Week of March 9th-13th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Sunday...
Parent Teacher Conferences
I would like to thank you for your time to meet me for PT conferences. It was so nice to see and speak with all of you. I hope our short meeting was helpful in some way.
Chess Instruction
We will start in-class chess instruction this week on Thursdays. This program will run every week through June.
Swimming
Our class is confirmed for swimming on Wednesdays staring in April. I will provide you with more info once I get them...
PI Day
PI Day is on March 14th. I will spend our math time this Friday teaching students about the history and importance of PI day. We will also explore PI with a fun activity.
Math
We will explore Elapsed time this week and next. Students will come home with a homework packet. Please support students on this, if needed.
Please also continue to practice telling time with your child, especially the smart way...
Social Studies & Landmark Project
Students will have a short quiz on NYC bridges and tunnels on Friday. I will send home a study sheet.
A kind reminder that the NYC Landmark Project is due tomorrow. However, if your child needs more time, please let me know.
Learning Objectives
Reading
Have an amazing week!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Sunday...
Parent Teacher Conferences
I would like to thank you for your time to meet me for PT conferences. It was so nice to see and speak with all of you. I hope our short meeting was helpful in some way.
Chess Instruction
We will start in-class chess instruction this week on Thursdays. This program will run every week through June.
Swimming
Our class is confirmed for swimming on Wednesdays staring in April. I will provide you with more info once I get them...
PI Day
PI Day is on March 14th. I will spend our math time this Friday teaching students about the history and importance of PI day. We will also explore PI with a fun activity.
Math
We will explore Elapsed time this week and next. Students will come home with a homework packet. Please support students on this, if needed.
Please also continue to practice telling time with your child, especially the smart way...
Social Studies & Landmark Project
Students will have a short quiz on NYC bridges and tunnels on Friday. I will send home a study sheet.
A kind reminder that the NYC Landmark Project is due tomorrow. However, if your child needs more time, please let me know.
Learning Objectives
Reading
- NF readers collect and use keywords to talk the lingo
- NF readers write notes using boxes/bullets, webs, etc.
- NF readers think about the 5ws and how
- NF readers add on information across books, eliminating wrong info
- Learning to write like a scientist
- Drafting results and conclusions
- Record multiple tries and detailed records matter
- Elapsed time word problems (Two weeks)
- Prefixes (Last week)
- Landmark West (Week three)
- NYC Bridges and tunnels (Review)
- Women's History Month
Have an amazing week!
Casandra
Week of March 2nd-March 6th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to March!
Dr. Seuss' Birthday
Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss's birthday. We will take some time to learn about him, and do some fun activities. Students will come home with an optional reading about him.
Walking Trip on Tuesday
We have our second session with Landmark West on Tuesday. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast. We will play in by ear. If the weather doesn't corporate, we might have to reschedule. Will keep you updated. For now, please plan on sending students in with a raincoat and/or an umbrella.
March is Woman's History Month
We will spend this month learning about 2-3 important woman figures a week. Please support this work by asking students to teach you about the women we learn about :)
Parent Teacher Conferences
PT conferences is this coming Thursday, 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30. Dismissal will be at 11:30. Please arrange pick up for students. If your child takes the bus, please contact our parent coordinator directly.
Please kindly keep in mind that we unfortunately only have 10 minutes. It is extremely crucial for me to stick to the schedule. Please do not carry out a conversation with me that might take longer than 10 minutes. If there is something further you might want to discuss, my Tuesday afternoons are open, or we can work a time to get on the phone.
During those ten minutes, I will discuss student's performance in reading/writing/math, my goal for him/her for the rest of the school year, his/her behavior, etc. Please stop by to see any Specialty teachers if you can, to discuss your child's performance in those areas.
I will obviously be giving out report cards. You will see a P grade for gym for passing (Due to Ms. Mc's absence). This is across all classes.
I look forward to seeing and speaking with all of you.
Rising Runners Representative
On this coming Friday, a representative from Rising Runners will be joining us for our running session. He will be doing an exercise routine with students. We are aiming for 9:15am (Just incase there is a last minute assembly).
NYC Landmark Project
Reminding you that the NYC Landmark Project is due on Monday, March 9th.
SS Quiz
Students will have a Social Studies quiz tomorrow. Same NYC map that was sent home.
I will out this coming Wednesday
I was chosen to participate in a Principal's meeting in another school this coming Wednesday and will be out. Thorough plans will be provided for our guest teacher.
New Writing Unit -Lab Report and science books
We will start a new writing unit later on this week/early next week. In this incredibly fun unit, students will learn how to write like a scientist by conducting hands-on experiments and connecting it with writing. They will develop a hypothesis, test out theories, record trials, and explain results, and conclusions. They will study data, notice patterns, and creating models to represent the data.
Learning Objectives
Reading
Writing
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to March!
Dr. Seuss' Birthday
Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss's birthday. We will take some time to learn about him, and do some fun activities. Students will come home with an optional reading about him.
Walking Trip on Tuesday
We have our second session with Landmark West on Tuesday. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast. We will play in by ear. If the weather doesn't corporate, we might have to reschedule. Will keep you updated. For now, please plan on sending students in with a raincoat and/or an umbrella.
March is Woman's History Month
We will spend this month learning about 2-3 important woman figures a week. Please support this work by asking students to teach you about the women we learn about :)
Parent Teacher Conferences
PT conferences is this coming Thursday, 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30. Dismissal will be at 11:30. Please arrange pick up for students. If your child takes the bus, please contact our parent coordinator directly.
Please kindly keep in mind that we unfortunately only have 10 minutes. It is extremely crucial for me to stick to the schedule. Please do not carry out a conversation with me that might take longer than 10 minutes. If there is something further you might want to discuss, my Tuesday afternoons are open, or we can work a time to get on the phone.
During those ten minutes, I will discuss student's performance in reading/writing/math, my goal for him/her for the rest of the school year, his/her behavior, etc. Please stop by to see any Specialty teachers if you can, to discuss your child's performance in those areas.
I will obviously be giving out report cards. You will see a P grade for gym for passing (Due to Ms. Mc's absence). This is across all classes.
I look forward to seeing and speaking with all of you.
Rising Runners Representative
On this coming Friday, a representative from Rising Runners will be joining us for our running session. He will be doing an exercise routine with students. We are aiming for 9:15am (Just incase there is a last minute assembly).
NYC Landmark Project
Reminding you that the NYC Landmark Project is due on Monday, March 9th.
SS Quiz
Students will have a Social Studies quiz tomorrow. Same NYC map that was sent home.
I will out this coming Wednesday
I was chosen to participate in a Principal's meeting in another school this coming Wednesday and will be out. Thorough plans will be provided for our guest teacher.
New Writing Unit -Lab Report and science books
We will start a new writing unit later on this week/early next week. In this incredibly fun unit, students will learn how to write like a scientist by conducting hands-on experiments and connecting it with writing. They will develop a hypothesis, test out theories, record trials, and explain results, and conclusions. They will study data, notice patterns, and creating models to represent the data.
Learning Objectives
Reading
- Good readers use different strategies to read different nonfiction text features
- Good readers reread when they realize that they have trouble explaining the text to themselves or their club
- Good readers break apart their longer text into manageable sections
- How to take notes using boxes/bullets and webs
Writing
- Fancying up our series books
- Front/cover of series "box"
- About the author page
- Celebration
- Telling time the Smart Way
- A.M and P.M.
- NYC bridges and tunnels
- Landmark West Program (Week 2)
- Woman's History Month
Casandra
Math
Dear Parents,
When we returned from break, our school adopted a new sign in-out procedure, where students need to write the time when leaving/entering the classroom. Consequently, I needed to teach students how to tell/write time. Because of this, I made an impromptu decision to just continue with time, since I got us started.
We will spend a couple of weeks learning how to:
- tell and write time by the hour and half an hour using analog clocks and digital clocks
- tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog clocks and digital clocks
-Drawing the minute/hour hands on the clock
- Telling time the regular way and the smart way
- A.M. and P.M.
- Elapsed time (2 weeks)
You can support me by:
- Have students wear an analog watch (Not digital)
- Constantly ask your child, what time it is...
- Support them when we learn about telling time the Smart way (Quarter past, half past, quarter to)
I also sent home today an optional time packet. Please only have them work on what was taught by me (For now, everything up to page 18).
When I send home Elapsed time homework in a few weeks, that homework is required.
Students also came home with a NYC map they worked on in class. Please use that as a study guide. They will have the same blank map for their quiz this coming Monday.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
When we returned from break, our school adopted a new sign in-out procedure, where students need to write the time when leaving/entering the classroom. Consequently, I needed to teach students how to tell/write time. Because of this, I made an impromptu decision to just continue with time, since I got us started.
We will spend a couple of weeks learning how to:
- tell and write time by the hour and half an hour using analog clocks and digital clocks
- tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog clocks and digital clocks
-Drawing the minute/hour hands on the clock
- Telling time the regular way and the smart way
- A.M. and P.M.
- Elapsed time (2 weeks)
You can support me by:
- Have students wear an analog watch (Not digital)
- Constantly ask your child, what time it is...
- Support them when we learn about telling time the Smart way (Quarter past, half past, quarter to)
I also sent home today an optional time packet. Please only have them work on what was taught by me (For now, everything up to page 18).
When I send home Elapsed time homework in a few weeks, that homework is required.
Students also came home with a NYC map they worked on in class. Please use that as a study guide. They will have the same blank map for their quiz this coming Monday.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
Learning Objectives (Week of Feb 24th-28th)
Reading
Math- Engage NY Module 6: Word Problems support the Foundations of Multiplication and DivisionModule 6 lays the conceptual foundation for multiplication and division in Grade 3 and for the idea that numbers other than 1, 10, and 100 can serve as units. Topics in this module include: Formation of Equal Groups, Arrays and Equal Groups, Rectangular Arrays as a Foundation for Multiplication and Division, and The Meaning of Even and Odd Numbers
Grammar - Prefixes (2 weeks)
Social Studies - NYC Boroughs, main airports, and waterways (Quiz Monday)
Landmark West - NYC landmark (Program for the next 4 weeks)
Casandra
Reading
- Introduction to Nonfiction Bool Clubs, pick topics, discuss subtopics (Taught today)
- Good NF readers think, "What kind of text is this?" "What strategies do I know for reading this kind of text?"
- Good NF readers ask questions as they read, look for answers, and confirm answers they asked themselves.
- Good NF readers think, "What is this book or this part of the book teaching me?"
- Series writers give a lot of details on new characters (Taught today)
- Series writers use pop out words (onomatopoeia)
- Series writers use all strategies they know to revise
- Series writers use all strategies they know to edit their work
- Series writers end their stories with a strong ending, leaving their audience wanting know or provide closure.
Math- Engage NY Module 6: Word Problems support the Foundations of Multiplication and DivisionModule 6 lays the conceptual foundation for multiplication and division in Grade 3 and for the idea that numbers other than 1, 10, and 100 can serve as units. Topics in this module include: Formation of Equal Groups, Arrays and Equal Groups, Rectangular Arrays as a Foundation for Multiplication and Division, and The Meaning of Even and Odd Numbers
Grammar - Prefixes (2 weeks)
Social Studies - NYC Boroughs, main airports, and waterways (Quiz Monday)
Landmark West - NYC landmark (Program for the next 4 weeks)
Casandra
Week of Feb 24th-28th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a nice break,
New Reading Unit
Reading Workshop- Nonfiction Book Clubs
We are going back to Nonfiction reading!
In this unit, I will teach students to improve their nonfiction reading skills, and to work on their speaking and listening skills. We will work on fact collecting to a deeper understanding of main ideas and supporting information. Students will be reading longer books than they ever have, and will learn new strategies for hanging onto important information (And how to let go of not-so-important information).
They will also learn to take information provided in one book and add it to information learned in another, and another, thinking and learning about a topic across many texts. Students will be exposed to more complex nonfiction features such as Time lines or life cycles, Pro/cons, Cause and Effect, questions/answers, etc. I will also teach students how to effectively take notes using Boxes and bullets, T-charts, webs, and more.
Kids a-z (Razkids)
A kind reminder that our class has access to Kids a-z. Through this amazing site, students can access their leveled text through an interactive learning portal designed to keep them motivated and engaged. Every eBook is available in online and mobile formats, and allows students to listen to, read at their own pace, and record themselves reading. Students can do their 30 minute daily reading through this site. I had already set them up with their new current reading level.
Kids A-Z Login Instructions
Step 1: Go to www.kidsa-z.com
Step 2: Enter or choose the teacher's username: Casandraj115
Step 3: Your child finds his or her username on the class chart
Step 4: Your child enters his or her password. (Our password is the apple)
Trip Added for March 26th
We will take a trip to The Museum of the City of New York on Thursday, March 26th. We will take the bus. We will leave the school at 9:15 and should return by noon. Please let Darien know if you are interested in chaperoning.
We will be attending the Changes Over Time in New York Program:
Students will travel back in time to see New York through the centuries! Students will experience the immersive streetscapes wall with larger-than-life images of the five boroughs then and now. They will see artifacts ranging from archaeological findings from 400 years ago to original models of the Statue of Liberty.
Trip Added for April 23rd
we will take a trip to the Whitney Museum on April 23rd. We will attend the Artist as Observer Guided tour. We will leave the school around 9:00 and should be back by noon. Please let Darien know if you are interested in chaperoning.
PT Conferences
A kind reminder that you will be meeting with me on Thursday, March 5th for Parent Teacher conferences from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. Student will have a half day. Dismissal will be at 11:30. Please arrange pick up accordingly.
Will send learning goals tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a nice break,
New Reading Unit
Reading Workshop- Nonfiction Book Clubs
We are going back to Nonfiction reading!
In this unit, I will teach students to improve their nonfiction reading skills, and to work on their speaking and listening skills. We will work on fact collecting to a deeper understanding of main ideas and supporting information. Students will be reading longer books than they ever have, and will learn new strategies for hanging onto important information (And how to let go of not-so-important information).
They will also learn to take information provided in one book and add it to information learned in another, and another, thinking and learning about a topic across many texts. Students will be exposed to more complex nonfiction features such as Time lines or life cycles, Pro/cons, Cause and Effect, questions/answers, etc. I will also teach students how to effectively take notes using Boxes and bullets, T-charts, webs, and more.
Kids a-z (Razkids)
A kind reminder that our class has access to Kids a-z. Through this amazing site, students can access their leveled text through an interactive learning portal designed to keep them motivated and engaged. Every eBook is available in online and mobile formats, and allows students to listen to, read at their own pace, and record themselves reading. Students can do their 30 minute daily reading through this site. I had already set them up with their new current reading level.
Kids A-Z Login Instructions
Step 1: Go to www.kidsa-z.com
Step 2: Enter or choose the teacher's username: Casandraj115
Step 3: Your child finds his or her username on the class chart
Step 4: Your child enters his or her password. (Our password is the apple)
Trip Added for March 26th
We will take a trip to The Museum of the City of New York on Thursday, March 26th. We will take the bus. We will leave the school at 9:15 and should return by noon. Please let Darien know if you are interested in chaperoning.
We will be attending the Changes Over Time in New York Program:
Students will travel back in time to see New York through the centuries! Students will experience the immersive streetscapes wall with larger-than-life images of the five boroughs then and now. They will see artifacts ranging from archaeological findings from 400 years ago to original models of the Statue of Liberty.
Trip Added for April 23rd
we will take a trip to the Whitney Museum on April 23rd. We will attend the Artist as Observer Guided tour. We will leave the school around 9:00 and should be back by noon. Please let Darien know if you are interested in chaperoning.
PT Conferences
A kind reminder that you will be meeting with me on Thursday, March 5th for Parent Teacher conferences from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. Student will have a half day. Dismissal will be at 11:30. Please arrange pick up accordingly.
Will send learning goals tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of Feb 8th-14th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before Winter Break!
Reminder of Spirit Week this coming Week
Monday - Pajamas Day
Tuesday - School Spirit colors (White,yellow/gold, blue), owls, or PS111 t-shirt
Wednesday - Wacky hat/hair day
Thursday - Throwback Thursday
Friday - 100th day of school OR Valentines Day colors OR something to support Imaginary Country Presentations
Lice
Per Darien's email, I spent 10 minutes yesterday teaching students about what lice were, and how to prevent them. We will participate in a lice screen check on Monday.
Parents, Please have our girls put their hair up in a bun or ponytail, so the process is easier. Do not braid their hair for that day.
I taught students if/when someone gets lice, it does not in any way mean they are "not clean," it simply means that person was close to someone who has them.
Imaginary Country Event (Family Friday)
You are more than welcome to stay in our classroom throughout the morning from 8:30-9:40.
8:30-8:45 - Quick morning meeting
Quick Review of Rubric
8:45-9:00 - You will assist with helping them prepare for the event (Review landforms, etc)
9:00-9:20 - Ms. Greenberg's class
9:20-9:40 - Ms. Nidhiosaigh's class
9:40-10:10 - Break (Independent reading)
10:10-10:30 - Ms. Cintron's class
February Break
As you know Winter break is from February 17th-21st. Students will come home with two things they can work on during the break.
1) Writing (Optional)
Students will come home with some empty writing packets and their writing folder on Friday. If possible, please have them write 1-2 stories of their series during the break. They should already have 1-2 finished ones.
2) New York City Landmark A-Z Project (Required)
When we return from break, we will be diving into learning about New York City (five boroughs, bridges/tunnels, waterways, how people commute in NYC and NYC Landmarks).
In support/preparation for our sessions with Landmark West starting after February break (I will send a separate email and a packet will be sent home about the program), Students will be assigned a NYC Landmark Project .
Students will be assigned a letter, and will have to choose a NYC landmark starting with that letter to do their project on.
For example: E -Empire State Building, S-Statue of Liberty,
Please assist them with choosing a true Landmark. The place must be a have historical importance, easily seen, a place people "Make sure or try" to visit if they are in NYC, etc. (I will teach them this)
The project will be due Monday, March 9th. Students will come home later this week with:
PT Conferences
Our second PTC will be on Thursday, March 5th. If you haven't returned the sign up sheet, please do so ASAP. I would like to send confirmations out early this week. I also would like to point out that most of you picked the 3 earliest slots. I will try to accommodate everyone as much as I can.
Black History Month Project
So far, students have learned about these important figures, and students should be able to elaborate on...
I am not giving students words this week, due to the week before break.
If I do not see you, I wish all of you an amazing and relaxed February Break...
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before Winter Break!
Reminder of Spirit Week this coming Week
Monday - Pajamas Day
Tuesday - School Spirit colors (White,yellow/gold, blue), owls, or PS111 t-shirt
Wednesday - Wacky hat/hair day
Thursday - Throwback Thursday
Friday - 100th day of school OR Valentines Day colors OR something to support Imaginary Country Presentations
Lice
Per Darien's email, I spent 10 minutes yesterday teaching students about what lice were, and how to prevent them. We will participate in a lice screen check on Monday.
Parents, Please have our girls put their hair up in a bun or ponytail, so the process is easier. Do not braid their hair for that day.
I taught students if/when someone gets lice, it does not in any way mean they are "not clean," it simply means that person was close to someone who has them.
Imaginary Country Event (Family Friday)
You are more than welcome to stay in our classroom throughout the morning from 8:30-9:40.
8:30-8:45 - Quick morning meeting
Quick Review of Rubric
8:45-9:00 - You will assist with helping them prepare for the event (Review landforms, etc)
9:00-9:20 - Ms. Greenberg's class
9:20-9:40 - Ms. Nidhiosaigh's class
9:40-10:10 - Break (Independent reading)
10:10-10:30 - Ms. Cintron's class
- Students are not allowed notes/task cards for this event, as they are being assessed for their knowledge of each landform.
- Please continue to practice with them throughout the week. They must make sure they mention all important keywords/components of each landform to receive a 4. For example: Bay: a body of water with land on three sides, water is usually calm.
February Break
As you know Winter break is from February 17th-21st. Students will come home with two things they can work on during the break.
1) Writing (Optional)
Students will come home with some empty writing packets and their writing folder on Friday. If possible, please have them write 1-2 stories of their series during the break. They should already have 1-2 finished ones.
2) New York City Landmark A-Z Project (Required)
When we return from break, we will be diving into learning about New York City (five boroughs, bridges/tunnels, waterways, how people commute in NYC and NYC Landmarks).
In support/preparation for our sessions with Landmark West starting after February break (I will send a separate email and a packet will be sent home about the program), Students will be assigned a NYC Landmark Project .
Students will be assigned a letter, and will have to choose a NYC landmark starting with that letter to do their project on.
For example: E -Empire State Building, S-Statue of Liberty,
Please assist them with choosing a true Landmark. The place must be a have historical importance, easily seen, a place people "Make sure or try" to visit if they are in NYC, etc. (I will teach them this)
The project will be due Monday, March 9th. Students will come home later this week with:
- Their assigned letter
- A direction sheet (With more directions)
- A large poster
- A sentence strip to write the name of their landmark
PT Conferences
Our second PTC will be on Thursday, March 5th. If you haven't returned the sign up sheet, please do so ASAP. I would like to send confirmations out early this week. I also would like to point out that most of you picked the 3 earliest slots. I will try to accommodate everyone as much as I can.
Black History Month Project
So far, students have learned about these important figures, and students should be able to elaborate on...
- Rosa Parks
- What was her role in the Montgomery bus boycott?
- What were some ways people supported the boycott?
- What was her relationship with MLK?
- List the series of events that eventually led to the Boycott...
- Jackie Robinson
- How did he integrate baseball?
- What were some hardships he faced as a child and when he first joined the minor league?
- Ruby Bridges
- How were black/white schools different?
- What happened in 1954?
- How did Ruby help integrate schools?
- Harriet Tubman
- What was the Underground Railroad? Why was it called that?
- What was Harriet Tubman's role in the Underground Railroad?
- How did Harriet Tubman help during the Civil War?
- George Washington Carver
- How did GWC change farming?
- Why was he called the Plant Doctor?
- What is crop rotation?
- What were some discoveries he made with peanuts and sweet potatoes?
I am not giving students words this week, due to the week before break.
If I do not see you, I wish all of you an amazing and relaxed February Break...
Casandra
Notes
Dear Parents,
These are our learning targets for this week:
Reading
Use addition and subtraction within 1,000 to multi-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. (Ending Module 4 in Engage NY)
Social Studies
Homographs (Week two)
Parent Teacher Conferences
Our next Parent Teacher conference will be on Thursday, March 5th. I will be sending home the sign up sheet tomorrow. It is first come, first served. I would like to send confirmations out by this coming Monday.
Spirit Week (Feb 10th-14th)
Monday - Pajamas Day
Tuesday - School Spirit Day -Wear white, blue, gold or PS111 T-shirt)
Wednesday - Wacky Hair/hat day
Thursday - Throwback Thursday (Ex: dress like the 70s, 80s)
Friday - Their Choice: Valentine's Day (Red, pink, hearts) OR 100th day of school (Dress like a 100 year old person)
*I did not discuss this with students yet. We will have a class discussion about this tomorrow.
Notes
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
These are our learning targets for this week:
Reading
- Partners share their reading adventures (Taught today)
- Readers share their opinions about books
- Readers lift the level of book recommendations
- Writers bring their stories to life by making their characters talk and move (Taught today)
- Writers use a checklist to set goals
- Elaborate by bringing stories to life
Use addition and subtraction within 1,000 to multi-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. (Ending Module 4 in Engage NY)
Social Studies
- Finish landform projects/Black History Month Project
- We learned about Rosa Parks today: Students should be able to elaborate on:
- What makes Rosa Parks an activist?
- What was her role in the Montgomery Bus boycott?
- What were some ways people boycotted?
- How did Dr. King play a role in her life?
Homographs (Week two)
Parent Teacher Conferences
Our next Parent Teacher conference will be on Thursday, March 5th. I will be sending home the sign up sheet tomorrow. It is first come, first served. I would like to send confirmations out by this coming Monday.
Spirit Week (Feb 10th-14th)
Monday - Pajamas Day
Tuesday - School Spirit Day -Wear white, blue, gold or PS111 T-shirt)
Wednesday - Wacky Hair/hat day
Thursday - Throwback Thursday (Ex: dress like the 70s, 80s)
Friday - Their Choice: Valentine's Day (Red, pink, hearts) OR 100th day of school (Dress like a 100 year old person)
*I did not discuss this with students yet. We will have a class discussion about this tomorrow.
Notes
- I will also send a rubric that the third,fourth, and fifth graders will use to grade the students' Landform presentations tomorrow. Please continue to practice the definitions of the landforms with them (The 12 they have on their project). They will not be allowed note cards for this event.
- Just a side note that I reserved our spot for swimming classes in the spring. I should get a confirmation in two weeks.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of February 3rd-7th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a good weekend...
Spelling Words
We will continue our work on homographs this week. The spelling test will be in the same format as last week.
Black History Month
In addition to students working on their projects, and eventually teaching the class about their person. I will also teach students about 2-3 important figures every week this month. We will learn about:
Students should be able to elaborate on their impact to our history after this month...
Imaginary Country Event
Similar to our Museum Exhibit event in December, we will have an Imaginary Country Event on Friday, February 14th. I had invited the same three classes, and we will follow the same format as last time. We will have Family Friday from 8:30-9:00. You will again assist with getting students ready. The first class will arrive at 9:00.
Students will meet with 3-4 students from each class and will be assessed on the definitions of the landforms they have on their project. The third, fourth, and fifth graders will also help me grade their project on some sections from the rubric, coloring/labels/neatness,etc.
Spirit week
Spirit Week will be next week, Feb 10th-14th. Will keep you updated on which day is which.
February 14th marks our 100th day of school. Students will be doing fun 100th day activities throughout the day with me.
Important Dates
February 14th - Family Friday, Imaginary Country Event, Valentine's Day, 100th Day of school
February 17th-21st - Winter Break
I will send out learning targets tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a good weekend...
Spelling Words
We will continue our work on homographs this week. The spelling test will be in the same format as last week.
Black History Month
In addition to students working on their projects, and eventually teaching the class about their person. I will also teach students about 2-3 important figures every week this month. We will learn about:
- Ruby Bridges
- George Washington Carver
- Rosa Parks
- Jackie Robinson
- Harriet Tubman
- Frederick Douglass
- Louis Armstrong
- and more
Students should be able to elaborate on their impact to our history after this month...
Imaginary Country Event
Similar to our Museum Exhibit event in December, we will have an Imaginary Country Event on Friday, February 14th. I had invited the same three classes, and we will follow the same format as last time. We will have Family Friday from 8:30-9:00. You will again assist with getting students ready. The first class will arrive at 9:00.
Students will meet with 3-4 students from each class and will be assessed on the definitions of the landforms they have on their project. The third, fourth, and fifth graders will also help me grade their project on some sections from the rubric, coloring/labels/neatness,etc.
Spirit week
Spirit Week will be next week, Feb 10th-14th. Will keep you updated on which day is which.
February 14th marks our 100th day of school. Students will be doing fun 100th day activities throughout the day with me.
Important Dates
February 14th - Family Friday, Imaginary Country Event, Valentine's Day, 100th Day of school
February 17th-21st - Winter Break
I will send out learning targets tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of January 27th-31st
Dear parents,
Trip to The Apple Store
We have a trip to the Apple Store UWS this coming Wednesday. Students will eat lunch a lot later than usual. Please have them eat a big breakfast, pack a snack (We will have snack before we leave), all students must have a packed lunch.
Words this week
We will spend two weeks on homographs, words that are spelled the same, but sometimes have different pronunciation, origin, and meaning.
For the spelling test this week, I will choose one definition of the word, and students are required to write a sentence, corresponding to the definition I stated. In other words, they must know both definitions of each word.
Our learning this week
Reading
-Good readers reread the ending, and think "How did the trouble get fixed?"
- Good readers think, "What did the character realize or learn?"
-Good readers predict the lesson right from the start
-Good readers compare and contrast books thinking, "What's the same and what's different?"
Writing
-Fiction writers introduce their main character in book one
-Fiction writers get their character out of trouble
-Fiction writers get serious about spelling
Math
-Multi-Step Word problems involving adding-up up to four two-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and properties of operations
-Multi-Step Word problems involving adding and subtracting within 1,000 using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations.
Grammar
homographs
Social Studies
Continue with Landform Project
Black History Month Project (Poster)
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear parents,
Trip to The Apple Store
We have a trip to the Apple Store UWS this coming Wednesday. Students will eat lunch a lot later than usual. Please have them eat a big breakfast, pack a snack (We will have snack before we leave), all students must have a packed lunch.
Words this week
We will spend two weeks on homographs, words that are spelled the same, but sometimes have different pronunciation, origin, and meaning.
For the spelling test this week, I will choose one definition of the word, and students are required to write a sentence, corresponding to the definition I stated. In other words, they must know both definitions of each word.
Our learning this week
Reading
-Good readers reread the ending, and think "How did the trouble get fixed?"
- Good readers think, "What did the character realize or learn?"
-Good readers predict the lesson right from the start
-Good readers compare and contrast books thinking, "What's the same and what's different?"
Writing
-Fiction writers introduce their main character in book one
-Fiction writers get their character out of trouble
-Fiction writers get serious about spelling
Math
-Multi-Step Word problems involving adding-up up to four two-digit numbers using strategies based on place value and properties of operations
-Multi-Step Word problems involving adding and subtracting within 1,000 using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations.
Grammar
homographs
Social Studies
Continue with Landform Project
Black History Month Project (Poster)
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of January 13th-17th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a nice and relaxed weekend,
Scholastic Book Fair
There will be a Scholastic Book fair at our school next week.
Schedule
Monday/Wednesday/Friday- 8:30am-6pm
Tuesday/Thursday - 8:30-4pm
We will be going down to the fair as a class. I am not sure which day yet. I will let you know. When I do, please send your child in that day with some cash. Preferably in a small bag labeled with your child's name.
Please discuss with your child what they are allowed to purchase. There will be some items other than books, such as keychains, erasers, pens, posters, bookmarks, etc.
Black History Month Project
Students went home yesterday with their assigned person, and the packet for the project yesterday. Some additional things:
In Preparation to our trip to MoMA on the 23rd, a MoMA representative will visit the classroom this coming Thursday.
Imaginary Country Project
My younger sister is getting married next month! I am traveling to Florida for her bachelorette party for the long weekend, and will be out on January 17th. Thorough plans will be provided for our guest teacher. Everything will go on normally including the spelling test, and Rising Runners.
New Writing Unit - Realistic Fiction (Starting January 21st)
In this extremely fun writing unit, students will write their own book series. They will create a pretend character, then give the character real-life adventures. They will use the same character to create a series. I will teach students to use their own experiences to imagine tiny details they can include in a story to let readers know that the story is realistic.
You can support me by:
Talking to your child about possible story lines (Needs to be realistic)
1.Make up a pretend character
2.Character is at a place (Setting)
3.Imagine Adventures (What trouble/problem does the character get into?)
4.The problem gets worse
5.Solution (How does the character solve the problem?)
*Repeat same character with different setting and problem.
Grammar/Words of the week
I will be teaching students about Homonyms this week. There are two types...
Our Learning This week
Reading
Wrapping up our Nonfiction writing unit
Math
Dr. King
Students will learn about Martin Luther King and his impact in history through out the week
Grammar
Homographs and Homophones (Two weeks)
Social Studies
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a nice and relaxed weekend,
Scholastic Book Fair
There will be a Scholastic Book fair at our school next week.
Schedule
Monday/Wednesday/Friday- 8:30am-6pm
Tuesday/Thursday - 8:30-4pm
We will be going down to the fair as a class. I am not sure which day yet. I will let you know. When I do, please send your child in that day with some cash. Preferably in a small bag labeled with your child's name.
Please discuss with your child what they are allowed to purchase. There will be some items other than books, such as keychains, erasers, pens, posters, bookmarks, etc.
Black History Month Project
Students went home yesterday with their assigned person, and the packet for the project yesterday. Some additional things:
- I taught students how to list the sources by writing the name of the website that they got the information from to avoid plagiarism. For example, listing www.biography.com.
- If the person is deceased, some obvious questions like, where does this person live now, will be skipped.
- Please assist students with getting on the internet. An amazing kid-appropriate search engine for kids is Kidrex
In Preparation to our trip to MoMA on the 23rd, a MoMA representative will visit the classroom this coming Thursday.
Imaginary Country Project
- Thank you so much for your support with the Model Magic!
- I have taught students most of the landforms on the sheet I sent home early this week. They must know all of those landforms in preparation for another presentation event.
- We will start building the Imaginary Country with you on Family Friday, on January 24th. I will send a separate email on how you will assist on that day. I will also send the rubric students will follow home early next week.
- Please send in the pizza box by January 21st. I would probably prefer the largest sized box. I will cut that in half...Please make sure the box is clean...
- I am aiming for the event day to be on the next Family Friday on February 14th, but will confirm...
My younger sister is getting married next month! I am traveling to Florida for her bachelorette party for the long weekend, and will be out on January 17th. Thorough plans will be provided for our guest teacher. Everything will go on normally including the spelling test, and Rising Runners.
New Writing Unit - Realistic Fiction (Starting January 21st)
In this extremely fun writing unit, students will write their own book series. They will create a pretend character, then give the character real-life adventures. They will use the same character to create a series. I will teach students to use their own experiences to imagine tiny details they can include in a story to let readers know that the story is realistic.
You can support me by:
Talking to your child about possible story lines (Needs to be realistic)
1.Make up a pretend character
2.Character is at a place (Setting)
3.Imagine Adventures (What trouble/problem does the character get into?)
4.The problem gets worse
5.Solution (How does the character solve the problem?)
*Repeat same character with different setting and problem.
Grammar/Words of the week
I will be teaching students about Homonyms this week. There are two types...
- Homophones - Pronounced the same/Different spelling and meaning
- Homographs - Spelled the same/Pronounced differently/different meaning.
- We will be focused on homophones this week. Students will get 6 words, so they have pairs.
- When the spelling test is given, the definition of the word will also be given, so students know which word to write.
- For example: Patients - A persons receiving or registered to receive medical treatment. Patience- the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, without getting upset/angry. Students are still expected to write a sentence using those words.
Our Learning This week
Reading
- Good readers learn about the main character (What are their traits? personality?)
- Good readers pay attention to other characters in the story too
- Good readers reread to learn more about characters
- Good readers bring their character to life
Wrapping up our Nonfiction writing unit
- Revising/editing our books
- Front cover/Back cover
- Celebrate our success
Math
- Continue with Multi-step Word problems using addition and subtraction strategies taught.
- Another week of optional math homework will be given.
Dr. King
Students will learn about Martin Luther King and his impact in history through out the week
Grammar
Homographs and Homophones (Two weeks)
Social Studies
- Different types of Landforms
- Constructive/Destructive Landforms
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of December 16th-20th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We have another busy week coming up.
Report cards
I apologize for the delay on report cards. It seems like it should be printed early this week. Thank you for your patience with this. You will see a "P" grade for "Passing" for Physical Education. Please refer to my previous email about report card grades.
Tuesday
I will be out on Tuesday due to a math workshop. Thorough plans will be left for our guest teacher, and everything will go on normally.
Fall Concert
We have our Fall concert on Wednesday, December 18th in the auditorium at 9:15am. I'm excited to see students perform, and hope to see you all there.
Trip to New York Historical Society
We have a trip to the NY historical Society on Thursday, December 19th. We will take the bus. We will eat lunch a little later than usual. Please have students eat a big breakfast. Please pack them a lunch and a snack. We should have time to eat snack before we leave. Chaperones, please meet me at 9:30 by security.
Trip Objective
Discover how life over the past 400 years compares with our 21st century expectations and technologies in New York City.
New Trip Added
We will have a trip to the Apple Store on Wednesday, January 29th. We will be taking our finished nonfiction books to convert them into digital books using an IPads. If you are interested in chaperoning this trip, please contact Darien.
Museum Exhibit and Family Friday
We will have our own Family Friday on December 20th, from 8:30-9:30. Students will be assigned a number this week that will represent what station number they will be on.
Family Friday Schedule
8:30-9:00
Parents' Role
You are welcome to stay to see students in action.
9:30-10:00 - Presentation with Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's class
10:00-10:30 - Presentation with Ms. Cintron's class
Please help me take pictures, and feel free to post it on Bloomz.
I will send another email later on today with what we are learning this week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We have another busy week coming up.
Report cards
I apologize for the delay on report cards. It seems like it should be printed early this week. Thank you for your patience with this. You will see a "P" grade for "Passing" for Physical Education. Please refer to my previous email about report card grades.
Tuesday
I will be out on Tuesday due to a math workshop. Thorough plans will be left for our guest teacher, and everything will go on normally.
Fall Concert
We have our Fall concert on Wednesday, December 18th in the auditorium at 9:15am. I'm excited to see students perform, and hope to see you all there.
Trip to New York Historical Society
We have a trip to the NY historical Society on Thursday, December 19th. We will take the bus. We will eat lunch a little later than usual. Please have students eat a big breakfast. Please pack them a lunch and a snack. We should have time to eat snack before we leave. Chaperones, please meet me at 9:30 by security.
Trip Objective
Discover how life over the past 400 years compares with our 21st century expectations and technologies in New York City.
New Trip Added
We will have a trip to the Apple Store on Wednesday, January 29th. We will be taking our finished nonfiction books to convert them into digital books using an IPads. If you are interested in chaperoning this trip, please contact Darien.
Museum Exhibit and Family Friday
We will have our own Family Friday on December 20th, from 8:30-9:30. Students will be assigned a number this week that will represent what station number they will be on.
Family Friday Schedule
8:30-9:00
Parents' Role
- Assist students with setting up their station.
- Practice their presentations with them.
- Putting their costumes/outfits on.
- Making sure their station look attractive/inviting.
You are welcome to stay to see students in action.
- Please step aside at this time, just observe, and let students run the show.
- Please kindly keep all conversations to a minimum, as students will be presenting around the room.
- If you see them struggle, please do not intervene. Let them productively struggle. A big part of this project/event is to foster independence, and practice speaking/presentation skills.
- Please kindly exit quickly at 9:30am when Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's class arrive. We need to start the second round promptly at 10:00am.
9:30-10:00 - Presentation with Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's class
10:00-10:30 - Presentation with Ms. Cintron's class
Please help me take pictures, and feel free to post it on Bloomz.
I will send another email later on today with what we are learning this week,
Casandra
Week of December 9th-13th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We have a busy week coming up.
Trip to Holiday Train Show (December 11th)
Trip Objectives
Trip to Transit Museum (December 12th)
Trip Objectives
Our school will be hosting a Winter Wonderland Event on Thursday, December 12th from 5:00-7:30. If you are available, please come and support our school. There will be games, craft activities, raffles, and dinner will be served. I will also be working the event, and hope to see you all there.
Report Cards
I'd completed report cards. It should be sent home later this week, or early next week. I will keep you updated on the exact date. Please refer to my email from last week for details.
Dioramas
Please bring in Diorama items preferably tomorrow or throughout Wednesday. It will be extremely helpful if all items come in one big bag, labeled with your child's name. Please send students in with an old-t shirt/apron, we will be painting.
Presentations
Please continue to practice presentations with your child throughout the week. Each presentation must be about 8 minutes long. (5-6 minutes, teaching/2-3 minutes, sharing dioramas /guest grading dioramas) Students will be meeting with 9-10 students from the third, fourth and fifth grades. I will share the schedule for the Exhibit next week.
Our Learning This week
Reading
Adjectives (Week two)
Social Studies (Prep for trips this week) - Will touch deeper on these topics in February.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We have a busy week coming up.
Trip to Holiday Train Show (December 11th)
Trip Objectives
- There will be about 175 famous New York Landmarks. I will go over the definition of a landmark with students.
- Students will be expected to spot as many Landmarks as they can (Ex: Empire State Building, Yankee Stadium, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim, etc).
- Students will learn that the models are re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks, twigs, etc.
- Students will notice the new replicas of Central Park's iconic architectural treasures, such as the Belvedere castle, The Dairy, the old Bandstand, and more.
- Students must have an easy-to-eat lunch for this trip. Please send students in with a small backpack to fit their lunch, a snack, and a small water bottle. They can still bring their regular school stuff, but we will leave that in the classroom.
- We will leave around 9:20am, and should be back around 1pm.
Trip to Transit Museum (December 12th)
Trip Objectives
- Learn about life, work, science, and transportation throughout New York City’s past and present.
- Explore patterns and decorative art found throughout New York City’s Subways stations and learn how art underground reflects the diverse neighborhoods above.
- We will be participating in a hands-on mosaic art activity.
- We will come back and eat lunch in our classroom for this trip. Please be sure to pack students a lunch. We will be eating lunch a later than usual. Please be sure they eat a big healthy breakfast
- We will leave as soon as the bus arrives, this could be as early as 9:00am. (Chaperones, I will send separate email).
Our school will be hosting a Winter Wonderland Event on Thursday, December 12th from 5:00-7:30. If you are available, please come and support our school. There will be games, craft activities, raffles, and dinner will be served. I will also be working the event, and hope to see you all there.
Report Cards
I'd completed report cards. It should be sent home later this week, or early next week. I will keep you updated on the exact date. Please refer to my email from last week for details.
Dioramas
Please bring in Diorama items preferably tomorrow or throughout Wednesday. It will be extremely helpful if all items come in one big bag, labeled with your child's name. Please send students in with an old-t shirt/apron, we will be painting.
Presentations
Please continue to practice presentations with your child throughout the week. Each presentation must be about 8 minutes long. (5-6 minutes, teaching/2-3 minutes, sharing dioramas /guest grading dioramas) Students will be meeting with 9-10 students from the third, fourth and fifth grades. I will share the schedule for the Exhibit next week.
Our Learning This week
Reading
- Nonfiction readers retell topics, not just books
- Getting Ready for the celebration
- Using gestures to bring information to life
- Rehearsing together for Museum opening
- Nonfiction writers hook audience's interest right from the start of every chapter
- Nonfictions writers consider what information their audience wants to know
- Nonfiction writers help readers picture information
- Write base ten numbers in expanded form.
- Write, read, and relate base ten numbers in all forms
- Word problems using skills from last week, Ex: Renee and Tyra love to sing songs. Renee wants to sing sixty-two songs. Renee wants to sing five songs every day until she sings a total of sixty-two songs. Tyra wants to sing eighty-three songs. Tyra wants to sing ten songs every day until she sings a total of eighty-three songs. Does Renee or Tyra sing all her songs first? Show all your mathematical thinking.
Adjectives (Week two)
Social Studies (Prep for trips this week) - Will touch deeper on these topics in February.
- What are Landmarks?
- What are some important Landmarks in NYC?
- The history of the subway
- How subways are the same and different from past to present?
Casandra
Week of December 2nd-6th
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had an amazing Thanksgiving Holiday.
New Nonfiction Writing Unit
We are starting a new writing unit this week. Students must come in tomorrow knowing what they would like to write about...
Bend 1
- Study other nonfiction writers, noticing the interesting and cool things they do to teach in their books, and trying those moves right away.
-Search for craft moves they want to use
- Reread to squeeze their brains for more information out of their brains, teaching all they know about these expert topics
- Using writing checklist and set goals
Bend 2
-Students learn that they write for an audience providing them with a purpose so they can angle their writing towards people who will ultimately read their book.
-What does your audience want to know or learn?
-Notice how a mentor author hooks readers right from the start. Experiment with different chapter leads
- Set goals again but now it’s goals across books and from chapter to chapter.
Bend 3
-Shape expert information in new ways, putting information into a nonfiction chapter book, a question or answer book, a story that teaches, or a how-to book.
- Using mentor texts to help them solve problems and answer their own questions.
- Make a to-do list to help them with future writing pieces
Preparation for Museum Exhibit (December 20th)
Math Workshop
I will be out on the follow dates, 12/3 and 12/17, due to math workshops. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
Important December Dates
Wednesday, December 11th - Holiday Train show Trip
Thursday, December 12th -Transit Museum Trip
Wednesday, December 18th - Fall Concert: 9:15am
Thursday, December 19th - NY Historical Society Trip
Friday, December 20th - Museum Exhibit (Parents are invited from 8:30-9:00)
Our Learning this week
Reading
-NF readers think about how all their books on a topic seem to go together
-NF readers think "This information adds on to what I already know from other books"
-NF readers notice how pages on the same topic from different books are similar/different
Writing
-Launching the big work of nonfiction writing in accessible ways
-NF writers aim to hook an Audience;s interest, right from the start!
-NF writers make sure to add keywords (Bold Prints) through out their books
-Diagrams/Maps/labels
Math
Engage NY Module 3
-Students make use of the structure provided by multiples of ten and a hundred.
-Students think in terms of getting to a ten or getting to a hundred. They also identify whether ones, tens, or hundreds are the appropriate unit to count efficiently and effectively.
How to give an Amazing Presentation
-Look Professional
-Eye Contact
-Body Gesture/Movements
-Tone of Voice
-Using Expert language
Grammar
Adjectives (Two weeks)
Report Cards
Report cards are being completed this week. It will sent home late next week. For report cards, you will see number grades from 1-4.
1 - Below Grade Level
2 - Approaching Grade Level
3 - On Grade Level
4 - Above Grade Level
Students will get three report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that, if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year.
Please do not be alarmed when you see a 2. It does not mean that he/she is struggling or not doing well. It simply means that it is an area that I am working on with your child and am expecting improvement throughout the school year.
I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's sent home, please let me know.
Rising Runners on Tuesday
Please have students wear sneakers on Tuesday. I am trying to have students do Rising Runners, since it seems we will have Assembly Friday morning.
See you all this week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had an amazing Thanksgiving Holiday.
New Nonfiction Writing Unit
We are starting a new writing unit this week. Students must come in tomorrow knowing what they would like to write about...
Bend 1
- Study other nonfiction writers, noticing the interesting and cool things they do to teach in their books, and trying those moves right away.
-Search for craft moves they want to use
- Reread to squeeze their brains for more information out of their brains, teaching all they know about these expert topics
- Using writing checklist and set goals
Bend 2
-Students learn that they write for an audience providing them with a purpose so they can angle their writing towards people who will ultimately read their book.
-What does your audience want to know or learn?
-Notice how a mentor author hooks readers right from the start. Experiment with different chapter leads
- Set goals again but now it’s goals across books and from chapter to chapter.
Bend 3
-Shape expert information in new ways, putting information into a nonfiction chapter book, a question or answer book, a story that teaches, or a how-to book.
- Using mentor texts to help them solve problems and answer their own questions.
- Make a to-do list to help them with future writing pieces
Preparation for Museum Exhibit (December 20th)
- Please have students bring in their shoebox and materials for their diorama any day from Monday, December 9th- Wednesday, December 11th. It will be helpful if all materials can come in one bag, labeled with your child's name.
- Rubrics for both presentations and dioramas have been sent home
- Reminder about the costume/outfit for their presentations (Optional)
- Please continue to practice presentations with your child.
Math Workshop
I will be out on the follow dates, 12/3 and 12/17, due to math workshops. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
Important December Dates
Wednesday, December 11th - Holiday Train show Trip
Thursday, December 12th -Transit Museum Trip
Wednesday, December 18th - Fall Concert: 9:15am
Thursday, December 19th - NY Historical Society Trip
Friday, December 20th - Museum Exhibit (Parents are invited from 8:30-9:00)
Our Learning this week
Reading
-NF readers think about how all their books on a topic seem to go together
-NF readers think "This information adds on to what I already know from other books"
-NF readers notice how pages on the same topic from different books are similar/different
Writing
-Launching the big work of nonfiction writing in accessible ways
-NF writers aim to hook an Audience;s interest, right from the start!
-NF writers make sure to add keywords (Bold Prints) through out their books
-Diagrams/Maps/labels
Math
Engage NY Module 3
-Students make use of the structure provided by multiples of ten and a hundred.
-Students think in terms of getting to a ten or getting to a hundred. They also identify whether ones, tens, or hundreds are the appropriate unit to count efficiently and effectively.
How to give an Amazing Presentation
-Look Professional
-Eye Contact
-Body Gesture/Movements
-Tone of Voice
-Using Expert language
Grammar
Adjectives (Two weeks)
Report Cards
Report cards are being completed this week. It will sent home late next week. For report cards, you will see number grades from 1-4.
1 - Below Grade Level
2 - Approaching Grade Level
3 - On Grade Level
4 - Above Grade Level
Students will get three report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that, if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year.
Please do not be alarmed when you see a 2. It does not mean that he/she is struggling or not doing well. It simply means that it is an area that I am working on with your child and am expecting improvement throughout the school year.
I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's sent home, please let me know.
Rising Runners on Tuesday
Please have students wear sneakers on Tuesday. I am trying to have students do Rising Runners, since it seems we will have Assembly Friday morning.
See you all this week,
Casandra
Week of November 25th-27th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. A couple of things about this coming short week.
Potluck
I'm excited to spend time with you and the kids tomorrow at the Potluck. Thank you for all of your contributions. It will be in the cafeteria from 1:15-2:15. If you are helping with set up, please arrive around 12:50pm. A couple of things:
I will be sending home permission slips for our trips in December this coming week, please sign and return.
Our learning this week
Reading
-NF readers use context to build knowledge of unknown words
-NF readers solve words by using different strategies, and flexible thinking
-NF readers reread like experts
-NF readers use lingo to teach others
You can support me by: Practicing students' presentations with them. As I mentioned, they will be doing five minute presentations to 3 classes, presenting to about 10 different kids.
Their Presentation might sound like:
Please start:
Writing
Students will use all they know about writing narratives to write a story for me as our end of the unit assessment. I will start Nonfiction writing when we come back from Thanksgiving Break. Students must come in on Monday after Thanksgiving break knowing what they want to write about. It must be something they already know a lot about, and would like to teach others about.
Math
Social Studies
I will not be giving words or spelling homework this week due to the short week...
Thank you for all your support,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying the weekend. A couple of things about this coming short week.
Potluck
I'm excited to spend time with you and the kids tomorrow at the Potluck. Thank you for all of your contributions. It will be in the cafeteria from 1:15-2:15. If you are helping with set up, please arrive around 12:50pm. A couple of things:
- Please be sure to pack students a very light lunch, as I want them to enjoy the meal at the Potluck.
- The middle school will still be in the cafeteria during set up. We will probably ask them for a table to set up on, and when they leave, we will quickly move things over.
- I will be teaching students about etiquette, and that it's polite to wait for everyone to get their food to eat. Students will be expected to wait until all of their peers get food before enjoying their meal.
- If it's easier for you to drop off any items during arrival, please kindly leave it on the counter in the office. Please let me know if you decide to do that, so I know to pick it up.
- If you would like to take your child home before dismissal time, please kindly let me know before you leave, and sign them out in the office.
I will be sending home permission slips for our trips in December this coming week, please sign and return.
Our learning this week
Reading
-NF readers use context to build knowledge of unknown words
-NF readers solve words by using different strategies, and flexible thinking
-NF readers reread like experts
-NF readers use lingo to teach others
You can support me by: Practicing students' presentations with them. As I mentioned, they will be doing five minute presentations to 3 classes, presenting to about 10 different kids.
Their Presentation might sound like:
- Introduction (Example: Hi! My name is .... I will be teaching you today about (Their topic)
- Teaching the five subtopics within their main topic (Example: First I will teach about What are tigers....Next, I will teach you about what tigers eat...) They should be able to elaborate on each subtopic for about one minute each. They need to make sure they use the keywords listed in the presentations. As they do the presentations, the kids listening will be writing down each keyword they say.
- Endnote and questions (Example: I really hope you enjoyed my presentation, any questions?)
Please start:
- Collecting a shoebox that will be easy to paint on.
- Collect items for diorama
- Outfit/costume they will wear. This is optional. However, it will be cool if they did, and will make their station look more appealing.
- I will let you know when to bring in items...
Writing
Students will use all they know about writing narratives to write a story for me as our end of the unit assessment. I will start Nonfiction writing when we come back from Thanksgiving Break. Students must come in on Monday after Thanksgiving break knowing what they want to write about. It must be something they already know a lot about, and would like to teach others about.
Math
- Multi-step word problems involving measurement and Perimeter
- End of our second math unit assessment
Social Studies
- Finishing all presentations from our Job Projects. Students will pick three jobs to "apply" for and think about what strengths/experiences they have to be successful at that particular job.
- History of Thanksgiving
I will not be giving words or spelling homework this week due to the short week...
Thank you for all your support,
Casandra
Week of November 18th-22nd
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend,
MoMA Rep
Our representative from MoMA will return tomorrow to work with the kids, as an extension of our museum visit (The last part of our three-part program with them)
Trip to OSL Concert
We have a trip to an OSL concert with Mr. Mahon's class on Wednesday. We will take the bus. We will also miss our regular lunch period that day, and will have to eat lunch at a later time. Please be sure to:
To celebrate the end of our Reading unit in late December, I will organize a small Museum Exhibit Event, where students will be teaching other students from different classes, the topic they have been studying. The tentative date for this event is Friday, December 20th. Please let me know if your child will not be here, as it's the day before break. Please also note that this date may change due to last minute school events, etc. I will keep you updated.
A couple of things:
Thank you so much for your assistance with the job project. We will be doing presentations throughout this week and next. Since our focus in this mini-unit is how different jobs impact and benefit our community, we have three parent volunteers who will teach us about their jobs during Family Friday! We will see you in our classroom from 8:30-9:00.
Important Dates
Wed, November 20th - OSL Trip
Fri, November 22nd - Family Friday
Mon, November 25th - Thanksgiving Potluck (1:15-2:15)
Thurs-Fri- November 28th-29th - Thanksgiving Break
Our Learning this week
Reading
Writing
Math
Social Studies- Job Project presentations
See you all next week,
Casandra
PS. If your child did not come home with a Rising Runners T-shirt, he/she dropped it on the way to dismissal. I have it. Please let me know so I can give it back to him/her.
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend,
MoMA Rep
Our representative from MoMA will return tomorrow to work with the kids, as an extension of our museum visit (The last part of our three-part program with them)
Trip to OSL Concert
We have a trip to an OSL concert with Mr. Mahon's class on Wednesday. We will take the bus. We will also miss our regular lunch period that day, and will have to eat lunch at a later time. Please be sure to:
- Pack students a small snack (Students will eat snack before we leave at about 9:15)
- Please be sure students eat a big breakfast, so they don't get hungry during the show.
- Every student must bring their own lunch that day, as we will probably end up eating lunch in our classroom.
To celebrate the end of our Reading unit in late December, I will organize a small Museum Exhibit Event, where students will be teaching other students from different classes, the topic they have been studying. The tentative date for this event is Friday, December 20th. Please let me know if your child will not be here, as it's the day before break. Please also note that this date may change due to last minute school events, etc. I will keep you updated.
A couple of things:
- Please start collecting a shoebox. Preferably one with a lighter color as students will paint. I will let you know when to bring them in.
- When students decide on their topic, students should start collecting items to decorate their dioramas. Items vary depending on their topic. If you need any suggestions, please let me know.
- During the Museum Exhibit, it would be fantastic if students can dress the part. For example, if their topic is Tigers, they can dress like one or wear a tiger T-shirt. After their topics are confirmed by me, please start thinking about costume ideas with your child...
- Students will be doing about 10 mini presentations during the Museum Exhibit. I will be sending home a rubric that will be used to assess students.
Thank you so much for your assistance with the job project. We will be doing presentations throughout this week and next. Since our focus in this mini-unit is how different jobs impact and benefit our community, we have three parent volunteers who will teach us about their jobs during Family Friday! We will see you in our classroom from 8:30-9:00.
Important Dates
Wed, November 20th - OSL Trip
Fri, November 22nd - Family Friday
Mon, November 25th - Thanksgiving Potluck (1:15-2:15)
Thurs-Fri- November 28th-29th - Thanksgiving Break
Our Learning this week
Reading
- NF readers celebrate learning the new knowledge of nonfiction books
- NF readers take effective notes on their desired topic
- NF readers expect specific vocabulary
- NF readers talk the lingo- new language
Writing
- Writers fancy up their writing for an audience (Front cover, back cover, blurb, illustrations, etc)
- Writers celebrate the end of their second writing unit of the school year.
Math
- Solve addition and subtraction word problems using the ruler as a number line.
- Apply conceptual understanding of measurement by solving two-step word problems.
- Concrete to abstract: Represent length with tape diagrams to represent and compare the lengths.
Social Studies- Job Project presentations
See you all next week,
Casandra
PS. If your child did not come home with a Rising Runners T-shirt, he/she dropped it on the way to dismissal. I have it. Please let me know so I can give it back to him/her.
Week of November 4th-8th
Dear Parents,
Important Dates
Tuesday, November 5th - No school for students
Wednesday, November 6th - NYPD Mounted Unit Trip - 10:00-11:00
Chaperones, 9:50am by security.
Thursday, November 7th - MoMA Trip -9:30-11:25
Chaperones 9:00am by security
Monday, November 11th - No school
Thursday, November 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30. Dismissal at 11:30. Please arrange pick up accordingly
Wednesday, November 20th- OSL trip, 9:30-12:00 (Bus) -Chaperones 9:30
Friday, November 22nd - Family Friday (PENDING)
Monday, November 25th- Thanksgiving Potluck, 1:15-2:15 (Cafeteria) Please contact Darien for any questions or concerns.
Thursday-Friday November 28-29th- No school
Job Project Reminder
Reading
-Readers don't just notice craft moves, they try them
-Readers think about how the whole books click together, noticing masterful writing
-Readers think "What does the author want to teach me?"
Writing
-Writers use an updated checklist to set goals, make plans, and keep track of them
-Writers reread to make sure that their writing makes sense and think of punctuation.
Math
-Using our knowledge of Using a cm ruler and perimeter to create 2D robots
-Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.
Social Studies
We will learn about the Election Process this week. Students will actually VOTE using ballots in "polls!"
■ Holding elections and voting are examples of democracy
■ Local leaders are elected (mayor, city council, comptroller, borough president)
■ State and national leaders are elected (governor, senators, president)
■ There is a process for elections and voting (schools, communities, NY state, nation).
Already taught last week to support Jobs project
What are Urban, Suburban, and rural communities? What are some advantages/disadvantages of living in these areas? They should be able to have a full discuss with you about this.
Landmark West
Eunice was kind enough to introduce me to an amazing program called Landmark West. This program has brought architecture, neighborhood history, and historic preservation to life through our youth education program, Keeping the Past for the Future, and it's Free of charge to NYC public schools.
We will be participating in their Landmark Explorers program (Support our NYC Landmark unit) and their Neighborhood Poetry Unit (extension to our poetry writing unit)
The Landmark Explorer program will start late Feb- early March for 3 sessions
The Neighborhood Poetry Program will start late April for 3 sessions.
For more info, go to:https://www.landmarkwest.org/education-program/
Keeping the Past for the Future-Home Page - LANDMARK WEST
Since 1995, LANDMARK WEST! has brought architecture, neighborhood history, and historic preservation to life through our youth education program, Keeping the Past for the Future. Free of charge to NYC public schools (and a nominal fee for other schools), KPF uses lessons, walking tours, and hands-on design and building projects to raise the next generation of preservationists and community ...
www.landmarkwest.org
Have a great week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Important Dates
Tuesday, November 5th - No school for students
Wednesday, November 6th - NYPD Mounted Unit Trip - 10:00-11:00
Chaperones, 9:50am by security.
Thursday, November 7th - MoMA Trip -9:30-11:25
Chaperones 9:00am by security
Monday, November 11th - No school
Thursday, November 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30. Dismissal at 11:30. Please arrange pick up accordingly
Wednesday, November 20th- OSL trip, 9:30-12:00 (Bus) -Chaperones 9:30
Friday, November 22nd - Family Friday (PENDING)
Monday, November 25th- Thanksgiving Potluck, 1:15-2:15 (Cafeteria) Please contact Darien for any questions or concerns.
Thursday-Friday November 28-29th- No school
Job Project Reminder
- Reminder that the job project is due on Friday, November 15th
- Students will choose ONE parent, family member, guardian to interview
- Students can do this project two ways:
1)They can interview, write/type answers down, then present the info to the class OR
2)You can help them tape their interview with you. I will then show that video to the class as their "presentation". The video should be within a five minute timeframe. - Assuming Family Friday should be on November 22nd, I am still looking for 2-3 parent volunteers to talk about their job.
Reading
-Readers don't just notice craft moves, they try them
-Readers think about how the whole books click together, noticing masterful writing
-Readers think "What does the author want to teach me?"
Writing
-Writers use an updated checklist to set goals, make plans, and keep track of them
-Writers reread to make sure that their writing makes sense and think of punctuation.
Math
-Using our knowledge of Using a cm ruler and perimeter to create 2D robots
-Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.
Social Studies
We will learn about the Election Process this week. Students will actually VOTE using ballots in "polls!"
■ Holding elections and voting are examples of democracy
■ Local leaders are elected (mayor, city council, comptroller, borough president)
■ State and national leaders are elected (governor, senators, president)
■ There is a process for elections and voting (schools, communities, NY state, nation).
Already taught last week to support Jobs project
What are Urban, Suburban, and rural communities? What are some advantages/disadvantages of living in these areas? They should be able to have a full discuss with you about this.
Landmark West
Eunice was kind enough to introduce me to an amazing program called Landmark West. This program has brought architecture, neighborhood history, and historic preservation to life through our youth education program, Keeping the Past for the Future, and it's Free of charge to NYC public schools.
We will be participating in their Landmark Explorers program (Support our NYC Landmark unit) and their Neighborhood Poetry Unit (extension to our poetry writing unit)
The Landmark Explorer program will start late Feb- early March for 3 sessions
The Neighborhood Poetry Program will start late April for 3 sessions.
For more info, go to:https://www.landmarkwest.org/education-program/
Keeping the Past for the Future-Home Page - LANDMARK WEST
Since 1995, LANDMARK WEST! has brought architecture, neighborhood history, and historic preservation to life through our youth education program, Keeping the Past for the Future. Free of charge to NYC public schools (and a nominal fee for other schools), KPF uses lessons, walking tours, and hands-on design and building projects to raise the next generation of preservationists and community ...
www.landmarkwest.org
Have a great week,
Casandra
Week of October 28th-November 1st
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having an amazing start to your weekend,
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
We will have our Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt trip this coming Tuesday, from 12:15-2:30pm. We will be making 6 secret location stops, with "Treasure" hiding at the last stop. Students will have a question to answer at each of the stops, if answered correctly, students will receive a secret code, which will eventually unlock the address to where the treasure is hiding.
Students will eat lunch normally at school. Please be sure they wear comfortable shoes.
Character Parade
Students will have their Character Parade this coming Thursday, October 31st.
Reminders:
-Students will change into their costumes at school (Costumes are optional)
-If you would like to assist with students changing. Please meet me in our classroom at 1:10pm.
-The parade will start at 1:30pm. We will have a party after, around 2:00pm, in the cafeteria.
-Please feel free to bring snacks/goodies for students. We have 21 kids. please be sure to kindly accommodate our students with allergies/dietary restrictions. No nuts are allowed in any food/candy.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Please mark your calendars for our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck on Monday. November 25th from 1:15-2:15pm. A sign up sheet for items will be sent home this coming week. Please feel free to email Darien for additional details.
Our learning this week
Reading
-Readers check themselves and their reading
-Readers notice the way authors make them react when they read.
-Readers don't just notice craft moves, they try them
Writing
-Crafting powerful endings
-Rereading their writing like detectives:Making sure writing makes sense and sounds right
-Setting goals and making plans for writing time
Math
Engage NY module 2 - Addition and subtraction Length Units
Students review using centimeter rulers to measure various polygons/objects. We are taking our learning further by solving real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.
Grammar
Review Plural Noun Rules. Short Quiz this week.
Social Studies - Will be taught after our neighborhood trip
Social Studies Project
Students will be assigned a Interview Project to address the above standards. The assignment is attached. The project consists of two parts. I will go over the assignment with students this week.
Next Family Friday
Due to PT conferences, I believe Family Friday will be pushed to November 22nd (If there is a change, I will let you know). During Family Friday, I would love if a couple of parents could volunteer to speak about his/her occupations, to further our learning. I will provide you with talking points. I will need about 3-4 volunteers. Please let me know if you are interested.
Toy Policy
I would like to kindly enforce our new policy of "No toys in school" Outside of Mr. Gilligan's message, it has become a slight issue in our classroom. Students have them out during arrival, taking a bit for them to put them away. Toys have been coming out during class time, despite a couple of serious conversations, as a class.
Going forward I would like to kindly ask, if all toys/stuffed animals, Pokemon cards, etc remain at home or in students' book bags at all times.
I will continue to have toys/cards in our prize box as incentives, but students know to bring them home immediately. We had this conversation as a class. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please let me know.
Thank you for your understanding and support,
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having an amazing start to your weekend,
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
We will have our Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt trip this coming Tuesday, from 12:15-2:30pm. We will be making 6 secret location stops, with "Treasure" hiding at the last stop. Students will have a question to answer at each of the stops, if answered correctly, students will receive a secret code, which will eventually unlock the address to where the treasure is hiding.
Students will eat lunch normally at school. Please be sure they wear comfortable shoes.
Character Parade
Students will have their Character Parade this coming Thursday, October 31st.
Reminders:
-Students will change into their costumes at school (Costumes are optional)
-If you would like to assist with students changing. Please meet me in our classroom at 1:10pm.
-The parade will start at 1:30pm. We will have a party after, around 2:00pm, in the cafeteria.
-Please feel free to bring snacks/goodies for students. We have 21 kids. please be sure to kindly accommodate our students with allergies/dietary restrictions. No nuts are allowed in any food/candy.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Please mark your calendars for our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck on Monday. November 25th from 1:15-2:15pm. A sign up sheet for items will be sent home this coming week. Please feel free to email Darien for additional details.
Our learning this week
Reading
-Readers check themselves and their reading
-Readers notice the way authors make them react when they read.
-Readers don't just notice craft moves, they try them
Writing
-Crafting powerful endings
-Rereading their writing like detectives:Making sure writing makes sense and sounds right
-Setting goals and making plans for writing time
Math
Engage NY module 2 - Addition and subtraction Length Units
Students review using centimeter rulers to measure various polygons/objects. We are taking our learning further by solving real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.
Grammar
Review Plural Noun Rules. Short Quiz this week.
Social Studies - Will be taught after our neighborhood trip
- Community resources provide communities with services (library, hospital, playground, etc.)
- Members of a community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc.) Communities share services and resources with other communities
Social Studies Project
Students will be assigned a Interview Project to address the above standards. The assignment is attached. The project consists of two parts. I will go over the assignment with students this week.
Next Family Friday
Due to PT conferences, I believe Family Friday will be pushed to November 22nd (If there is a change, I will let you know). During Family Friday, I would love if a couple of parents could volunteer to speak about his/her occupations, to further our learning. I will provide you with talking points. I will need about 3-4 volunteers. Please let me know if you are interested.
Toy Policy
I would like to kindly enforce our new policy of "No toys in school" Outside of Mr. Gilligan's message, it has become a slight issue in our classroom. Students have them out during arrival, taking a bit for them to put them away. Toys have been coming out during class time, despite a couple of serious conversations, as a class.
Going forward I would like to kindly ask, if all toys/stuffed animals, Pokemon cards, etc remain at home or in students' book bags at all times.
I will continue to have toys/cards in our prize box as incentives, but students know to bring them home immediately. We had this conversation as a class. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please let me know.
Thank you for your understanding and support,
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of October 21st-25th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. A couple of things about this coming week...
South Street Seaport Museum Trip
We will take our first field trip to the South Street Seaport Museum on Tuesday. I had sent home an optional reading passage in preparation for the trip. We will be taking the bus. If your child tends to get sick/nauseous on buses, please kindly send him/her with an extra t-shirt, and a plastic bag just in case.
We will be leaving the school at 9:45am, and will be back around 1:30pm. Students will have the Playworks Program when we come back. Please have them wear sneakers that day. We will eat lunch there, please be sure to pack students an Easy-to-eat lunch. They can just come in with a small backpack that day, carrying their lunch and water bottle.
MoMA Representative
In preparation for our trip in early November, a representative from MoMA will come in to work with students for a period this coming Friday.
Thursday
I will be out this coming Thursday, due to a workshop I'm attending. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
Social Studies Quiz
Students will have their Social Studies Quiz with the substitute teacher on Thursday. Please have them use the study guide. I'm pushing the grammar quiz for next week.
Globe Project
Thank you for your assistance with our project on Family Friday. Students will paint their globes Wednesday/Thursday. Please send in students in wearing "older" clothing those two days.
PT Conferences
I'd sent home a sign up sheet for PT conferences on Friday. If I receive all forms back this week, I will try to send out confirmations by the end of the week.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Our tentative date for our Annual Second Grade Thanksgiving Potluck is on Monday, November 25th, 1:15-2:15pm. I will send out a sign up sheet soon.
Make-up Picture Day
If you are discontent with your child's picture when you receive them/absent, make up dates for pictures will be Friday, November 22nd.
Reminders of other important dates
Tuesday, Oct 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt Trip/Midtown North Police Precinct (Wear Sneakers)
Thursday, Oct 31st - Characters Parade/class party after (Please refer to my previous email for details)
Tuesday, November 5th - No school for students
Thursday, November 7th- MoMA Trip
Monday, November 11th - No school (Veteran's Day)
Thursday, November 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30 -Half Day (Dismissal at 11:30am)
Wednesday, November 20th - OSL trip
Friday, November 22nd - Make up picture Day
Monday, November 25th - Tentative date for second grade potluck
Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Recess
Our Learning this week
Reading
What to do when encountering unknown words
-Readers use more than one strategy at a time
-Readers do not forget the middle of the word
-Readers have strategies for figuring out brand new words
Writing
-Stretching out small moments
-Writing with detail (Magnifying a small moment)
-Crafting powerful endings
Math -Add within 100 using properties of addition to make a ten.
-Decompose to subtract from a ten when subtracting within 100 and apply to one-step word problems.
Social Studies
Continue with Pumpkin Globe Project
Grammar
Last week of Plural Nouns
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. A couple of things about this coming week...
South Street Seaport Museum Trip
We will take our first field trip to the South Street Seaport Museum on Tuesday. I had sent home an optional reading passage in preparation for the trip. We will be taking the bus. If your child tends to get sick/nauseous on buses, please kindly send him/her with an extra t-shirt, and a plastic bag just in case.
We will be leaving the school at 9:45am, and will be back around 1:30pm. Students will have the Playworks Program when we come back. Please have them wear sneakers that day. We will eat lunch there, please be sure to pack students an Easy-to-eat lunch. They can just come in with a small backpack that day, carrying their lunch and water bottle.
MoMA Representative
In preparation for our trip in early November, a representative from MoMA will come in to work with students for a period this coming Friday.
Thursday
I will be out this coming Thursday, due to a workshop I'm attending. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
Social Studies Quiz
Students will have their Social Studies Quiz with the substitute teacher on Thursday. Please have them use the study guide. I'm pushing the grammar quiz for next week.
Globe Project
Thank you for your assistance with our project on Family Friday. Students will paint their globes Wednesday/Thursday. Please send in students in wearing "older" clothing those two days.
PT Conferences
I'd sent home a sign up sheet for PT conferences on Friday. If I receive all forms back this week, I will try to send out confirmations by the end of the week.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Our tentative date for our Annual Second Grade Thanksgiving Potluck is on Monday, November 25th, 1:15-2:15pm. I will send out a sign up sheet soon.
Make-up Picture Day
If you are discontent with your child's picture when you receive them/absent, make up dates for pictures will be Friday, November 22nd.
Reminders of other important dates
Tuesday, Oct 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt Trip/Midtown North Police Precinct (Wear Sneakers)
Thursday, Oct 31st - Characters Parade/class party after (Please refer to my previous email for details)
Tuesday, November 5th - No school for students
Thursday, November 7th- MoMA Trip
Monday, November 11th - No school (Veteran's Day)
Thursday, November 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30 -Half Day (Dismissal at 11:30am)
Wednesday, November 20th - OSL trip
Friday, November 22nd - Make up picture Day
Monday, November 25th - Tentative date for second grade potluck
Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Recess
Our Learning this week
Reading
What to do when encountering unknown words
-Readers use more than one strategy at a time
-Readers do not forget the middle of the word
-Readers have strategies for figuring out brand new words
Writing
-Stretching out small moments
-Writing with detail (Magnifying a small moment)
-Crafting powerful endings
Math -Add within 100 using properties of addition to make a ten.
-Decompose to subtract from a ten when subtracting within 100 and apply to one-step word problems.
Social Studies
Continue with Pumpkin Globe Project
Grammar
Last week of Plural Nouns
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Notes
Dear Parents,
A couple of things
Tiny Notebooks
Students are coming home today with a tiny notebook. Professional writers know the importance of keeping a small notebook on hand wherever they go, because they know that an idea can strike at any moment-and that it can just be easily forgotten. Today, students received his or her own tiny notebook, so that they, too, can capture their ideas as they occur.
Please help encourage your child to carry this notebook around with them for the next few weeks, to capture ideas/special moments to write for our new writing unit we just started today.
Family Friday/Pumpkin Globe Project
Some things to note:
-Students are to only complete tasks from DAY 1
-The tasks are listed in order to be completed
-The paper continents provided are not labeled. Students should be able to use their globe/world map knowledge so far to recognize each continent.
-Measuring tape and yarn will be provided as possible tools, if needed.
- I am aware of the difference in size of the globe vs pumpkin. Students were taught to use the globe as a guide, in regards to distance between each continent. However, they know that the sizes are different, and will be using their estimation skills. We discussed this as a class.
-They will only use pencil/pen to lightly trace on the pumpkin. They will also label all names of continents, oceans, Equator, Prime Meridian, and International Date Line.
Writing
Students' first published writing piece has been displayed on our class bulletin board. Please do not be concerned with all of the revision and editing marks you see. Students were taught of the importance of revision and editing. All the markings are proof of their hard work revising in a few different ways to bring out various emotions or ideas to lift their level of writing.
NY Cares this Friday
A pizza lunch will be provided by NY Cares this Friday. If your child is not interested in pizza or has allergy concerns, please feel free to pack their regular lunch.
Thank you,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
A couple of things
Tiny Notebooks
Students are coming home today with a tiny notebook. Professional writers know the importance of keeping a small notebook on hand wherever they go, because they know that an idea can strike at any moment-and that it can just be easily forgotten. Today, students received his or her own tiny notebook, so that they, too, can capture their ideas as they occur.
Please help encourage your child to carry this notebook around with them for the next few weeks, to capture ideas/special moments to write for our new writing unit we just started today.
Family Friday/Pumpkin Globe Project
Some things to note:
-Students are to only complete tasks from DAY 1
-The tasks are listed in order to be completed
-The paper continents provided are not labeled. Students should be able to use their globe/world map knowledge so far to recognize each continent.
-Measuring tape and yarn will be provided as possible tools, if needed.
- I am aware of the difference in size of the globe vs pumpkin. Students were taught to use the globe as a guide, in regards to distance between each continent. However, they know that the sizes are different, and will be using their estimation skills. We discussed this as a class.
-They will only use pencil/pen to lightly trace on the pumpkin. They will also label all names of continents, oceans, Equator, Prime Meridian, and International Date Line.
Writing
Students' first published writing piece has been displayed on our class bulletin board. Please do not be concerned with all of the revision and editing marks you see. Students were taught of the importance of revision and editing. All the markings are proof of their hard work revising in a few different ways to bring out various emotions or ideas to lift their level of writing.
NY Cares this Friday
A pizza lunch will be provided by NY Cares this Friday. If your child is not interested in pizza or has allergy concerns, please feel free to pack their regular lunch.
Thank you,
Casandra
Columbus Day
We learned about the importance/history of this holiday.
Students should be able to explain to you:
We learned about the importance/history of this holiday.
Students should be able to explain to you:
- Why is particular holiday controversial?
- Why did the king and queen of Spain pay for Columbus’ trip?
- What happened on his trip that was unexpected?
- Why were the Native Americans called “Indians?”
- What was the Main purpose of Columbus’ trip?
- What were the names of the three ships used to travel?
- How would they describe Columbus’ discovery?
Week of October 15th-18th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having an amazing week so far. I am sending this out early, as I am traveling this long weekend.
Pumpkin Project
I'd assigned students their Pumpkin Globe partners. Students spoke and decided who would bring the pumpkin. Please send it in by Wednesday or Thursday of NEXT WEEK.
We will start the project during Family Friday. Similar to the floor plan project, feel free to guide students, and verbally assist.
Directions for the Pumpkin Globe Project (Family Friday)
NY Cares Event
On Friday, October 18th, the NBA Cares program will be volunteering at our school with the support of the NY Cares organization. The event will run from periods 4-6. All classes in grades K-5 will be participating.
Students will participate in a Literacy based activity which culminates in the making of fruit parfaits (Allergies have been taken into account).
Our Learning this week
Reading
-Readers read in longer phrases, scooping up snap words
-Readers keep tabs on comprehension by retelling the events in order
-Readers mark their ideas using post-its and mark important places in their books
- Readers roll up their sleeves to tackle unknown words
New Writing Unit -Lesson from the Masters: Improving Narrative Writing
Bend I - Studying the masters for inspiration and Ideas
I will teach students to stretch out and magnify their small moments, writing these with great attention to detail and to crafting powerful beginnings and endings. Students will also learn to set goals for themselves and writings, and use their narrative check-list to assess their work
Bend II - Noticing Author's Craft
I will teach students to write with a purpose and learning from author's craft. They will learn their intentions as writers. Students will try out craft moves learned from authors in their own writing and understand why those authors use that particular craft move and write paying attention to word choice and language
Bend III - Study Your Own Author
Students will learn reading and writing connections, drawing on everything they have learned up to this point to discover craft moves in books they are reading on their own and to apply these in their own writing. Students will work on increasing their independence, stamina, transferring what they have learned under my guidance. Students will also devote their attention to revision and editing, aiming their writing to be as powerful as it can be.
Grammar
Plural Nouns (Week Two)
-Irregular Plural nouns
-Ends in vowels +O
-Ends in consonant + O
-No change when made plural
*Study sheet was sent home (Quiz on the week of 21st)
Social Studies
-Students must know what borough, and what neighborhood they live in...
-Continue with Pumpkin Globe Project
Social Studies quiz on the week of the 21st
-Students must be able to label all continents/oceans on a blank map
-Accurately draw and define the Equator, Prime Meridian, and International Date Line
-Define hemisphere, longitude, and latitude
They must know
What continent has the highest/lowest population rate?
What three continents pass through the Equator?
What three continents pass through the Prime Meridian?
What continent has the most countries?
What continent is the smallest/largest in size?
What continent is a continent and a country?
Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
Math
-Making a ten to add within 100
- Subtract single-digit numbers from multiples of 10 within 100.
- Taking from 10 within 100
Important Dates
Monday, October 14th - No school
Friday, October 18th - Family Friday 8:30-9:00
Tuesday, October 22nd - South Street Seaport Trip (2 Chaperones needed)
Tuesday, Oct 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt/Midtown North Trip (1 chaperone needed)
Friday, October 31st - Halloween Parade/Class party after
See you all soon,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having an amazing week so far. I am sending this out early, as I am traveling this long weekend.
Pumpkin Project
I'd assigned students their Pumpkin Globe partners. Students spoke and decided who would bring the pumpkin. Please send it in by Wednesday or Thursday of NEXT WEEK.
