NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 28TH



What an INCREDIBLE week we had here in 2nd grade!  Yesterday, our 100th Day of School Celebration was DEFINITELY the highlight!  We read a story about "100," sang a 100th Day of School song, did lots of math activities with the number 100, made 100th day headbands, made 100 Day Snack Mix, made necklaces with 100 Fruit Loops, made geometric figures with 100 marshmallows and toothpicks, hopped 100 times, touched our toes 100 times, and saw how far 100 steps would take us!  It was a day filled with FUN and LEARNING!!!  Here are some other highlights of our week!
*Science - We learned about fossils!
*Math - We practiced these concepts: fractions, counting change, telling time, place value, multiplication, and division.  We also began learning about Roman Numerals!
*Language Arts - We learned abotu singular and plural nouns.
*Reading - We practiced choosing "Just Right" books and learned about main idea and details.
*Writing - We reviewed how to write a 5 paragraph essay, and the children began to write essays about LOVE!
*Bible - We talked about the Books of the Bible---how they are a collection of God's inspired letters to us, and how when we read them, we are reading God's messages.
*Spelling/phonics - We practiced words with aw, au, ough, and augh this week!

Here are a few reminders/announcements:
*Thanks so much for sending in used books to help the 5th graders earn money for their camping trip!  We will collect items through Friday, February 4. The sale will be February 7-11.
*Our Valentine Party will be on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH from 12:15 to 1:30. There is a list of children in our class at the bottom of this newsletter to help your child fill out Valentine cards for the class! See the sign-up sheet on our classroom door in case you'd like to send in some goodies for this fun day! A wonderful parent sent in Valentine Boxes for each child to put their valentines in, but if your child wants to make his/her own out of a shoebox at home, that's fine, too!
*On Friday, March 4th, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss! (March 2nd will be Dr. Seuss' birthday!) Your child will have the opportunity to come to school dressed to look like a character from a Dr. Seuss book that day. I just wanted to give you a "Heads-up" so that you can be on the look-out for costumes!!!
*Our FIELD TRIP to the Science Center will be on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH. The cost for this trip is $5.00 per student---you may begin sending this in any time! We will leave school that day around 10:30 and return to school between 12:30 and 12:45. PLEASE BE SURE TO PACK YOUR CHILD A LUNCH THAT DAY AS WE'LL BE EATING WHEN WE RETURN TO SCHOOL AND HOT LUNCH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE! We will have a small snack in the morning before we leave so the children won't feel hungry while we're there. There is no limit on how many chaperones can come with us on this trip, so if you'd like to come, we'd love to have you!!!
*Grandparents' Day will be on FEBRUARY 24TH.

During our teacher devotion time this week, Mrs. Kelly talked to us about the Holy Spirit---how the Spirit lives inside all Christians and how He prompts us to do God's Work.  She showed a wonderful clip by Beth Moore about just that.  You can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtk5WgzZcYA .  If you have a chance, watch it.  It's very moving and helps us to remember that God works through us every day---if we let Him!

Have a wonderful weekend!

In Christ's Name,
Mrs. Corsino

PS NEXT WEEK'S STAR AUTHOR WILL BE JASON!!!

SECRET WORD: FOSSILS!!!


CLASS LIST FOR VALENTINES:

Malachi           Kaiya
Matthew         Anthony
Gael               Ava
Julian              Abby
Jason             Dominic
Joshua           Jack T.
Star               Vivian
Jordan           Riley
Jack F.

NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 21ST



It was another fantastic week here in second grade! We began the week by introducing our new unit on fossils and dinosaurs.  We talked about the things we already know about this topic, and the children asked some GREAT questions!  We read a fun fictional piece about dinosaurs, and the children made their own fictional dinosaurs out of construction paper. FUN!  Here are some other things we learned: 
*Science - In addition to dinosaurs, we also continued discussing the resources God has given us.
*Math - We focused on addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
*Language Arts - We reviewed adjectives this week.
*Reading - During whole group reading instruction this week, we focused on the skill "Asking Questions." We continued to spend a lot of time reading silently, too.
*Writing - The children wrote biographies about one another, and we made a Book of Biographies to keep in our classroom!  They also did expository and descriptive writing about "How to Build a Snowman."  FUN!
*Social Studies - We continued learning about jobs the colonists had, and the children wrote about which colonial job they'd most like to have and why.  We also reviewed some information about Famous Americans, and we had a visit from Abraham Lincoln!
*Bible - We talked about how "The Church" is made up of God's people, and how God wants us to take care of the church building where we go to worship.
*Spelling/phonics - We practiced words with ch, tch, and ph this week.

