Ms. Stephen

Happy Weekend!

The CRCT is over for us in second grade, so we are back to an almost regular schedule next week.  Our specials will still be modified because 3rd - 5th grades are still testing.  We will go to specials at 1:50 on Monday and Tuesday.

A correction for getting into the new Wiki about butterflies:  You will first have to log in with my email address

judy.stephen@cobbk12.org

then type the password   science

Here is the link to the wiki:

http://nicholsonbutterflies.pbwiki.com

There is a link to lots of websites about butterflies.  Not all sites work, but there are plenty more which do, so enjoy surfing around.

Life Cycles in the Classroom:  As of Friday afternoon, we now have 3 butterfly larva which have become chrysalids and 1 larva still getting ready.  Our bean seeds are softening and sending out roots.  The chia pets have not begun to grow yet but are soaking up lots of water.

The Homework Assignment sheet this week has a copy of the Math IMI scores for the first 3 quarters of the year.  You can see the progress your child has made from pre- to post test each quarter. 

We are still doing reading logs each day Monday through Thursday, and all homework is due on Fridays except math which comes from the math teacher, and the book projects.

The 100 and 100+Club new member celebration was rescheduled to next Friday due to testing.  We will have a couple of new members in the 100+ Club.

Book Projects are due Tuesday, April 29, including the purple summary sheet.

Check out the new Wiki

I have just started a wiki about butterflies.  Here is the link

http://nicholsonbutterflies.pbwiki.com

You may need a password to get in.  The password is

science

I hope you enjoy it!

A Note from the Superintendent

Here is a note from Superintendent of Schools Fred Sanderson.  I am passing it along for your information about "Take Your Child to Work Day."

Thursday, April 24, 2008, is "Take Your Child To Work Day."  In the past, schools have experienced a high level of absenteeism on this date throughout the District, so much so that despite the worthiness of the event, the absent students simply became too much of a disruption to the instructional day.

Beginning six years ago, the District no longer recognized the event and students were no longer excused to go to work with parents.  Instead, parents were encouraged to have their children experience the workplace during the summer recess.  That procedure remains in place this year.

Thank you for recognizing and following this procedure.

CRCT is coming!

The Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) is coming soon.  Here are the dates:

CRCT begins on April 23, 24, 25 for grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

CRCT will continue on April 28 and 29th for 3, 4, and 5

Make ups will happen on April 30, May 1, and 2nd.

It is so important to be at school each of the testing dates on time and well rested.  Eating breakfast provides the necessary brain fuel for doing well on the test. 

News and Notes

Monday - March 10 - Stevie B Night for 2nd grade

Friday - March 14 - End of 9 week grading period

Coming Up: 

2nd Grade Play - "Go Fish"

           March 19 & 20 - Morning performances for students

           March 20 - Evening performance   

More info coming....

Noteworthy News

Feb. 28 - Book Fair Preview

Feb. 29 - Book Reports Due

              Spirit Day, Chick Fil A, Banking Day, 100 Club Honors

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful treats on Valentine's Day for the students and for me!  Thank you Mrs. Kalet, Mrs. Kinard, and Mrs. Housley for the Valentine snacks.  The students loved them!  I loved all the pretty cards, candy and presents.

A big thank you to the whole class for the special Teacher Appreciation Day gift yesterday.  Mrs. Kinard presented me with a Nicholson brick certificate and a pot of tulips from the whole class.  Mrs. Henderson came by at lunch time and stayed with the class so I could attend the PTA luncheon.  PTA gave each teacher a vase with a tulip and a marvelous relaxing lunch time.  Thank you to all the PTA parents and to Mrs. Kinard and Mrs. Kalet, our room moms, for their part in making it happen.  Wow!  I felt truly pampered and appreciated and I thank each of you for that. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Important Dates:

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day - bring your cards for Valentine Exchange

              Candy Gram distribution

Feb. 18 - 19 - No School - Presidents' Day and Teacher Inservice Day

Feb. 29 - Spirit Day, Chick Fil A, Banking Day, New 100 Club Members

Remember, you can be part of the 100 Club if you pass your 7 min. timed tests on + and -.  Keep practicing!   If you also have 18 points in Accelerated Reader, you can become part of the 100 + Club.

We have been doing informational writing and now we are writing to persuade.  Using the 6 Traits, we will focus on organization, ideas and word choice.

In math, we have been working on measurement and will be moving to data (using tables and graphs).  We will continue to review addition, subtraction, regrouping, time, money, etc. all year.

In science we are studying the celestial bodies and will soon be moving to social studies:  Japan.  Meanwhile - here's a cool website for science

www.nasa.gov

Go to  For Students, then the Nasa Kids Club.  Enjoy!

Noteworthy News

Feb. 1 - Our last Fire Safety Lesson   Have you returned your Smoke Detector  homeworkyet?

Feb. 4 - Candy Grams on sale

Feb. 5 - PTA Meeting

Feb. 6 - Early Release:  Dismissal at 12:20

Feb. 8 - Nicholson Foundation Bingo Night - 6:30 p.m.

Coming Soon!

Jan. 17 - 6:30 p.m. - Internet Safety meeting

Jan. 18 - Registration for Mathathon is due

Jan. 21 - MLK holiday - No School

Jan. 22 - Jan. 28  Conferences

             Dismissal is at 12:20 each day of conferences

Jan. 22 - Moe's Night for 2nd grade

Jan. 25 - Spirit Day and Banking Day

Happy New Year 2008!

After our restful 2 weeks, we are back hard at work in 2nd grade.  At this time of the year, you will see your child develop greater independence.

In math, we are studying fractions and developing a sense of part of a group or part of a whole.  1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, and 1/10 are fractions your child will be familiar with.  We will move into measurement soon, so any extra practice at home measuring with a ruler and using a thermometer to tell the indoor or outdoor temperature will help.

In reading, the big focus is on comprehension.  Let your child read aloud sometimes, and silently other times.  Ask questions like, "What happened in the beginning?  Middle?  End?"  Have your child predict the next event in a story, or find 3 facts in a non-fiction book.  Reading should also be fun, so if you see that a certain type of book really gets your child interested, it may be worthwhile to find more titles by the same author.  We have checkout at the school media center every week. 

Every student should be taking AR tests, and you will get an AR report at the conference to show how many tests your child has taken during the first half of the year.  A good rule of thumb is 2 picture books a week, or a chapter book every 2 weeks or so, depending on length. 

Congratulations to Zack K., who has 50 AR points!

In science we are going to study the solar system next, and in social studies, Japan as it compares to our community.  2nd grade health is fire safety training from the fire department in 4 lessons coming soon.

Conference Week is coming up soon - Tues., Jan. 22 - Mon., Jan. 28.