We will start the project during Family Friday. Similar to the floor plan project, feel free to guide students, and verbally assist.
Directions for the Pumpkin Globe Project (Family Friday)
- Students will use yarn to accurately mark the Equator, Prime Meridian, and the International Date Line on the pumpkin using a pen lightly (Not marker).
- Students will use the continent cut-outs (That I will provide) to accurately trace all continents onto the pumpkin (With pen, not marker), using the Equator and Prime Meridian as a guide, the globe as a model. A measure tape will also be provided, if needed. *Continents must be traced and placed on the pumpkin with positional accuracy (For example, Australia must be entirely in the southern hemisphere, and completely underneath the Equator)
- Students must be able to identify the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Hemispheres and mark them lightly with a pen.
- Students will label all continents and oceans lightly with a pen.
* We will paint the globe on Monday, October 21st, then trace all items labeled with a sharpie at a later date.
NY Cares Event
On Friday, October 18th, the NBA Cares program will be volunteering at our school with the support of the NY Cares organization. The event will run from periods 4-6. All classes in grades K-5 will be participating.
Students will participate in a Literacy based activity which culminates in the making of fruit parfaits (Allergies have been taken into account).
Our Learning this week
Reading
-Readers read in longer phrases, scooping up snap words
-Readers keep tabs on comprehension by retelling the events in order
-Readers mark their ideas using post-its and mark important places in their books
- Readers roll up their sleeves to tackle unknown words
New Writing Unit -Lesson from the Masters: Improving Narrative Writing
Bend I - Studying the masters for inspiration and Ideas
I will teach students to stretch out and magnify their small moments, writing these with great attention to detail and to crafting powerful beginnings and endings. Students will also learn to set goals for themselves and writings, and use their narrative check-list to assess their work
Bend II - Noticing Author's Craft
I will teach students to write with a purpose and learning from author's craft. They will learn their intentions as writers. Students will try out craft moves learned from authors in their own writing and understand why those authors use that particular craft move and write paying attention to word choice and language
Bend III - Study Your Own Author
Students will learn reading and writing connections, drawing on everything they have learned up to this point to discover craft moves in books they are reading on their own and to apply these in their own writing. Students will work on increasing their independence, stamina, transferring what they have learned under my guidance. Students will also devote their attention to revision and editing, aiming their writing to be as powerful as it can be.
Grammar
Plural Nouns (Week Two)
-Irregular Plural nouns
-Ends in vowels +O
-Ends in consonant + O
-No change when made plural
*Study sheet was sent home (Quiz on the week of 21st)
Social Studies
-Students must know what borough, and what neighborhood they live in...
-Continue with Pumpkin Globe Project
Social Studies quiz on the week of the 21st
-Students must be able to label all continents/oceans on a blank map
-Accurately draw and define the Equator, Prime Meridian, and International Date Line
-Define hemisphere, longitude, and latitude
They must know
What continent has the highest/lowest population rate?
What three continents pass through the Equator?
What three continents pass through the Prime Meridian?
What continent has the most countries?
What continent is the smallest/largest in size?
What continent is a continent and a country?
Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
Math
-Making a ten to add within 100
- Subtract single-digit numbers from multiples of 10 within 100.
- Taking from 10 within 100
Important Dates
Monday, October 14th - No school
Friday, October 18th - Family Friday 8:30-9:00
Tuesday, October 22nd - South Street Seaport Trip (2 Chaperones needed)
Tuesday, Oct 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt/Midtown North Trip (1 chaperone needed)
Friday, October 31st - Halloween Parade/Class party after
See you all soon,
Casandra
Halloween Parade
Dear Parents,
Students from Pre-K through 2 will have a Character Parade on Thursday, October 31st. The parade will start at 1:45pm.
Students will get into their costumes from 1:25-1:40. If you would like to come to our classroom during this time to help out. You are more than welcome. Students are not allowed to wear their costumes to school. They will change into them, during this time.
We will have a little party after the parade in the cafeteria. Please bring in any desired snacks, juice, or goodies. Please be sure to also accommodate our students with dietary restrictions, and allergies.
If students are leaving before dismissal. Please be sure to sign them out in the office.
Mr. Gilligan prefers costumes to be book characters. However, if not possible, non scary costumes are okay. No masks or anything resembling a weapon allowed.
Again, students will get into their costumes in school. They must come to school in their regular clothes.
Thanks so much for your support,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Students from Pre-K through 2 will have a Character Parade on Thursday, October 31st. The parade will start at 1:45pm.
Students will get into their costumes from 1:25-1:40. If you would like to come to our classroom during this time to help out. You are more than welcome. Students are not allowed to wear their costumes to school. They will change into them, during this time.
We will have a little party after the parade in the cafeteria. Please bring in any desired snacks, juice, or goodies. Please be sure to also accommodate our students with dietary restrictions, and allergies.
If students are leaving before dismissal. Please be sure to sign them out in the office.
Mr. Gilligan prefers costumes to be book characters. However, if not possible, non scary costumes are okay. No masks or anything resembling a weapon allowed.
Again, students will get into their costumes in school. They must come to school in their regular clothes.
Thanks so much for your support,
Casandra
Week of October 7th-11th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.
Grammar Quiz
A kind reminder that students will have a Grammar Quiz on Tuesday, Oct 8th. A study sheet was sent home.
Picture Day
A kind reminder that Picture Day is this coming Friday, October 11th. Please have students dress up! If you are interested in volunteering, please see the link posted on School CNXT.
Rising Runners
We will change our Rising Runners session to Tuesday, Oct 8th after arrival, due to Picture Day being this Friday. This will only be for this week.
Spelling
Students will get only four words this week, due to it being a four day week. We will still have our normal spelling test this Friday. The words are focused on the Plural Noun rules that I will teach students this week. Within that, the words will have digraphs (Two letters that blend into one sound)
Permission Slips
Permission slips for this month's trips will be sent home either tomorrow or Tuesday. Please sign and return.
Important Dates
Wed, Oct 9th - No school
Fri, Oct 11th - Picture Day
Fri, Oct 14th - No school
Fri, Oct 18th - Family Friday
Our Learning this week
Reading - Starting new reading unit (Refer to my previous email)
Writing (Wrapping up first writing unit)
-Revising with all we know
-Editing using a checklist
-Publishing our first writing piece
-Celebration
Grammar (Two weeks)
Plural Noun Rules (A study sheet will be sent home)
Quiz in two weeks.
Social Studies (Two weeks)
Students will learn the locations of all continents and oceans on a blank map/positions on globe.
Prime Meridian
Equator
Latitude
Longitude
Which continent is largest/smallest in size?
Which continent is both a continent and a country?
Which continent has the highest population?
Which continent contains the most countries?
Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
Pumpkin Globe Project
To apply our map skills, specifically focusing on their ability to design and label the seven continents, five oceans, and the Equator, Prime Meridian, Longitude, and Latitude. Students will work with a partner on making a pumpkin globe. I will assign partnerships this week. Students will talk with their partner and decide who is responsible for bringing in the pumpkin.
Each partnership will be responsible for bringing in ONE regular-sized pumpkin by Wednesday, October 16th. If you can find a white pumpkin, even better. If not, the regular orange one is totally fine. We will start this project on Family Friday with your assistance.
We will need globes for this project as a model. If you have a globe at home, and it's not too much trouble to bring it in. Please help me do so.
I will give you more directions before Family Friday.
Math (Engage NY Module 1)
1) knowing the use of number bonds
2)Adding and subtracting like units to solve problems within 100.
-Five Practice lessons using these skills
Have an amazing Sunday, and see you all this week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.
Grammar Quiz
A kind reminder that students will have a Grammar Quiz on Tuesday, Oct 8th. A study sheet was sent home.
Picture Day
A kind reminder that Picture Day is this coming Friday, October 11th. Please have students dress up! If you are interested in volunteering, please see the link posted on School CNXT.
Rising Runners
We will change our Rising Runners session to Tuesday, Oct 8th after arrival, due to Picture Day being this Friday. This will only be for this week.
Spelling
Students will get only four words this week, due to it being a four day week. We will still have our normal spelling test this Friday. The words are focused on the Plural Noun rules that I will teach students this week. Within that, the words will have digraphs (Two letters that blend into one sound)
Permission Slips
Permission slips for this month's trips will be sent home either tomorrow or Tuesday. Please sign and return.
Important Dates
Wed, Oct 9th - No school
Fri, Oct 11th - Picture Day
Fri, Oct 14th - No school
Fri, Oct 18th - Family Friday
Our Learning this week
Reading - Starting new reading unit (Refer to my previous email)
Writing (Wrapping up first writing unit)
-Revising with all we know
-Editing using a checklist
-Publishing our first writing piece
-Celebration
Grammar (Two weeks)
Plural Noun Rules (A study sheet will be sent home)
Quiz in two weeks.
Social Studies (Two weeks)
Students will learn the locations of all continents and oceans on a blank map/positions on globe.
Prime Meridian
Equator
Latitude
Longitude
Which continent is largest/smallest in size?
Which continent is both a continent and a country?
Which continent has the highest population?
Which continent contains the most countries?
Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
Pumpkin Globe Project
To apply our map skills, specifically focusing on their ability to design and label the seven continents, five oceans, and the Equator, Prime Meridian, Longitude, and Latitude. Students will work with a partner on making a pumpkin globe. I will assign partnerships this week. Students will talk with their partner and decide who is responsible for bringing in the pumpkin.
Each partnership will be responsible for bringing in ONE regular-sized pumpkin by Wednesday, October 16th. If you can find a white pumpkin, even better. If not, the regular orange one is totally fine. We will start this project on Family Friday with your assistance.
We will need globes for this project as a model. If you have a globe at home, and it's not too much trouble to bring it in. Please help me do so.
I will give you more directions before Family Friday.
Math (Engage NY Module 1)
1) knowing the use of number bonds
2)Adding and subtracting like units to solve problems within 100.
-Five Practice lessons using these skills
Have an amazing Sunday, and see you all this week,
Casandra
Week of October 7th-11th and trips
We will start a new Reading Unit this coming week
This unit is called Reading Growth Spurt.
Unit Overview : Students will learn procedures for
participating in their new classroom community, reading independently, and working with partners. They will begin to develop routines for selecting and recording book information. They will analyze habits of good readers, and begin to demonstrate those same habits which include reading independently and silently, actively thinking as a reader by recording thoughts, using post-its, as well as staying focused and building stamina by keeping a reading log. Students will develop habits for reading and talking about books with partners that may include how to sit, taking turns, reading
together and retelling.
Bend I - Taking Charge of Reading
In this bend, students will learn that in order to grow as readers, they need to charge of their growth. This portion of the unit highlights the importance of goals and of that magical combination of fluency and comprehension.
Bend II - Working Hard to Solve Tricky Words
In this bend, students will be reminded that if they want to read well, they need to roll up their sleeves and work hard to solve tricky words. I will be teaching them different strategies they can use when they encounter a tricky word.
Bend III- Paying Close Attention to Authors
In this last bend of the unit, readers learn to read like writers. Students will learn to notice that authors do special things in their writing to evoke a reader's reaction. Each time they have a reaction, they will ask themselves, "How did the author do that? and Why?"
Reading Assessments
At this point, I have completed all reading assessments. All students should know their reading level and they should be able to verbalize what goals they are working on as a reader. Students read for about 25 minutes in school and should be reading for another 25 minutes at home.
Field Trips (So Far)
Tuesday, Oct 22nd - South Street Seaport -Bus - 9:30-1:00
Cost: $8.33 per child
Students will learn:
Trip Objective: About the passenger life aboard ocean liners, the defining differences between travel for wealthy Americans in First Class and future Americans immigrating to the United States in Third Class, and the continuing importance that immigration plays in American history.
Tuesday, Oct 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt - Walk- 12:15-2:30
Trip Objective: Students will use a compass and a map to navigate around the neighborhood to find several hidden places. Within this trip, students will also get a 45-minute tour in the Midtown North Police Precinct which ties in with the two following second grade social studies standards:
Thursday, November 7th - MoMA - Walk - 9:00-11:25am - Free
Trip Objective: To attend the Characters Program
Students will learn and explore decisions artists make when representing a figure as their subject. Recognizing the perspectives of others through visual cues.
Wednesday, November 20th - OSL Concert - Bus- time pending - Free
Trip Objective: To see a performance highlighting the essential contribution to classical music and the legacy of Ludwig van Beethoven, featuring selections from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 and Violin Concerto, among others. Dramatist Kirya Traber will guide audiences through Beethoven’s story as they listen to a wide range of his musical output — from grand symphonic works to virtuosic solo and chamber music.
Thursday, December 12th - New York Transit Museum - Bus - 9:00-12:15
Cost: $9.52 per child
Trip Objective: Explore patterns and decorative art found throughout New York City’s Subways stations and learn how art underground reflects the diverse neighborhoods above. An immersive tour of the Museum’s exhibits and vintage train collection includes a hands-on mosaic art activity
Thursday, December 19th - New York Historical Society - Bus - 9:30-12:15
Cost: $4.28 per child
Trip Objective: To attend the Then and Now Series Program (NYC Then and Now) -Discover how life over the past 400 years compares with our 21st century expectations and technologies.
* More trips will be added soon
Character Parade
We will have a Character Parade on Thursday, October 31st. I will speak to students about this soon as a class. Students are allowed to dress as literary book characters. Their costumes cannot be scary. They are not allowed to bring anything that looks like a weapon (swords, nunchucks, etc) or wear masks. I want to provide this info now, to give you a couple of weeks to prepare. Wearing a costume is obviously optional.
Grammar Quiz
On Tuesday, October 8th, students will have a short Grammar Quiz.
Students will be quizzed on the following nouns:
Common/Proper Nouns
-A common noun names a general person, place or thing.
-A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing. Always capitalize the first letter of a proper noun.
Abstract/Concrete Nouns
-A concrete noun can be observed by our senses. We can see, touch, hear, taste, or smell it.
-An abstract noun is something we cannot see, touch, hear, taste, or smell. It is something we experience like an idea or an emotion.
Collective Nouns
A collective noun is a special noun that names a group of people or things.
Students must know the following collective nouns:
A school of fish
A flock of geese/birds
A litter of puppies/kittens
A colony or army of ants
An army of soldiers
A herd of cattle
A fleet of ships/planes
A convoy of trucks
A bouquet of flowers
A parliament of owls
A galaxy of stars
A deck of cards
A bushel of apples
A field of trees
A band of musicians
A wad of money/paper
A pride of lions
A pod of whales/dolphins
A swarm of bees
A smack of jellyfish
*A study sheet was sent home
Social Studies
Next week for Social Studies, we will study the World Map. Students will learn about the seven continents and its locations, including the meaning of the Equator and Prime Meridian.
Focus points:
Which continent is largest/smallest in size?
Which continent is both a continent and a country?
Which continent has the highest population?
Which continent contains the most countries?
Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
For an upcoming small project, students must know:
-What borough they live in...
-What neighborhood they live in...
Please discuss this with your child*
I will send another email on Sunday,
Casandra
We will start a new Reading Unit this coming week
This unit is called Reading Growth Spurt.
Unit Overview : Students will learn procedures for
participating in their new classroom community, reading independently, and working with partners. They will begin to develop routines for selecting and recording book information. They will analyze habits of good readers, and begin to demonstrate those same habits which include reading independently and silently, actively thinking as a reader by recording thoughts, using post-its, as well as staying focused and building stamina by keeping a reading log. Students will develop habits for reading and talking about books with partners that may include how to sit, taking turns, reading
together and retelling.
Bend I - Taking Charge of Reading
In this bend, students will learn that in order to grow as readers, they need to charge of their growth. This portion of the unit highlights the importance of goals and of that magical combination of fluency and comprehension.
Bend II - Working Hard to Solve Tricky Words
In this bend, students will be reminded that if they want to read well, they need to roll up their sleeves and work hard to solve tricky words. I will be teaching them different strategies they can use when they encounter a tricky word.
Bend III- Paying Close Attention to Authors
In this last bend of the unit, readers learn to read like writers. Students will learn to notice that authors do special things in their writing to evoke a reader's reaction. Each time they have a reaction, they will ask themselves, "How did the author do that? and Why?"
Reading Assessments
At this point, I have completed all reading assessments. All students should know their reading level and they should be able to verbalize what goals they are working on as a reader. Students read for about 25 minutes in school and should be reading for another 25 minutes at home.
Field Trips (So Far)
Tuesday, Oct 22nd - South Street Seaport -Bus - 9:30-1:00
Cost: $8.33 per child
Students will learn:
Trip Objective: About the passenger life aboard ocean liners, the defining differences between travel for wealthy Americans in First Class and future Americans immigrating to the United States in Third Class, and the continuing importance that immigration plays in American history.
Tuesday, Oct 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt - Walk- 12:15-2:30
Trip Objective: Students will use a compass and a map to navigate around the neighborhood to find several hidden places. Within this trip, students will also get a 45-minute tour in the Midtown North Police Precinct which ties in with the two following second grade social studies standards:
- Community resources provide communities with services (library, hospital, playground, etc.)
- Members of a community specialize
in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc.) - Communities share services and resources with other communities
Thursday, November 7th - MoMA - Walk - 9:00-11:25am - Free
Trip Objective: To attend the Characters Program
Students will learn and explore decisions artists make when representing a figure as their subject. Recognizing the perspectives of others through visual cues.
Wednesday, November 20th - OSL Concert - Bus- time pending - Free
Trip Objective: To see a performance highlighting the essential contribution to classical music and the legacy of Ludwig van Beethoven, featuring selections from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 and Violin Concerto, among others. Dramatist Kirya Traber will guide audiences through Beethoven’s story as they listen to a wide range of his musical output — from grand symphonic works to virtuosic solo and chamber music.
Thursday, December 12th - New York Transit Museum - Bus - 9:00-12:15
Cost: $9.52 per child
Trip Objective: Explore patterns and decorative art found throughout New York City’s Subways stations and learn how art underground reflects the diverse neighborhoods above. An immersive tour of the Museum’s exhibits and vintage train collection includes a hands-on mosaic art activity
Thursday, December 19th - New York Historical Society - Bus - 9:30-12:15
Cost: $4.28 per child
Trip Objective: To attend the Then and Now Series Program (NYC Then and Now) -Discover how life over the past 400 years compares with our 21st century expectations and technologies.
* More trips will be added soon
Character Parade
We will have a Character Parade on Thursday, October 31st. I will speak to students about this soon as a class. Students are allowed to dress as literary book characters. Their costumes cannot be scary. They are not allowed to bring anything that looks like a weapon (swords, nunchucks, etc) or wear masks. I want to provide this info now, to give you a couple of weeks to prepare. Wearing a costume is obviously optional.
Grammar Quiz
On Tuesday, October 8th, students will have a short Grammar Quiz.
Students will be quizzed on the following nouns:
Common/Proper Nouns
-A common noun names a general person, place or thing.
-A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing. Always capitalize the first letter of a proper noun.
Abstract/Concrete Nouns
-A concrete noun can be observed by our senses. We can see, touch, hear, taste, or smell it.
-An abstract noun is something we cannot see, touch, hear, taste, or smell. It is something we experience like an idea or an emotion.
Collective Nouns
A collective noun is a special noun that names a group of people or things.
Students must know the following collective nouns:
A school of fish
A flock of geese/birds
A litter of puppies/kittens
A colony or army of ants
An army of soldiers
A herd of cattle
A fleet of ships/planes
A convoy of trucks
A bouquet of flowers
A parliament of owls
A galaxy of stars
A deck of cards
A bushel of apples
A field of trees
A band of musicians
A wad of money/paper
A pride of lions
A pod of whales/dolphins
A swarm of bees
A smack of jellyfish
*A study sheet was sent home
Social Studies
Next week for Social Studies, we will study the World Map. Students will learn about the seven continents and its locations, including the meaning of the Equator and Prime Meridian.
Focus points:
Which continent is largest/smallest in size?
Which continent is both a continent and a country?
Which continent has the highest population?
Which continent contains the most countries?
Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
For an upcoming small project, students must know:
-What borough they live in...
-What neighborhood they live in...
Please discuss this with your child*
I will send another email on Sunday,
Casandra
Week of October 2nd-4th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a beautiful long weekend! A couple of things about this coming short week...
Spelling
I will not be giving students spelling words this week, due to the very short week. Therefore, there will be no spelling test/homework. We will start back up on a consistent basis next week.
Bedroom Map Homework
If your child is working on the bedroom map assignment, it is due tomorrow. Thank you for your assistance on this assignment.
Rising Runners
We will start Rising Runners on Friday this week. Please have students wear sneakers. As I mentioned, we will have a quick session right after arrival for about 15 minutes. Next week, since it's Picture day on Friday, I will most likely move the session to right before dismissal. Need to clear it with my bosses, will keep you updated.
Our Learning This Week
Reading
Reading Partners will learn to:
- Introduce their books to each other
- Coach each other to use good reading habits and solve tricky words in books
- Discuss the end of the book with each other
- Help each other set reading goals for years ahead
Writing
Studying a story to learn ways the author makes it special
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with exact actions
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with pop out words
- The process of revising
- The process of editing with a checklist
Math
- There's a Grade wide Assessment that needs to be done this week
-Continue with number talks, math logic work, one session of Five Practices
Social Studies
Last week of Royal Floor Plan Assignment
Grammar
Collective Nouns
I will be giving students a Grammar Quiz next week on Common and Proper Nouns, Abstract and Concrete Nouns, and Collective Nouns. They will come home with a study sheet soon.
Materials
If anyone has any clean empty plastic liter bottles with lids, please send them in. I need about 4-5. I'm building Word Study Centers, and need them for one of the centers.
Important Dates
Wednesday, Oct 9th- No school
Friday, Oct 11th - Picture Day
See you all tomorrow!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a beautiful long weekend! A couple of things about this coming short week...
Spelling
I will not be giving students spelling words this week, due to the very short week. Therefore, there will be no spelling test/homework. We will start back up on a consistent basis next week.
Bedroom Map Homework
If your child is working on the bedroom map assignment, it is due tomorrow. Thank you for your assistance on this assignment.
Rising Runners
We will start Rising Runners on Friday this week. Please have students wear sneakers. As I mentioned, we will have a quick session right after arrival for about 15 minutes. Next week, since it's Picture day on Friday, I will most likely move the session to right before dismissal. Need to clear it with my bosses, will keep you updated.
Our Learning This Week
Reading
Reading Partners will learn to:
- Introduce their books to each other
- Coach each other to use good reading habits and solve tricky words in books
- Discuss the end of the book with each other
- Help each other set reading goals for years ahead
Writing
Studying a story to learn ways the author makes it special
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with exact actions
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with pop out words
- The process of revising
- The process of editing with a checklist
Math
- There's a Grade wide Assessment that needs to be done this week
-Continue with number talks, math logic work, one session of Five Practices
Social Studies
Last week of Royal Floor Plan Assignment
Grammar
Collective Nouns
I will be giving students a Grammar Quiz next week on Common and Proper Nouns, Abstract and Concrete Nouns, and Collective Nouns. They will come home with a study sheet soon.
Materials
If anyone has any clean empty plastic liter bottles with lids, please send them in. I need about 4-5. I'm building Word Study Centers, and need them for one of the centers.
Important Dates
Wednesday, Oct 9th- No school
Friday, Oct 11th - Picture Day
See you all tomorrow!
Casandra
Week of September 23rd-27th
Dear Parents,
I hope you enjoyed this beautiful weekend. A couple of things about this coming week..
Optional Spelling Homework starts this week
Students will come home tomorrow with five words they will be working with for this week, a weekly homework log to write it on, and a notebook to do the homework in.
If they decide to do this homework, they are required to complete FOUR activities each week, and also write their words THREE times each.
It will be due on Friday, so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them, or they can choose to work on an activity a day.
I will be sending a laminated spelling menu. Please keep in their homework folder. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity.
I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe.
Spelling test will be every Friday.
Rising Runners
I got the OK to start Rising Runners NEXT week, October 4th. We will be doing a 15-minute session every Friday first period, right after arrival. We will run outside until the weather gets cold, then we will move to the gym.
Just a reminder that Rising Runners is the youth program for New York Road Runners. We run laps, students convert the number of laps into miles. After each session, I log in the amount on their website. Once they hit the distance of a marathon, they earn a medal. The program is really good with sending incentives and prizes once we hit certain number of sessions. They also send representatives once in a couple of months to work with students.
Please have students wear sneakers and comfortable clothes every Friday, and Wednesday for regular Gym class
Documents and Field Trip Fund
If you have not sent in the documents, and $100 class fund, please send it in ASAP, as I am starting to book field trips and deposits are required.
Pep Rally
We will have a School Wide Pep Rally this coming Friday. Please have students wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Important Dates
Friday, September 27th - Pep Rally
Monday, September 30th - Tuesday, Oct 1st - No School
Wednesday, Oct 2nd - Optional Bedroom Map assignment due
Wednesday, Oct 9th - No school
Friday, Oct 11th - Picture Day
PlayWorks
Playworks start their biweekly in class session with us this coming Tuesday. If you would like to know more about this program, please contact the PTA, as they funded the program.
Our Learning This week
Reading
-Good Readers don't give up, they try and try again.
-Partners introduce their books to each other
-Partners don't tell, they help
-Partners can do something at the end of the book
-Readers celebrate and set new goals
Writing
-Writers read their stories like they read their books
-Writers make their characters feel and think
-Writers study stories to learn ways other authors make it special
- Trying out craft moves from a mentor text
- Writing with exact actions - Writing with pop out words
Math
-Different forms of numbers
-Fact Families
-Comparing numbers
-Word problems involving odd and even numbers (Five Practices)
Social Studies
Continue with Royal Floor Plan Project
Grammar
Abstract and Concrete nouns
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you enjoyed this beautiful weekend. A couple of things about this coming week..
Optional Spelling Homework starts this week
Students will come home tomorrow with five words they will be working with for this week, a weekly homework log to write it on, and a notebook to do the homework in.
If they decide to do this homework, they are required to complete FOUR activities each week, and also write their words THREE times each.
It will be due on Friday, so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them, or they can choose to work on an activity a day.
I will be sending a laminated spelling menu. Please keep in their homework folder. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity.
I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe.
Spelling test will be every Friday.
Rising Runners
I got the OK to start Rising Runners NEXT week, October 4th. We will be doing a 15-minute session every Friday first period, right after arrival. We will run outside until the weather gets cold, then we will move to the gym.
Just a reminder that Rising Runners is the youth program for New York Road Runners. We run laps, students convert the number of laps into miles. After each session, I log in the amount on their website. Once they hit the distance of a marathon, they earn a medal. The program is really good with sending incentives and prizes once we hit certain number of sessions. They also send representatives once in a couple of months to work with students.
Please have students wear sneakers and comfortable clothes every Friday, and Wednesday for regular Gym class
Documents and Field Trip Fund
If you have not sent in the documents, and $100 class fund, please send it in ASAP, as I am starting to book field trips and deposits are required.
Pep Rally
We will have a School Wide Pep Rally this coming Friday. Please have students wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Important Dates
Friday, September 27th - Pep Rally
Monday, September 30th - Tuesday, Oct 1st - No School
Wednesday, Oct 2nd - Optional Bedroom Map assignment due
Wednesday, Oct 9th - No school
Friday, Oct 11th - Picture Day
PlayWorks
Playworks start their biweekly in class session with us this coming Tuesday. If you would like to know more about this program, please contact the PTA, as they funded the program.
Our Learning This week
Reading
-Good Readers don't give up, they try and try again.
-Partners introduce their books to each other
-Partners don't tell, they help
-Partners can do something at the end of the book
-Readers celebrate and set new goals
Writing
-Writers read their stories like they read their books
-Writers make their characters feel and think
-Writers study stories to learn ways other authors make it special
- Trying out craft moves from a mentor text
- Writing with exact actions - Writing with pop out words
Math
-Different forms of numbers
-Fact Families
-Comparing numbers
-Word problems involving odd and even numbers (Five Practices)
Social Studies
Continue with Royal Floor Plan Project
Grammar
Abstract and Concrete nouns
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of September 16th-20th
Dear Parents,
Curriculum Night
Thank you so much for attending Curriculum Night. I know you are all very busy. I really appreciate you taking the time to come and meet with me. I hope you found the session somewhat helpful. If you didn't attend, no worries! I'd sent home the powerpoint I presented, and all hands out.
Reminder of First homework assignment
We will decorate our Writing notebooks tomorrow. Reminder to please have students collect 5-6 items that are important to them that can be glued flat onto their notebooks. Some examples are pictures, tickets, baseball cards, stickers, etc. This will help students come up with ideas and details as they write their first personal narrative, and to make their notebook "meaningful."
Allergy Form
I'd sent home an allergy form for you to sign on Friday. Please note that we have some students with allergies and/or dietary restrictions. When bringing in treats for the class, please kindly accommodate students with allergies. Anything with nuts must be avoided completely.
Reading Log
Starting tomorrow, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it, as keeping track of how much they read is crucial and it holds them accountable for their own reading life. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. There is also a slot for an adult's signature.
Spelling homework (Optional)
Starting Monday September 23rd, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week.
They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending home a laminated menu. Please keep in their homework folder.
Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe. I will be teaching students how to complete this assignment this coming week and words will be given to them every Monday.
Please have a discussion with your child, if you would like them to work on this task for homework. Please note that they will have a spelling test on Friday. To create independence and to have them self assess, maybe have them make a decision on their own, whether this homework would benefit their learning.
Kids a-z (Razkids)
I'd signed up our class for Kids a-z. Through this amazing site, students can access their leveled text through an interactive learning portal designed to keep them motivated and engaged. Every eBook is available in online and mobile formats, and allows students to listen to, read at their own pace, and record themselves reading. Students can do their 25 minute daily reading through this site. I had already set them up with their current reading level, and will update it once I assess them.
Kids A-Z Login Instructions
Step 1: Go to www.kidsa-z.com
Step 2: Enter or choose the teacher's username: Casandraj115
Step 3: Your child finds his or her username on the class chart
Step 4: Your child enters his or her password. (Our password is the apple)
Play Works
As most of you know our school has partnered with an organization called Play Works. Representatives from Play Works will be working with our students to develop prosocial behaviors during recess, and push into our classroom on a bi-weekly basis. Right now, our class is scheduled to have this program every other Tuesday starting next week.
Our Learning this week
Reading Workshop:
Students will learn:
-Readers sneak peak at the pictures to figure out the words
- Readers drop bad habits and pick up good ones
-Readers look at all parts of a word
- Readers use meaning to figure out words
- Readers double check their reading
Writing Workshop
Students will learn:
- Writers revise/edit finished work and rehearse new ones
-Writers stretch words to spell them: Hearing and recording all sounds
- Writers zoom in-focusing on small moments
-Writers work with partners to better their stories
Math
-We will start our sprints routine.
- Word Problems relating to Even and odd numbers
- How to represent numbers in different ways (Word form, expanded form, quick picture, place value)
- Counting patterns (Naming patterns)
- Continue with Number Talks
- Continue with Math Logic (Ken Ken, Sudoku, Hidato, Fubuki)
-Embed Five Practices Routine
-How to use an inch ruler (For our first social studies project)
Grammar
Nouns (Common and Proper)
Social Studies
-Different types of maps
-Parts of a map
-Cardinal directions
Important Dates
Friday, September 20th - Family Friday (8:30-9:00) Room 224
Monday, September 30th-October 1st- No school
Have an amazing week!
Casandra
Week of September 9th-13th
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about the units we are diving into.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this coming week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 16th.
Students will be coming home with a book baggie today. Please help me keep track of the books, and make sure they return back to school. All of our class library books will have a red circle sticker on the back. Students should return to their reading routine of 25-30 minutes a day at home.
I will start assessing students for their official reading levels throughout the next couple of weeks. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
First Reading Unit – Building Good Reading Habits
Bend I – Habits for reading long and strong
In this bend, I will teach students good habits for before, during, and after reading. Students will learn to:
-Preview a text
- Doing things that readers do without needing a reminder
- Search for meaning right from the start and anticipate story events
- Check their predictions as they read, revising and confirming them
- Being thoughtful about reading voices
- Rereading in meaningful phrases to build fluency
Bend II – Habits for Tackling Hard Words
In this bend, I will teach students how to tackle words they may not know
Students will learn to:
- Acknowledge their bad reading habits so they can drop them and to remember to use the good habits they’ve learned for solving tricky words
- It’s not enough to check the beginning of a word. Good readers need to look at all parts of the word to figure it out.
- Use meaning as a source of information, using picture clues to consider words that would make sense.
- Double-check to be sure that what they are reading makes sense and looks right
Bend III- Partners have Good Habits!
In the last bend, students will be working with partners to better their reading habits.
Partners will learn to:
- Introduce their books to each other
- Coach each other to use good reading habits and solve tricky words in books
- Discuss the end of the book with each other
- Help each other set reading goals for years ahead
Writing
Our first writing unit is an introduction to Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
First Writing Unit – Small Moments: Writing with Focus, Detail, and Dialogue
Bend I – Writing Small Moment Stories with Independence
Students will learn to:
- Generate ideas to write
- Plan before writing, touch and tell, sketch then write
- Using picture to magnify what they are writing
- Stretching out words to spell them, hearing and recording all sounds
- Zooming in, focusing on small moments
- Reading our writing like we read books
Bend II – Bringing Small Moment Stories to Life
Students will learn to:
- Unfreeze their characters and their writing
- Telling their story bit by bit
- Bringing what’s inside out- Making characters think and feel
- Use drama to bring stories to life
- Using familiar words to spell unknown words
Bend III – Study Other Writer’s Craft
Students will learn to:
- Studying a story to learn ways the author makes it special
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with exact actions
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with pop out words
- The process of revising
- The process of editing with a checklist
Math
I am introducing/reminding students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting.
Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
I will also be easing students into our Logic work routine next week- --This is a way to build perseverance and with-it-ness, thinking and reasoning skills, and exercise the students’ brains. Math is fundamentally about logic, so logic work will (ideally) improve performance
I will be teaching students how to do Ken Ken Puzzles and Sodoku Puzzles this week. https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com/#
KenKen Puzzle Official Site - Free Math Puzzles That Make ...
www.kenkenpuzzle.com
KENKEN for your Mobile. Fun, addicting, yet educational. The KenKen iOS and Android apps are perfect for the whole family!
https://www.websudoku.com/?select=1&level=1
Socratic Seminar
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion where I give students a topic to discuss. Students listen closely to comments on others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars 2-3 a week.
Curriculum Night
We will have Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 12th.
There will be two information sessions.
Session 1: 4:30pm-5:45pm
Session 2: 6:00pm-7:15pm
Both in our classroom (Room 224).
I will give the identical information in both sessions.
I will be talking about what we will be learning this year, our daily routines in the classroom, students' expectations, field trips, etc. Please do not feel like you need to take off work or cancel your plans for this. I am able to email you any information that is given. Please keep in mind that this is one a one-on-one meeting about your child. We will be discussing the school year as a group.
Book Pals
Starting this coming week, ,every Thursday, we will have a Book Pal in our classroom . Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis.
$100 Field Trip Class Fund
Thank you parents who gave me the class fund. I had already used part of the funds to purchase:
- Scholastic News Weekly Magazine- Scholastic News is a weekly nonfiction print and magazine. It has articles on science, social studies, and safety topics to create a multimedia curriculum. The focus is on building content knowledge, vocabulary, and nonfiction reading skills. The magazines get more challenging throughout the school year as children become better readers. (Students will bring this home every Friday) $6.30 per child for the school year.
Books
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
School CNXT
Just another kind reminder to please contact me by email me directly. School CNXT is only for emergency messages and field trip photos.
Blue Folders
Blue Folders are being sent home today with documents for you to sign, and our tentative schedule. Please send it back in as soon as you can.
Science & Technology
Ms. Nyarko will be your child's science and Technology teacher this school year. If you have any questions regarding the class or curriculum, please email her directly at [email protected]
You will also meet her on Curriculum night on September 12th.
Have an amazing weekend,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Curriculum Night
Thank you so much for attending Curriculum Night. I know you are all very busy. I really appreciate you taking the time to come and meet with me. I hope you found the session somewhat helpful. If you didn't attend, no worries! I'd sent home the powerpoint I presented, and all hands out.
Reminder of First homework assignment
We will decorate our Writing notebooks tomorrow. Reminder to please have students collect 5-6 items that are important to them that can be glued flat onto their notebooks. Some examples are pictures, tickets, baseball cards, stickers, etc. This will help students come up with ideas and details as they write their first personal narrative, and to make their notebook "meaningful."
Allergy Form
I'd sent home an allergy form for you to sign on Friday. Please note that we have some students with allergies and/or dietary restrictions. When bringing in treats for the class, please kindly accommodate students with allergies. Anything with nuts must be avoided completely.
Reading Log
Starting tomorrow, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it, as keeping track of how much they read is crucial and it holds them accountable for their own reading life. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. There is also a slot for an adult's signature.
Spelling homework (Optional)
Starting Monday September 23rd, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week.
They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending home a laminated menu. Please keep in their homework folder.
Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe. I will be teaching students how to complete this assignment this coming week and words will be given to them every Monday.
Please have a discussion with your child, if you would like them to work on this task for homework. Please note that they will have a spelling test on Friday. To create independence and to have them self assess, maybe have them make a decision on their own, whether this homework would benefit their learning.
Kids a-z (Razkids)
I'd signed up our class for Kids a-z. Through this amazing site, students can access their leveled text through an interactive learning portal designed to keep them motivated and engaged. Every eBook is available in online and mobile formats, and allows students to listen to, read at their own pace, and record themselves reading. Students can do their 25 minute daily reading through this site. I had already set them up with their current reading level, and will update it once I assess them.
Kids A-Z Login Instructions
Step 1: Go to www.kidsa-z.com
Step 2: Enter or choose the teacher's username: Casandraj115
Step 3: Your child finds his or her username on the class chart
Step 4: Your child enters his or her password. (Our password is the apple)
Play Works
As most of you know our school has partnered with an organization called Play Works. Representatives from Play Works will be working with our students to develop prosocial behaviors during recess, and push into our classroom on a bi-weekly basis. Right now, our class is scheduled to have this program every other Tuesday starting next week.
Our Learning this week
Reading Workshop:
Students will learn:
-Readers sneak peak at the pictures to figure out the words
- Readers drop bad habits and pick up good ones
-Readers look at all parts of a word
- Readers use meaning to figure out words
- Readers double check their reading
Writing Workshop
Students will learn:
- Writers revise/edit finished work and rehearse new ones
-Writers stretch words to spell them: Hearing and recording all sounds
- Writers zoom in-focusing on small moments
-Writers work with partners to better their stories
Math
-We will start our sprints routine.
- Word Problems relating to Even and odd numbers
- How to represent numbers in different ways (Word form, expanded form, quick picture, place value)
- Counting patterns (Naming patterns)
- Continue with Number Talks
- Continue with Math Logic (Ken Ken, Sudoku, Hidato, Fubuki)
-Embed Five Practices Routine
-How to use an inch ruler (For our first social studies project)
Grammar
Nouns (Common and Proper)
Social Studies
-Different types of maps
-Parts of a map
-Cardinal directions
Important Dates
Friday, September 20th - Family Friday (8:30-9:00) Room 224
Monday, September 30th-October 1st- No school
Have an amazing week!
Casandra
Week of September 9th-13th
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about the units we are diving into.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this coming week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 16th.
Students will be coming home with a book baggie today. Please help me keep track of the books, and make sure they return back to school. All of our class library books will have a red circle sticker on the back. Students should return to their reading routine of 25-30 minutes a day at home.
I will start assessing students for their official reading levels throughout the next couple of weeks. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
First Reading Unit – Building Good Reading Habits
Bend I – Habits for reading long and strong
In this bend, I will teach students good habits for before, during, and after reading. Students will learn to:
-Preview a text
- Doing things that readers do without needing a reminder
- Search for meaning right from the start and anticipate story events
- Check their predictions as they read, revising and confirming them
- Being thoughtful about reading voices
- Rereading in meaningful phrases to build fluency
Bend II – Habits for Tackling Hard Words
In this bend, I will teach students how to tackle words they may not know
Students will learn to:
- Acknowledge their bad reading habits so they can drop them and to remember to use the good habits they’ve learned for solving tricky words
- It’s not enough to check the beginning of a word. Good readers need to look at all parts of the word to figure it out.
- Use meaning as a source of information, using picture clues to consider words that would make sense.
- Double-check to be sure that what they are reading makes sense and looks right
Bend III- Partners have Good Habits!
In the last bend, students will be working with partners to better their reading habits.
Partners will learn to:
- Introduce their books to each other
- Coach each other to use good reading habits and solve tricky words in books
- Discuss the end of the book with each other
- Help each other set reading goals for years ahead
Writing
Our first writing unit is an introduction to Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
First Writing Unit – Small Moments: Writing with Focus, Detail, and Dialogue
Bend I – Writing Small Moment Stories with Independence
Students will learn to:
- Generate ideas to write
- Plan before writing, touch and tell, sketch then write
- Using picture to magnify what they are writing
- Stretching out words to spell them, hearing and recording all sounds
- Zooming in, focusing on small moments
- Reading our writing like we read books
Bend II – Bringing Small Moment Stories to Life
Students will learn to:
- Unfreeze their characters and their writing
- Telling their story bit by bit
- Bringing what’s inside out- Making characters think and feel
- Use drama to bring stories to life
- Using familiar words to spell unknown words
Bend III – Study Other Writer’s Craft
Students will learn to:
- Studying a story to learn ways the author makes it special
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with exact actions
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with pop out words
- The process of revising
- The process of editing with a checklist
Math
I am introducing/reminding students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting.
Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
I will also be easing students into our Logic work routine next week- --This is a way to build perseverance and with-it-ness, thinking and reasoning skills, and exercise the students’ brains. Math is fundamentally about logic, so logic work will (ideally) improve performance
I will be teaching students how to do Ken Ken Puzzles and Sodoku Puzzles this week. https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com/#
KenKen Puzzle Official Site - Free Math Puzzles That Make ...
www.kenkenpuzzle.com
KENKEN for your Mobile. Fun, addicting, yet educational. The KenKen iOS and Android apps are perfect for the whole family!
https://www.websudoku.com/?select=1&level=1
Socratic Seminar
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion where I give students a topic to discuss. Students listen closely to comments on others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars 2-3 a week.
Curriculum Night
We will have Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 12th.
There will be two information sessions.
Session 1: 4:30pm-5:45pm
Session 2: 6:00pm-7:15pm
Both in our classroom (Room 224).
I will give the identical information in both sessions.
I will be talking about what we will be learning this year, our daily routines in the classroom, students' expectations, field trips, etc. Please do not feel like you need to take off work or cancel your plans for this. I am able to email you any information that is given. Please keep in mind that this is one a one-on-one meeting about your child. We will be discussing the school year as a group.
Book Pals
Starting this coming week, ,every Thursday, we will have a Book Pal in our classroom . Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis.
$100 Field Trip Class Fund
Thank you parents who gave me the class fund. I had already used part of the funds to purchase:
- Scholastic News Weekly Magazine- Scholastic News is a weekly nonfiction print and magazine. It has articles on science, social studies, and safety topics to create a multimedia curriculum. The focus is on building content knowledge, vocabulary, and nonfiction reading skills. The magazines get more challenging throughout the school year as children become better readers. (Students will bring this home every Friday) $6.30 per child for the school year.
Books
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
School CNXT
Just another kind reminder to please contact me by email me directly. School CNXT is only for emergency messages and field trip photos.
Blue Folders
Blue Folders are being sent home today with documents for you to sign, and our tentative schedule. Please send it back in as soon as you can.
Science & Technology
Ms. Nyarko will be your child's science and Technology teacher this school year. If you have any questions regarding the class or curriculum, please email her directly at [email protected]
You will also meet her on Curriculum night on September 12th.
Have an amazing weekend,
Casandra
Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year
Dear Parents,
I would like to officially welcome you (Again) to the 2019-2020 School Year. I am so excited to meet all of you this coming Thursday, September 5th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
Documents
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first or second day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill out all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better.
On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name ALL adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot and will not dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not.
Supply List
A supply list will also be included. Please bring in all supplies as soon as possible. If I may ask for you not to write your child's name on supplies as it will be shared in our classroom community. Again, please take colored construction paper off the list.
If you are purchasing the supplies on Amazon, Please have it sent to:
Casandra Jurawanichkul
PS 111
440 W53st, First Floor
Room 224
New York, New York 10019
What We are Learning this Week..
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing reading, writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
- Review Socratic Seminar Rules and Number Talk Rules
Class Website
Our class website is Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com
I will start updating this class website next week. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Newsletters.
School CNXT
I will be using our School-wide communication platform School CNXT to post pictures from classroom activities, field trips, and will post emergency messages on there only. Please do not message or contact me on there, as I find that the notifications are a bit spotty. Please email me directly at [email protected]
Classroom Field Trip Fund
I did this with my parents last year and it worked out really well. I will be collecting $100 from each family at the beginning of the school year for field trips. This prevents me from having to ask you for money before every trip (We will be going on many). If you are unable to give me the whole amount, no worries! We can work out a payment plan throughout the year.
I will keep you updated every step of the way on how I spend your $100. A clear spending log will be established and sent to you and all receipts will be kept.
This money will also be used to purchase a yearly subscription of Scholastic News ($6 per child for the year). Please send in the $100 in an envelope labeled with your child's name during the first or second week of school.
Important Dates
Sept 5th - First day of school
Sept 12th - Curriculum Night 4:30-7:30pm (Will send another email regarding this)
Sept 30th-Oct 1st - No school
Supply List and GoFundme
I am also attaching our Supply list and our Gofundme Account. If you cannot donate, no worries! But please help share my campaign.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ney9d6-back-to-school-fund&rcid=r01-156743699632-362bda2b4fa54668&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w
I'm assuming a lot of you are coming in on Thursday with supplies for our classroom (Thank you so much). From experience, every year, I am unable to carry everything up myself. If you can, please leave the supplies to the right side in the main office, write my name in big letters on the bags or boxes. And I will come down and pick them up through out the day.
Dismissal
I will be teaching students arrival and dismissal procedures on Thursday. For dismissal, students will be taught to give me a high five or shake my hand, and to point to the person/program that they are leaving with before walking away. Please support me in this important routine. Please approach me to pick up your child, and not wave for them to run to you.
Please kindly do not carry on a long conversation with me during dismissal, as my attention needs to be with the students who have not yet been dismissed. I am, however, more than happy to answer a quick question.
Late pick up will be in the cafeteria. In the case of inclement weather, dismissal will be in the Gymnasium.
See you all soon!
Regards,
Ms. Casandra
Dear Parents,
I would like to officially welcome you (Again) to the 2019-2020 School Year. I am so excited to meet all of you this coming Thursday, September 5th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
Documents
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first or second day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill out all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better.
On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name ALL adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot and will not dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not.
Supply List
A supply list will also be included. Please bring in all supplies as soon as possible. If I may ask for you not to write your child's name on supplies as it will be shared in our classroom community. Again, please take colored construction paper off the list.
If you are purchasing the supplies on Amazon, Please have it sent to:
Casandra Jurawanichkul
PS 111
440 W53st, First Floor
Room 224
New York, New York 10019
What We are Learning this Week..
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing reading, writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
- Review Socratic Seminar Rules and Number Talk Rules
Class Website
Our class website is Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com
I will start updating this class website next week. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Newsletters.
School CNXT
I will be using our School-wide communication platform School CNXT to post pictures from classroom activities, field trips, and will post emergency messages on there only. Please do not message or contact me on there, as I find that the notifications are a bit spotty. Please email me directly at [email protected]
Classroom Field Trip Fund
I did this with my parents last year and it worked out really well. I will be collecting $100 from each family at the beginning of the school year for field trips. This prevents me from having to ask you for money before every trip (We will be going on many). If you are unable to give me the whole amount, no worries! We can work out a payment plan throughout the year.
I will keep you updated every step of the way on how I spend your $100. A clear spending log will be established and sent to you and all receipts will be kept.
This money will also be used to purchase a yearly subscription of Scholastic News ($6 per child for the year). Please send in the $100 in an envelope labeled with your child's name during the first or second week of school.
Important Dates
Sept 5th - First day of school
Sept 12th - Curriculum Night 4:30-7:30pm (Will send another email regarding this)
Sept 30th-Oct 1st - No school
Supply List and GoFundme
I am also attaching our Supply list and our Gofundme Account. If you cannot donate, no worries! But please help share my campaign.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ney9d6-back-to-school-fund&rcid=r01-156743699632-362bda2b4fa54668&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w
I'm assuming a lot of you are coming in on Thursday with supplies for our classroom (Thank you so much). From experience, every year, I am unable to carry everything up myself. If you can, please leave the supplies to the right side in the main office, write my name in big letters on the bags or boxes. And I will come down and pick them up through out the day.
Dismissal
I will be teaching students arrival and dismissal procedures on Thursday. For dismissal, students will be taught to give me a high five or shake my hand, and to point to the person/program that they are leaving with before walking away. Please support me in this important routine. Please approach me to pick up your child, and not wave for them to run to you.
Please kindly do not carry on a long conversation with me during dismissal, as my attention needs to be with the students who have not yet been dismissed. I am, however, more than happy to answer a quick question.
Late pick up will be in the cafeteria. In the case of inclement weather, dismissal will be in the Gymnasium.
See you all soon!
Regards,
Ms. Casandra
Week of June 17th-21st
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Thank you so much for joining us on Family Friday, despite the last minute notice.
Our Award Ceremony Brunch
Thank you SO MUCH for all the contribution given towards our brunch. The Brunch will be this coming Tuesday, June 18th from 9:15-10:30 in the cafeteria. If you would like to help me set up, please come in around 8:50am.
There will be a lot of food. Students shouldn't eat breakfast that day...
Every Student will receive an individual award. The award doesn't represent their only area of achievement. I simply chose the award that they earned, one they would be happy to receive, or the one they nominated themselves for.
Report cards
Students' last report card will be sent home with students by the end of this week.
Attendance
Please inform me if students will not attend the last couple of days of school. I want to make sure to send home things, and say bye to them properly.
Books and Tic-tac-toe Board
If you still have the spelling tac-tac-toe board or any books that belong to our classroom, please return them by tomorrow as I'm starting to clean up...
Our last day of school will be on Wednesday, June 26th. It will be a half day, dismissal will be at 11:30am. Please arrange pick up accordingly.
Happy Father's Day to all of my amazing dads!
Have a fantastic week,
C
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Thank you so much for joining us on Family Friday, despite the last minute notice.
Our Award Ceremony Brunch
Thank you SO MUCH for all the contribution given towards our brunch. The Brunch will be this coming Tuesday, June 18th from 9:15-10:30 in the cafeteria. If you would like to help me set up, please come in around 8:50am.
There will be a lot of food. Students shouldn't eat breakfast that day...
Every Student will receive an individual award. The award doesn't represent their only area of achievement. I simply chose the award that they earned, one they would be happy to receive, or the one they nominated themselves for.
Report cards
Students' last report card will be sent home with students by the end of this week.
Attendance
Please inform me if students will not attend the last couple of days of school. I want to make sure to send home things, and say bye to them properly.
Books and Tic-tac-toe Board
If you still have the spelling tac-tac-toe board or any books that belong to our classroom, please return them by tomorrow as I'm starting to clean up...
Our last day of school will be on Wednesday, June 26th. It will be a half day, dismissal will be at 11:30am. Please arrange pick up accordingly.
Happy Father's Day to all of my amazing dads!
Have a fantastic week,
C
Week of June 10th-14th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend...
Our last Field Trip
A kind reminder that we have a field trip on Wednesday, June 12th to the Cooper Hewitt Museum. We will be taking the bus. We will eat lunch there. Please pack students an easy to eat lunch. They do not need to bring any school stuff with them that day. Please just send them in with lunch, a small water bottle, in a small backpack. If you did not sign the permission slip, please do so by tomorrow.
Chaperones: Please meet me by security at 9:45am.
Books and Spelling Tic-tac-toe Board
We are missing a lot of books from our class library.
Please return all books that belong to our classroom by this Friday. Most of our class books have a red circle sticker in the back.
I also would like to collect the laminated spelling tic-tac-toe board that students used for their weekly spelling homework. If you still have it at home, please send it in.
Award Ceremony Brunch
Another reminder of our brunch on Tuesday, June 18th, from 9:15-10:30am in the cafeteria. If you did not send in the sheet with your contribution, please send it in ASAP.
If you are bringing in items, please bring it in the morning of. If you would like to help us send up, please arrive at 8:45am.
Students do not have school this coming Tuesday, June 11th.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend...
Our last Field Trip
A kind reminder that we have a field trip on Wednesday, June 12th to the Cooper Hewitt Museum. We will be taking the bus. We will eat lunch there. Please pack students an easy to eat lunch. They do not need to bring any school stuff with them that day. Please just send them in with lunch, a small water bottle, in a small backpack. If you did not sign the permission slip, please do so by tomorrow.
Chaperones: Please meet me by security at 9:45am.
Books and Spelling Tic-tac-toe Board
We are missing a lot of books from our class library.
Please return all books that belong to our classroom by this Friday. Most of our class books have a red circle sticker in the back.
I also would like to collect the laminated spelling tic-tac-toe board that students used for their weekly spelling homework. If you still have it at home, please send it in.
Award Ceremony Brunch
Another reminder of our brunch on Tuesday, June 18th, from 9:15-10:30am in the cafeteria. If you did not send in the sheet with your contribution, please send it in ASAP.
If you are bringing in items, please bring it in the morning of. If you would like to help us send up, please arrive at 8:45am.
Students do not have school this coming Tuesday, June 11th.
Casandra
Week of June 3rd - 7th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last month of school!
Just a kind reminder that students DO NOT have school this coming Tuesday and Thursday.
Other Important June Dates
June 11th - No school
June 12th - Our last field trip to Cooper Hewitt Museum
June 18th - Our Annual Award Ceremony Brunch (9:15-10:30)- If you would like to help me set up, please arrive at 8:45am in the cafeteria.
June 26th - Last day of school
Brunch Contribution
I had sent home the sign up sheet for our Brunch on June 18th last week. Please send it back in as soon as possible, so Mr. Mahon and I can plan accordingly.
No more Homework
I will not be be assigning more homework going forward. However, I'd love for students to continue reading daily for at least 35 minutes.
I'd sent home a permission for our last trip to Cooper Hewitt. Please sign and send it back in ASAP.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last month of school!
Just a kind reminder that students DO NOT have school this coming Tuesday and Thursday.
Other Important June Dates
June 11th - No school
June 12th - Our last field trip to Cooper Hewitt Museum
June 18th - Our Annual Award Ceremony Brunch (9:15-10:30)- If you would like to help me set up, please arrive at 8:45am in the cafeteria.
June 26th - Last day of school
Brunch Contribution
I had sent home the sign up sheet for our Brunch on June 18th last week. Please send it back in as soon as possible, so Mr. Mahon and I can plan accordingly.
No more Homework
I will not be be assigning more homework going forward. However, I'd love for students to continue reading daily for at least 35 minutes.
I'd sent home a permission for our last trip to Cooper Hewitt. Please sign and send it back in ASAP.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of May 28th-May31st
Dear Parents,
Happy Memorial Day!
I really hope you are enjoying this long weekend.
Pep Rally
The school will have our end of the year Pep Rally tomorrow. Please have students come in with comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Important June Dates
June 4th - No school
June 6th - No school
June 11th - No school
June 12th - Our last field trip to Cooper Hewitt Museum
June 18th - Our Annual Award Ceremony Brunch (9:15-10:30)
June 26th - Last day of school
Brunch Contribution
I had sent home the sign up sheet for our Brunch on June 18th last week. Please send it back in as soon as possible, so Mr. Mahon and I can plan accordingly.
Money Assessment
Students will have a money assessment this week.
-Coin identification
-Counting coin collections
-Demonstrating an amount two different ways (Using least amount of coins)
-Money word problems
The Data project is due tomorrow. Even if it's not complete, please just send in what they have.
Please also let me know if you did not receive a class Poem Book.
We will continue our rigorous learning in class throughout this last month of school. However, this will be our final week of homework....
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Happy Memorial Day!
I really hope you are enjoying this long weekend.
Pep Rally
The school will have our end of the year Pep Rally tomorrow. Please have students come in with comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Important June Dates
June 4th - No school
June 6th - No school
June 11th - No school
June 12th - Our last field trip to Cooper Hewitt Museum
June 18th - Our Annual Award Ceremony Brunch (9:15-10:30)
June 26th - Last day of school
Brunch Contribution
I had sent home the sign up sheet for our Brunch on June 18th last week. Please send it back in as soon as possible, so Mr. Mahon and I can plan accordingly.
Money Assessment
Students will have a money assessment this week.
-Coin identification
-Counting coin collections
-Demonstrating an amount two different ways (Using least amount of coins)
-Money word problems
The Data project is due tomorrow. Even if it's not complete, please just send in what they have.
Please also let me know if you did not receive a class Poem Book.
We will continue our rigorous learning in class throughout this last month of school. However, this will be our final week of homework....
Casandra
Week of May 20th - 24th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.
A couple of things about this coming week.
Trip to Morris Jumel Mansion
We have a trip to the Morris Jumel Mansion on Tuesday, May 21st. We will be taking the bus. We will eat lunch there. Please pack students an easy to eat lunch and a water bottle. Students just need a small backpack to carry their lunches for that day. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:30am.
New Reading and Writing Units
I will start our last reading and writing units of the year this week...
Reading- Series Book Club
First Bend - Becoming Experts on Characters
Students will begin reading a series with their book clubs, collecting information about the stars (Main Characters) of their series. Students will answer and explore the following questions:
Second Bend - Becoming Experts on Author's Craft
Students will start rereading a book in their series and engaging in inquiry, thinking about the craft the writer uses. We will think about the following questions:
Students will begin to innovate and invent ways to share their books with others. They will think about ways to share the series books that they most love with others. At the end of this bend, they will also begin to learn how to have a debate within their clubs, as another way to share and talk about books.
Writing - Writing about Reading
First Bend - Letter Writing
Students will begin this unit writing letters. Across the first bend of the unit, students will draft letters about the characters they've met in their books, formulating opinions and supporting their ideas, providing reasons, and using details and examples from the text to support their claims. Students will also write about their favorite scenes, illustrations across the text, and lessons learned.
Bend Two - Raising the Level of Letter Writing
Students will focus on raising the level of their level writing. Students will engage in some close reading as a way to spark new ideas and to push themselves to deepen their thinking, using their notes to elaborate on their opinion pieces. Students will also participate in a punctuation inquiry and then work to incorporate the conventions that they are noticing in published books not their own writing.
Third Bend - Writing Nominations and Awarding Favorite Books
Students will shift gears, moving away from persuasive letters into writing that more closely resembles an essay format, as they write to persuade others that their favorite books are worthy of awards. This work with build on the first two bends as students continue to write their opinions about books and support those opinions with reasons and details from the text. However, they will left the level of this writing as they learn to incorporate quotations to supply further text evidence, making comparisons between books and across collections of books, as well as add introductions and conclusions, all in the service of teaching and persuading others.
Data Project
The Data Project is due tomorrow. However, if students need more time to complete it, I can extend the deadline for another week. We will still be learning about money this week.
Spring Concert
Students will participate in the Spring Concert this coming Friday, May 24th. The concert should start around 9:00am. Please keep in mind that since it's a Pre-k-2nd concert. We will most likely go last. Please have students wear Spring colors.
Award Ceremony Brunch
We will have a brunch on Tuesday, June 18th, from 9:15am-10:30am. Please sign up to contribute. Students came home with the sheet last week.
We don't have school next Monday, May 27th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.
A couple of things about this coming week.
Trip to Morris Jumel Mansion
We have a trip to the Morris Jumel Mansion on Tuesday, May 21st. We will be taking the bus. We will eat lunch there. Please pack students an easy to eat lunch and a water bottle. Students just need a small backpack to carry their lunches for that day. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:30am.
New Reading and Writing Units
I will start our last reading and writing units of the year this week...
Reading- Series Book Club
First Bend - Becoming Experts on Characters
Students will begin reading a series with their book clubs, collecting information about the stars (Main Characters) of their series. Students will answer and explore the following questions:
- Who are the stars?
- How do they feel in a certain situation and behave?
- What kinds of trouble do they encounter and how do they respond to the trouble? Is there a pattern of behavior?
- What are these characters' relationships like?
- What are the major and minor problems in the series?
Second Bend - Becoming Experts on Author's Craft
Students will start rereading a book in their series and engaging in inquiry, thinking about the craft the writer uses. We will think about the following questions:
- What does this particular author do to paint a vivid picture with words?
- How does the author use his/her word choices, figurative language, punctuation, and patterns to construct their series?
- How does the author hook the reader into the series and link the books together?
Students will begin to innovate and invent ways to share their books with others. They will think about ways to share the series books that they most love with others. At the end of this bend, they will also begin to learn how to have a debate within their clubs, as another way to share and talk about books.
Writing - Writing about Reading
First Bend - Letter Writing
Students will begin this unit writing letters. Across the first bend of the unit, students will draft letters about the characters they've met in their books, formulating opinions and supporting their ideas, providing reasons, and using details and examples from the text to support their claims. Students will also write about their favorite scenes, illustrations across the text, and lessons learned.
Bend Two - Raising the Level of Letter Writing
Students will focus on raising the level of their level writing. Students will engage in some close reading as a way to spark new ideas and to push themselves to deepen their thinking, using their notes to elaborate on their opinion pieces. Students will also participate in a punctuation inquiry and then work to incorporate the conventions that they are noticing in published books not their own writing.
Third Bend - Writing Nominations and Awarding Favorite Books
Students will shift gears, moving away from persuasive letters into writing that more closely resembles an essay format, as they write to persuade others that their favorite books are worthy of awards. This work with build on the first two bends as students continue to write their opinions about books and support those opinions with reasons and details from the text. However, they will left the level of this writing as they learn to incorporate quotations to supply further text evidence, making comparisons between books and across collections of books, as well as add introductions and conclusions, all in the service of teaching and persuading others.
Data Project
The Data Project is due tomorrow. However, if students need more time to complete it, I can extend the deadline for another week. We will still be learning about money this week.
Spring Concert
Students will participate in the Spring Concert this coming Friday, May 24th. The concert should start around 9:00am. Please keep in mind that since it's a Pre-k-2nd concert. We will most likely go last. Please have students wear Spring colors.
Award Ceremony Brunch
We will have a brunch on Tuesday, June 18th, from 9:15am-10:30am. Please sign up to contribute. Students came home with the sheet last week.
We don't have school next Monday, May 27th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Notes
Dear Parents,
A couple of notes
Spring Concert
Students will be in a Spring Concert, organized by Ms. B on Friday, May 24th. I believe the concert will start at 9:15am. If anything changes, I will let you know.
Our Annual Award Ceremony Brunch
Every year the other second grade teachers and I organize an award ceremony, where all students will receive an award for their individual achievements. The brunch will be on Tuesday, June 18th from 9:15am to 10:30am. I am sending home a sign up sheet today asking for your contribution. Please send the sheet back as soon as possible. Thank you for your support.
Summer Folder and Published Poetry Book
I am sending home today a folder with some summer goodies to keep students reading and writing over the summer. The folder will include:
End Of the Year Parent Survey
I am also sending home a survey for your to fill out just to asses our school year. This is for my own self reflection and assessment. If you don't mind filling it out for me at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for everything,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
A couple of notes
Spring Concert
Students will be in a Spring Concert, organized by Ms. B on Friday, May 24th. I believe the concert will start at 9:15am. If anything changes, I will let you know.
Our Annual Award Ceremony Brunch
Every year the other second grade teachers and I organize an award ceremony, where all students will receive an award for their individual achievements. The brunch will be on Tuesday, June 18th from 9:15am to 10:30am. I am sending home a sign up sheet today asking for your contribution. Please send the sheet back as soon as possible. Thank you for your support.
Summer Folder and Published Poetry Book
I am sending home today a folder with some summer goodies to keep students reading and writing over the summer. The folder will include:
- List of books on their level and the next level up
- Reading bingo board
- reading log
- ELA and math curriculum maps for third grade
- Fiction and nonfiction passaes with answer keys
- An article about how to prepare your child for third grade
End Of the Year Parent Survey
I am also sending home a survey for your to fill out just to asses our school year. This is for my own self reflection and assessment. If you don't mind filling it out for me at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for everything,
Casandra
Week of May 13th -17th
Dear Parents,
Hope all of you are having a relaxed weekend.
Trip to the Tenement Museum
A kind reminder that we have our trip to the Tenement Museum on Tuesday, May 14th. Students will eat lunch at school, at a later time. Please be sure they eat a big breakfast. The bus ride will be long, as we usually hit a lot of traffic going downtown. If your child sometimes at sick on the bus, please pack him/her another shirt and send in a plastic bag, just incase. If you have not yet sent in the $12.00 for the trips, please do so by tomorrow.
Curriculum Night
Reminder that Curriculum Night is this coming Wednesday, May 15th from 4:30-7:15pm.
Schedule
4:30-5:30 - Meet with me in our classroom
5:30-6:30 - Science Fair (Gym)
Art Show (Stairs leading down to gym)
6:30-7:15 - Dinner/activities in cafeteria
* If there are any changes to this schedule, I will let you know.
New York City Road Runners
A representative from the NYRR will do a site visit with us this coming Friday, May 17th from 1:05-2:30pm. He will conduct a session with variety of fitness games and fun activities. Please be sure students are in comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Chess and Farm to Book
Last Thursday was the last day of in class chess instruction 🙁.The after-school club will continue. We will have the last session of the farm to book tomorrow.
Data Project and Poems
Please send the typed up poems to me by tonight. If you are printing it out, please send them in tomorrow.
Data project is due next week, Monday, May 20th.
Thank you so much for all your support,
PS. Happy Mother's Day again to ALL you amazing moms! I appreciate every single one of you. I hope you enjoy your special day ❤️
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope all of you are having a relaxed weekend.
Trip to the Tenement Museum
A kind reminder that we have our trip to the Tenement Museum on Tuesday, May 14th. Students will eat lunch at school, at a later time. Please be sure they eat a big breakfast. The bus ride will be long, as we usually hit a lot of traffic going downtown. If your child sometimes at sick on the bus, please pack him/her another shirt and send in a plastic bag, just incase. If you have not yet sent in the $12.00 for the trips, please do so by tomorrow.
Curriculum Night
Reminder that Curriculum Night is this coming Wednesday, May 15th from 4:30-7:15pm.
Schedule
4:30-5:30 - Meet with me in our classroom
5:30-6:30 - Science Fair (Gym)
Art Show (Stairs leading down to gym)
6:30-7:15 - Dinner/activities in cafeteria
* If there are any changes to this schedule, I will let you know.
New York City Road Runners
A representative from the NYRR will do a site visit with us this coming Friday, May 17th from 1:05-2:30pm. He will conduct a session with variety of fitness games and fun activities. Please be sure students are in comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Chess and Farm to Book
Last Thursday was the last day of in class chess instruction 🙁.The after-school club will continue. We will have the last session of the farm to book tomorrow.
Data Project and Poems
Please send the typed up poems to me by tonight. If you are printing it out, please send them in tomorrow.
Data project is due next week, Monday, May 20th.
Thank you so much for all your support,
PS. Happy Mother's Day again to ALL you amazing moms! I appreciate every single one of you. I hope you enjoy your special day ❤️
Casandra
Week of May 6th -10th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having a good weekend.
"Trip" this past Friday
As you may have been informed by the kids, we ended up not walking to Ryan Chelsea due to the rain, and the "Trip" came to us at the school. I apologize for all the hassle about the permission slips. As you can probably infer, everything was last minute and was out of my control.
School CNXT
As I informed you, the school is trying to launch a new communication platform. Mr. Gilligan informed me that our parent sign up rate is only 53% ,and had asked for your help to make it 100% by this Tuesday. I had sent home another sign up sheet for those of you who didn't sign up yet. Please help me do so by this Tuesday. Thank you for your support.
Class Prize trip to Clinton Park
I had planned on taking students to the park this Friday, May 10th. However, the weather says thunderstorms, again. This will be my final attempt to make this trip happen. We will go this Tuesday, May 7th instead from 12:15-2:15, as the weather looks clear. If it happens to rain again, I will switch their prize to something indoor.
Curriculum Night (Tentative Schedule), Wed May 15th
4:30-5:30 - Meet with me in our classroom
Topics of Discussion
- Reflection of our school year (Glows/Grows)
- Student's Portfolio share
- Talk about summer reading
- Shift to third grade
5:30-6:30 - Science Fair with Ms. Nyarko in the gym
6:30-7:15 - Dinner
The school obviously would love your participation and attendance. However, do not feel like you need to take off work or rearrange your busy schedule for this. Any info I give during our session can be given to you via email. It will be very informal.
Poems
Students will come home with 4 poems they are most proud of to type up this Friday. The typed poems will be due Monday, May 13th. Please refer to my email from last week for specific instructions.
Trips in May
If you didn't sign permission slips for our May trips and send in $12, please do so as soon as possible.
Data Project
Reminder that it is due May 20th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having a good weekend.
"Trip" this past Friday
As you may have been informed by the kids, we ended up not walking to Ryan Chelsea due to the rain, and the "Trip" came to us at the school. I apologize for all the hassle about the permission slips. As you can probably infer, everything was last minute and was out of my control.
School CNXT
As I informed you, the school is trying to launch a new communication platform. Mr. Gilligan informed me that our parent sign up rate is only 53% ,and had asked for your help to make it 100% by this Tuesday. I had sent home another sign up sheet for those of you who didn't sign up yet. Please help me do so by this Tuesday. Thank you for your support.
Class Prize trip to Clinton Park
I had planned on taking students to the park this Friday, May 10th. However, the weather says thunderstorms, again. This will be my final attempt to make this trip happen. We will go this Tuesday, May 7th instead from 12:15-2:15, as the weather looks clear. If it happens to rain again, I will switch their prize to something indoor.
Curriculum Night (Tentative Schedule), Wed May 15th
4:30-5:30 - Meet with me in our classroom
Topics of Discussion
- Reflection of our school year (Glows/Grows)
- Student's Portfolio share
- Talk about summer reading
- Shift to third grade
5:30-6:30 - Science Fair with Ms. Nyarko in the gym
6:30-7:15 - Dinner
The school obviously would love your participation and attendance. However, do not feel like you need to take off work or rearrange your busy schedule for this. Any info I give during our session can be given to you via email. It will be very informal.
Poems
Students will come home with 4 poems they are most proud of to type up this Friday. The typed poems will be due Monday, May 13th. Please refer to my email from last week for specific instructions.
Trips in May
If you didn't sign permission slips for our May trips and send in $12, please do so as soon as possible.
Data Project
Reminder that it is due May 20th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Notes
Dear Parents,
Some more notes,
Reading Time
As the end of the school year approaches, I am increasing students' reading time from 30 minutes to 35 minutes, as will reflect on their homework log. They should walk out of second grade being able to read for 40 minutes independently.
Reading Assessment
In the next couple of weeks, students will be called out by a different teacher to be given their FINAL reading assessment of the year, to determine the reading level they will go up to third grade with. My goal is to have every one of my students leave me on grade level.
They will be assessed on
-Their fluency in reading (If they are reading at a just right pace) Rated on a 1,2,3 and 4 scale.
- Retell important parts of the story or passage they read
- Comprehension (2 literal questions and 2 inferential questions)
Math
For the next month, I will be teaching both Modules 6 and 7 in math. Module 6: Foundations of Multiplication and Division
Module 6 lays the conceptual foundation for multiplication and division in Grade 3 and for the idea that numbers other than 1, 10, and 100 can serve as units. Topics in this module include: Formation of Equal Groups, Arrays and Equal Groups, Rectangular Arrays as a Foundation for Multiplication and Division, and The Meaning of Even and Odd Numbers.
Module 7 - Money and Data (We already did time)
Money
Identifying each coin
Value of each coin
Coining coin collections
Writing different amounts using coins
Money Word problems
Module 7 presents an opportunity for students to practice addition and subtraction strategies within 100 and problem-solving skills as they learn to work with various types of units within the contexts of length, money, and data. Students represent categorical and measurement data using picture graphs, bar graphs, and line plots.
Data Project
In preparation for our data unit (later on this month), I would like for students to complete surveys. Attached is the sheet they will come home with this coming week.
They will generate three survey questions, Be creative! (I also gave them some ideas), and 4 possible answers. They will tally the results. They will TRY to ask at least 50 people for each question. I suggest for them to ask each person they speak to all three questions.
I know that sounds like a lot, but to effectively teach them how to create graphs, the higher the number, the better (More challenging). I might also give them some time during their recess and some class time. Or they can ask their neighbors, friends outside of school, family members, people at the park, etc (With your supervision, of course).
This will be due Monday, May 20th.
See you all next week!
C
Dear Parents,
Some more notes,
Reading Time
As the end of the school year approaches, I am increasing students' reading time from 30 minutes to 35 minutes, as will reflect on their homework log. They should walk out of second grade being able to read for 40 minutes independently.
Reading Assessment
In the next couple of weeks, students will be called out by a different teacher to be given their FINAL reading assessment of the year, to determine the reading level they will go up to third grade with. My goal is to have every one of my students leave me on grade level.
They will be assessed on
-Their fluency in reading (If they are reading at a just right pace) Rated on a 1,2,3 and 4 scale.
- Retell important parts of the story or passage they read
- Comprehension (2 literal questions and 2 inferential questions)
Math
For the next month, I will be teaching both Modules 6 and 7 in math. Module 6: Foundations of Multiplication and Division
Module 6 lays the conceptual foundation for multiplication and division in Grade 3 and for the idea that numbers other than 1, 10, and 100 can serve as units. Topics in this module include: Formation of Equal Groups, Arrays and Equal Groups, Rectangular Arrays as a Foundation for Multiplication and Division, and The Meaning of Even and Odd Numbers.
Module 7 - Money and Data (We already did time)
Money
Identifying each coin
Value of each coin
Coining coin collections
Writing different amounts using coins
Money Word problems
Module 7 presents an opportunity for students to practice addition and subtraction strategies within 100 and problem-solving skills as they learn to work with various types of units within the contexts of length, money, and data. Students represent categorical and measurement data using picture graphs, bar graphs, and line plots.
Data Project
In preparation for our data unit (later on this month), I would like for students to complete surveys. Attached is the sheet they will come home with this coming week.
They will generate three survey questions, Be creative! (I also gave them some ideas), and 4 possible answers. They will tally the results. They will TRY to ask at least 50 people for each question. I suggest for them to ask each person they speak to all three questions.
I know that sounds like a lot, but to effectively teach them how to create graphs, the higher the number, the better (More challenging). I might also give them some time during their recess and some class time. Or they can ask their neighbors, friends outside of school, family members, people at the park, etc (With your supervision, of course).
This will be due Monday, May 20th.
See you all next week!
C
Week of April 29th - May 3rd
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you are having a wonderful Spring Break.
A couple of things about this coming week...
Trip to the Whitney Museum
We have a trip to the Whitney Museum on Tuesday, April 30th. We will leave by bus at 9:30am. We will eat lunch back at school at a later time. Please be sure students eat a big healthy breakfast. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:30am.
Trips in May
We have three trips in May, including our make up Clinton Park trip.
Friday, May 10th - Make up Clinton Park trip
Tuesday, May 14th - Tenement Museum
Tuesday, May 21st - Morris Jumel Mansion
I'd almost used up all of your $100 as shown in my last trip email (Sorry). I may need to collect money for just one or both trips for this month. Will keep you updated. I will be sending home permission slips later this week.
Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 15th from 4:30-7:00pm. The school will be holding Curriculum night. That will also be the night of the Science Fair, which should start around 5:30pm. I have not yet been informed of the exact schedule of that night. I will inform you once I find out more details.
If you have specific questions regarding the Science Fair, Please email Ms. Nyarko directly at [email protected]
Math
In addition to our regular math periods in the afternoons, for the majority of the remainder of the school year, I will be teaching math during first periods, to be certain I cover all content needed before the school year ends.
With that said, please help me minimize latenesses and absences. I can't stress enough how when your child is absent, I have to spend time reteaching what your child had missed, instead of working with other students. Unless there is an illness, please make sure your child is in school.
Poems
By the end of this week OR early next week, students will be coming home with FOUR poems that they are most proud of to type up. I am putting together a class poem book. I will need your help.
If you have access to a computer, please help them type up the poems, and send it to me via a Microsoft Word document, so I can edit, if needed.
If you do not have an access to a computer, no problem. I can type them up.
Instructions
Example:
Maples in October
By Amy Ludwig
They rustle to each other
I think today is the day.
Wind is getting colder.
Geese are on their way.
Oak is throwing acorns.
It's time to go ahead.
I think today's the day.
Let's change our leaves to red.
This will be due on Monday, May 13th.
Cinco De Mayo
On Friday, (May 3rd), I will teach students the history of Cinco Mayo and celebrate the tradition by making guacamole! Please send students in with 1 avocado by Thursday, May 2nd . Make sure it's ripe and soft enough to mash. If you would like to donate bags of tortilla chips, that would also be fantastic.
Supplies needed from Amazon (Thank you!!)Rayson 0.2mm/7mil Thickness PP Clear Cover Plastic 8-1/2" × 11 Inches Binding Covers - 100/Pack (PP-2-100-C)
Better Office Products Sheet Protectors, 500 Count
Looking forward to seeing all of you next week.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you are having a wonderful Spring Break.
A couple of things about this coming week...
Trip to the Whitney Museum
We have a trip to the Whitney Museum on Tuesday, April 30th. We will leave by bus at 9:30am. We will eat lunch back at school at a later time. Please be sure students eat a big healthy breakfast. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:30am.
Trips in May
We have three trips in May, including our make up Clinton Park trip.
Friday, May 10th - Make up Clinton Park trip
Tuesday, May 14th - Tenement Museum
Tuesday, May 21st - Morris Jumel Mansion
I'd almost used up all of your $100 as shown in my last trip email (Sorry). I may need to collect money for just one or both trips for this month. Will keep you updated. I will be sending home permission slips later this week.
Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 15th from 4:30-7:00pm. The school will be holding Curriculum night. That will also be the night of the Science Fair, which should start around 5:30pm. I have not yet been informed of the exact schedule of that night. I will inform you once I find out more details.
If you have specific questions regarding the Science Fair, Please email Ms. Nyarko directly at [email protected]
Math
In addition to our regular math periods in the afternoons, for the majority of the remainder of the school year, I will be teaching math during first periods, to be certain I cover all content needed before the school year ends.
With that said, please help me minimize latenesses and absences. I can't stress enough how when your child is absent, I have to spend time reteaching what your child had missed, instead of working with other students. Unless there is an illness, please make sure your child is in school.
Poems
By the end of this week OR early next week, students will be coming home with FOUR poems that they are most proud of to type up. I am putting together a class poem book. I will need your help.
If you have access to a computer, please help them type up the poems, and send it to me via a Microsoft Word document, so I can edit, if needed.
If you do not have an access to a computer, no problem. I can type them up.
Instructions
- One poem per page (No matter how short)
- Times New Roman Font, size 24
- Bold the name of each poem and students' name
- black font only
- Positioned in the middle of page
Example:
Maples in October
By Amy Ludwig
They rustle to each other
I think today is the day.