Here are a few reminders/announcements:
*The 100th day of Second Grade is coming up NEXT THURSDAY, JANUARY 27TH. There was a note in last week's Friday Folder to let you know what your child will need to bring to school that day!
*Help the 5th grade go camping by donating your gently used children's books, dvds and computer games. Each classroom will have a collection box and the two classes that bring the most books earn a fabulous party courtesy of the 5th grade. We will collect items through Friday, February 4. The sale will be February 7-11.
*Our Valentine Party will be on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH from 12:15 to 1:30. There is a list of children in our class at the bottom of this newsletter to help your child fill out Valentine cards for the class! See the sign-up sheet on our classroom door in case you'd like to send in some goodies for this fun day!  A wonderful parent sent in Valentine Boxes for each child to put their valentines in, but if your child wants to make his/her own out of a shoebox at home, that's fine, too!
*On Friday, March 4th, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss! (March 2nd was Dr. Seuss' birthday!) Your child will have the opportunity to come to school dressed to look like a character from a Dr. Seuss book that day. I just wanted to give you a "Heads-up" so that you can be on the look-out for costumes!!!
*Our FIELD TRIP to the Science Center will be on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH. The cost for this trip is $5.00 per student---you may begin sending this in any time! We will leve school that day around 10:30 and return to school between 12:30 and 12:45. PLEASE BE SURE TO PACK YOUR CHILD A LUNCH THAT DAY AS WE'LL BE EATING WHEN WE RETURN TO SCHOOL AND HOT LUNCH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE! We will have a small snack in the morning before we leave so the children won't feel hungry while we're there. There is no limit on how many chaperones can come with us on this trip, so if you'd like to come, we'd love to have you!!!
*Grandparents' Day will be on FEBRUARY 24TH from 9:00-11:30.

During my personal devotion time at home, I've been reading in the Book of 1 Corinthians.  As I was reading, a verse that really jumped out at me was Chapter 1 Verses 8-9.  It says, "He [God] will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."   Sometimes in my life I am not strong.  I feel overwhelmed by all of the things there are to do, or by all of the things I have to go through.  It's in these times that I need to remember that I don't need to rely on my own strength...I can always rely on the strength of God, Who will always be faithful.  Doesn't that just make you want to smile?!?!?! 

Have a great weekend!

In Christ's Name,

Mrs. Corsino

PS NEXT WEEK'S STAR AUTHOR WILL BE STAR!!!

SECRET WORD: DINOSAURS!!!

CLASS LIST FOR VALENTINES:
Malachi               Kaiya
Matthew             Anthony
Gael                   Ava
Julian                  Abby
Jason                  Dominic
Joshua                Jack T.
Star                   Vivian
Jordan                Riley
Jack F.

NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 14TH

What a GREAT week we had here at NCS in Second Grade!  We began the week by talking about all the wonderful natural resources that the Lord has blessed us with!  We did two FUN Science experiments---one with rocks in jars of water---and another with soil and sand.  Ask your child to tell you all about them!  Here are some other things we learned:
*Science - We talked about ways to use the resources God gave us wisely, and we categorized rocks, too!  The children wrote paragraphs telling how they plan to take care of the Earth.
*Math - We focused on time this week!
*Language Arts - We reviewed sentence types and figurative language.
*Reading - We did LOTS of silent reading this week, and I read individually with the children to determine which strategies they are using independently and which ones they need to work on.  I LOOOOVE how excited this class gets about reading!  I'VE BEEN TRYING REALLY HARD TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT CHILDREN ARE READING SILENTLY HERE AT SCHOOL TO FOSTER MORE INDEPENDENCE AS WELL AS READING STAMINA.  COULD YOU PLEASE ALSO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOUR CHILD IS READING AT HOME BY AT LEAST 5 TO 10 MINUTES A DAY?  EVERYONE SHOULD BE READING A MINIMUM OF 60 MINUTES PER WEEK AT HOME BY NOW.  THE MORE YOU READ, THE BETTER YOU READ!!!  THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH!  (It would also be GREAT to practice addition and subtraction facts!  Some children are still counting on their fingers and using their number lines.  Thanks!)
*Writing - We focused on journaling, and we also practiced writing piggy back paragraphs.
*Social Studies - We did research about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
*Bible - We talked about how important it is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
*Spelling/phonics - We focused on the ou, ow, and ure sounds this week!  We also reviewed LOTS of the spelling and phonics rules we've learned this year!

Here are a few announcements:
*There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 17th in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
*The 100th day of Second Grade will be on THURSDAY, JANUARY 27TH. There is a note in this week's Friday Folder to let you know what your child will need to bring to school that day!

*Help the 5th grade go camping by donating your gently used children's books, dvds and computer games. Each classroom will have a collection box and the two classes that bring the most books earn a fabulous party courtesy of the 5th grade. We will collect items through Friday, February 4. The sale will be February 7-11.
*Our Valentine Party will be on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH from 12:15 to 1:30.  There is a list of children in our class at the bottom of this newsletter to help your child fill out Valentine cards for the class!  Next Monday, I'll post a sign-up sheet on our classroom door in case you'd like to send in some goodies for this fun day!
*At the beginning of March, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss! Your child will have the opportunity to come to school dressed to look like a character from a Dr. Seuss book. I just wanted to give you a "Heads-up" so that you can be on the look-out for costumes!!!
*Our FIELD TRIP to the Science Center will be on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH.  The cost for this trip is $5.00 per student---you may begin sending this in any time!  We will leve school that day around 10:30 and return to school between 12:30 and 12:45.  PLEASE BE SURE TO PACK YOUR CHILD A LUNCH THAT DAY AS WE'LL BE EATING WHEN WE RETURN TO SCHOOL AND HOT LUNCH WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE!  We will have a small snack in the morning before we leave so the children won't feel hungry while we're there.  There is no limit on how many chaperones can come with us on this trip, so if you'd like to come, we'd love to have you!!!

