAY for our Afternoon Adventure.


• Remember to send your child to school with the book baggie and bookmark each day.


• The "Early Bird" Spelling Test will be every Wednesday. The regular test and the "Bee Word" test (for children who got all the words correct on Wednesday) will be each Friday.


• Remember to send in Campbell Soup labels and Box Tops for Education!


• In the Friday folder each week, we will be sending home a page with the vocabulary words for the following week. Each word is used in sentences. This is just for your information! It is also a great example of where a child should be reading if he/she is on grade level. Feel free to have your child read this page to you so you can see how he/she is doing!!!

Be sure to check the margin to the left of this post for next week's homework, spelling words, and Bible verse. Have a fantastic weekend!

In Christ's Name

Jennifer Corsino and Rachel Lupia

PPS Some classroom needs for Mrs. Corsino's class include:

• Ziploc baggies (all sizes)


• toys, school supplies, etc. for our classroom store (We had our first store today and are very low on merchandise!)


• notecards


• A bunch of sunflower seeds for a project! (Both classes need these!)

Mrs. Lupia sent an e-mail home with her wishes! Thanks so much to everyone who has sent in items for both of our second grade classes! We are soooooo thankful for you!!!

PPS For my own personal devotion time this week, I read 2 Chronicles chapter 10. This chapter talks about Rehoboam, King Soloman's son who took the throne after his death. In this chapter, the Israelites go to Rehoboam and ask him to lighten their load because they have been serving in hard labor for years. Rehoboam consults the elders who advise him to lighten their load; he then consults his peers who tell him to make it even heavier. Well, Rehoboam listens to his peers, and this results in the people revolting and making someone else their king. (Rehoboam does continue to rule over a small number of people still living in Judah.) This chapter made me think about how we all need to be willing to take advice from people who we might not necessarily agree with, not just from our peers who say what we want to hear. True friends don't do that...they tell us the truth!

PPPS Next week's Star Student is BRITTNEY!!!

THE SECRET WORD IS...PLANTS!

NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 21st

Hi, everyone! It was so nice to see so many of you at Open House last night! What a blessing it was to be able to spend that time together discussing the upcoming year!

We had a FANTASTIC first week of second grade! We learned our classroom rules and routines and planned our classroom jobs. We spent bunches of time getting to know one another, too! We talked about what makes us special and about the families that God has given us...and as you know, the children made construction paper versions of themselves and family trees! We reviewed how to write an acrostic poem, and the children wrote acrostic poems using their names. We also read many fun stories and talked about how good readers make connections with what they read, and the children did some writing in their Author's Notebooks. For math, we practiced using our math tubs and we did some M & M math, too! We also did an exciting Science experiment with a penny, salt, and lemon juice. Ask your child to tell you about it! It was a busy, fun-filled week of learning!

I am looking forward to the weeks ahead! We are already feeling like a class family, and I thank God for giving me the privilege of teaching these sweet children this year!

In Christs Name,
Jennifer Corsino and Rachel Lupia

PS Next week's Bible verse is: "For he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).
PPS There will be no school on Monday, September 7 in celebration of Labor Day!

SECRET WORD/PHRASE: Reading is fun!!!

Hi! I've spent the past week getting our classroom ready for the next week, and I am SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED about the upcoming year! Our theme is "puzzles," because just like puzzle pieces, God created us unique and special, yet He fits us together perfectly for His purposes. I have been praying for all of you and am looking forward to a great year!

Summertime Fun!

Hi, Everyone! I hope that you are all having a great summer! My boys and I had so much fun! We did lots of different things, like ice-skating, bowling, playing at the beach, going to the mall, going to Adventure Island, going tubing, and going boating. We took a trip to North Carolina, too, where we caught fireflies, climbed trees (Derrick and Gavin...not me), went hiking, swam in a river, played near a waterfall, and did lots of shopping and relaxing! I am looking forward to seeing all of you really soon! Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!