Wind is getting colder.
Geese are on their way.
Oak is throwing acorns.
It's time to go ahead.
I think today's the day.
Let's change our leaves to red.
This will be due on Monday, May 13th.
Cinco De Mayo
On Friday, (May 3rd), I will teach students the history of Cinco Mayo and celebrate the tradition by making guacamole! Please send students in with 1 avocado by Thursday, May 2nd . Make sure it's ripe and soft enough to mash. If you would like to donate bags of tortilla chips, that would also be fantastic.
Supplies needed from Amazon (Thank you!!)Rayson 0.2mm/7mil Thickness PP Clear Cover Plastic 8-1/2" × 11 Inches Binding Covers - 100/Pack (PP-2-100-C)
Better Office Products Sheet Protectors, 500 Count
Looking forward to seeing all of you next week.
Casandra
Week of April 15th- 18th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our very busy short week!
Trip to Apple Store
We have our trip to the Apple Store Upper West Side this coming Tuesday, April 16th. Students will learn to use the APP Keynotes and learn how to 1) Add text via Text boxes 2) Draw using the Apple Pencil 3)Export their books to PDFs. We will take the bus. We will eat lunch at school normally, but at a later time. Please have students eat a big breakfast. Chaperones, please meet me at 10:00am by security.
Rising Runners Event
Rising New York Road Runners has offered us the opportunity to complete a service project right in our back yard! As a school with a playground provided by Trust for Public Lands, they invited us to join TPL in some fun work maintaining our school’s playground. Kids will be given the opportunity to work on the active space they use every day and help their community while learning about the playground and the trees in it. The event will be on April 17 from 10:00am-11.25am. Please have them wear sneakers and comfortable clothes to run around in.
Trip to Clinton Park on Thursday, April 18th.
Students earned their class prize, and wanted to go play at Clinton Park. Please note that I had to change the time from 12:15-2:15 to 10:00-12:15pm due to my literacy coach coming in that day. Please pack students an easy to eat lunch and some snacks. We will eat lunch at the park and students will play. Please also have them wear sneakers and comfortable clothes to run around in. If the weather doesn't cooperate, as I see rain in the forecast, we will reschedule.
Homework over break (Optional, but encouraged)
As you know we will have Spring Break starting this Friday, April 19th - April 26th. I would LOVE if students can continue writing poems over the break. I will send students home with their writing folders and poetry paper. So far I have taught students the following concepts:
- Poets look at ordinary things in fresh new ways
- Poets learn to use line breaks to create "music"
- Poets Think about things that give them a big feeling then zoom into something small and specific
- poets find poems in the strong feelings and concrete details of life
-Poets search for honest, precise words
- Poets create patterns through repetition
Learning this week
- Poems are moody
-Poets use comparisons to clarify feelings and ideas
-Poets stretch out a comparison
Please remind them to use these skills to write poems. I would LOVE if they can complete at least 10 poems throughout the break. Again, this is optional, but encouraged.
I am NOT giving students any spelling words or reading response this week, due to the short and very busy week.
Ms. Carolina
Unfortunately, this will be Ms. Carolina's last week with us. Her program requires her to be placed in an upper elementary class for the remainder of the school year. She has become a important part of our classroom and I'm very sad to lose her. Please be sure to say bye to her this week and wish her well!
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our very busy short week!
Trip to Apple Store
We have our trip to the Apple Store Upper West Side this coming Tuesday, April 16th. Students will learn to use the APP Keynotes and learn how to 1) Add text via Text boxes 2) Draw using the Apple Pencil 3)Export their books to PDFs. We will take the bus. We will eat lunch at school normally, but at a later time. Please have students eat a big breakfast. Chaperones, please meet me at 10:00am by security.
Rising Runners Event
Rising New York Road Runners has offered us the opportunity to complete a service project right in our back yard! As a school with a playground provided by Trust for Public Lands, they invited us to join TPL in some fun work maintaining our school’s playground. Kids will be given the opportunity to work on the active space they use every day and help their community while learning about the playground and the trees in it. The event will be on April 17 from 10:00am-11.25am. Please have them wear sneakers and comfortable clothes to run around in.
Trip to Clinton Park on Thursday, April 18th.
Students earned their class prize, and wanted to go play at Clinton Park. Please note that I had to change the time from 12:15-2:15 to 10:00-12:15pm due to my literacy coach coming in that day. Please pack students an easy to eat lunch and some snacks. We will eat lunch at the park and students will play. Please also have them wear sneakers and comfortable clothes to run around in. If the weather doesn't cooperate, as I see rain in the forecast, we will reschedule.
Homework over break (Optional, but encouraged)
As you know we will have Spring Break starting this Friday, April 19th - April 26th. I would LOVE if students can continue writing poems over the break. I will send students home with their writing folders and poetry paper. So far I have taught students the following concepts:
- Poets look at ordinary things in fresh new ways
- Poets learn to use line breaks to create "music"
- Poets Think about things that give them a big feeling then zoom into something small and specific
- poets find poems in the strong feelings and concrete details of life
-Poets search for honest, precise words
- Poets create patterns through repetition
Learning this week
- Poems are moody
-Poets use comparisons to clarify feelings and ideas
-Poets stretch out a comparison
Please remind them to use these skills to write poems. I would LOVE if they can complete at least 10 poems throughout the break. Again, this is optional, but encouraged.
I am NOT giving students any spelling words or reading response this week, due to the short and very busy week.
Ms. Carolina
Unfortunately, this will be Ms. Carolina's last week with us. Her program requires her to be placed in an upper elementary class for the remainder of the school year. She has become a important part of our classroom and I'm very sad to lose her. Please be sure to say bye to her this week and wish her well!
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Week of April 8th-12th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Trip to Intrepid
We have our trip to the Intrepid this coming Tuesday, April 9th. We will eat lunch there, please be sure to pack students an easy to eat lunch. They will unfortunately NOT have a place for us to store lunches. Therefore, please send students in with a small book bag that their lunch and a bottle of water can be stored. They do not need to bring their school things that day.
It also looks like it might rain (Sigh). Please pack students an umbrella. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:15am.
Class Prize Trip
Students earned their class prize and wanted to go to play in Clinton Park. I am planning on taking them on the last day before Spring Break, Thursday April 18th, from 12:15-2:15pm. I will send permission slips out this week.
Social Studies- NYC then and Now
For the next couple of weeks, we will be learning about how people used to live in NYC in the 1890s....
-New York City has changed over time and will continue to change in the future
- The architectural landscape of New York City includes old and new features (historic buildings, skyscrapers)
New York City changed and grew during the 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s
− Physical environment
− Population/immigration/migration
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Trip to Intrepid
We have our trip to the Intrepid this coming Tuesday, April 9th. We will eat lunch there, please be sure to pack students an easy to eat lunch. They will unfortunately NOT have a place for us to store lunches. Therefore, please send students in with a small book bag that their lunch and a bottle of water can be stored. They do not need to bring their school things that day.
It also looks like it might rain (Sigh). Please pack students an umbrella. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:15am.
Class Prize Trip
Students earned their class prize and wanted to go to play in Clinton Park. I am planning on taking them on the last day before Spring Break, Thursday April 18th, from 12:15-2:15pm. I will send permission slips out this week.
Social Studies- NYC then and Now
For the next couple of weeks, we will be learning about how people used to live in NYC in the 1890s....
-New York City has changed over time and will continue to change in the future
- The architectural landscape of New York City includes old and new features (historic buildings, skyscrapers)
New York City changed and grew during the 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s
− Physical environment
− Population/immigration/migration
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of April 1st-5th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to April!
We will be starting a new reading unit next week. A new writing and math unit this week.
Reading - Bigger book mean amping up Reading Power
Part One: Reading with Fluency
Students will discover that rereading,especially out loud, is the best way to change the voice inside their heads. Reading with a clear smooth voice is the key to reading better, stronger, longer, and with more understanding. Students will not only pay attention to their own reading voices of the characters, but reading with the voices the way the author intended and reading with the characters mood and personality.
Part Two: Understanding Literary Language
Students will learn about similes, metaphors, personifications, Hyperboles, Idioms, and more.
Part Three: Meeting the Challenges of Longer books
Students will learn strategies to use with their reading partner to keep track of longer books. They will learn to "Use a trail of breadcrumbs," to remember important events. They will read the same book as their reading partner and hold each other accountable in comprehension, stamina, and retelling.
Writing Workshop - Poetry
April is poetry month and this is my favorite writing unit to teach!
Part One: Seeing with Poet's Eyes
Students will experiment with line breaks, as they come to understand that a poem is different from a story. They will also learn to see things with poet eyes.
Part Two: Experimenting with language and sound to create meaning
Students will recognize that in a poem, choice and placement of words matter. They will admire and experiment with metaphor, strengthening their ability to see like poets.
Part Three: Learning to write different types of poems
Students will continue to study all aspects of poetic language, but will focus practically on structure, teaching students poets choose structure and how to write the following types of poems:
Animal Poem
Color Poem
Haiku
Alliteration Poem
List Poem
Cinquian
Acrostic Poem
-ing Poem
Math - Engage NY Module 5 (Two weeks)
In Module 5, students build upon their mastery of renaming place value units and extend their work with conceptual understanding of the addition and subtraction algorithms to numbers within 1,000, always with the option of modeling with materials or drawings. Throughout the module, students continue to focus on strengthening and deepening conceptual understanding and fluency.
New Way of Learning Math
As a school, we have embedded a "new" way of math instruction called the Five Practices. Students participate in this type of math lesson with me 2-3 times a week. In a nutshell, these are the Five Practices (Sfusdmath.org)
Here are 5 Concrete Steps
Students are given a Challenging Word Problem within what we are learning in Math
1. Anticipating - Student responds to mathematical tasks.
Involves envisioning potential student responses, strategies (correct or incorrect), representations, procedures, and interpretations.
2. Monitoring- Students’ actual responses to the tasks is monitored by me. It involves paying close attention to students’ mathematical thinking as they work on a problem. Commonly done by me circulating around the classroom during group work.
3. Selecting- Student response to feature during the discussions.
It involves me choosing particular students to present their work because of the mathematical responses. These responses need not be chosen solely because they are correct, but rather because they emphasize different approaches to the problem. In fact, it may be advantageous to choose incorrect responses to highlight how and why they are incorrect. This choice can highlight a variety of responses or strategies for a task, or it can show a progression from simple to complex representation. Make sure over time that all students feel they are authors of mathematical ideas.
4. Sequencing- Student responses during the discussions.
Involves purposeful ordering of the featured student responses in order to make the mathematics accessible to all students. This also helps build a mathematically coherent story line during whole class discussion.
5. Connecting- I connect the word problems and student responses during the discussions to what we are learning in math and to their real lives.It involves encouraging students to make mathematical connections between different student responses. This helps ensure that key mathematical ideas remain the focus of the lesson debrief.
Trips
If you have not returned the permission slips for our April Trips, please do so ASAP.
April 9th - Intrepid
April 16th - Apple Store
April 30th - Whitney Museum
If you have time, please read as many poems as you can with students, to help them strengthen their poem writing skills.
Have an amazing Sunday,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to April!
We will be starting a new reading unit next week. A new writing and math unit this week.
Reading - Bigger book mean amping up Reading Power
Part One: Reading with Fluency
Students will discover that rereading,especially out loud, is the best way to change the voice inside their heads. Reading with a clear smooth voice is the key to reading better, stronger, longer, and with more understanding. Students will not only pay attention to their own reading voices of the characters, but reading with the voices the way the author intended and reading with the characters mood and personality.
Part Two: Understanding Literary Language
Students will learn about similes, metaphors, personifications, Hyperboles, Idioms, and more.
Part Three: Meeting the Challenges of Longer books
Students will learn strategies to use with their reading partner to keep track of longer books. They will learn to "Use a trail of breadcrumbs," to remember important events. They will read the same book as their reading partner and hold each other accountable in comprehension, stamina, and retelling.
Writing Workshop - Poetry
April is poetry month and this is my favorite writing unit to teach!
Part One: Seeing with Poet's Eyes
Students will experiment with line breaks, as they come to understand that a poem is different from a story. They will also learn to see things with poet eyes.
Part Two: Experimenting with language and sound to create meaning
Students will recognize that in a poem, choice and placement of words matter. They will admire and experiment with metaphor, strengthening their ability to see like poets.
Part Three: Learning to write different types of poems
Students will continue to study all aspects of poetic language, but will focus practically on structure, teaching students poets choose structure and how to write the following types of poems:
Animal Poem
Color Poem
Haiku
Alliteration Poem
List Poem
Cinquian
Acrostic Poem
-ing Poem
Math - Engage NY Module 5 (Two weeks)
In Module 5, students build upon their mastery of renaming place value units and extend their work with conceptual understanding of the addition and subtraction algorithms to numbers within 1,000, always with the option of modeling with materials or drawings. Throughout the module, students continue to focus on strengthening and deepening conceptual understanding and fluency.
New Way of Learning Math
As a school, we have embedded a "new" way of math instruction called the Five Practices. Students participate in this type of math lesson with me 2-3 times a week. In a nutshell, these are the Five Practices (Sfusdmath.org)
Here are 5 Concrete Steps
Students are given a Challenging Word Problem within what we are learning in Math
1. Anticipating - Student responds to mathematical tasks.
Involves envisioning potential student responses, strategies (correct or incorrect), representations, procedures, and interpretations.
2. Monitoring- Students’ actual responses to the tasks is monitored by me. It involves paying close attention to students’ mathematical thinking as they work on a problem. Commonly done by me circulating around the classroom during group work.
3. Selecting- Student response to feature during the discussions.
It involves me choosing particular students to present their work because of the mathematical responses. These responses need not be chosen solely because they are correct, but rather because they emphasize different approaches to the problem. In fact, it may be advantageous to choose incorrect responses to highlight how and why they are incorrect. This choice can highlight a variety of responses or strategies for a task, or it can show a progression from simple to complex representation. Make sure over time that all students feel they are authors of mathematical ideas.
4. Sequencing- Student responses during the discussions.
Involves purposeful ordering of the featured student responses in order to make the mathematics accessible to all students. This also helps build a mathematically coherent story line during whole class discussion.
5. Connecting- I connect the word problems and student responses during the discussions to what we are learning in math and to their real lives.It involves encouraging students to make mathematical connections between different student responses. This helps ensure that key mathematical ideas remain the focus of the lesson debrief.
Trips
If you have not returned the permission slips for our April Trips, please do so ASAP.
April 9th - Intrepid
April 16th - Apple Store
April 30th - Whitney Museum
If you have time, please read as many poems as you can with students, to help them strengthen their poem writing skills.
Have an amazing Sunday,
Casandra
Week of March 26th- 29th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the last week of March!
Thank you all so much for attending Family Friday, and being incredibly supportive with our mini "ceremony" and the presentations. We will continue the presentations for the next two weeks. I will try my best to record all of them and send them to you 😊
I had sent home permission slips for our trips in April. Please sign and return.
We're wrapping up our reading and writing units this week, will inform you about the new units in the next email.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the last week of March!
Thank you all so much for attending Family Friday, and being incredibly supportive with our mini "ceremony" and the presentations. We will continue the presentations for the next two weeks. I will try my best to record all of them and send them to you 😊
I had sent home permission slips for our trips in April. Please sign and return.
We're wrapping up our reading and writing units this week, will inform you about the new units in the next email.
Casandra
Trips Updated
October-November
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (free)
Thursday, November 1st - NYPD Mounted unit (Free)
Thursday, November 8th - Big Apple Circus ($12.94 per child)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Free)
Monday, November 26th - South Street Seaport ($9.72 per child)
December
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden ($9.00 per child)
Tuesday, December 11th- Transit Museum ($10.29 per child)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society ($10.00 per child)
January
Tuesday, January 8th - Jewish Children's Museum (Free)
Tuesday, January 22nd- MoMA (Different Program) - (Free)
March
Tuesday, March 5th - Gulliver's Gate Miniature World ($11.76 per child)
Tuesday, March 19th - Performance from Orchestra of St. Lukes (Free)
April
-Tuesday, April 9th - Intrepid
-To Study the ship, aircraft collection and interactive exhibits in the Exploreum (Supports our New York City Landmark Unit) ($12.35 per child)
Tuesday, April 16th - Apple Store Upper West Side
- Use the App Key Note to turn their Nonfiction books into digital books (Free)
-Tuesday, April 30th -Whitney Museum - To attend the walking tour "Artist as Experimenter" (Free)
May
Tuesday, May 14th - Tenement Museum
- To learn about stories of the immigrants and migrant experience (Supports our NYC then and now Unit) -Trip cost pending.
-Tuesday, May 21st - Morris Jumel Mansion
-To learn about the Manhattan's oldest house and its importance during the American Revolutionary War (Supports our NYC then and now Unit) -Trip cost pending
June
-Wednesday, June 12th - Cooper Hewitt Museum
- To attend the Designers are Problem Solvers Program: STEM (Free)
So far I spent $94.76 out of your $100.
October-November
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (free)
Thursday, November 1st - NYPD Mounted unit (Free)
Thursday, November 8th - Big Apple Circus ($12.94 per child)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Free)
Monday, November 26th - South Street Seaport ($9.72 per child)
December
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden ($9.00 per child)
Tuesday, December 11th- Transit Museum ($10.29 per child)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society ($10.00 per child)
January
Tuesday, January 8th - Jewish Children's Museum (Free)
Tuesday, January 22nd- MoMA (Different Program) - (Free)
March
Tuesday, March 5th - Gulliver's Gate Miniature World ($11.76 per child)
Tuesday, March 19th - Performance from Orchestra of St. Lukes (Free)
April
-Tuesday, April 9th - Intrepid
-To Study the ship, aircraft collection and interactive exhibits in the Exploreum (Supports our New York City Landmark Unit) ($12.35 per child)
Tuesday, April 16th - Apple Store Upper West Side
- Use the App Key Note to turn their Nonfiction books into digital books (Free)
-Tuesday, April 30th -Whitney Museum - To attend the walking tour "Artist as Experimenter" (Free)
May
Tuesday, May 14th - Tenement Museum
- To learn about stories of the immigrants and migrant experience (Supports our NYC then and now Unit) -Trip cost pending.
-Tuesday, May 21st - Morris Jumel Mansion
-To learn about the Manhattan's oldest house and its importance during the American Revolutionary War (Supports our NYC then and now Unit) -Trip cost pending
June
-Wednesday, June 12th - Cooper Hewitt Museum
- To attend the Designers are Problem Solvers Program: STEM (Free)
So far I spent $94.76 out of your $100.
Week of March 18th-22nd
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for your time during PT conferences. I appreciate you traveling just to meet me for 10 minutes. I hope you find our meeting somewhat useful and informative. If you have any further questions about your child's report card, please speak to me.
Trip on Tuesday
We have a trip to an Orchestra of St. Lukes performance with Mr. Mahon's class on Tuesday, March 19th. If you did not submit the permission slip, it needs to be in by tomorrow.
We will take the bus. Students will eat lunch at school but at a later time. Please make sure they eat a big healthy breakfast. If your child gets nauseous on bus rides. please send them in with a plastic bag and an extra shirt, just incase. We already have one chaperone and cannot accommodate more unfortunately.
Family Friday
We will have Family Friday this coming Friday, March 22nd. We will give out the medals from Rising Runners and if time allows, we will do some presentations from our Landmark Projects, Starting with the letter A. I will send you another email to see if we can use the auditorium. Please send students in with their Rising Runners T-shirt, if possible.
Social Studies
Students will have a Social Studies Quiz this week. They will have label all boroughs, New Jersey, Main Water ways, and airport on a blank map.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for your time during PT conferences. I appreciate you traveling just to meet me for 10 minutes. I hope you find our meeting somewhat useful and informative. If you have any further questions about your child's report card, please speak to me.
Trip on Tuesday
We have a trip to an Orchestra of St. Lukes performance with Mr. Mahon's class on Tuesday, March 19th. If you did not submit the permission slip, it needs to be in by tomorrow.
We will take the bus. Students will eat lunch at school but at a later time. Please make sure they eat a big healthy breakfast. If your child gets nauseous on bus rides. please send them in with a plastic bag and an extra shirt, just incase. We already have one chaperone and cannot accommodate more unfortunately.
Family Friday
We will have Family Friday this coming Friday, March 22nd. We will give out the medals from Rising Runners and if time allows, we will do some presentations from our Landmark Projects, Starting with the letter A. I will send you another email to see if we can use the auditorium. Please send students in with their Rising Runners T-shirt, if possible.
Social Studies
Students will have a Social Studies Quiz this week. They will have label all boroughs, New Jersey, Main Water ways, and airport on a blank map.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of March 4th-8th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are all having a good weekend,
Parent Teacher Conferences
I'd tried my best to give you a time closest to your request. Please note that a lot of you picked the 1:00 time slot, so I am unable to give that time to everyone.
PT conferences are on Thursday, March 14th, from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. Students will be dismissed at 11:30am and will still eat lunch at school. If you have any questions about students who take the bus, please contact Zaida directly.
During the conferences, I will discuss your child's report card, strengths,weaknesses based on what we had discussed in November, Goals I have for him/her for the remainder of the school year, and his/her behavior.
I am aware that a 10 minute timeframe is ridiculous, but it is crucial for me to stay on schedule. Please do not carry out a conversation with me that you think will take longer than 10 minutes.
I have parent engagement time open every week on Tuesdays from 2:50pm-3:20pm. Please make an appointment with me then, if you would like to discuss anything with me further. I am also open to us speaking on the phone. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's report card, please speak directly to me.
At this time of the school year, students in second grade should be reading at a level L/M and should be leaving second grade at an M to be considered on grade level.
Trip on Tuesday
We have our make up trip to Gulliver's Gate on Tuesday, March 5th. We will eat lunch there, please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:15am.
Swimming
Unfortunately, we did not get a slot for swimming this school year at the location desired. I am so sorry I got your hopes up about the program.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are all having a good weekend,
Parent Teacher Conferences
I'd tried my best to give you a time closest to your request. Please note that a lot of you picked the 1:00 time slot, so I am unable to give that time to everyone.
PT conferences are on Thursday, March 14th, from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. Students will be dismissed at 11:30am and will still eat lunch at school. If you have any questions about students who take the bus, please contact Zaida directly.
During the conferences, I will discuss your child's report card, strengths,weaknesses based on what we had discussed in November, Goals I have for him/her for the remainder of the school year, and his/her behavior.
I am aware that a 10 minute timeframe is ridiculous, but it is crucial for me to stay on schedule. Please do not carry out a conversation with me that you think will take longer than 10 minutes.
I have parent engagement time open every week on Tuesdays from 2:50pm-3:20pm. Please make an appointment with me then, if you would like to discuss anything with me further. I am also open to us speaking on the phone. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's report card, please speak directly to me.
At this time of the school year, students in second grade should be reading at a level L/M and should be leaving second grade at an M to be considered on grade level.
Trip on Tuesday
We have our make up trip to Gulliver's Gate on Tuesday, March 5th. We will eat lunch there, please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:15am.
Swimming
Unfortunately, we did not get a slot for swimming this school year at the location desired. I am so sorry I got your hopes up about the program.
Casandra
NEW YORK CITY LANDMARK PROJECT
Dear Families,
As we continue our Black History Month Presentations this week. I would like to assign another Social Studies Project. This project will be due on Friday, March 15th.
Students will be given a LETTER. Students will pick a landmark starting with that letter.
For example:
E - Empire State Building
I - Intrepid
S- Statue of Liberty
Please be sure that students choose a true LANDMARK, a place with historical importance. The landmark must be within the five boroughs of NYC.
If students are given a difficult letter such as Z, -Bronx Zoo is acceptable.
If you need my help choosing a landmark, feel free to email me.
Since there are 26 letters in the alphabet, and we have 17 students. I will ask students to volunteer to work on two landmarks.
Students will come home this week with:
- A poster (Or two)
- Direction sheet
- Sentence strip (Write the name of the landmark in big letters, in Black marker)
- The starting letter of the landmark they are working on.
- A rubric that I wil grade their oral presentations on.
The direction sheet will have additional directions on the project. And I also attached it on this email. There's also an example for you to see.
We will start presentations on this month's Family Friday. The presentations will go in alphabetical order. You can help me by having students practice their presentations with you at home.
Please let me know if you have any further questions,
Casandra
Dear Families,
As we continue our Black History Month Presentations this week. I would like to assign another Social Studies Project. This project will be due on Friday, March 15th.
Students will be given a LETTER. Students will pick a landmark starting with that letter.
For example:
E - Empire State Building
I - Intrepid
S- Statue of Liberty
Please be sure that students choose a true LANDMARK, a place with historical importance. The landmark must be within the five boroughs of NYC.
If students are given a difficult letter such as Z, -Bronx Zoo is acceptable.
If you need my help choosing a landmark, feel free to email me.
Since there are 26 letters in the alphabet, and we have 17 students. I will ask students to volunteer to work on two landmarks.
Students will come home this week with:
- A poster (Or two)
- Direction sheet
- Sentence strip (Write the name of the landmark in big letters, in Black marker)
- The starting letter of the landmark they are working on.
- A rubric that I wil grade their oral presentations on.
The direction sheet will have additional directions on the project. And I also attached it on this email. There's also an example for you to see.
We will start presentations on this month's Family Friday. The presentations will go in alphabetical order. You can help me by having students practice their presentations with you at home.
Please let me know if you have any further questions,
Casandra
Week of Feb 25th- March 1st
Dear Parents,
I hope you are all enjoying your break with the kids.
Thank you for joining us on Family Friday. It was so nice seeing all of you.
March Field Trips
Tuesday, March 5th - Gulliver's Gate (Make up)
Tuesday, March 19th - Trip to a Performance hosted by Orchestra of St. Luke's: Music in Color: Gabriela Lena Frank (Bus)
Date Pending - Trip to Apple Store Upper west side
Parent Teacher Conferences
If you have not sent back the time sheet for PT conferences, please send it back by Monday, February 25th. I would like to send time confirmations out by Tuesday.
Jury Duty
I was summoned to serve as a juror on Wednesday, February 27th. Unfortunately, I will be absent. If there are any additional absences due to this summon, I will keep you updated. Thorough lesson plans and instructions will be provided for our substitute teacher and student teacher.
Social Studies
Students will present their Black History Month Projects this week. I am also assigning another take home project based on New York City Landmarks. I will send a separate email regarding it throughout next week.
I will start easing students into our very long New York City Unit. We will be learning about the boroughs of NYC, how people travel in NYC, NYC tunnels, bridges and waterways, and important landmarks
Enjoy the rest of your break!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are all enjoying your break with the kids.
Thank you for joining us on Family Friday. It was so nice seeing all of you.
March Field Trips
Tuesday, March 5th - Gulliver's Gate (Make up)
Tuesday, March 19th - Trip to a Performance hosted by Orchestra of St. Luke's: Music in Color: Gabriela Lena Frank (Bus)
Date Pending - Trip to Apple Store Upper west side
Parent Teacher Conferences
If you have not sent back the time sheet for PT conferences, please send it back by Monday, February 25th. I would like to send time confirmations out by Tuesday.
Jury Duty
I was summoned to serve as a juror on Wednesday, February 27th. Unfortunately, I will be absent. If there are any additional absences due to this summon, I will keep you updated. Thorough lesson plans and instructions will be provided for our substitute teacher and student teacher.
Social Studies
Students will present their Black History Month Projects this week. I am also assigning another take home project based on New York City Landmarks. I will send a separate email regarding it throughout next week.
I will start easing students into our very long New York City Unit. We will be learning about the boroughs of NYC, how people travel in NYC, NYC tunnels, bridges and waterways, and important landmarks
Enjoy the rest of your break!
Casandra
Week of February 11th-15th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before break!
We are starting a new reading and writing unit this week. Please refer to my email last week for more details.
Trip on Tuesday
We have a trip to Gulliver's Gate on Tuesday. We will leave the school around 9:25am and should be back in school by 12:30pm. We will be eating lunch there, please pack students an easy to eat lunch.
Important Dates Coming Up
Tues, Feb 12th - Gulliver's Gate Trip (Bring lunch)
Thurs, Feb 14th - Valentine's Day- Wear red/pink
If you would like to bring goodie bags for the class, we have 17 students.
Fri, Feb 15th - Family Friday & 100th Day of school celebration
Students are welcome to dress up as 100 year old people, if they'd like.
I would like to also have a mini brunch-celebration for our 100th day of school, end of reading and writing units, and the day before break during Family Family this week from 8:30-9:00.
Please let me know if you would like to help me bring in coffee, bagels, croissants, fruits, or juice.
Winter Break - Feb 18th-22nd
Thurs, March 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30
*Will send sign up sheet on Monday, Feb 25th when we return from break.
Landform Projects
Our Landform celebration was a HUGE success. All teachers and older students were extremely impressed with the beautiful projects and our students' ability to name and define each landform. Pictures are on our Bloomz webiste.Thank you for all your support on the project.
Black History Month Project
Thank you for your support on the research part of the project, we will put info onto posters this week.
See you all next week!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before break!
We are starting a new reading and writing unit this week. Please refer to my email last week for more details.
Trip on Tuesday
We have a trip to Gulliver's Gate on Tuesday. We will leave the school around 9:25am and should be back in school by 12:30pm. We will be eating lunch there, please pack students an easy to eat lunch.
Important Dates Coming Up
Tues, Feb 12th - Gulliver's Gate Trip (Bring lunch)
Thurs, Feb 14th - Valentine's Day- Wear red/pink
If you would like to bring goodie bags for the class, we have 17 students.
Fri, Feb 15th - Family Friday & 100th Day of school celebration
Students are welcome to dress up as 100 year old people, if they'd like.
I would like to also have a mini brunch-celebration for our 100th day of school, end of reading and writing units, and the day before break during Family Family this week from 8:30-9:00.
Please let me know if you would like to help me bring in coffee, bagels, croissants, fruits, or juice.
Winter Break - Feb 18th-22nd
Thurs, March 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00/4:30-7:30
*Will send sign up sheet on Monday, Feb 25th when we return from break.
Landform Projects
Our Landform celebration was a HUGE success. All teachers and older students were extremely impressed with the beautiful projects and our students' ability to name and define each landform. Pictures are on our Bloomz webiste.Thank you for all your support on the project.
Black History Month Project
Thank you for your support on the research part of the project, we will put info onto posters this week.
See you all next week!
Casandra
Week of February 4th-8th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a good weekend.
We are starting a couple of new units later this week.
Reading Workshop- Nonfiction Book Clubs
We are returning to Nonfiction reading. In this unit, I will teach students to improve their nonfiction reading skills, and to work on their speaking and listening skills. We will work on fact collecting to a deeper understanding of main ideas and supporting information. Students will be reading longer books than they ever have, and will learn new strategies for hanging onto important information (And how to let go of not-so-important information).
They will also learn to take information provided in one book and add it to information learned in another, and another, thinking and learning about a topic across many texts. Students will be exposed to more complex nonfiction features such as Time lines or life cycles, Pro/cons, Cause and Effect, questions/answers, etc. I will also teach students how to effectively take notes using Boxes and bullets, T-charts, webs, and more.
Writing Workshop - Lab Reports and Science Books
Students will learn how to write like a scientist by conducting hands-on experiments and connecting it with writing. They will develop a hypothesis, test out theories, record trials, and explain results, and conclusions. They will study data, notice patterns, and creating models to represent the data.
Imaginary Country Landform Project Presentations
We will meet Ms. Greenberg's, Ms. Murray's, Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's classes on Thursday, February 7th to present our projects. Students will meet with about 12 different students who will randomly point to four landforms on their project, and ask for their definitions. Students will be graded on a rubric. Please practice with them if needed, using the definition sheet I sent home two weeks ago as a guide.
Black History Month Project
A kind reminder that the "research" part of the project is due this Wednesday, Feb 6th. I failed to mention earlier that the persons I assigned were purposely chosen, as they are not as that well known. I want students to learn about scientists, athletes, doctors, authors, etc, not only civil right movement leaders. Thank you for your assistance with this project so far. To celebrate this month, we will learn about a couple of important people in Black History each week throughout the month.
Attendance
I would like to kindly remind you the importance of students attending school consistently and on time. It’s difficult for me and other students to build their skills and progress, if a number of students are frequently absent. Moreover, I have to catch up the absentees with the lessons/skills they missed, which takes time away from me working on current assignments with other students. Of course, it's a different matter when students are ill, and need to stay home. Thank you so much for your support on this.
Students will have a quick math assessment tomorrow to wrap up our time unit.
No school on Tuesday
See you all next week!
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a good weekend.
We are starting a couple of new units later this week.
Reading Workshop- Nonfiction Book Clubs
We are returning to Nonfiction reading. In this unit, I will teach students to improve their nonfiction reading skills, and to work on their speaking and listening skills. We will work on fact collecting to a deeper understanding of main ideas and supporting information. Students will be reading longer books than they ever have, and will learn new strategies for hanging onto important information (And how to let go of not-so-important information).
They will also learn to take information provided in one book and add it to information learned in another, and another, thinking and learning about a topic across many texts. Students will be exposed to more complex nonfiction features such as Time lines or life cycles, Pro/cons, Cause and Effect, questions/answers, etc. I will also teach students how to effectively take notes using Boxes and bullets, T-charts, webs, and more.
Writing Workshop - Lab Reports and Science Books
Students will learn how to write like a scientist by conducting hands-on experiments and connecting it with writing. They will develop a hypothesis, test out theories, record trials, and explain results, and conclusions. They will study data, notice patterns, and creating models to represent the data.
Imaginary Country Landform Project Presentations
We will meet Ms. Greenberg's, Ms. Murray's, Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's classes on Thursday, February 7th to present our projects. Students will meet with about 12 different students who will randomly point to four landforms on their project, and ask for their definitions. Students will be graded on a rubric. Please practice with them if needed, using the definition sheet I sent home two weeks ago as a guide.
Black History Month Project
A kind reminder that the "research" part of the project is due this Wednesday, Feb 6th. I failed to mention earlier that the persons I assigned were purposely chosen, as they are not as that well known. I want students to learn about scientists, athletes, doctors, authors, etc, not only civil right movement leaders. Thank you for your assistance with this project so far. To celebrate this month, we will learn about a couple of important people in Black History each week throughout the month.
Attendance
I would like to kindly remind you the importance of students attending school consistently and on time. It’s difficult for me and other students to build their skills and progress, if a number of students are frequently absent. Moreover, I have to catch up the absentees with the lessons/skills they missed, which takes time away from me working on current assignments with other students. Of course, it's a different matter when students are ill, and need to stay home. Thank you so much for your support on this.
Students will have a quick math assessment tomorrow to wrap up our time unit.
No school on Tuesday
See you all next week!
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 28th - Feb 1st
Hi Parents,
Happy Weekend!
Black History Month Project
Students were assigned partnerships and a person to study for our Black History Month Project. Students highlighted the subtopics they are responsible for researching. As I mentioned, this is an amazing opportunity for partners to meet for a playdate/research time after school. Students must write down their notes in the graphic organizer provided. The research part of the project is due February 6th.
Rising Runners Update
We marked our 10th session this past week with an average of 20 miles per student!
Chess
We started chess instruction this past Thursday, and will continue until spring.
Landform Projects
The projects are coming along great. We will paint tomorrow and later on the week. Please send in an old t-shirt or send back in the apron.
Math
We are working on a culminating project on Elapsed time this week. Students will a Elapsed time assessment on Friday or next Monday. It will be the same questions they have been working on in class and for homework.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Hi Parents,
Happy Weekend!
Black History Month Project
Students were assigned partnerships and a person to study for our Black History Month Project. Students highlighted the subtopics they are responsible for researching. As I mentioned, this is an amazing opportunity for partners to meet for a playdate/research time after school. Students must write down their notes in the graphic organizer provided. The research part of the project is due February 6th.
Rising Runners Update
We marked our 10th session this past week with an average of 20 miles per student!
Chess
We started chess instruction this past Thursday, and will continue until spring.
Landform Projects
The projects are coming along great. We will paint tomorrow and later on the week. Please send in an old t-shirt or send back in the apron.
Math
We are working on a culminating project on Elapsed time this week. Students will a Elapsed time assessment on Friday or next Monday. It will be the same questions they have been working on in class and for homework.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of January 22nd-25th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are staying warm and enjoying this long weekend.
This week is Spirit Week
Tuesday, Jan 22nd - Wacky Socks Day
Wednesday - Jan 23rd - Sports Day
Thursday, Jan 24th - Wacky Hair/Hat Day
Friday, Jan 25th - College/Career Day
Trip to MoMA
We have a trip to MoMA tomorrow. We will leave right after Technology at 9:15am and will be back to eat lunch at school. Please have students dress warm, with hats and gloves.
Black History Month Project
February is Black history month. Students will be paired with a partner. They will select an important person in history to study and complete the following tasks.
Week of Feb 4th-8th: Partners create a poster about their individual.
O In class chess instruction was cancelled last week, and should start this Thursday.
See you all this week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope you are staying warm and enjoying this long weekend.
This week is Spirit Week
Tuesday, Jan 22nd - Wacky Socks Day
Wednesday - Jan 23rd - Sports Day
Thursday, Jan 24th - Wacky Hair/Hat Day
Friday, Jan 25th - College/Career Day
Trip to MoMA
We have a trip to MoMA tomorrow. We will leave right after Technology at 9:15am and will be back to eat lunch at school. Please have students dress warm, with hats and gloves.
Black History Month Project
February is Black history month. Students will be paired with a partner. They will select an important person in history to study and complete the following tasks.
- Weeks of Jan 22nd – February 8th: Students research their assigned individual with a partner. They will come home with parts of the research they are responsible for. Students will record notes on the graphic organizer provided. They must list their sources. They will use their notes to create a poster. (Research is due Wednesday, February 6th)
Week of Feb 4th-8th: Partners create a poster about their individual.
- Week of Feb 11th- 15th/Feb25th-March 1st: Partners present information and teach the class about their individual.
O In class chess instruction was cancelled last week, and should start this Thursday.
See you all this week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 14th - 18th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a good weekend.
Scholastic Book Fair
The PTA is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair this whole week (Jan 14th-18th). I will let you know when we will be going down to the fair as a class. Please discuss with your child whether you will allow them to purchase books or other items. Once I let you know when we will go, please send students with money in an envelope clearly labeled with their name.
Chess
In class chess instruction will start this Thursday, January 14th. And will continue into spring,
Social Studies Project
We will start the Landform Project on Family Friday. Students will build an imaginary country using at least 10 landforms that they learned in class. Please have students bring in their small or medium sized pizza box by Thursday morning. Please write students' name at the bottom of the box. To celebrate our learning, similar to our Museum Exhibit, students will share their project with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Students will be tested on their knowledge of each landform. Please practice with them using the guide sheet I sent home. The event will be at the end of the month or beginning of February.
Next week is Spirit Week
We will celebrate Sprit week as a school next week.
Tuesday, Jan 22nd - Wacky Socks Day
Wednesday - Jan 23rd - Sports Day
Thursday, Jan 24th - Wacky Hair/Hat Day
Friday, Jan 25th - College Day
Math Assessment
Students will have a short math test this week on the following topics:
-Write time from analog clock
- Draw hands of the analog clock
- Telling time the "Smart Way" (Quarter past, Half Past, Quarter to)
-Telling time the "Smart Way" Part II (Example: Ten minutes to 2, 25 minutes past 7)
- AM. and PM.
We will also start Word problems (Elapsed time)
-We will be learning/reading about Martin Luther King all week.
- We will have our Farm to book Program tomorrow.
- Rising Runners on Thursday.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a good weekend.
Scholastic Book Fair
The PTA is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair this whole week (Jan 14th-18th). I will let you know when we will be going down to the fair as a class. Please discuss with your child whether you will allow them to purchase books or other items. Once I let you know when we will go, please send students with money in an envelope clearly labeled with their name.
Chess
In class chess instruction will start this Thursday, January 14th. And will continue into spring,
Social Studies Project
We will start the Landform Project on Family Friday. Students will build an imaginary country using at least 10 landforms that they learned in class. Please have students bring in their small or medium sized pizza box by Thursday morning. Please write students' name at the bottom of the box. To celebrate our learning, similar to our Museum Exhibit, students will share their project with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Students will be tested on their knowledge of each landform. Please practice with them using the guide sheet I sent home. The event will be at the end of the month or beginning of February.
Next week is Spirit Week
We will celebrate Sprit week as a school next week.
Tuesday, Jan 22nd - Wacky Socks Day
Wednesday - Jan 23rd - Sports Day
Thursday, Jan 24th - Wacky Hair/Hat Day
Friday, Jan 25th - College Day
Math Assessment
Students will have a short math test this week on the following topics:
-Write time from analog clock
- Draw hands of the analog clock
- Telling time the "Smart Way" (Quarter past, Half Past, Quarter to)
-Telling time the "Smart Way" Part II (Example: Ten minutes to 2, 25 minutes past 7)
- AM. and PM.
We will also start Word problems (Elapsed time)
-We will be learning/reading about Martin Luther King all week.
- We will have our Farm to book Program tomorrow.
- Rising Runners on Thursday.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 7th-11th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having a nice weekend...
Pennies for Patients
On Friday, students came home with a letter and a paper box regarding the Pennies for Patients Program. This program is for elementary and middle schools that would like to support in the mission to create a world without cancer by conducting a fundraising campaign. Last year was a major success, with our school contributing $1,600 to the fight against cancer. We are hoping to set an even higher goal with the help of our students this year. I will let you know when to bring the paper box back in. Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Trip to Jewish Children's Museum
We have a trip this coming Tuesday and will be taking the bus. We are eating lunch at the museum. Please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch and a snack. We will be eating lunch later than usual, please have them eat a big healthy breakfast. If you haven't given me the permission slips yet, please sign and return by tomorrow. Please have students bring a small backpack that can fit their lunch.
Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:20am.
Reading Response Homework
Students will start their reading response homework this week. I had already explained to them how to complete one. I had also made a decision to make it only one response instead of two per week. I think two might be too much to start of with. They will come home with the packet tomorrow, and it's due on Fridays just like the spelling homework.
Their response should include:
- Name of book
- Name of author
- Summary of book (3-4 sentences)
- Their response from whichever prompt they pick and evidence to support their thoughts.
Example:
In the book, Jamaica's Find by Juanita Havill, the main character Jamaica found two items at the park, a stuffed animal and a hat. She decided to keep the stuffed animal, however she returned the hat, only because it didn't fit her. Jamaica's actions made me think that she is selfish, because she kept what she wanted but returned something that didn't fit her. On the other hand, she is also honest, because when her mom asked her where she got the stuffed animal, she told her mom the truth.
Rising Runners
Students came home with a Rising Runners t-shirt on Friday for completing 5 running sessions. We will get another prize when we hit 10. Please have students come in with sneakers on Thursday.
I am skipping Current Events for a bit, I will let you know when it will resume.
Social Studies
Students will soon come home with a list of landforms and its definitions. Students will need to know what each landform is in preparation of our upcoming project, where they will build an imaginary country.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having a nice weekend...
Pennies for Patients
On Friday, students came home with a letter and a paper box regarding the Pennies for Patients Program. This program is for elementary and middle schools that would like to support in the mission to create a world without cancer by conducting a fundraising campaign. Last year was a major success, with our school contributing $1,600 to the fight against cancer. We are hoping to set an even higher goal with the help of our students this year. I will let you know when to bring the paper box back in. Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Trip to Jewish Children's Museum
We have a trip this coming Tuesday and will be taking the bus. We are eating lunch at the museum. Please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch and a snack. We will be eating lunch later than usual, please have them eat a big healthy breakfast. If you haven't given me the permission slips yet, please sign and return by tomorrow. Please have students bring a small backpack that can fit their lunch.
Chaperones, please meet me by security at 9:20am.
Reading Response Homework
Students will start their reading response homework this week. I had already explained to them how to complete one. I had also made a decision to make it only one response instead of two per week. I think two might be too much to start of with. They will come home with the packet tomorrow, and it's due on Fridays just like the spelling homework.
Their response should include:
- Name of book
- Name of author
- Summary of book (3-4 sentences)
- Their response from whichever prompt they pick and evidence to support their thoughts.
Example:
In the book, Jamaica's Find by Juanita Havill, the main character Jamaica found two items at the park, a stuffed animal and a hat. She decided to keep the stuffed animal, however she returned the hat, only because it didn't fit her. Jamaica's actions made me think that she is selfish, because she kept what she wanted but returned something that didn't fit her. On the other hand, she is also honest, because when her mom asked her where she got the stuffed animal, she told her mom the truth.
Rising Runners
Students came home with a Rising Runners t-shirt on Friday for completing 5 running sessions. We will get another prize when we hit 10. Please have students come in with sneakers on Thursday.
I am skipping Current Events for a bit, I will let you know when it will resume.
Social Studies
Students will soon come home with a list of landforms and its definitions. Students will need to know what each landform is in preparation of our upcoming project, where they will build an imaginary country.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quick Updates
- Our class will start in-class chess instruction on Thursdays beginning on January 17th.
- As a class, so far we completed seven Rising Runners sessions (Total of 145 minutes). Our class average is 13.51 miles per student. Already about half a marathon!
- I am sending students home with their Dioramas tomorrow.
January/February Field Trips
Trip Objective: The Museum teaches children
of all faiths and backgrounds about Jewish culture, its history, and values in a hands-on and entertaining format. The Museum’s mission is to give children a positive perspective and awareness of the Jewish heritage, fostering respect and understanding.
Trip Objective: To attend the Spaces and Places Program — Discover the different ways famous artists represent place and setting.
Trip Objective: To Explore the technologically advanced, interactive and immersive world of miniatures covering 50,000 square feet with all important landmarks from different parts of the world.
- Tuesday, January 8th- Jewish Children’s Museum (Bus)
Trip Objective: The Museum teaches children
of all faiths and backgrounds about Jewish culture, its history, and values in a hands-on and entertaining format. The Museum’s mission is to give children a positive perspective and awareness of the Jewish heritage, fostering respect and understanding.
- Tuesday, January 22nd – Museum of Modern Art (Walk)
Trip Objective: To attend the Spaces and Places Program — Discover the different ways famous artists represent place and setting.
- Tuesday, February 12th – Gulliver’s Gate (Walk)
Trip Objective: To Explore the technologically advanced, interactive and immersive world of miniatures covering 50,000 square feet with all important landmarks from different parts of the world.
Week of Jan 2nd-4th
Dear Parents,
I really hope all of you are having a relaxing winter break. When we return to school next week, we will be starting all new units!
Reading - Meeting Characters and learning lessons
In this new unit, I will be teaching students to track the events in their books, paying attention to the shifts in a setting, using pictures and words to keep track of the story events and "Keep up" with the character, along the way making predictions that look ahead and anticipate what's to come. I will also teach them to hold on to longer and more complex texts by determining importance to retell key details in sequence. They will also do a close study of characters, helping them learn all they can about main and secondary characters, to grow ideas about how they feel, as well as what they are saying or thinking, thinking about how characters respond to challenges, and how the characters change throughout the book.
Writing - Realistic Fiction
In this extremely fun writing unit, students will write their own book series. They will create a pretend character, then give the character real-life adventures. They will use the same character to create a series. I will teach students to use their own experiences to imagine tiny details they can include in a story to let readers know that the story is realistic.
You can support me by:
Talking to your child about possible story lines (Needs to be realistic)
Math-Telling time
We will spend about 2-3 weeks learning how to:
- tell and write time by the hour and half an hour using analog clocks and digital clocks
- tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog clocks and digital clocks
- Telling time the regular way and the smart way
- A.M. and P.M.
- Finding the Elapsed time (2 weeks)
You can support me by:
- Have students wear an analog watch (Not digital)
- Constantly ask your child, what time it is?
- Support them when we learn about telling time the Smart way (Quarter past, half past, quarter to)
Social Studies
Students will learn about different types of landforms and will work on a imaginary country project.
You can support me by:
Helping me purchase a class supply of Crayola Model Magic:
Crayola 23-6001 Model Magic Modeling Compound Class Pack, White, 1-oz. Pouches, 75/Carton(Amazon)
Grammar
Synonyms and Antonyms
Homographs and homophones
Homophones -Words that are pronounced the same but has different meaning and spelling
Homographs - Words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently and has different meaning
New weekly homework
In addition to their weekly spelling homework. Students will be completing reading responses. I will spend time this week teaching them how to do it properly. It is not a main component in our new reading/writing curriculum, but it is crucial for me to teach them how to respond to their own reading. It is also a way for me to assess their comprehension when they read at home and preparing them for the third grade state exam. They will come home with a packet with reading response prompts and paper to complete the responses on. The packet should be kept in their homework folder, as the spelling homework, it is due every Friday.
For each reading response, students will be required to write a response based on their reading in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). They can pick from any prompt I give them. It will make more sense to you when you see it. This homework will start Monday, January 7th. They are to complete two responses each week, due on Fridays.
Items to start collecting for projects
- New Small or Medium sized pizza box (Not large) - For landform project
I will let you know when to bring them in.....
Skipping Current Events for the week we come back...
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Happy New Year!!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I really hope all of you are having a relaxing winter break. When we return to school next week, we will be starting all new units!
Reading - Meeting Characters and learning lessons
In this new unit, I will be teaching students to track the events in their books, paying attention to the shifts in a setting, using pictures and words to keep track of the story events and "Keep up" with the character, along the way making predictions that look ahead and anticipate what's to come. I will also teach them to hold on to longer and more complex texts by determining importance to retell key details in sequence. They will also do a close study of characters, helping them learn all they can about main and secondary characters, to grow ideas about how they feel, as well as what they are saying or thinking, thinking about how characters respond to challenges, and how the characters change throughout the book.
Writing - Realistic Fiction
In this extremely fun writing unit, students will write their own book series. They will create a pretend character, then give the character real-life adventures. They will use the same character to create a series. I will teach students to use their own experiences to imagine tiny details they can include in a story to let readers know that the story is realistic.
You can support me by:
Talking to your child about possible story lines (Needs to be realistic)
- Make up a pretend character
- Character is at a place (Setting)
- Imagine Adventures (What trouble/problem does the character get into?)
- The problem gets worse
- Solution (How does the character solve the problem?)
Math-Telling time
We will spend about 2-3 weeks learning how to:
- tell and write time by the hour and half an hour using analog clocks and digital clocks
- tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog clocks and digital clocks
- Telling time the regular way and the smart way
- A.M. and P.M.
- Finding the Elapsed time (2 weeks)
You can support me by:
- Have students wear an analog watch (Not digital)
- Constantly ask your child, what time it is?
- Support them when we learn about telling time the Smart way (Quarter past, half past, quarter to)
Social Studies
Students will learn about different types of landforms and will work on a imaginary country project.
You can support me by:
Helping me purchase a class supply of Crayola Model Magic:
Crayola 23-6001 Model Magic Modeling Compound Class Pack, White, 1-oz. Pouches, 75/Carton(Amazon)
Grammar
Synonyms and Antonyms
Homographs and homophones
Homophones -Words that are pronounced the same but has different meaning and spelling
Homographs - Words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently and has different meaning
New weekly homework
In addition to their weekly spelling homework. Students will be completing reading responses. I will spend time this week teaching them how to do it properly. It is not a main component in our new reading/writing curriculum, but it is crucial for me to teach them how to respond to their own reading. It is also a way for me to assess their comprehension when they read at home and preparing them for the third grade state exam. They will come home with a packet with reading response prompts and paper to complete the responses on. The packet should be kept in their homework folder, as the spelling homework, it is due every Friday.
For each reading response, students will be required to write a response based on their reading in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). They can pick from any prompt I give them. It will make more sense to you when you see it. This homework will start Monday, January 7th. They are to complete two responses each week, due on Fridays.
Items to start collecting for projects
- New Small or Medium sized pizza box (Not large) - For landform project
I will let you know when to bring them in.....
Skipping Current Events for the week we come back...
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Happy New Year!!
Casandra
Trips So Far
October-November
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (free)
Thursday, November 1st - NYPD Mounted unit (Free)
Thursday, November 8th - Big Apple Circus ($12.94 per child)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Free)
Monday, November 26th - South Street Seaport ($9.72 per child)
December
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden ($9.00 per child)
Tuesday, December 11th- Transit Museum ($10.29 per child)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society ($10.00 per child)
January
Tuesday, January 8th - Jewish Children's Museum (Free)
Tuesday, January 22nd- MoMA (Different Program) - (Free)
February
Tuesday, February 12th - Gulliver's Gate Miniature World ($11.76 per child)
So far I spent $82.41 out of your $100.
Casandra
October-November
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (free)
Thursday, November 1st - NYPD Mounted unit (Free)
Thursday, November 8th - Big Apple Circus ($12.94 per child)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Free)
Monday, November 26th - South Street Seaport ($9.72 per child)
December
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden ($9.00 per child)
Tuesday, December 11th- Transit Museum ($10.29 per child)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society ($10.00 per child)
January
Tuesday, January 8th - Jewish Children's Museum (Free)
Tuesday, January 22nd- MoMA (Different Program) - (Free)
February
Tuesday, February 12th - Gulliver's Gate Miniature World ($11.76 per child)
So far I spent $82.41 out of your $100.
Casandra
Week of December 17th-21st
Dear Parents,
Hope you all are having a good weekend,
Museum Exhibit
Our Museum Exhibit will be this coming Thursday, December 20thfrom 9:50-11:25am. Please have students come into school already dressed in their "Costumes"(If they are wearing one). We won't have time to change into them later. During this event, students will be giving about 10 mini-presentations on their topic to third, fourth, and fifth graders. Their presentations and dioramas will be graded by our guests.
Trip to New York Historical Society
We have a trip to the New York Historical Society this coming Tuesday. We will take the bus at 9:45am. Students will eat lunch at school normally but later than usual. Please be sure they eat a big breakfast. School lunch will be available for students, however, it will be easier if students have a packed lunch.
Assessments
I will be giving students a couple of benchmark assessments this week. I will be sure to spread them out. Math benchmark, spelling benchmark, plural nouns/compound words quiz.
Winter Wonderland
Our Winter Wonderland event is on Thursday, December 20th, from 4:30-7:00pm. There will be games, fun activities, raffles, etc. Please come to support our school if you are available. I will be working the event, and hope to see all of you there.
Current Events
Monday - Bodhi
Tuesday - Skip (Trip)
Wednesday - Elijah
Thursday - Elisa
Friday - Eva
Winter Break
School is closed from Monday, December 24th-Tuesday, January 1st. School resumes on Wednesday, January 2nd.
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you all are having a good weekend,
Museum Exhibit
Our Museum Exhibit will be this coming Thursday, December 20thfrom 9:50-11:25am. Please have students come into school already dressed in their "Costumes"(If they are wearing one). We won't have time to change into them later. During this event, students will be giving about 10 mini-presentations on their topic to third, fourth, and fifth graders. Their presentations and dioramas will be graded by our guests.
Trip to New York Historical Society
We have a trip to the New York Historical Society this coming Tuesday. We will take the bus at 9:45am. Students will eat lunch at school normally but later than usual. Please be sure they eat a big breakfast. School lunch will be available for students, however, it will be easier if students have a packed lunch.
Assessments
I will be giving students a couple of benchmark assessments this week. I will be sure to spread them out. Math benchmark, spelling benchmark, plural nouns/compound words quiz.
Winter Wonderland
Our Winter Wonderland event is on Thursday, December 20th, from 4:30-7:00pm. There will be games, fun activities, raffles, etc. Please come to support our school if you are available. I will be working the event, and hope to see all of you there.
Current Events
Monday - Bodhi
Tuesday - Skip (Trip)
Wednesday - Elijah
Thursday - Elisa
Friday - Eva
Winter Break
School is closed from Monday, December 24th-Tuesday, January 1st. School resumes on Wednesday, January 2nd.
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of December 10th-14th
Dear Parents,
Hope you all are having a good weekend,
Dioramas
We will start working on our dioramas tomorrow. Please be sure to bring in all materials in, especially a shoebox, if you haven't already. Please also send in an old t-shirt or apron to be used when painting. We will work on this throughout the week. If you happen to have an extra shoebox, please send it in for students who may not have one.
Museum Exhibit
Our Museum Exhibit will be on Thursday, December 20th from 9:50-11:25am. Please have "Costumes" ready, if students are wearing one. You can support me by having students practice their presentations with you. They should know the five talking points about their expert topic and be able to talk about the subtopics like an expert. We will also practice this in class throughout the week.
Trip to Transit Museum
We have a trip to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn this coming Tuesday. We will take the bus. Students will eat lunch at school at 10:00am before the trip. School lunch will be available for students, however, it will be easier if students have a packed lunch. Please also pack them a snack.
Report Cards
Report cards are being completed this week. It will sent home on December 14th. For report cards, you will see number grades from 1-4.
1 - Below Grade Level
2 - Approaching Grade Level
3 - On Grade Level
4 - Above Grade Level
Students will get three report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that, if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year.
Please do not be alarmed when you see a 2. It does not mean that he/she is struggling or not doing well. It simply means that it is an area that I am working on with your child and am expecting improvement throughout the school year.
I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's sent home, please let me know.
Holiday Concert
Students will participate in a Holiday Concert on Friday, December 14th at 9:00am in the auditorium. Parents are welcome. I will let you know what color Ms. B prefers for them to wear that day.
Current Events
Monday - Sebastian
Tuesday - Skip (Trip)
Wednesday - Sofia
Thursday - Aiden
Friday - Blake
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope you all are having a good weekend,
Dioramas
We will start working on our dioramas tomorrow. Please be sure to bring in all materials in, especially a shoebox, if you haven't already. Please also send in an old t-shirt or apron to be used when painting. We will work on this throughout the week. If you happen to have an extra shoebox, please send it in for students who may not have one.
Museum Exhibit
Our Museum Exhibit will be on Thursday, December 20th from 9:50-11:25am. Please have "Costumes" ready, if students are wearing one. You can support me by having students practice their presentations with you. They should know the five talking points about their expert topic and be able to talk about the subtopics like an expert. We will also practice this in class throughout the week.
Trip to Transit Museum
We have a trip to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn this coming Tuesday. We will take the bus. Students will eat lunch at school at 10:00am before the trip. School lunch will be available for students, however, it will be easier if students have a packed lunch. Please also pack them a snack.
Report Cards
Report cards are being completed this week. It will sent home on December 14th. For report cards, you will see number grades from 1-4.
1 - Below Grade Level
2 - Approaching Grade Level
3 - On Grade Level
4 - Above Grade Level
Students will get three report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that, if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year.
Please do not be alarmed when you see a 2. It does not mean that he/she is struggling or not doing well. It simply means that it is an area that I am working on with your child and am expecting improvement throughout the school year.
I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's sent home, please let me know.
Holiday Concert
Students will participate in a Holiday Concert on Friday, December 14th at 9:00am in the auditorium. Parents are welcome. I will let you know what color Ms. B prefers for them to wear that day.
Current Events
Monday - Sebastian
Tuesday - Skip (Trip)
Wednesday - Sofia
Thursday - Aiden
Friday - Blake
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of December 3rd-December 7th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the month of December!
Holiday Train Show Trip
We have a trip to the Holiday Train Show (New York Botanical Garden) this coming Wednesday, December 5th. Please have students dress very warm that day, it's supposed to be very cold and we will be walking a lot outdoors. We will be traveling by bus. Students must have a packed lunch and a snack. Students will eat lunch later than usual that day, please have them eat a big healthy breakfast.
Chaperones, I'm not exactly sure what time we will leave the school yet, but it should be around 9:45am. I will confirm with you.
Young Story Tellers
Students will be attending Young Storytellers Performance on Tuesday, December 4th. Our fifth graders have been working with volunteer mentor actors to write original stories, and those actors will perform their stories on stage.
Holiday Concert
Please mark your calendars for Friday, December 14th. Students will be performing in a concert hosted by Ms. B, our music teacher, in the auditorium at 9:00am.
Winter Wonderland
Please come support our school at our Annual Event, Winter Wonderland on Thursday evening, December 20th. I will be working the event, and hope to see all of you there. There will be fun activates, including games and raffles.
Dioramas
We will work on our Dioramas the week of December 10th-14th. Please bring all materials in on Friday, December 7th or Monday, December 10th. It will be very helpful if the materials come in one bag, with your child’s name labeled on the bag. All students must have a shoe box. Please also send in a old t-shirt, so students can wear them while painting.
Museum Exhibit
Our tentative date for The Museum Exhibit event is Thursday, December 20th. In this event, I will invite students from Ms. Murray, Ms. Greenburg, and Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's class. Our students will each have about 8-9 mini-presentations to teach others about their expert topic. Their presentations and dioramas will be graded using a rubric by our guests.
It will be great if students can dress up that day. For example, dress as an astronaut if they are teaching about Space. This isn’t mandatory.
This event is for students only. But, I will make sure to teach tons of pictures!
Current Events
Monday – Madeleine
Tuesday – Matthew S.
Wednesday – Skip (Trip)
Thursday – Rayan
Friday - Roger
Math
The math homework packet from last week is due tomorrow. There will also be math homework all week again this week. Please help me monitor.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the month of December!
Holiday Train Show Trip
We have a trip to the Holiday Train Show (New York Botanical Garden) this coming Wednesday, December 5th. Please have students dress very warm that day, it's supposed to be very cold and we will be walking a lot outdoors. We will be traveling by bus. Students must have a packed lunch and a snack. Students will eat lunch later than usual that day, please have them eat a big healthy breakfast.
Chaperones, I'm not exactly sure what time we will leave the school yet, but it should be around 9:45am. I will confirm with you.
Young Story Tellers
Students will be attending Young Storytellers Performance on Tuesday, December 4th. Our fifth graders have been working with volunteer mentor actors to write original stories, and those actors will perform their stories on stage.
Holiday Concert
Please mark your calendars for Friday, December 14th. Students will be performing in a concert hosted by Ms. B, our music teacher, in the auditorium at 9:00am.
Winter Wonderland
Please come support our school at our Annual Event, Winter Wonderland on Thursday evening, December 20th. I will be working the event, and hope to see all of you there. There will be fun activates, including games and raffles.
Dioramas
We will work on our Dioramas the week of December 10th-14th. Please bring all materials in on Friday, December 7th or Monday, December 10th. It will be very helpful if the materials come in one bag, with your child’s name labeled on the bag. All students must have a shoe box. Please also send in a old t-shirt, so students can wear them while painting.
Museum Exhibit
Our tentative date for The Museum Exhibit event is Thursday, December 20th. In this event, I will invite students from Ms. Murray, Ms. Greenburg, and Ms. Nidhiomasaigh's class. Our students will each have about 8-9 mini-presentations to teach others about their expert topic. Their presentations and dioramas will be graded using a rubric by our guests.
It will be great if students can dress up that day. For example, dress as an astronaut if they are teaching about Space. This isn’t mandatory.
This event is for students only. But, I will make sure to teach tons of pictures!
Current Events
Monday – Madeleine
Tuesday – Matthew S.
Wednesday – Skip (Trip)
Thursday – Rayan
Friday - Roger
Math
The math homework packet from last week is due tomorrow. There will also be math homework all week again this week. Please help me monitor.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 26th-30th
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxed long weekend!
Trip tomorrow
We have a field trip to the South Street Seaport Museum tomorrow. We will participate in the Millions: New York Immigration in the 20th Century Program. We will learn about ships like the Titanic, Lusitani, and Aquitaina that dominated transatlantic travels. Students will study primary source material, including photos, maps, and artifacts from the South Street Seaport Museum Permanent collection to develop an understanding of immigration in the 20th century, New York.
We will leave the school at 9:30am by bus. Please be sure to pack students a lunch and a snack. We will be eating at a indoor public space near by after the program. We are eating a little later than usual, please have them eat a healthy breakfast. Chaperones, please meet me promptly at 9:30 by security.
Permission Slips
I'd sent home permission slips for our December Trips, please sign and return as soon as possible.
Rising Runners
Our class average number of miles is 4 miles so far, after only 3 sessions! We will be running again on Thursday. Please have students come in with sneakers. I just want to assure you that we are not losing any instructional time with this program. Our running time is only 15 minutes.
Current Events
Monday - Bodhi
Tuesday - Jack
Wednesday - Jonas
Thursday - Juliana
Friday - Matthew JR.
Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxed long weekend!
Trip tomorrow
We have a field trip to the South Street Seaport Museum tomorrow. We will participate in the Millions: New York Immigration in the 20th Century Program. We will learn about ships like the Titanic, Lusitani, and Aquitaina that dominated transatlantic travels. Students will study primary source material, including photos, maps, and artifacts from the South Street Seaport Museum Permanent collection to develop an understanding of immigration in the 20th century, New York.
We will leave the school at 9:30am by bus. Please be sure to pack students a lunch and a snack. We will be eating at a indoor public space near by after the program. We are eating a little later than usual, please have them eat a healthy breakfast. Chaperones, please meet me promptly at 9:30 by security.
Permission Slips
I'd sent home permission slips for our December Trips, please sign and return as soon as possible.
Rising Runners
Our class average number of miles is 4 miles so far, after only 3 sessions! We will be running again on Thursday. Please have students come in with sneakers. I just want to assure you that we are not losing any instructional time with this program. Our running time is only 15 minutes.
Current Events
Monday - Bodhi
Tuesday - Jack
Wednesday - Jonas
Thursday - Juliana
Friday - Matthew JR.
Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions,
Casandra
Week of November 19th-21st
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our short Thanksgiving Week!
I wanted to thank all of you for attending Parent Teacher Conferences, despite the awful weather. I really hope you found our short meeting beneficial in some way. Report cards will be sent home mid-December.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Reminding you that our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck is this coming Tuesday, November 20th from 1:30-2:30pm (Cafeteria) . If you would like to help me set up, please arrive at 1:10pm in the cafeteria. As I mentioned, if it's easier for you to bring your items in the am, please leave it in the office and tell the office staff, it's for the Second Grade Potluck. If you are bringing homemade items, it would be very helpful if you write down a list of ingredients, since we have a number of allergies. Nuts are not allowed in any food.
Please pack students a very light lunch that day or even just a snack, as we will be eating a lot during the potluck.
We will wait to eat all together as a grade to teach students etiquette. Parents are obviously welcome to this event.
New Nonfiction Writing Unit
We started a new writing unit last week
Bend 1
- Study other nonfiction writers, noticing the interesting and cool things they do to teach in their books, and trying those moves right away.
-Search for craft moves they want to use
- Reread to squeeze their brains for more information out of their brains, teaching all they know about these expert topics
- Using writing checklist and set goals
Bend 2
-Students learn that they write for an audience providing them with a purpose so they can angle their writing towards people who will ultimately read their book.
-What does your audience want to know or learn?
-Notice how a mentor author hooks readers right from the start. Experiment with different chapter leads
- Set goals again but now it’s goals across books and from chapter to chapter.
Bend 3
-Shape expert information in new ways, putting information into a nonfiction chapter book, a question or answer book, a story that teaches, or a how-to book.
- Using mentor texts to help them solve problems and answer their own questions.
- Make a to-do list to help them with future writing pieces
December Trips
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden (Bus)
Tuesday, December 11th – Transit Museum (Bus)
Tuesday, December 18th – New York Historical Society (Bus)
I will send permission slips home soon.
End of the Unit Museum Exhibit (December)
To celebrate the end of our Nonfiction unit, our class will host a Museum Exhibit. In preparation for that, students will be building dioramas. Please have students start collecting materials, including a shoe box. They can also dress the part, for example, they can dress as an astronaut if their topic is Space. I will let you know to bring the materials in. This event will be in late December. Just letting you know now, so we are prepared.
I am not giving students spelling words or homework this week due to the short week.
Current Events
Monday – Sophia
Tuesday – Aiden
Wednesday – Blake
I really hope all of you have a fantastic Thanksgiving.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our short Thanksgiving Week!
I wanted to thank all of you for attending Parent Teacher Conferences, despite the awful weather. I really hope you found our short meeting beneficial in some way. Report cards will be sent home mid-December.
Thanksgiving Potluck
Reminding you that our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck is this coming Tuesday, November 20th from 1:30-2:30pm (Cafeteria) . If you would like to help me set up, please arrive at 1:10pm in the cafeteria. As I mentioned, if it's easier for you to bring your items in the am, please leave it in the office and tell the office staff, it's for the Second Grade Potluck. If you are bringing homemade items, it would be very helpful if you write down a list of ingredients, since we have a number of allergies. Nuts are not allowed in any food.
Please pack students a very light lunch that day or even just a snack, as we will be eating a lot during the potluck.
We will wait to eat all together as a grade to teach students etiquette. Parents are obviously welcome to this event.
New Nonfiction Writing Unit
We started a new writing unit last week
Bend 1
- Study other nonfiction writers, noticing the interesting and cool things they do to teach in their books, and trying those moves right away.
-Search for craft moves they want to use
- Reread to squeeze their brains for more information out of their brains, teaching all they know about these expert topics
- Using writing checklist and set goals
Bend 2
-Students learn that they write for an audience providing them with a purpose so they can angle their writing towards people who will ultimately read their book.
-What does your audience want to know or learn?
-Notice how a mentor author hooks readers right from the start. Experiment with different chapter leads
- Set goals again but now it’s goals across books and from chapter to chapter.
Bend 3
-Shape expert information in new ways, putting information into a nonfiction chapter book, a question or answer book, a story that teaches, or a how-to book.
- Using mentor texts to help them solve problems and answer their own questions.
- Make a to-do list to help them with future writing pieces
December Trips
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden (Bus)
Tuesday, December 11th – Transit Museum (Bus)
Tuesday, December 18th – New York Historical Society (Bus)
I will send permission slips home soon.
End of the Unit Museum Exhibit (December)
To celebrate the end of our Nonfiction unit, our class will host a Museum Exhibit. In preparation for that, students will be building dioramas. Please have students start collecting materials, including a shoe box. They can also dress the part, for example, they can dress as an astronaut if their topic is Space. I will let you know to bring the materials in. This event will be in late December. Just letting you know now, so we are prepared.
I am not giving students spelling words or homework this week due to the short week.
Current Events
Monday – Sophia
Tuesday – Aiden
Wednesday – Blake
I really hope all of you have a fantastic Thanksgiving.
Casandra
Week of November 13th-16th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our busy week!
MoMA trip tomorrow
Please make sure your child arrives to school on time tomorrow, as we are leaving almost right away after arrival. Students will eat lunch at their normal time. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 8:45am.
Parent Teacher Conferences
A kind reminder that PT conferences are this coming Thursday. It is very important for me to stay on schedule. Please work with me on that. Any future discussions are welcome on my Parent Engagement time on Tuesdays.
One thing that is different about PT conferences this school year is that teachers are not handing out progress reports. Report cards will be given the second week of December. I will simply be discussing with you how your child is doing thus far this school year.
On Thursday, dismissal will be at 11:30am. Please arrange for pick up accordingly. Students will eat lunch at school normally. I believe all after school programs are cancelled that day. For bus students, please email Zaida directly for more information.
Thanksgiving Potluck
A reminder that our potluck is on Tuesday, November 20th. If you would like to help me set up, please arrive at 1:05 to the cafeteria. The potluck will be from 1:30-2:30pm.
Jobs Project
The First part of the jobs project is due tomorrow.
Current Event Schedule
Tuesday - Matthew S.
Wednesday - Rayan
Thursday - Roger
Friday - Sebastian
We learned in class about the history and importance of Veteran's Day. Feel free to reflect with them.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our busy week!
MoMA trip tomorrow
Please make sure your child arrives to school on time tomorrow, as we are leaving almost right away after arrival. Students will eat lunch at their normal time. Chaperones, please meet me by security at 8:45am.
Parent Teacher Conferences
A kind reminder that PT conferences are this coming Thursday. It is very important for me to stay on schedule. Please work with me on that. Any future discussions are welcome on my Parent Engagement time on Tuesdays.
One thing that is different about PT conferences this school year is that teachers are not handing out progress reports. Report cards will be given the second week of December. I will simply be discussing with you how your child is doing thus far this school year.
On Thursday, dismissal will be at 11:30am. Please arrange for pick up accordingly. Students will eat lunch at school normally. I believe all after school programs are cancelled that day. For bus students, please email Zaida directly for more information.
Thanksgiving Potluck
A reminder that our potluck is on Tuesday, November 20th. If you would like to help me set up, please arrive at 1:05 to the cafeteria. The potluck will be from 1:30-2:30pm.
Jobs Project
The First part of the jobs project is due tomorrow.
Current Event Schedule
Tuesday - Matthew S.
Wednesday - Rayan
Thursday - Roger
Friday - Sebastian
We learned in class about the history and importance of Veteran's Day. Feel free to reflect with them.
Casandra
Notes
Dear Parents,
Library Card Application
Just so you know students are coming home with a New York City Library Card Application. If they already have a card, please discard. We are taking a quick trip to the Columbus Library soon, to take out books for the Nonfiction units. If you would like your child to sign up for their own card, please fill out the application.
Trip Tomorrow
So far for our secret trip tomorrow, I have Jonas' and Jack's moms as chaperones. I have two extra tickets. If you are interested in coming, please let me know as soon as possible. Please don't forget that students need a packed lunch and an easy-to-eat snack.
MoMA Representative
In preparation for our MoMA field trip, a representative from the MoMA will come in to work with students this coming Friday, from 9:50-10:35.
He will also come back after the trip as a reflection lesson on Friday, November 16th.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Library Card Application
Just so you know students are coming home with a New York City Library Card Application. If they already have a card, please discard. We are taking a quick trip to the Columbus Library soon, to take out books for the Nonfiction units. If you would like your child to sign up for their own card, please fill out the application.
Trip Tomorrow
So far for our secret trip tomorrow, I have Jonas' and Jack's moms as chaperones. I have two extra tickets. If you are interested in coming, please let me know as soon as possible. Please don't forget that students need a packed lunch and an easy-to-eat snack.
MoMA Representative
In preparation for our MoMA field trip, a representative from the MoMA will come in to work with students this coming Friday, from 9:50-10:35.
He will also come back after the trip as a reflection lesson on Friday, November 16th.
Casandra
Social Studies and Grammar Quiz
Parents,
On Friday, November 9th, students will have a short Grammar and Social Studies Quiz.
Students will be quizzed on the following nouns:
-A common noun names a general person, place or thing.
-A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing. Always capitalize the first letter of a proper noun.
-An abstract noun is something we cannot see, touch, hear, taste, or smell. It is something we experience like an idea or an emotion.
Students must know the following collective nouns:
A school of fish
A flock of geese/birds
A litter of puppies
A colony of ants
An army of soldiers
A herd of cattle
A fleet of ships
A convoy of trucks
A bouquet of flowers
A parliament of owls
A galaxy of stars
A deck of cards
A bushel of apples
A field of trees
A band of musicians
A wad of money/paper
A pride of lions
A pod of whales/dolphins
A swarm of bees
*A study sheet will be sent home
Social Studies Quiz Study Points
Everything listed has been taught and discussed. Collective Nouns will be taught this week.
Casandra
Parents,
On Friday, November 9th, students will have a short Grammar and Social Studies Quiz.
Students will be quizzed on the following nouns:
- Common/Proper Nouns
-A common noun names a general person, place or thing.
-A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing. Always capitalize the first letter of a proper noun.
- Abstract/Concrete Nouns
-An abstract noun is something we cannot see, touch, hear, taste, or smell. It is something we experience like an idea or an emotion.
- Collective Nouns
Students must know the following collective nouns:
A school of fish
A flock of geese/birds
A litter of puppies
A colony of ants
An army of soldiers
A herd of cattle
A fleet of ships
A convoy of trucks
A bouquet of flowers
A parliament of owls
A galaxy of stars
A deck of cards
A bushel of apples
A field of trees
A band of musicians
A wad of money/paper
A pride of lions
A pod of whales/dolphins
A swarm of bees
*A study sheet will be sent home
Social Studies Quiz Study Points
- Students must be able to label all continents and oceans on a blank map
- Prime Meridian
- Equator
- Which continent is largest/smallest in size?
- Which continent is both a continent and a country?
- Which continent has the highest population?
- Which continent contains the most countries?
- Why is Australia called the "Land Down Under?"
Everything listed has been taught and discussed. Collective Nouns will be taught this week.
Casandra
Week of November 5th-9th
Dear Parents,
Some notes about this week,
Parent Teacher Conferences
As you know, PT conferences will take place on Thursday, November 15th, from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm.
Please note that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress thus far, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc.
If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes.
I've tried my best to schedule you closest to your requested times.
Parent Teacher Conference Schedule
Afternoon
1:00 - Isabel
1:10- Jonas
1:20- Matthew S.
1:30- Matthew Junior
1:40 - Sofia
2:30 - Elijah
Evening
4:30 - Aiden
4:40 - Eva
5:00 - Roger
5:20 - Sebastian
5:30 - Juliana
5:50 - Jack
6:10 - Rayan
6:20 - Blake
6:30 - Elisa
6:50- Madeleine
Field Trips this week
Big Apple Circus- (Thursday, November 8th)
Students will not know where we are going, until we get there. We will be walking to Lincoln Center. Please still keep it a secret.
Chaperones, please meet me by security promptly at 10:00am. Students will eat lunch when we come back. It is very important that they eat a big breakfast that day. If you are able, please provide your child with a snack that they can eat as we walk. We won't have time to eat snack before we leave.
Election Day
Students do not have school this coming Tuesday, November 6th, due to Election Day. I will be teaching students the process of voting tomorrow, and they will also go through the process of voting for our next class prize.
Upcoming Projects
Nonfiction (Reading)- At the end of this unit, students will be participating in a Museum Exhibit. Prior to that, students will be making dioramas. Please have students start collecting a shoe box, and materials for decorating (Cotton balls, paint, foam balls, yarn, etc). Please don't bring materials in yet. I will let you know when.
Jobs in the Community Project
We are focusing on how members of the community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc).
Since those are our focuses, students will be working on a small project that involves them interviewing you about your jobs and how your jobs contribute to our community. Students will come home with the assignment tomorrow or Wednesday.
The Project includes TWO parts
Written Part
Students will interview ONE parent/guardian/family member about their job. They will collect the following information (This part of the project is due Tuesday, November 13th.)
1. What are my parents' (Mom and/or dad or guardian) occupations?
2. What may a typical day look like at their job?
3. How do their jobs help/benefit and affect our community? How do their jobs provide service to the community?
4. Why did they choose their particular occupations?
5. Do they work in an urban, suburban or rural area? How do you know?
6. How do they commute to work? How long does it take?
7. What is their opinion about their occupation?
Presentation Part
Students will transfer the information onto a poster board and present it to the class. This part of the project will be done in school.
*If students want to act like a reporter and tape their interview with you, I am open to it. Students can use their recording as their presentation.You can send it to me via email. They will still need your answers on paper, since they need to work on a poster.
For Family Friday, (November 16th), I was hoping to gather up about 4 parents (Please volunteer) to talk about your occupation. I will give you some talking points. Please email me if you are interested. It would be really helpful towards our learning. So far, I have one parent, who signed up...
Thanksgiving Feast
Thank you for your contribution so far. The feast is on Tuesday, November 20th, from 1:30-2:30. If you would like to help me set up, please arrive to the cafeteria at 1:05.
