Important         Tuesday, October 6^th-School Pictures

Dates              Monday, October 8^th- author visit/Jonathon Rand

Wednesday, October 17^th-Smoke House

                             Wednesday, October 17^th-Pumpkin Night

                             Tuesday, October 30^th-School Dentist                  

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

                    

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 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 talked about the government within communities which tied into our study of the United States constitution earlier in September for Constitution Day.

 

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.  I am looking to get a digital camera for the classroom for both the children and I to use for out technology projects.  With Christmas coming I would rather have donations put towards that than gifts for me.  This way everyone benefits from it. 

 

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 Wednesday, October 17^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 19 children in our classroom.  Thanks!

 

Book Order           The October book order will be due on the October 19^th.  You can make the check out to Scholastic or pay cash. 

 

Halloween              Our party is going to be on the 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 Monday 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 Kaycie Smith and Ethan Dunn for helping us get our water bottles.  These have been for allowing us to stay hydrated!  We could still use Clorox wipes, extra snacks, napkins, and Kleenex.  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.  

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Cheryl Hatfield

 

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