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!!!