MoMA Trip
I don't think I have any chaperones for our MoMA Trip on Tuesday, November 13th. We will leave school at 8:45am and will be back by 11:00. Please let me know if you are interested.
Updated Adult List in our Classroom
Ms. Janet - Learning Leader (Mondays)
Mr. R.B. - Paraprofessional
Ms. Judy - Our Book Pal (Tuesday afternoon)
Rising Runners (Mighty Milers)
We are starting Rising Runners this week. For now, we will be running outside on Thursdays from 2:15-2:35pm. Our goal is to complete a marathon before mid June. Please make sure students come in on Mondays (Gym) and Thursdays with sneakers.
We are skipping Current Events this week.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Some notes about this week,
Parent Teacher Conferences
As you know, PT conferences will take place on Thursday, November 15th, from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm.
Please note that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress thus far, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc.
If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes.
I've tried my best to schedule you closest to your requested times.
Parent Teacher Conference Schedule
Afternoon
1:00 - Isabel
1:10- Jonas
1:20- Matthew S.
1:30- Matthew Junior
1:40 - Sofia
2:30 - Elijah
Evening
4:30 - Aiden
4:40 - Eva
5:00 - Roger
5:20 - Sebastian
5:30 - Juliana
5:50 - Jack
6:10 - Rayan
6:20 - Blake
6:30 - Elisa
6:50- Madeleine
Field Trips this week
Big Apple Circus- (Thursday, November 8th)
Students will not know where we are going, until we get there. We will be walking to Lincoln Center. Please still keep it a secret.
Chaperones, please meet me by security promptly at 10:00am. Students will eat lunch when we come back. It is very important that they eat a big breakfast that day. If you are able, please provide your child with a snack that they can eat as we walk. We won't have time to eat snack before we leave.
Election Day
Students do not have school this coming Tuesday, November 6th, due to Election Day. I will be teaching students the process of voting tomorrow, and they will also go through the process of voting for our next class prize.
Upcoming Projects
Nonfiction (Reading)- At the end of this unit, students will be participating in a Museum Exhibit. Prior to that, students will be making dioramas. Please have students start collecting a shoe box, and materials for decorating (Cotton balls, paint, foam balls, yarn, etc). Please don't bring materials in yet. I will let you know when.
Jobs in the Community Project
We are focusing on how members of the community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc).
Since those are our focuses, students will be working on a small project that involves them interviewing you about your jobs and how your jobs contribute to our community. Students will come home with the assignment tomorrow or Wednesday.
The Project includes TWO parts
Written Part
Students will interview ONE parent/guardian/family member about their job. They will collect the following information (This part of the project is due Tuesday, November 13th.)
1. What are my parents' (Mom and/or dad or guardian) occupations?
2. What may a typical day look like at their job?
3. How do their jobs help/benefit and affect our community? How do their jobs provide service to the community?
4. Why did they choose their particular occupations?
5. Do they work in an urban, suburban or rural area? How do you know?
6. How do they commute to work? How long does it take?
7. What is their opinion about their occupation?
Presentation Part
Students will transfer the information onto a poster board and present it to the class. This part of the project will be done in school.
*If students want to act like a reporter and tape their interview with you, I am open to it. Students can use their recording as their presentation.You can send it to me via email. They will still need your answers on paper, since they need to work on a poster.
For Family Friday, (November 16th), I was hoping to gather up about 4 parents (Please volunteer) to talk about your occupation. I will give you some talking points. Please email me if you are interested. It would be really helpful towards our learning. So far, I have one parent, who signed up...
Thanksgiving Feast
Thank you for your contribution so far. The feast is on Tuesday, November 20th, from 1:30-2:30. If you would like to help me set up, please arrive to the cafeteria at 1:05.
MoMA Trip
I don't think I have any chaperones for our MoMA Trip on Tuesday, November 13th. We will leave school at 8:45am and will be back by 11:00. Please let me know if you are interested.
Updated Adult List in our Classroom
Ms. Janet - Learning Leader (Mondays)
Mr. R.B. - Paraprofessional
Ms. Judy - Our Book Pal (Tuesday afternoon)
Rising Runners (Mighty Milers)
We are starting Rising Runners this week. For now, we will be running outside on Thursdays from 2:15-2:35pm. Our goal is to complete a marathon before mid June. Please make sure students come in on Mondays (Gym) and Thursdays with sneakers.
We are skipping Current Events this week.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Week of October 29th - November 2nd
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about this week...
Trips This Week
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
We have our Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt tomorrow. We will leave the school around 12:20pm and should be back by 2:15pm.
These are the following stops for our Scavenger Hunt: Midtown North Police Station, Post office, Columbus Library, Island Burgers and Shakes, and Clinton Park. The goal of this trip is for students to use a map to efficiently navigate around the neighborhood. Students will eat lunch at school normally.
Chaperones for this trip: Please meet me by security promptly at 12:15pm.
Midtown NYPD Mounted Unit
We will visit the NYPD Mounted Unit on Thursday, November 1st from 12:15pm-1:30pm.
Standards addressed: Members of the community specialize in different jobs that provide goods/services to the community.
Character Parade
We have our Character Parade from 1:30-2:30, parents are welcome. Students will change into their costumes in the afternoon. They are not allowed to wear their costumes to school. Please be sure that the costumes are book characters, non scary, no masks or "weapons." After the parade, we will come to the cafeteria to have some snacks. You are more than welcome to bring in snacks for the class. (Please keep in mind of our allergies).
Parent Teacher Conferences
I will send confirmation times for Parent Teacher Conferences by the end of the week. If you do not send me back a time by that time, I will assign a time for you.
Social Studies
On the week of November 12th, I will be teaching students about the difference between goods and services. Moreover, we will focus on how members of the community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc).
Since those are our focuses, students will be working on a small project that involves them interviewing you about your jobs and how your jobs contribute to our community (Directions will be given soon).
For our Upcoming Family Friday (November 16th), I was hoping to gather up about 4 parents (Please volunteer) to talk about your occupation. I will give you some talking points. Please email me if you are interested. It would be really helpful towards our learning.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Jack
Tuesday - Jonas
Wednesday - Juliana
Thursday - Junior
Friday - Madeleine
We are starting a New Reading Unit this week and we are moving on to Nonfiction.
Becoming Experts – Reading Nonfiction
Big goals for each bend of the unit
Bend 1
As a school, we are mandated to conduct a specific amount of lockdown and fire drills. A lockdown drill is a preparation of when an unauthorized person/s comes into the building. The procedure is that I will lock the door and we hide in the corner of the room. A number of students do not take this drill seriously, as they laugh and play around, despite the amount of times I have addressed how serious this is. I never went into details, as I do not want to scare them and my priority is to make sure that they feel safe in the classroom.
However, in the lieu of recent events, I was hoping that you can help me speak to your child about the seriousness of a drill and how important it is to know what to do and how to act (if something serious does happen).
Permission Slips
If you have not signed the permission slips I sent home for the month of November, please do so ASAP.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about this week...
Trips This Week
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
We have our Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt tomorrow. We will leave the school around 12:20pm and should be back by 2:15pm.
These are the following stops for our Scavenger Hunt: Midtown North Police Station, Post office, Columbus Library, Island Burgers and Shakes, and Clinton Park. The goal of this trip is for students to use a map to efficiently navigate around the neighborhood. Students will eat lunch at school normally.
Chaperones for this trip: Please meet me by security promptly at 12:15pm.
Midtown NYPD Mounted Unit
We will visit the NYPD Mounted Unit on Thursday, November 1st from 12:15pm-1:30pm.
Standards addressed: Members of the community specialize in different jobs that provide goods/services to the community.
Character Parade
We have our Character Parade from 1:30-2:30, parents are welcome. Students will change into their costumes in the afternoon. They are not allowed to wear their costumes to school. Please be sure that the costumes are book characters, non scary, no masks or "weapons." After the parade, we will come to the cafeteria to have some snacks. You are more than welcome to bring in snacks for the class. (Please keep in mind of our allergies).
Parent Teacher Conferences
I will send confirmation times for Parent Teacher Conferences by the end of the week. If you do not send me back a time by that time, I will assign a time for you.
Social Studies
On the week of November 12th, I will be teaching students about the difference between goods and services. Moreover, we will focus on how members of the community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc).
Since those are our focuses, students will be working on a small project that involves them interviewing you about your jobs and how your jobs contribute to our community (Directions will be given soon).
For our Upcoming Family Friday (November 16th), I was hoping to gather up about 4 parents (Please volunteer) to talk about your occupation. I will give you some talking points. Please email me if you are interested. It would be really helpful towards our learning.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Jack
Tuesday - Jonas
Wednesday - Juliana
Thursday - Junior
Friday - Madeleine
We are starting a New Reading Unit this week and we are moving on to Nonfiction.
Becoming Experts – Reading Nonfiction
Big goals for each bend of the unit
Bend 1
- Nonfiction readers must study, notice details, and question texts as they read and put pages of text together.
- Approach and navigate nonfiction books with questions and ideas in mind
- Students are introduced to various word solving and vocabulary building strategies that teacher them how to flexibly and efficiently solve unknown words and use those words when they learn about topics.
- Students read about, and then connecting, comparing and contrasting information inside and across text.
- Read with big questions in mind and carry knowledge from one text to another so that they can add on, confirm and grow knowledge about their topics.
- Notice when information is new or different and how to mark those spots
- Getting rid of misunderstood information, misconceptions and inaccurate information and replacing it with the correct information.
As a school, we are mandated to conduct a specific amount of lockdown and fire drills. A lockdown drill is a preparation of when an unauthorized person/s comes into the building. The procedure is that I will lock the door and we hide in the corner of the room. A number of students do not take this drill seriously, as they laugh and play around, despite the amount of times I have addressed how serious this is. I never went into details, as I do not want to scare them and my priority is to make sure that they feel safe in the classroom.
However, in the lieu of recent events, I was hoping that you can help me speak to your child about the seriousness of a drill and how important it is to know what to do and how to act (if something serious does happen).
Permission Slips
If you have not signed the permission slips I sent home for the month of November, please do so ASAP.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Our Busy Month of November
Dear Parents,
November is a very busy month. Please make sure to read this carefully.
Updated Field Trip List
October-November
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (free)
Thursday, November 1st - NYPD Mounted unit (Free)
Thursday, November 8th - Big Apple Circus ($12.94 per child)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Free)
Monday, November 26th - South Street Seaport ($9.72 per child)
December
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden ($9.00 per child)
Tuesday, December 11th- Transit Museum ($10.29 per child)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society ($10.00 per child)
So far I've spent about $77 .00 out of your $100.
Permission slips for all trips in November will be sent home tomorrow. Please be sure to sign EACH of all four slips.
Thanksgiving Feast
Tomorrow, I am sending home a sign up sheet regarding our Annual Second Grade Feast on Tuesday, November 20th at 1:30PM to celebration all that we are thankful for. You are all invited. Please make sure to read the sign up sheet for more details! And send it back as soon as possible.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are just a couple weeks away. Conferences are taking place on Thursday, November 15th, from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm. I will be scheduling a meeting every ten minutes.
I am sending home tomorrow a list of times that have been set aside for conferences. Please select THREE times that would be convenient for you and send it back to school as soon as possible. I will attempt to schedule you as close to a time you chose on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once I receive the times that you have selected, I will send home a confirmation of your scheduled conference. Please also indicate if you would like to have a translator present and which language.
Please note that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress thus far, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
November is a very busy month. Please make sure to read this carefully.
Updated Field Trip List
October-November
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (free)
Thursday, November 1st - NYPD Mounted unit (Free)
Thursday, November 8th - Big Apple Circus ($12.94 per child)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Free)
Monday, November 26th - South Street Seaport ($9.72 per child)
December
Wednesday, December 5th - Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden ($9.00 per child)
Tuesday, December 11th- Transit Museum ($10.29 per child)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society ($10.00 per child)
So far I've spent about $77 .00 out of your $100.
Permission slips for all trips in November will be sent home tomorrow. Please be sure to sign EACH of all four slips.
Thanksgiving Feast
Tomorrow, I am sending home a sign up sheet regarding our Annual Second Grade Feast on Tuesday, November 20th at 1:30PM to celebration all that we are thankful for. You are all invited. Please make sure to read the sign up sheet for more details! And send it back as soon as possible.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are just a couple weeks away. Conferences are taking place on Thursday, November 15th, from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm. I will be scheduling a meeting every ten minutes.
I am sending home tomorrow a list of times that have been set aside for conferences. Please select THREE times that would be convenient for you and send it back to school as soon as possible. I will attempt to schedule you as close to a time you chose on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once I receive the times that you have selected, I will send home a confirmation of your scheduled conference. Please also indicate if you would like to have a translator present and which language.
Please note that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress thus far, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
SHHHHHH!!!!!
Parents,
I have booked a secret trip to the Big Apple Circus (Lincoln Center) to celebrate Students' soon-to-be-earned class prize on Thursday, November 8th. Please do not reveal the location to students. They know we are going somewhere but have no clue where to.
Students will learn on this trip:
I will send permission slips for ALL November Trips next week.
Casandra
Parents,
I have booked a secret trip to the Big Apple Circus (Lincoln Center) to celebrate Students' soon-to-be-earned class prize on Thursday, November 8th. Please do not reveal the location to students. They know we are going somewhere but have no clue where to.
Students will learn on this trip:
- The History of the Big Apple Circus (Ties into our New York City History Unit)
- Women in the Circus (Ties into our Women History Month in March)
- Science Vocabulary (Gravity, Balance, Center of Gravity, Pivot point, Momentum, Friction, etc).
I will send permission slips for ALL November Trips next week.
Casandra
Week of October 22nd-26th
Dear Parents,
Thank you for joining us on Family Friday and for your assistance with the project.
A little about this coming week...
Farm To Book
We will have our first class of the Farm to Book Program on Monday, October 22nd. This program is once a month. Students will be given the opportunity at exploring both new and unfamiliar tastes and flavors, learning about the source of their food-how it is produced, grown, and makes it way from farm to table.
Fire Zone Trip
We will have our first field trip of the school year this coming, Tuesday, October 23rd. We will be back in time for lunch, please pack their lunch normally.
Matthew S' dad and Rayan's mom (Thank you for volunteering to chaperone) , please meet me by security promptly at 9:15am.
Standard addressed for this trip:
Secret Reader
Roger's mom is our Secret Reader for the month of October. We will see you on Friday, October 26th from 1:15-1:45pm.
Have a great weekend and see you all next week!
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Thank you for joining us on Family Friday and for your assistance with the project.
A little about this coming week...
Farm To Book
We will have our first class of the Farm to Book Program on Monday, October 22nd. This program is once a month. Students will be given the opportunity at exploring both new and unfamiliar tastes and flavors, learning about the source of their food-how it is produced, grown, and makes it way from farm to table.
Fire Zone Trip
We will have our first field trip of the school year this coming, Tuesday, October 23rd. We will be back in time for lunch, please pack their lunch normally.
Matthew S' dad and Rayan's mom (Thank you for volunteering to chaperone) , please meet me by security promptly at 9:15am.
Standard addressed for this trip:
- Members of a community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, teachers, police officers, sanitation workers, etc.)
Secret Reader
Roger's mom is our Secret Reader for the month of October. We will see you on Friday, October 26th from 1:15-1:45pm.
Have a great weekend and see you all next week!
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 15th - 19th
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having a good weekend,
We are starting a new Writing Unit this week...
Lesson from the Masters: Improving Narrative Writing
Bend I - Studying the masters for inspiration and Ideas
I will teach students to stretch out and magnify their small moments, writing these with great attention to detail and to crafting powerful beginnings and endings. Students will also learn to set goals for themselves and writings, and use their narrative check-list to assess their work
Bend II - Noticing Author's Craft
I will teach students to write with a purpose and learning from author's craft. They will learn their intentions as writers. Students will try out craft moves learned from authors in their own writing and understand why those authors use that particular craft move and write paying attention to word choice and language
Bend III - Study Your Own Author
Students will learn reading and writing connections, drawing on everything they have learned up to this point to discover craft moves in books they are reading on their own and to apply these in their own writing. Students will work on increasing their independence, stamina, transferring what they have learned under my guidance. Students will also devote their attention to revision and editing, aiming their writing to be as powerful as it can be.
We are also starting a new math unit...
Engage NY Module 2 - Addition and Subtraction of length Units
students engage in activities designed to deepen their conceptual understanding of measurement and to relate addition and subtraction to length. Students will explore concepts related to the centimeter ruler and builds skill in measuring using centimeter rulers and meter sticks
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Sebastian
Tuesday - Sofia
Wednesday - Aiden
Thursday - Blake
Friday - Bodhi
Family Friday
You are invited to our classroom this coming Friday, October 19th from 8:30-9:00. Students will be working on a Social Studies Project. Please feel free to guide and assist them, if needed.
Field Trips so Far
Tuesday, October 23rd - Fire Zone Trip (Walk)
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (Walk)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Walk)
Monday, October 26th - South Street Seaport Museum (Bus)
Tuesday, December 11th - Transit Museum (Bus)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society (Bus)
Some more will be added soon...
Secret Parent Reader
Friday, October 26th (1:15-1:50) - Roger's mom
Friday, November 23rd (Changed from the 30th, 1:15-1:50)- Isabel's dad
Character Parade
Students were asking me about the upcoming Character Parade. I will speak to them about this tomorrow as a class. Students are allowed to dress as literary book characters. Their costumes cannot be scary. They are not allowed to bring anything that looks like a weapon (swords, nunchucks, etc) or wear masks.
Make up Picture Day is on Friday, November 30th.
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Hope you are having a good weekend,
We are starting a new Writing Unit this week...
Lesson from the Masters: Improving Narrative Writing
Bend I - Studying the masters for inspiration and Ideas
I will teach students to stretch out and magnify their small moments, writing these with great attention to detail and to crafting powerful beginnings and endings. Students will also learn to set goals for themselves and writings, and use their narrative check-list to assess their work
Bend II - Noticing Author's Craft
I will teach students to write with a purpose and learning from author's craft. They will learn their intentions as writers. Students will try out craft moves learned from authors in their own writing and understand why those authors use that particular craft move and write paying attention to word choice and language
Bend III - Study Your Own Author
Students will learn reading and writing connections, drawing on everything they have learned up to this point to discover craft moves in books they are reading on their own and to apply these in their own writing. Students will work on increasing their independence, stamina, transferring what they have learned under my guidance. Students will also devote their attention to revision and editing, aiming their writing to be as powerful as it can be.
We are also starting a new math unit...
Engage NY Module 2 - Addition and Subtraction of length Units
students engage in activities designed to deepen their conceptual understanding of measurement and to relate addition and subtraction to length. Students will explore concepts related to the centimeter ruler and builds skill in measuring using centimeter rulers and meter sticks
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Sebastian
Tuesday - Sofia
Wednesday - Aiden
Thursday - Blake
Friday - Bodhi
Family Friday
You are invited to our classroom this coming Friday, October 19th from 8:30-9:00. Students will be working on a Social Studies Project. Please feel free to guide and assist them, if needed.
Field Trips so Far
Tuesday, October 23rd - Fire Zone Trip (Walk)
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (Walk)
Tuesday, November 13th - MoMA (Walk)
Monday, October 26th - South Street Seaport Museum (Bus)
Tuesday, December 11th - Transit Museum (Bus)
Tuesday, December 18th - New York Historical Society (Bus)
Some more will be added soon...
Secret Parent Reader
Friday, October 26th (1:15-1:50) - Roger's mom
Friday, November 23rd (Changed from the 30th, 1:15-1:50)- Isabel's dad
Character Parade
Students were asking me about the upcoming Character Parade. I will speak to them about this tomorrow as a class. Students are allowed to dress as literary book characters. Their costumes cannot be scary. They are not allowed to bring anything that looks like a weapon (swords, nunchucks, etc) or wear masks.
Make up Picture Day is on Friday, November 30th.
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 9th-12th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. A couple of things about the coming week...
Picture Day
Picture day is this coming Friday, October 12th. Please have students dress extra nice! I believe all students will get individual head shots. At a later date, you will receive envelopes with the pictures. If you like the pictures, you can purchase them online.
Chess
The After School Chess Program has already started. If you are interested in your child joining this school year. Please speak to one of the Chess Club Members in the cafeteria on Thursdays after-school. We are assigned to the second round of In-Class Chess instruction, which doesn't start until the winter/spring.
Field Trips
I'd sent home TWO permission slips for the month of October. Please sign and return by tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 23rd - Firezone (To learn about important jobs in the community and fire safety)
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (To apply their knowledge of cardinal directions and navigate the most effective way around the Hells Kitchen neighborhood) Within this trip, we will also do a quick tour of the Midtown North Police Station. Please do not reveal other locations to the students, as it will be a surprise.
Future Field Trips
MoMA - Tuesday, November 13th (Walking)
South Street Seaport Museum - Monday, November 26th (Bus)
$100 Class Fund
If you haven't sent in the $100 class fund, please send it in, as I have to put down deposits for future trips. If you are unable to pay the full amount, no worries! Please let me know and we can work on smaller installments.
This is what I have used the $100 to spend so far...
New Reading Unit
We started a new reading on Thursday. This unit is called Reading Growth Spurt.
Unit Overview : Students will learn procedures for
participating in their new classroom community, reading independently, and working with partners. They will begin to develop routines for selecting and recording book information. They will analyze habits of good readers, and begin to demonstrate those same habits which include reading independently and silently, actively thinking as a reader by recording thoughts, using post-its, as well as staying focused and building stamina by keeping a reading log. Students will develop habits for reading and talking about books with partners that may include how to sit, taking turns, reading
together and retelling.
Bend I - Taking Charge of Reading
Reading Assessments
At this point, I have completed all reading assessments. All students should know their reading level and they should be able to verbalize what goals they are working on as a reader. Students read for about 25 minutes in school and should be reading for another 25 minutes at home.
Social Studies Homework
I will be assigning a bedroom map project to students this week. I will send home an assignment sheet on Thursday and will explain directions to them. I will also send a separate email about this.
Spelling Homework
Please help me monitor students' spelling homework. Some students are not completing this. They need to:
Spelling Test
Students are aware that every Friday they have a spelling test. They should come in already knowing what sentences to write. I notice that a lot of students struggle to come up with ideas for sentences to write. (I go over the definitions of all the words with them on Monday).
Current Events Schedule (2-3 minutes News share)
Tuesday - Madeleine
Wednesday - Matthew S.
Thursday - Rayan
Friday - Roger
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. A couple of things about the coming week...
Picture Day
Picture day is this coming Friday, October 12th. Please have students dress extra nice! I believe all students will get individual head shots. At a later date, you will receive envelopes with the pictures. If you like the pictures, you can purchase them online.
Chess
The After School Chess Program has already started. If you are interested in your child joining this school year. Please speak to one of the Chess Club Members in the cafeteria on Thursdays after-school. We are assigned to the second round of In-Class Chess instruction, which doesn't start until the winter/spring.
Field Trips
I'd sent home TWO permission slips for the month of October. Please sign and return by tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 23rd - Firezone (To learn about important jobs in the community and fire safety)
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt (To apply their knowledge of cardinal directions and navigate the most effective way around the Hells Kitchen neighborhood) Within this trip, we will also do a quick tour of the Midtown North Police Station. Please do not reveal other locations to the students, as it will be a surprise.
Future Field Trips
MoMA - Tuesday, November 13th (Walking)
South Street Seaport Museum - Monday, November 26th (Bus)
$100 Class Fund
If you haven't sent in the $100 class fund, please send it in, as I have to put down deposits for future trips. If you are unable to pay the full amount, no worries! Please let me know and we can work on smaller installments.
This is what I have used the $100 to spend so far...
- Scholastic News Magazine (Whole school year) - $6.30 per child
- Words their Way Spelling Work Book -$12.88 per child
- Pizza for class prize (10/5) - $1.20 per child
- Fire Zone Trip - $5.00 per child
- Trip to South Street Seaport Museum (November 26th) - $9.72 per child
New Reading Unit
We started a new reading on Thursday. This unit is called Reading Growth Spurt.
Unit Overview : Students will learn procedures for
participating in their new classroom community, reading independently, and working with partners. They will begin to develop routines for selecting and recording book information. They will analyze habits of good readers, and begin to demonstrate those same habits which include reading independently and silently, actively thinking as a reader by recording thoughts, using post-its, as well as staying focused and building stamina by keeping a reading log. Students will develop habits for reading and talking about books with partners that may include how to sit, taking turns, reading
together and retelling.
Bend I - Taking Charge of Reading
- In this bend, students will learn that in order to grow as readers, they need to charge of their growth. This portion of the unit highlights the importance of goals and of that magical combination of fluency and comprehension.
- In this bend, students will be reminded that if they want to read well, they need to roll up their sleeves and work hard to solve tricky words. I will be teaching them different strategies they can use when they encounter a tricky word.
- In this last bend of the unit, readers learn to read like writers. Students will learn to notice that authors do special things in their writing to evoke a reader's reaction. Each time they have a reaction, they will ask themselves, "How did the author do that? and Why?"
Reading Assessments
At this point, I have completed all reading assessments. All students should know their reading level and they should be able to verbalize what goals they are working on as a reader. Students read for about 25 minutes in school and should be reading for another 25 minutes at home.
Social Studies Homework
I will be assigning a bedroom map project to students this week. I will send home an assignment sheet on Thursday and will explain directions to them. I will also send a separate email about this.
Spelling Homework
Please help me monitor students' spelling homework. Some students are not completing this. They need to:
- Write their owns three times each
- Complete four boxes using all five words for each box.
Spelling Test
Students are aware that every Friday they have a spelling test. They should come in already knowing what sentences to write. I notice that a lot of students struggle to come up with ideas for sentences to write. (I go over the definitions of all the words with them on Monday).
Current Events Schedule (2-3 minutes News share)
Tuesday - Madeleine
Wednesday - Matthew S.
Thursday - Rayan
Friday - Roger
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 1st-5th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. A little about this coming week...
Tomorrow
Students have gym tomorrow. I also have meetings throughout the morning. A substitute teacher will pick up students from arrival. Please inform them that I am in the building and will be with them in the afternoon.
Pep Rally
Our Pep Rally was cancelled last Friday, due to the rain. It is rescheduled for this coming Friday. Please have students wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Homework
Thank you for your support on the first week of spelling homework. Please note that they are writing their words three times each and completing four boxes from the menu. The Spelling test will be every Friday, where I assess both the spelling of the word and using the word in a sentence. I spoke to them about already having in mind what sentences to write on the test, since they have the words for the whole week....Students will not get credit if their sentence doesn't make sense.
Current Events Schedule (5 Minutes Quick News share)
Monday - Eva
Tuesday - Jack
Wednesday - Jonas
Thursday - Juliana
Friday - Junior (Matthew A.)
Attendance
I am starting a new spelling routine with them tomorrow. They will be working on this every morning from Monday-Thursday. Please make sure that your child arrives to school on time.
Trips
Tuesday, October 23rd - Fire Zone trip - to learn about Jobs in our community and Fire Safety (Walking)
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt -to learn about cardinal directions, map skills, and important locations in our neighborhood (Tentative Date)
*I will send more details about the trip once the dates get closer and will send permission slips out for BOTH trips together soon.
No school on Monday, October 8th due to Columbus Day.
Weekly Newsletter with all teaching points is on our class website,
Looking forward to see all of you this week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying the weekend. A little about this coming week...
Tomorrow
Students have gym tomorrow. I also have meetings throughout the morning. A substitute teacher will pick up students from arrival. Please inform them that I am in the building and will be with them in the afternoon.
Pep Rally
Our Pep Rally was cancelled last Friday, due to the rain. It is rescheduled for this coming Friday. Please have students wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.
Homework
Thank you for your support on the first week of spelling homework. Please note that they are writing their words three times each and completing four boxes from the menu. The Spelling test will be every Friday, where I assess both the spelling of the word and using the word in a sentence. I spoke to them about already having in mind what sentences to write on the test, since they have the words for the whole week....Students will not get credit if their sentence doesn't make sense.
Current Events Schedule (5 Minutes Quick News share)
Monday - Eva
Tuesday - Jack
Wednesday - Jonas
Thursday - Juliana
Friday - Junior (Matthew A.)
Attendance
I am starting a new spelling routine with them tomorrow. They will be working on this every morning from Monday-Thursday. Please make sure that your child arrives to school on time.
Trips
Tuesday, October 23rd - Fire Zone trip - to learn about Jobs in our community and Fire Safety (Walking)
Monday, October 29th - Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt -to learn about cardinal directions, map skills, and important locations in our neighborhood (Tentative Date)
*I will send more details about the trip once the dates get closer and will send permission slips out for BOTH trips together soon.
No school on Monday, October 8th due to Columbus Day.
Weekly Newsletter with all teaching points is on our class website,
Looking forward to see all of you this week,
Casandra
Week of September 23rd-27th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend and welcome to our very first full week of school.
Curriculum Night
Thank you parents who joined me on Curriculum Night. I hope the information given was helpful. If you weren't able to make it, no worries. Attached on this email, is the Powerpoint I used to present information. I also had already sent a hard copy home in a purple folder.
Homework
Monday- Aiden
Tuesday - Blake
Wednesday - Bodhi
Thursday - Elijah
Friday - Elisa
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend and welcome to our very first full week of school.
Curriculum Night
Thank you parents who joined me on Curriculum Night. I hope the information given was helpful. If you weren't able to make it, no worries. Attached on this email, is the Powerpoint I used to present information. I also had already sent a hard copy home in a purple folder.
Homework
- We will start our spelling homework this week. Students will be given 5 words to work with for the week and will be coming home tomorrow with a notebook. I had already spoken to students about this and they know exactly what to do. They will have a spelling test based on these words every Friday. On the test, I will ask them to spell the word but also to use the word in a sentence to assess comprehension. Please refer to my previous email for more specific details about the spelling homework if needed. The notebook will be given to me to check only on Friday, so they have the whole week to complete spelling activities.
- Reading Log - We started the homework log as a part of our homework routine last week. Please help me monitor. This part of their routine should only take them 1-2 minutes a night, on top of the 25 minutes of reading.
- Current Events - Please refer to my last email for more information. The news they share should take only 2-3 minutes.
Monday- Aiden
Tuesday - Blake
Wednesday - Bodhi
Thursday - Elijah
Friday - Elisa
- As discussed on Curriculum Night, I will also give math homework when I feel like more practice on the skill I taught that day is needed.
- Homework Log - They will also come home with a homework log tomorrow.
Schedule Change
Please note that our schedule has changed**
These are the Specials they will have each day.
Monday - Gym
Tuesday - Technology (Ms. Nyarko will pick them up from arrival)
Wednesday - Science and Art
Thursday - Science
Friday - Music
**I did not tell students that the schedule has changed because it happened late Friday evening. Please note that they have gym tomorrow and must wear sneakers.
Important Dates Coming Up
Friday, Sept 28th - School Wide Pep Rally (Wear sneakers)
Monday, Oct 8th - No school
Friday, Oct 12th - Picture Day
If you have not sent in the documents and $100 class fund, please send it in ASAP, as I am starting to book field trips and deposits are required.
A Newsletter with our teaching points for the week will be up on this class website later on today. Students will also come home with a hard copy tomorrow. All teaching points for each subject are clearly given to students before every lesson and every subject. They should be able to verbalize what they learned in each subject each day to you when asked.
Thank you so much for your support thus far,
Casandra
Week of September 17th-21st
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend...
Just a kind reminder that this coming Monday, September 17th is Curriculum Night. I will be holding two information sessions, in both sessions, identical information will be given. Again, please do not cancel plans or take off work for this. I can send you all the information via email.
Session 1:
4:30pm-5:30pm - With me in Room 224
5:30-5:45pm: You can visit specialty teachers of your choice:
Ms.Nyarko (Science/Technology) in Room 210
Ms. Galvin (Art) - Room 209
Ms. Berghahn- (Music) - Room 208
Ms. McLeavy - (P.E.)-Gymnasium
Session 2:
6:00pm-7:00pm - With me in Room 224
7:00-7:15pm: You can visit specialty teachers of your choice:
Ms.Nyarko (Science/Technology) in Room 210
Ms. Galvin (Art) - Room 209
Ms. Berghahn- (Music) - Room 208
Ms. McLeavy- (P.E)- Gymnasium
Again, please keep in mind that I will be discussing the school year as a group and not your child individually.
Homework
Reading Log
Starting Monday September 17th, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it, as keeping track of how much they read is crucial and it holds them accountable. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this. There is also a slot for an adult's signature.
Spelling homework
Starting Monday September 24th, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending a laminated menu home next week. Please keep in their homework folder. Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe. I will be teaching students how to complete this assignment this coming week and words will be given to them every Monday.
Current Events
I did this with my students last year and it was quite successful. On a rotating (alphabetical) schedule, starting Monday, September 24th, students will share something that is going on in the world with the class. I think it's important for kids to be aware of what's going on in their everyday lives and it also helps them with public speaking skills. My students from last year would come in with a small newspaper article and present it to the class. They loved it! It should take them only five minutes. Please be sure the news they are presenting are positive and preferably non political. I will talk to them about this, this week.
We will talk more about this during Curriculum Night
In Reading Workshop this week:
Students will learn:
-Readers sneak peak at the pictures to figure out the words
- Readers drop bad habits and pick up good ones
-Readers look at all parts of a word
- Readers use meaning to figure out words
- Readers double check their reading
In Writing Workshop this week...
Students will learn:
- Writers revise/edit finished work and rehearse new ones
-Writers stretch words to spell them: Hearing and recording all sounds
- Writers zoom in-focusing on small moments
-Writers work with partners to better their stories
In Math This week...
-We will start our sprints routine.
- Even and odd numbers
- How to represent numbers in different ways (Word form, expanded form, quick picture, place value)
- Counting patterns (Naming patterns)
- Continue with Number Talks
- Continue with Math Logic (Ken Ken and Sudoku)
Grammar
Nouns (Common and Proper)
Birthday Parties
Please inform me at least a week in advance if you would like to have a birthday party. These are some preferred time slots.
Thursday - 2:00-2:30
Friday - 2:00-2:30
(If these times don't work for you, no problem, we can work something out)
Items brought in must be nut/peanut free and must be store bought with a clear ingredient list.
Please try your best to avoid the following ingredients. If something you brought in has any of the ingredients, please inform me.
- All nuts/peanuts (Avoid completely)
- Strawberries
-Rasberries
- Cherries
- Pork
-Kiwi
-Sesame oil
- Seeds
-Wheat
I will be sending home a form that you acknowledged these requests.
Tuesday Parent Meeting time
I have a slot on Tuesdays specifically designed for parent communication. If you would like to meet to discuss your child's progress, I will be available on Tuesdays, from 2:50pm-3:15pm, starting October 9th.
List of Adults in our classroom
Ms. Collins - Paraprofessional
Ms. Janet - Ms. Janet is a learning leader (She also worked with Ms. Romero last year). She will be in our classroom every Monday, starting October 15th.
Ms. Judy - Our Book Pal (Every Tuesday)
If you haven't sent in our class fund or the documents from the brown envelope, please do so by this week.
Important Dates
Monday. September 17th - Back to school/Curriculum Night
Wednesday, September 19th - No school
Wednesday, September 26th - PTA Meeting at 8:30am
If you are interested in being our class parent, please email me.
Looking forward to seeing all of you next week,
Casandra
Email: [email protected]
Class Website: Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com
Dear Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your weekend...
Just a kind reminder that this coming Monday, September 17th is Curriculum Night. I will be holding two information sessions, in both sessions, identical information will be given. Again, please do not cancel plans or take off work for this. I can send you all the information via email.
Session 1:
4:30pm-5:30pm - With me in Room 224
5:30-5:45pm: You can visit specialty teachers of your choice:
Ms.Nyarko (Science/Technology) in Room 210
Ms. Galvin (Art) - Room 209
Ms. Berghahn- (Music) - Room 208
Ms. McLeavy - (P.E.)-Gymnasium
Session 2:
6:00pm-7:00pm - With me in Room 224
7:00-7:15pm: You can visit specialty teachers of your choice:
Ms.Nyarko (Science/Technology) in Room 210
Ms. Galvin (Art) - Room 209
Ms. Berghahn- (Music) - Room 208
Ms. McLeavy- (P.E)- Gymnasium
Again, please keep in mind that I will be discussing the school year as a group and not your child individually.
Homework
Reading Log
Starting Monday September 17th, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it, as keeping track of how much they read is crucial and it holds them accountable. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this. There is also a slot for an adult's signature.
Spelling homework
Starting Monday September 24th, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending a laminated menu home next week. Please keep in their homework folder. Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe. I will be teaching students how to complete this assignment this coming week and words will be given to them every Monday.
Current Events
I did this with my students last year and it was quite successful. On a rotating (alphabetical) schedule, starting Monday, September 24th, students will share something that is going on in the world with the class. I think it's important for kids to be aware of what's going on in their everyday lives and it also helps them with public speaking skills. My students from last year would come in with a small newspaper article and present it to the class. They loved it! It should take them only five minutes. Please be sure the news they are presenting are positive and preferably non political. I will talk to them about this, this week.
We will talk more about this during Curriculum Night
In Reading Workshop this week:
Students will learn:
-Readers sneak peak at the pictures to figure out the words
- Readers drop bad habits and pick up good ones
-Readers look at all parts of a word
- Readers use meaning to figure out words
- Readers double check their reading
In Writing Workshop this week...
Students will learn:
- Writers revise/edit finished work and rehearse new ones
-Writers stretch words to spell them: Hearing and recording all sounds
- Writers zoom in-focusing on small moments
-Writers work with partners to better their stories
In Math This week...
-We will start our sprints routine.
- Even and odd numbers
- How to represent numbers in different ways (Word form, expanded form, quick picture, place value)
- Counting patterns (Naming patterns)
- Continue with Number Talks
- Continue with Math Logic (Ken Ken and Sudoku)
Grammar
Nouns (Common and Proper)
Birthday Parties
Please inform me at least a week in advance if you would like to have a birthday party. These are some preferred time slots.
Thursday - 2:00-2:30
Friday - 2:00-2:30
(If these times don't work for you, no problem, we can work something out)
Items brought in must be nut/peanut free and must be store bought with a clear ingredient list.
Please try your best to avoid the following ingredients. If something you brought in has any of the ingredients, please inform me.
- All nuts/peanuts (Avoid completely)
- Strawberries
-Rasberries
- Cherries
- Pork
-Kiwi
-Sesame oil
- Seeds
-Wheat
I will be sending home a form that you acknowledged these requests.
Tuesday Parent Meeting time
I have a slot on Tuesdays specifically designed for parent communication. If you would like to meet to discuss your child's progress, I will be available on Tuesdays, from 2:50pm-3:15pm, starting October 9th.
List of Adults in our classroom
Ms. Collins - Paraprofessional
Ms. Janet - Ms. Janet is a learning leader (She also worked with Ms. Romero last year). She will be in our classroom every Monday, starting October 15th.
Ms. Judy - Our Book Pal (Every Tuesday)
If you haven't sent in our class fund or the documents from the brown envelope, please do so by this week.
Important Dates
Monday. September 17th - Back to school/Curriculum Night
Wednesday, September 19th - No school
Wednesday, September 26th - PTA Meeting at 8:30am
If you are interested in being our class parent, please email me.
Looking forward to seeing all of you next week,
Casandra
Email: [email protected]
Class Website: Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com
Week of Sept 12th-14th
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about the units we are diving into.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 17th.
It is very important for students to track their reading and it teaches them responsibility. Please help me keep track of this. I will start assessing students for their official reading levels this week. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
First Reading Unit – Building Good Reading Habits
Bend I – Habits for reading long and strong
In this bend, I will teach students good habits for before, during, and after reading. Students will learn to:
-Preview a text
- Doing things that readers do without needing a reminder
- Search for meaning right from the start and anticipate story events
- Check their predictions as they read, revising and confirming them
- Being thoughtful about reading voices
- Rereading in meaningful phrases to build fluency
Bend II – Habits for Tackling Hard Words
In this bend, I will teach students how to tackle words they may not know
Students will learn to:
- Acknowledge their bad reading habits so they can drop them and to remember to use the good habits they’ve learned for solving tricky words
- It’s not enough to check the beginning of a word. Good readers need to look at all parts of the word to figure it out.
- Use meaning as a source of information, using picture clues to consider words that would make sense.
- Double-check to be sure that what they are reading makes sense and looks right
Bend III- Partners have Good Habits!
In the last bend, students will be working with partners to better their reading habits.
Partners will learn to:
- Introduce their books to each other
- Coach each other to use good reading habits and solve tricky words in books
- Discuss the end of the book with each other
- Help each other set reading goals for years ahead
Writing
Our first writing unit is an introduction to Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
First Writing Unit – Small Moments: Writing with Focus, Detail, and Dialogue
Bend I – Writing Small Moment Stories with Independence
Students will learn to:
- Generate ideas to write
- Plan before writing, touch and tell, sketch then write
- Using picture to magnify what they are writing
- Stretching out words to spell them, hearing and recording all sounds
- Zooming in, focusing on small moments
- Reading our writing like we read books
Bend II – Bringing Small Moment Stories to Life
Students will learn to:
- Unfreeze their characters and their writing
- Telling their story bit by bit
- Bringing what’s inside out- Making characters think and feel
- Use drama to bring stories to life
- Using familiar words to spell unknown words
Bend III – Study Other Writer’s Craft
Students will learn to:
- Studying a story to learn ways the author makes it special
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with exact actions
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with pop out words
- The process of revising
- The process of editing with a checklist
Math
I am introducing/reminding students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting.
Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
I will be easing students into our Logic work routine this week- --This is a way to build perseverance and with-it-ness, thinking and reasoning skills, and exercise the students’ brains. Math is fundamentally about logic, so logic work will (ideally) improve performance
I will be teaching students how to do Ken Ken Puzzles and Sodoku Puzzles this week. https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com/#
KenKen Puzzle Official Site - Free Math Puzzles That Make ...
www.kenkenpuzzle.com
KENKEN for your Mobile. Fun, addicting, yet educational. The KenKen iOS and Android apps are perfect for the whole family!
https://www.websudoku.com/?select=1&level=1
Socratic Seminar
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion where I give students a topic to discuss. Students listen closely to comments on others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars 2-3 a week.
Curriculum Night
We will have Curriculum Night on Monday, September 17th. There will be two information sessions. One from 4:30pm-5:45pm and another from 6pm-7:15pm in our classroom (Room 224). I will give the identical information in both sessions.
I will be talking about what we will be learning this year, our daily routines in the classroom, students' expectations, field trips, etc. Please do not feel like you need to take off work or cancel your plans for this. I am able to email you any information that is given. Please keep in mind that this is one a one-on-one meeting about your child. We will be discussing the school year as a group.
Book Pals
Starting this coming week, we will have a Book Pal in our classroom every week. Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis. Eva’s Father, Michael, will also continue as our guest reader :)
First homework assignment
I will assign our first homework assignment tomorrow. We will decorate our Writing notebooks. Students are to collect 5-6 items that are important to them that can be glued flat onto their notebooks. Some examples are pictures, tickets, baseball cards, stickers, etc. This will help students come up with ideas and details as they write their first personal narrative, and to make their notebook "meaningful." Please bring these items in by Thursday, September 13th. I will speak to them about this tomorrow.
$100 Class Fund
Thank you parents who gave me the class fund. I had already used part of the funds to purchase:
- Scholastic News Weekly Magazine- Scholastic News is a weekly nonfiction print and magazine. It has articles on science, social studies, and safety topics to create a multimedia curriculum. The focus is on building content knowledge, vocabulary, and nonfiction reading skills. The magazines get more challenging throughout the school year as children become better readers. (Students will bring this home every Friday) $6.30 per child for the school year.
- Words their Way Spelling Work book (We will be using this work book every Monday-Thursday as our morning routine) $12.88 per child for the school year.
If you haven’t sent it in the class fund, please do so as soon as possible, as I’m starting to book field trips.
Books
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
Bloomz
Just another kind reminder to please not contact me on Bloomz, but to email me directly instead. Bloomz is only for emergency messages and field trip photos.
As of now, students have gym on Fridays.
I will send a separate email about homework later on this week.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about the units we are diving into.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 17th.
It is very important for students to track their reading and it teaches them responsibility. Please help me keep track of this. I will start assessing students for their official reading levels this week. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
First Reading Unit – Building Good Reading Habits
Bend I – Habits for reading long and strong
In this bend, I will teach students good habits for before, during, and after reading. Students will learn to:
-Preview a text
- Doing things that readers do without needing a reminder
- Search for meaning right from the start and anticipate story events
- Check their predictions as they read, revising and confirming them
- Being thoughtful about reading voices
- Rereading in meaningful phrases to build fluency
Bend II – Habits for Tackling Hard Words
In this bend, I will teach students how to tackle words they may not know
Students will learn to:
- Acknowledge their bad reading habits so they can drop them and to remember to use the good habits they’ve learned for solving tricky words
- It’s not enough to check the beginning of a word. Good readers need to look at all parts of the word to figure it out.
- Use meaning as a source of information, using picture clues to consider words that would make sense.
- Double-check to be sure that what they are reading makes sense and looks right
Bend III- Partners have Good Habits!
In the last bend, students will be working with partners to better their reading habits.
Partners will learn to:
- Introduce their books to each other
- Coach each other to use good reading habits and solve tricky words in books
- Discuss the end of the book with each other
- Help each other set reading goals for years ahead
Writing
Our first writing unit is an introduction to Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
First Writing Unit – Small Moments: Writing with Focus, Detail, and Dialogue
Bend I – Writing Small Moment Stories with Independence
Students will learn to:
- Generate ideas to write
- Plan before writing, touch and tell, sketch then write
- Using picture to magnify what they are writing
- Stretching out words to spell them, hearing and recording all sounds
- Zooming in, focusing on small moments
- Reading our writing like we read books
Bend II – Bringing Small Moment Stories to Life
Students will learn to:
- Unfreeze their characters and their writing
- Telling their story bit by bit
- Bringing what’s inside out- Making characters think and feel
- Use drama to bring stories to life
- Using familiar words to spell unknown words
Bend III – Study Other Writer’s Craft
Students will learn to:
- Studying a story to learn ways the author makes it special
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with exact actions
- Trying out a craft move from a mentor text: Writing with pop out words
- The process of revising
- The process of editing with a checklist
Math
I am introducing/reminding students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting.
Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
I will be easing students into our Logic work routine this week- --This is a way to build perseverance and with-it-ness, thinking and reasoning skills, and exercise the students’ brains. Math is fundamentally about logic, so logic work will (ideally) improve performance
I will be teaching students how to do Ken Ken Puzzles and Sodoku Puzzles this week. https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com/#
KenKen Puzzle Official Site - Free Math Puzzles That Make ...
www.kenkenpuzzle.com
KENKEN for your Mobile. Fun, addicting, yet educational. The KenKen iOS and Android apps are perfect for the whole family!
https://www.websudoku.com/?select=1&level=1
Socratic Seminar
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion where I give students a topic to discuss. Students listen closely to comments on others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars 2-3 a week.
Curriculum Night
We will have Curriculum Night on Monday, September 17th. There will be two information sessions. One from 4:30pm-5:45pm and another from 6pm-7:15pm in our classroom (Room 224). I will give the identical information in both sessions.
I will be talking about what we will be learning this year, our daily routines in the classroom, students' expectations, field trips, etc. Please do not feel like you need to take off work or cancel your plans for this. I am able to email you any information that is given. Please keep in mind that this is one a one-on-one meeting about your child. We will be discussing the school year as a group.
Book Pals
Starting this coming week, we will have a Book Pal in our classroom every week. Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis. Eva’s Father, Michael, will also continue as our guest reader :)
First homework assignment
I will assign our first homework assignment tomorrow. We will decorate our Writing notebooks. Students are to collect 5-6 items that are important to them that can be glued flat onto their notebooks. Some examples are pictures, tickets, baseball cards, stickers, etc. This will help students come up with ideas and details as they write their first personal narrative, and to make their notebook "meaningful." Please bring these items in by Thursday, September 13th. I will speak to them about this tomorrow.
$100 Class Fund
Thank you parents who gave me the class fund. I had already used part of the funds to purchase:
- Scholastic News Weekly Magazine- Scholastic News is a weekly nonfiction print and magazine. It has articles on science, social studies, and safety topics to create a multimedia curriculum. The focus is on building content knowledge, vocabulary, and nonfiction reading skills. The magazines get more challenging throughout the school year as children become better readers. (Students will bring this home every Friday) $6.30 per child for the school year.
- Words their Way Spelling Work book (We will be using this work book every Monday-Thursday as our morning routine) $12.88 per child for the school year.
If you haven’t sent it in the class fund, please do so as soon as possible, as I’m starting to book field trips.
Books
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
Bloomz
Just another kind reminder to please not contact me on Bloomz, but to email me directly instead. Bloomz is only for emergency messages and field trip photos.
As of now, students have gym on Fridays.
I will send a separate email about homework later on this week.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes
Dear Parents,
I look forward to meeting you and the kiddos tomorrow!
Dismissal
I will be teaching students arrival and dismissal procedures tomorrow. For dismissal, students will be taught to give me a high five or shake my hand, and to point to the person/program that they are leaving with before walking away.
Please do not carry on a long conversation with me during dismissal, as my attention needs to be with the students who have not yet been dismissed. I am, however, more than happy to answer a quick question.
Late pick up will now be in the cafeteria (Not the teacher's lounge).
In the case of inclement weather, dismissal will be in the Gymnasium.
Bloomz
I'd misunderstood Ms. Romero and thought she'd used Bloomz last year. My apologies. In the brown envelope that will be sent home tomorrow, there will be instructions on how to join Bloomz. Bloomz is a communication app that can be downloaded on your cellphone. I am using it solely to post future field trip pictures and post emergency messages. Please do not contact me on there. Please keep all communications with me through email. If you already have Bloomz, our class code is 59MWW9
Documents
As I mentioned in the previous email, A brown envelope will be sent home tomorrow. Please fill out all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. A tentative schedule will also be included. As of now, students will have gym on Friday. Please be sure they come in with sneakers. Students will not be able to participate in Gym, if they don't wear sneakers.
Science & Technology
Ms. Nyarko will be your child's science and Technology teacher this school year. If you have any questions regarding the class or curriculum, please email her directly at [email protected]
You will also meet her on Curriculum night on September 17th.
Cellphones
A number of my students last year had cellphones. And I understand the reasons. However, the cellphone must remain on silent or turned off, as soon as they walk into school and remain in their book bag during school hours.
Supplies
I'm assuming a lot of you are coming in tomorrow with supplies for our classroom (Thank you so much). From experience, every year, I am unable to carry everything up myself. If you can, please leave the supplies to the right side in the main office. Please write my name in big letters on the bags or boxes. And I will come down and pick them up through out the day.
See you all tomorrow!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I look forward to meeting you and the kiddos tomorrow!
Dismissal
I will be teaching students arrival and dismissal procedures tomorrow. For dismissal, students will be taught to give me a high five or shake my hand, and to point to the person/program that they are leaving with before walking away.
Please do not carry on a long conversation with me during dismissal, as my attention needs to be with the students who have not yet been dismissed. I am, however, more than happy to answer a quick question.
Late pick up will now be in the cafeteria (Not the teacher's lounge).
In the case of inclement weather, dismissal will be in the Gymnasium.
Bloomz
I'd misunderstood Ms. Romero and thought she'd used Bloomz last year. My apologies. In the brown envelope that will be sent home tomorrow, there will be instructions on how to join Bloomz. Bloomz is a communication app that can be downloaded on your cellphone. I am using it solely to post future field trip pictures and post emergency messages. Please do not contact me on there. Please keep all communications with me through email. If you already have Bloomz, our class code is 59MWW9
Documents
As I mentioned in the previous email, A brown envelope will be sent home tomorrow. Please fill out all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. A tentative schedule will also be included. As of now, students will have gym on Friday. Please be sure they come in with sneakers. Students will not be able to participate in Gym, if they don't wear sneakers.
Science & Technology
Ms. Nyarko will be your child's science and Technology teacher this school year. If you have any questions regarding the class or curriculum, please email her directly at [email protected]
You will also meet her on Curriculum night on September 17th.
Cellphones
A number of my students last year had cellphones. And I understand the reasons. However, the cellphone must remain on silent or turned off, as soon as they walk into school and remain in their book bag during school hours.
Supplies
I'm assuming a lot of you are coming in tomorrow with supplies for our classroom (Thank you so much). From experience, every year, I am unable to carry everything up myself. If you can, please leave the supplies to the right side in the main office. Please write my name in big letters on the bags or boxes. And I will come down and pick them up through out the day.
See you all tomorrow!
Casandra
Welcome to the 2018-2019 School Year
Dear Parents,
I would like to officially welcome you to the 2018-2019 School Year. I am so excited to be your child's teacher and am very eager to get to know you and your family. We will have a wonderful school year together.
As you know the first day of school is Wednesday, September 5th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first or second day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better. Please fill it out as thoroughly as possible.
On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name all adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot and will not dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not.
A supply list will also be included. Please bring in all supplies as soon as possible. If I may ask for you not to write your child's name on supplies as it will be shared in our classroom community.
If you are purchasing the supplies on Amazon, Please have it sent to:
Casandra Jurawanichkul
PS 111
440 W53st, First Floor
Room 224
New York, New York 10019
We will spend the first couple days of school:
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing reading, writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
- Review Socratic Seminar Rules and Number Talk Rules
I will start updating this class website starting the first week of school. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Weekly Newsletters.
Bloomz
Please do not delete your old Bloomz account, as I am trying to figure out with Ms. Romero how to just take over her account, so it's easier for everyone. I will let you know once finalized.
I will be posting pictures from classroom activities and field trips on Bloomz and will post emergency messages on there only. Please do not message or contact me on there. Please email directly at [email protected]
Classroom Fund
I did this with my parents last year and it worked out really well. I will be collecting $100 from each family at the beginning of the school year for field trips. This prevents me from having to ask you for money before every trip (We will be going on many).
I will keep you updated every step of the way on how I spend your $100. A clear spending log will be established and sent to you and all receipts will be kept.
This money will also be used to purchase a yearly subscription of Scholastic News ($6 per child for the year) and a Words their Way Spelling workbook for the year ($11). Please send in the $100 in an envelope labeled with your child's name during the first week of school.
Important Dates
Sept 5th - First day of school
Sept 10th-11th - No school
Sept 17th - Curriculum Night 4:30-7:30pm (Will send another email regarding this)
Sept 19th - No school
I am also attaching our Supply list and our Gofundme Account. If you cannot donate, no worries! But please help share my campaign.
https://www.gofundme.com/cj9t3x-back-to-school-fund
Please email me if you have any questions or concerns,
Regards,
Ms. Casandra
Dear Parents,
I would like to officially welcome you to the 2018-2019 School Year. I am so excited to be your child's teacher and am very eager to get to know you and your family. We will have a wonderful school year together.
As you know the first day of school is Wednesday, September 5th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first or second day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better. Please fill it out as thoroughly as possible.
On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name all adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot and will not dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not.
A supply list will also be included. Please bring in all supplies as soon as possible. If I may ask for you not to write your child's name on supplies as it will be shared in our classroom community.
If you are purchasing the supplies on Amazon, Please have it sent to:
Casandra Jurawanichkul
PS 111
440 W53st, First Floor
Room 224
New York, New York 10019
We will spend the first couple days of school:
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing reading, writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
- Review Socratic Seminar Rules and Number Talk Rules
I will start updating this class website starting the first week of school. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Weekly Newsletters.
Bloomz
Please do not delete your old Bloomz account, as I am trying to figure out with Ms. Romero how to just take over her account, so it's easier for everyone. I will let you know once finalized.
I will be posting pictures from classroom activities and field trips on Bloomz and will post emergency messages on there only. Please do not message or contact me on there. Please email directly at [email protected]
Classroom Fund
I did this with my parents last year and it worked out really well. I will be collecting $100 from each family at the beginning of the school year for field trips. This prevents me from having to ask you for money before every trip (We will be going on many).
I will keep you updated every step of the way on how I spend your $100. A clear spending log will be established and sent to you and all receipts will be kept.
This money will also be used to purchase a yearly subscription of Scholastic News ($6 per child for the year) and a Words their Way Spelling workbook for the year ($11). Please send in the $100 in an envelope labeled with your child's name during the first week of school.
Important Dates
Sept 5th - First day of school
Sept 10th-11th - No school
Sept 17th - Curriculum Night 4:30-7:30pm (Will send another email regarding this)
Sept 19th - No school
I am also attaching our Supply list and our Gofundme Account. If you cannot donate, no worries! But please help share my campaign.
https://www.gofundme.com/cj9t3x-back-to-school-fund
Please email me if you have any questions or concerns,
Regards,
Ms. Casandra
Week of June 4th-8th
Dear Parents,
A couple of things...
Morris Jumel Trip
I've been going back and forth with them for weeks. Unformtately, due to their continuing plumbing issue, they cancelled the trip on me, the second time. We will no longer go to the Morris Jumel Mansion on June 12th 😞.
End of the Year Celebratory Brunch
We usually do this brunch with the whole grade, however, due to some scheduling conflicts, I will be hosting this brunch just for our class in the library or in our classroom (I will let you know). I've scheduled it for our last Friday together, June 22nd from 8:30-10:15am. I will send a sheet home tomorrow for you to sign up for what you can help me bring for the brunch. During the brunch, I will be giving out individual awards for every student and we will just relax, enjoy brunch, and spend some quality time together.
Trips
I am trying to possibly schedule some small last minute trips, maybe to eat at a restaurant, since we will learn how to write restaurant reviews. I will keep you informed.
Reminder of some dates
Thursday, June 7th - No school for students
Friday, June 8th - Last Family Family
Monday, June 11th - No school for students
Friday, June 15th - No school
Classroom Books
A big number of books from our class library are missing. Since we only have a couple of weeks left, please start returning books. If you are not sure if it's a classroom book, all of our books have a red circle sticker in the back cover.
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 29th - June 1st
Dear Parents,
Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend 😊
A couple of things...
Curriculum Night
As I mentioned, it was very informal. I shared students' portfolios which included all their writing pieces thus far. They will take their portfolio home at the end of the school year.
Things I will send home for the summer
Things you can do with your child this summer
Electronics
Cellphones and IPads are not allowed during school hours. If students have a cellphone, it must be on silent or turned off and in their backpack, during the school day.
Important Dates in June
Thursday, June 7th - No school for students
Monday, June 11th - No school for students
Tuesday, June 12th - Trip to Morris Jumel Mansion (Bus)
Friday, June 15th- Schools closed
Tuesday, June 26th - Last day of school
*Some dates may still be added
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
A couple of things...
Morris Jumel Trip
I've been going back and forth with them for weeks. Unformtately, due to their continuing plumbing issue, they cancelled the trip on me, the second time. We will no longer go to the Morris Jumel Mansion on June 12th 😞.
End of the Year Celebratory Brunch
We usually do this brunch with the whole grade, however, due to some scheduling conflicts, I will be hosting this brunch just for our class in the library or in our classroom (I will let you know). I've scheduled it for our last Friday together, June 22nd from 8:30-10:15am. I will send a sheet home tomorrow for you to sign up for what you can help me bring for the brunch. During the brunch, I will be giving out individual awards for every student and we will just relax, enjoy brunch, and spend some quality time together.
Trips
I am trying to possibly schedule some small last minute trips, maybe to eat at a restaurant, since we will learn how to write restaurant reviews. I will keep you informed.
Reminder of some dates
Thursday, June 7th - No school for students
Friday, June 8th - Last Family Family
Monday, June 11th - No school for students
Friday, June 15th - No school
Classroom Books
A big number of books from our class library are missing. Since we only have a couple of weeks left, please start returning books. If you are not sure if it's a classroom book, all of our books have a red circle sticker in the back cover.
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 29th - June 1st
Dear Parents,
Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend 😊
A couple of things...
Curriculum Night
As I mentioned, it was very informal. I shared students' portfolios which included all their writing pieces thus far. They will take their portfolio home at the end of the school year.
Things I will send home for the summer
- A Book list at your child's reading level
- Summer Reading Tic-Tac-Toe Board
- Reading Progression Chart (A progression chart with different levels of questions/expectations that you can use to challenge your child during reading time during the summer and during the school year)
- Some examples of the shift in reading skills between second and third grade
- Writing prompts to maintain a writing routine for the summer
Things you can do with your child this summer
- Make sure your child reads for at least 40 minutes daily, preferably at their level. I experience this every year, where students come back from summer and move down reading levels. It is extremely crucial that your child maintains his/her reading habits during the summer. Use the reading progression that I will send home to challenge your child. Constantly as them to retell important parts of what they just read. At this point in the school year, they should be able to distinguish between important and unimportant parts of a story. They should be able to retell across fingers by telling you the main character/s, setting, problem, what the character did to solve the problem, solution, and life lesson.
- Students must maintain their writing stamina. As a beginning third grader, student should be able to write, pen on paper, for at least 50 minutes or two full pages of notebook paper. You can engage your child by introducing them to journal writing, letter writing (Pen-pal), or giving them engaging writing prompts each day (I will give some to you). For example, if you can have only one super power, what would it be? Why? OR If you can only yell or whisper forever, what would you choose? Why?
- Going into third grade, students will spend most of their time with multiplication, meaning students must have a strong foundation in addition and subtraction (Regrouping) within 1,000 (3 digit numbers). Students must know at least two strategies, not just the short cut algorithm for each operation. I will spend the month of June reviewing this with them. Walking out of second grade, they must know how to add and subtract 3 digit numbers fluently using more than 2 strategies. They should also be able to verbally explain what they did using mathematical vocabulary.
- As you all know, third grade is a big shift, as students transition to a test-taking grade. Although, I do not support testing. I do think it is an important life skill and it requires preparation. Students can be prepared by reading short passages and answering logical questions based on the passages. Students need to understand the concept of main idea, which will be focused on in third grade.
Electronics
Cellphones and IPads are not allowed during school hours. If students have a cellphone, it must be on silent or turned off and in their backpack, during the school day.
Important Dates in June
Thursday, June 7th - No school for students
Monday, June 11th - No school for students
Tuesday, June 12th - Trip to Morris Jumel Mansion (Bus)
Friday, June 15th- Schools closed
Tuesday, June 26th - Last day of school
*Some dates may still be added
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Week of May 21st-25th
Hi Parents,
I hope all of you are having a nice weekend.
We are starting all new (Final of the year) units this coming week...
Reading- Series Book Club
First Bend - Becoming Experts on Characters
Students will begin reading a series with their book clubs, collecting information about the stars (Main Characters) of their series. Students will answer and explore the following questions:
As the week progresses, students will swap books within their clubs, they'll think and talk together about the similarities and differences that they find across the series.
Second Bend - Becoming Experts on Author's Craft
Students will start rereading a book in their series and engaging in inquiry, thinking about the craft the writer uses. We will think about the following questions:
Third Bend - Sharing Opinions with the World
Students will begin to innovate and invent ways to share their books with others. They will think about ways to share the series books that they most love with others. At the end of this bend, they will also begin to learn how to have a debate within their clubs, as another way to share and talk about books.
Writing - Writing about Reading
First Bend - Letter Writing
Students will begin this unit writing letters. Across the first bend of the unit, students will draft letters about the characters they've met in their books, formulating opinions and supporting their ideas, providing reasons, and using details and examples from the text to support their claims. Students will also write about their favorite scenes, illustrations across the text, and lessons learned.
Bend Two - Raising the Level of Letter Writing
Students will focus on raising the level of their level writing. Students will engage in some close reading as a way to spark new ideas and to push themselves to deepen their thinking, using their notes to elaborate on their opinion pieces. Students will also participate in a punctuation inquiry and then work to incorporate the conventions that they are noticing in published books not their own writing.
Third Bend - Writing Nominations and Awarding Favorite Books
Students will shift gears, moving away from persuasive letters into writing that more closely resembles an essay format, as they write to persuade others that their favorite books are worthy of awards. This work with build on the first two bends as students continue to write their opinions about books and support those opinions with reasons and details from the text. However, they will left the level of this writing as they learn to incorporate quotations to supply further text evidence, making comparisons between books and across collections of books, as well as add introductions and conclusions, all in the service of teaching and persuading others.
Math - Geometry
Social Studies - National Symbols
End of the year Assessments
In the next few weeks, I will be giving students our last round of benchmark assessments in writing, math, and spelling assessments, to evaluate their progress for the school year. I will be sure to spread them out.
Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night will be on this coming Wednesday, May 23rd. Please refer to my previous email for full details.
Session A: 4:30-5:15pm (Room 224)
Session B: 5:15-6:00pm (Room 224)
Dinner 6:00-7:00pm (Cafeteria)
There will be events going on through the evening, including the Art Show and an auction presented by the PTA.
A kind reminder that I will be unable to discuss your child's personal accomplishments, as this is a group activity.
During each session we will have very informal conversations of:
Although I strongly encourage your participation in this evening's events to support our school, please do not feel you need to take off work for this. Any information I will give, will be sent home to you.
Current Events
Monday - Kai
Tuesday - Liam
Wednesday - Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Nathaniel
Class Prize Trip
Students have earned a class prize, as they filled up our marble jar. I promised that I will take them to have a quick picnic and play at Clinton Park. I am aiming for this coming Friday from 12:15-2:00pm as the weather is looking great. I will need 1-2 chaperones. Please let me know if you can join. I will send permission slips out tomorrow.
Science Fair
We will participate in the Science Fair this coming Friday Morning. I am unsure of the start time at the moment, but will keep you updated. If you have any questions regarding students' work or the fair, please email Ms. Guerrier directly at [email protected]
New Student
We will have a new student in our class tomorrow. Please all try to make her and her family feel welcome 😊
We will not have school on Monday, May 28th due to Memorial Day.
Have a great rest of your Sunday,
Ms. Casandra
Hi Parents,
I hope all of you are having a nice weekend.
We are starting all new (Final of the year) units this coming week...
Reading- Series Book Club
First Bend - Becoming Experts on Characters
Students will begin reading a series with their book clubs, collecting information about the stars (Main Characters) of their series. Students will answer and explore the following questions:
- Who are the stars?
- How do they feel in a certain situation and behave?
- What kinds of trouble do they encounter and how do they respond to the trouble? Is there a pattern of behavior?
- What are these characters' relationships like?
- What are the major and minor problems in the series?
As the week progresses, students will swap books within their clubs, they'll think and talk together about the similarities and differences that they find across the series.
Second Bend - Becoming Experts on Author's Craft
Students will start rereading a book in their series and engaging in inquiry, thinking about the craft the writer uses. We will think about the following questions:
- What does this particular author do to paint a vivid picture with words?
- How does the author use his/her word choices, figurative language, punctuation, and patterns to construct their series?
- How does the author hook the reader into the series and link the books together?
Third Bend - Sharing Opinions with the World
Students will begin to innovate and invent ways to share their books with others. They will think about ways to share the series books that they most love with others. At the end of this bend, they will also begin to learn how to have a debate within their clubs, as another way to share and talk about books.
Writing - Writing about Reading
First Bend - Letter Writing
Students will begin this unit writing letters. Across the first bend of the unit, students will draft letters about the characters they've met in their books, formulating opinions and supporting their ideas, providing reasons, and using details and examples from the text to support their claims. Students will also write about their favorite scenes, illustrations across the text, and lessons learned.
Bend Two - Raising the Level of Letter Writing
Students will focus on raising the level of their level writing. Students will engage in some close reading as a way to spark new ideas and to push themselves to deepen their thinking, using their notes to elaborate on their opinion pieces. Students will also participate in a punctuation inquiry and then work to incorporate the conventions that they are noticing in published books not their own writing.
Third Bend - Writing Nominations and Awarding Favorite Books
Students will shift gears, moving away from persuasive letters into writing that more closely resembles an essay format, as they write to persuade others that their favorite books are worthy of awards. This work with build on the first two bends as students continue to write their opinions about books and support those opinions with reasons and details from the text. However, they will left the level of this writing as they learn to incorporate quotations to supply further text evidence, making comparisons between books and across collections of books, as well as add introductions and conclusions, all in the service of teaching and persuading others.
Math - Geometry
- Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or given number of equal faces
- Identifying triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes
- Partition a rectangle into rows and columns of same-size squares and count to find the total number of them.
- Partition circles and rectangles into two, three, or four equal shares, describe the shares using the words, halves, thirds, half of, a third of, etc. and describe the whole as two halves, three thirds, four fourths
- Recognize the equal shares of identical wholes, need not have the same shape.
Social Studies - National Symbols
- Community members are united by symbols of citizenship (the U.S. and its display and use, the Pledge of Allegiance, and national holidays)
- There are symbols of American democracy (bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, White House, and Mount Rushmore)
End of the year Assessments
In the next few weeks, I will be giving students our last round of benchmark assessments in writing, math, and spelling assessments, to evaluate their progress for the school year. I will be sure to spread them out.
Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night will be on this coming Wednesday, May 23rd. Please refer to my previous email for full details.
Session A: 4:30-5:15pm (Room 224)
Session B: 5:15-6:00pm (Room 224)
Dinner 6:00-7:00pm (Cafeteria)
There will be events going on through the evening, including the Art Show and an auction presented by the PTA.
A kind reminder that I will be unable to discuss your child's personal accomplishments, as this is a group activity.
During each session we will have very informal conversations of:
- Reflect on the 2017-2018 School Year (Grow & Glows)
- Sharing Students' portfolios
- Preparing students for third grade
Although I strongly encourage your participation in this evening's events to support our school, please do not feel you need to take off work for this. Any information I will give, will be sent home to you.
Current Events
Monday - Kai
Tuesday - Liam
Wednesday - Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Nathaniel
Class Prize Trip
Students have earned a class prize, as they filled up our marble jar. I promised that I will take them to have a quick picnic and play at Clinton Park. I am aiming for this coming Friday from 12:15-2:00pm as the weather is looking great. I will need 1-2 chaperones. Please let me know if you can join. I will send permission slips out tomorrow.
Science Fair
We will participate in the Science Fair this coming Friday Morning. I am unsure of the start time at the moment, but will keep you updated. If you have any questions regarding students' work or the fair, please email Ms. Guerrier directly at [email protected]
New Student
We will have a new student in our class tomorrow. Please all try to make her and her family feel welcome 😊
We will not have school on Monday, May 28th due to Memorial Day.
Have a great rest of your Sunday,
Ms. Casandra
Week of May 14th-18th
Dear Parents,
A couple things about this week...
Trip to Theatre Works
We are going to see the Charlotte's Web live play at Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday, May 15th. We will take the bus and leave the school around 9:30 and should be back around 12:30pm. Parents who are joining me, Rafael's dad and Joshua's mom, please meet me by security at 9:30am. Please pack students a snack. We will come back and eat lunch at school, at a later lunch period. A lot of permission slips have not been signed and returned. Please return it by tomorrow.
Lice Removal Company
I'm copying and pasting a message from our Parent Coordinator.
Hello Families,
Unfortunately, we have entered the season where lice loves to visit our children. As you know, lice can happen to anyone and could be a frustrating experience. ( I remember, I raised four children)
Over the last 2 weeks, some of our children have had lice or nits. Parents are always contacted and take the necessary measures to have the lice and nits removed. The school also provides a letter for each class where students have been found to have lice. This year, one of our parents connected us to a wonderful lice removal company that they used for their child. The Lice removal company are graciously coming this upcoming Monday to check grades K, 1, 2 and 4. They will not be charging our families nor the school for their service. However, if you should ever need their service, please see the attached information. I will also be sending home the flier with your children. Please note, in order to protect our students privacy, we do not provide the names of the students who are found to have lice or nits. All students privacy are respected and we are also mindful of their feelings. If your child is found to have lice or nits we will discretely let parents know.
This service will be happening tomorrow. Please email me as soon as possible, if you would not like your child to participate in the check. I honestly think it doesn't hurt, it's better to be safe.
Family Friday
Family Friday is this coming Friday, May 18th. We will celebrate by having a publishing party for the end of our poetry unit. Students will share their poems with you and all of the strategies they learned.
Curriculum Night
Please sign and return the sheet I sent home last week, even if you are unable to attend. Please refer to my previous email for more information about the event.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Jennifer
Tuesday - Skip
Wednesday- Jennivieve
Thursday - Joseph
Friday - Joshua
Poems
The typed up three poems are due by tomorrow. Please send it to me via email in a word document. Refer to my previous email for more information.
I will send another email soon about our last reading, writing, and math units for the school year that starting with students late this week.
Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms. I hope you have an fantastic day Sunday with the kiddos. I'm so lucky to have all of you as parents this year.
See you all next week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
A couple things about this week...
Trip to Theatre Works
We are going to see the Charlotte's Web live play at Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday, May 15th. We will take the bus and leave the school around 9:30 and should be back around 12:30pm. Parents who are joining me, Rafael's dad and Joshua's mom, please meet me by security at 9:30am. Please pack students a snack. We will come back and eat lunch at school, at a later lunch period. A lot of permission slips have not been signed and returned. Please return it by tomorrow.
Lice Removal Company
I'm copying and pasting a message from our Parent Coordinator.
Hello Families,
Unfortunately, we have entered the season where lice loves to visit our children. As you know, lice can happen to anyone and could be a frustrating experience. ( I remember, I raised four children)
Over the last 2 weeks, some of our children have had lice or nits. Parents are always contacted and take the necessary measures to have the lice and nits removed. The school also provides a letter for each class where students have been found to have lice. This year, one of our parents connected us to a wonderful lice removal company that they used for their child. The Lice removal company are graciously coming this upcoming Monday to check grades K, 1, 2 and 4. They will not be charging our families nor the school for their service. However, if you should ever need their service, please see the attached information. I will also be sending home the flier with your children. Please note, in order to protect our students privacy, we do not provide the names of the students who are found to have lice or nits. All students privacy are respected and we are also mindful of their feelings. If your child is found to have lice or nits we will discretely let parents know.
This service will be happening tomorrow. Please email me as soon as possible, if you would not like your child to participate in the check. I honestly think it doesn't hurt, it's better to be safe.
Family Friday
Family Friday is this coming Friday, May 18th. We will celebrate by having a publishing party for the end of our poetry unit. Students will share their poems with you and all of the strategies they learned.
Curriculum Night
Please sign and return the sheet I sent home last week, even if you are unable to attend. Please refer to my previous email for more information about the event.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Jennifer
Tuesday - Skip
Wednesday- Jennivieve
Thursday - Joseph
Friday - Joshua
Poems
The typed up three poems are due by tomorrow. Please send it to me via email in a word document. Refer to my previous email for more information.
I will send another email soon about our last reading, writing, and math units for the school year that starting with students late this week.
Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms. I hope you have an fantastic day Sunday with the kiddos. I'm so lucky to have all of you as parents this year.
See you all next week,
Casandra
Curriculum Night
Our Spring Curriculum Night will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd from 4:30-7:00pm. There will be a number of events going on throughout the school that evening. In order for me to plan accordingly, I would like for you to confirm your attendance for one of our classroom sessions. Both sessions will take place in our classroom (224).
Session A will take place from 4:30-5.15pm
These sessions will be very casual and informal. I just want to come together as a family to chat about how the school year went. I would love to hear your feedback.
Please note that I will not be able to discuss your child's individual achievements, as this is a group activity.
I will send home a sheet either tomorrow or Friday to confirm your attendance for either session A, B, or if you will not be able to make it.
Please do not feel like you need to take off work or rearrange your schedule for this, as any information can be communicated to you at a later date. However, the school would love your support and participation.
There will also be games and activities for students. The PTA is also hosting their Silent Auction that evening.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
PS. Kindly reminding you that students will come home with three poems on Friday to be typed up over the weekend. Your help will be appreciated. Please refer to my last weekly email for instructions.
Casandra
Our Spring Curriculum Night will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd from 4:30-7:00pm. There will be a number of events going on throughout the school that evening. In order for me to plan accordingly, I would like for you to confirm your attendance for one of our classroom sessions. Both sessions will take place in our classroom (224).
Session A will take place from 4:30-5.15pm
- Session B will take place from 5:15-6:00pm
- Dinner will be served from 6:00-7:00pm ($5.00 per plate)
- Reflect on the 2017-2018 school year (Glows & Grows)
- Sharing students' portfolios
- Some information about third grade
These sessions will be very casual and informal. I just want to come together as a family to chat about how the school year went. I would love to hear your feedback.
Please note that I will not be able to discuss your child's individual achievements, as this is a group activity.
I will send home a sheet either tomorrow or Friday to confirm your attendance for either session A, B, or if you will not be able to make it.
Please do not feel like you need to take off work or rearrange your schedule for this, as any information can be communicated to you at a later date. However, the school would love your support and participation.
There will also be games and activities for students. The PTA is also hosting their Silent Auction that evening.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
PS. Kindly reminding you that students will come home with three poems on Friday to be typed up over the weekend. Your help will be appreciated. Please refer to my last weekly email for instructions.
Casandra
Week of May 7th-11th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the second week of May.
Poems
As you know we are in the poetry unit and will be for the next two weeks. To end this unit, students will pick 3 poems that they are most proud of, to type up. I am putting together a class poem book. I will need your help.
Students will come home with three pieces of poetry on Friday. If you have access to a computer, please help them type up the poems over the weekend and send it to me via a Microsoft Word document, so I can edit if needed.
If you do not have an access to a computer, no problem. I can type them up.
Instructions
Example:
Maples in October
By Amy Ludwig
They rustle to each other
I think today is the day.
Wind is getting colder.
Geese are on their way.
Oak is throwing acorns.
It's time to go ahead.
I think today's the day.
Let's change our leaves to red.
This will be due on Monday, May 14th.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Elinor
Tuesday - Harold
Wednesday - Henry
Thursday - Isaac
Friday - Jacob
Math
Students will have a data math assessment on Friday, where they will create a bar graph, pictograph, and a line spot based on data provided. They will also read and interpret information from some graphs provided.
Important Dates Coming up
Tuesday, May 15th - Theatre Works
Friday, May 18th - Family Friday
PS111 Science Fair (For more info, please email Ms. Guerrier directly at [email protected]
Wednesday, May 23rd - Curriculum Night (4:30-7:30)
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the second week of May.
Poems
As you know we are in the poetry unit and will be for the next two weeks. To end this unit, students will pick 3 poems that they are most proud of, to type up. I am putting together a class poem book. I will need your help.
Students will come home with three pieces of poetry on Friday. If you have access to a computer, please help them type up the poems over the weekend and send it to me via a Microsoft Word document, so I can edit if needed.
If you do not have an access to a computer, no problem. I can type them up.
Instructions
- One poem per page (No matter how short)
- Times New Roman Font, size 24
- Bold the name of each poem and students' name
- black font only
- Positioned in the middle of page
Example:
Maples in October
By Amy Ludwig
They rustle to each other
I think today is the day.
Wind is getting colder.
Geese are on their way.
Oak is throwing acorns.
It's time to go ahead.
I think today's the day.
Let's change our leaves to red.
This will be due on Monday, May 14th.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Elinor
Tuesday - Harold
Wednesday - Henry
Thursday - Isaac
Friday - Jacob
Math
Students will have a data math assessment on Friday, where they will create a bar graph, pictograph, and a line spot based on data provided. They will also read and interpret information from some graphs provided.