For Bible this week, we talked in class about the Greatest Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22: 27 & 29). If everyone in the world would just live by this ONE RULE, what a wonderful place our world would be!

In Christ's Name,
Mrs. Corsino

PS NEXT WEEK'S STAR AUTHOR WILL BE JACK F.!!!

SECRET WORD: MLK Jr.

CLASS LIST FOR VALENTINES:
Malachi                  Kaiya
Matthew                Anthony
Gael                      Ava
Julian                     Abby
Jason                     Dominic
Joshua                   Jack T.
Star                       Vivian
Jordan                   Riley
                             Jack F.

Newsletter - January 7th

Hi, everyone!!!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's been a FANTASTIC first week back to school here in second grade!  We started the week by sharing about some of the special things that happened over the holidays!  We made some fun Happy New Year hats, we talked about what it means to be starting a "new" year, we discussed what the word "resolution" means, and the children wrote about ways that they can be more and more like Jesus in 2010!  Today, we made snowmen to celebrate winter!  FUN!  Here are some other things we learned this week:

*Science - We began a new Science unit about landforms.
*Math - We focused a lot on multiplication this week, and we also practiced telling time, counting change, counting backwards by 2's, reading graphs, and adding & subtracting.
*Language Arts - We reviewed compound words and contractions.
*Reading - We talked about the different reading genres, and we reviewed what it means to pick a "Just Right" book and practiced.  I held individual reading conferences with the children to see how well they're using the strategies we've been learning.  They're doing great!
*Writing - We wrote our "New Year" pieces, and we also wrote descriptive pieces about hot chocolate.  We drank some hot chocolate while we wrote...YUM!
*Social Studies - We learned about the different Native American tribes, and we began learning about the  colonists and their way of life.
*Bible - We talked about how GREAT AND AWESOME our God is, and we learned a special hymn...How Great Thou Art.  The link is at the top of this webpage if you'd like to listen and sing along with  your child!  We also talked about the life of Jesus.
*Spelling/phonics - We reviewed the 1-1-1 rule: Anytime a BASE WORD has one syllable, one vowel, and one consonant after the vowel, you have to double the final consonant before adding a word ending.  We also practiced using the sounds "ch says /k/ in chorus" and "ph says /f/ in phone, and we practiced spelling some fun winter words, too!

Here are a few announcements:
*There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 17th in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
*The 100th day of Second Grade will be on THURSDAY, JANUARY 27TH.  There is a note in this week's Friday Folder to let you know what your child will need to bring to school that day!
*At the beginning of March, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss!  Your child will have the opportunity to come to school dressed to look like a character from a Dr. Seuss book.  I just wanted to give you a "Heads-up" so that you can be on the look-out for costumes!!!
*I am in the process of planning a field trip to the Science Center.  I will let you know more details when the trip is officially approved!  There is no limit on how many chaperones can come with us on this trip, so if you'd like to come, we'd love to have you!!!
At home over the holidays, I read a FANTASTIC  book by Immaculee Ilibagiza called Left to Tell about a young women who lived through the Rwandan holocaust.  This woman went through unspeakable things, yet her faith in God did not falter.  My favorite quote in the book was on pg. 101.  Immaculee was dreaming, and in in her dream Jesus spoke to her.  He said, "Mountains are moved with faith, Immaculee, but if faith were easy, all the mountains would be gone.  Trust in me, and know that I will never leave you."  This reminded me of part of Matthwe 17:20 which says, "...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."  I started thinking of how I haven't moved any mountains lately.  This made me think of the account in Mark Chapter 9.  A man's son was possessed, and the man wanted Jesus to heal him.  The man said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."  Jesus replied, "If you can?...Everything is possible for him who believes."  Immediately the man responded, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."  Jesus DID help him, and Jesus healed the boy.  I just love that!!!  God knows that faith isn't easy...but if we'll just ask Him to help us have faith in all circumstances, He will!

Have a faith-filled weekend!

In Christ's Name,
Jen Corsino

PS Instead of STAR STUDENT this semester, we will begin something new called STAR AUTHOR.  Whoever the STAR AUTHOR is will fill out a STAR AUTHOR form and write something over the weekend instead of doing the "regular" homework.  It can be an essay, a poem, a true story, or a fictional story.  On Monday, he/she may bring in the following:
     *The form
     *A picture of himself/herself reading
     *His/her favorite book
Then, on Friday, he/she will have the chance to share the story he/she wrote at home with the class.  In addition, he/she will be able to sit in the STAR AUTHOR chair and publish something to our STAR AUTHOR website.  The link is at the top of this blog. 
NEXT WEEK'S STAR AUTHOR WILL BE JORDAN!!!

SECRET WORD: 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!