Important         Tuesday, October 15^th- author visit/Leslie Helakoski

Dates                    Tuesday, October 15^th-Smoke House

                     Friday, October 18^th- Home Links due

                             Wednesday, October 23^rd-Pumpkin Night    

Thursday, October 31^st-Halloween parade at 1pm followed by parties

Friday, November 1^st- No School:  Professional Development

                    

Math                     We are working in Unit 2, which focuses on addition strategies. It is important that the children learn their addition and subtraction facts so we will be starting timed tests this month.  It would be a good idea to practice flash cards with your child for a few minutes each night.  Please be sure that your child is doing the Home Links sent home. The first packet is attached to this letter and is due on October 12^th.  These are an important part in helping your child be successful.  These are also a required piece of homework.  I have sent home our first Checking Progress test.  Please help your child fix the areas that he/she missed.  Many of us had trouble with the number grid and adding/subtracting by 10’s.  We have already been working these skills in small groups and will continue to do so.  Please continue to work on counting by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s and 10’s and with your child at home as well.

 

Government        In social studies, we are learning about communities.  We have learned about what makes up a community, why people live in a community, different kinds of communities, and have compared communities as well.  Along with this we have also been studying maps and learning to use and make maps.

 

Website           I wanted to let everyone know about our class website which is 2ndgradefriends@yolasite.com.  I will be putting monthly newsletters, calendars, classroom information, pictures, and other important information about our classroom there

 

Book-It                We are going to be participating in Book-It this year.  We set the same goal for all children.  The goal is to read 20 minutes for 20 days.  Just record the minutes your child reads each night and initial it on the Book-It calendar.  When your child hands in the monthly calendar at the end of the month, he/she will get a certificate for a free child’s size pizza at Pizza Hut.  This program goes through March.  This is also a required piece of homework.

 

Smoke House      Again this year the Grayling City/Township Fire Department will be

bringing the Smoke House to Grayling Elementary for us to experience. Our class will be going on Tuesday, October 15^th. This is a great opportunity for our children.  It does not use real smoke but if you do NOT want your child to go through the Smoke House please send us a note.  Otherwise we will assume that it is ok for your child to participate fully.

 

Snack              Please be sure to check the snack calendar for your child’s snack

                             day.  You can also find the schedule on our classroom website. The children look forward to it and need it.  We have currently

                             have 17 children in our classroom.  Thanks!

 

Halloween              Our party is going to be on the Thursday, October 31^st after the parade. The parade will be at 1:00. I will be contacting you about sending items for the party. If you are asked to send in items for the party please be sure that they are here by 9:00 am that morning.  Please do NOT send in things on that day unless we ask, otherwise we end up throwing lots away.  If anyone is interested in planning the party let me know.  That would be a great help!

 

Supplies            We owe a huge thank you to Brittlynn Elliott and her family for helping us get our water bottles.  These have been for allowing us to stay hydrated!  We could still use Clorox wipes, extra snacks, coffee filters, Kleenex, and items for our classroom store.  Thank you to all of you who have donated already!  We all appreciate it!

 

Calendars          Please check the calendars in your child’s MOOSE book daily! Your child is supposed to be coloring it daily to match what color his/her card for that day.  Not only are these there to keep you updated on what is happening at school but also to keep you informed on what color your child’s card is each day.  The children are allowed to color their own cards if they are on green or yellow but I must initial it if they are on red or blue.  Those children who have stayed on green all month earn the privilege of eating with me in the classroom at the end of the month.  

 

Classroom          I am looking for a parent that would be interested in helping with

Store              our classroom store.  I would like the children to be able to shop

                                                and spend their classroom cash twice a month.  If you are able to help with this please let me know.  I appreciate the help and support!

 

 

Happy Fall,

Cheryl Hatfield

 

Don’t forget those box tops -they sure do add up!