Important Dates Coming up
Tuesday, May 15th - Theatre Works
Friday, May 18th - Family Friday
PS111 Science Fair (For more info, please email Ms. Guerrier directly at [email protected]
Wednesday, May 23rd - Curriculum Night (4:30-7:30)
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of April 30th - May4th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to May 😊
Cinco De Mayo
On Friday, (May 4th), I will teach students the history of Cinco de Mayo and celebrate the tradition by making guacamole! Please send students in with 1 avocado by Thursday . Make sure it's ripe and soft enough to mash.
Trip
The only trip we have for right now in May is to TheatreWorks on Tuesday, May 15th, to see the Charlotte's Web play. I will send permission slips home soon.
Current Events Schedule
Monday- Tabitha
Tuesday - Tiffany
Wednesday- Valery
Thursday- Anthony
Friday - Eliana
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Welcome to May 😊
Cinco De Mayo
On Friday, (May 4th), I will teach students the history of Cinco de Mayo and celebrate the tradition by making guacamole! Please send students in with 1 avocado by Thursday . Make sure it's ripe and soft enough to mash.
Trip
The only trip we have for right now in May is to TheatreWorks on Tuesday, May 15th, to see the Charlotte's Web play. I will send permission slips home soon.
Current Events Schedule
Monday- Tabitha
Tuesday - Tiffany
Wednesday- Valery
Thursday- Anthony
Friday - Eliana
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of April 23rd-27th
Dear Parents,
Time is flying by...Welcome to the last full week of April!
Parents who helped me buy the laminating sheets. Thank you so much! I appreciate it. 😊
A couple of things about this week...
Trip Tomorrow
We are going to the Tenement Museum tomorrow. We will take the bus. The bus ride is a bit long unfortunately. If your child tends to get car sick, please pack them an extra shirt and a plastic bag (Just incase). Students will eat lunch at school before we leave at 10:00pm. Please pack students a lunch and a snack, even for students who usually get school lunch. (School lunch will not be available at this time).
Students will learn about immigrants who started their lives in Lower East Side, Manhattan in the 19th and 20th centuries. This aligns directly to our NYC then and now unit.
Professional Development
I will be out on Wednesday, April 25th for another session of my Professional Development. Instruction will go on normally.
Trip to Ryan Chelsea
This is a short walking trip with the other two second grade classes. The trip will be from 12:15-2:00pm. If you are interested in coming with us, please let me know. I need one chaperone. Only a few students returned the permission slip for this trip. Please sign and return it to school by tomorrow. They will be doing planting activities, please have them dress up appropriately.
Current Events Schedule
Monday- Riju
Tuesday - Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday- Sampson
Friday - Serena
Farm To Book
Students will have their monthly session of the Farm to Book Program this coming Tuesday.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Time is flying by...Welcome to the last full week of April!
Parents who helped me buy the laminating sheets. Thank you so much! I appreciate it. 😊
A couple of things about this week...
Trip Tomorrow
We are going to the Tenement Museum tomorrow. We will take the bus. The bus ride is a bit long unfortunately. If your child tends to get car sick, please pack them an extra shirt and a plastic bag (Just incase). Students will eat lunch at school before we leave at 10:00pm. Please pack students a lunch and a snack, even for students who usually get school lunch. (School lunch will not be available at this time).
Students will learn about immigrants who started their lives in Lower East Side, Manhattan in the 19th and 20th centuries. This aligns directly to our NYC then and now unit.
Professional Development
I will be out on Wednesday, April 25th for another session of my Professional Development. Instruction will go on normally.
Trip to Ryan Chelsea
This is a short walking trip with the other two second grade classes. The trip will be from 12:15-2:00pm. If you are interested in coming with us, please let me know. I need one chaperone. Only a few students returned the permission slip for this trip. Please sign and return it to school by tomorrow. They will be doing planting activities, please have them dress up appropriately.
Current Events Schedule
Monday- Riju
Tuesday - Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday- Sampson
Friday - Serena
Farm To Book
Students will have their monthly session of the Farm to Book Program this coming Tuesday.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of April 16th-20th
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about this week...
Trip tomorrow
We have a trip tomorrow to the National Geographic Ocean Odyssey. Rain is expected. Please have students dress appropriately with a rain coat or a jacket/coat with a hoodie, and an umbrella. Please pack students with a lunch and a snack. We will leave the school at 9:15am and should return by 12:30pm.
Professional Development
On Tuesday, April 17th and Wednesday, April 25th. I will be attending a Professional Development, which means I will not be in the classroom. I don't like being out, but this opportunity is great as I will learn about how to better instruct the two next reading and writing units. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher and instruction will go on normally.
Friday, April 20th
On Friday, April 20th we have Family Friday from 8:30-8:55am, then students have their Spring Concert from 9:05-9:50am. Please have students wear spring colors that day...
Current Events Schedule
Monday- Liam
Tuesday - Skip
Wednesday- Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Rafael
Supplies
I am in need of laminating sheets for our classroom.
Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 8.9 x 11.4-Inches, 3 mil thick, 100-Pack (TP3854-100) on Amazon
If anyone can help me purchase them, that would be extremely helpful. Thank you so much!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
A couple of things about this week...
Trip tomorrow
We have a trip tomorrow to the National Geographic Ocean Odyssey. Rain is expected. Please have students dress appropriately with a rain coat or a jacket/coat with a hoodie, and an umbrella. Please pack students with a lunch and a snack. We will leave the school at 9:15am and should return by 12:30pm.
Professional Development
On Tuesday, April 17th and Wednesday, April 25th. I will be attending a Professional Development, which means I will not be in the classroom. I don't like being out, but this opportunity is great as I will learn about how to better instruct the two next reading and writing units. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher and instruction will go on normally.
Friday, April 20th
On Friday, April 20th we have Family Friday from 8:30-8:55am, then students have their Spring Concert from 9:05-9:50am. Please have students wear spring colors that day...
Current Events Schedule
Monday- Liam
Tuesday - Skip
Wednesday- Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Rafael
Supplies
I am in need of laminating sheets for our classroom.
Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 8.9 x 11.4-Inches, 3 mil thick, 100-Pack (TP3854-100) on Amazon
If anyone can help me purchase them, that would be extremely helpful. Thank you so much!
Casandra
Week of April 9th - 13th
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had an amazing break so far. I just came back from Jamaica and feel very refreshed! 😊
We are starting new units in all subjects when we return on Monday.
Reading Workshop - Bigger book mean amping up reading power
Part One: Reading with Fluency
Students will discover that rereading,especially out loud, is the best way to change the voice inside their heads. Reading with a clear smooth voice is the key to reading better, stronger, longer, and with more understanding. Students will not only pay attention to their own reading voices of the characters, but reading with the voices the way the author intended and reading with the characters mood and personality.
Part Two: Understanding Literary Language
Students will learn about similes, metaphors, personifications, Hyperboles, Idioms, and more.
Part Three: Meeting the Challenges of Longer books
Students will learn strategies to use with their reading partner to keep track of longer books. They will learn to "Use a trail of breadcrumbs," to remember important events. They will read the same book as their reading partner and hold each other accountable in comprehension, stamina, and retelling.
________________________________________________
Writing Workshop - Poetry
April is poetry month and this is my favorite writing unit to teach!
Part One: Seeing with Poet's Eyes
Students will experiment with line breaks, as they come to understand that a poem is different from a story. They will also learn to see things with poet eyes.
Part Two: Experimenting with language and sound to create meaning
Students will recognize that in a poem, choice and placement of words matter. They will admire and experiment with metaphor, strengthening their ability to see like poets.
Part Three: Learning to write different types of poems
Students will learn how to write the following types of poems:
Animal Poem
Color Poem
Haiku
Alliteration Poem
List Poem
Cinquian
Acrostic Poem
-ing Poem
____________________________________________
Math- Data and Graphing
Students will learn to read, comprehend and represent:
Pictographs
Bar Graphs (Vertical and Horizontal)
Line plots
Tally Charts
*Please note that the data project is due on Monday. The project will be used at the end of the unit.
______________________________________________
Social Studies - New York City Then and Now
■ Changes over time can be described using dates and timelines
■ Changes over time can be examined by using evidence such as maps, population charts, photographs, paintings, newspapers, biographies, and other historical artifacts
■ New York City has changed over time and will continue to change in the future
■ The architectural landscape of New York City includes old and new features (historic buildings, skyscrapers)
New York City changed and grew during the 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s
Field Trips (Updated)
The Morris Jumel Trip has been rescheduled to June 12th due to their plumbing issue.
I had book another trip to the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey for Monday April 16th in its place.
For this trip, students will get an immersive adventure across the ocean from the South Pacific to the coast of California with stunning photo-realistic animation that will transport them to extraordinary underwater places. I need one chaperone for this trip. Please let me know if you are interested.
Where your $100 class fund went (Updated) - Amount per student
$.6.50 - South Street Seaport
$.6.50 - South Street Seaport
$6.05 - Scholastic News
$5.60 - Firezone
$5.00 - Transit Museum
$1.00 - Pizza for class prize
$9.00 - Morris Jumel (Rescheduled for June 12th)
$3.50 - New York Historical Society (Dec)
$.3.25 - Discovery Room (Dec)
$6.00 - Holiday Train Show (Dec)
$9.50 - Charlotte's Web Play (May 15th) - We read the book...
$9.00 - Tenement Museum (April 23rd)
$1.16 - Class Prize (Munchkins)
$1.12 - Class Prize (Popcorn)
$10.00 - National Geographic Ocean Odyssey (April 16th)
I used $83.18 so far.....
_________________________________________________
Returning to Current Events
I know we took a long two month break from current events to accommodate Black history and Women's History months.
Schedule for April 9th-13th
Monday - Jennifer
Tuesday - Jennivieve
Wednesday - Joseph
Thursday - Joshua
Friday - Kai
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing all of you next week.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had an amazing break so far. I just came back from Jamaica and feel very refreshed! 😊
We are starting new units in all subjects when we return on Monday.
Reading Workshop - Bigger book mean amping up reading power
Part One: Reading with Fluency
Students will discover that rereading,especially out loud, is the best way to change the voice inside their heads. Reading with a clear smooth voice is the key to reading better, stronger, longer, and with more understanding. Students will not only pay attention to their own reading voices of the characters, but reading with the voices the way the author intended and reading with the characters mood and personality.
Part Two: Understanding Literary Language
Students will learn about similes, metaphors, personifications, Hyperboles, Idioms, and more.
Part Three: Meeting the Challenges of Longer books
Students will learn strategies to use with their reading partner to keep track of longer books. They will learn to "Use a trail of breadcrumbs," to remember important events. They will read the same book as their reading partner and hold each other accountable in comprehension, stamina, and retelling.
________________________________________________
Writing Workshop - Poetry
April is poetry month and this is my favorite writing unit to teach!
Part One: Seeing with Poet's Eyes
Students will experiment with line breaks, as they come to understand that a poem is different from a story. They will also learn to see things with poet eyes.
Part Two: Experimenting with language and sound to create meaning
Students will recognize that in a poem, choice and placement of words matter. They will admire and experiment with metaphor, strengthening their ability to see like poets.
Part Three: Learning to write different types of poems
Students will learn how to write the following types of poems:
Animal Poem
Color Poem
Haiku
Alliteration Poem
List Poem
Cinquian
Acrostic Poem
-ing Poem
____________________________________________
Math- Data and Graphing
Students will learn to read, comprehend and represent:
Pictographs
Bar Graphs (Vertical and Horizontal)
Line plots
Tally Charts
*Please note that the data project is due on Monday. The project will be used at the end of the unit.
______________________________________________
Social Studies - New York City Then and Now
■ Changes over time can be described using dates and timelines
■ Changes over time can be examined by using evidence such as maps, population charts, photographs, paintings, newspapers, biographies, and other historical artifacts
■ New York City has changed over time and will continue to change in the future
■ The architectural landscape of New York City includes old and new features (historic buildings, skyscrapers)
New York City changed and grew during the 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s
- − Physical environment
- − Population/immigration/migration
- − Size, shape, homes and buildings
- − Use of natural resources
- − Methods of transportation
- − Jobs and industry
- − Technological advances
- − Evolution of communities and
neighborhoods
Field Trips (Updated)
The Morris Jumel Trip has been rescheduled to June 12th due to their plumbing issue.
I had book another trip to the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey for Monday April 16th in its place.
For this trip, students will get an immersive adventure across the ocean from the South Pacific to the coast of California with stunning photo-realistic animation that will transport them to extraordinary underwater places. I need one chaperone for this trip. Please let me know if you are interested.
Where your $100 class fund went (Updated) - Amount per student
$.6.50 - South Street Seaport
$.6.50 - South Street Seaport
$6.05 - Scholastic News
$5.60 - Firezone
$5.00 - Transit Museum
$1.00 - Pizza for class prize
$9.00 - Morris Jumel (Rescheduled for June 12th)
$3.50 - New York Historical Society (Dec)
$.3.25 - Discovery Room (Dec)
$6.00 - Holiday Train Show (Dec)
$9.50 - Charlotte's Web Play (May 15th) - We read the book...
$9.00 - Tenement Museum (April 23rd)
$1.16 - Class Prize (Munchkins)
$1.12 - Class Prize (Popcorn)
$10.00 - National Geographic Ocean Odyssey (April 16th)
I used $83.18 so far.....
_________________________________________________
Returning to Current Events
I know we took a long two month break from current events to accommodate Black history and Women's History months.
Schedule for April 9th-13th
Monday - Jennifer
Tuesday - Jennivieve
Wednesday - Joseph
Thursday - Joshua
Friday - Kai
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing all of you next week.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 19th-23rd
Dear Parents,
Parent Teacher Conferences
Thank you so much for meeting me for PT conferences. I know the time we had was very short but I enjoyed speaking to all of you. If you have any concerns or questions about the report card, please feel free to contact me. As I mentioned, my parent engagement time is open every Tuesday from 2:50pm-3:20pm if you want to have a discussion further about anything.
Class Prize Trip
Students earned a class prize (They filled up our marble jar). I plan on taking them to Clinton Park this coming Friday from 12:45-2:00pm. They will just have some playtime! If you are interested in taking the small walk with us, let me know. I would love a chaperone.
Nonfiction Exhibit
Just a reminder that we have the Nonfiction Exhibit with the other two second grade classes on Thursday, March 29th. Please assist students will costumes for that day, if they would like to wear one. We will start working on their poster boards this week.
Women History Month
Students should be able to discuss the impact these women made in the world:
Hellen Keller
Susan B. Anthony
Ruby Bridges
Harriet Tubman
Amelia Earhart
Ann Frank
Jane Goodall
Rosa Parks
Georgia O'Keefe
We will continue to learn about more influential women throughout the month of March.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Casandra
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 12th-16th
Parents,
We have a busy week 😊A couple of things,
Parent Teacher Conferences
PT conferences are this coming Thursday from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. Students will be dismissed at 11:40am and will still eat lunch at school. Students who take the bus will be picked up at 11:30am. For further bus info, please contact Zaida directly.
During the conferences, I will discuss your child's report card, strengths, weaknesses, goals I have for him/her, and his/her behavior. Parents, I know this 10 minute time is ridiculous and we can barely get through anything, but it is crucial for me to stay on schedule, as other parents are waiting. Please do not carry out a conversation with me that you think will take longer than 10 minutes. I have parent engagement time open every week on Tuesdays from 2:50pm-3:20pm. Please make an appointment with me then, if you would like to discuss anything with me further. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's report card, please speak directly to me.
At this time of the school year, students in second grade should be reading at a level L/M and should be leaving second grade at an M to be considered on grade level.
March and upcoming Field trips
Monday, March 26th - Quick trip back to the Columbus Library to return books
Wednesday, March 28th - Museum of Natural History with the other two second grade classes (Bus)
Monday, April 9th - Morris Jumel Mansion (New York City then and now unit)
Monday, April 23rd - Tenement Museum (New York City then and now unit)
Tuesday, May 15th - Town Hall Theatre (Charlotte's Web Play)
Family Friday
The Landmark Projects are due this coming Wednesday, March 14th. Students will start presenting their work on Family Friday and will continue on during our Social Studies periods. Students who are working on landmarks starting with letters A-F will start off our presentations on Family Friday.
Please have students wear green that day, as I will teach them the history of St. Patricks Day.
Nonfiction Book Club Unit Celebration
We will have a celebration for the end of our nonfiction book club unit on Thursday, March 29th with the other two second grade classes in the cafeteria from 9:15am-10:15am. You are welcome during those times. I may extend our celebration a little longer but in our classroom or library. Please start talking to your child about what they might want to wear that day or bring.
For example, students who are studying penguins will dress like penguins and bring in penguin shaped cookies (Optional).
At the end of the month, students will have assessments on:
Math - Money
Identifying each coin
Value of each coin
Coining coin collections
Writing different amounts using coins
Money Word problems
Grammar - Prefixes and Suffixes
Social Studies - Identifying the five boroughs, New Jersey, the three main airports, and the main waterways on a map.
I would like to kindly thank Tabi and Anthony's moms for helping me purchase poster boards for the class.
March is Woman's History Month and we've been spending our mornings studying influential woman in history. So far, they should be able to speak about the importance of Hellen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart and Georgia O'Keeffe. I will postponing current events because of this for now.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Parent Teacher Conferences
Thank you so much for meeting me for PT conferences. I know the time we had was very short but I enjoyed speaking to all of you. If you have any concerns or questions about the report card, please feel free to contact me. As I mentioned, my parent engagement time is open every Tuesday from 2:50pm-3:20pm if you want to have a discussion further about anything.
Class Prize Trip
Students earned a class prize (They filled up our marble jar). I plan on taking them to Clinton Park this coming Friday from 12:45-2:00pm. They will just have some playtime! If you are interested in taking the small walk with us, let me know. I would love a chaperone.
Nonfiction Exhibit
Just a reminder that we have the Nonfiction Exhibit with the other two second grade classes on Thursday, March 29th. Please assist students will costumes for that day, if they would like to wear one. We will start working on their poster boards this week.
Women History Month
Students should be able to discuss the impact these women made in the world:
Hellen Keller
Susan B. Anthony
Ruby Bridges
Harriet Tubman
Amelia Earhart
Ann Frank
Jane Goodall
Rosa Parks
Georgia O'Keefe
We will continue to learn about more influential women throughout the month of March.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Casandra
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 12th-16th
Parents,
We have a busy week 😊A couple of things,
Parent Teacher Conferences
PT conferences are this coming Thursday from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. Students will be dismissed at 11:40am and will still eat lunch at school. Students who take the bus will be picked up at 11:30am. For further bus info, please contact Zaida directly.
During the conferences, I will discuss your child's report card, strengths, weaknesses, goals I have for him/her, and his/her behavior. Parents, I know this 10 minute time is ridiculous and we can barely get through anything, but it is crucial for me to stay on schedule, as other parents are waiting. Please do not carry out a conversation with me that you think will take longer than 10 minutes. I have parent engagement time open every week on Tuesdays from 2:50pm-3:20pm. Please make an appointment with me then, if you would like to discuss anything with me further. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's report card, please speak directly to me.
At this time of the school year, students in second grade should be reading at a level L/M and should be leaving second grade at an M to be considered on grade level.
March and upcoming Field trips
Monday, March 26th - Quick trip back to the Columbus Library to return books
Wednesday, March 28th - Museum of Natural History with the other two second grade classes (Bus)
Monday, April 9th - Morris Jumel Mansion (New York City then and now unit)
Monday, April 23rd - Tenement Museum (New York City then and now unit)
Tuesday, May 15th - Town Hall Theatre (Charlotte's Web Play)
Family Friday
The Landmark Projects are due this coming Wednesday, March 14th. Students will start presenting their work on Family Friday and will continue on during our Social Studies periods. Students who are working on landmarks starting with letters A-F will start off our presentations on Family Friday.
Please have students wear green that day, as I will teach them the history of St. Patricks Day.
Nonfiction Book Club Unit Celebration
We will have a celebration for the end of our nonfiction book club unit on Thursday, March 29th with the other two second grade classes in the cafeteria from 9:15am-10:15am. You are welcome during those times. I may extend our celebration a little longer but in our classroom or library. Please start talking to your child about what they might want to wear that day or bring.
For example, students who are studying penguins will dress like penguins and bring in penguin shaped cookies (Optional).
At the end of the month, students will have assessments on:
Math - Money
Identifying each coin
Value of each coin
Coining coin collections
Writing different amounts using coins
Money Word problems
Grammar - Prefixes and Suffixes
Social Studies - Identifying the five boroughs, New Jersey, the three main airports, and the main waterways on a map.
I would like to kindly thank Tabi and Anthony's moms for helping me purchase poster boards for the class.
March is Woman's History Month and we've been spending our mornings studying influential woman in history. So far, they should be able to speak about the importance of Hellen Keller, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart and Georgia O'Keeffe. I will postponing current events because of this for now.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of March 5th-9th
Hi Parents,
I hope all of you had a good weekend.
We will take a quick trip to the Columbus Library tomorrow. I sent an application for a library card home. Please be sure to fill out all necessary information on the form and sign, if you would like your child to have their own library card. If they already have one or don't want one, please disregard form.
I also sent home a permission slip for a Neighborhood walk home with some students. Please be sure to sign for tomorrow's trip.
Eliana, Jennivieve, Joseph, Nathaniel, Tabitha and Valery.
Please speak to your child if you will allow them to take out books from the library. If they do take out books, they are responsible for them. We will take another trip back to the library at the end of the month, to return the books. They must bring the books back to return on that day. If not, they will be responsible for returning the books with you on their own.
Students have been bringing nonfiction books home to read, including books that I've borrowed from Public Libraries on my own card. Please help me keep track of the books and make sure they return to the classroom.
A lot of books are also missing from the classroom library, if you have any classroom books at home (Red sticker on the back). Please bring them in to return to our classroom.
I sent home the confirmation times for Parent Teacher Conferences. I tried my best to give you a time that is near the time you requested. I will send a separate email regarding the conference later on.
Reminder that the New York City Landform Project is due on Wednesday, March 14th. Please assist your child, if needed, to pick the most famous or well-known Landmark for his/her assigned letter. For example, If they got the letter S, I would like it to be a landmark like the Statue of Liberty.
If your child is assigned to a tricky letter like "Z," and cannot find a Landmark that starts with that letter they are allowed to use the name of the kind of place. For example, for Z, Bronx Zoo.
We have a trip with the other two second grade classes to the Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, March 28th to look at the rocks and minerals Exhibit. If you are interested in chaperoning, please let me know. Again, I encourage parents who haven't been with us on a trip.
As you know for our current reading unit, students are studying a Nonfiction topic as a "club." At the end of the unit, I plan for students to have a exhibit to teach others about their topic. I am aiming this for the last week of March, before spring break. It would be great for students to wear cool costumes during the exhibit (Not mandatory). Some clubs have already started talking about this. Please help me with that, if you can, as we won't have time to work with costumes in class.
We also are in need of seven Tri-fold poster boards. I would love your help purchasing them on Amazon.
Darice 36-Inch-by-48-Inch Project Display Board
Please let me know if you can help out with that.
I've decided to put current events on hold for a little bit. As I am using the morning time teaching students about influential woman his history, since March is Women's History month.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Hi Parents,
I hope all of you had a good weekend.
We will take a quick trip to the Columbus Library tomorrow. I sent an application for a library card home. Please be sure to fill out all necessary information on the form and sign, if you would like your child to have their own library card. If they already have one or don't want one, please disregard form.
I also sent home a permission slip for a Neighborhood walk home with some students. Please be sure to sign for tomorrow's trip.
Eliana, Jennivieve, Joseph, Nathaniel, Tabitha and Valery.
Please speak to your child if you will allow them to take out books from the library. If they do take out books, they are responsible for them. We will take another trip back to the library at the end of the month, to return the books. They must bring the books back to return on that day. If not, they will be responsible for returning the books with you on their own.
Students have been bringing nonfiction books home to read, including books that I've borrowed from Public Libraries on my own card. Please help me keep track of the books and make sure they return to the classroom.
A lot of books are also missing from the classroom library, if you have any classroom books at home (Red sticker on the back). Please bring them in to return to our classroom.
I sent home the confirmation times for Parent Teacher Conferences. I tried my best to give you a time that is near the time you requested. I will send a separate email regarding the conference later on.
Reminder that the New York City Landform Project is due on Wednesday, March 14th. Please assist your child, if needed, to pick the most famous or well-known Landmark for his/her assigned letter. For example, If they got the letter S, I would like it to be a landmark like the Statue of Liberty.
If your child is assigned to a tricky letter like "Z," and cannot find a Landmark that starts with that letter they are allowed to use the name of the kind of place. For example, for Z, Bronx Zoo.
We have a trip with the other two second grade classes to the Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, March 28th to look at the rocks and minerals Exhibit. If you are interested in chaperoning, please let me know. Again, I encourage parents who haven't been with us on a trip.
As you know for our current reading unit, students are studying a Nonfiction topic as a "club." At the end of the unit, I plan for students to have a exhibit to teach others about their topic. I am aiming this for the last week of March, before spring break. It would be great for students to wear cool costumes during the exhibit (Not mandatory). Some clubs have already started talking about this. Please help me with that, if you can, as we won't have time to work with costumes in class.
We also are in need of seven Tri-fold poster boards. I would love your help purchasing them on Amazon.
Darice 36-Inch-by-48-Inch Project Display Board
Please let me know if you can help out with that.
I've decided to put current events on hold for a little bit. As I am using the morning time teaching students about influential woman his history, since March is Women's History month.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Week of February 26th-March 2nd
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxing break. We will be starting brand new units coming back to school.
Reading Workshop- Nonfiction Book Clubs
We are going back to Nonfiction reading. In this unit, I will teach students to improve their nonfiction reading skills, and to work on their speaking and listening skills. We will work on fact collecting to a deeper understanding of main ideas and supporting information. Students will be reading longer books than they ever have, and will learn new strategies for hanging onto important information (And how to let go of not-so-important information). They will also learn to take information provided in one book and add it to information learned in another, and another, thinking and learning about a topic across many texts. Students will be exposed to more complex nonfiction features such as Time lines or life cycles, Pro/cons, Cause and Effect, questions/answers, etc. I will also teach students how to effectively take notes using Boxes and bullets, T-charts, webs, and more.
Writing Workshop - Lab Reports and Science Books
Students will learn how to write like a scientist by conducting hands-on experiments and connecting it with writing. They will develop a hypothesis, test out theories, record trials, and explain results, and conclusions. They will study data, notice patterns, and creating models to represent the data.
Math - Money
In this 2-3 week unit, I will teach students the history of each coin, the value of each coin, how to count coin collections, different ways to make an amount using the fewest amount of coins, and money word problems
Social Studies - New York City and its landmarks
I will start easing students into our very long New York City Unit. We will be learning about the boroughs of NYC, how people travel in NYC, NYC tunnels, bridges and waterways, and important landmarks.
We will spend this week to finish up our Black History month projects and do presentations.
We will be taking a small walking trip to the Columbus Library sometime next week (Will confirm) to take out books for our nonfiction unit. If students have a NYC Library card, please send them in, so they can take out their own books on our trip. I will send an email out later to give out more info.
I will send home students' time math assessment home tomorrow. Please sign and return.
I will also send Parent Teacher time confirmation by this week. As predicted, most of you picked the 1.00,1:10 and 1:20 time slot. Please understand if your time is pushed back.
This Friday is reading across America and Dr. Seuss's birthday. We will do fun activities throughout the day, including going downstairs to read to a younger class.
We will resume to Current Events next week.
Students will have five words of the week regularly. I have decided over the break that I will reduce the amount of reading response from 2 to 1. I am noticing that a lot of students are not completing them. I will talk to them tomorrow that the amount of reading response will be reduced to 1, however, I expect it to be a really good one. Each reading response must include:
-Title of Book/Author
-Summary of the part they read
- Their response
A couple of things I also wanted to address:
Cellphones
It came to my attention that a number of students have cellphones. I totally understand the reason and the necessity. However, during school hours, cellphones must to be kept in his/her book bag and be on silent. We've had times where the cellphone rings and interrupts instruction.
Sugary drinks
I am no longer allowing sugary drinks in our classroom. Please send students in with a bottle of water instead. It's my job as your child's teacher to teach them about all aspects of life, not just academic. Sweetened drinks like soda, fruit drinks, chocolate milk, and sports drinks are loaded with sugar. I'm all about having sugar once in a while, as I buy them occasional treats too, but not on a daily basis. They will never see me consuming any sugary items as an example.
Lockdown Drills
As a school, we are mandated to conduct a specific amount of lockdown and fire drills. A lockdown drill is a preparation of when an unauthorized person/s comes into the building. The procedure is that I will lock the door and we hide in the corner of the room. A number of students do not take this drill seriously, as they laugh and play around, despite the amount of times I have addressed how serious this is. I never went into details, as I do not want to scare them and my priority is to make sure that they feel safe in the classroom. But in the lieu of current events, I was hoping that you can help me speak to your child about the seriousness of a drill and how important it is to know what to do and how to act (if something serious does happen).
I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to seeing everyone.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxing break. We will be starting brand new units coming back to school.
Reading Workshop- Nonfiction Book Clubs
We are going back to Nonfiction reading. In this unit, I will teach students to improve their nonfiction reading skills, and to work on their speaking and listening skills. We will work on fact collecting to a deeper understanding of main ideas and supporting information. Students will be reading longer books than they ever have, and will learn new strategies for hanging onto important information (And how to let go of not-so-important information). They will also learn to take information provided in one book and add it to information learned in another, and another, thinking and learning about a topic across many texts. Students will be exposed to more complex nonfiction features such as Time lines or life cycles, Pro/cons, Cause and Effect, questions/answers, etc. I will also teach students how to effectively take notes using Boxes and bullets, T-charts, webs, and more.
Writing Workshop - Lab Reports and Science Books
Students will learn how to write like a scientist by conducting hands-on experiments and connecting it with writing. They will develop a hypothesis, test out theories, record trials, and explain results, and conclusions. They will study data, notice patterns, and creating models to represent the data.
Math - Money
In this 2-3 week unit, I will teach students the history of each coin, the value of each coin, how to count coin collections, different ways to make an amount using the fewest amount of coins, and money word problems
Social Studies - New York City and its landmarks
I will start easing students into our very long New York City Unit. We will be learning about the boroughs of NYC, how people travel in NYC, NYC tunnels, bridges and waterways, and important landmarks.
We will spend this week to finish up our Black History month projects and do presentations.
We will be taking a small walking trip to the Columbus Library sometime next week (Will confirm) to take out books for our nonfiction unit. If students have a NYC Library card, please send them in, so they can take out their own books on our trip. I will send an email out later to give out more info.
I will send home students' time math assessment home tomorrow. Please sign and return.
I will also send Parent Teacher time confirmation by this week. As predicted, most of you picked the 1.00,1:10 and 1:20 time slot. Please understand if your time is pushed back.
This Friday is reading across America and Dr. Seuss's birthday. We will do fun activities throughout the day, including going downstairs to read to a younger class.
We will resume to Current Events next week.
Students will have five words of the week regularly. I have decided over the break that I will reduce the amount of reading response from 2 to 1. I am noticing that a lot of students are not completing them. I will talk to them tomorrow that the amount of reading response will be reduced to 1, however, I expect it to be a really good one. Each reading response must include:
-Title of Book/Author
-Summary of the part they read
- Their response
A couple of things I also wanted to address:
Cellphones
It came to my attention that a number of students have cellphones. I totally understand the reason and the necessity. However, during school hours, cellphones must to be kept in his/her book bag and be on silent. We've had times where the cellphone rings and interrupts instruction.
Sugary drinks
I am no longer allowing sugary drinks in our classroom. Please send students in with a bottle of water instead. It's my job as your child's teacher to teach them about all aspects of life, not just academic. Sweetened drinks like soda, fruit drinks, chocolate milk, and sports drinks are loaded with sugar. I'm all about having sugar once in a while, as I buy them occasional treats too, but not on a daily basis. They will never see me consuming any sugary items as an example.
Lockdown Drills
As a school, we are mandated to conduct a specific amount of lockdown and fire drills. A lockdown drill is a preparation of when an unauthorized person/s comes into the building. The procedure is that I will lock the door and we hide in the corner of the room. A number of students do not take this drill seriously, as they laugh and play around, despite the amount of times I have addressed how serious this is. I never went into details, as I do not want to scare them and my priority is to make sure that they feel safe in the classroom. But in the lieu of current events, I was hoping that you can help me speak to your child about the seriousness of a drill and how important it is to know what to do and how to act (if something serious does happen).
I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to seeing everyone.
Casandra
Week of February 12th-15th
Dear Parents,
We have a really fun week coming up...Since we have a short week and we have a lot of celebrations. I will not give students any words and will hold off on the Newsletter this week.
We will meet Ms. Leist's and Ms. Greenberg's classes tomorrow to celebration our beautiful landform projects. Moreover, the third, fourth and fifth graders will help me assess students of their understanding of each landform.
On Tuesday, February 13th, we will celebrate the 100th day of school. Like I mentioned, students are welcome to dress as "100 year old" people, if they want. We will do activities involving 100 days of school throughout the day.
On Wednesday, February 14th, we will have a Valentines Day celebration at the end of the day. Please have students wear red or pink that day.
On Thursday, February 15th, we will have Family Thursday. Henry's mom will spend about 5-10 minutes teaching students about the history of Chinese New Year. Then, we will have a mini- breakfast celebration.
My father is moving permanently to San Francisco that same day. He is the only family member I have in New York. I will be leaving early that day to take him to the airport. Another teacher will be dismissing the students. I will only miss one period with them.
We have our winter break starting Feb 16th-23rd. If I don't see you I wish you a relaxing and safe break with your family.
I would also like to formally thank Sampson's father, Jared, who took the time to organize several team building activities for students this past Friday. They had a lot of fun and learned about teamwork, leadership, collaboration and sportsmanship.
If I get enough Parent Teacher conference time sheets back, I should be able to send out confirmations by Thursday.
Thank you for your support on the Black History Month Project, the posters are looking really good.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We have a really fun week coming up...Since we have a short week and we have a lot of celebrations. I will not give students any words and will hold off on the Newsletter this week.
We will meet Ms. Leist's and Ms. Greenberg's classes tomorrow to celebration our beautiful landform projects. Moreover, the third, fourth and fifth graders will help me assess students of their understanding of each landform.
On Tuesday, February 13th, we will celebrate the 100th day of school. Like I mentioned, students are welcome to dress as "100 year old" people, if they want. We will do activities involving 100 days of school throughout the day.
On Wednesday, February 14th, we will have a Valentines Day celebration at the end of the day. Please have students wear red or pink that day.
On Thursday, February 15th, we will have Family Thursday. Henry's mom will spend about 5-10 minutes teaching students about the history of Chinese New Year. Then, we will have a mini- breakfast celebration.
My father is moving permanently to San Francisco that same day. He is the only family member I have in New York. I will be leaving early that day to take him to the airport. Another teacher will be dismissing the students. I will only miss one period with them.
We have our winter break starting Feb 16th-23rd. If I don't see you I wish you a relaxing and safe break with your family.
I would also like to formally thank Sampson's father, Jared, who took the time to organize several team building activities for students this past Friday. They had a lot of fun and learned about teamwork, leadership, collaboration and sportsmanship.
If I get enough Parent Teacher conference time sheets back, I should be able to send out confirmations by Thursday.
Thank you for your support on the Black History Month Project, the posters are looking really good.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 5th-9th
Dear Parents,
Some important dates coming up:
Monday, February 13th - 100th Day of school
Students are welcome to dress as "100 year old people" (Optional). We will do fun activities throughout the day.
Wednesday, February 14th - Valentine's Day
If you want to send in goodie bags, treats, please provide enough for the whole class. We have 25 students. We will have a mini-celebration at the end of the day.
Thursday, February 15th - Family Thursday/Chinese New Year Celebration
Henry's mom will teach students about Chinese New Year during Family Thursday. We will also have a breakfast celebration before our winter break 😊. Please let me know if you can help me bring coffee (For Parents), Croissants, bagels, fruits, and juice etc.
Winter Break - February 16th - February 23rd
Our next parent-teacher conference date is March 15th. Afternoon conferences take place from 1:00-3:00, and evening conferences from 4:30-7:30. I will send out time sheets next week.
Students will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m. Students who take the school bus will be picked-up at approximately 11:30. Please talk to your child's school bus driver to make arrangements for early drop-off on that day.
The research part of the Black History Month Project is due tomorrow. Students will transfer the information onto a poster and present it to the class.
We will be finishing up our landform project this week.
Students will have a end of the unit time assessment soon (End of this week or early next week). Students will be assessed on:
-Write time from analog clock
- Draw hands of the analog clock
- Telling time the "Smart Way" (Quarter past, Half Past, Quarter to)
- AM. and PM.
- Elapsed Time word problems
Sampson's father is planning team building activities for our class. We should be able to launch it this Friday. The goals for these activities are to teach students to work as a team, build communication skills, learn to collaborate, and align their shared purpose, goals, and targets. The activity will be a scavenger hunt. Please let him know if you can help him in any way.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Elinor
Tuesday - Harold
Wednesday - Henry
Thursday - Isaac
Friday - Jacob
Weekly Newsletter is on our class website,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Some important dates coming up:
Monday, February 13th - 100th Day of school
Students are welcome to dress as "100 year old people" (Optional). We will do fun activities throughout the day.
Wednesday, February 14th - Valentine's Day
If you want to send in goodie bags, treats, please provide enough for the whole class. We have 25 students. We will have a mini-celebration at the end of the day.
Thursday, February 15th - Family Thursday/Chinese New Year Celebration
Henry's mom will teach students about Chinese New Year during Family Thursday. We will also have a breakfast celebration before our winter break 😊. Please let me know if you can help me bring coffee (For Parents), Croissants, bagels, fruits, and juice etc.
Winter Break - February 16th - February 23rd
Our next parent-teacher conference date is March 15th. Afternoon conferences take place from 1:00-3:00, and evening conferences from 4:30-7:30. I will send out time sheets next week.
Students will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m. Students who take the school bus will be picked-up at approximately 11:30. Please talk to your child's school bus driver to make arrangements for early drop-off on that day.
The research part of the Black History Month Project is due tomorrow. Students will transfer the information onto a poster and present it to the class.
We will be finishing up our landform project this week.
Students will have a end of the unit time assessment soon (End of this week or early next week). Students will be assessed on:
-Write time from analog clock
- Draw hands of the analog clock
- Telling time the "Smart Way" (Quarter past, Half Past, Quarter to)
- AM. and PM.
- Elapsed Time word problems
Sampson's father is planning team building activities for our class. We should be able to launch it this Friday. The goals for these activities are to teach students to work as a team, build communication skills, learn to collaborate, and align their shared purpose, goals, and targets. The activity will be a scavenger hunt. Please let him know if you can help him in any way.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Elinor
Tuesday - Harold
Wednesday - Henry
Thursday - Isaac
Friday - Jacob
Weekly Newsletter is on our class website,
Casandra
Week of January 29th - February 2nd
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have a trip to the Apple Store, Tuesday January 30th from 10:30am - noon. We will take the bus. Students will eat lunch a little later that day. Please ensure that they eat a big breakfast. Please also pack them a snack. Elinor's mom, Rafael's mom and Serena's mom, please meet me by Security at 9:45am.
We will definitely paint our landform project this week. Please send students in with an old t-shirt.
Reminder that students have their regular spelling homework weekly and TWO reading responses. They should take less than 10 minutes completing a reading response. Each response should include:
- Title of book
- Author of book
- Summary of what they read so far
- Their response (They pick from the choices)
- Evidence from text (What character says, does and page number)
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Tabitha
Tuesday - Tiffany
Wednesday - Valery
Thursday - Anthony
Friday - Eliana
Please support students with math homework this week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have a trip to the Apple Store, Tuesday January 30th from 10:30am - noon. We will take the bus. Students will eat lunch a little later that day. Please ensure that they eat a big breakfast. Please also pack them a snack. Elinor's mom, Rafael's mom and Serena's mom, please meet me by Security at 9:45am.
We will definitely paint our landform project this week. Please send students in with an old t-shirt.
Reminder that students have their regular spelling homework weekly and TWO reading responses. They should take less than 10 minutes completing a reading response. Each response should include:
- Title of book
- Author of book
- Summary of what they read so far
- Their response (They pick from the choices)
- Evidence from text (What character says, does and page number)
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Tabitha
Tuesday - Tiffany
Wednesday - Valery
Thursday - Anthony
Friday - Eliana
Please support students with math homework this week,
Casandra
Week of January 22nd-26th
Dear Parents,
We will continue our landform project this week. Thank you for your support on Family Friday. Students should be painting their projects on Wednesday (I'm aiming to), Please send in an old t-shirt.
Just a reminder that the research part of the Black History Month Project is due, Monday February 5th.
The scholastic book fair is going on all week this week from 8:30am-5:30pm. We will be assigned a time to go down as a class. I will let you know when as soon as I find out.
A lot of students still have a hard time with telling time the smart way. Please help me practice with them. We will be working on Elapsed time word problems this week.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Riju
Tuesday - Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday - Sampson
Friday - Serena
Newsletter is on our website,
Have a good week,
Cassandra
Dear Parents,
We will continue our landform project this week. Thank you for your support on Family Friday. Students should be painting their projects on Wednesday (I'm aiming to), Please send in an old t-shirt.
Just a reminder that the research part of the Black History Month Project is due, Monday February 5th.
The scholastic book fair is going on all week this week from 8:30am-5:30pm. We will be assigned a time to go down as a class. I will let you know when as soon as I find out.
A lot of students still have a hard time with telling time the smart way. Please help me practice with them. We will be working on Elapsed time word problems this week.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Riju
Tuesday - Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday - Sampson
Friday - Serena
Newsletter is on our website,
Have a good week,
Cassandra
Week of January 16th - 19th
Hi Parents,
Just wanted to remind you that this coming week is Spirit Week. This is optional.
Tuesday - Wacky Hat Day
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday- Twin Day (Already gave students time to speak to one another)
Friday - Pajamas Day and Family Friday.
We are starting our landform Project this week. Please bring in the small or medium unused pizza box on Tuesday. Please write your child's name under the box.
I taught students the definitions of the following landforms:
gorge, island, isthmus, peninsula, bay, ocean, river, mountain, hill, range, valley, canyon, plains, pleateu, sand dune, mesa, delta, coast, and swamp.
Students should be able to tell you the definition of each landform verbally.
This week, I will teach them about 6 more. They will proceed to create a imaginary country using at least 10 landforms. The landforms need to look realistic. They will be assessed when our guests (Three classes) will come in to view their project and ask them what each landform is.
I taught students how to tell time the smart way on Friday. Many had a hard time. Please help me practice with them through out the week.
Examples:
3:15 - Quarter past/after three
6:30 - Half past six
1:45 - Quarter to two
5:10 - Ten after/past five
9:55 - Five to ten
Current Event Schedule
Tuesday - Liam
Wednesday - Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Rafael
The Representative from MoMA will be back this week for the last part of the program.
I wanted to thank Tabi's mom and Molly's grandma who very generously helped us purchase the Model Magic for landform project.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Our weekly Newsletter is on our class website under documents,
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 8th-12th
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have a trip to MoMA tomorrow. Please pack students a lunch and a snack.
Students who are retaking the Gifted and Talented test, will not be able to attend the trip. Unfortunately, it happens to be on the same day. If we are not back from the trip after they are done with the test, students will be placed in another second grade classroom. Work will be provided for them.
We will not have school next Monday, January 15th due to Martin Luther King's day. We will have spirit week when we come back that Tuesday.
Spirit Week Schedule (January 16th - 19th)
Tuesday - Crazy Hat Day
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday- Twins day (Will give students time to chat about this)
Friday - Pajamas day (Appropriate clothing please) and Family Friday
I would like to start our landform projects next week. If you can help support me by buying about 4 buckets of this item on Amazon and have it sent to the school. That would be fantastic.
Crayola 57-4400 Model Magic Modeling Compound, 2-lb. Bucket, White, Four 8-oz. Pouches, Case of 2 Boxes
Students should start looking for a unused pizza box this week (Small or Medium only). Please bring them in on Tuesday, January 16th. Please write their names under the box.
Current Events
Monday - Jennifer
Tuesday - Jennivieve
Wednesday - Joseph
Thursday - Joshua
Friday - Kai
Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Parents,
Just wanted to remind you that this coming week is Spirit Week. This is optional.
Tuesday - Wacky Hat Day
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday- Twin Day (Already gave students time to speak to one another)
Friday - Pajamas Day and Family Friday.
We are starting our landform Project this week. Please bring in the small or medium unused pizza box on Tuesday. Please write your child's name under the box.
I taught students the definitions of the following landforms:
gorge, island, isthmus, peninsula, bay, ocean, river, mountain, hill, range, valley, canyon, plains, pleateu, sand dune, mesa, delta, coast, and swamp.
Students should be able to tell you the definition of each landform verbally.
This week, I will teach them about 6 more. They will proceed to create a imaginary country using at least 10 landforms. The landforms need to look realistic. They will be assessed when our guests (Three classes) will come in to view their project and ask them what each landform is.
I taught students how to tell time the smart way on Friday. Many had a hard time. Please help me practice with them through out the week.
Examples:
3:15 - Quarter past/after three
6:30 - Half past six
1:45 - Quarter to two
5:10 - Ten after/past five
9:55 - Five to ten
Current Event Schedule
Tuesday - Liam
Wednesday - Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Rafael
The Representative from MoMA will be back this week for the last part of the program.
I wanted to thank Tabi's mom and Molly's grandma who very generously helped us purchase the Model Magic for landform project.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Our weekly Newsletter is on our class website under documents,
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 8th-12th
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have a trip to MoMA tomorrow. Please pack students a lunch and a snack.
Students who are retaking the Gifted and Talented test, will not be able to attend the trip. Unfortunately, it happens to be on the same day. If we are not back from the trip after they are done with the test, students will be placed in another second grade classroom. Work will be provided for them.
We will not have school next Monday, January 15th due to Martin Luther King's day. We will have spirit week when we come back that Tuesday.
Spirit Week Schedule (January 16th - 19th)
Tuesday - Crazy Hat Day
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday- Twins day (Will give students time to chat about this)
Friday - Pajamas day (Appropriate clothing please) and Family Friday
I would like to start our landform projects next week. If you can help support me by buying about 4 buckets of this item on Amazon and have it sent to the school. That would be fantastic.
Crayola 57-4400 Model Magic Modeling Compound, 2-lb. Bucket, White, Four 8-oz. Pouches, Case of 2 Boxes
Students should start looking for a unused pizza box this week (Small or Medium only). Please bring them in on Tuesday, January 16th. Please write their names under the box.
Current Events
Monday - Jennifer
Tuesday - Jennivieve
Wednesday - Joseph
Thursday - Joshua
Friday - Kai
Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 2nd-5th
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I really hope all of you had a relaxing winter break. When we return to school this week, we are starting all new units!
Reading
In this new unit called, Meeting Characters and learning lessons, I will be teaching students to track the events in their books, paying attention to the shifts in a setting, using pictures and words to keep track of the story events and "Keep up" with the character, along the way making predictions that look ahead and anticipate what's to come. I will also teach them to hold on to longer and more complex texts by determining importance to retell key details in sequence. They will also do a close study of characters, helping them learn all they can about main and secondary characters, to grow ideas about how they feel, as well as what they are saying or thinking, thinking about how characters respond to challenges, and how the characters change throughout the book.
Writing - Realistic Fiction
In this extremely fun writing unit, students will write their own book series. They will create a pretend character, then give the character real-life adventures. They will use the same character to create a series. I will teach students to use their own experiences to imagine tiny details they can include in a story to let readers know that the story is realistic.
You can support me by:
Talking to your child about possible story lines
Make up a pretend character --> character is at a place (Setting) --> Imagine Adventures (What trouble does the character get into?) --> The problem gets worse --> Solution (How does the character solve the problem?
Repeat same character with different setting and problem.
Math-Telling time
We will spend about 2-3 weeks learning how to:
- tell and write time by the hour and half an hour using analog clocks and digital clocks
- tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog clocks and digital clocks
- Telling time the regular way and the smart way
- A.M. and P.M.
- How to find Elapsed time
You can support me by:
- Have students wear an analog watch (Not digital)
- Constantly ask your child, what time it is
- Support them when we learn about telling time the Smart way (Quarter past, half past, quarter to)
Social Studies
Students will learn about different types of landforms and will work on a imaginary country project.
You can support me by:
Helping me purchase a class supply of Crayola Model Magic:
Crayola 23-6001 Model Magic Modeling Compound Class Pack, White, 1-oz. Pouches, 75/Carton(Amazon)
Grammar
Synonyms and Antonyms (Review)
Homographs and homophones (2 weeks)
Homophones -Words that are pronounced the same but has different meaning and spelling
Homographs - Words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently and has different meaning
New weekly homework
In addition to their weekly spelling homework. Students will be completing reading responses. I will spend time this week teaching them how to do it properly. It is not a main component in our new reading/writing curriculum but it is crucial for me to teach them how to respond to their own reading. It is also a way for me to assess their comprehension when they read at home and preparing them for the third grade state exam. They will come home with a packet with reading response prompts and paper to complete the responses on. The packet should be kept in their homework folder, as the spelling homework, it is due every Friday.
For each reading response, students will be required to write a response based on their reading in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). They can pick from any prompt I give them. It will make more sense to you when you see it. This homework will start Monday, January 8th. They are to complete two responses each week, due on Friday.
Field trips
Monday, January 8th - MoMA
We will go back to MoMA on January 8th to attend another program that involves characters to support our writing unit.
Tuesday, January 30th - Apple Store
Students will use the Nonfiction Books that we completed last unit and turn them into digital books using iPads at the apple store.
I am sending home permission slips for both trips this week, please sign and return. The apple store trip will include a consent form.
Please let me know if you are interested in chaperoning. I am trying to give a chance to parents who haven't joined us on a trip yet.
Items to start collecting for projects
- Small or Medium size pizza box (Not large) - For landform project
- Cereal Box (To make a book series box, at the end of the writing unit)
I will let you know when to bring them in.....
I am skipping current events this week as it's a very busy week.
I am sending the math test that I gave them before break home tomorrow, please sign and return.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I really hope all of you had a relaxing winter break. When we return to school this week, we are starting all new units!
Reading
In this new unit called, Meeting Characters and learning lessons, I will be teaching students to track the events in their books, paying attention to the shifts in a setting, using pictures and words to keep track of the story events and "Keep up" with the character, along the way making predictions that look ahead and anticipate what's to come. I will also teach them to hold on to longer and more complex texts by determining importance to retell key details in sequence. They will also do a close study of characters, helping them learn all they can about main and secondary characters, to grow ideas about how they feel, as well as what they are saying or thinking, thinking about how characters respond to challenges, and how the characters change throughout the book.
Writing - Realistic Fiction
In this extremely fun writing unit, students will write their own book series. They will create a pretend character, then give the character real-life adventures. They will use the same character to create a series. I will teach students to use their own experiences to imagine tiny details they can include in a story to let readers know that the story is realistic.
You can support me by:
Talking to your child about possible story lines
Make up a pretend character --> character is at a place (Setting) --> Imagine Adventures (What trouble does the character get into?) --> The problem gets worse --> Solution (How does the character solve the problem?
Repeat same character with different setting and problem.
Math-Telling time
We will spend about 2-3 weeks learning how to:
- tell and write time by the hour and half an hour using analog clocks and digital clocks
- tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog clocks and digital clocks
- Telling time the regular way and the smart way
- A.M. and P.M.
- How to find Elapsed time
You can support me by:
- Have students wear an analog watch (Not digital)
- Constantly ask your child, what time it is
- Support them when we learn about telling time the Smart way (Quarter past, half past, quarter to)
Social Studies
Students will learn about different types of landforms and will work on a imaginary country project.
You can support me by:
Helping me purchase a class supply of Crayola Model Magic:
Crayola 23-6001 Model Magic Modeling Compound Class Pack, White, 1-oz. Pouches, 75/Carton(Amazon)
Grammar
Synonyms and Antonyms (Review)
Homographs and homophones (2 weeks)
Homophones -Words that are pronounced the same but has different meaning and spelling
Homographs - Words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently and has different meaning
New weekly homework
In addition to their weekly spelling homework. Students will be completing reading responses. I will spend time this week teaching them how to do it properly. It is not a main component in our new reading/writing curriculum but it is crucial for me to teach them how to respond to their own reading. It is also a way for me to assess their comprehension when they read at home and preparing them for the third grade state exam. They will come home with a packet with reading response prompts and paper to complete the responses on. The packet should be kept in their homework folder, as the spelling homework, it is due every Friday.
For each reading response, students will be required to write a response based on their reading in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). They can pick from any prompt I give them. It will make more sense to you when you see it. This homework will start Monday, January 8th. They are to complete two responses each week, due on Friday.
Field trips
Monday, January 8th - MoMA
We will go back to MoMA on January 8th to attend another program that involves characters to support our writing unit.
Tuesday, January 30th - Apple Store
Students will use the Nonfiction Books that we completed last unit and turn them into digital books using iPads at the apple store.
I am sending home permission slips for both trips this week, please sign and return. The apple store trip will include a consent form.
Please let me know if you are interested in chaperoning. I am trying to give a chance to parents who haven't joined us on a trip yet.
Items to start collecting for projects
- Small or Medium size pizza box (Not large) - For landform project
- Cereal Box (To make a book series box, at the end of the writing unit)
I will let you know when to bring them in.....
I am skipping current events this week as it's a very busy week.
I am sending the math test that I gave them before break home tomorrow, please sign and return.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Week of December 18th-22nd
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before Christmas break!
We have two trips this week...
On Tuesday, we have a trip to the Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History. Please be sure that students eat a big breakfast. All students must have a packed lunch and snack. If you spoke to me about joining this trip, please meet me by security at 9:20am.
On Wednesday, we have a trip to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Train Show. All students must have a packed lunch and snack. Parents who are joining me for this trip, I will send out another email to let you know what time we are leaving.
The Museum Exhibit Event is on Thursday. Students will each have about 8-9 mini-presentations to teach students from other classes about their topic. Their presentations and dioramas will be graded using a rubric by our guests. If students are dressing up, they can come in with whatever they are wearing or they can change in school. This isn't mandatory.
I sent report cards home on Friday. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Keep in mind that this is the first report card of the school year. If I contemplated between two grades, I would have given your child the lower grade in order to be able to show you improvement through out the school year.
Winter Recess is from December 25th- January 1st. School resumes on January 2nd. I will not be giving homework. The only thing they should do is read for about 25-30 minutes everyday, if possible.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Elinor
Tuesday - Harold
Wednesday - Henry
Thursday - Isaac
Friday - Jacob
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before Christmas break!
We have two trips this week...
On Tuesday, we have a trip to the Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History. Please be sure that students eat a big breakfast. All students must have a packed lunch and snack. If you spoke to me about joining this trip, please meet me by security at 9:20am.
On Wednesday, we have a trip to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Train Show. All students must have a packed lunch and snack. Parents who are joining me for this trip, I will send out another email to let you know what time we are leaving.
The Museum Exhibit Event is on Thursday. Students will each have about 8-9 mini-presentations to teach students from other classes about their topic. Their presentations and dioramas will be graded using a rubric by our guests. If students are dressing up, they can come in with whatever they are wearing or they can change in school. This isn't mandatory.
I sent report cards home on Friday. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Keep in mind that this is the first report card of the school year. If I contemplated between two grades, I would have given your child the lower grade in order to be able to show you improvement through out the school year.
Winter Recess is from December 25th- January 1st. School resumes on January 2nd. I will not be giving homework. The only thing they should do is read for about 25-30 minutes everyday, if possible.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Elinor
Tuesday - Harold
Wednesday - Henry
Thursday - Isaac
Friday - Jacob
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of December 11th-15th
Dear Parents,
We have a really busy week coming up...
Please be sure that students bring their materials for the dioramas tomorrow. Refer to my email from Friday for more details. We will work on the dioramas everyday this week.
Students will have a math test on Wednesday on subtraction using the open number line, the algorithm, and word problems using the CUBES Strategy. I will pretty much take the problems I have been giving them and put them on the test. We have been working on the very same problems in class.
Students will also have a grammar quiz on Wednesday on compound words, adjectives, and adverbs.
We will have a class picture retake on Wednesday. Please have students dress extra nice that day.
We have Family Friday this week and a field trip to see a play that Liam's mom produced and directed (Thank you Julia!). Parents who spoke to me about attending, please meet us by security at 10:25am. Please pack students a lunch and a snack that day, as we will miss our regular lunch period.
We also have the Winter Wonderland Event on Thursday, December 14th from 5:00pm-7:30pm. I will be working the event and hope to see all of you there.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Tabitha
Tuesday - Valery
Wednesday - Aleena
Thursday - Anthony
Friday - Eliana
I am really excited for the cool events we have coming up. On top of the Museum Exhibit, students are working really hard on publishing their nonfiction books in writing. I am very proud of their work.
Report cards will be sent home on Friday. I will not include a lot of comments as it's a very short time after Progress Reports. If you have any questions or concerns about the grades, please let me know.
Please let me know if you have any overall questions or concerns,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
We have a really busy week coming up...
Please be sure that students bring their materials for the dioramas tomorrow. Refer to my email from Friday for more details. We will work on the dioramas everyday this week.
Students will have a math test on Wednesday on subtraction using the open number line, the algorithm, and word problems using the CUBES Strategy. I will pretty much take the problems I have been giving them and put them on the test. We have been working on the very same problems in class.
Students will also have a grammar quiz on Wednesday on compound words, adjectives, and adverbs.
We will have a class picture retake on Wednesday. Please have students dress extra nice that day.
We have Family Friday this week and a field trip to see a play that Liam's mom produced and directed (Thank you Julia!). Parents who spoke to me about attending, please meet us by security at 10:25am. Please pack students a lunch and a snack that day, as we will miss our regular lunch period.
We also have the Winter Wonderland Event on Thursday, December 14th from 5:00pm-7:30pm. I will be working the event and hope to see all of you there.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Tabitha
Tuesday - Valery
Wednesday - Aleena
Thursday - Anthony
Friday - Eliana
I am really excited for the cool events we have coming up. On top of the Museum Exhibit, students are working really hard on publishing their nonfiction books in writing. I am very proud of their work.
Report cards will be sent home on Friday. I will not include a lot of comments as it's a very short time after Progress Reports. If you have any questions or concerns about the grades, please let me know.
Please let me know if you have any overall questions or concerns,
Casandra
Week of December 4th-8th
Dear Parents,
We have a trip tomorrow. If you spoke to me about joining. Please meet us by security at 10:30am. Please be sure to pack students a lunch and a snack. We will eat snacks when we come back from the trip.
These are some important dates coming up...
Monday, December 4th - Trip to New York Historical Society
Wednesday, December 13th - Class picture retake
Thursday, December 14th - Winter Wonderland, 5:00-7:30pm
Friday, December 15th - Family Friday and Trip to see "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" (Thank you Julia!). This trip was just added. I will send a separate permission slip.
Tuesday, December 19th - Trip to The American Museum of Natural History, to attend the Discovery Room.
Wednesday, December 20th - Trip to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Train Show
As mentioned in my previous email, please have students start collecting materials for their diorama. All students must have a shoe box. The more materials, the better.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Riju
Tuesday- Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday - Sampson
Friday - Serena
We will spend another week on the CUBES strategy. Please continue to support students with their math homework which will again be given daily.
Report cards are being completed this week. It will sent home on December 15th. The document I went over with you during Parent Conferences was a progress report. I just want to make sure you are aware that progress reports and report cards are different. For report cards you will see number grades from 1-4.
Students will get two report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year. I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's mailed home, please let me know.
I am in the process of assessing students for their new reading level this week.
Have a good week!
Casandra
Dear Parents,
We have a trip tomorrow. If you spoke to me about joining. Please meet us by security at 10:30am. Please be sure to pack students a lunch and a snack. We will eat snacks when we come back from the trip.
These are some important dates coming up...
Monday, December 4th - Trip to New York Historical Society
Wednesday, December 13th - Class picture retake
Thursday, December 14th - Winter Wonderland, 5:00-7:30pm
Friday, December 15th - Family Friday and Trip to see "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" (Thank you Julia!). This trip was just added. I will send a separate permission slip.
Tuesday, December 19th - Trip to The American Museum of Natural History, to attend the Discovery Room.
Wednesday, December 20th - Trip to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Train Show
As mentioned in my previous email, please have students start collecting materials for their diorama. All students must have a shoe box. The more materials, the better.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Riju
Tuesday- Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday - Sampson
Friday - Serena
We will spend another week on the CUBES strategy. Please continue to support students with their math homework which will again be given daily.
Report cards are being completed this week. It will sent home on December 15th. The document I went over with you during Parent Conferences was a progress report. I just want to make sure you are aware that progress reports and report cards are different. For report cards you will see number grades from 1-4.
Students will get two report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year. I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's mailed home, please let me know.
I am in the process of assessing students for their new reading level this week.
Have a good week!
Casandra
Upcoming Events
Parents,
As you know, students have been working on Nonfiction for both reading and writing. To celebrate the growth of their knowledge, students will work on dioramas and host a museum exhibit at the end of the month.
Students will be working on their dioramas from December 11th-15th. Please have students start collecting materials. Examples of some materials are pipe cleaners, cotton balls, paint, foam balls, yarn, etc. Students will definitely need a shoe box. They can bring their materials in with them on the 11th.
Their museum exhibit will be on the week of December 18th-22nd (We will only pick two dates, I will let you know when the dates are closer). During the exhibit, I will be inviting different classes to come in, so students can verbally teach others about their topic. We've been working really hard in class for them to gain knowledge on their topic. The other students will also be using a rubric to grade their presentation.
Students are encouraged to dress up or bring something in that will help them teach about their topic. For example, I have a student teaching about Japan and she will be wearing a Kimono and bringing in sushi.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
As you know, students have been working on Nonfiction for both reading and writing. To celebrate the growth of their knowledge, students will work on dioramas and host a museum exhibit at the end of the month.
Students will be working on their dioramas from December 11th-15th. Please have students start collecting materials. Examples of some materials are pipe cleaners, cotton balls, paint, foam balls, yarn, etc. Students will definitely need a shoe box. They can bring their materials in with them on the 11th.
Their museum exhibit will be on the week of December 18th-22nd (We will only pick two dates, I will let you know when the dates are closer). During the exhibit, I will be inviting different classes to come in, so students can verbally teach others about their topic. We've been working really hard in class for them to gain knowledge on their topic. The other students will also be using a rubric to grade their presentation.
Students are encouraged to dress up or bring something in that will help them teach about their topic. For example, I have a student teaching about Japan and she will be wearing a Kimono and bringing in sushi.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 27th - December 1st
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxing Thanksgiving Weekend. We have a really busy week coming up.
Tomorrow, the same representative from MoMA will return to our class. We will also have a visit from Sydney Schneider, the author and illustrator of the book Chip and Dip.
Students will have also have their third session of the Farm to Book Program on Tuesday.
We have a trip to the Transit Museum with the other two second grade classes on Wednesday, November 29th.We will leave the school hopefully at 9:00am. If you have spoken to me about joining the trip, please meet us by security by 9:00m. All students must have a packed lunch.
I will start math word problems with students this week using the CUBES strategy. The work will be quite challenging. Please help me monitor their math homework which will be given daily for the new couple of weeks.
I will also start a new spelling work routine with students starting this week to support them more on spelling. Their spelling homework will remain the same, as this work is separate and during class time.
Current Events schedule
Monday - Kai
Tuesday - Liam
Wednesday - Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Rafael
Thank you for all of your support for the Job project. Students will continue their presentations throughout the week.
See you all tomorrow,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxing Thanksgiving Weekend. We have a really busy week coming up.
Tomorrow, the same representative from MoMA will return to our class. We will also have a visit from Sydney Schneider, the author and illustrator of the book Chip and Dip.
Students will have also have their third session of the Farm to Book Program on Tuesday.
We have a trip to the Transit Museum with the other two second grade classes on Wednesday, November 29th.We will leave the school hopefully at 9:00am. If you have spoken to me about joining the trip, please meet us by security by 9:00m. All students must have a packed lunch.
I will start math word problems with students this week using the CUBES strategy. The work will be quite challenging. Please help me monitor their math homework which will be given daily for the new couple of weeks.
I will also start a new spelling work routine with students starting this week to support them more on spelling. Their spelling homework will remain the same, as this work is separate and during class time.
Current Events schedule
Monday - Kai
Tuesday - Liam
Wednesday - Madison
Thursday - Molly
Friday - Rafael
Thank you for all of your support for the Job project. Students will continue their presentations throughout the week.
See you all tomorrow,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 13th-17th
Dear Parents,
I will see all of you for Parent Teacher Conferences this coming Thursday, November 17th. Another reminder that students will be dismissed at 11:45am. They will still eat lunch at school.
Parents, I need to stay on schedule during the meetings. Please be mindful when we meet that I can't have conversations that will take longer than our scheduled slot.
Just another reminder for students to all bring lunch tomorrow due to our trip to MoMA.
We have Family Family this coming Friday and the Fall concert after. Please have students wear fall colors that day such as orange, dark red, green, yellow, etc.
I will be sending home a sign up sheet for our Thanksgiving Potluck this week. It will be in the afternoon of Wednesday, November 22nd.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Isaac
Tuesday - Jacob
Wednesday. Jennifer
Thursday - Jennivieve
Friday - Joseph
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I will see all of you for Parent Teacher Conferences this coming Thursday, November 17th. Another reminder that students will be dismissed at 11:45am. They will still eat lunch at school.
Parents, I need to stay on schedule during the meetings. Please be mindful when we meet that I can't have conversations that will take longer than our scheduled slot.
Just another reminder for students to all bring lunch tomorrow due to our trip to MoMA.
We have Family Family this coming Friday and the Fall concert after. Please have students wear fall colors that day such as orange, dark red, green, yellow, etc.
I will be sending home a sign up sheet for our Thanksgiving Potluck this week. It will be in the afternoon of Wednesday, November 22nd.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Isaac
Tuesday - Jacob
Wednesday. Jennifer
Thursday - Jennivieve
Friday - Joseph
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 6th - 10th
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had a really nice weekend. Just a quick reminder that students will not have school this coming Tuesday, November 7th, due to Election Day.
If you have not sent back the Parent Teacher Conference time sheet, please do so ASAP. I am aiming to send out time confirmations by Wednesday. If you don't send it in, I will have to assign a time for you.
If you have not sent in the $100 for our class trip fund, please do so ASAP. If you are unable to send the whole amount in at once, no problem! Just let me know, so we can do it trip by trip.
I will be sending home students' grammar quiz and math assessment this week. Please take a look, sign and return.
I will be teaching students the process of elections this week.
Next week, I will be teaching students about the difference between goods and services. Moreover, we will focus on how members of the community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc). I also might be adding some last minute trips..
Since those are our focuses, students will be working on a small project that involves them interviewing you about your jobs and how your jobs contribute to our community. For Family Friday, (November 17th), I was hoping to gather up about 4-5 parents (Please volunteer) to talk about your occupation. I will give you some talking points. Please email me if you are interested. It would be really helpful towards our learning.
I will also be sending home a sign up sheet for our Thanks Giving Feast on Wednesday, November 22nd. Please sign up for what you are able to contribute. I will let you know the exact time as soon as I find out. It will be in the afternoon.
Our Weekly newsletter is on our website.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had a really nice weekend. Just a quick reminder that students will not have school this coming Tuesday, November 7th, due to Election Day.
If you have not sent back the Parent Teacher Conference time sheet, please do so ASAP. I am aiming to send out time confirmations by Wednesday. If you don't send it in, I will have to assign a time for you.
If you have not sent in the $100 for our class trip fund, please do so ASAP. If you are unable to send the whole amount in at once, no problem! Just let me know, so we can do it trip by trip.
I will be sending home students' grammar quiz and math assessment this week. Please take a look, sign and return.
I will be teaching students the process of elections this week.
Next week, I will be teaching students about the difference between goods and services. Moreover, we will focus on how members of the community specialize in different types of jobs that provide services to the community (Fire fighters, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, etc). I also might be adding some last minute trips..
Since those are our focuses, students will be working on a small project that involves them interviewing you about your jobs and how your jobs contribute to our community. For Family Friday, (November 17th), I was hoping to gather up about 4-5 parents (Please volunteer) to talk about your occupation. I will give you some talking points. Please email me if you are interested. It would be really helpful towards our learning.
I will also be sending home a sign up sheet for our Thanks Giving Feast on Wednesday, November 22nd. Please sign up for what you are able to contribute. I will let you know the exact time as soon as I find out. It will be in the afternoon.
Our Weekly newsletter is on our website.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of October 30th- November 3rd
Dear Parents,
Just another reminder that Parent Teacher conferences are now changed to Thursday, November 16th from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. I will send out another time slot sheet tomorrow. Please fill it out again, even if it's the same time as the original date.
We have our Halloween Parade tomorrow from 1:50-2:30. Parents are welcome. Students will change into their costumes in the afternoon. They are not allowed to wear their costumes to school. Please refer to my previous email for more details.
At some point this week, I will send out all 3 permission slips for all of our trips this month. So you can just sign all 3 in one shot.
Students will have their second session of The Farm to book program this Tuesday.
We did not have time to complete the math assessment or Spelling test on Friday due to the trip and Pep Rally. We will take both assessments tomorrow.
I am launching our new reading and writing unit tomorrow. We will explore the genre of Nonfiction.
Students will not have school next Tuesday, November 7th due to Election Day.
A representative from MoMA will visit our classroom on November 8th and 27th for a pre and post session supporting our field trip on the 13th.
Have an amazing week and see you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Just another reminder that Parent Teacher conferences are now changed to Thursday, November 16th from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30. I will send out another time slot sheet tomorrow. Please fill it out again, even if it's the same time as the original date.
We have our Halloween Parade tomorrow from 1:50-2:30. Parents are welcome. Students will change into their costumes in the afternoon. They are not allowed to wear their costumes to school. Please refer to my previous email for more details.
At some point this week, I will send out all 3 permission slips for all of our trips this month. So you can just sign all 3 in one shot.
Students will have their second session of The Farm to book program this Tuesday.
We did not have time to complete the math assessment or Spelling test on Friday due to the trip and Pep Rally. We will take both assessments tomorrow.
I am launching our new reading and writing unit tomorrow. We will explore the genre of Nonfiction.
Students will not have school next Tuesday, November 7th due to Election Day.
A representative from MoMA will visit our classroom on November 8th and 27th for a pre and post session supporting our field trip on the 13th.
Have an amazing week and see you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Parent Teacher Conferences and Notes
Dear Parents,
Parent/teacher conferences are just a couple weeks away. Conferences are taking place on Thursday, November 16th, 2017 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm. I will be scheduling a meeting every ten minutes.
I am sending home tomorrow a list of times that have been set aside for conferences. Please select THREE times that would be convenient for you and send it back to school as soon as possible. I will attempt to schedule you as close to a time you chose on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once I receive the times that you have selected, I will send home a confirmation of your scheduled conference. Please also indicate if you would like to have a translator present and which language.
Please keep in mind that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress report, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes.Thank you for your understanding.
As we conclude our first reading and writing unit, we will move on to Nonfiction in both reading and writing. I'd asked students to think about topics that they know a lot about, are experts on and can teach others about. If you can have a conversation with them about this over the weekend, that would be amazing.
I started guided reading with students last week. Guided Reading is when I meet with students in small groups to provide differentiated teaching and help support them with their specific needs to accelerate their progress. These are some skills I'm working on with them based on their reading assessments.
-Making an inference
- Context Clues
- Retelling a story
Please help me remind students that they are to read their leveled books for homework. I precisely tested them and they will learn the most reading at their level. If you are not sure of your child's level, please email me.
As I mentioned we will have a character/Halloween parade on Monday, October 30th from 1:50-2:30pm. Students can dress in whatever costume, just no violence and preferably no mask. Parents are welcome.
Children CANNOT wear their costumes to school or they will be removed from the parade. Costumes must brought to school and changed into 7th period.
This coming Friday, we will start our weekly Friday assembly. Moreover, we will have a Pep Rally. They will be doing fun activities outside. Please make sure students wear comfortable clothes as they should be already since we have gym. No dresses please.
Trips in November
Monday, November 13th - MoMA (Walk)
Monday, November 20th- South Street Seaport Museum (Bus)
Wednesday, November 29th- Transit Museum (Bus)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Parent/teacher conferences are just a couple weeks away. Conferences are taking place on Thursday, November 16th, 2017 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm. I will be scheduling a meeting every ten minutes.
I am sending home tomorrow a list of times that have been set aside for conferences. Please select THREE times that would be convenient for you and send it back to school as soon as possible. I will attempt to schedule you as close to a time you chose on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once I receive the times that you have selected, I will send home a confirmation of your scheduled conference. Please also indicate if you would like to have a translator present and which language.
Please keep in mind that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress report, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes.Thank you for your understanding.
As we conclude our first reading and writing unit, we will move on to Nonfiction in both reading and writing. I'd asked students to think about topics that they know a lot about, are experts on and can teach others about. If you can have a conversation with them about this over the weekend, that would be amazing.
I started guided reading with students last week. Guided Reading is when I meet with students in small groups to provide differentiated teaching and help support them with their specific needs to accelerate their progress. These are some skills I'm working on with them based on their reading assessments.
-Making an inference
- Context Clues
- Retelling a story
Please help me remind students that they are to read their leveled books for homework. I precisely tested them and they will learn the most reading at their level. If you are not sure of your child's level, please email me.
As I mentioned we will have a character/Halloween parade on Monday, October 30th from 1:50-2:30pm. Students can dress in whatever costume, just no violence and preferably no mask. Parents are welcome.
Children CANNOT wear their costumes to school or they will be removed from the parade. Costumes must brought to school and changed into 7th period.
This coming Friday, we will start our weekly Friday assembly. Moreover, we will have a Pep Rally. They will be doing fun activities outside. Please make sure students wear comfortable clothes as they should be already since we have gym. No dresses please.
Trips in November
Monday, November 13th - MoMA (Walk)
Monday, November 20th- South Street Seaport Museum (Bus)
Wednesday, November 29th- Transit Museum (Bus)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 23rd-27th
Dear Parents,
Please refer to my previous email about the trips this week. Please be sure to pack students an easy-to-eat lunch tomorrow. We will eat lunch before we take the bus back to school. Parents who are joining me tomorrow. Please meet me by the security desk at 9:30am. I expect a lot of traffic going downtown so we need to leave on time.
If you haven't signed the permission slip for our Scavenger Hunt trip on Friday, please send it in as soon as possible.
The school will have a school-wide Character Parade on Monday, October 30th. Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character. Students are not allowed to wear masks or something "scary." I will give more details on this once the day gets closer.
Students will have a grammar quiz on Friday on Plural Nouns. I will send a study guide home with them tomorrow.
They will also have a math assessment on Friday on what we've been learning so far in math.
- Digit and place value
- Writing Numbers in Different ways (Standard Form, Expanded Form, Word form and Quick picture)
- Comparing numbers >, < and =
- Doubles fact and Doubles + 1
- Odd and Even Numbers
- 2 digit addition using the tens and ones strategy, open number line and the algorithm.
- 2 digit addition with 3 addends
If you haven't informed students of what neighborhood and borough they live in, please do so.
Current Events Schedule
Tuesday - Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday - Sampson
Friday - Serena
(Skipping Monday because of the trip)
The weekly Newsletter is under Documents
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Please refer to my previous email about the trips this week. Please be sure to pack students an easy-to-eat lunch tomorrow. We will eat lunch before we take the bus back to school. Parents who are joining me tomorrow. Please meet me by the security desk at 9:30am. I expect a lot of traffic going downtown so we need to leave on time.
If you haven't signed the permission slip for our Scavenger Hunt trip on Friday, please send it in as soon as possible.
The school will have a school-wide Character Parade on Monday, October 30th. Students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character. Students are not allowed to wear masks or something "scary." I will give more details on this once the day gets closer.
Students will have a grammar quiz on Friday on Plural Nouns. I will send a study guide home with them tomorrow.
They will also have a math assessment on Friday on what we've been learning so far in math.
- Digit and place value
- Writing Numbers in Different ways (Standard Form, Expanded Form, Word form and Quick picture)
- Comparing numbers >, < and =
- Doubles fact and Doubles + 1
- Odd and Even Numbers
- 2 digit addition using the tens and ones strategy, open number line and the algorithm.
- 2 digit addition with 3 addends
If you haven't informed students of what neighborhood and borough they live in, please do so.
Current Events Schedule
Tuesday - Rinka
Wednesday - Sakura
Thursday - Sampson
Friday - Serena
(Skipping Monday because of the trip)
The weekly Newsletter is under Documents
Have a great week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 16th-20th
Dear Families,
We have our first field trip of the school year this coming Tuesday, October 17th to Fire Zone. At the Fire Zone, children can learn about the power of fire with presentations, hands-on exhibits and direct interaction with active and retired FDNY Firefighters. Students are taught that they can play a major role in preventing fires and making their homes safer.
We have our second Family Friday on Friday, October 20th. Please join us from 8:30-9:00am.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Madison
Tuesday - Molly
Wednesday - Nathaniel
Thursday - Rafael
Friday - Riju
I'm sending home their corrected Grammar quiz sometime this week, please take a look, sign, and send it back to school.
For students who bring their cellphones to school, please make sure that their phones are turned off or are on silent. Phones have been ringing in class.
Please try your best to get students to school on time. Our starting time is 8:20am. There are times where I wanted to start something from the very beginning of the day but couldn't because too many students haven't arrived.
We are starting a small Social Studies Project. Students must know what neighborhood and borough they live in. Please inform them if they are not aware.
Our weekly newsletter is under Documents.
I will send a separate email sometime this week to update you on more field trips that have been added.
Thank you for your support and have a great week!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Families,
We have our first field trip of the school year this coming Tuesday, October 17th to Fire Zone. At the Fire Zone, children can learn about the power of fire with presentations, hands-on exhibits and direct interaction with active and retired FDNY Firefighters. Students are taught that they can play a major role in preventing fires and making their homes safer.
We have our second Family Friday on Friday, October 20th. Please join us from 8:30-9:00am.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Madison
Tuesday - Molly
Wednesday - Nathaniel
Thursday - Rafael
Friday - Riju
I'm sending home their corrected Grammar quiz sometime this week, please take a look, sign, and send it back to school.
For students who bring their cellphones to school, please make sure that their phones are turned off or are on silent. Phones have been ringing in class.
Please try your best to get students to school on time. Our starting time is 8:20am. There are times where I wanted to start something from the very beginning of the day but couldn't because too many students haven't arrived.
We are starting a small Social Studies Project. Students must know what neighborhood and borough they live in. Please inform them if they are not aware.
Our weekly newsletter is under Documents.
I will send a separate email sometime this week to update you on more field trips that have been added.
Thank you for your support and have a great week!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 10th-13th
Dear Parents,
As I explained the map homework to the students, I sensed a bit of confusion with the measurement component and scaling. I think it may be too challenging for them with the conversion from inches and feet. If you sense that they are having a hard time, please just have them draw the map of their bedroom, leaving the scale component out. I have already spoken to them about this.
I sent home another permission slip for our trip to South Street Seaport trip on October 23rd. Please sign and return
Students will start our once a month program, Farm to Book this coming today.
Current Events schedule the week of October 10th-13th
Tuesday - Joseph
Wednesday - Joshua
Thursday - Kai
Friday - Liam
Parents, no political news please.
If you haven't sent me the $100 for our class fund please do so ASAP.
Have a wonderful long weekend and see you all tomorrow
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
As I explained the map homework to the students, I sensed a bit of confusion with the measurement component and scaling. I think it may be too challenging for them with the conversion from inches and feet. If you sense that they are having a hard time, please just have them draw the map of their bedroom, leaving the scale component out. I have already spoken to them about this.
I sent home another permission slip for our trip to South Street Seaport trip on October 23rd. Please sign and return
Students will start our once a month program, Farm to Book this coming today.
Current Events schedule the week of October 10th-13th
Tuesday - Joseph
Wednesday - Joshua
Thursday - Kai
Friday - Liam
Parents, no political news please.
If you haven't sent me the $100 for our class fund please do so ASAP.
Have a wonderful long weekend and see you all tomorrow
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes
Parents,
Just another reminder that tomorrow is Picture Day.
Students will have their regular spelling test tomorrow and their Doubles Facts Quiz.
Next week, students will have a quiz on common nouns, Proper Nouns, Abstract Nouns, Concrete Nouns and Collective Nouns. They should be able to tell you exactly what each one is.
For the weekend, students will be asked to draw a map of their bedroom. To challenge them, I'm asking them to measure the real length of fixed objects (Windows, doors, closet, dresser, bed, desk, chair, etc) in their bedroom and scale it onto a map. They will need a tape measure. I didn't go deep into measurement yet as the math unit is towards the end of the year. However, with your support and their mapping skills, they should be able to complete the assignment. I will send students home with the assignment sheet and a big piece of white paper. I will also attach the assignment sheet on this email. This will be due Tuesday, October 10th. I will explain the assignment to them tomorrow.
We do not have school on Monday due to Columbus Day.
Have a great long weekend,
Casandra
Parents,
Just another reminder that tomorrow is Picture Day.
Students will have their regular spelling test tomorrow and their Doubles Facts Quiz.
Next week, students will have a quiz on common nouns, Proper Nouns, Abstract Nouns, Concrete Nouns and Collective Nouns. They should be able to tell you exactly what each one is.
For the weekend, students will be asked to draw a map of their bedroom. To challenge them, I'm asking them to measure the real length of fixed objects (Windows, doors, closet, dresser, bed, desk, chair, etc) in their bedroom and scale it onto a map. They will need a tape measure. I didn't go deep into measurement yet as the math unit is towards the end of the year. However, with your support and their mapping skills, they should be able to complete the assignment. I will send students home with the assignment sheet and a big piece of white paper. I will also attach the assignment sheet on this email. This will be due Tuesday, October 10th. I will explain the assignment to them tomorrow.
We do not have school on Monday due to Columbus Day.
Have a great long weekend,
Casandra
Picture Day
Parents,
This Friday, October 6th is Picture Day.
All students will take a picture. Parents/Guardians will then decide if they want to purchase the pictures. Please have students dress extra nice! 😊
Please see Maria Galimidi (in our main office) for more details if needed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
This Friday, October 6th is Picture Day.
All students will take a picture. Parents/Guardians will then decide if they want to purchase the pictures. Please have students dress extra nice! 😊
Please see Maria Galimidi (in our main office) for more details if needed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 2nd to October 6th
Dear Parents,
Thank you for joining us on Family Friday!
We do not have school on Monday, October 9th due to Columbus Day.
If you haven't sent in the $100 for the Classroom Fund, please do so ASAP as I am starting to book trips.
These are some trips on our schedule so far...
Monday, October 23rd - South Street Seaport Museum
Students will learn: -about the push/pull that led immigrants into New York City, and the restrictions being placed upon their entrance. - about primary sources to compare multiple perspectives aboard the ocean liner Aquitania. - Man made developments in New York's harbor that allowed ships like Aquitaine to enter safely. - The experience of third class passengers at Ellis Island
Trip Cost: $175 per class, $6.50 per student (Deducted from class fund)
Monday, November 13th - MoMA
Students will attend the Characters program to explore the different decisions artists make when representing a figure as their subject.
This trip is free.
Monday, November 20th - South Street Seaport Museum
Students will learn what was life like here in Manhattan 350 years ago using primary sources such as images and documents, and hands-on work with artifacts, Students will peel back layers of history to learn about our city’s earliest days.
Trip Cost: $175 per class, $6.50 per student (Deducted from class fund)
Monday, January 8th - MoMA
Students will attend the Everyday Objects Program to examine everyday objects used or depicted in works out art.
This trip is free
Several trips will be added once confirmed.
I will be asking for 2-3 parent chaperones for each trip. I will go by who emails me first. For now, I am looking for parent volunteers for the South Street Seaport trip on October 23rd. We will leave the school at 9:30 and should be back by 1pm. Please email me if you are interested.
I have already signed our class up for Scholastic News. Scholastic News is a kids friendly "Newspaper" filled with short informational texts on science, social studies, character development, and current events.
A classroom's yearly subscription and shipping costs $163.35 ($6.05 per student) This will be deducted from the class fund.
So far I have deducted $13.00 for two South Street Seaport Trips and $6.05 for the Scholastic News from your $100.
We had a great start with Current Events...
Schedule for Oct 2nd-Oct 6th
Monday - Henry
Tuesday - Isaac
Wednesday - Jacob
Thursday - Jennifer
Friday - Jennivieve
Please help me keep track of the reading log and spelling homework.
Have an excellent week,
Casandra
Week of September 25th-29th
A little bit about this coming week...
I am starting weekly newsletters this week. The newsletter includes students' spelling words for the week and what we are learning in each subject. I will send a hard copy home every Monday. It can also be found here on our class website Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com under Documents.
We have Family Friday on Friday, September 29th. You are welcome in the classroom from 8:30-9:00am.
Please refer to my previous email about all the homework that is starting this week. Please help me keep track of students' reading log. You must sign the reading log daily. Students are required to bring their book baggie home and back to school each day.
Spelling homework will be due every Friday. Students will also have their first spelling test this coming Friday. I have divided students into two spelling groups. They already know what group they are in.
Current events starts this week if you are on the schedule. Again, please refer to my previous email.
If you have not sent in the $100 for our field trips, please send it in as soon as possible. Once I get the majority of the money, I will sign up for Scholastic news and Raz Kids. I will let you know what they are when I sign them up.
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
Another concern I wanted to address is lateness. Please help me make sure your child arrives to school on time each day. School starts at 8:20am. Constant latenesses cause class disruptions and it isn't fair for students who do arrive on time.
Please do not contact me on Bloomz as I do not check the app frequently and I've been having trouble with notifications. Please email me instead. I will only post emergency messages and pictures from field trips on there.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A little bit about this coming week...
I am starting weekly newsletters this week. The newsletter includes students' spelling words for the week and what we are learning in each subject. I will send a hard copy home every Monday. It can also be found here on our class website Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com under Documents.
We have Family Friday on Friday, September 29th. You are welcome in the classroom from 8:30-9:00am.
Please refer to my previous email about all the homework that is starting this week. Please help me keep track of students' reading log. You must sign the reading log daily. Students are required to bring their book baggie home and back to school each day.
Spelling homework will be due every Friday. Students will also have their first spelling test this coming Friday. I have divided students into two spelling groups. They already know what group they are in.
Current events starts this week if you are on the schedule. Again, please refer to my previous email.
If you have not sent in the $100 for our field trips, please send it in as soon as possible. Once I get the majority of the money, I will sign up for Scholastic news and Raz Kids. I will let you know what they are when I sign them up.
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
Another concern I wanted to address is lateness. Please help me make sure your child arrives to school on time each day. School starts at 8:20am. Constant latenesses cause class disruptions and it isn't fair for students who do arrive on time.
Please do not contact me on Bloomz as I do not check the app frequently and I've been having trouble with notifications. Please email me instead. I will only post emergency messages and pictures from field trips on there.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of September 18th-20th
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a relaxed weekend...
Just a reminder that we don't have school on Thursday or Friday this week.
I will teach students our homework routine this week. All homework will start Monday, September 25th.
Spelling homework
On Monday, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending a laminated menu home on Monday. Please keep in their homework folder. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe. Students will have a spelling test every Friday (Starting Friday, September 29th). On the spelling test, students will write the word and also use the word in a sentence. It is a way for me to assess students' true understanding of the words given.
Reading Log
Starting Monday September 25th, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it as keeping track of how much they read is crucial. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this. Students are required to read for 25 minutes or more each night from Monday-Friday.
I will continue to assess students for their reading levels this week. As you may notice, a lot of students came home with book baggies. Please help me make sure all books are returned to school. Students will bookshop once a week. They are required to bring their book baggies home and back to school each day. Students learn the most when they are reading on their level. They are required to read from their book baggies in class and for homework.
Current Events
I did this with my students last year and it was quite successful. On a rotating (alphabetical) schedule, students will share something that is going on in the world with the class. I think it's important for kids to be aware of what's going on in their every lives and it also helps them with public speaking skills. My students from last year would come in with a small newspaper article and present it to the class. They loved it! It should take them only five minutes. Please be sure the news they are presenting are positive.
We will start next Monday, September 25th
Monday- Aleeana
Tuesday- Anthony
Wednesday - Eliana
Thursday - Elinor
Friday - Harold
Please remind students to bring in the items to glue onto their writing notebook..
As I mentioned during Curriculum Night, we will be going on a lot of trips this year. Instead of asking you for cash every single trip, I think it's a good idea for you just to give me a one time "payment". I will share with you every single purchase or payment I make. All receipts will be kept. Unused money will be returned to you at the end of the year. I think $100 from each family should cover us the whole school year. If you are unable to give me this amount. No problem! I will then ask you for payment from each trip. Please send in $100 in an envelope labeled with your child's name.
Thank you so much for your support,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
First homework assignment
Dear Parents,
It was so nice to see a lot of you at Curriculum night. Thank you so much for your time and I hope you found it somewhat informative. I will send you the powerpoint over the weekend.
I assigned our first homework assignment. We will decorate our Writing notebooks next week. Students are to collect 5-6 items that are important to them that can be glued flat onto their notebooks. Some examples are pictures, tickets, baseball cards, etc. This will help students come up with ideas and details as they write their first personal narrative, and to make their notebook "meaningful." Please bring those items in on Monday.
Thank you for your support,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope you are having a relaxed weekend...
Just a reminder that we don't have school on Thursday or Friday this week.
I will teach students our homework routine this week. All homework will start Monday, September 25th.
Spelling homework
On Monday, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending a laminated menu home on Monday. Please keep in their homework folder. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe. Students will have a spelling test every Friday (Starting Friday, September 29th). On the spelling test, students will write the word and also use the word in a sentence. It is a way for me to assess students' true understanding of the words given.
Reading Log
Starting Monday September 25th, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it as keeping track of how much they read is crucial. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this. Students are required to read for 25 minutes or more each night from Monday-Friday.
I will continue to assess students for their reading levels this week. As you may notice, a lot of students came home with book baggies. Please help me make sure all books are returned to school. Students will bookshop once a week. They are required to bring their book baggies home and back to school each day. Students learn the most when they are reading on their level. They are required to read from their book baggies in class and for homework.
Current Events
I did this with my students last year and it was quite successful. On a rotating (alphabetical) schedule, students will share something that is going on in the world with the class. I think it's important for kids to be aware of what's going on in their every lives and it also helps them with public speaking skills. My students from last year would come in with a small newspaper article and present it to the class. They loved it! It should take them only five minutes. Please be sure the news they are presenting are positive.
We will start next Monday, September 25th
Monday- Aleeana
Tuesday- Anthony
Wednesday - Eliana
Thursday - Elinor
Friday - Harold
Please remind students to bring in the items to glue onto their writing notebook..
As I mentioned during Curriculum Night, we will be going on a lot of trips this year. Instead of asking you for cash every single trip, I think it's a good idea for you just to give me a one time "payment". I will share with you every single purchase or payment I make. All receipts will be kept. Unused money will be returned to you at the end of the year. I think $100 from each family should cover us the whole school year. If you are unable to give me this amount. No problem! I will then ask you for payment from each trip. Please send in $100 in an envelope labeled with your child's name.
Thank you so much for your support,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
First homework assignment
Dear Parents,
It was so nice to see a lot of you at Curriculum night. Thank you so much for your time and I hope you found it somewhat informative. I will send you the powerpoint over the weekend.
I assigned our first homework assignment. We will decorate our Writing notebooks next week. Students are to collect 5-6 items that are important to them that can be glued flat onto their notebooks. Some examples are pictures, tickets, baseball cards, etc. This will help students come up with ideas and details as they write their first personal narrative, and to make their notebook "meaningful." Please bring those items in on Monday.
Thank you for your support,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11TH-15TH
Dear Parents,
Just an overview of the week.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 18th. It is very important for students to track their reading and it teaches them responsibility. Please help me keep track of this. I will start assessing students for their official reading levels this week. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
During reading workshop this week, I am still trying to embed reading workshop routines. I will teach students:
How independent reading looks like and sounds like?
What is the difference between real reading and fake reading? (It sounds silly, but it's crucial)
Strong readers choose not only what they are going to read but also how they are going to read.
How to choose a just- right -book when the level of the book is unknown
Writing
Our first writing unit is Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
Math
I a m introducing students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting. Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion where I give students a topic to discuss. Students listen closely to comments on others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars on daily basis.
I will be placing students into two spelling groups. The groups are based on their score on the spelling assessment I gave them on Friday. I will start spelling homework the week of the 25th.
I sent home brown envelopes on Friday. Please fill the out and send it back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you to all who sent in the school supplies. I appreciate it so much.
Students will have gym on Fridays. Please make sure they wear appropriate clothing and sneakers.
Family Friday will be on Friday, September 29th. You are welcome in our classroom from 8:30-9:00.
We will have Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 13th. There will be two information sessions. One from 4:30pm-6pm and another from 6pm-7:30pm in our classroom (Room 224). I will giving the identical information in both sessions.
I will be talking about what we will be learning this year, our daily routines in the classroom, students' expectations, field trips, etc. Please do not feel like you need to take off work for this. I will email you any important information. Please keep in mind that this is one a one-on-one meeting about your child.
Starting this coming week, we will have a Book Pal in our classroom every Tuesday afternoon. Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis.
See you all tomorrow and let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Just an overview of the week.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 18th. It is very important for students to track their reading and it teaches them responsibility. Please help me keep track of this. I will start assessing students for their official reading levels this week. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
During reading workshop this week, I am still trying to embed reading workshop routines. I will teach students:
How independent reading looks like and sounds like?
What is the difference between real reading and fake reading? (It sounds silly, but it's crucial)
Strong readers choose not only what they are going to read but also how they are going to read.
How to choose a just- right -book when the level of the book is unknown
Writing
Our first writing unit is Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
Math
I a m introducing students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting. Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion where I give students a topic to discuss. Students listen closely to comments on others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars on daily basis.
I will be placing students into two spelling groups. The groups are based on their score on the spelling assessment I gave them on Friday. I will start spelling homework the week of the 25th.
I sent home brown envelopes on Friday. Please fill the out and send it back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you to all who sent in the school supplies. I appreciate it so much.
Students will have gym on Fridays. Please make sure they wear appropriate clothing and sneakers.
Family Friday will be on Friday, September 29th. You are welcome in our classroom from 8:30-9:00.
We will have Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 13th. There will be two information sessions. One from 4:30pm-6pm and another from 6pm-7:30pm in our classroom (Room 224). I will giving the identical information in both sessions.
I will be talking about what we will be learning this year, our daily routines in the classroom, students' expectations, field trips, etc. Please do not feel like you need to take off work for this. I will email you any important information. Please keep in mind that this is one a one-on-one meeting about your child.
Starting this coming week, we will have a Book Pal in our classroom every Tuesday afternoon. Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis.
See you all tomorrow and let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
2017-2018 School Year
I wanted to officially welcome you to the 2017-2018 School Year. I am so excited to be your child's teacher and am very eager to get to know you and your family. We will have a wonderful school year together.
As you know the first day of school is Thursday, September 7th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first or second day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better. Please fill it out as thoroughly as possible. On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name all adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not. A supply list will also be included.
Please bring in all supplies as soon as possible. If I may ask for you not to write your child's name on supplies as it will be shared in our classroom community.
We will spend the first two days of school:
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
I will start updating this class website starting the first week of school. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Weekly Newsletters. I also invite you to download the app called Bloomz, where I will post emergency messages and pictures from field trips.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.
Regards,
Ms. Casandra
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I wanted to officially welcome you to the 2017-2018 School Year. I am so excited to be your child's teacher and am very eager to get to know you and your family. We will have a wonderful school year together.
As you know the first day of school is Thursday, September 7th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first or second day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better. Please fill it out as thoroughly as possible. On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name all adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not. A supply list will also be included.
Please bring in all supplies as soon as possible. If I may ask for you not to write your child's name on supplies as it will be shared in our classroom community.
We will spend the first two days of school:
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
I will start updating this class website starting the first week of school. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Weekly Newsletters. I also invite you to download the app called Bloomz, where I will post emergency messages and pictures from field trips.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.
Regards,
Ms. Casandra
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 19th - 23rd
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last full week of school!
We have our second grade brunch tomorrow from 9:15am-10:30am in the cafeteria. If you would like to help Ms. Ruggerio set up. Please meet her in the cafeteria around 8:50 am.
We will start with the kids eating breakfast. Then, we will give out individual awards. Every child will receive one. After that, we will head up to our classroom for a quick showcase of socratic seminar.
A Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text or a prompt. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly.
We have been working on Socratic Seminar all year, most students since last year. The second grade teachers would love to share their progress and success with you.
Parents, this event is very informal. Please do not feel like you need to take off work...
Report cards will be sent home Friday.
We do not have school Monday, June 26th and the last day of school, June 28th, is a half day.
As I mentioned in a previous email, if your child isn't coming back for the 2017-2018 school year or leaving early on vacation, please let our school secretary, Wanda, know.
Please send back all Spelling Tic-tac-toe boards. Parents, those were very time consuming for me to make. Please be sure to send them all back to me.
I will send home a summer reading log, summer reading list based on their level, and third grade sight words with students sometime this week.
Thank you for a wonderful school year and all of your support thus far,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last full week of school!
We have our second grade brunch tomorrow from 9:15am-10:30am in the cafeteria. If you would like to help Ms. Ruggerio set up. Please meet her in the cafeteria around 8:50 am.
We will start with the kids eating breakfast. Then, we will give out individual awards. Every child will receive one. After that, we will head up to our classroom for a quick showcase of socratic seminar.
A Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text or a prompt. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly.
We have been working on Socratic Seminar all year, most students since last year. The second grade teachers would love to share their progress and success with you.
Parents, this event is very informal. Please do not feel like you need to take off work...
Report cards will be sent home Friday.
We do not have school Monday, June 26th and the last day of school, June 28th, is a half day.
As I mentioned in a previous email, if your child isn't coming back for the 2017-2018 school year or leaving early on vacation, please let our school secretary, Wanda, know.
Please send back all Spelling Tic-tac-toe boards. Parents, those were very time consuming for me to make. Please be sure to send them all back to me.
I will send home a summer reading log, summer reading list based on their level, and third grade sight words with students sometime this week.
Thank you for a wonderful school year and all of your support thus far,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 13th-16th
Dear Parents,
Just another reminder that there is no school for students tomorrow, Monday June 12th.
We have our trip to the Circle Line Cruise Tuesday, June 13th. Students do not need to bring school items that day. However, please send them in with a small back pack with a bottle of water and a bagged lunch. It's supposed to be extremely hot on Tuesday. Please have students wear sunscreen. Caps and hats are allowed, if desired. We will leave the school around 9:15am, aiming to come back before 1:30pm. If you are attending the trip and is walking over with us, please meet me promptly at 9:15am in the lobby. If you are meeting us at Pier 83. Please let me know. Do not forget to pack them lunch and water please.
We have field day on Wednesday, June 14th. If students did not get a chance to bring in a green shirt on Friday, please have them bring one in on Tuesday. If thats not possible, no worries, just have them wear green on Field day. Please have them wear sunscreen that day, if needed. if you would like to volunteer and help out Ms. Mc on that day, please email her at [email protected]
We will have our last Family Friday this coming Friday. We will have a small celebration with Ms. Romero's class. If you would like to help me bring in some breakfast items for students such as bagels, croissants, juice, etc. Please let me know.
The Second Grade teachers are planning a brunch on Monday, June 19th where we will give out certificates for each student and have brunch together. I still have to talk to the other teachers for more details regarding the exact time and how parents can help. I will let you know asap.
Please have students bring in materials for their dioramas on Tuesday.
We wrapped up Mighty Milers and I'd sent all the miles students completed to the NYRR. I am hoping that most of them completed a marathon and receive a metal and/or trophy!
See you all Tuesday,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Just another reminder that there is no school for students tomorrow, Monday June 12th.
We have our trip to the Circle Line Cruise Tuesday, June 13th. Students do not need to bring school items that day. However, please send them in with a small back pack with a bottle of water and a bagged lunch. It's supposed to be extremely hot on Tuesday. Please have students wear sunscreen. Caps and hats are allowed, if desired. We will leave the school around 9:15am, aiming to come back before 1:30pm. If you are attending the trip and is walking over with us, please meet me promptly at 9:15am in the lobby. If you are meeting us at Pier 83. Please let me know. Do not forget to pack them lunch and water please.
We have field day on Wednesday, June 14th. If students did not get a chance to bring in a green shirt on Friday, please have them bring one in on Tuesday. If thats not possible, no worries, just have them wear green on Field day. Please have them wear sunscreen that day, if needed. if you would like to volunteer and help out Ms. Mc on that day, please email her at [email protected]
We will have our last Family Friday this coming Friday. We will have a small celebration with Ms. Romero's class. If you would like to help me bring in some breakfast items for students such as bagels, croissants, juice, etc. Please let me know.
The Second Grade teachers are planning a brunch on Monday, June 19th where we will give out certificates for each student and have brunch together. I still have to talk to the other teachers for more details regarding the exact time and how parents can help. I will let you know asap.
Please have students bring in materials for their dioramas on Tuesday.
We wrapped up Mighty Milers and I'd sent all the miles students completed to the NYRR. I am hoping that most of them completed a marathon and receive a metal and/or trophy!
See you all Tuesday,
Casandra
Week of June 5th - 9th
Dear Parents,
Please be sure to pack students' swimming essentials tomorrow and a snack.
We are wrapping up our nonfiction club unit. I would like to end this unit by having students create a diarama with their group. Please have students start collecting materials. I will have boxes for them so they don't need to bring that in. Materials can be anything like clay, play dough, rocks, tissue paper, etc.
Students are working on a "NYC 100 years ago" project with a group. They will give presentations to Ms. Romero and Ms. Leist's class. I was thinking that it would be cool if they can dress like "kids from 100 years ago". They'd read about this and should be able to tell you what the rich or the poor wear....Please do not feel like you have to create or buy things, maybe work with something they already have? I will let you know when the presentation date is as they are still working on the project.
The ticket to the circle-line cruise trip is $14 per adult. Please send money in or give it to Laura/Trevor directly. Please let me know if you are joining and if you are interested in being our chaperone. The trip is on Tuesday, June 13th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Please be sure to pack students' swimming essentials tomorrow and a snack.
We are wrapping up our nonfiction club unit. I would like to end this unit by having students create a diarama with their group. Please have students start collecting materials. I will have boxes for them so they don't need to bring that in. Materials can be anything like clay, play dough, rocks, tissue paper, etc.
Students are working on a "NYC 100 years ago" project with a group. They will give presentations to Ms. Romero and Ms. Leist's class. I was thinking that it would be cool if they can dress like "kids from 100 years ago". They'd read about this and should be able to tell you what the rich or the poor wear....Please do not feel like you have to create or buy things, maybe work with something they already have? I will let you know when the presentation date is as they are still working on the project.
The ticket to the circle-line cruise trip is $14 per adult. Please send money in or give it to Laura/Trevor directly. Please let me know if you are joining and if you are interested in being our chaperone. The trip is on Tuesday, June 13th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of May 30th - June 2nd
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had an amazing Memorial day weekend 😊
As we approach the end of the school year, I am trying to wrap up all units of study. I am currently teaching students how to take notes on their nonfiction club topics. We are writing our second lab report in our writing unit. Students will have a small assessment on measurement this week as I move on to our data unit.
We are going to back to the Town Hall Theatre this coming Wednesday, May 31st to see a Junie B. Jones play. Please pack students a snack.
We will resume to swimming on Monday, June 5th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had an amazing Memorial day weekend 😊
As we approach the end of the school year, I am trying to wrap up all units of study. I am currently teaching students how to take notes on their nonfiction club topics. We are writing our second lab report in our writing unit. Students will have a small assessment on measurement this week as I move on to our data unit.
We are going to back to the Town Hall Theatre this coming Wednesday, May 31st to see a Junie B. Jones play. Please pack students a snack.
We will resume to swimming on Monday, June 5th.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of May 22nd-26th
Please be sure that students have all their swimming essentials tomorrow and a healthy snack.
We will not have school on Monday, May 29th due to Memorial day. I will try to arrange a make up swimming day.
We have a trip to see a play, based on the book, "Ms. Nelson is Missing" this coming Thursday. Please send students in with a snack as they will eat lunch at a later lunch period.
The Talent Show is also this coming Thursday. Please come join us for a night of fun and to support classmates who are in the talent show. I will be working at the show and hope to see all of you there.
The last talent show rehearsal is this Tuesday, May 23rd from 2:40-5:00pm.
There will be a Science Fair at the school on Friday, May 26th.
Have an amazing week,
Please be sure that students have all their swimming essentials tomorrow and a healthy snack.
We will not have school on Monday, May 29th due to Memorial day. I will try to arrange a make up swimming day.
We have a trip to see a play, based on the book, "Ms. Nelson is Missing" this coming Thursday. Please send students in with a snack as they will eat lunch at a later lunch period.
The Talent Show is also this coming Thursday. Please come join us for a night of fun and to support classmates who are in the talent show. I will be working at the show and hope to see all of you there.
The last talent show rehearsal is this Tuesday, May 23rd from 2:40-5:00pm.
There will be a Science Fair at the school on Friday, May 26th.
Have an amazing week,
Week of May 15-19
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Just a couple of things for this coming week.
We have swimming tomorrow. A lot of students have been forgetting their swimming stuff. Please be sure that they
have it ready. Don't forget to pack a snack.
We have a trip this coming Wednesday to the Tribeca Art Center to see the OSL concert. We will be back a the
later lunch period. Please pack students a snack so they can eat it before we leave.
Curriculum Night is also this coming Wednesday.
We will meet in our classroom from 4:30-5:15 and
6:00-6:45
5:15-6:00 - Parent Activities including grades 3-5
concert and some parent workshops
6:45-7:30 - Dinner Party (Tickets for this will be given
out towards the end of the night)
During the classroom visits, we will have a very informal talk about glows and grows of this school year. And play
some math games together.
*Please do not feel like you need to take off work for this...If there are any important information, I will be sure to share with you at a later date.
Family Friday is this Friday, May 19th. We will celebrate the end of our Poetry unit and share our poem books with
you...
Also, I would like to wish all of my moms an awesome Mother's Day. Thank you so much for all of your
support and being such amazing moms!
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Just a couple of things for this coming week.
We have swimming tomorrow. A lot of students have been forgetting their swimming stuff. Please be sure that they
have it ready. Don't forget to pack a snack.
We have a trip this coming Wednesday to the Tribeca Art Center to see the OSL concert. We will be back a the
later lunch period. Please pack students a snack so they can eat it before we leave.
Curriculum Night is also this coming Wednesday.
We will meet in our classroom from 4:30-5:15 and
6:00-6:45
5:15-6:00 - Parent Activities including grades 3-5
concert and some parent workshops
6:45-7:30 - Dinner Party (Tickets for this will be given
out towards the end of the night)
During the classroom visits, we will have a very informal talk about glows and grows of this school year. And play
some math games together.
*Please do not feel like you need to take off work for this...If there are any important information, I will be sure to share with you at a later date.
Family Friday is this Friday, May 19th. We will celebrate the end of our Poetry unit and share our poem books with
you...
Also, I would like to wish all of my moms an awesome Mother's Day. Thank you so much for all of your
support and being such amazing moms!
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of May 8-12
Dear Parents,
I just recently added another trip organized by Ms. B to our schedule. We will go to the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center to see a Orchestra of St. Lukes concert on Wednesday, May 17th.
Please be sure to send all students with swimming essentials tomorrow and a snack.
I will be teaching students to write a nonfiction reading response tomorrow. Going forward, as long as we are still working on NF, students will do reading responses based on their NF books.
There is a Talent Show rehearsal this Tuesday, 2:40pm-5:00pm. Please bring a snack and water.
I will be out this coming Friday. Thorough plans will be provided for the substitute teacher. I will be back normally on Monday.
Students will be tested for the last round of running records (Reading test) of the school year within the next two weeks. It will be given by another teacher.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I just recently added another trip organized by Ms. B to our schedule. We will go to the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center to see a Orchestra of St. Lukes concert on Wednesday, May 17th.
Please be sure to send all students with swimming essentials tomorrow and a snack.
I will be teaching students to write a nonfiction reading response tomorrow. Going forward, as long as we are still working on NF, students will do reading responses based on their NF books.
There is a Talent Show rehearsal this Tuesday, 2:40pm-5:00pm. Please bring a snack and water.
I will be out this coming Friday. Thorough plans will be provided for the substitute teacher. I will be back normally on Monday.
Students will be tested for the last round of running records (Reading test) of the school year within the next two weeks. It will be given by another teacher.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 1st-5th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the month of May!
Just a reminder that we have a trip to the Conservatory Garden this coming Thursday. Please pack students a lunch and a bottle of water. They can just come to school that day with a small backpack. The forecast says rain right now, sigh. We will deal with it as it comes.
There will be state testing on Tuesday through Thursday this week for grades 3-5. Unfortunately, I am getting pulled to assist. Everything was done to try to prevent this. I will be out of the classroom for the morning on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Please send in $20 for our play trips if you haven't done so already.
Please remember to send students with all swimming essentials tomorrow. A lot of students have been coming in with no snack. Please be sure to pack one as they get really hungry after swimming.
I have decided to switch gears a bit on our reading unit after speaking with the other second grade teachers. I would like to revisit nonfiction reading and leave the series book-clubs for the end of the year.
As we conclude our poetry unit, I am having students type up 2-3 of their best poems to create a poem book for our class.
Please send students in with one SOFT avocado on Thursday (Not before). We will make guacamole together as a class as we learn a little bit about Cinco de Mayo.
Have a great week,
Casandra
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the month of May!
Just a reminder that we have a trip to the Conservatory Garden this coming Thursday. Please pack students a lunch and a bottle of water. They can just come to school that day with a small backpack. The forecast says rain right now, sigh. We will deal with it as it comes.
There will be state testing on Tuesday through Thursday this week for grades 3-5. Unfortunately, I am getting pulled to assist. Everything was done to try to prevent this. I will be out of the classroom for the morning on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Please send in $20 for our play trips if you haven't done so already.
Please remember to send students with all swimming essentials tomorrow. A lot of students have been coming in with no snack. Please be sure to pack one as they get really hungry after swimming.
I have decided to switch gears a bit on our reading unit after speaking with the other second grade teachers. I would like to revisit nonfiction reading and leave the series book-clubs for the end of the year.
As we conclude our poetry unit, I am having students type up 2-3 of their best poems to create a poem book for our class.
Please send students in with one SOFT avocado on Thursday (Not before). We will make guacamole together as a class as we learn a little bit about Cinco de Mayo.
Have a great week,
Casandra
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of April 24th- 28th
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we resume swimming tomorrow. Please be sure to pack all swimming essentials and a healthy snack. Long hair must be up in a bun and bathing suits are worn to school.
We have our Spring Concert this coming Friday, April 28th in the auditorium. First and second grade will perform at 10:00 am. Parents are welcome. Please have students wear spring colors that day (light blue, pine, green, yellow, pink,etc).
We will take a trip to the Conservatory Garden in Central park on Thursday, May 4th with the other second grade class. We will take a bus. I will send permission slips home this week.
Please send in $20.00 for two plays we're attending in the month of May ($10 each play per student). I will send permission slips later on but payments are due next week. Thank you for your support.
There is a Talent Show Rehearsal on Tuesday, April 25th. Please arrange pick up for students.
We have Curriculum night on Wednesday, May 17th. This is the tentative schedule.
4:30 – 5:15 Curriculum activities in the classrooms (or by grade)
5:15 – 6:00 Parent activities including the 3-5 concert, art workshop, and some parent workshops
6:00 – 6:45 2nd round of curriculum activities in the classrooms (or by grade)
6:45 – 7:30 Dinner party (Families will be allowed to attend dinner if they have a ticket. Tickets will be provided at the conclusion of the curriculum activities and workshops.)
For our class particularly, I think we will have an informal get-together to reflect on the glows and grows of this school year.
As you probably noticed, students came home with back packs sent from Mighty Milers on Friday. Those are just prizes of encouragement and a thank-you for participating in their program. Our goal is for each student to complete 26.2 miles or more by the end of the school year.
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we resume swimming tomorrow. Please be sure to pack all swimming essentials and a healthy snack. Long hair must be up in a bun and bathing suits are worn to school.
We have our Spring Concert this coming Friday, April 28th in the auditorium. First and second grade will perform at 10:00 am. Parents are welcome. Please have students wear spring colors that day (light blue, pine, green, yellow, pink,etc).
We will take a trip to the Conservatory Garden in Central park on Thursday, May 4th with the other second grade class. We will take a bus. I will send permission slips home this week.
Please send in $20.00 for two plays we're attending in the month of May ($10 each play per student). I will send permission slips later on but payments are due next week. Thank you for your support.
There is a Talent Show Rehearsal on Tuesday, April 25th. Please arrange pick up for students.
We have Curriculum night on Wednesday, May 17th. This is the tentative schedule.
4:30 – 5:15 Curriculum activities in the classrooms (or by grade)
5:15 – 6:00 Parent activities including the 3-5 concert, art workshop, and some parent workshops
6:00 – 6:45 2nd round of curriculum activities in the classrooms (or by grade)
6:45 – 7:30 Dinner party (Families will be allowed to attend dinner if they have a ticket. Tickets will be provided at the conclusion of the curriculum activities and workshops.)
For our class particularly, I think we will have an informal get-together to reflect on the glows and grows of this school year.
As you probably noticed, students came home with back packs sent from Mighty Milers on Friday. Those are just prizes of encouragement and a thank-you for participating in their program. Our goal is for each student to complete 26.2 miles or more by the end of the school year.
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of April 19th - 21st
Dear Parents,
I really hope all of you had an excellent break. I spent the week in San Francisco visiting my younger sister, who'd moved there just a few months back. I flew back very early this morning. I have to say I'm very well relaxed and ready to tackle this last few months of school!
We will start new units of study within the next few days...
Reading - Series Book Club
In this unit, students will work in both partnerships and much to their delight, book clubs. Students will not only study the characters but also the plot. In most of the series books, characters will run into troubles or problems to which they must respond. I will teach students to not just name the problem but also study how the characters handle and respond to those problems. Students will also discover that the things that they find in one book are often true about the entire series. Students will also develop ways of talking across books in their clubs. Students will be taught and reminded of reading skills such as previewing, environment, prediction, monitoring for sense, inferring and understanding characters and other story elements and comparing/contrasting between books within the series.
Writing - Wrapping up poetry
For the remainder of April, I will spend time wrapping up our poetry unit. We've spent several weeks learning multiple poetic writing strategies. For the next two weeks, I will teach students to write different types of poems such as an Acrostic Poem, Alliteration Poem, List Poem, Color Poem, Animal Poem, Haiku, Cinquain and more. Students will pick 2-3 of their best poems to type up in Technology class and I will put it together into a Poem book for our class.
After this unit, I am moving on to a writing unit called Lab reports and Science Books. In this special unit, I will teach students more about information writing scientists are apt to do. To teach this, science instruction will be folded into writing workshop. The structures and methods of writing workshop remain consistent but during mini lessons and small groups, students are taught not only about writing but also about force and motion and about the scientific method.
Math - Measurement (Lengths in inches and centimeters)
This will be a quick unit, I will be teaching students how to measure length, estimate length, add and subtracting using inches and centimeters.
Social Studies - As a continuation of our New York City Unit, Students will now study how New York City has changed during the 1800s and 1900s. Changes that include physical environment, population/immigration/migration, shape, size, homes and buildings, use of natural resources, methods of transportation, jobs and industry, clothing, what did people used to do for fun, and technological advances.
Notes:
I will send home students' time assessment within the next few days, please sign and return.
We will resume to swimming on Monday. Please make sure students have on of their swimming essentials.
Family Friday is this coming Friday, April 21st.
I'm not giving students spelling words or homework this week as it's a very short week. We will resume to our normal routines on Monday. Parents, please help me monitor students' homework. If your child is unable to do their weekly homework, due to any type of circumstance, please kindly write me a note or email.
Talent show rehearsal on Tuesday, April 25th, 2:40pm-5pm.
See you all tomorrow morning,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I really hope all of you had an excellent break. I spent the week in San Francisco visiting my younger sister, who'd moved there just a few months back. I flew back very early this morning. I have to say I'm very well relaxed and ready to tackle this last few months of school!
We will start new units of study within the next few days...
Reading - Series Book Club
In this unit, students will work in both partnerships and much to their delight, book clubs. Students will not only study the characters but also the plot. In most of the series books, characters will run into troubles or problems to which they must respond. I will teach students to not just name the problem but also study how the characters handle and respond to those problems. Students will also discover that the things that they find in one book are often true about the entire series. Students will also develop ways of talking across books in their clubs. Students will be taught and reminded of reading skills such as previewing, environment, prediction, monitoring for sense, inferring and understanding characters and other story elements and comparing/contrasting between books within the series.
Writing - Wrapping up poetry
For the remainder of April, I will spend time wrapping up our poetry unit. We've spent several weeks learning multiple poetic writing strategies. For the next two weeks, I will teach students to write different types of poems such as an Acrostic Poem, Alliteration Poem, List Poem, Color Poem, Animal Poem, Haiku, Cinquain and more. Students will pick 2-3 of their best poems to type up in Technology class and I will put it together into a Poem book for our class.
After this unit, I am moving on to a writing unit called Lab reports and Science Books. In this special unit, I will teach students more about information writing scientists are apt to do. To teach this, science instruction will be folded into writing workshop. The structures and methods of writing workshop remain consistent but during mini lessons and small groups, students are taught not only about writing but also about force and motion and about the scientific method.
Math - Measurement (Lengths in inches and centimeters)
This will be a quick unit, I will be teaching students how to measure length, estimate length, add and subtracting using inches and centimeters.
Social Studies - As a continuation of our New York City Unit, Students will now study how New York City has changed during the 1800s and 1900s. Changes that include physical environment, population/immigration/migration, shape, size, homes and buildings, use of natural resources, methods of transportation, jobs and industry, clothing, what did people used to do for fun, and technological advances.
Notes:
I will send home students' time assessment within the next few days, please sign and return.
We will resume to swimming on Monday. Please make sure students have on of their swimming essentials.
Family Friday is this coming Friday, April 21st.
I'm not giving students spelling words or homework this week as it's a very short week. We will resume to our normal routines on Monday. Parents, please help me monitor students' homework. If your child is unable to do their weekly homework, due to any type of circumstance, please kindly write me a note or email.
Talent show rehearsal on Tuesday, April 25th, 2:40pm-5pm.
See you all tomorrow morning,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of April 3rd-7th
Hi Parents,
Hope you all had an awesome weekend :)
Just a reminder to pack your child's swimming essentials tomorrow. Long hair needs to be in a tight bun. Please do not forget to pack a healthy snack. No candies or junk food allowed.
Spring break will be from April 10th - April 18th. I will see you on the 19th.
Talent show rehearsal is on April 4th, 2:40-5pm. Please arrange pick up accordingly.
There will be a Gifted and Talented tour on Thursday, April 6th at 9am.
Students will have a math test on time on Friday.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Hi Parents,
Hope you all had an awesome weekend :)
Just a reminder to pack your child's swimming essentials tomorrow. Long hair needs to be in a tight bun. Please do not forget to pack a healthy snack. No candies or junk food allowed.
Spring break will be from April 10th - April 18th. I will see you on the 19th.
Talent show rehearsal is on April 4th, 2:40-5pm. Please arrange pick up accordingly.
There will be a Gifted and Talented tour on Thursday, April 6th at 9am.
Students will have a math test on time on Friday.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Week of March 27th -31st
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the last week of March! I cannot believe how fast this school year went by.
Just a reminder that we start swimming tomorrow. Please be sure that students have all their swimming essentials in a separate swimming bag. Refer back to my previous email, if needed. Please do not forget to pack a healthy snack (No junk food please), have students wear their swimming suits underneath their regular clothes to school, plastic bag for wet clothes and clean underwear. All boys and girls with long hair must have their hair up in a tight bun.
A male paraprofessional, most likely Mr. Jose (I had the pleasure of having him in my classroom for 2 years), will come with us every Monday to supervise the boys in locker rooms where I obviously can't go in.
If you still haven't given me the $10.00 for our South street Seaport trip and the $3.00 for the Tenement museum back payment. Please bring it in by tomorrow. Permission slips also need to be signed.
We have our trip to SS seaport Museum on Tuesday. Please pack students both lunch and snack for this trip.
We will revisit MOMA for another workshop on Friday. We will be back for our regular lunch period so no lunch or snack needed for this trip.
State testing will be going on in the school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the last week of March! I cannot believe how fast this school year went by.
Just a reminder that we start swimming tomorrow. Please be sure that students have all their swimming essentials in a separate swimming bag. Refer back to my previous email, if needed. Please do not forget to pack a healthy snack (No junk food please), have students wear their swimming suits underneath their regular clothes to school, plastic bag for wet clothes and clean underwear. All boys and girls with long hair must have their hair up in a tight bun.
A male paraprofessional, most likely Mr. Jose (I had the pleasure of having him in my classroom for 2 years), will come with us every Monday to supervise the boys in locker rooms where I obviously can't go in.
If you still haven't given me the $10.00 for our South street Seaport trip and the $3.00 for the Tenement museum back payment. Please bring it in by tomorrow. Permission slips also need to be signed.
We have our trip to SS seaport Museum on Tuesday. Please pack students both lunch and snack for this trip.
We will revisit MOMA for another workshop on Friday. We will be back for our regular lunch period so no lunch or snack needed for this trip.
State testing will be going on in the school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Swimming Info
Dear Parents,
On the week of March 27th, our class will begin swim classes at Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center on 60th Street. I apologize for the lateness of notifying you, as I was just informed. I think this is a great opportunity for students to get swimming classes at no cost. The class is once a week (9 sessions total), on Mondays. We will leave school around 11:30 and coming back about 1:30. Each lesson is about one hour. We will eat lunch when we come back to school.
Students need to have goggles, a swimsuit, and a towel for each session. Swim trunks are highly recommended for boys and one-piece swim suits or tankini’s for girls. Children with longer hair should come to school with their hair tied back tightly, to allow the swim cap to fit comfortably. Also, please send your child in with a plastic bag each week so that they can use it for their wet swim gear.
Please make sure that your child has all of their swimming essentials and arrive to school on time (8:20 AM) each and every Monday and eat a hardy breakfast. They will be burning more energy from the physical activity and will be eating lunch slightly later than usual.
The students:
o Must wear their bathing suits under their clothes to school (no underwear are allowed to be worn underneath their swim suits)
o “Swim shirts” are acceptable (if a student would like to wear a T-shirt it must be a plain white tee with no color at all)
o Students must bring their swim caps, googles, and towels to every lesson
o Students must not wear any jewelry to school that day (to prevent loss and cut down on the amount of time it takes to get dressed)
o Flip flops, water shoes, or crocs are strongly suggested for sanitary reasons
Students who do not have all necessary equipment will not be able to participate in that day’s lesson and will stay at the school in another classroom.
If you choose to not have your child participate in this program, he/she will be placed in another classroom with a small project to complete each week.
I will send home a couple of permission slips and documentations regarding this program tomorrow.
Any more details I find out, I will let you know. For more information, please visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/support/swim-for-life
Thank you for all of your support,
Ms. Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
On the week of March 27th, our class will begin swim classes at Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center on 60th Street. I apologize for the lateness of notifying you, as I was just informed. I think this is a great opportunity for students to get swimming classes at no cost. The class is once a week (9 sessions total), on Mondays. We will leave school around 11:30 and coming back about 1:30. Each lesson is about one hour. We will eat lunch when we come back to school.
Students need to have goggles, a swimsuit, and a towel for each session. Swim trunks are highly recommended for boys and one-piece swim suits or tankini’s for girls. Children with longer hair should come to school with their hair tied back tightly, to allow the swim cap to fit comfortably. Also, please send your child in with a plastic bag each week so that they can use it for their wet swim gear.
Please make sure that your child has all of their swimming essentials and arrive to school on time (8:20 AM) each and every Monday and eat a hardy breakfast. They will be burning more energy from the physical activity and will be eating lunch slightly later than usual.
The students:
o Must wear their bathing suits under their clothes to school (no underwear are allowed to be worn underneath their swim suits)
o “Swim shirts” are acceptable (if a student would like to wear a T-shirt it must be a plain white tee with no color at all)
o Students must bring their swim caps, googles, and towels to every lesson
o Students must not wear any jewelry to school that day (to prevent loss and cut down on the amount of time it takes to get dressed)
o Flip flops, water shoes, or crocs are strongly suggested for sanitary reasons
Students who do not have all necessary equipment will not be able to participate in that day’s lesson and will stay at the school in another classroom.
If you choose to not have your child participate in this program, he/she will be placed in another classroom with a small project to complete each week.
I will send home a couple of permission slips and documentations regarding this program tomorrow.
Any more details I find out, I will let you know. For more information, please visit: https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/support/swim-for-life
Thank you for all of your support,
Ms. Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 20th-24th
Dear Parents,
I will not be in on Monday, March 20th. I am attending a workshop at Teacher's College. Thorough plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
Just a reminder of our trip to the NY Hall of Science, planned by Ms. Guerrier on Wednesday, March 22nd. Please be sure to pack students a lunch and a healthy snack. The bus ride will be fairly long. If your child tends to get car sick, please pack a plastic bag for them, just incase.
I will send home a permission slip for our trip to the South Street Seaport Museum (March 28th) next week. The trip will cost $10.00 per student.
Regarding our recent trip to the Tenement Museum. Ms. Rugerrio, who planned the trip, made a slight error on the cost. She had planned the trip months in advance and had fronted the money for all students in our grade. A receipt was sent to her with the cost of only half the price. Because of that, she thought it was only $5 per student. However, Upon arrival, she realized that the receipt was only for 50% of the actual cost, causing her to pay the rest on her own. If you would allow me to collect $3.00 more per child to pay back Ms. Ruggerio, I would really appreciate it. I'm sorry for any inconvenience. We have the receipt if you have any questions or concerns.
As I said, I will not be in on Monday. Please send in $13.00 in envelope labeled with your chid's name on Tuesday, March 21st when I get back in.
I do realize we've been going on numerous trips and they all cost money. With that said, all receipts from trips are available, if needed. Thank you for all of your support.
Students will have a Social Studies quiz on Tuesday, March 21st. They will be asked to label the five boroughs, main waterways, main airports and New Jersey on a blank map. Already taught and reviewed.
Parents who did not meet me for PT conferences, Please make an appt with me next week. I am open Tuesdays, 2:50-3:20.
Regards,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I will not be in on Monday, March 20th. I am attending a workshop at Teacher's College. Thorough plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
Just a reminder of our trip to the NY Hall of Science, planned by Ms. Guerrier on Wednesday, March 22nd. Please be sure to pack students a lunch and a healthy snack. The bus ride will be fairly long. If your child tends to get car sick, please pack a plastic bag for them, just incase.
I will send home a permission slip for our trip to the South Street Seaport Museum (March 28th) next week. The trip will cost $10.00 per student.
Regarding our recent trip to the Tenement Museum. Ms. Rugerrio, who planned the trip, made a slight error on the cost. She had planned the trip months in advance and had fronted the money for all students in our grade. A receipt was sent to her with the cost of only half the price. Because of that, she thought it was only $5 per student. However, Upon arrival, she realized that the receipt was only for 50% of the actual cost, causing her to pay the rest on her own. If you would allow me to collect $3.00 more per child to pay back Ms. Ruggerio, I would really appreciate it. I'm sorry for any inconvenience. We have the receipt if you have any questions or concerns.
As I said, I will not be in on Monday. Please send in $13.00 in envelope labeled with your chid's name on Tuesday, March 21st when I get back in.
I do realize we've been going on numerous trips and they all cost money. With that said, all receipts from trips are available, if needed. Thank you for all of your support.
Students will have a Social Studies quiz on Tuesday, March 21st. They will be asked to label the five boroughs, main waterways, main airports and New Jersey on a blank map. Already taught and reviewed.
Parents who did not meet me for PT conferences, Please make an appt with me next week. I am open Tuesdays, 2:50-3:20.
Regards,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 13-17
Dear Parents,
Thank you for coming to our Parent Teacher Conferences. I appreciate your time. I apologize if you had to wait. I tried my best to be on schedule. If you have any further questions or concerns about anything, please feel free to contact me. Parents who were not able to make it, please email me your availabilities. I am open to meet from 2:50-3:20 on Tuesday and some other days after-school.
We have another G&T tour scheduled for new parents on Tuesday, March 14. I'm not sure how many families are scheduled to come. But if you are available to walk the tour, please let Zaida know. It will start at 9:00am.
We are going to the Tenement museum on Wednesday, March 15th. Please pack students a snack and lunch. We will take the bus.
I am not positive if this Friday is Family Friday. I have to check my calendar at work. Will email you as soon as I find out.
I have scheduled a trip to the South Street Seaport Museum on March 28th.
We will attend the "New York Sails Through Time" Gallery Session where students will explore the Seaport neighborhood and out on the water. Students will compare the harbors in different times in history. Students will then take their observations into the museum galleries and compare the seaport now with historical images from years gone by. Through handling artifacts of the history of our community and how it developed.
We will go back again on June 13th to attend the "Bridge and Ferry" program where students will explore waterways transportation, observe and analyze bridge and ferry traffic, use historical images to learn how the Brooklyn Bridge changed New York City and lastly, experiment with bridge construction secrets. I booked it later in the year so they can walk in nice warm weather.
Some students are not completing homework. Just a reminder that our weekly homework is:
- Writing their words three times each
- Completing four boxes on the spelling menu
- Two reading responses
- Daily math worksheet/s
Please have students wear green on Friday for St. Patrick's Day.
Please continue to practice time with students, especially with telling time the smart way.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Thank you for coming to our Parent Teacher Conferences. I appreciate your time. I apologize if you had to wait. I tried my best to be on schedule. If you have any further questions or concerns about anything, please feel free to contact me. Parents who were not able to make it, please email me your availabilities. I am open to meet from 2:50-3:20 on Tuesday and some other days after-school.
We have another G&T tour scheduled for new parents on Tuesday, March 14. I'm not sure how many families are scheduled to come. But if you are available to walk the tour, please let Zaida know. It will start at 9:00am.
We are going to the Tenement museum on Wednesday, March 15th. Please pack students a snack and lunch. We will take the bus.
I am not positive if this Friday is Family Friday. I have to check my calendar at work. Will email you as soon as I find out.
I have scheduled a trip to the South Street Seaport Museum on March 28th.
We will attend the "New York Sails Through Time" Gallery Session where students will explore the Seaport neighborhood and out on the water. Students will compare the harbors in different times in history. Students will then take their observations into the museum galleries and compare the seaport now with historical images from years gone by. Through handling artifacts of the history of our community and how it developed.
We will go back again on June 13th to attend the "Bridge and Ferry" program where students will explore waterways transportation, observe and analyze bridge and ferry traffic, use historical images to learn how the Brooklyn Bridge changed New York City and lastly, experiment with bridge construction secrets. I booked it later in the year so they can walk in nice warm weather.
Some students are not completing homework. Just a reminder that our weekly homework is:
- Writing their words three times each
- Completing four boxes on the spelling menu
- Two reading responses
- Daily math worksheet/s
Please have students wear green on Friday for St. Patrick's Day.
Please continue to practice time with students, especially with telling time the smart way.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
Parent Surveys
Dear Parents,
Every year, all parents and teachers take the NYC School Survey. The survey helps school leaders understand what key members of the school community say about the learning environment at each school.
We are encouraging parents/guardians to complete them before leaving from Parent Teacher conferences. The school will have computer stations set up throughout the building. You can also choose the paper & pencil version. Please complete the surveys while attending conferences on the 9th!
There are three prizes for the first three classes that return 100% of parent surveys :)
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Every year, all parents and teachers take the NYC School Survey. The survey helps school leaders understand what key members of the school community say about the learning environment at each school.
We are encouraging parents/guardians to complete them before leaving from Parent Teacher conferences. The school will have computer stations set up throughout the building. You can also choose the paper & pencil version. Please complete the surveys while attending conferences on the 9th!
There are three prizes for the first three classes that return 100% of parent surveys :)
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
WEEK OF MARCH 6TH-10TH
Dear All,
Another reminder that we have Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 9th from 1:00-3:00 or 4:30-7:30. It is a Half day. There are no after school programs. Students will be dismissed at 11:45am and will still eat lunch at school.
We will celebrate the end of our series writing unit this week. Students will decorate their own folders to put their series in. Then we are starting our poetry unit.
Please help me practice telling time with your child by constantly asking them what time it is. Have them wear a watch if you could.
A couple of things I wanted to address:
Cellphones
It came to my attention that a number of students have cellphones. I totally understand the reason and necessity. However, during school hours, the cellphones need to be kept in his/her book bag and be on silent.
Sugary drinks
I am no longer allowing sugary drinks in our classroom. Please send students in with a bottle of water instead. It's my job as your child's teacher to teach them about all aspects of life, not just academic. Sweetened drinks like soda, fruit drinks, chocolate milk and sports drinks are loaded with sugar. I'm all about having sugar once in a while, but not on a daily basis. If I see it going forward, I will ask them to put it back in their book bags.
Toys, games, Pokemon Cards
Toys, games and Pokemon cards are no longer allowed in the classroom. I originally allowed it but it got out of hand as students are spending time in the morning getting them out of their book bags for recess and in turn forgetting things they are SUPPOSED to take out like their homework.
I do have pokemon cards and small toys in my prize box but they are to take it home.
A couple of field trips will be added to our school year. I will send the details in a separate email soon.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
Dear All,
Another reminder that we have Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 9th from 1:00-3:00 or 4:30-7:30. It is a Half day. There are no after school programs. Students will be dismissed at 11:45am and will still eat lunch at school.
We will celebrate the end of our series writing unit this week. Students will decorate their own folders to put their series in. Then we are starting our poetry unit.
Please help me practice telling time with your child by constantly asking them what time it is. Have them wear a watch if you could.
A couple of things I wanted to address:
Cellphones
It came to my attention that a number of students have cellphones. I totally understand the reason and necessity. However, during school hours, the cellphones need to be kept in his/her book bag and be on silent.
Sugary drinks
I am no longer allowing sugary drinks in our classroom. Please send students in with a bottle of water instead. It's my job as your child's teacher to teach them about all aspects of life, not just academic. Sweetened drinks like soda, fruit drinks, chocolate milk and sports drinks are loaded with sugar. I'm all about having sugar once in a while, but not on a daily basis. If I see it going forward, I will ask them to put it back in their book bags.
Toys, games, Pokemon Cards
Toys, games and Pokemon cards are no longer allowed in the classroom. I originally allowed it but it got out of hand as students are spending time in the morning getting them out of their book bags for recess and in turn forgetting things they are SUPPOSED to take out like their homework.
I do have pokemon cards and small toys in my prize box but they are to take it home.
A couple of field trips will be added to our school year. I will send the details in a separate email soon.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
Parent Teacher Conferences
Dear Parents,
PT conferences will take place on Thursday, March 9th from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30.
Students will have a half day that day. Please arrange pick up for your child. Pick up will be at 11:45am. Students will still eat lunch at school.
During the conference, please keep in mind that we have a window of only ten minutes. I will shortly discuss your child's report card, his/her areas of strength and what I'm working on with him/her. It is very crucial for me to stay on schedule, please do not carry out a conversation that requires a long time to discuss. If you have something to talk to me about that requires more than ten minutes, please make an appointment with me on Tuesdays from 2:50-3:20. I am also usually always around afterschool except for Wednesdays. We can even do a phone conference.
This is our PT Conference Schedule.
Afternoon
1:00 - Katio
1:10 - Kyoma
1:20 - Kyle
1:30 - Laasya
1:40 - Luca
1:50 - Leia
2:40 - Julian
2:50 - Brielle
Evening
4:30 - Aiden
4:40 - Dominik
4:50 - Michelle
5:00 - Jayla
5:20 - Gavin
5:30 - Benicio
5:50 - Angeleen
6:00 - Xiaoyi
6:10 - Ryan
6: 30 - Grace
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing all of you.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
PT conferences will take place on Thursday, March 9th from 1:00-3:00 and 4:30-7:30.
Students will have a half day that day. Please arrange pick up for your child. Pick up will be at 11:45am. Students will still eat lunch at school.
During the conference, please keep in mind that we have a window of only ten minutes. I will shortly discuss your child's report card, his/her areas of strength and what I'm working on with him/her. It is very crucial for me to stay on schedule, please do not carry out a conversation that requires a long time to discuss. If you have something to talk to me about that requires more than ten minutes, please make an appointment with me on Tuesdays from 2:50-3:20. I am also usually always around afterschool except for Wednesdays. We can even do a phone conference.
This is our PT Conference Schedule.
Afternoon
1:00 - Katio
1:10 - Kyoma
1:20 - Kyle
1:30 - Laasya
1:40 - Luca
1:50 - Leia
2:40 - Julian
2:50 - Brielle
Evening
4:30 - Aiden
4:40 - Dominik
4:50 - Michelle
5:00 - Jayla
5:20 - Gavin
5:30 - Benicio
5:50 - Angeleen
6:00 - Xiaoyi
6:10 - Ryan
6: 30 - Grace
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing all of you.
Casandra
Week of February 27th - March 3rd
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had a wonderful break :)
We will start a couple of new units.
Reading - In this unit, I will be teaching students how to read with fluency, understanding literary and figurative language, and teach them skills to tackle challenging lengthy books.
Writing - We will spend one more week with Series writing then we are jumping into Poetry.
Math - We will work on telling time.
Students will learn to tell time to the nearest hour, half an hour and to the nearest five minutes, drawing hands on a clock, difference between an analog and a digital clock, a.m. and p.m., telling time the regular way and the "smart way", and elapsed time. Please help me by asking them what time it is throughout the day. I will do a pre-assessment to see where students are at and based lessons from there.
Social Studies - Ms. Guerrier and I decided to collaborate. Students did the researching part of the Black History Month project with me and will be creating powerpoint presentations for their person in technology class.
Students will start learning about the five boroughs in NYC city with me.
A reminder that we have our last trip to the American Museum of Natural History this coming Friday from 9:30-12:15. We will take the bus. We are attending the Humpback Whales Giant Screen Movie (3D). This movie will support our past Nonfiction Unit. March 3rd is the very first day this movie is offered and we will the very first ones to see it! The movie costs $147 per class. It will come out to $8 per student. Please bring the cash in an envelope labeled with your child's name. I will send permission slips home tomorrow.
It's our turn to host the assembly this coming Friday. It will be short and sweet. You are more than welcome to join but please do not take off work. It will be for 15 minutes. We will teach the school on how to be a good member in the community.
I will send a separate email about PT conferences.
Newsletter will be on our website in a couple of minutes.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
I hope you all had a wonderful break :)
We will start a couple of new units.
Reading - In this unit, I will be teaching students how to read with fluency, understanding literary and figurative language, and teach them skills to tackle challenging lengthy books.
Writing - We will spend one more week with Series writing then we are jumping into Poetry.
Math - We will work on telling time.
Students will learn to tell time to the nearest hour, half an hour and to the nearest five minutes, drawing hands on a clock, difference between an analog and a digital clock, a.m. and p.m., telling time the regular way and the "smart way", and elapsed time. Please help me by asking them what time it is throughout the day. I will do a pre-assessment to see where students are at and based lessons from there.
Social Studies - Ms. Guerrier and I decided to collaborate. Students did the researching part of the Black History Month project with me and will be creating powerpoint presentations for their person in technology class.
Students will start learning about the five boroughs in NYC city with me.
A reminder that we have our last trip to the American Museum of Natural History this coming Friday from 9:30-12:15. We will take the bus. We are attending the Humpback Whales Giant Screen Movie (3D). This movie will support our past Nonfiction Unit. March 3rd is the very first day this movie is offered and we will the very first ones to see it! The movie costs $147 per class. It will come out to $8 per student. Please bring the cash in an envelope labeled with your child's name. I will send permission slips home tomorrow.
It's our turn to host the assembly this coming Friday. It will be short and sweet. You are more than welcome to join but please do not take off work. It will be for 15 minutes. We will teach the school on how to be a good member in the community.
I will send a separate email about PT conferences.
Newsletter will be on our website in a couple of minutes.
Casandra
Week of February 13th-17th
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before break!
Just a reminder that we have our second trip to the Museum of Natural History this coming Tuesday, February 14th. Students will attend the Discover Room to participate in several hands-on activities. We will eat lunch at the museum again. Please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch. If you have not sent in the permission slip and $5.00, please do so.
We have a G&T tour on Wednesday, February 15th for new parents. If you would like to join the tour and speak a bit about the school and our program, it starts at 9:00am in the library.
The Friendship & Love Event was rescheduled to this coming Thursday, February 16th from 5:30-7:00pm. Please come and support our school.
The 100th day of school and Family Friday are on Friday, February 17th. Students can dress up as 100 year old people, if they would like. We will be doing 100th day of school activities for Family Friday.
Thank you for returning the PT conference time forms very quickly. As I predicted, most of you wanted the 1:00, 1:10 and 1:20 slots. I obviously can't give it to everyone but will try to book your slots as close to your request time as possible. If you do not return the form by Friday, a time will be assigned to you. I will send time confirmations out by Friday.
Students will have a math test on Money, Friday. I will continue to assess students in reading this week. I will also send home their landform projects this Friday, please email me if there is another day you would prefer your child to take it home.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our last week before break!
Just a reminder that we have our second trip to the Museum of Natural History this coming Tuesday, February 14th. Students will attend the Discover Room to participate in several hands-on activities. We will eat lunch at the museum again. Please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch. If you have not sent in the permission slip and $5.00, please do so.
We have a G&T tour on Wednesday, February 15th for new parents. If you would like to join the tour and speak a bit about the school and our program, it starts at 9:00am in the library.
The Friendship & Love Event was rescheduled to this coming Thursday, February 16th from 5:30-7:00pm. Please come and support our school.
The 100th day of school and Family Friday are on Friday, February 17th. Students can dress up as 100 year old people, if they would like. We will be doing 100th day of school activities for Family Friday.
Thank you for returning the PT conference time forms very quickly. As I predicted, most of you wanted the 1:00, 1:10 and 1:20 slots. I obviously can't give it to everyone but will try to book your slots as close to your request time as possible. If you do not return the form by Friday, a time will be assigned to you. I will send time confirmations out by Friday.
Students will have a math test on Money, Friday. I will continue to assess students in reading this week. I will also send home their landform projects this Friday, please email me if there is another day you would prefer your child to take it home.
Have an amazing week,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assembly and next PT conference
Dear Parents,
It is our turn to host the Assembly this coming Friday. The second grade will teach the school how to be a good member in the community by acting out specific scenarios and teach the audience the best way to handle each situation. The following students will be participating by acting out the scenarios: Luca, Gavin, Kaito, Angeleen, Laasya, Leia and Ryan. Several students had already participated in the last assembly. The students who have not yet have a turn will be selected first for our next one. Parents are invited. Meet us in the auditorium at 8:30am. However, let me point out that their parts are short and sweet. Please do not feel the need to take off work to attend. If anything, I will ask someone to tape it for you if you would really like to see it.
Also, another kind reminder that the 100th day of school is on Friday, February 17th, which is also Family Friday. If they want to dress up as 100 year old people, they are more than welcome.
Please mark your calendars for March 9th for our next Parent Teacher Conference. I am sending home a sheet for your preferred times tomorrow. It's on a first come first served basis.
Casandra
Dear Parents,
It is our turn to host the Assembly this coming Friday. The second grade will teach the school how to be a good member in the community by acting out specific scenarios and teach the audience the best way to handle each situation. The following students will be participating by acting out the scenarios: Luca, Gavin, Kaito, Angeleen, Laasya, Leia and Ryan. Several students had already participated in the last assembly. The students who have not yet have a turn will be selected first for our next one. Parents are invited. Meet us in the auditorium at 8:30am. However, let me point out that their parts are short and sweet. Please do not feel the need to take off work to attend. If anything, I will ask someone to tape it for you if you would really like to see it.
Also, another kind reminder that the 100th day of school is on Friday, February 17th, which is also Family Friday. If they want to dress up as 100 year old people, they are more than welcome.
Please mark your calendars for March 9th for our next Parent Teacher Conference. I am sending home a sheet for your preferred times tomorrow. It's on a first come first served basis.
Casandra
Week of February 6th-10th
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have the Friendship & Love Event this coming Thursday (5:30-7:00) There will be games, raffles and activities. I am working the event and hope to see most of you there.
We have a Gifted and Talented tour for new parents on February 15th. Please join us if you can. It is so important for our school that this program grows. Having you there, talking about your experience so far, will be very beneficial.
I already see a big difference from the Might Milers Program! Students are calmer during lessons and less fidgety. We are currently doing this twice a week. Most students already have a few miles under their belt!
We will start our Black History Month Project this week. I am realizing that I should have given students less of a choice to pick from. Admin wants students to pick someone who is not well known but has a big impact on our history. Just so you are aware, I may adjust some of their choices.
We will finish up our Landform Projects this week. I will invite Ms. Romero and Ms. Leist's class to see our projects. We have to paint one more time. Please bring back an old t-shirt.
Permission slips for our next trip on February 14th will be sent home tomorrow. We will go back to the American Museum of Natural History to attend the Discovery Room. Please send in $5.00 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. Does anyone want to chaperone this trip?
If your child is participating in the Talent Show, please send me back the pink slip. Their first rehearsal is next week and they can't attend if that pink slip isn't filled out and returned.
Some students are having trouble identifying coins, especially with the nickel and quarter. Please practice with them if you can. We will work on counting coin collections and showing amounts in two or three different ways this week.
I have been drilling them on how to do a proper retell of a book. Based on their reading assessments, most students either tell too much or too little on a retell and miss the main points. We have been working really hard on this. You can help me by asking them to retell the parts of the book they read each night. They should be able to tell you the main character, setting, problem, events after problem, solution. If the parts they read do not have a problem, they should be able to tell you the main character, setting, beginning, middle and end.
Let me know if you need help with guiding their reading responses?
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have the Friendship & Love Event this coming Thursday (5:30-7:00) There will be games, raffles and activities. I am working the event and hope to see most of you there.
We have a Gifted and Talented tour for new parents on February 15th. Please join us if you can. It is so important for our school that this program grows. Having you there, talking about your experience so far, will be very beneficial.
I already see a big difference from the Might Milers Program! Students are calmer during lessons and less fidgety. We are currently doing this twice a week. Most students already have a few miles under their belt!
We will start our Black History Month Project this week. I am realizing that I should have given students less of a choice to pick from. Admin wants students to pick someone who is not well known but has a big impact on our history. Just so you are aware, I may adjust some of their choices.
We will finish up our Landform Projects this week. I will invite Ms. Romero and Ms. Leist's class to see our projects. We have to paint one more time. Please bring back an old t-shirt.
Permission slips for our next trip on February 14th will be sent home tomorrow. We will go back to the American Museum of Natural History to attend the Discovery Room. Please send in $5.00 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. Does anyone want to chaperone this trip?
If your child is participating in the Talent Show, please send me back the pink slip. Their first rehearsal is next week and they can't attend if that pink slip isn't filled out and returned.
Some students are having trouble identifying coins, especially with the nickel and quarter. Please practice with them if you can. We will work on counting coin collections and showing amounts in two or three different ways this week.
I have been drilling them on how to do a proper retell of a book. Based on their reading assessments, most students either tell too much or too little on a retell and miss the main points. We have been working really hard on this. You can help me by asking them to retell the parts of the book they read each night. They should be able to tell you the main character, setting, problem, events after problem, solution. If the parts they read do not have a problem, they should be able to tell you the main character, setting, beginning, middle and end.
Let me know if you need help with guiding their reading responses?
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February is Black History Month
Dear Parents,
As most of you may know, February is Black History Month. To honor this, students will be working on a research project. They will be working in pairs. I have sent you via email guidelines of this project. I will go over this with students either tomorrow or Wednesday. All parts of this project are to be completed at school, except for maybe printing pictures (if needed).
Please go over the list of individuals with your child and see who they may be interested in researching. They will have to make their final decision with their partner. It is strongly suggested that they work on someone who is not that well known).
With this project students will:
Thank you,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
As most of you may know, February is Black History Month. To honor this, students will be working on a research project. They will be working in pairs. I have sent you via email guidelines of this project. I will go over this with students either tomorrow or Wednesday. All parts of this project are to be completed at school, except for maybe printing pictures (if needed).
Please go over the list of individuals with your child and see who they may be interested in researching. They will have to make their final decision with their partner. It is strongly suggested that they work on someone who is not that well known).
With this project students will:
- Learn to do research online (Laptops) and cite their sources (Will go over safety issues)
- Work collaboratively with a partner
- Use information gathered to create a poster
- Learn about how an individual made a different in the world
- Present information gathered orally to an audience.
Thank you,
Casandra
Week of January 30th - February 3rd
Dear Parents,
We have a trip on Friday, February 3rd to the American Museum of Natural History from 9:30-1:00. We will take the bus. We will attend the Wonders of the Arctic (3D) which tells the story of survival in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, dominated by a single element: ice. Majestic yet dangerous, life-giving yet treacherous, ice affects the fortunes of every living creature in this frosted frontier. This movie supports our landform unit. The total cost of this trip is $147 which comes out to $8 per student. Please send in $8 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. We don't have a chaperone for this trip yet. Anyone interested? Students will eat lunch at the museum. Please pack them an easy-to-eat lunch. Please be mindful of nut allergies especially if you pack granola bars.
The 100th Day of school is on February 17th. I've sent a flyer home regarding this. Students can dress as "100 year old people" if they would like. I will remind you as the date gets closer.
Students will have their 4th session with Spoons Across American tomorrow during science.
I'm starting a new math unit with students tomorrow. We will be learning about money :)
Have a great week,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
We have a trip on Friday, February 3rd to the American Museum of Natural History from 9:30-1:00. We will take the bus. We will attend the Wonders of the Arctic (3D) which tells the story of survival in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, dominated by a single element: ice. Majestic yet dangerous, life-giving yet treacherous, ice affects the fortunes of every living creature in this frosted frontier. This movie supports our landform unit. The total cost of this trip is $147 which comes out to $8 per student. Please send in $8 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. We don't have a chaperone for this trip yet. Anyone interested? Students will eat lunch at the museum. Please pack them an easy-to-eat lunch. Please be mindful of nut allergies especially if you pack granola bars.
The 100th Day of school is on February 17th. I've sent a flyer home regarding this. Students can dress as "100 year old people" if they would like. I will remind you as the date gets closer.
Students will have their 4th session with Spoons Across American tomorrow during science.
I'm starting a new math unit with students tomorrow. We will be learning about money :)
Have a great week,
Casandra
Future Field trips!
Parents,
Here is a list of our field trips coming up. I may add more trips depending. I will ask for ONE chaperone for each trip. Please let me know if you are interested. Again, I would like it to be a different parent each time.
Friday, February 3rd- American Museum of Natural History- 9:30-1:00 (Bus)
Attending the Wonders of the Arctic (3D) tells the story of survival in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, dominated by a single element: ice. Majestic yet dangerous, life-giving yet treacherous, ice affects the fortunes of every living creature in this frosted frontier (Supports our land form unit).
$147 per class - $8 per student. Will let you know when payment is due.
Tuesday, February 14th- American Museum of Natural History- 9:30-1:00 (Bus)
Attending the The Discovery Room, this visit offers students an interactive gateway to the wonders of the Museum and a hands-on, behind-the scenes look at its science. Every major field of Museum science and research, from anthropology to zoology, is represented. Students will explore an array of artifacts and specimens, puzzles, and scientific challenges.
$85 per class - $5 per student. Will let you know when payment is due.
Friday, March 3rd- American Museum of Natural History- 9:30-1:00 (Bus)
Attending the Humpback Whales Giant Screen Movie (3D) - Supports past Nonfiction Unit. March 3rd is the very first day this movie is offered at the movie.
$147 per class - $8 per student. Will let you know when payment is due.
Wednesday, March 15th - Tenement Museum- (Bus) Time pending
To attend a walking tour to study restored apartments of past residents in different time periods in history.
There is a cost, not sure how much. Will update.
Friday, March 31st - MoMA - 9:30-11:25 - Walking
Attending the Space and Places Program - Discover different ways artists represent place.
No cost
Thursday, May 25th - Theatreworks USA- (Bus) 9:30-12:30
Attending a live musical of their favorite book "Ms. Nelson is Missing"
$176 per class - $10 per student. Will let you know when payment is due
More trips coming soon!
Thank you so much!
Casandra
Parents,
Here is a list of our field trips coming up. I may add more trips depending. I will ask for ONE chaperone for each trip. Please let me know if you are interested. Again, I would like it to be a different parent each time.
Friday, February 3rd- American Museum of Natural History- 9:30-1:00 (Bus)
Attending the Wonders of the Arctic (3D) tells the story of survival in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, dominated by a single element: ice. Majestic yet dangerous, life-giving yet treacherous, ice affects the fortunes of every living creature in this frosted frontier (Supports our land form unit).
$147 per class - $8 per student. Will let you know when payment is due.
Tuesday, February 14th- American Museum of Natural History- 9:30-1:00 (Bus)
Attending the The Discovery Room, this visit offers students an interactive gateway to the wonders of the Museum and a hands-on, behind-the scenes look at its science. Every major field of Museum science and research, from anthropology to zoology, is represented. Students will explore an array of artifacts and specimens, puzzles, and scientific challenges.
$85 per class - $5 per student. Will let you know when payment is due.
Friday, March 3rd- American Museum of Natural History- 9:30-1:00 (Bus)
Attending the Humpback Whales Giant Screen Movie (3D) - Supports past Nonfiction Unit. March 3rd is the very first day this movie is offered at the movie.
$147 per class - $8 per student. Will let you know when payment is due.
Wednesday, March 15th - Tenement Museum- (Bus) Time pending
To attend a walking tour to study restored apartments of past residents in different time periods in history.
There is a cost, not sure how much. Will update.
Friday, March 31st - MoMA - 9:30-11:25 - Walking
Attending the Space and Places Program - Discover different ways artists represent place.
No cost
Thursday, May 25th - Theatreworks USA- (Bus) 9:30-12:30
Attending a live musical of their favorite book "Ms. Nelson is Missing"
$176 per class - $10 per student. Will let you know when payment is due
More trips coming soon!
Thank you so much!
Casandra
Week of January 23rd - 27th
Dear Parents,
Hope all of you enjoyed the warmer weather this weekend.
We will start the landform project this week. If students have not brought in a medium sized pizza box, please do so. We spent last week planning for this project.
I had assigned 2 reading responses for homework last week. There were only a few students who completed the assignment. I understand that it may be a lot but it is the only way for me to assess their understanding of their reading at home. This is also partly in preparation of the state exams next year. I am not in favor of state exams. But the reality is that they need to know how to write responses in order to do well on the test. Their state exams scores will eventually play a big role in getting into a good middle school. Please help me keep track of this. They have been practicing all week and know how to write one very well.
I am giving current events a little break. There are a lot more students who forget than students who come in prepared. I will maybe resume it at a later date.
We have a trip to MOMA on Wednesday. Students will be back in time for lunch and recess. Thanks to Leia's mom for being our chaperone. Please sign the permission slip and return it tomorrow.
Based on the math assessment on Friday, I think we need to spend a little more time with the CUBES strategy. I will spend another couple of days on it and move on to our next unit.
Please help me make sure that students are completing their homework. If your child is unable to, for any reason, please kindly write me a note or email. A lot of students are coming in with their homework unfinished, with no explanation. At this point in the school year, I will have to be a lot more strict with this. If the incompletion of homework continues, it will reflect on their next report card. Please check their homework log for daily homework.
They have homework due for Science class tomorrow.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Hope all of you enjoyed the warmer weather this weekend.
We will start the landform project this week. If students have not brought in a medium sized pizza box, please do so. We spent last week planning for this project.
I had assigned 2 reading responses for homework last week. There were only a few students who completed the assignment. I understand that it may be a lot but it is the only way for me to assess their understanding of their reading at home. This is also partly in preparation of the state exams next year. I am not in favor of state exams. But the reality is that they need to know how to write responses in order to do well on the test. Their state exams scores will eventually play a big role in getting into a good middle school. Please help me keep track of this. They have been practicing all week and know how to write one very well.
I am giving current events a little break. There are a lot more students who forget than students who come in prepared. I will maybe resume it at a later date.
We have a trip to MOMA on Wednesday. Students will be back in time for lunch and recess. Thanks to Leia's mom for being our chaperone. Please sign the permission slip and return it tomorrow.
Based on the math assessment on Friday, I think we need to spend a little more time with the CUBES strategy. I will spend another couple of days on it and move on to our next unit.
Please help me make sure that students are completing their homework. If your child is unable to, for any reason, please kindly write me a note or email. A lot of students are coming in with their homework unfinished, with no explanation. At this point in the school year, I will have to be a lot more strict with this. If the incompletion of homework continues, it will reflect on their next report card. Please check their homework log for daily homework.
They have homework due for Science class tomorrow.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Casandra
Week of January 17th-20th
Dear Parents,
As you know I was back at work today. It was nice to see all of the kids :)
Just a reminder that this Friday is Family Friday.
Students will have a math quiz based on the CUBES strategy that we have been working on. I added an "equation" component to it and it's pretty challenging. Please give them support, if needed.
I also came back to really good news that we have a new student teacher! She will be here everyday all day for the next couple of months, which will be a big help. Her name is Ms. Gonzalez. She will not be here this Friday unfortunately but I will introduce her to you soon.
We will visit the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) on Wednesday, January 25th. This visit will complement our character reading and writing units as students will explore different decisions artists make when representing figures as their subject. We will be walking to the museum. The visit will be from 9:45am-10:45am. Students will be back on time for lunch and recess.
I would like to ask for one parent chaperone and give a chance to a parent who hasn't been on a trip with us. Please let me know if you are interested.
Permission slips will be sent home tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
As you know I was back at work today. It was nice to see all of the kids :)
Just a reminder that this Friday is Family Friday.
Students will have a math quiz based on the CUBES strategy that we have been working on. I added an "equation" component to it and it's pretty challenging. Please give them support, if needed.
I also came back to really good news that we have a new student teacher! She will be here everyday all day for the next couple of months, which will be a big help. Her name is Ms. Gonzalez. She will not be here this Friday unfortunately but I will introduce her to you soon.
We will visit the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) on Wednesday, January 25th. This visit will complement our character reading and writing units as students will explore different decisions artists make when representing figures as their subject. We will be walking to the museum. The visit will be from 9:45am-10:45am. Students will be back on time for lunch and recess.
I would like to ask for one parent chaperone and give a chance to a parent who hasn't been on a trip with us. Please let me know if you are interested.
Permission slips will be sent home tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of January 9-13
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for your contribution for our social studies project. I am so excited to start the project with the kids. I may have to push it until next week since the clay won't come until the middle of the week. Thank you Sarah for taking care of this for me.
It was a really busy week last week starting a couple of new units, so I didn't get a chance to teach students the reading response. It is on my to do list next week. I will keep you updated.
Sprit week is this week.
Monday - Wacky Hat Day - I may ask students to take it off during class time if it distracts them from learning.
Tuesday - Twin Day - I will give them time tomorrow to talk to their classmates to coordinate outfits.
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday - College Day
Friday - Pajamas Day - Appropriate clothing please.
I'd asked students to bring in clean pizza boxes. Don't worry if you do not have it by tomorrow. But try to bring it in sometime this week so we are ready for next week. Medium size preferred.
We are heading to Island Burgers for lunch on Thursday. We will leave the school around 10:50am. Aiming to come back for recess around 11:45am. We will have a big meal there so students do not need to bring lunch that day.
Current Events
Monday - Dominik
Tuesday - Gavin
Wednesday - Grace
Thursday - Jayla
Friday - Julian
A reminder that I leave to Mexico this Friday and will be back to work on Wednesday.
We do not have school next Monday due to Martin Luther King's day. We will spend the week reading about his life and accomplishments.
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for your contribution for our social studies project. I am so excited to start the project with the kids. I may have to push it until next week since the clay won't come until the middle of the week. Thank you Sarah for taking care of this for me.
It was a really busy week last week starting a couple of new units, so I didn't get a chance to teach students the reading response. It is on my to do list next week. I will keep you updated.
Sprit week is this week.
Monday - Wacky Hat Day - I may ask students to take it off during class time if it distracts them from learning.
Tuesday - Twin Day - I will give them time tomorrow to talk to their classmates to coordinate outfits.
Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday
Thursday - College Day
Friday - Pajamas Day - Appropriate clothing please.
I'd asked students to bring in clean pizza boxes. Don't worry if you do not have it by tomorrow. But try to bring it in sometime this week so we are ready for next week. Medium size preferred.
We are heading to Island Burgers for lunch on Thursday. We will leave the school around 10:50am. Aiming to come back for recess around 11:45am. We will have a big meal there so students do not need to bring lunch that day.
Current Events
Monday - Dominik
Tuesday - Gavin
Wednesday - Grace
Thursday - Jayla
Friday - Julian
A reminder that I leave to Mexico this Friday and will be back to work on Wednesday.
We do not have school next Monday due to Martin Luther King's day. We will spend the week reading about his life and accomplishments.
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Week of January 3-6
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a well-rested break. I spent a lot of time working at the restaurant but also had a lot of time with friends and family. I miss the kids and am ready to come back to work :)
We are starting new reading and writing units.
For this new reading unit, Students will study characters in realistic fiction books. They will learn to predict, retell and revisit books to notice more. They will also learn about the main character in their books and his/her relationships between other characters, how characters' feelings change through out the book and how each character overcomes challenges.
To go along with our reading unit, in writing, students will write their own realistic fiction stories in the form of series. They will write numerous stories about the one character they choose to create and produce about 5-6 short books about the same character to create their own series. Please start collecting 2 cereal boxes for me that will be used to create a boxed set of their collection of stories. I will let you know when to bring them in.
For math, I am going to try to my best to finish up teaching them different strategies for subtraction then we need to move on to tackling word problems. I will teach them a strategy called CUBES to carefully analyze each word problem before solving it.
For social studies, I will spend a week or two teaching students about different types of landforms. Before we jump into studying New York City.
For grammar, we will spend this week learning about homonyms. They will have 6 words of the week for the next two-three weeks. The reason is that I am giving them 3 sets of homonyms to study. There are two types of homonyms (Homophones and homographs).
This week's words will be homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Please help them with spelling homework if needed.
I am also adding another component to their homework starting next week. I have to spend time this week teaching them how to do it properly. They will start doing something called a reading response. It is not a main component in our new reading/writing curriculum but it is crucial for me to teach them how to respond to their own reading. It is also a way for me to assess their comprehension when they read at home. Reading response writing prompts will be glued on to the back of their spelling notebook. They will do their responses there too. I think doing a response everyday is too much. I will only give them 2 to do for the week. Similar to the spelling, it will be due on Fridays. So they can do it which ever day it's convenient for them.
For each reading response, students will be required to write a response based on their reading in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). They can pick from any prompt I give them. It will make more sense to you when you see it. This homework will start Monday, January 9th.
I will send home students' graded social studies quiz on Tuesday. Please sign the bottom and return. I didn't count one of the questions as I realized that the wording of the question was a little bit confusing.
On a different note, my 30th birthday is on January 15th. I have decided a year prior that I will travel to celebrate in Mexico with close friends and family. I will be taking off work on Friday, January 13th and Tuesday, January 17th. I would usually never take off work to travel but since I only 30 once I decided I would make an exception. Very thorough sub plans will be written and it will be like I am never gone. Thank you for your understanding :)
Current Events schedule this week
Tuesday - Aiden
Wednesday - Angeleen
Thursday - Benicio
Friday - Brielle
Students earned another class compliment prize. I think I am giving them too many compliments. They voted to go have lunch at Island Burgers. I am planning on taking them on a short trip there on Thursday, January 12th around 11:00-11:45. Will confirm and send permission slips out next week.
See you all Tuesday,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a well-rested break. I spent a lot of time working at the restaurant but also had a lot of time with friends and family. I miss the kids and am ready to come back to work :)
We are starting new reading and writing units.
For this new reading unit, Students will study characters in realistic fiction books. They will learn to predict, retell and revisit books to notice more. They will also learn about the main character in their books and his/her relationships between other characters, how characters' feelings change through out the book and how each character overcomes challenges.
To go along with our reading unit, in writing, students will write their own realistic fiction stories in the form of series. They will write numerous stories about the one character they choose to create and produce about 5-6 short books about the same character to create their own series. Please start collecting 2 cereal boxes for me that will be used to create a boxed set of their collection of stories. I will let you know when to bring them in.
For math, I am going to try to my best to finish up teaching them different strategies for subtraction then we need to move on to tackling word problems. I will teach them a strategy called CUBES to carefully analyze each word problem before solving it.
For social studies, I will spend a week or two teaching students about different types of landforms. Before we jump into studying New York City.
For grammar, we will spend this week learning about homonyms. They will have 6 words of the week for the next two-three weeks. The reason is that I am giving them 3 sets of homonyms to study. There are two types of homonyms (Homophones and homographs).
This week's words will be homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Please help them with spelling homework if needed.
I am also adding another component to their homework starting next week. I have to spend time this week teaching them how to do it properly. They will start doing something called a reading response. It is not a main component in our new reading/writing curriculum but it is crucial for me to teach them how to respond to their own reading. It is also a way for me to assess their comprehension when they read at home. Reading response writing prompts will be glued on to the back of their spelling notebook. They will do their responses there too. I think doing a response everyday is too much. I will only give them 2 to do for the week. Similar to the spelling, it will be due on Fridays. So they can do it which ever day it's convenient for them.
For each reading response, students will be required to write a response based on their reading in a paragraph (5-6 sentences). They can pick from any prompt I give them. It will make more sense to you when you see it. This homework will start Monday, January 9th.
I will send home students' graded social studies quiz on Tuesday. Please sign the bottom and return. I didn't count one of the questions as I realized that the wording of the question was a little bit confusing.
On a different note, my 30th birthday is on January 15th. I have decided a year prior that I will travel to celebrate in Mexico with close friends and family. I will be taking off work on Friday, January 13th and Tuesday, January 17th. I would usually never take off work to travel but since I only 30 once I decided I would make an exception. Very thorough sub plans will be written and it will be like I am never gone. Thank you for your understanding :)
Current Events schedule this week
Tuesday - Aiden
Wednesday - Angeleen
Thursday - Benicio
Friday - Brielle
Students earned another class compliment prize. I think I am giving them too many compliments. They voted to go have lunch at Island Burgers. I am planning on taking them on a short trip there on Thursday, January 12th around 11:00-11:45. Will confirm and send permission slips out next week.
See you all Tuesday,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of December 19-23
Dear Parents,
It's our last week together before the next year!
Report cards will be sent home tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.
My goal is to wrap up our Nonfiction reading and writing units this week. I was planning on having a publishing party this Friday morning but unfortunately it clashes with our school holiday sing along in the auditorium. If I can find a better time I will let you know.
Students will have their monthly Spoons across America session tomorrow during science class.
Last Thursday was our last day of chess class in the classroom. However, going forward I will still let students have a period a week to play chess.
Current Events Schedule this week.
Monday - Leia
Tuesday - Michelle
Wednesday - Ryan
Thursday - Xiaoyi
Friday - Aiden
* No politics please.
Students have been coming in prepared. Thank you for your help with this.
Students will have a Social Studies quiz this Friday. They should be able to label all continents and oceans on a map, know the definition of an equator, prime meridian and hemisphere.
The newsletter will be up on our website shortly,
Casandra
Dear Parents,
It's our last week together before the next year!
Report cards will be sent home tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.
My goal is to wrap up our Nonfiction reading and writing units this week. I was planning on having a publishing party this Friday morning but unfortunately it clashes with our school holiday sing along in the auditorium. If I can find a better time I will let you know.
Students will have their monthly Spoons across America session tomorrow during science class.
Last Thursday was our last day of chess class in the classroom. However, going forward I will still let students have a period a week to play chess.
Current Events Schedule this week.
Monday - Leia
Tuesday - Michelle
Wednesday - Ryan
Thursday - Xiaoyi
Friday - Aiden
* No politics please.
Students have been coming in prepared. Thank you for your help with this.
Students will have a Social Studies quiz this Friday. They should be able to label all continents and oceans on a map, know the definition of an equator, prime meridian and hemisphere.
The newsletter will be up on our website shortly,
Casandra
Week of December 12-16
Dear Parents,
We will take a trip back to the Columbus Library on Thursday, December 15th to return the books that we borrowed. Students will also have some time to explore books. Please refer to the library receipt I sent home and send back the choice books that students brought home so we can return them. If it doesn't get sent in, you will have to return those books on your own time. Please talk to your child if you would like to allow them to take out books from the library this time around. Please keep in mind that if you do allow them, you will have to return the books on your own. Permission slips will be sent home on Monday. Please sign and return.
We have the Winter Wonderland event on Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm. A free movie will also be shown from 3:40-5:20pm. Please come support our school if your schedule allows. I will be working the event and hope to see you there! No homework will be given that day.
Family Friday is this Friday, December 16th.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Julian
Tuesday - Kaito
Wednesday - Kyle
Thursday - Kyoma
Friday- Laasya
Parents, a lot of students are not coming in prepared. I will give it another try. But I may have to cancel this part of our day if this continues. Please help me keep track of this.
A lot of students are having trouble with 2-digit subtraction. Please practice with them at home, if possible. The strategies that we are working on are drawing quick pictures that reflect the algorithm, the regular algorithm and open number line. It's my job this year to make sure that students can fluently add and subtract 2 and 3 digit numbers knowing at least 3 strategies and being able to explain their solutions using mathematical language.
We are currently doing a joint number talk twice a week with Ms. Leist 3/4 grade class. Students are learning a lot from the older kids. The way they are expressing their mathematical thinking is very impressive. I will do a number talk soon during one of the Family Fridays!
Report cards are being completed this week. I believe it will be sent home with students either this week or next. The document I went over with you during Parent Conferences in November was a progress report. I just want to make sure you are aware that progress reports and report cards are different. For report cards you will see number grades from 1-4.
Students will get two report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year. I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's mailed home, please let me know.
I am noticing on the spelling tests that students are having trouble writing sentences. I had addressed to them several times that they should not have a problem because they have the whole week to prepare. They should come in on Friday already having an idea of what sentences to write. The sentences should demonstrate their understanding of the word. I have a lot of students just writing simples sentences like "This is a typewriter." "There is a newspaper." Although, the sentences make perfect sense, I would like them to try to write something more complex. Please help me keep track of this.
See you all Monday.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We will take a trip back to the Columbus Library on Thursday, December 15th to return the books that we borrowed. Students will also have some time to explore books. Please refer to the library receipt I sent home and send back the choice books that students brought home so we can return them. If it doesn't get sent in, you will have to return those books on your own time. Please talk to your child if you would like to allow them to take out books from the library this time around. Please keep in mind that if you do allow them, you will have to return the books on your own. Permission slips will be sent home on Monday. Please sign and return.
We have the Winter Wonderland event on Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm. A free movie will also be shown from 3:40-5:20pm. Please come support our school if your schedule allows. I will be working the event and hope to see you there! No homework will be given that day.
Family Friday is this Friday, December 16th.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Julian
Tuesday - Kaito
Wednesday - Kyle
Thursday - Kyoma
Friday- Laasya
Parents, a lot of students are not coming in prepared. I will give it another try. But I may have to cancel this part of our day if this continues. Please help me keep track of this.
A lot of students are having trouble with 2-digit subtraction. Please practice with them at home, if possible. The strategies that we are working on are drawing quick pictures that reflect the algorithm, the regular algorithm and open number line. It's my job this year to make sure that students can fluently add and subtract 2 and 3 digit numbers knowing at least 3 strategies and being able to explain their solutions using mathematical language.
We are currently doing a joint number talk twice a week with Ms. Leist 3/4 grade class. Students are learning a lot from the older kids. The way they are expressing their mathematical thinking is very impressive. I will do a number talk soon during one of the Family Fridays!
Report cards are being completed this week. I believe it will be sent home with students either this week or next. The document I went over with you during Parent Conferences in November was a progress report. I just want to make sure you are aware that progress reports and report cards are different. For report cards you will see number grades from 1-4.
Students will get two report cards from me this year. I expressed this to most of you during PT conferences that if I am contemplating between 2 grades, I will most likely go with the lower grade to leave room for students to make improvements through out the school year. I do not give out 4s easily, especially not with the first report card. Getting a 4 would mean that the student demonstrate skills that reflect third grade standards. If you have any questions or concerns about report cards once it's mailed home, please let me know.
I am noticing on the spelling tests that students are having trouble writing sentences. I had addressed to them several times that they should not have a problem because they have the whole week to prepare. They should come in on Friday already having an idea of what sentences to write. The sentences should demonstrate their understanding of the word. I have a lot of students just writing simples sentences like "This is a typewriter." "There is a newspaper." Although, the sentences make perfect sense, I would like them to try to write something more complex. Please help me keep track of this.
See you all Monday.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of December 5th-9th
Dear Parents,
We have a busy week coming up...
Please mark your calendar for December 15th. We have the Winter Wonderland Event from 5:30-7:30pm. I will be working the event. Hope to see all of you there. There will also be a movie shown from 3:40-5:20pm that day. Will give you more details next week. We are trying to raise funds to better our school. Your support is appreciated.
We are going to start to put all the facts students had collected together to complete our Nonfiction books. This process will take about two weeks. I am hoping to have a finished book to share with you on Family Friday.
Newsletter will be on our website later on tonight,
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Current Events
Monday - Brielle
Tuesday - Dominik
Wednesday - Gavin
Thursday - Grace
Friday - Jayla
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We have a busy week coming up...
Please mark your calendar for December 15th. We have the Winter Wonderland Event from 5:30-7:30pm. I will be working the event. Hope to see all of you there. There will also be a movie shown from 3:40-5:20pm that day. Will give you more details next week. We are trying to raise funds to better our school. Your support is appreciated.
We are going to start to put all the facts students had collected together to complete our Nonfiction books. This process will take about two weeks. I am hoping to have a finished book to share with you on Family Friday.
Newsletter will be on our website later on tonight,
See you all tomorrow,
Casandra
Current Events
Monday - Brielle
Tuesday - Dominik
Wednesday - Gavin
Thursday - Grace
Friday - Jayla
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 28th - December 2nd
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving :) I also would like to thank all of you for your contribution, assistance and presence during our Potluck. I think we can all agree that it was quite a success!
We will attend the Scholastic Book Fair as a class tomorrow. Please send students in with cash if you would like them to purchase something. My suggestion would be $10. Please discuss with your child what you would like them to spend money on. The fair will offer items like chapter books, picture books, posters, little knick-knacks (Erasers, pencils, calculators, etc). The fair will be at the school all week.
Students will attend an assembly on Tuesday afternoon presented by The Young Storytellers. This program helps students learn how to write original stories and see them brought to life on stage by volunteer actors. We had some big names in the past! We will also have another assembly Friday morning when the first grade will present.
Current Event schedule this week
Monday - Ryan
Tuesday - Xiaoyi
Wednesday - Aiden
Thursday - Angeleen
Friday - Benicio
Parents, please help me keep track of this. A lot of students have been forgetting despite me reminding them.
Students' seats and jobs will be changed tomorrow.
Please help me keep track of students' reading of at least 25 minutes a night and filling in their reading log.
Just a reminder that my parent engagement time is every Tuesday from 2:50-3:20pm. If you have any questions or concerns you want to address with me, please email me anytime or make an appointment during those hours.
Newsletter will be up on our website soon.
Have a great week!
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving :) I also would like to thank all of you for your contribution, assistance and presence during our Potluck. I think we can all agree that it was quite a success!
We will attend the Scholastic Book Fair as a class tomorrow. Please send students in with cash if you would like them to purchase something. My suggestion would be $10. Please discuss with your child what you would like them to spend money on. The fair will offer items like chapter books, picture books, posters, little knick-knacks (Erasers, pencils, calculators, etc). The fair will be at the school all week.
Students will attend an assembly on Tuesday afternoon presented by The Young Storytellers. This program helps students learn how to write original stories and see them brought to life on stage by volunteer actors. We had some big names in the past! We will also have another assembly Friday morning when the first grade will present.
Current Event schedule this week
Monday - Ryan
Tuesday - Xiaoyi
Wednesday - Aiden
Thursday - Angeleen
Friday - Benicio
Parents, please help me keep track of this. A lot of students have been forgetting despite me reminding them.
Students' seats and jobs will be changed tomorrow.
Please help me keep track of students' reading of at least 25 minutes a night and filling in their reading log.
Just a reminder that my parent engagement time is every Tuesday from 2:50-3:20pm. If you have any questions or concerns you want to address with me, please email me anytime or make an appointment during those hours.
Newsletter will be up on our website soon.
Have a great week!
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 21-23
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for attending Family Friday.
We have a short but eventful week coming up.
Students will attend an Alvin Ailey Dance performance tomorrow morning in the auditorium.
On Tuesday, we will have our second round of the Farm of book program and our trip to the Historical Society. Gosia (Luca's mom) will be our chaperone. Please have students eat a big healthy breakfast that day as we will eat lunch at a later time and please pack them a snack. Permission slips and the $5.00 need to be in by tomorrow. If your child tends to get motion sickness on a bus, please let me know ahead of time.
We have our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck on Wednesday at 1:05pm in the cafeteria. Ms. Rugerrio will start setting up around 12:45. If you can come in to help that would be amazing as I need to stay with the kids. We are in need of big serving spoons. One important thing that I can't stress enough, please pack students a very light lunch that day as they will be eating a lot at the feast. If they can hold off and just have a snack that would be even better. If you need to bring in the food during arrival, please bring it to the office or our Parent Coordinator Zaida (Room 109) and someone will put the food in the Teacher's lounge. Please make sure you let him/her know that the food is for the Second Grade feast. Just a reminder that no foods with nuts are allowed and all foods with egg, pork and soy need to be clearly labeled.
I hope students got to work on their Social Studies Project with you. I mentioned to the kids many times that they need enough information from you to make a poster. For each interview question, please give them at least 3-4 sentences to work with. This is due tomorrow.
Students have been forgetting current events. Please help me keep track of this.
Monday- Leia
Tuesday - Luca
Wednesday -Michelle
We will still have a spelling test on Wednesday. I will give students three words to work with.
This week's newsletter will be on the class website soon.
Let me know if you have any further questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for attending Family Friday.
We have a short but eventful week coming up.
Students will attend an Alvin Ailey Dance performance tomorrow morning in the auditorium.
On Tuesday, we will have our second round of the Farm of book program and our trip to the Historical Society. Gosia (Luca's mom) will be our chaperone. Please have students eat a big healthy breakfast that day as we will eat lunch at a later time and please pack them a snack. Permission slips and the $5.00 need to be in by tomorrow. If your child tends to get motion sickness on a bus, please let me know ahead of time.
We have our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck on Wednesday at 1:05pm in the cafeteria. Ms. Rugerrio will start setting up around 12:45. If you can come in to help that would be amazing as I need to stay with the kids. We are in need of big serving spoons. One important thing that I can't stress enough, please pack students a very light lunch that day as they will be eating a lot at the feast. If they can hold off and just have a snack that would be even better. If you need to bring in the food during arrival, please bring it to the office or our Parent Coordinator Zaida (Room 109) and someone will put the food in the Teacher's lounge. Please make sure you let him/her know that the food is for the Second Grade feast. Just a reminder that no foods with nuts are allowed and all foods with egg, pork and soy need to be clearly labeled.
I hope students got to work on their Social Studies Project with you. I mentioned to the kids many times that they need enough information from you to make a poster. For each interview question, please give them at least 3-4 sentences to work with. This is due tomorrow.
Students have been forgetting current events. Please help me keep track of this.
Monday- Leia
Tuesday - Luca
Wednesday -Michelle
We will still have a spelling test on Wednesday. I will give students three words to work with.
This week's newsletter will be on the class website soon.
Let me know if you have any further questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 14-18
Dear Parents,
We are finally going to our Police station trip this week. Please sign permission slip and return.
We are scheduled in the cafeteria for the second grade Potluck celebration on Thursday, November 23rd at 1:15pm. If you are able to come in a little bit earlier to help us set up that would be amazing. We are also asking if you can bring big serving spoons if possible. We have students in the other second grade who cannot eat pork. Please clearly label foods with pork, egg and soy. No nuts whatsoever. Thank you for your contribution so far. I think we still need to add some items to the list, please refer to the previous email.
I am assigning students a Social Studies Project this week. I want them to explore and learn different jobs in the community and how these jobs affect and benefit our community. We will learn part of this when we go to the precinct and the firehouse short after.
As part of this project, students will be exploring YOUR jobs. They will do a presentation teaching their classmates about their parents/guardians' jobs. The project contains two parts: A written part and a presentation part.
Written Part
Students will answer the following questions. They can choose to answer it with a poster, a book, a letter, a rap song, a dance, a skit, a powerpoint (Only if they know how to use it already), etc.
1. What are my parents' (Mom and/or dad or guardian) occupations?
2. What may a typical day look like at their job?
3. How do their jobs help/benefit and affect our community?
4. Why did they choose their particular occupations?
5. Do they work in an urban, suburban or rural area? How do you know?
6. How do they commute to work? How long does it take?
7. What is their opinion about their occupation?
Presentation part
Students will then present their work to you and the class. Students can choose to simply present their written part or it could be a taped interview of you answering those questions. This is their choice.
I will explain and introduce this project very thoroughly to them tomorrow.
We also have Family Friday this week. During FF, I was hoping that some of you can talk to us a little bit about your jobs? I can give you some talking points if you would like. Please email me if you are interested. We need about four parents.
Friday, November 18th is also our Fall Festival. It will be after Family Friday. You are all invited. Please have the students wear Fall colors (Yellow, green, dark orange or red).
We have a trip to the New York Historical Society on Tuesday, November 22nd. We will attend a workshop called Playing in the Past. It will support our upcoming Social Studies unit of New York City then and now. In this workshop, Students will learn about the lives of children long ago and the history of toys and play through a hands-on, inquiry-based exploration of this exciting exhibition. The workshop costs $5.00 per child. Please send in $5 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. I will send the permission slip home Monday or Tuesday. We will take the bus. I will ask for two parent chaperones. Please email me if interested. I will choose from whoever responds to me first. The trip will be from 9:30-12:15.
We will start researching from our Nonfiction books this week. Students will use their paraphrasing skills. Some students still have a hard time with this. Please help me, help them practice. When you see a fact written anywhere, just ask them "How would you paraphrase this?" They should be able to put that fact in their own words without losing the key info.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Julian
Tuesday - Kyle
Wednesday - Kyoma
Thursday - Laasya
Friday- Leia
Students earned another class prize. They voted (With official ballots!!) that they wanted an ice cream party. If you do not want your child to have ice cream, let me know. I can provide them with something else.
Newsletter will be up on our class website by tomorrow,
Have an awesome weekend,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We are finally going to our Police station trip this week. Please sign permission slip and return.
We are scheduled in the cafeteria for the second grade Potluck celebration on Thursday, November 23rd at 1:15pm. If you are able to come in a little bit earlier to help us set up that would be amazing. We are also asking if you can bring big serving spoons if possible. We have students in the other second grade who cannot eat pork. Please clearly label foods with pork, egg and soy. No nuts whatsoever. Thank you for your contribution so far. I think we still need to add some items to the list, please refer to the previous email.
I am assigning students a Social Studies Project this week. I want them to explore and learn different jobs in the community and how these jobs affect and benefit our community. We will learn part of this when we go to the precinct and the firehouse short after.
As part of this project, students will be exploring YOUR jobs. They will do a presentation teaching their classmates about their parents/guardians' jobs. The project contains two parts: A written part and a presentation part.
Written Part
Students will answer the following questions. They can choose to answer it with a poster, a book, a letter, a rap song, a dance, a skit, a powerpoint (Only if they know how to use it already), etc.
1. What are my parents' (Mom and/or dad or guardian) occupations?
2. What may a typical day look like at their job?
3. How do their jobs help/benefit and affect our community?
4. Why did they choose their particular occupations?
5. Do they work in an urban, suburban or rural area? How do you know?
6. How do they commute to work? How long does it take?
7. What is their opinion about their occupation?
Presentation part
Students will then present their work to you and the class. Students can choose to simply present their written part or it could be a taped interview of you answering those questions. This is their choice.
I will explain and introduce this project very thoroughly to them tomorrow.
We also have Family Friday this week. During FF, I was hoping that some of you can talk to us a little bit about your jobs? I can give you some talking points if you would like. Please email me if you are interested. We need about four parents.
Friday, November 18th is also our Fall Festival. It will be after Family Friday. You are all invited. Please have the students wear Fall colors (Yellow, green, dark orange or red).
We have a trip to the New York Historical Society on Tuesday, November 22nd. We will attend a workshop called Playing in the Past. It will support our upcoming Social Studies unit of New York City then and now. In this workshop, Students will learn about the lives of children long ago and the history of toys and play through a hands-on, inquiry-based exploration of this exciting exhibition. The workshop costs $5.00 per child. Please send in $5 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. I will send the permission slip home Monday or Tuesday. We will take the bus. I will ask for two parent chaperones. Please email me if interested. I will choose from whoever responds to me first. The trip will be from 9:30-12:15.
We will start researching from our Nonfiction books this week. Students will use their paraphrasing skills. Some students still have a hard time with this. Please help me, help them practice. When you see a fact written anywhere, just ask them "How would you paraphrase this?" They should be able to put that fact in their own words without losing the key info.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Julian
Tuesday - Kyle
Wednesday - Kyoma
Thursday - Laasya
Friday- Leia
Students earned another class prize. They voted (With official ballots!!) that they wanted an ice cream party. If you do not want your child to have ice cream, let me know. I can provide them with something else.
Newsletter will be up on our class website by tomorrow,
Have an awesome weekend,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 7th-11th
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for coming in for Parent Teacher Conferences, I am happy to say that everything went very smoothly. Thank you for your time. If you have any further questions, please let me know.
We have a short week this week.
There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 8th due to Election Day.
There is also no school on Friday, November 11th due to Veteran's Day.
I am sending home an application for a library card tomorrow. If your child does not have a library card,please fill out the application and send it in by Tuesday morning. If your child already has a library card, please send it in.
We will be going to the Columbus Library on Wednesday, November 9th from 12:15-1:50pm. We will be collecting books for their nonfiction topic. If you still have not sent in the permission slip, please do so.
In honor of Election Day, I will be teaching students the process of voting this week.
Next week (Week of November 14th) I would like to teach students how different jobs contribute and plays a role in our community. They will be working on a project on teaching their classmates about how their parents' jobs help people in the community. I will send home a packet with directions for this project.
I would also like to ask if anyone is interested in speaking to the class on Family Friday, November 18th about how your job plays a role in our community? If you are interested, please let me know.
Thank you for your contribution on the Potluck so far.
The spelling test will be on Thursday. I gave students only three words this week. Spelling homework is assigned.
Newsletter is on our class website.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for coming in for Parent Teacher Conferences, I am happy to say that everything went very smoothly. Thank you for your time. If you have any further questions, please let me know.
We have a short week this week.
There is no school for students on Tuesday, November 8th due to Election Day.
There is also no school on Friday, November 11th due to Veteran's Day.
I am sending home an application for a library card tomorrow. If your child does not have a library card,please fill out the application and send it in by Tuesday morning. If your child already has a library card, please send it in.
We will be going to the Columbus Library on Wednesday, November 9th from 12:15-1:50pm. We will be collecting books for their nonfiction topic. If you still have not sent in the permission slip, please do so.
In honor of Election Day, I will be teaching students the process of voting this week.
Next week (Week of November 14th) I would like to teach students how different jobs contribute and plays a role in our community. They will be working on a project on teaching their classmates about how their parents' jobs help people in the community. I will send home a packet with directions for this project.
I would also like to ask if anyone is interested in speaking to the class on Family Friday, November 18th about how your job plays a role in our community? If you are interested, please let me know.
Thank you for your contribution on the Potluck so far.
The spelling test will be on Thursday. I gave students only three words this week. Spelling homework is assigned.
Newsletter is on our class website.
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 31st - November 4th
Dear all,
Thank you for all of your well wishes. I am feeling a lot better :)
We have a very busy week coming up.
We will start our Farm to Book Program this week during science. The program teaches students about nutrition and where our food comes from. This program is once a month.
The character parade is on Monday. Please refer to Mr. Gilligan's letter if you have any questions. Again, nothing scary please. You are all invited to the parade. We will have a celebration at the end in the cafeteria. If you would like to bring snacks for the class, that would be amazing. Everything must be nut free. Anything with egg needs to be clearly labeled. Please do not have students wear their costumes to school. We will change into them in the afternoon.
Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday. It will be a Half Day. Dismissal will be at 11:40am. Please arrange pick up for students. There is no Road to Success or After School Chess Club. Students will still eat lunch at school.
Picture Day is on Friday, November 4th. Please have students dress extra nice. All picture forms will be filled out online this year. I believe an instruction sheet will be given out on Friday.
I am trying to reschedule our Police Station trip, please bare with me. We will also take a quick trip to the Columbus Library to collect books for our Nonfiction unit. Will send permission slips out soon.
Important Dates coming up
Tuesday, November 8th - Election Day - No school for students
Friday, November 11th - Veteran's Day - No school
Newsletter is in Documents on our class website
Have an amazing weekend,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear all,
Thank you for all of your well wishes. I am feeling a lot better :)
We have a very busy week coming up.
We will start our Farm to Book Program this week during science. The program teaches students about nutrition and where our food comes from. This program is once a month.
The character parade is on Monday. Please refer to Mr. Gilligan's letter if you have any questions. Again, nothing scary please. You are all invited to the parade. We will have a celebration at the end in the cafeteria. If you would like to bring snacks for the class, that would be amazing. Everything must be nut free. Anything with egg needs to be clearly labeled. Please do not have students wear their costumes to school. We will change into them in the afternoon.
Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday. It will be a Half Day. Dismissal will be at 11:40am. Please arrange pick up for students. There is no Road to Success or After School Chess Club. Students will still eat lunch at school.
Picture Day is on Friday, November 4th. Please have students dress extra nice. All picture forms will be filled out online this year. I believe an instruction sheet will be given out on Friday.
I am trying to reschedule our Police Station trip, please bare with me. We will also take a quick trip to the Columbus Library to collect books for our Nonfiction unit. Will send permission slips out soon.
Important Dates coming up
Tuesday, November 8th - Election Day - No school for students
Friday, November 11th - Veteran's Day - No school
Newsletter is in Documents on our class website
Have an amazing weekend,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nonfiction Topics!
Aiden Vasquez
Spiders
Angeleen Desjardins
Japan
Benicio Guadalupe
Spiders
Brielle Chemeaux
Wolves
Coco Chen
China
Dominik Hudek
Hamsters
Gavin Stelczner
Whales
Grace Yang
Butterflies
Jayla Rolon
Sharks
Julian Richardson
Reptiles
Kaito Noda
Japan
Kyle Guanter
Chess
Kyoma Middleton
Whales
Laasya Kalathur
Butterflies
Leia Tajima
New York
Luca Miller
Poland
Michelle Shi
Plants
Ryan Schumann
Spiders
Xiaoyi Zhou
China
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Aiden Vasquez
Spiders
Angeleen Desjardins
Japan
Benicio Guadalupe
Spiders
Brielle Chemeaux
Wolves
Coco Chen
China
Dominik Hudek
Hamsters
Gavin Stelczner
Whales
Grace Yang
Butterflies
Jayla Rolon
Sharks
Julian Richardson
Reptiles
Kaito Noda
Japan
Kyle Guanter
Chess
Kyoma Middleton
Whales
Laasya Kalathur
Butterflies
Leia Tajima
New York
Luca Miller
Poland
Michelle Shi
Plants
Ryan Schumann
Spiders
Xiaoyi Zhou
China
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
More on PT Conferences and Nonfiction Unit
Parents,
Please keep in mind that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress report, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes unless someone is not waiting. Thank you for your understanding.
Students will come home tomorrow with a chosen topic for our Nonfiction unit. This is a very long unit. We went through a whole process of choosing a topic that they already know a lot about, are passionate about and want to teach someone about. If you have time over the weekend, please take your child to a local library to start collecting books on their topic. We will start doing research using the books very soon. You can bring the books in on Monday.
Please also locate your child's library card. If he/she doesn't have one. Please let me know, I will send home an application. We are taking a trip to the Columbus Library very soon to collect books.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
Please keep in mind that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's progress report, my goals for him/her, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you will have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make a separate appointment. I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes unless someone is not waiting. Thank you for your understanding.
Students will come home tomorrow with a chosen topic for our Nonfiction unit. This is a very long unit. We went through a whole process of choosing a topic that they already know a lot about, are passionate about and want to teach someone about. If you have time over the weekend, please take your child to a local library to start collecting books on their topic. We will start doing research using the books very soon. You can bring the books in on Monday.
Please also locate your child's library card. If he/she doesn't have one. Please let me know, I will send home an application. We are taking a trip to the Columbus Library very soon to collect books.
Thank you for your support,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Teacher conference Times
Thank you for providing feedback for the convenient times to meet for parent/teacher conferences. I did my best to schedule your appointment on or near the times you provided. If you did not return the sign-up sheet, I assigned a time for your conference. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 3rd!
Afternoon
Kyoma 1:00
Luca 1:10
Angeleen 1:20
Jayla 1:30
Ryan 1:40
Gavin 2:10
Aiden 2:30
Brielle 2:40
Julian 2:50
Evening
Dominik 4:30
Kaito 4:40
Michelle 5:00
Leia 5:10
Benicio 5:20
Xiaoyi 5:30
Kyle 6:00
Laasya 6:20
Grace 6:30
Coco 7:00
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for providing feedback for the convenient times to meet for parent/teacher conferences. I did my best to schedule your appointment on or near the times you provided. If you did not return the sign-up sheet, I assigned a time for your conference. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 3rd!
Afternoon
Kyoma 1:00
Luca 1:10
Angeleen 1:20
Jayla 1:30
Ryan 1:40
Gavin 2:10
Aiden 2:30
Brielle 2:40
Julian 2:50
Evening
Dominik 4:30
Kaito 4:40
Michelle 5:00
Leia 5:10
Benicio 5:20
Xiaoyi 5:30
Kyle 6:00
Laasya 6:20
Grace 6:30
Coco 7:00
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (October 24th-28th)
Monday - Angie
Tuesday - Benicia
Wednesday - Brielle
Thursday - Dominik
Friday - Coco
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Angie
Tuesday - Benicia
Wednesday - Brielle
Thursday - Dominik
Friday - Coco
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 24th-28th
Dear Parents,
We have an exciting week coming up.
Just a reminder that we have a trip to the Midtown North Police Station on Wednesday October 26th from 12:30-2:00pm. If time permits, we will also walk to their Mounted Unit on 53rd street 10th-11th avenue. Both destinations are very close to the school which is why I didn't ask for chaperones.
We will give the assembly one more try this Friday. Sorry again for wasting your time two weeks ago if you made it in. If you can, meet us in the auditorium at 8:30. We are just showing short videos, please do not feel the need to adjust your schedule.
If you have not sent in the $5 for the Kids a-z website, please do so. I have to pay Ms. Romero back :)
I hope students with access to a computer or tablet at home can start reading books from this great site.
I will be sending a confirmation time for the Parent Teacher Conference times either tomorrow or Tuesday. If you haven't returned the slip, please send it in as soon as possible.
Some students are not completing the reading logs or some math homework. Please help me keep track of this. If your child is not able to complete homework for any reason, please email or write me a note.
We will have a math assessment on 2 digit addition late this week or early next week.
Newsletter with our learning objectives this week is in Documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We have an exciting week coming up.
Just a reminder that we have a trip to the Midtown North Police Station on Wednesday October 26th from 12:30-2:00pm. If time permits, we will also walk to their Mounted Unit on 53rd street 10th-11th avenue. Both destinations are very close to the school which is why I didn't ask for chaperones.
We will give the assembly one more try this Friday. Sorry again for wasting your time two weeks ago if you made it in. If you can, meet us in the auditorium at 8:30. We are just showing short videos, please do not feel the need to adjust your schedule.
If you have not sent in the $5 for the Kids a-z website, please do so. I have to pay Ms. Romero back :)
I hope students with access to a computer or tablet at home can start reading books from this great site.
I will be sending a confirmation time for the Parent Teacher Conference times either tomorrow or Tuesday. If you haven't returned the slip, please send it in as soon as possible.
Some students are not completing the reading logs or some math homework. Please help me keep track of this. If your child is not able to complete homework for any reason, please email or write me a note.
We will have a math assessment on 2 digit addition late this week or early next week.
Newsletter with our learning objectives this week is in Documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nonfiction Unit
Dear Parents,
As we conclude our Personal Narrative writing unit, we move on to writing nonfiction. In this unit, students will write a book teaching others about an expert topic.
I have asked students to think about something they are passionate about and is an expert on over the weekend. We will be doing additional research on the topic using books. Please guide them to pick something that we can possibly find books on. I am not allowing students to use the internet for this unit as I want to teach them to explore books.
Some examples of topics that my students last year picked were:
Ireland
Chess
Soccer
Dogs
Penguins
Karate
This is quite a long unit, so they need to pick something that they are thrilled to write about. Please help me guide them to use a topic and next week we will pick topics in class.
Thank you,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
As we conclude our Personal Narrative writing unit, we move on to writing nonfiction. In this unit, students will write a book teaching others about an expert topic.
I have asked students to think about something they are passionate about and is an expert on over the weekend. We will be doing additional research on the topic using books. Please guide them to pick something that we can possibly find books on. I am not allowing students to use the internet for this unit as I want to teach them to explore books.
Some examples of topics that my students last year picked were:
Ireland
Chess
Soccer
Dogs
Penguins
Karate
This is quite a long unit, so they need to pick something that they are thrilled to write about. Please help me guide them to use a topic and next week we will pick topics in class.
Thank you,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Teacher Conferences
Dear Second Grade Families:
As many of you know, parent/teacher conferences are just a couple weeks away. We always look forward to this time of year as it gives us the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress thus far and make a plan for the months ahead. In addition, progress reports will only be distributed at parent/teacher conferences.
Conferences are taking place on Thursday, November 3rd, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm. We will be scheduling a meeting every ten minutes.
I am sending home tomorrow a list of times that have been set aside for conferences. Please select THREE times that would be convenient for you and send it back to school by Friday, October 28th, 2016. We will attempt to schedule you as close to a time you chose on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we receive the times that you have selected, we will send home a confirmation of your scheduled conference. Please also indicate if you would like to have a translator present and which language.
Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you on November 3rd!
Casandra
Dear Second Grade Families:
As many of you know, parent/teacher conferences are just a couple weeks away. We always look forward to this time of year as it gives us the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress thus far and make a plan for the months ahead. In addition, progress reports will only be distributed at parent/teacher conferences.
Conferences are taking place on Thursday, November 3rd, 2016 from 1:00-3:00 pm and 4:30-7:30 pm. We will be scheduling a meeting every ten minutes.
I am sending home tomorrow a list of times that have been set aside for conferences. Please select THREE times that would be convenient for you and send it back to school by Friday, October 28th, 2016. We will attempt to schedule you as close to a time you chose on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we receive the times that you have selected, we will send home a confirmation of your scheduled conference. Please also indicate if you would like to have a translator present and which language.
Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you on November 3rd!
Casandra
Week of October 17-21
Hi Parents,
We will resume to our routines this week. Regular spelling homework will be given and a spelling test will be on Friday.
If you haven't sent back the permission slip for our trip on Wednesday, please do so. The trip will be about one hour and a half. We will figure out the most efficient way to reach our secret destinations. Students will be split into three groups. Most students will be with me but several students will be with either Ms. Rugerrio or Mr. Mahon on the trip. Several student teachers and paraprofessionals will be joining us on the trip. I do not want you to worry. The weather is supposed to be fantastic. Please have students wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
I will send a permission to our trip to Midtown North Police Station and their mounted station sometime this week. Please sign and return.
Students have earned their Class Prize. They earn ten marbles with every compliment they get from an adult. When they fill up the marble jar, they earn a prize. They had just filled up our jar and requested a pizza party. We will have that party this Friday.
It's Family Friday this week. I am hoping to finish up their Personal Narratives. We should be able to have our first Publishing Party with you this Friday.
Students who I have sent home with writing notebooks, it would be a big help if you can have them write for a bit today to finish up their stories.
Daily math homework will start this week.
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Luca
Tuesday - Michelle
Wednesday - Ryan
Thursday - Xiaoyi
Friday - Aiden
Our Weekly Newsletter explaining what students are learning this week is under Documents.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Parents,
We will resume to our routines this week. Regular spelling homework will be given and a spelling test will be on Friday.
If you haven't sent back the permission slip for our trip on Wednesday, please do so. The trip will be about one hour and a half. We will figure out the most efficient way to reach our secret destinations. Students will be split into three groups. Most students will be with me but several students will be with either Ms. Rugerrio or Mr. Mahon on the trip. Several student teachers and paraprofessionals will be joining us on the trip. I do not want you to worry. The weather is supposed to be fantastic. Please have students wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
I will send a permission to our trip to Midtown North Police Station and their mounted station sometime this week. Please sign and return.
Students have earned their Class Prize. They earn ten marbles with every compliment they get from an adult. When they fill up the marble jar, they earn a prize. They had just filled up our jar and requested a pizza party. We will have that party this Friday.
It's Family Friday this week. I am hoping to finish up their Personal Narratives. We should be able to have our first Publishing Party with you this Friday.
Students who I have sent home with writing notebooks, it would be a big help if you can have them write for a bit today to finish up their stories.
Daily math homework will start this week.
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Luca
Tuesday - Michelle
Wednesday - Ryan
Thursday - Xiaoyi
Friday - Aiden
Our Weekly Newsletter explaining what students are learning this week is under Documents.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 11-14
Dear Parents,
We have a very busy short week coming up. To be honest with you, I don't have that many teaching periods this week. We have so many special events.
Tomorrow, we will have our PBIS Rally from 1:15-2:30. Students will be reintroduced to the concept of PBIS. They will be doing fun activities outside. Please make sure students wear comfortable clothes as they should be already since we have gym tomorrow. No dresses please.
Students will have chess every Thursday. I believe we have 15 sessions with the program.
We will spend some time this week taping the lockdown and fire drill video as we are hosting the assembly this Friday. Parents if you can make it, please meet us in the auditorium at 8:30am.
Students will have a Plural Nouns quiz tomorrow.
I am sending home a permission slip for our trip next week. Please sign and return as soon as possible.
Students will be coming home now every Friday with a copy of the Scholastic News Magazine. Thank you for your contribution.
Please help me remind students that they are to read their leveled books for homework. I precisely tested them and they will learn the most reading at their level. If you are not sure of your child's level, please email me.
I started guided reading with students last week. Guided Reading is when I meet with students in small groups to provide differentiated teaching and help support them with their specific needs to accelerate their progress. These are some skills I'm working on with them based on their reading assessments.
-Decoding Skills
- Inference
- Context Clues
- Retelling a story
In reading this week, we will continue with making connections while we read and jot down our thoughts
In writing, we will finally finish drafting our Personal Narratives. I am hoping we can have a Publishing Party with you on Family Friday.
I am jumping into two digit addition next week. I will do a few quick lessons preparing them for that.
We do not have school on Wednesday, October 12th.
Current Events Schedule
Tuesday - Kyoma
Thursday - Laasya
Friday - Leia
I am sure most of you know that Kou is moving back to Japan this week. I am very saddened by this. The students and I will make sure we do something special for him before his departure.
We will skip spelling homework this week as it's another short week. We will return to regular routines and more on Monday.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We have a very busy short week coming up. To be honest with you, I don't have that many teaching periods this week. We have so many special events.
Tomorrow, we will have our PBIS Rally from 1:15-2:30. Students will be reintroduced to the concept of PBIS. They will be doing fun activities outside. Please make sure students wear comfortable clothes as they should be already since we have gym tomorrow. No dresses please.
Students will have chess every Thursday. I believe we have 15 sessions with the program.
We will spend some time this week taping the lockdown and fire drill video as we are hosting the assembly this Friday. Parents if you can make it, please meet us in the auditorium at 8:30am.
Students will have a Plural Nouns quiz tomorrow.
I am sending home a permission slip for our trip next week. Please sign and return as soon as possible.
Students will be coming home now every Friday with a copy of the Scholastic News Magazine. Thank you for your contribution.
Please help me remind students that they are to read their leveled books for homework. I precisely tested them and they will learn the most reading at their level. If you are not sure of your child's level, please email me.
I started guided reading with students last week. Guided Reading is when I meet with students in small groups to provide differentiated teaching and help support them with their specific needs to accelerate their progress. These are some skills I'm working on with them based on their reading assessments.
-Decoding Skills
- Inference
- Context Clues
- Retelling a story
In reading this week, we will continue with making connections while we read and jot down our thoughts
In writing, we will finally finish drafting our Personal Narratives. I am hoping we can have a Publishing Party with you on Family Friday.
I am jumping into two digit addition next week. I will do a few quick lessons preparing them for that.
We do not have school on Wednesday, October 12th.
Current Events Schedule
Tuesday - Kyoma
Thursday - Laasya
Friday - Leia
I am sure most of you know that Kou is moving back to Japan this week. I am very saddened by this. The students and I will make sure we do something special for him before his departure.
We will skip spelling homework this week as it's another short week. We will return to regular routines and more on Monday.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events
Hi Parents,
Our first trip of the school year with be a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Students will use what they learned in Social Studies (Reading a map, cardinal directions, etc.) to navigate and find unknown local places with the most efficient way to get there from our school.
Since the trip is right in the neighborhood and we have an abundant amount of student teachers, I will not ask for Parent Volunteers for this trip. I will definitely ask for your help with trips further away from our school. This trip will be on Wednesday, October 19th, after lunch. It will be about an hour and a half long. The destination for each of our stops will be on the permission slip, which will be sent home next week. Please do not reveal those locations to students as it was meant to be a surprise.
We will have a trip to the Midtown North Police station the last week of October.
We have been attending weekly school-wide assemblies every Friday. Each week, a different grade hosts the assembly. Next week (Friday, October 14th, 8:30am) is our turn. Our topic is to teach the school about the appropriate protocol for fire drills, lock downs and shelter ins. The other second grade teachers and I are filming the students next week demonstrating the correct and proper to do these drills. Our class will be demonstrating the lock downs. The short video will be shown to the school during the assembly. We will also be in the fire drill video. Parents are welcome at the assembly. Let me know if you are not comfortable with your child being in the video.
Students will have a Proper Noun quiz on Tuesday. I am sending home a review packet for students to complete over the weekend.
Updated List of adults in our classroom
Ms. Janet - Learning leader
Wednesdays 9:30-2:30
Ms. Stephanie - Fordham Student Teacher
Monday and Thursday 12:00-2:00
Ms. Nora - Fordham Observer
Hours still pending (Twice a week)
Ms. Jessica - Student Observer
Monday and Wednesday 9:30-11:00
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Parents,
Our first trip of the school year with be a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Students will use what they learned in Social Studies (Reading a map, cardinal directions, etc.) to navigate and find unknown local places with the most efficient way to get there from our school.
Since the trip is right in the neighborhood and we have an abundant amount of student teachers, I will not ask for Parent Volunteers for this trip. I will definitely ask for your help with trips further away from our school. This trip will be on Wednesday, October 19th, after lunch. It will be about an hour and a half long. The destination for each of our stops will be on the permission slip, which will be sent home next week. Please do not reveal those locations to students as it was meant to be a surprise.
We will have a trip to the Midtown North Police station the last week of October.
We have been attending weekly school-wide assemblies every Friday. Each week, a different grade hosts the assembly. Next week (Friday, October 14th, 8:30am) is our turn. Our topic is to teach the school about the appropriate protocol for fire drills, lock downs and shelter ins. The other second grade teachers and I are filming the students next week demonstrating the correct and proper to do these drills. Our class will be demonstrating the lock downs. The short video will be shown to the school during the assembly. We will also be in the fire drill video. Parents are welcome at the assembly. Let me know if you are not comfortable with your child being in the video.
Students will have a Proper Noun quiz on Tuesday. I am sending home a review packet for students to complete over the weekend.
Updated List of adults in our classroom
Ms. Janet - Learning leader
Wednesdays 9:30-2:30
Ms. Stephanie - Fordham Student Teacher
Monday and Thursday 12:00-2:00
Ms. Nora - Fordham Observer
Hours still pending (Twice a week)
Ms. Jessica - Student Observer
Monday and Wednesday 9:30-11:00
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 5-7
Dear Parents,
Sorry for the late email. I wrote this email this afternoon but never clicked send.
I hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend. Due to the short week coming up, I'm not giving students spelling words and there will not be a newsletter as I will explain everything we are doing here.
Reading
We never got to making connections last week since we spent a lot of time practicing stop and jot. Students willl learn this week to stop, think and connect what they read to their own lives. We will talk about text to self and text to text.
Writing
We will continue drafting our personal narratives. I will teach them how to add onomonopeia and descriptive words to their writing.
Math
We will learn about related facts and a couple of more lessons as a review. Then I'm jumping into 2 digit addition.
Grammar
We will start talking about plural nouns.
I just also wanted to address that since the weather is changing. I see kids, not necessarily from our class, are starting to get sick. You should not bring your child to school if he/she has flu symptoms or if he/she threw up. Being slightly congested is okay.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Sorry for the late email. I wrote this email this afternoon but never clicked send.
I hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend. Due to the short week coming up, I'm not giving students spelling words and there will not be a newsletter as I will explain everything we are doing here.
Reading
We never got to making connections last week since we spent a lot of time practicing stop and jot. Students willl learn this week to stop, think and connect what they read to their own lives. We will talk about text to self and text to text.
Writing
We will continue drafting our personal narratives. I will teach them how to add onomonopeia and descriptive words to their writing.
Math
We will learn about related facts and a couple of more lessons as a review. Then I'm jumping into 2 digit addition.
Grammar
We will start talking about plural nouns.
I just also wanted to address that since the weather is changing. I see kids, not necessarily from our class, are starting to get sick. You should not bring your child to school if he/she has flu symptoms or if he/she threw up. Being slightly congested is okay.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of September 25th-30th
Dear Parents,
As I checked over students' spelling homework. It seemed like that was much confusion over how to complete it. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Due every Friday, students will write their words threetimes each and complete four boxes from their spelling homework menu. For each box, students are to work with all five words. I have instructed students to write the date, and the name of each activity so I know which one they are doing. I will go over this with the students again tomorrow.
Reading logs are to be kept in students' homework folder, as I check it on a daily basis. It is very important for students to keep track of their own reading. Please help me make sure this is complete on a daily basis. Please do not fill it out for them.
If you have not sent in the $6.00 for the scholastic subscription and the documents in the brown envelope, please send them in as soon as possible.
School will be closed for Rosh Hashanah on Monday-Tuesday (October 3-4)
Current Event Schedule this week (September 25th-30th)
Monday - Dominik
Tuesday - Gavin
Wednesday - Grace
Thursday - Jayla
Friday - Julian
Please check our objectives for the week on our weekly newsletter located in Documents.
Please help me keep track of books students bring home for reading and make sure they return to our class library.
Thank you so much for your support so far,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
As I checked over students' spelling homework. It seemed like that was much confusion over how to complete it. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Due every Friday, students will write their words threetimes each and complete four boxes from their spelling homework menu. For each box, students are to work with all five words. I have instructed students to write the date, and the name of each activity so I know which one they are doing. I will go over this with the students again tomorrow.
Reading logs are to be kept in students' homework folder, as I check it on a daily basis. It is very important for students to keep track of their own reading. Please help me make sure this is complete on a daily basis. Please do not fill it out for them.
If you have not sent in the $6.00 for the scholastic subscription and the documents in the brown envelope, please send them in as soon as possible.
School will be closed for Rosh Hashanah on Monday-Tuesday (October 3-4)
Current Event Schedule this week (September 25th-30th)
Monday - Dominik
Tuesday - Gavin
Wednesday - Grace
Thursday - Jayla
Friday - Julian
Please check our objectives for the week on our weekly newsletter located in Documents.
Please help me keep track of books students bring home for reading and make sure they return to our class library.
Thank you so much for your support so far,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Back to School Night
Dear Parents,
I'm sorry for the late notice as the other Second Grade teachers and I just had time to meet today. This is the schedule for tomorrow.
4:30pm- 5:00pm – Tour the Classroom (Room 224)
5:00pm-5:30pm – Meet and Greet all Second Grade teachers and Parents (Room 221)
5:30pm-5:45pm – Presentation of Technology and Science Curriculum with Ms. Guerrier (Room 221)
5:45pm-6:30pm – Presentation of class expectations, routines and curriculum (Room 221)
6:30pm-7:30pm – Q & A with your teacher (Room 224)
Please keep in mind that this is not an individual conference. We will be talking as a whole group.
Hope to see you all tomorrow,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I'm sorry for the late notice as the other Second Grade teachers and I just had time to meet today. This is the schedule for tomorrow.
4:30pm- 5:00pm – Tour the Classroom (Room 224)
5:00pm-5:30pm – Meet and Greet all Second Grade teachers and Parents (Room 221)
5:30pm-5:45pm – Presentation of Technology and Science Curriculum with Ms. Guerrier (Room 221)
5:45pm-6:30pm – Presentation of class expectations, routines and curriculum (Room 221)
6:30pm-7:30pm – Q & A with your teacher (Room 224)
Please keep in mind that this is not an individual conference. We will be talking as a whole group.
Hope to see you all tomorrow,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes
The PBIS Rally was rescheduled, so it's no longer this Friday. Will keep you updated.
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
If you have not returned any documents from the brown envelope, please bring in it as soon as possible. Regarding the red Allergy form, even if your child is not allergic to anything. Please still fill it out and return.
Thank you so much!
Casandra
The PBIS Rally was rescheduled, so it's no longer this Friday. Will keep you updated.
If you ever want to purchase books for your child. Please go on Scholastic.com. When you order books through this site, The books are cheaper and I also receive points that I can redeem to purchase books for our classroom. Our class code is NK7Q7. The shipping is also free. I will have to finalize the order and get it shipped to the school. Let me know if that is something you are interested in.
If you have not returned any documents from the brown envelope, please bring in it as soon as possible. Regarding the red Allergy form, even if your child is not allergic to anything. Please still fill it out and return.
Thank you so much!
Casandra
Week of September 19-23
Dear All,
I am starting weekly newsletters this week. The newsletter includes students' spelling words for the week and what we are learning in each subject. I will send a hard copy home every Monday. It can also be found here on our class website Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com under Documents.
Students will also come home with a homework log tomorrow.
Students will start science with Ms. Guerrier tomorrow. She will join us for Back to School night to explain what students will be learning in science and technology.
We will have a Book Pal in our classroom every Tuesday Afternoon. Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis.
Students will have a spelling test every Friday starting this week. On the spelling test, students will write the word and also use the word in a sentence. It is a way for me to assess students' true understanding of the words given.
Back to school night is this coming Thursday. We will meet in our classroom at 4:30.I will discuss what students will be learning this year. If you are working or busy, please do not feel the need to take off work or cancel your plans, I can email you what we went over or we can meet at another time.
My schedule is open on Tuesdays for parent meetings from 3:00-3:30 starting the last week of September. I already have a meeting scheduled for the first week. Please let me know if you would like to meet regarding your child.
I wanted to kindly ask for you not to have long conversations with me during dismissal, as I have to keep my eyes on students who haven't been dismissed. I usually stay after work late so if you have something to talk to me about. Please let me know and we can meet after.
Late pick ups are in the teachers lounge (Room in cafeteria) I usually walk students there around 3:40pm.
I will give you a list of some adults who may be helping in our classroom as soon as it's finalized.
I would like to sign our class up for a weekly subscription of Scholastic News. I did it with every class I had and students loved it. Scholastic News is a weekly nonfiction print and magazine. It has articles on science, social studies, and safety topics to create a multimedia curriculum. The focus is on building content knowledge, vocabulary, and nonfiction reading skills. The magazines get more challenging throughout the school year as children become better readers. A subscription costs $6.00 per child for the whole year. Please send it in an envelope labeled with your child's name.
We will have a PBIS kick off on Friday at 8:30am. Students will be reminded or introduced to our school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports. Parents are welcome.
Also a reminder that students will start their reading log, spelling homework and current events this week. Please help me keep track of this.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear All,
I am starting weekly newsletters this week. The newsletter includes students' spelling words for the week and what we are learning in each subject. I will send a hard copy home every Monday. It can also be found here on our class website Mscasandrasclass.weebly.com under Documents.
Students will also come home with a homework log tomorrow.
Students will start science with Ms. Guerrier tomorrow. She will join us for Back to School night to explain what students will be learning in science and technology.
We will have a Book Pal in our classroom every Tuesday Afternoon. Her name is Judy Wong. A Book Pal is a trained adult who comes in and does age-appropriate read-alouds in classrooms. With our busy schedule, sometimes I do not have time to read to students as much as I should. With a Book Pal, students will get fun, interactive read-alouds on a weekly basis.
Students will have a spelling test every Friday starting this week. On the spelling test, students will write the word and also use the word in a sentence. It is a way for me to assess students' true understanding of the words given.
Back to school night is this coming Thursday. We will meet in our classroom at 4:30.I will discuss what students will be learning this year. If you are working or busy, please do not feel the need to take off work or cancel your plans, I can email you what we went over or we can meet at another time.
My schedule is open on Tuesdays for parent meetings from 3:00-3:30 starting the last week of September. I already have a meeting scheduled for the first week. Please let me know if you would like to meet regarding your child.
I wanted to kindly ask for you not to have long conversations with me during dismissal, as I have to keep my eyes on students who haven't been dismissed. I usually stay after work late so if you have something to talk to me about. Please let me know and we can meet after.
Late pick ups are in the teachers lounge (Room in cafeteria) I usually walk students there around 3:40pm.
I will give you a list of some adults who may be helping in our classroom as soon as it's finalized.
I would like to sign our class up for a weekly subscription of Scholastic News. I did it with every class I had and students loved it. Scholastic News is a weekly nonfiction print and magazine. It has articles on science, social studies, and safety topics to create a multimedia curriculum. The focus is on building content knowledge, vocabulary, and nonfiction reading skills. The magazines get more challenging throughout the school year as children become better readers. A subscription costs $6.00 per child for the whole year. Please send it in an envelope labeled with your child's name.
We will have a PBIS kick off on Friday at 8:30am. Students will be reminded or introduced to our school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports. Parents are welcome.
Also a reminder that students will start their reading log, spelling homework and current events this week. Please help me keep track of this.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spelling Homework, Reading Log and Current Events
I will be easing students into our homework routine next week. I will start explaining everything to them tomorrow.
Spelling homework
On Monday, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending a laminated menu home on Monday. Please keep in their homework folder. Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe.
Reading Log
Starting Monday, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it as keeping track of how much they read is crucial. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this.
Current Events
I did this with my students last year and it was quite successful. On a rotating (alphabetical) schedule, students will share something that is going on in the world with the class. I think it's important for kids to be aware of what's going on in their every lives and it also helps them with public speaking skills. My students from last year would come in with a small newspaper article and present it to the class. They loved it! It should take them only five minutes. Please be sure the news they are presenting are positive.
We will start this coming Monday, September 19th
Monday- Aiden
Tuesday- Angeleen
Wednesday - Benicia
Thursday - Brielle
Friday - Coco
Important Dates
Friday, September 14th - Family Friday 8:30-9:00
Wednesday, September 21st - PTA Meeting at 8:30am
Thursday, September 22nd - Back to school night 4:30-7:30
Friday, September 23rd - PBIS Kick off
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I will be easing students into our homework routine next week. I will start explaining everything to them tomorrow.
Spelling homework
On Monday, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending a laminated menu home on Monday. Please keep in their homework folder. Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity. I will be collecting the laminated menu at the end of the year. Please help me keep it safe.
Reading Log
Starting Monday, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it as keeping track of how much they read is crucial. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this.
Current Events
I did this with my students last year and it was quite successful. On a rotating (alphabetical) schedule, students will share something that is going on in the world with the class. I think it's important for kids to be aware of what's going on in their every lives and it also helps them with public speaking skills. My students from last year would come in with a small newspaper article and present it to the class. They loved it! It should take them only five minutes. Please be sure the news they are presenting are positive.
We will start this coming Monday, September 19th
Monday- Aiden
Tuesday- Angeleen
Wednesday - Benicia
Thursday - Brielle
Friday - Coco
Important Dates
Friday, September 14th - Family Friday 8:30-9:00
Wednesday, September 21st - PTA Meeting at 8:30am
Thursday, September 22nd - Back to school night 4:30-7:30
Friday, September 23rd - PBIS Kick off
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of September 13th-16th
Just an overview of the week.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 19th. It is very important for students to track their reading and it teaches them responsibility. Please help me keep track of this. I will start assessing students for their official reading levels this week. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
During reading workshop this week, I am still trying to embed reading workshop routines. I will teach students:
How independent reading looks like and sounds like?
What is the difference between real reading and fake reading? (It sounds silly, but it's crucial)
Strong readers choose not only what they are going to read but also how they are going to read.
How to choose a just- right -book when the level of the book is unknown
Writing
Our first writing unit is Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
Math
I a m introducing students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting. Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars on daily basis.
I will be placing students into two spelling groups starting next week. The groups are based on their score on the spelling assessment. I will start spelling homework next week.
If you still haven't sent in the documents, please do so as soon as possible.
Thank you to all who sent in the school supplies. I appreciate it so much.
Students also have gym tomorrow and Thursday, please send them in with sneakers and appropriate clothing.
Family Friday is this coming Friday. You are welcome in our classroom from 8:30-9:00.
See you all tomorrow and let me know if you have any questions,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just an overview of the week.
Reading
Students will start independently reading this week for 25 minutes each day in school. They will be assigned to read for 25 minutes a night for homework. I will teach them how to fill a reading log this week. Reading logs will be sent home next week and we will start that for homework on the 19th. It is very important for students to track their reading and it teaches them responsibility. Please help me keep track of this. I will start assessing students for their official reading levels this week. Once I know their level, I will inform you. Students learn and are challenged the most when they are reading a book that is on their level. They are expected to read their leveled books for homework and in class.
During reading workshop this week, I am still trying to embed reading workshop routines. I will teach students:
How independent reading looks like and sounds like?
What is the difference between real reading and fake reading? (It sounds silly, but it's crucial)
Strong readers choose not only what they are going to read but also how they are going to read.
How to choose a just- right -book when the level of the book is unknown
Writing
Our first writing unit is Narrative writing. We will start by discovering small moments that matter in their lives. They will also learn that authors don't just tell any stories, they tell meaningful ones. Lastly, I will teach them to plan and let their stories grow by trying things out and thinking as they write.
Math
I a m introducing students to something called a Number Talk this week. This will be part of our daily math routine. A Number talk is a short, ongoing daily routine that provides students with a meaningful ongoing practice with computation. In number talks, we will practice subitizing, which is the ability to glance at an amount of objects (Dots) and know the amount without counting. Students will also practice computing in their heads and share their strategies with others, learn to clarify and expressing their mathematical thinking. We will talk more about this during curriculum night.
We will spend some time review skills like breaking apart numbers and place value this week. Please be patient with me as I am still learning their math skills.
We will also review the rules and expectations in a Socratic Seminar. I know they did a lot of that last year. We will be doing Socratic Seminars on daily basis.
I will be placing students into two spelling groups starting next week. The groups are based on their score on the spelling assessment. I will start spelling homework next week.
If you still haven't sent in the documents, please do so as soon as possible.
Thank you to all who sent in the school supplies. I appreciate it so much.
Students also have gym tomorrow and Thursday, please send them in with sneakers and appropriate clothing.
Family Friday is this coming Friday. You are welcome in our classroom from 8:30-9:00.
See you all tomorrow and let me know if you have any questions,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2016-2017 School Year
I wanted to officially welcome you to the 2016-2017 School Year. I am so excited to be your child's teacher and am very eager to get to know you and your family. We will have a wonderful school year together.
As you know the first day of school is Thursday, September 8th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better. Please fill it out very thoroughly. On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name all adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not. A supply list will also be included.
We will spend the first two days of school:
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
I will start updating this class website starting this week. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Weekly Newsletters.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I wanted to officially welcome you to the 2016-2017 School Year. I am so excited to be your child's teacher and am very eager to get to know you and your family. We will have a wonderful school year together.
As you know the first day of school is Thursday, September 8th. Please meet me in the school yard at 8:20am. I will most likely be on the south side of the yard.
A brown envelope will be sent home on the first day of school with documents for you to fill out. Please fill all forms and return them to school as soon as possible. I will also include a questionnaire to get to know your child better. Please fill it out very thoroughly. On the questionnaire, please be sure to include an email that you check often, as I will be sending out weekly emails. A blue card will also be included,please be sure to name all adults who will possibly pick up your child throughout the school year. As most of you know, I cannot dismiss your child with someone who is not on the blue card, family or not. A supply list will also be included.
We will spend the first two days of school:
- Getting to know each other with fun activities
- Learning new classroom/school routines and procedures
- Learning arrival and dismissal procedures
- Learning Fire Drill and Soft/Hard Lockdown Procedures
- Completing writing, math and spelling assessments (I will spread them out)
- Learning how to treat our class library
- Learning how to be an active listener
- Learning what is reading and writing workshop
I will start updating this class website starting this week. On this site you will find updated information weekly (I will also email it to you), Class schedule (Once finalized), and Weekly Newsletters.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Links to Websites We Created
I'm so proud that our students created websites! It was a difficult and long journey but we did it! For this project, students picked an issue in the world that they think needs to change, and created a website to educate people about their issue. Students did two weeks of research online, paraphrased their facts on paper, typed all their information on Google Docs and transferred their work onto a website builder! Please check them out!
Save the Coral Reefs by Anna, Aaron and Chris
http://coralreefssavers.weebly.com
Quit Smoking by Ian, Dior and Sophia
http://quitsmokingasap787.weebly.com
Stop Littering by Akira and Tenzin
http://stoplittering123.weebly.com
Pollution - Kiroto, Christina and Hailey
http://pollutionstoppers123.weebly.com
Endangered Species - Sebastien, Max, Yuxin and Julien
http://noendangredspecies.weebly.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm so proud that our students created websites! It was a difficult and long journey but we did it! For this project, students picked an issue in the world that they think needs to change, and created a website to educate people about their issue. Students did two weeks of research online, paraphrased their facts on paper, typed all their information on Google Docs and transferred their work onto a website builder! Please check them out!
Save the Coral Reefs by Anna, Aaron and Chris
http://coralreefssavers.weebly.com
Quit Smoking by Ian, Dior and Sophia
http://quitsmokingasap787.weebly.com
Stop Littering by Akira and Tenzin
http://stoplittering123.weebly.com
Pollution - Kiroto, Christina and Hailey
http://pollutionstoppers123.weebly.com
Endangered Species - Sebastien, Max, Yuxin and Julien
http://noendangredspecies.weebly.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 20th-24th
Hi Parents,
Thank you so much for making our Family Friday very eventful. I'm sorry I didn't really join you while you were talking to the kids about the Great Wall, I was trying to open their websites and encountered a bit of a problem...
I also had to postpone the awards. We didn't have enough time. It was supposed to be very informal. I will do it with Mr. A and the kids this coming week. I will be sure to take pictures to share with you.
Thank you parents for coming to the picnic. The kids had the time of their lives....
We have our last trip of the school year tomorrow with Mr. A. We are attending the Dinosaur exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. Please provide students with bagged lunch, snack and maybe a small bottle of water. There is no need to bring school related items except for the permission slip if you haven't returned it. I would love if they can come in with a smaller backpack. We will take the subway. Max's father will be our chaperone.
As you know, this coming week is the last full week of school. Please send in a big sturdy bag to take their work and notebooks home. Please label it with their name. I am planning on sending it home with them on Friday. Please let me know if that is not your day of convenience. So I can send it earlier.
We have our last G&T tour on Tuesday at 9am. Not sure how many prospective parents will be there. If you have time to join the tour, please let Zaida know.
See you tomorrow,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Parents,
Thank you so much for making our Family Friday very eventful. I'm sorry I didn't really join you while you were talking to the kids about the Great Wall, I was trying to open their websites and encountered a bit of a problem...
I also had to postpone the awards. We didn't have enough time. It was supposed to be very informal. I will do it with Mr. A and the kids this coming week. I will be sure to take pictures to share with you.
Thank you parents for coming to the picnic. The kids had the time of their lives....
We have our last trip of the school year tomorrow with Mr. A. We are attending the Dinosaur exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. Please provide students with bagged lunch, snack and maybe a small bottle of water. There is no need to bring school related items except for the permission slip if you haven't returned it. I would love if they can come in with a smaller backpack. We will take the subway. Max's father will be our chaperone.
As you know, this coming week is the last full week of school. Please send in a big sturdy bag to take their work and notebooks home. Please label it with their name. I am planning on sending it home with them on Friday. Please let me know if that is not your day of convenience. So I can send it earlier.
We have our last G&T tour on Tuesday at 9am. Not sure how many prospective parents will be there. If you have time to join the tour, please let Zaida know.
See you tomorrow,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 13th - 17th
Dear Parents,
A couple of reminders for this coming week:
- I am no longer giving students homework for this school year as I want students to enjoy the last two weeks of school fully and the weather outside. They are still to read for 35 minutes everyday though and are still expected to fill in their reading log. I can assure you that rigorous learning will still take place in the classroom until the last day of school.
- With that said, please send back to school the two Spelling tic-tac-toe boards that I gave them at the beginning of the year. They were really hard for me to make and I think I may have misplaced the original. I would like to use them with my students next year. I would really appreciate if you sent both copies back to school on Monday.
- There is no school for students on Tuesday, June 14th.
- Field day takes place on Wednesday, June 15. We will be in the yard for about an hour and a half in the morning. All students from our class are to wear blue. Please make sure they wear sneakers as they will not be permitted to participate if they don't wear appropriate footwear. In addition, please have students wear sunscreen since they will be outside for a period of time and make sure they eat a big healthy breakfast.
- On Family Friday, I plan to give students awards (Only within our class this time) and have them share their websites and the Great Wall Project with you. I also put together a portfolio for them with their writing from throughout the whole year that can also share with you. I have a couple of parents who volunteered to bring in some pastries, munchkins and juice for us! (Thank you.) Students will eat a quick breakfast before we leave to Central Park. If you have not signed the permission slip, please do so :)
- We will leave to Central Park for our class picnic (June 17th) around 9:45am. We will be settling where we were last year, at the benches behind Hecksher Park. Judith informed me that they will have sprinklers and water flows through the climbers. I will leave it to you if you will allow your child to bring water shoes or wear a bathing suit underneath his/her clothes.
As for food, you are more than welcome to bring any type of food and snacks. I don't want you to carry a lot of stuff. So, just a small amount of something is fine. Please bring blankets for kids to sit on incase the benches are taken. Some students mentioned they wanted to bring toys, etc. I will leave that decision to you.
When students are leaving whether to go to the bathroom or anywhere else on the trip, especially if you are taking another student who is not your child, please be sure to inform me as I am still responsible for the them.
There are a lot of rocks around and kids like to climb on them by the picnic area. Before the trip, I am going to tell them that I am not allowing them on the rocks as they can get hurt easily. Please back me up on this when we are on the trip.
- When you decide to leave the park to go home with your child, please be sure to notify me.
- There are several students who still need to finish up typing their information on Google Docs. Please help me make sure they finish it by Sunday 7pm. All typing should be finalized. At that time, I will finalize what they have and save it onto a Word Document. They will transfer the info on to the Website Builder on Monday. I want them to be able to share their website with you on Friday.
- We are taking our last trip to the Museum of Natural History on Monday, June 20th. We will visit the Dinosaur Exhibit. As you know, I am allowed one parent. If you are interested, please let me know. Again, please give a chance to parents who have not been on a field trip yet this year.
- I know I have mentioned this several times, but so many books from our class library are missing. If you have them, please return.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
A couple of reminders for this coming week:
- I am no longer giving students homework for this school year as I want students to enjoy the last two weeks of school fully and the weather outside. They are still to read for 35 minutes everyday though and are still expected to fill in their reading log. I can assure you that rigorous learning will still take place in the classroom until the last day of school.
- With that said, please send back to school the two Spelling tic-tac-toe boards that I gave them at the beginning of the year. They were really hard for me to make and I think I may have misplaced the original. I would like to use them with my students next year. I would really appreciate if you sent both copies back to school on Monday.
- There is no school for students on Tuesday, June 14th.
- Field day takes place on Wednesday, June 15. We will be in the yard for about an hour and a half in the morning. All students from our class are to wear blue. Please make sure they wear sneakers as they will not be permitted to participate if they don't wear appropriate footwear. In addition, please have students wear sunscreen since they will be outside for a period of time and make sure they eat a big healthy breakfast.
- On Family Friday, I plan to give students awards (Only within our class this time) and have them share their websites and the Great Wall Project with you. I also put together a portfolio for them with their writing from throughout the whole year that can also share with you. I have a couple of parents who volunteered to bring in some pastries, munchkins and juice for us! (Thank you.) Students will eat a quick breakfast before we leave to Central Park. If you have not signed the permission slip, please do so :)
- We will leave to Central Park for our class picnic (June 17th) around 9:45am. We will be settling where we were last year, at the benches behind Hecksher Park. Judith informed me that they will have sprinklers and water flows through the climbers. I will leave it to you if you will allow your child to bring water shoes or wear a bathing suit underneath his/her clothes.
As for food, you are more than welcome to bring any type of food and snacks. I don't want you to carry a lot of stuff. So, just a small amount of something is fine. Please bring blankets for kids to sit on incase the benches are taken. Some students mentioned they wanted to bring toys, etc. I will leave that decision to you.
When students are leaving whether to go to the bathroom or anywhere else on the trip, especially if you are taking another student who is not your child, please be sure to inform me as I am still responsible for the them.
There are a lot of rocks around and kids like to climb on them by the picnic area. Before the trip, I am going to tell them that I am not allowing them on the rocks as they can get hurt easily. Please back me up on this when we are on the trip.
- When you decide to leave the park to go home with your child, please be sure to notify me.
- There are several students who still need to finish up typing their information on Google Docs. Please help me make sure they finish it by Sunday 7pm. All typing should be finalized. At that time, I will finalize what they have and save it onto a Word Document. They will transfer the info on to the Website Builder on Monday. I want them to be able to share their website with you on Friday.
- We are taking our last trip to the Museum of Natural History on Monday, June 20th. We will visit the Dinosaur Exhibit. As you know, I am allowed one parent. If you are interested, please let me know. Again, please give a chance to parents who have not been on a field trip yet this year.
- I know I have mentioned this several times, but so many books from our class library are missing. If you have them, please return.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of June 6th -June 10th
Reminders:
- There is a Gifted and Talented Tour on Tuesday, June 7th. If you have time to speak to prospective parents about the program, we will highly appreciate it. The tour starts at 9:00am.
- We have a trip on Firezone on Wednesday, June 8th . Please prepare an easy-to-eat lunch for students. I may have them eat lunch at the park or come back to eat it at school. I will have to see what time trip ends.
- There is no school for students on Thursday, June 9th.
- I am hoping that students will finish their website by Family Friday, June 17th so they can share it with you. I am proud to say that they learned how to use Google Docs very quickly and are very much enjoying the process.
- For our end of the year picnic, you are more than welcome to bring anything you'd like.
Have a great week,
Casandra
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Dior
Tuesday - Hailey
Wednesday - Ian
Thursday - No school
Friday - Julien
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reminders:
- There is a Gifted and Talented Tour on Tuesday, June 7th. If you have time to speak to prospective parents about the program, we will highly appreciate it. The tour starts at 9:00am.
- We have a trip on Firezone on Wednesday, June 8th . Please prepare an easy-to-eat lunch for students. I may have them eat lunch at the park or come back to eat it at school. I will have to see what time trip ends.
- There is no school for students on Thursday, June 9th.
- I am hoping that students will finish their website by Family Friday, June 17th so they can share it with you. I am proud to say that they learned how to use Google Docs very quickly and are very much enjoying the process.
- For our end of the year picnic, you are more than welcome to bring anything you'd like.
Have a great week,
Casandra
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Dior
Tuesday - Hailey
Wednesday - Ian
Thursday - No school
Friday - Julien
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 31st - June 3rd
Dear Parents,
A couple of reminders:
- I am sending home a permission slip for our Firezone trip tomorrow. It will cost $6.00 for each student. Please send in the money in an envelope labeled with your child's name and sign the permission slip. Thank you!
- Please refer to my previous emails about important dates coming up. Also, please let me know if you can contribute anything for our breakfast during Family Friday on June 17th. We will leave for the picnic that day shortly after Family Friday.
- The Great Wall Project is delayed a bit because Ms. Reszke and I are trying to plan an end of the year project that ties in both Social studies and math. I don't want students just to build the wall. But will make the project more interesting and challenging with math. We should be able to introduce this project to students by next week.
- If you have any books that belongs to our class library, please return them to the classroom. Lots of books are missing. The books will have a red sticker on the back corner.
- There are a couple of G&T tours coming up on Friday June 3rd and Tuesday, June 7th. If you have time to speak on our behalf to prospective parents, we would really appreciate it. Both tours are at 9:00am.
- Students are using Google Docs this week. In order to do so, they need a google email. I cannot do it for them as they ask for another email to verify. Please let me know if you need any help creating one. We can do it together over the phone.
Current Events schedule this week
Tuesday - Akira
Wednesday - Anna
Thursday - Christina
Friday - Chris
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
A couple of reminders:
- I am sending home a permission slip for our Firezone trip tomorrow. It will cost $6.00 for each student. Please send in the money in an envelope labeled with your child's name and sign the permission slip. Thank you!
- Please refer to my previous emails about important dates coming up. Also, please let me know if you can contribute anything for our breakfast during Family Friday on June 17th. We will leave for the picnic that day shortly after Family Friday.
- The Great Wall Project is delayed a bit because Ms. Reszke and I are trying to plan an end of the year project that ties in both Social studies and math. I don't want students just to build the wall. But will make the project more interesting and challenging with math. We should be able to introduce this project to students by next week.
- If you have any books that belongs to our class library, please return them to the classroom. Lots of books are missing. The books will have a red sticker on the back corner.
- There are a couple of G&T tours coming up on Friday June 3rd and Tuesday, June 7th. If you have time to speak on our behalf to prospective parents, we would really appreciate it. Both tours are at 9:00am.
- Students are using Google Docs this week. In order to do so, they need a google email. I cannot do it for them as they ask for another email to verify. Please let me know if you need any help creating one. We can do it together over the phone.
Current Events schedule this week
Tuesday - Akira
Wednesday - Anna
Thursday - Christina
Friday - Chris
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 23rd-27th
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have the Talent Show on Thursday, May 26th from 6pm-8pm. I will be there the whole time to help and watch the show. Hope to see all of you there!
We will have our own Family Friday on Friday, May 27th since I was out this past Friday. You are more than welcome to join us in the classroom from 8:30-9:00.
We will not have school Monday, May 30th due to Memorial Day.
Students will start typing up their facts on to Google Docs next week. I decided to use Google docs because several students can be working on the same project simultaneously. It would be extremely helpful if you can help me create students a Google mail account (Just to use to log on to Googledocs). It could simply be their name and last name. If that username is taken, try first name. Last name. Please write down the info and send it in with students. If you are not able, do not worry. I can do it with them but this will save us a lot of time.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Newsletter in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events (May 23-27)
Monday - Sebastien
Tuesday - Sophia
Wednesday - Tenzin
Thursday - Yuxin
Friday- Aaron
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that we have the Talent Show on Thursday, May 26th from 6pm-8pm. I will be there the whole time to help and watch the show. Hope to see all of you there!
We will have our own Family Friday on Friday, May 27th since I was out this past Friday. You are more than welcome to join us in the classroom from 8:30-9:00.
We will not have school Monday, May 30th due to Memorial Day.
Students will start typing up their facts on to Google Docs next week. I decided to use Google docs because several students can be working on the same project simultaneously. It would be extremely helpful if you can help me create students a Google mail account (Just to use to log on to Googledocs). It could simply be their name and last name. If that username is taken, try first name. Last name. Please write down the info and send it in with students. If you are not able, do not worry. I can do it with them but this will save us a lot of time.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Newsletter in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events (May 23-27)
Monday - Sebastien
Tuesday - Sophia
Wednesday - Tenzin
Thursday - Yuxin
Friday- Aaron
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 16th-20th
Dear Parents,
We had a great time at the New York Botanical Garden and beat the rain! Thank you Joanna for being an awesome chaperon.
Regarding this week...
- I will not be in on Monday due to a workshop I am attending. Will leave thorough plans for the substitute teacher.
- Students with the Read Ahead Program will have a trip on Wednesday, May 18th (Sophia, Yuxin, Julien, Chris, Kiroto). Students will be picked up from our classroom.
- We are going to the Scholastic Book fair as a class on Thursday, May 19th. Please send students with some cash if you would like them to purchase something. Will try to remember to remind you on Wednesday.
- We have Family Friday on May 20th and a Spring Concert right after (9:00 am) in the auditorium. Please have students wear bright spring colors.
- Our words of the week will again support the Human Body unit Mr. A and I are teaching. The spelling test will be the words and definition (Not sentences). I am attaching the definitions with this email incase you want to go over them over the weekend.
Group One:
Skull- The bones of the head that surround and protect the brain
Pelvis- A basin-shaped structure in the skeleton
Ulna- The bone on the little finger side of the forearm
Carpals- The bones of the wrist
Femur- The long bone of the leg extending from the hip to the knee and supporting the thigh
Group Two:
Humerus- The long bone of the upper arm that extends from shoulder to elbow
Patella- the kneecap
Metacarpals- The bones in the hand
Metatarsals- The bones in the foot
Radius- The bone on the thumb side of the forearm
Newsletter in Documents
Current Event Schedule (May 16-20)
Monday - Hailey
Tuesday - Ian
Wednesday - Julien
Thursday - Kiroto
Friday - Max
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We had a great time at the New York Botanical Garden and beat the rain! Thank you Joanna for being an awesome chaperon.
Regarding this week...
- I will not be in on Monday due to a workshop I am attending. Will leave thorough plans for the substitute teacher.
- Students with the Read Ahead Program will have a trip on Wednesday, May 18th (Sophia, Yuxin, Julien, Chris, Kiroto). Students will be picked up from our classroom.
- We are going to the Scholastic Book fair as a class on Thursday, May 19th. Please send students with some cash if you would like them to purchase something. Will try to remember to remind you on Wednesday.
- We have Family Friday on May 20th and a Spring Concert right after (9:00 am) in the auditorium. Please have students wear bright spring colors.
- Our words of the week will again support the Human Body unit Mr. A and I are teaching. The spelling test will be the words and definition (Not sentences). I am attaching the definitions with this email incase you want to go over them over the weekend.
Group One:
Skull- The bones of the head that surround and protect the brain
Pelvis- A basin-shaped structure in the skeleton
Ulna- The bone on the little finger side of the forearm
Carpals- The bones of the wrist
Femur- The long bone of the leg extending from the hip to the knee and supporting the thigh
Group Two:
Humerus- The long bone of the upper arm that extends from shoulder to elbow
Patella- the kneecap
Metacarpals- The bones in the hand
Metatarsals- The bones in the foot
Radius- The bone on the thumb side of the forearm
Newsletter in Documents
Current Event Schedule (May 16-20)
Monday - Hailey
Tuesday - Ian
Wednesday - Julien
Thursday - Kiroto
Friday - Max
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of May 9th- May13th
Just a reminder that we have Curriculum Night on Thursday, May 12th from 4:30-7:30. Please follow the schedule on the flier that was sent home. When we have open classroom time, we will chat about the glows and grows of our school year. Any important information will be emailed to you, please do not feel like you need to take off work to attend but we do encourage attendance.
We have a trip to the New York Botanical Garden on Friday, May 13th. Please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch, a snack and a small bottle of water (No glass bottles). I am hoping that the weather will be in our favor. It says right now that it will rain but hopefully that will change. If it does rain, we might have to cancel the trip because we will be outdoors. If you still haven't signed the permission slip, please send them in as soon as possible.
For science, Mr. A planned a very interesting Human Body Unit. We will spend a week or two on this. Students' words this week are in support of the science unit. Instead of writing sentences on their spelling test, they will be writing definitions in their own words. Mr. A and I will go over the definitions with them and it will also be sent home.
See you all next week,
Newsletter in Documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (May 9-13)
Monday - Akira
Tuesday - Anna
Wednesday - Christina
Thursday - Chris
Friday - Dior
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just a reminder that we have Curriculum Night on Thursday, May 12th from 4:30-7:30. Please follow the schedule on the flier that was sent home. When we have open classroom time, we will chat about the glows and grows of our school year. Any important information will be emailed to you, please do not feel like you need to take off work to attend but we do encourage attendance.
We have a trip to the New York Botanical Garden on Friday, May 13th. Please pack students an easy-to-eat lunch, a snack and a small bottle of water (No glass bottles). I am hoping that the weather will be in our favor. It says right now that it will rain but hopefully that will change. If it does rain, we might have to cancel the trip because we will be outdoors. If you still haven't signed the permission slip, please send them in as soon as possible.
For science, Mr. A planned a very interesting Human Body Unit. We will spend a week or two on this. Students' words this week are in support of the science unit. Instead of writing sentences on their spelling test, they will be writing definitions in their own words. Mr. A and I will go over the definitions with them and it will also be sent home.
See you all next week,
Newsletter in Documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (May 9-13)
Monday - Akira
Tuesday - Anna
Wednesday - Christina
Thursday - Chris
Friday - Dior
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (May 2-6)
Monday- Sebastien
Tuesday - Sophia
Wednesday - Tenzin
Thursday- Yuxin
Friday - Aaron
Monday- Sebastien
Tuesday - Sophia
Wednesday - Tenzin
Thursday- Yuxin
Friday - Aaron
Week of May 2-6
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxing break. I am recovering from a cold but feeling better now! We are pretty much starting all new units:
Reading - Launching our research unit! As an extension to our persuasive unit, students will work in groups of three to pick an issue in the world that they think needs to be changed and create a website educating people about their cause.
Writing - Launching our fairy tale adaptation unit. In this unit, students will create their own fairytales by adapting classic ones. If you have any books that are fairy tale classics, please send them in!
Math - For my second grade math group- We will spend the week learning estimation and how to round numbers to the nearest ten and hundred. Students will also learn how that skill can help them solve real-world word problems.
Science -We will start learning about energy. Students will learn this week that energy exists in various forms: heat, electric, sound, chemical, mechanical, light. And everyday events involve one form of energy being changed to another.
Social Studies - We will spend the next two months studying China and the country's history.
We have a field trip to the New York Botanical Garden on Friday, May 13th. We will take a bus. I am sending out permission slips tomorrow, please sign and return. I am waiting for approval for another trip to the Museum of Natural History to see a limited time Dinosaur exhibition.
See you all tomorrow,
Ps. If you have any pictures from the speech event, please share with me via email.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I hope all of you had a relaxing break. I am recovering from a cold but feeling better now! We are pretty much starting all new units:
Reading - Launching our research unit! As an extension to our persuasive unit, students will work in groups of three to pick an issue in the world that they think needs to be changed and create a website educating people about their cause.
Writing - Launching our fairy tale adaptation unit. In this unit, students will create their own fairytales by adapting classic ones. If you have any books that are fairy tale classics, please send them in!
Math - For my second grade math group- We will spend the week learning estimation and how to round numbers to the nearest ten and hundred. Students will also learn how that skill can help them solve real-world word problems.
Science -We will start learning about energy. Students will learn this week that energy exists in various forms: heat, electric, sound, chemical, mechanical, light. And everyday events involve one form of energy being changed to another.
Social Studies - We will spend the next two months studying China and the country's history.
We have a field trip to the New York Botanical Garden on Friday, May 13th. We will take a bus. I am sending out permission slips tomorrow, please sign and return. I am waiting for approval for another trip to the Museum of Natural History to see a limited time Dinosaur exhibition.
See you all tomorrow,
Ps. If you have any pictures from the speech event, please share with me via email.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of April 18-22
Hi!
I wanted to congratulate our third graders for finishing their very first state test! I am confident that they all did well :)
Another reminder that students are delivering their speeches this coming Friday in the auditorium. If you are arriving later, please meet us there. Parents, please make sure students arrive on time that day. I would like to start at 8:30am on the dot because parents need to go to work and some students have to leave for track and field. Mr. Gilligan will also be attending.
Please make sure students are practicing their speeches at home for at least 30 minutes every night. I sent home a copy. We have been practicing eye contact with the audience, tone of voice, pauses, speaking pace, hand gestures/movements, etc. Please make sure they apply that as they are practicing.
April is poetry month. I didn't do a whole unit due to testing. But we will spend this week learning how to write different types of poems.
There are two G&T tours this week on Tuesday April 19th and Wednesday April 20th both at 9am. If you are available to join the tour, that would be amazing. Speaking to other parents about your experience with the program will be very helpful :) Please contact Zaida for more information at [email protected]
There is another round of talent show rehearsal on Thursday. Please arrange pick-up for participating students.
Newsletter is in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (April 18-22)
Monday - Hailey
Tuesday - Ian
Wednesday - Julien
Thursday - Kiroto
Friday - Max
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi!
I wanted to congratulate our third graders for finishing their very first state test! I am confident that they all did well :)
Another reminder that students are delivering their speeches this coming Friday in the auditorium. If you are arriving later, please meet us there. Parents, please make sure students arrive on time that day. I would like to start at 8:30am on the dot because parents need to go to work and some students have to leave for track and field. Mr. Gilligan will also be attending.
Please make sure students are practicing their speeches at home for at least 30 minutes every night. I sent home a copy. We have been practicing eye contact with the audience, tone of voice, pauses, speaking pace, hand gestures/movements, etc. Please make sure they apply that as they are practicing.
April is poetry month. I didn't do a whole unit due to testing. But we will spend this week learning how to write different types of poems.
There are two G&T tours this week on Tuesday April 19th and Wednesday April 20th both at 9am. If you are available to join the tour, that would be amazing. Speaking to other parents about your experience with the program will be very helpful :) Please contact Zaida for more information at [email protected]
There is another round of talent show rehearsal on Thursday. Please arrange pick-up for participating students.
Newsletter is in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (April 18-22)
Monday - Hailey
Tuesday - Ian
Wednesday - Julien
Thursday - Kiroto
Friday - Max
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of April 11th-15th
Dear Parents,
Just a quick reminder that our third graders have math state testing this week, Wednesday, April 13th- Friday April 15. Just like last week, please make sure students arrive to school on time, eat a healthy breakfast, and bring a snack. Our third graders will not be responsible for any homework this week. However, I do think it's a good idea for them to practice some math problems from the red math book that was sent home.
I will no longer be out of the classroom for testing, unless a teacher is absent or has an emergency. Thank you for your understanding with that last week.
After the students are done publishing their speeches. I will send a copy of it home. As part of their homework this week, they will practice delivering their speech. I do not expect them to memorize everything as most of their speeches are very long. But I do expect them to be able to remember parts of it so they are not just reading from their paper. I will give them a period a day to practice at school. We will learn how to deliver a speech this week and I will ask them to apply what they've learned to their practices at home.
Again, the students are scheduled to deliver their speeches on Friday, April 22nd from 8:30-9:30 in the auditorium. Mr. Gilligan will be present for the event.
I didn't send home Friday Folders for third graders last week and will not send it again this week, due to testing.
If you have any questions, please email.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Akira (Didn't do on Friday)
Tuesday - Christina
Wednesday - Chris
Thursday - Dior
Friday - Hailey
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Just a quick reminder that our third graders have math state testing this week, Wednesday, April 13th- Friday April 15. Just like last week, please make sure students arrive to school on time, eat a healthy breakfast, and bring a snack. Our third graders will not be responsible for any homework this week. However, I do think it's a good idea for them to practice some math problems from the red math book that was sent home.
I will no longer be out of the classroom for testing, unless a teacher is absent or has an emergency. Thank you for your understanding with that last week.
After the students are done publishing their speeches. I will send a copy of it home. As part of their homework this week, they will practice delivering their speech. I do not expect them to memorize everything as most of their speeches are very long. But I do expect them to be able to remember parts of it so they are not just reading from their paper. I will give them a period a day to practice at school. We will learn how to deliver a speech this week and I will ask them to apply what they've learned to their practices at home.
Again, the students are scheduled to deliver their speeches on Friday, April 22nd from 8:30-9:30 in the auditorium. Mr. Gilligan will be present for the event.
I didn't send home Friday Folders for third graders last week and will not send it again this week, due to testing.
If you have any questions, please email.
Current Events Schedule
Monday - Akira (Didn't do on Friday)
Tuesday - Christina
Wednesday - Chris
Thursday - Dior
Friday - Hailey
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of April 4th-8th
Hi Parents,
I hope the students shared their experience from the Firehouse trip with you as we had such a good time. I was really impressed on how the firemen genuinely enjoyed the students' company. I will put the pictures up on our class website.
Third grade students have their very first state test this week. I am letting you know ahead of time that our schedule might change around a bit. As third graders are taking the test, I will remain with the second graders in the classroom. Second graders who are in the third grade math group will be with me for math if a math period is in the morning as Ms. Reszke is part of testing. I will try to have everything run as smoothly as possible.
I will not be in the classroom tomorrow as I am scheduled to participate in a lesson study with the other third grade teachers. Thorough plans will be provided. I will still be in the school.
I am aiming to have students deliver their persuasive speeches on April 22nd. I am looking to have two sessions, one during Family Friday and one in the afternoon. Please email me what time works better for you, so I can start scheduling. I would love if you can be present for both times (if you can) as I also want you to enjoy your child's classmates' speeches but of course I understand if you are unable to.
Morning will be from 8:30-9:00 during Family Friday
Afternoon will be from 12:45-1:55 (We can't do it last period because they have gym/music)
Have a great week,
Newsletter in Documents
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Sophia
Tuesday - Tenzin
Wednesday - Yuxin
Thursday - Aaron
Friday - Akira
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Parents,
I hope the students shared their experience from the Firehouse trip with you as we had such a good time. I was really impressed on how the firemen genuinely enjoyed the students' company. I will put the pictures up on our class website.
Third grade students have their very first state test this week. I am letting you know ahead of time that our schedule might change around a bit. As third graders are taking the test, I will remain with the second graders in the classroom. Second graders who are in the third grade math group will be with me for math if a math period is in the morning as Ms. Reszke is part of testing. I will try to have everything run as smoothly as possible.
I will not be in the classroom tomorrow as I am scheduled to participate in a lesson study with the other third grade teachers. Thorough plans will be provided. I will still be in the school.
I am aiming to have students deliver their persuasive speeches on April 22nd. I am looking to have two sessions, one during Family Friday and one in the afternoon. Please email me what time works better for you, so I can start scheduling. I would love if you can be present for both times (if you can) as I also want you to enjoy your child's classmates' speeches but of course I understand if you are unable to.
Morning will be from 8:30-9:00 during Family Friday
Afternoon will be from 12:45-1:55 (We can't do it last period because they have gym/music)
Have a great week,
Newsletter in Documents
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Sophia
Tuesday - Tenzin
Wednesday - Yuxin
Thursday - Aaron
Friday - Akira
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 28th-April 1st
Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
Reminder that we have a trip to the Firehouse on 48th street and 8th avenue on Friday from 9:50am - 11:15am. Please sign and return the permission slip if you haven't already. Students will eat lunch at school normally.
Please have students bring their research in tomorrow as they are going to draft the speech they are delivering this week.
Newsletter in documents
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Ian
Tuesday - Julien
Wednesday - Kiroto
Thursday - Max
Friday - Sebasiten
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
Reminder that we have a trip to the Firehouse on 48th street and 8th avenue on Friday from 9:50am - 11:15am. Please sign and return the permission slip if you haven't already. Students will eat lunch at school normally.
Please have students bring their research in tomorrow as they are going to draft the speech they are delivering this week.
Newsletter in documents
Current Event Schedule
Monday - Ian
Tuesday - Julien
Wednesday - Kiroto
Thursday - Max
Friday - Sebasiten
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 21-24
Thank you for meeting with me for Parent Teacher Conferences. I appreciate your time. And am glad everything went smoothly. If you have any more questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me.
Just a reminder that we do not have school this Friday due to Good Friday. We also have a trip to the OSL concert on Thursday. We will be taking a bus. Students will eat lunch when we come back to school at a later lunch period.
For the students who signed up for the Talent show, the first rehearsal starts this Thursday at 3PM. Please arrange for students to be picked up afterwards.
Current Event Schedule, I switched orders a bit since Chris will be out of town.
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday - Hailey
Thursday - Chris
Have a great week,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for meeting with me for Parent Teacher Conferences. I appreciate your time. And am glad everything went smoothly. If you have any more questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me.
Just a reminder that we do not have school this Friday due to Good Friday. We also have a trip to the OSL concert on Thursday. We will be taking a bus. Students will eat lunch when we come back to school at a later lunch period.
For the students who signed up for the Talent show, the first rehearsal starts this Thursday at 3PM. Please arrange for students to be picked up afterwards.
Current Event Schedule, I switched orders a bit since Chris will be out of town.
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday - Hailey
Thursday - Chris
Have a great week,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 14th-18th
A couple of reminders:
We have our trip to the Apple store on Tuesday. Students will bring their nonfiction books use as an activity with IPADS. We will take a bus. We will leave school around 9:30 and should be back around 12:30. Students will eat lunch when we get back to school. Please have them bring lunch. Also, please have them eat a big breakfast and provide them with a snack. I will have them eat snack before we leave. Judith is our chaperon.
Parent Teacher Conference is on Thursday. Students will be dismissed at 11:40am. Please arrange for students to be picked up. I have sent all time confirmations home. I will let you know where other teachers are during the conference as soon as I find out.
We are starting our new writing unit on argumentative essays this week. Students will pick an issue that they believe needs to be changed in our school or our community. They will write a persuasive speech to convince an audience of their point of view.
I sent home permission slips for our OSL concert trip, please sign and send it back to school tomorrow.
If your child is participating in our school talent show in May, please sign the slip that was sent home last week as soon as possible and send it in.
Hope to see you all on Thursday!
Current Evens Schedule (March 14-18)
Monday - Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Aaron
Thursday - Akira
Friday - Anna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A couple of reminders:
We have our trip to the Apple store on Tuesday. Students will bring their nonfiction books use as an activity with IPADS. We will take a bus. We will leave school around 9:30 and should be back around 12:30. Students will eat lunch when we get back to school. Please have them bring lunch. Also, please have them eat a big breakfast and provide them with a snack. I will have them eat snack before we leave. Judith is our chaperon.
Parent Teacher Conference is on Thursday. Students will be dismissed at 11:40am. Please arrange for students to be picked up. I have sent all time confirmations home. I will let you know where other teachers are during the conference as soon as I find out.
We are starting our new writing unit on argumentative essays this week. Students will pick an issue that they believe needs to be changed in our school or our community. They will write a persuasive speech to convince an audience of their point of view.
I sent home permission slips for our OSL concert trip, please sign and send it back to school tomorrow.
If your child is participating in our school talent show in May, please sign the slip that was sent home last week as soon as possible and send it in.
Hope to see you all on Thursday!
Current Evens Schedule (March 14-18)
Monday - Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Aaron
Thursday - Akira
Friday - Anna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (March 7th-11th)
Monday - Julien
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Julien
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of March 7th-11th
Dear Parents,
We have a busy few weeks ahead of us! A couple of things:
- I've sent home a permission slip for our next field trip to the Apple Store. Please sign and return.
- Some of you haven't returned the Parent Teacher Conference time sheet. Please return it tomorrow as I want to send time confirmations.
- The second grade schedule has changed. We will no longer have gym on Mondays. The students will stay with me in the classroom.
- We have a field trip to a concert (Orchestra of ST. Lukes) on Thursday, March 24th with the other two third grade classes. I am not allowed to invite chaperons for this trip due to the large amount of adults from the ICT class. I will send out permission slips next week.
- As you know, Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday, March 17th. Students will be dismissed at noon. Please arrange for students to be picked up. Students will have lunch normally at school. Again, we only have ten minutes to talk. Please make another appointment with me if there is anything you want to discuss that requires more time.
- We will have a meeting about the state test this coming Tuesday, March 8th for third grade parents. The other third grade teachers were kind enough to prepare a powerpoint presentation that should answer all of your questions. We will meet in room 315 at 2:50PM.
- Family Friday is this coming Friday, March 11th. My goal is to have a Publishing Party for their nonfiction books on that day. They worked really hard and deserve a celebration.
Have an excellent week,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
We have a busy few weeks ahead of us! A couple of things:
- I've sent home a permission slip for our next field trip to the Apple Store. Please sign and return.
- Some of you haven't returned the Parent Teacher Conference time sheet. Please return it tomorrow as I want to send time confirmations.
- The second grade schedule has changed. We will no longer have gym on Mondays. The students will stay with me in the classroom.
- We have a field trip to a concert (Orchestra of ST. Lukes) on Thursday, March 24th with the other two third grade classes. I am not allowed to invite chaperons for this trip due to the large amount of adults from the ICT class. I will send out permission slips next week.
- As you know, Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday, March 17th. Students will be dismissed at noon. Please arrange for students to be picked up. Students will have lunch normally at school. Again, we only have ten minutes to talk. Please make another appointment with me if there is anything you want to discuss that requires more time.
- We will have a meeting about the state test this coming Tuesday, March 8th for third grade parents. The other third grade teachers were kind enough to prepare a powerpoint presentation that should answer all of your questions. We will meet in room 315 at 2:50PM.
- Family Friday is this coming Friday, March 11th. My goal is to have a Publishing Party for their nonfiction books on that day. They worked really hard and deserve a celebration.
Have an excellent week,
Casandra
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 29- March 4
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for joining us on Family Friday and your contribution for our 100th day of school activity. The snack bags seemed silly but they had a great time doing it.
We have our trip to The King Tut Exhibition this week. If you have not sent in the permission slip or the $20.00, please do so. Karin will be our chaperone. Please prepare an easy-to-eat lunch for students as I got confirmation that we can eat at the conference room at the exhibition. We will leave school around 9:00am, and come back around 1:00pm.
I will be sending home a sheet asking for your most convenient time for Parent Teacher conferences that are coming up on March 17th. Please send it back as soon as possible as the times are first come first serve. Also, please keep in mind that during the conference we only have a window of ten minutes. I will shortly discuss your child's report card, his/her areas of strength and what I'm working on with him/her. If you have something to talk to me about that requires more than ten minutes, please make an appointment with me on Tuesdays.
Second graders will have a session with the Spoons of America program this week.
Students will be taking some benchmark assessments in math and writing this week to see if they have improved through out the school year.
Thank you so much for all of your continuing support,
Casandra
Newsletter is in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Event Schedule (Feb 29th-March4th)
Monday- Chris
Tuesday - Christina
Wednesday - Dior
Thursday - Hailey
Friday - Ian
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for joining us on Family Friday and your contribution for our 100th day of school activity. The snack bags seemed silly but they had a great time doing it.
We have our trip to The King Tut Exhibition this week. If you have not sent in the permission slip or the $20.00, please do so. Karin will be our chaperone. Please prepare an easy-to-eat lunch for students as I got confirmation that we can eat at the conference room at the exhibition. We will leave school around 9:00am, and come back around 1:00pm.
I will be sending home a sheet asking for your most convenient time for Parent Teacher conferences that are coming up on March 17th. Please send it back as soon as possible as the times are first come first serve. Also, please keep in mind that during the conference we only have a window of ten minutes. I will shortly discuss your child's report card, his/her areas of strength and what I'm working on with him/her. If you have something to talk to me about that requires more than ten minutes, please make an appointment with me on Tuesdays.
Second graders will have a session with the Spoons of America program this week.
Students will be taking some benchmark assessments in math and writing this week to see if they have improved through out the school year.
Thank you so much for all of your continuing support,
Casandra
Newsletter is in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Event Schedule (Feb 29th-March4th)
Monday- Chris
Tuesday - Christina
Wednesday - Dior
Thursday - Hailey
Friday - Ian
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 22-26
I hope everyone enjoyed the break :)
I will send home permission slips for the King Tut Exhibition tomorrow. Please sign and return with $20 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. We will be taking the subway. I am still trying to figure out the lunch situation. Will keep you updated.
Friday marks the 100th day of school. I am planning some fun activities for the kids. I would love your help contributing ONE item if possible. Please email me what you are able to bring in.
2 boxes of fruit loops
1 big box of raisins
1 big bag on mini-mashmellows
1 big box of goldfish
1 big box of gummy bears
1 container of almonds
1 big bag of m&ms
1 big bag of mini pretzels
1 bag of chocolate chips
2 bags of cotton balls
If students want to dress up as a 100 year old man/woman on Friday, that is fine :) You can go on Pinterest for some ideas.
Newsletter is in Documents
See you all tomorrow!
Current Events Schedule (Feb22-26)
Monday - Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Aaron
Thursday - Akira
Friday - Anna
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 9-12
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone enjoyed the extended weekend!
We have a short week this week then mid winter break. We are going back to the Columbus Library on Thursday from 10am - 11.25am. If students have any books they brought home last time, please bring it in before Thursday so we can return it with the nonfiction books we borrowed. If students decide to take out anymore books on Thursday, it will be their responsibility to return the books on their own as we are not returning as a class. I sent home permission slips on Friday, please return it tomorrow.
It's School Spirit week, a flier was sent home with the dates. Just incase you didn't see it….
Tuesday- Floor Spirit Day, our color is white. Please have students wear as much WHITE as possible
Wednesday - Twin Day, I will give students some time tomorrow to discuss their outfit with their twin. I am encouraging them to pick someone within the class so they can be seen together.
Thursday - Valentines Day colors- Red, Pink, hearts, etc.
Friday - Pajamas Day, Comfortable but appropriate please. Yes, slippers are fine. But please bring it in to change.
As you know students from the second grade math group take multiplication quizzes everyday before class. They know which ones they are on. Please practice with them. They will have a distributive property quiz this week. Students have shown great understanding so far.
Depending on if students finish their animal adaptation project, I might pick a day this week for students to present their work. Will keep you updated on that.
Newsletter in Documents
Current Events Schedule (Feb 9-12)
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone enjoyed the extended weekend!
We have a short week this week then mid winter break. We are going back to the Columbus Library on Thursday from 10am - 11.25am. If students have any books they brought home last time, please bring it in before Thursday so we can return it with the nonfiction books we borrowed. If students decide to take out anymore books on Thursday, it will be their responsibility to return the books on their own as we are not returning as a class. I sent home permission slips on Friday, please return it tomorrow.
It's School Spirit week, a flier was sent home with the dates. Just incase you didn't see it….
Tuesday- Floor Spirit Day, our color is white. Please have students wear as much WHITE as possible
Wednesday - Twin Day, I will give students some time tomorrow to discuss their outfit with their twin. I am encouraging them to pick someone within the class so they can be seen together.
Thursday - Valentines Day colors- Red, Pink, hearts, etc.
Friday - Pajamas Day, Comfortable but appropriate please. Yes, slippers are fine. But please bring it in to change.
As you know students from the second grade math group take multiplication quizzes everyday before class. They know which ones they are on. Please practice with them. They will have a distributive property quiz this week. Students have shown great understanding so far.
Depending on if students finish their animal adaptation project, I might pick a day this week for students to present their work. Will keep you updated on that.
Newsletter in Documents
Current Events Schedule (Feb 9-12)
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of February 1-5
Dear Parents,
I just wanted to let you know that our schedule might change starting February 6th. I will keep you updated on that.
Unfortunately, our Chess classes have come to an end, however, chess club will continue. There will be no school next Monday, February 8th due to Chinese New Year. I didn't send home Friday Folders this past week as I kept a lot of their work to put up. Will send them home this coming Friday.
Newsletter in documents
Current events schedule
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday - Hailey
Thursday - Ian
Friday- Julien
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I just wanted to let you know that our schedule might change starting February 6th. I will keep you updated on that.
Unfortunately, our Chess classes have come to an end, however, chess club will continue. There will be no school next Monday, February 8th due to Chinese New Year. I didn't send home Friday Folders this past week as I kept a lot of their work to put up. Will send them home this coming Friday.
Newsletter in documents
Current events schedule
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday - Hailey
Thursday - Ian
Friday- Julien
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 25-29
Hope everyone is staying safe and warm in the storm!
I know the weather probably didn't permit anyone to visit the library over the weekend but if you get a chance to, please help students collect more books on their nonfiction topics. The more books they have, the better.
Students will have a science test on Animal adaptations on Tuesday. There are Brainpopjr videos they can watch for review. The test will cover: physical and behavioral adaptations, camouflage, mimicry, migration, hibernation, learned behavior and instinct. As long as they understand the concepts, they will be fine. We spent a lot of time discussing each of them. Will review on Monday.
Students in the second grade math group will be quizzed at the beginning of each math class on their multiplication table. Please practice with them. Students know what table they have already passed...
I am trying to organize a trip to the Central Park zoo to conclude this fun unit. Will let you know if it goes through…
The Spoons Across America program has ended and will give me more time to focus on Social Studies…
Students who are interested in being our two class representatives will give their speeches on Monday. We will vote on Tuesday. I already spoke to them about this and explained everything.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Newsletter in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events January 25-29
Monday - Yuxin
Tuesday - Aaron
Wednesday - Akira
Thursday - Anna
Friday - Chris
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hope everyone is staying safe and warm in the storm!
I know the weather probably didn't permit anyone to visit the library over the weekend but if you get a chance to, please help students collect more books on their nonfiction topics. The more books they have, the better.
Students will have a science test on Animal adaptations on Tuesday. There are Brainpopjr videos they can watch for review. The test will cover: physical and behavioral adaptations, camouflage, mimicry, migration, hibernation, learned behavior and instinct. As long as they understand the concepts, they will be fine. We spent a lot of time discussing each of them. Will review on Monday.
Students in the second grade math group will be quizzed at the beginning of each math class on their multiplication table. Please practice with them. Students know what table they have already passed...
I am trying to organize a trip to the Central Park zoo to conclude this fun unit. Will let you know if it goes through…
The Spoons Across America program has ended and will give me more time to focus on Social Studies…
Students who are interested in being our two class representatives will give their speeches on Monday. We will vote on Tuesday. I already spoke to them about this and explained everything.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Newsletter in documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events January 25-29
Monday - Yuxin
Tuesday - Aaron
Wednesday - Akira
Thursday - Anna
Friday - Chris
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Jan 19-22
Tuesday - Max
Wednesday - Bash
Thursday - Sophia
Friday - Tenzin
Tuesday - Max
Wednesday - Bash
Thursday - Sophia
Friday - Tenzin
Week of January 19-22
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone had a great long weekend. I wanted to thank everyone again for the extra special Family Friday we had last week. It was bittersweet, celebrating my birthday and Ian's but also saying goodbye to Kavi. Thank you for being there and all your support.
Students are going to start their research on their nonfiction topics this week. If you were able to find any more books on the topic, please bring them in. Here is a list of what the students are studying.
Aaron - Sharks
Anna - Cats
Akira- World War II
Chris - Marial Arts
Christina - Marie Curie
Dior - Dogs
Hailey - Dogs
Ian - Robots
Julien - Motorcycles
Kiroto - Space
Max - Chess
Sebastien - Ireland
Sophia - Dogs
Tenzin - Jesse Owens
Yuxin - China
I am also excited to share that I have able to book a trip to the Apple Store at the Upper West Side location on March 15th where students will be using their finished nonfiction books and creating an interactive book based on it on iPads.
Newsletter in Documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone had a great long weekend. I wanted to thank everyone again for the extra special Family Friday we had last week. It was bittersweet, celebrating my birthday and Ian's but also saying goodbye to Kavi. Thank you for being there and all your support.
Students are going to start their research on their nonfiction topics this week. If you were able to find any more books on the topic, please bring them in. Here is a list of what the students are studying.
Aaron - Sharks
Anna - Cats
Akira- World War II
Chris - Marial Arts
Christina - Marie Curie
Dior - Dogs
Hailey - Dogs
Ian - Robots
Julien - Motorcycles
Kiroto - Space
Max - Chess
Sebastien - Ireland
Sophia - Dogs
Tenzin - Jesse Owens
Yuxin - China
I am also excited to share that I have able to book a trip to the Apple Store at the Upper West Side location on March 15th where students will be using their finished nonfiction books and creating an interactive book based on it on iPads.
Newsletter in Documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events (week of Jan 11-15)
Monday - Dior
Tuesday - Ian
Wednesday - Julien
Thursday - Kavi
Friday - Kiroto
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Dior
Tuesday - Ian
Wednesday - Julien
Thursday - Kavi
Friday - Kiroto
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 11-15
Dear Parents,
Just a quick reminder that we have our small trip to the library this coming Thursday. If your child hasn't brought in his/her library card, please send them in. For students who do not have a card, I had already applied and the cards will be ready for us when we get to the library. The purpose of this trip is to collect books on their nonfiction topics. The books will be left in the classroom.
This Friday is Family Friday. As most of you may know this is Kavi's last week with us. I am really sadden by this and wanted to take that time to celebrate Kavi's time in our class. I will be bringing in some drinks and breakfast. If you want to contribute anything, feel free. I will also be inviting other teachers to join us. My birthday is also that day, and Ian's birthday is on the 17th. So, it will be three celebrations in one.
I will not be in on Tuesday. This will be the last writing workshop I attend. Thorough lesson plans will be left for the substitute teacher.
I have sent home test prep material for the third grade students. The first one was a reading test booklet that should last for a couple of weeks. Please do not have them finish it in one shot. I recommend 1-2 passages per week. I am also meeting third grade students once per week to teach them test taking strategies and familiarize them on how the test might look like. But like I have mentioned, all my lessons are test prep in disguise.
Another piece of information I would like to share is that the test WILL NOT determine if they pass third grade. In other words, it will not affect their promotion if they do not do well. We will have a meeting for more information about the test in March. I will let you know of the date when I find out.
Progress reports will be mailed home this week. If you have any questions about them, please let me know.
Newsletter is under documents
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Dear Parents,
Just a quick reminder that we have our small trip to the library this coming Thursday. If your child hasn't brought in his/her library card, please send them in. For students who do not have a card, I had already applied and the cards will be ready for us when we get to the library. The purpose of this trip is to collect books on their nonfiction topics. The books will be left in the classroom.
This Friday is Family Friday. As most of you may know this is Kavi's last week with us. I am really sadden by this and wanted to take that time to celebrate Kavi's time in our class. I will be bringing in some drinks and breakfast. If you want to contribute anything, feel free. I will also be inviting other teachers to join us. My birthday is also that day, and Ian's birthday is on the 17th. So, it will be three celebrations in one.
I will not be in on Tuesday. This will be the last writing workshop I attend. Thorough lesson plans will be left for the substitute teacher.
I have sent home test prep material for the third grade students. The first one was a reading test booklet that should last for a couple of weeks. Please do not have them finish it in one shot. I recommend 1-2 passages per week. I am also meeting third grade students once per week to teach them test taking strategies and familiarize them on how the test might look like. But like I have mentioned, all my lessons are test prep in disguise.
Another piece of information I would like to share is that the test WILL NOT determine if they pass third grade. In other words, it will not affect their promotion if they do not do well. We will have a meeting for more information about the test in March. I will let you know of the date when I find out.
Progress reports will be mailed home this week. If you have any questions about them, please let me know.
Newsletter is under documents
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Current Events schedule (Week of January 4th - 8th )
Monday - Akira
Tuesday - Anna
Wednesday - Christina
Thursday - Chris
Friday - Hailey
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Akira
Tuesday - Anna
Wednesday - Christina
Thursday - Chris
Friday - Hailey
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of January 4 - 8
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to school and to the year of 2016 :)
We are starting a bunch of new units.
Reading and writing - I am launching our nonfiction unit.
In reading ,we will be learning about cause and effect, timelines, problem and solutions, compare & contrast, etc. And of course, nonfiction text features.
In writing, students will pick an expert topic, do a little more research and write a book on it. It will be similar to last year, however, in their book this time around they will be writing in paragraph (Essay) form and will be adding the information text that they will learn from reading workshop into their books.
Science - We will be learning about different types of animal adaptations such as camouflage, mimicry, etc. Followed by plant adaptions.
Social Stuides - Case studies of different communities around the world.
Please bring in those materials for our science activity by Tuesday. And if I can bother you to locate students' library cards. We will be taking a trip to the library soon.
This week, I will be asking students to think about something they are experts about to write for their nonfiction book. If you can talk to them about it that would be great :)
I will be sending home "test prep" stuff for third grade students every Friday. Again, it is optional and up to you if you would like to them practice.
Newsletter in documents
See you all tomorrow!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to school and to the year of 2016 :)
We are starting a bunch of new units.
Reading and writing - I am launching our nonfiction unit.
In reading ,we will be learning about cause and effect, timelines, problem and solutions, compare & contrast, etc. And of course, nonfiction text features.
In writing, students will pick an expert topic, do a little more research and write a book on it. It will be similar to last year, however, in their book this time around they will be writing in paragraph (Essay) form and will be adding the information text that they will learn from reading workshop into their books.
Science - We will be learning about different types of animal adaptations such as camouflage, mimicry, etc. Followed by plant adaptions.
Social Stuides - Case studies of different communities around the world.
Please bring in those materials for our science activity by Tuesday. And if I can bother you to locate students' library cards. We will be taking a trip to the library soon.
This week, I will be asking students to think about something they are experts about to write for their nonfiction book. If you can talk to them about it that would be great :)
I will be sending home "test prep" stuff for third grade students every Friday. Again, it is optional and up to you if you would like to them practice.
Newsletter in documents
See you all tomorrow!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of December 21-23
Dear Parents,
As you know we have a short week this week, so I did not do the newsletter. I wanted to thank Judith for helping with the trip on Tuesday and You-Jung for the trip on Friday. It was a great learning experience at the museum and we plan on taking another trip there soon. I will not be giving homework during the break, but students should continue their daily reading routine. When we come back from break, we will start a lot of new units of study. I wish everyone a great holiday!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events schedule (December 21-23)
Monday- Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Aaron
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
As you know we have a short week this week, so I did not do the newsletter. I wanted to thank Judith for helping with the trip on Tuesday and You-Jung for the trip on Friday. It was a great learning experience at the museum and we plan on taking another trip there soon. I will not be giving homework during the break, but students should continue their daily reading routine. When we come back from break, we will start a lot of new units of study. I wish everyone a great holiday!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events schedule (December 21-23)
Monday- Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Aaron
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of December 14-18
Students have two trips this week. For the the trip on Tuesday, students will each lunch normally at school at an earlier lunch period. We will leave the school around noon and will come back at 2pm.
For the trip on Friday, we will eat lunch at the museum. Please pack students a snack and a lunch. We will take the subway.
Family Friday is this week. As I mentioned before, I will just be doing the spelling test with the kids and talk about the trip. You are still more than welcome in the classroom.
Does anyone have Peter Pan on DVD? If so, can I borrow?
Third grade parents, when we come back from break, I will be sending home OPTIONAL test prep material each week. Students can practice on their own time, if you see fit. I truly believe that what we are doing in class already prepares them for the test, without them even knowing it. I do not believe in test prep and will not stress out my students about it. However, I will teach them test taking strategies and embed what they need to know in my regular lessons.
Second grade parents, I will be review telling time with the students this week for math. I feel a lot of them have forgotten. When we come back from break, I'm starting fresh with multiplication.
Third grade students will start the Spoons of America program in January. The program has 4 sessions. It will be on Thursdays.
I have decreased the Peter Pan jot to ONE jot a night. Please help me make sure that they follow the format I have given on that guide sheet. If they want to do more jots, that's totally up to them. I assigned students to a certain character for a reason.I want them to learn about the character's pattern of behavior, if they change through out the book and how his/her relationship evolves with other characters, etc.
To wrap up our culture unit, students will present their posters to the class on Thursday. I have asked them to share one special thing about their culture on top of their posters. Some of them mentioned that they may come in with a snack, wear something special, talk about a famous person from their country, etc.
Have an awesome week,
Casandra
Newsletter in documents
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Students have two trips this week. For the the trip on Tuesday, students will each lunch normally at school at an earlier lunch period. We will leave the school around noon and will come back at 2pm.
For the trip on Friday, we will eat lunch at the museum. Please pack students a snack and a lunch. We will take the subway.
Family Friday is this week. As I mentioned before, I will just be doing the spelling test with the kids and talk about the trip. You are still more than welcome in the classroom.
Does anyone have Peter Pan on DVD? If so, can I borrow?
Third grade parents, when we come back from break, I will be sending home OPTIONAL test prep material each week. Students can practice on their own time, if you see fit. I truly believe that what we are doing in class already prepares them for the test, without them even knowing it. I do not believe in test prep and will not stress out my students about it. However, I will teach them test taking strategies and embed what they need to know in my regular lessons.
Second grade parents, I will be review telling time with the students this week for math. I feel a lot of them have forgotten. When we come back from break, I'm starting fresh with multiplication.
Third grade students will start the Spoons of America program in January. The program has 4 sessions. It will be on Thursdays.
I have decreased the Peter Pan jot to ONE jot a night. Please help me make sure that they follow the format I have given on that guide sheet. If they want to do more jots, that's totally up to them. I assigned students to a certain character for a reason.I want them to learn about the character's pattern of behavior, if they change through out the book and how his/her relationship evolves with other characters, etc.
To wrap up our culture unit, students will present their posters to the class on Thursday. I have asked them to share one special thing about their culture on top of their posters. Some of them mentioned that they may come in with a snack, wear something special, talk about a famous person from their country, etc.
Have an awesome week,
Casandra
Newsletter in documents
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (Week of December 14-18)
Monday - Kavi
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Kavi
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (Week of December 7th-11th)
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday - Hailey
Thursday - Ian
Friday - Julien
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday - Hailey
Thursday - Ian
Friday - Julien
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of December 7th - 11th
* Please refer to my email about the important dates coming up…
We will have a G&T tour on December 8th. If you would like to volunteer and talk a bit about the program, please contact our Parent Coordinator, Zaida.
If I tested a student for their new reading levels, their reading level on kids a-z is updated.
I will be assigning students some Peter Pan reading for homework for the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow I will assign students to particular characters to study. We are reading the book together in class, but I would like students to go back and reread the chapters thinking about the following points about their assigned character/s.
-Character feelings
-Character traits
-Character motivations - The reasons the character does something
-Lessons the character learned
-Relationships - How is the relationship of their character with others in the book?
-Problem/solution - What problem is the character having in the book? How is the character reacting to the problem? What is the character's solution to the problem? Do you agree or disagree with the way the character handled the problem? Why?
- Change - How is my character changing as a person through out the book?
I will send a stack of post-its home for each student. When they come across any of the following points about their character they will jot it down on the post-it and place on that particular page. The jot will include their claim, evidence from their text (Lifting the lines), Page number, and their thoughts. An example of a jot might be:
Character traits
In chapter 3, Tinker bell was being rude (Claim). According to the text, she said to Wendy, "You are a huge ugly girl." (Page 24) (Evidence). That makes me think that Tinker Bell does not care how Wendy feels because she says very mean things to Wendy quite often. (My thoughts)
The jot shouldn't be more than 5 sentences. They should be able to do 2-3 jots per chapter. They could do more if they want. Students will come home with their own copy of Peter Pan. Please help me make sure that they do not write in the book but on the post-its only. Please also make sure the students bring back the books on a daily basis to school because we will be doing work in class also.
Week of December 7th- 11th
Monday - Chapter 1-2
Tuesday - Chapter 3
Wednesday - Chapter 4
Thursday - Chapter 5
Friday/weekend - Chapter 6-7
* Students may use this as their 30 minutes of daily reading and use Peter Pan for their reading response, if they want.
I am stressing to students the importance of rereading. They usually learn something new or realize what they missed as they read something the second time.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Newsletter in documents
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Please refer to my email about the important dates coming up…
We will have a G&T tour on December 8th. If you would like to volunteer and talk a bit about the program, please contact our Parent Coordinator, Zaida.
If I tested a student for their new reading levels, their reading level on kids a-z is updated.
I will be assigning students some Peter Pan reading for homework for the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow I will assign students to particular characters to study. We are reading the book together in class, but I would like students to go back and reread the chapters thinking about the following points about their assigned character/s.
-Character feelings
-Character traits
-Character motivations - The reasons the character does something
-Lessons the character learned
-Relationships - How is the relationship of their character with others in the book?
-Problem/solution - What problem is the character having in the book? How is the character reacting to the problem? What is the character's solution to the problem? Do you agree or disagree with the way the character handled the problem? Why?
- Change - How is my character changing as a person through out the book?
I will send a stack of post-its home for each student. When they come across any of the following points about their character they will jot it down on the post-it and place on that particular page. The jot will include their claim, evidence from their text (Lifting the lines), Page number, and their thoughts. An example of a jot might be:
Character traits
In chapter 3, Tinker bell was being rude (Claim). According to the text, she said to Wendy, "You are a huge ugly girl." (Page 24) (Evidence). That makes me think that Tinker Bell does not care how Wendy feels because she says very mean things to Wendy quite often. (My thoughts)
The jot shouldn't be more than 5 sentences. They should be able to do 2-3 jots per chapter. They could do more if they want. Students will come home with their own copy of Peter Pan. Please help me make sure that they do not write in the book but on the post-its only. Please also make sure the students bring back the books on a daily basis to school because we will be doing work in class also.
Week of December 7th- 11th
Monday - Chapter 1-2
Tuesday - Chapter 3
Wednesday - Chapter 4
Thursday - Chapter 5
Friday/weekend - Chapter 6-7
* Students may use this as their 30 minutes of daily reading and use Peter Pan for their reading response, if they want.
I am stressing to students the importance of rereading. They usually learn something new or realize what they missed as they read something the second time.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Newsletter in documents
Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Updates
Just an update on a couple of things that are coming up…
Tuesday, December 8th - Third grade trip to the Met. Please do not forget to have students eat a big breakfast and also pack a snack and lunch. They will eat snack before we leave. If the weather permits, the students will eat lunch in an outside area at the Museum after the tour. If not, they will eat lunch when they come back to school. Dianna will be our chaperon for this trip :). I will remain in school with our second graders.
Thursday, December 10th
We will be attending the scholastic book fair as a class. Please provide students with some money if you would like them to make a purchase.
Friday, December 11th- Parent workshop on how to encourage independence and confidence in children. 8:30am in the library
Tuesday, December 15th - Trip to the Ballerina Swan play at a theatre on 43rd Street and 8th avenue at 1:00PM
The school received 95 free tickets to NYC Children's Theatre's musical Ballerina Swan. Students will eat lunch at school at an earlier lunch period. We will be walking to the theatre. One chaperon is allowed, please email me if you are interested. Permission slips will be sent out Monday.
Friday, December 18th - Trip to Museum of Natural History with Mr. A
As I mentioned, Mr. A got us free tickets to the museum and to some special exhibits. We will leave the school around 9:00am and will be returning around 2:00PM. We are taking the subway. Yu Jung will be our chaperon for this trip :) I know that Family Friday is also that same day. Just wanted to let you know that you are still welcome in the classroom but we will just be doing our spelling test and talking a little bit about the trip.
*Students will have a science quiz on the three states of matter, physical and chemical change on Monday. Please have them watch the Brainpopjr video as a review.
Username: PS108
Password: PS108
*Second grade math group will have a geometry test on Friday. (If anything changes, I will let you know)
Please email me if you have any further questions or concerns,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Just an update on a couple of things that are coming up…
Tuesday, December 8th - Third grade trip to the Met. Please do not forget to have students eat a big breakfast and also pack a snack and lunch. They will eat snack before we leave. If the weather permits, the students will eat lunch in an outside area at the Museum after the tour. If not, they will eat lunch when they come back to school. Dianna will be our chaperon for this trip :). I will remain in school with our second graders.
Thursday, December 10th
We will be attending the scholastic book fair as a class. Please provide students with some money if you would like them to make a purchase.
Friday, December 11th- Parent workshop on how to encourage independence and confidence in children. 8:30am in the library
Tuesday, December 15th - Trip to the Ballerina Swan play at a theatre on 43rd Street and 8th avenue at 1:00PM
The school received 95 free tickets to NYC Children's Theatre's musical Ballerina Swan. Students will eat lunch at school at an earlier lunch period. We will be walking to the theatre. One chaperon is allowed, please email me if you are interested. Permission slips will be sent out Monday.
Friday, December 18th - Trip to Museum of Natural History with Mr. A
As I mentioned, Mr. A got us free tickets to the museum and to some special exhibits. We will leave the school around 9:00am and will be returning around 2:00PM. We are taking the subway. Yu Jung will be our chaperon for this trip :) I know that Family Friday is also that same day. Just wanted to let you know that you are still welcome in the classroom but we will just be doing our spelling test and talking a little bit about the trip.
*Students will have a science quiz on the three states of matter, physical and chemical change on Monday. Please have them watch the Brainpopjr video as a review.
Username: PS108
Password: PS108
*Second grade math group will have a geometry test on Friday. (If anything changes, I will let you know)
Please email me if you have any further questions or concerns,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Trip on December 18th
Today I sent home a permission slip for a trip we have on Friday, December 18th to the Museum of Natural History.Mr. A obtained free tickets to the museum and a number of special exhibits. We will be taking the subway. One chaperon is allowed. Please email me if you are interested. Please sign the permission slip and return ASAP.
Thank you!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Today I sent home a permission slip for a trip we have on Friday, December 18th to the Museum of Natural History.Mr. A obtained free tickets to the museum and a number of special exhibits. We will be taking the subway. One chaperon is allowed. Please email me if you are interested. Please sign the permission slip and return ASAP.
Thank you!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 30th - December 4th
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!
This Tuesday, students are invited to watch the Young Story Tellers Perform. In this program, our fifth graders wrote original stories and see them brought to life on stage by volunteer actors!
There are Gifted and Talented tours this week. I will confirm the dates and let you know ASAP.
Newsletter in documents
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events (Week of November 30th - December 4th)
Monday - Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Akira
Thursday - Anna
Friday - Christopher
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!
This Tuesday, students are invited to watch the Young Story Tellers Perform. In this program, our fifth graders wrote original stories and see them brought to life on stage by volunteer actors!
There are Gifted and Talented tours this week. I will confirm the dates and let you know ASAP.
Newsletter in documents
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events (Week of November 30th - December 4th)
Monday - Tenzin
Tuesday - Yuxin
Wednesday - Akira
Thursday - Anna
Friday - Christopher
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wanted to thank everyone for contributing to our Potluck. It was such a success! Thank you for all of your time and effort. It is truly appreciated. The leftovers was given to the children in the after school program. They all enjoyed it very much! I wish everyone an awesome Turkey Day!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I wanted to thank everyone for contributing to our Potluck. It was such a success! Thank you for all of your time and effort. It is truly appreciated. The leftovers was given to the children in the after school program. They all enjoyed it very much! I wish everyone an awesome Turkey Day!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 23-25
I did not do a newsletter this week due to the short week.
As I mentioned in the email, I will not be in this Tuesday due to a workshop. Our second grade students will participate in our monthly Spoons Across America Program that day.
I hope to see you all for our potluck on Wednesday.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I did not do a newsletter this week due to the short week.
As I mentioned in the email, I will not be in this Tuesday due to a workshop. Our second grade students will participate in our monthly Spoons Across America Program that day.
I hope to see you all for our potluck on Wednesday.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (November 23-25)
Monday- Max
Tuesday - Sebastien
Wednesday - Sophia
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday- Max
Tuesday - Sebastien
Wednesday - Sophia
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I would like to continue our class tradition of the Annual Potluck! To connect it with social studies since we are learning about different cultures, I would like to ask for you to please contribute a dish from your family’s country. I will be bringing my own Thai dish! We will celebrate together in our classroom on Wednesday, November 25th at 1:30pm. Please bring a dish that is enough for our class size of 16. If you are unable to contribute a dish, please help with one of the following items:
Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I would like to continue our class tradition of the Annual Potluck! To connect it with social studies since we are learning about different cultures, I would like to ask for you to please contribute a dish from your family’s country. I will be bringing my own Thai dish! We will celebrate together in our classroom on Wednesday, November 25th at 1:30pm. Please bring a dish that is enough for our class size of 16. If you are unable to contribute a dish, please help with one of the following items:
- 2 packs of Juice Boxes
- 2 packs of sturdy paper plates
- 1 package of napkins/2 packages of plastic forks
Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fall Festival (November 20th, 9:15am, auditorium)
This Friday is the Fall Festival, students from grades Pre-k through 2 (3rd from our class also) will be performing. Parents are welcome. Please have students wear Fall colors!
This Friday is also Family Friday!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Friday is the Fall Festival, students from grades Pre-k through 2 (3rd from our class also) will be performing. Parents are welcome. Please have students wear Fall colors!
This Friday is also Family Friday!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 16th-20th
Just another reminder that Tuesday is Parent Teacher Conferences. Students will be dismissed at noon.
Students will be watching a performance by the Young Story Tellers this Thursday. In the program, fifth grade students work on writing stories and volunteer actors act their stories out on stage!
I was informed that the Fall Performance was scheduled for this Friday but may change due to certain conflicts. Will keep you updated.
Newsletter is in Documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just another reminder that Tuesday is Parent Teacher Conferences. Students will be dismissed at noon.
Students will be watching a performance by the Young Story Tellers this Thursday. In the program, fifth grade students work on writing stories and volunteer actors act their stories out on stage!
I was informed that the Fall Performance was scheduled for this Friday but may change due to certain conflicts. Will keep you updated.
Newsletter is in Documents
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parents,
Please keep in mind that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's report card, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make an appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays after 2:50 (Preferably Tuesdays). I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes on that day unless someone is not waiting. Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
Please keep in mind that parent teacher conferences are only ten minutes. During those ten minutes, I will discuss your child's report card, his/her areas of need, and his/her behavior, etc. If you think you have something to discuss with me that may take longer than ten minutes, please email me to make an appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays after 2:50 (Preferably Tuesdays). I will not be able to have a conversation longer than 10 minutes on that day unless someone is not waiting. Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 9-13
Just a reminder that there is no school on Wednesday due to Veteran's day.
I tried my best to honor your chosen times for Parent Teacher Conferences. If you have any conflicts on the times given, please let me know.
Please remind students to practice math skills on the IXL website. I just got an email that our class has answered over 5,000 math questions! The kidsa-z website is also up and running. Please let me know if you have any questions about logging in.
Students will be taking their salt dough projects home this week. I will ask all students to bring it home Monday or Tuesday.
Newsletter is in documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just a reminder that there is no school on Wednesday due to Veteran's day.
I tried my best to honor your chosen times for Parent Teacher Conferences. If you have any conflicts on the times given, please let me know.
Please remind students to practice math skills on the IXL website. I just got an email that our class has answered over 5,000 math questions! The kidsa-z website is also up and running. Please let me know if you have any questions about logging in.
Students will be taking their salt dough projects home this week. I will ask all students to bring it home Monday or Tuesday.
Newsletter is in documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Teacher Conference Schedule
1:00 Sebastien
1:10 Ian
1:20 Julien
1:30 Christina
1:40 Akira
1:50 Sophia
2:00 Yuxin
2:30 Kavi
2:40 Tenzin
2:50 Dior
4:30 Kiroto
4:50 Hailey
5:10 Chris
5:30 Aaron
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (November 9-13)
Monday - Anna
Tuesday - Chris
Thursday - Christina
Friday - Dior
_______________________________________________________________________
Notes
Parents,
Yesterday I sent home a recorder that was given to all students from grades K--3. They are for students to keep.
I also sent home a login card for the Kidsa-z website. Students now have access to their leveled books online. Please have students log on and read books at their convenience! The website is excellent!
I didn't send home Friday Folders this week due to the short week.
No school on Wednesday due to Veteran's day.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
Yesterday I sent home a recorder that was given to all students from grades K--3. They are for students to keep.
I also sent home a login card for the Kidsa-z website. Students now have access to their leveled books online. Please have students log on and read books at their convenience! The website is excellent!
I didn't send home Friday Folders this week due to the short week.
No school on Wednesday due to Veteran's day.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule November 2-6
Monday- Sophia
Wednesday - Tenzin
Thursday - Yuxin
Friday - Akira
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday- Sophia
Wednesday - Tenzin
Thursday - Yuxin
Friday - Akira
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of November 2nd- 6th
Welcome to the first week of November!
I decided to push back Peter Pan a bit. I felt like students needed a couple of lessons on character before I dive into that complex book. For reading this week, we will focus on Character traits vs. Character emotions.
We will miss science this week. Our picture day time tomorrow is during science and there is no school on Tuesday...
Our third graders will participate in a four week program called Art Works. For this program, a trained volunteer will lead highly interactive workshops on architecture, sculpture, painting and decorative arts. Students discuss, compare, and interpret works of art. They discover that ideas can be communicated with shapes, colors, and symbols. They practice slowing down-observing carefully-thinking deeply-and using visual evidence to support their interpretations. Our third grade students will push into another third grade class for this program on Thursdays.
I will sending home a sheet scheduling parent teacher conference times this week. Please fill it in and send it back asap. Please let me know right away if you would like a translator.
Students will start doing reading responses for homework this week. I have glued reading response prompts in their homework notebook. Students are required to write a well thought out paragraph responding to their reading. They are required to do two responses a week. It will be due with their spelling homework on Fridays.
Newsletter is attached in documents
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the first week of November!
I decided to push back Peter Pan a bit. I felt like students needed a couple of lessons on character before I dive into that complex book. For reading this week, we will focus on Character traits vs. Character emotions.
We will miss science this week. Our picture day time tomorrow is during science and there is no school on Tuesday...
Our third graders will participate in a four week program called Art Works. For this program, a trained volunteer will lead highly interactive workshops on architecture, sculpture, painting and decorative arts. Students discuss, compare, and interpret works of art. They discover that ideas can be communicated with shapes, colors, and symbols. They practice slowing down-observing carefully-thinking deeply-and using visual evidence to support their interpretations. Our third grade students will push into another third grade class for this program on Thursdays.
I will sending home a sheet scheduling parent teacher conference times this week. Please fill it in and send it back asap. Please let me know right away if you would like a translator.
Students will start doing reading responses for homework this week. I have glued reading response prompts in their homework notebook. Students are required to write a well thought out paragraph responding to their reading. They are required to do two responses a week. It will be due with their spelling homework on Fridays.
Newsletter is attached in documents
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reminders
Picture day is tomorrow (Monday). Please have students dress up appropriately :)
All students will still have gym**
There is no school on Tuesday due to Election day.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture day is tomorrow (Monday). Please have students dress up appropriately :)
All students will still have gym**
There is no school on Tuesday due to Election day.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next Social Studies Project
Parents,
We have been having so much fun with our Social Studies Projects :) We are studying CULTURE next and students will teach the class about their culture. I have been waiting for this unit and so excited because our class is so diverse. I did not assign any particular assignment yet. I just gave students a sneak peek that they will be researching their culture and make a poster teaching the class about where they are from and choose ONE part of their culture to share with the class. For example, teaching the class to make a famous dish, get to know a famous person, wearing a costume that shows their heritage, demonstrating a dance, sing a song, etc. We will be studying Thailand as a class, since that is where I'm from. Please talk to your child and share information you may have about their heritage.
Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
We have been having so much fun with our Social Studies Projects :) We are studying CULTURE next and students will teach the class about their culture. I have been waiting for this unit and so excited because our class is so diverse. I did not assign any particular assignment yet. I just gave students a sneak peek that they will be researching their culture and make a poster teaching the class about where they are from and choose ONE part of their culture to share with the class. For example, teaching the class to make a famous dish, get to know a famous person, wearing a costume that shows their heritage, demonstrating a dance, sing a song, etc. We will be studying Thailand as a class, since that is where I'm from. Please talk to your child and share information you may have about their heritage.
Thank you so much!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Halloween Parade
Dear Parents,
Our class was invited to join the Pre-k to 2 grades for the school's halloween parade. The parade will start around 1:30pm this coming Thursday. Parents are welcome. Mr. Gilligan address that he would prefer for kids to dress up as book characters. Please do not have students come in with anything "scary."
Thank you!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
Our class was invited to join the Pre-k to 2 grades for the school's halloween parade. The parade will start around 1:30pm this coming Thursday. Parents are welcome. Mr. Gilligan address that he would prefer for kids to dress up as book characters. Please do not have students come in with anything "scary."
Thank you!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events!
NOVEMBER 2 - PICTURE DAY! (Please send in picture forms)
NOVEMBER 3 -ELECTION DAY (school closed)
- P.T.A. BAKE SALE
NOVEMBER 17, -(noon dismissal)
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Afternoon Conference - 1pm-3pm
Evening Conference 4:30pm-7:30pm
G&T tour - December 8th
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 25th-30th
We are launching a couple of new units this week. For reading, I am starting a new character unit. The students and I will be reading Peter Pan and studying different characters in the book. For the new few weeks, students will learn to think inferentially about the characters and think past first ideas and look across all the chapters they have read to look for patterns in the character that reveals something telling.
We are wrapping up memoir writing and diving into learning the structure and how to write a powerful literary essay.
Please have students practice math skills on the ixl website in their free time.
If you haven't sent in $6 for scholastic news and $6 for razkids, please do so. Ms. Romero and I are working on setting up class rosters, so kids can read on the razkids website.
Please send in forms for picture day ASAP.
Newsletter is attached in documents.
Thank you so much!
Current events schedule Oct 25th-30th
Monday - Julien
Tuesday - Kavi
Wednesday - Kiroto
Thursday - Max
Friday - Sebastien
I must say that the students have been doing an excellent job sharing current events every morning. I am so glad I added it as part of our day. Thank you for helping students prepare.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We are launching a couple of new units this week. For reading, I am starting a new character unit. The students and I will be reading Peter Pan and studying different characters in the book. For the new few weeks, students will learn to think inferentially about the characters and think past first ideas and look across all the chapters they have read to look for patterns in the character that reveals something telling.
We are wrapping up memoir writing and diving into learning the structure and how to write a powerful literary essay.
Please have students practice math skills on the ixl website in their free time.
If you haven't sent in $6 for scholastic news and $6 for razkids, please do so. Ms. Romero and I are working on setting up class rosters, so kids can read on the razkids website.
Please send in forms for picture day ASAP.
Newsletter is attached in documents.
Thank you so much!
Current events schedule Oct 25th-30th
Monday - Julien
Tuesday - Kavi
Wednesday - Kiroto
Thursday - Max
Friday - Sebastien
I must say that the students have been doing an excellent job sharing current events every morning. I am so glad I added it as part of our day. Thank you for helping students prepare.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Raz-kids and Readinga-z.com
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to inform you that we will be using a website called Raz-kids.com and Readinga-z.com in our classroom this year. Raz-kids is an interactive reading tool for our students to practice reading fluency and comprehension. Readinga-z.com is a website with more than 2,500 downloaded books and thousands of teaching and learning materials. I will be using this site mainly for guided reading. In guided reading, I meet with your child 1-2 times a week to work on their area of need to improve their reading skills. The students will have a log in and a password to get into their reading account. I am able to monitor the students' progress and change their reading level. Due to the limited amount of resources in our classroom, these sites will allow students to access numerous books. The membership of the sites combined costs $200 per school year. We will split the cost between our class and Ms. Romero’s class. I was hoping you could contribute $6 per child. Please send in the money in an envelope labeled with your child’s name.
Thank you so much for your continuing support,
Ms. Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to inform you that we will be using a website called Raz-kids.com and Readinga-z.com in our classroom this year. Raz-kids is an interactive reading tool for our students to practice reading fluency and comprehension. Readinga-z.com is a website with more than 2,500 downloaded books and thousands of teaching and learning materials. I will be using this site mainly for guided reading. In guided reading, I meet with your child 1-2 times a week to work on their area of need to improve their reading skills. The students will have a log in and a password to get into their reading account. I am able to monitor the students' progress and change their reading level. Due to the limited amount of resources in our classroom, these sites will allow students to access numerous books. The membership of the sites combined costs $200 per school year. We will split the cost between our class and Ms. Romero’s class. I was hoping you could contribute $6 per child. Please send in the money in an envelope labeled with your child’s name.
Thank you so much for your continuing support,
Ms. Casandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 19-23
Newsletter is attached in documents
Please remind students to fill out their reading log for homework. A lot of students are not doing it at all.
Thank you!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Newsletter is attached in documents
Please remind students to fill out their reading log for homework. A lot of students are not doing it at all.
Thank you!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scholastic News
Parents,
I am continuing with our class subscription for scholastic news. I have been sending it home with students every Friday. I believe it's extremely beneficial for the kids. We also have class discussions about it. With that said, a year subscription costs $6.00 a year per student. Please send money in an envelope labeled with your child's name.
Thank you so much for your support.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents,
I am continuing with our class subscription for scholastic news. I have been sending it home with students every Friday. I believe it's extremely beneficial for the kids. We also have class discussions about it. With that said, a year subscription costs $6.00 a year per student. Please send money in an envelope labeled with your child's name.
Thank you so much for your support.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (Oct 19-23)
Monday - Chris
Tuesday Christina
Wednesday - Dior
Thursday - Hailey
Friday - Ian
I didn't send Friday Folders this week due to the short week and only 1-2 pieces of homework to send home. Please take a look at students' social studies assessment, sign and return.
Starting this coming Tuesday, our second graders will participate in a program called Spoons Across America. The organization develops and supports food and nutrition based educational programs for children. They will be coming to our classroom on Tuesdays once a month. Our third graders will participate in this program in January.
Updated list of adults in our classroom
Ms. Swanti- America Reads tutor/Graduate student - Tuesdays,Wednesdays, Thursdays: 9:30-1:30
Ms. Janet - Learning Leader - Thursdays 9:30-1:30
Ms. Chloe - Learning Leader - Comes in once a week (Day varies)
Ms. Ruth - Student Teacher - Wednesdays 9:00- 1:30
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of October 13th - 16th
Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We are working on our salt dough project this week. Students will be making their own dough. Please bring in all materials by tomorrow. Again, please also bring in an old t-shirt or an apron. Students were supposed to pick a continent or a country they would like to work on. If they pick a country, it is their responsibility to print out a map of that country with landforms.
I will not be in tomorrow due to another writing workshop I was chosen to attend. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
I will be sending home their marked social studies assessment. Please take a look, sign and return.
Family Friday is this week.
Newsletter is attached in documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We are working on our salt dough project this week. Students will be making their own dough. Please bring in all materials by tomorrow. Again, please also bring in an old t-shirt or an apron. Students were supposed to pick a continent or a country they would like to work on. If they pick a country, it is their responsibility to print out a map of that country with landforms.
I will not be in tomorrow due to another writing workshop I was chosen to attend. Thorough lesson plans will be provided for the substitute teacher.
I will be sending home their marked social studies assessment. Please take a look, sign and return.
Family Friday is this week.
Newsletter is attached in documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Second Grade Math Group
As you know the students have been working on creating their own math board game to conclude our "review" for addition and subtraction. Surprisingly, the students have been having a hard time coming up with ideas and making their game work. They are expected to finish their final draft tomorrow. If you can, please give them some suggestions and ideas :)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As you know the students have been working on creating their own math board game to conclude our "review" for addition and subtraction. Surprisingly, the students have been having a hard time coming up with ideas and making their game work. They are expected to finish their final draft tomorrow. If you can, please give them some suggestions and ideas :)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (Week of Oct 13th-16th)
Tuesday - Tenzin
Wednesday - Yuxin
Thursday - Akira
Friday - Anna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday - Tenzin
Wednesday - Yuxin
Thursday - Akira
Friday - Anna
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week of Oct 5th - Oct 9th
Please take a look at the pictures I shared on our pumpkin project. The kids and I had such a good time working on it. We will be finishing it up this week. Students will also have a Social studies assessment. They will be expected to: locate and label all continents and oceans. Define the equator, prime meridian, hemisphere, longitude and latitude.
Once or twice a week I've been taking students to the computer lab to go on this website called ixl,which has excellent activities for math and ELA. Students love it as they earn metals and prizes after completing each lesson. I am doing this as review and enrichment in addition to regular lessons. Students can also do this at home, they will have their own username and password. They can practice as often as they want. I can also let you know which area your child needs work on so they can especially work on that. With that said, the program costs $250 per year. I was hoping you can help me contribute. Please send $17 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. I will be sending the students username and passwords shortly.
Newsletter is attached in documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please take a look at the pictures I shared on our pumpkin project. The kids and I had such a good time working on it. We will be finishing it up this week. Students will also have a Social studies assessment. They will be expected to: locate and label all continents and oceans. Define the equator, prime meridian, hemisphere, longitude and latitude.
Once or twice a week I've been taking students to the computer lab to go on this website called ixl,which has excellent activities for math and ELA. Students love it as they earn metals and prizes after completing each lesson. I am doing this as review and enrichment in addition to regular lessons. Students can also do this at home, they will have their own username and password. They can practice as often as they want. I can also let you know which area your child needs work on so they can especially work on that. With that said, the program costs $250 per year. I was hoping you can help me contribute. Please send $17 in an envelope labeled with your child's name. I will be sending the students username and passwords shortly.
Newsletter is attached in documents.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Schedule (Oct 5th-Oct 9th)
Monday - Kavi
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
______________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Kavi
Tuesday - Kiroto
Wednesday - Max
Thursday - Sebastien
Friday - Sophia
______________________________________________________________________________________
Pumpkin Globes and some notes
We will most likely start our Pumpkin Globe Project on Thursday. Students will be doing a lot of painting so please have them bring in an apron or an old t-shirt that they can wear while painting. If anyone has a globe at home that they can bring in that would be awesome.
Chess starts tomorrow. Schedule is still changing. Will send it home once it's finalized.
First Spelling test is on Friday. Students will need to spell their word and write it in a sentence.
We will most likely start our Pumpkin Globe Project on Thursday. Students will be doing a lot of painting so please have them bring in an apron or an old t-shirt that they can wear while painting. If anyone has a globe at home that they can bring in that would be awesome.
Chess starts tomorrow. Schedule is still changing. Will send it home once it's finalized.
First Spelling test is on Friday. Students will need to spell their word and write it in a sentence.
Schedule 9/27
I am expecting a new schedule to be sent to me today. But for now, please still have students come in with sneakers for gym tomorrow.
________________________________________________________________________________
Current Events Sharing -Week of Sept 28-Oct 2
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday- Ian
Thursday- Hailey
Friday-Julien
*Please help students prepare, if needed.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday - Christina
Tuesday - Dior
Wednesday- Ian
Thursday- Hailey
Friday-Julien
*Please help students prepare, if needed.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spelling Homework & Reading Log
I am easing students into our homework routine this week.
Spelling homework
On Monday, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending two laminated menus home on Monday. Please keep one at home and keep one in their homework folder. Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity.
Reading Log
Starting Monday, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it as keeping track of how much they read is crucial. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this.
Please email me if you have any questions
9/26
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am easing students into our homework routine this week.
Spelling homework
On Monday, students will be given a "menu" for their spelling homework. The menu contains 44 choices of spelling activities they can do each week. They can't complain that they are bored now! :) They can pick whichever one they want to do. They are required to complete FOUR activities each week and also write their words THREE times each. It will be due every Friday so they have the whole week to complete it. If a student wants to work on everything in one shot that's up to them or they can choose to work on an activity a day. I will be sending two laminated menus home on Monday. Please keep one at home and keep one in their homework folder. Spelling test will be every Friday. The menu contains explicit directions for each activity.
Reading Log
Starting Monday, students will bring home a reading log and is required to log in their reading daily. Please remind them to complete it as keeping track of how much they read is crucial. It should only take them 1-2 minutes to complete each night. Again, please help me keep track of this.
Please email me if you have any questions
9/26
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chess
Our class will start chess this coming Wednesday! We met our instructor for the first time yesterday. His name is Sam Adler. We will receive about 15 weeks of instruction.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Our class will start chess this coming Wednesday! We met our instructor for the first time yesterday. His name is Sam Adler. We will receive about 15 weeks of instruction.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Parents,
For social studies, I will be teaching students about continents, oceans, hemispheres, longitude, latitude, the equator and prime meridian. As a project, we will be making pumpkin globes. I thought it would be cool since it's also almost October. I have assigned students a partner. I will have them talk to their partner tomorrow to figure out who will bring in the pumpkin. I will have them make the decision themselves.
These are the partnerships:
Kavi Tenzin
Akira Anna
Ian Kiroto
Bash Julien
Chris Hailey
Yuxin Dior
Christina, Sophia and Max
The pumpkin must be either big or medium sized. Gristedes on 54th street and 8th avenue sells them for $7.99
Amish Market on 49th street and 9th ave also sells them for about the same price.
Please bring in the pumpkins by Wednesday, September 30th. Each partnership will only need one pumpkin. If each partnership can also bring some newspaper in too that would be awesome.
Thank you!
9/2T
For social studies, I will be teaching students about continents, oceans, hemispheres, longitude, latitude, the equator and prime meridian. As a project, we will be making pumpkin globes. I thought it would be cool since it's also almost October. I have assigned students a partner. I will have them talk to their partner tomorrow to figure out who will bring in the pumpkin. I will have them make the decision themselves.
These are the partnerships:
Kavi Tenzin
Akira Anna
Ian Kiroto
Bash Julien
Chris Hailey
Yuxin Dior
Christina, Sophia and Max
The pumpkin must be either big or medium sized. Gristedes on 54th street and 8th avenue sells them for $7.99
Amish Market on 49th street and 9th ave also sells them for about the same price.
Please bring in the pumpkins by Wednesday, September 30th. Each partnership will only need one pumpkin. If each partnership can also bring some newspaper in too that would be awesome.
Thank you!
9/2T
Dear Parents,
Over the weekend, I will ask students to bring items that are important to them to decorate their writing notebook. Our students, at times, struggle to come up with ideas to write about. Bringing items that mean something to them might help them generate more ideas as they write, especially when they finally start drafting. Not only that, but it will make the writing notebook feel special to them. So, if you can help them gather items that can be glued flat onto their marble notebook cover. For example, tickets to a show you went to/places you went to, pictures of themselves, family and friends, stickers of their favorite sports team, pictures from magazines/newspaper that mean something to them, etc. I will send a zip log bag home so they can collect those items. Please have them bring about 4-5 things.
Thank you!
9/24
Over the weekend, I will ask students to bring items that are important to them to decorate their writing notebook. Our students, at times, struggle to come up with ideas to write about. Bringing items that mean something to them might help them generate more ideas as they write, especially when they finally start drafting. Not only that, but it will make the writing notebook feel special to them. So, if you can help them gather items that can be glued flat onto their marble notebook cover. For example, tickets to a show you went to/places you went to, pictures of themselves, family and friends, stickers of their favorite sports team, pictures from magazines/newspaper that mean something to them, etc. I will send a zip log bag home so they can collect those items. Please have them bring about 4-5 things.
Thank you!
9/24
Journal
Dear Parents,
Thank you for joining me on curriculum night. If you have any further questions, please let me know. Just a reminder, we do not have school this coming Wednesday and Thursday. The students will have gym on Monday, Tuesday and Friday this week.
I was chosen to attend a reading and writing workshop on Monday so I will not be in school. The students will be with Ms. Rivera, a substitute teacher. Thorough lesson plans will be provided.
On this coming Friday (September 25th), we will have a school-wide PBIS kick off to welcome students to the new school year and introduce/remind them about PBIS. Students will participate in activities/games in the school yard. The event is from 9:00-10:30. Parents are welcome.
Thank you so much!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
9/20
Thank you for joining me on curriculum night. If you have any further questions, please let me know. Just a reminder, we do not have school this coming Wednesday and Thursday. The students will have gym on Monday, Tuesday and Friday this week.
I was chosen to attend a reading and writing workshop on Monday so I will not be in school. The students will be with Ms. Rivera, a substitute teacher. Thorough lesson plans will be provided.
On this coming Friday (September 25th), we will have a school-wide PBIS kick off to welcome students to the new school year and introduce/remind them about PBIS. Students will participate in activities/games in the school yard. The event is from 9:00-10:30. Parents are welcome.
Thank you so much!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
9/20