11/17/14 Update

Snow!  So beautiful and so exciting and such a mess to drive in! I'm sure the children will be most happy to see our first snowfall.

Homework this week will just be Spelling words three times each and sentences for General Studies. The administration has asked us to lighten the load this week with the intense choir schedule (almost all 2nd graders are in choir!)  I can't wait to see them perform next Sunday at the Scholarship Dinner - it's always the highlight of the evening.

That being said, our Spelling unit is a review unit...the words are spin, swim, plant, left, full, mess, while, catch, camp, drink, long, milk, rock, desk, block, climb, friend, pocket, across and whisper and the WOW is again.

We just finished "Teacher's Pets" in our Journeys series.  We've been talking about different types of literature, the varying kinds of fiction and story structure (characters, setting, plot.)  We've also discussed nouns and singular and plural.  Surprisingly, the class said they wouldn't mind if there was more than one Mrs. Buster, when I mentioned it would be easier if there were more of me to get everything done.  Not sure my teenage son would agree!

The theme of animals is stretching across to our nonfiction as well, as we are studying animals in Science too.  This week we will focus on life cycles of different animal groups, especially the life cycle of a frog. Social Studies has us wrapping up the topic of citizenship and moving into government.  I love hearing their take on why certain laws are helpful. Such insight!

Thanks to the Almasanu, Binksy and Garvin families for their donations of books to our class library and to everyone's support of the book fair this year.

Thank you to everyone who came for conferences - I love meeting everyone.If you had further questions after you left our conference, please email me with any questions or concerns.

11/4/14 Update

The children are working very hard here in our class.  We have been learning about nouns, singular and plural; cause and effect; story structure; animal characteristics, research skills...lots to do!  We even had our first "Reader's Theater."  

Thank you to everyone who is helping make sure homework is done and turned in on Thursdays and reading is practiced every night.  I know schedules get busy, but it's time well-spent and the results do show here in class.

Next week's Spelling words are...milk, neck, ask, snake, truck, kick, smoke, rock, desk, black, lake, trick, take, back, pocket, whiskers and the WOW word is coming.  Remember, the goal of our phonetic based Spelling program is that not only do the children spell the words correctly on the weekly test, but they also practice the phonetic rule learned and then incorporate that into their reading and writing.  

If you haven't already done so, be sure to phone the school office and schedule a parent-teacher conference for next Wednesday, November 12.  There is no school for the children that day.  If you are unable to find a time that works for you, please email me and we will work something out.

Please email me with any questions or concerns and I look forward to seeing everyone Wednesday!

11/3/14 Update

It's so much nicer to be driving to school in the daylight - hope you remembered to set your clocks back.  

The first quarter ended on Friday, which means I've been busy working on progress reports.  Those should come home with the children - I'll try to remember to send an email when they are put in backpacks so you can look for those.  Please be sure to call the office and schedule your parent/teacher conferences for next Wednesday, November 12.  There is no school for the children that day, so be sure to plan ahead for childcare.

The "wildlife in residence" AKA the crickets were a big hit.  Some children thought their chirping was too loud, but many appreciated how soothing it was.  It was a nice way for the children to take a look up close.  Did you know that crickets can eat dog food?  They enjoyed that and brussel sprouts and some apples.

Please be sure to visit the Book Fair while you are in school next week.  The children will have their preview day on Thursday and their wish lists will come home in the Friday folders.  There is also an online option for shopping.

Last week we had a situation with a school bus not showing up until 5:00.  While trying to sort it out, we found many children struggled with knowing home phone and cell phone numbers by heart.  Please, please, please practice with your child - I know it's harder with multiple phone numbers, but this is an important safety rule that should not be overlooked.  Knowing parents' full names, home and cell numbers and full address is well worth the time and effort.

This week's Spelling words are...end, camp, thank, sing, drink, hunt, stand, long, thump, hand, think, bring, jump, went, young, friend and WOW is coming.  

Finally, we go outside for recess as often as possible, even when it's cold!  Please be sure your child is dressed for the weather.  Please email me atmlbuster@torahacademy.org with any questions or concerns.

2nd Grade Update 10/24/14

A whole week of school?  We aren't used to this!  For the most part, the children have done well as we work to reestablish our routines and procedures.  A few reminders about those that you can help with...homework is sent home in the Friday folder each week.  It is due the following Thursday.  Over the weekend, please empty the Friday folders and return them promptly on Monday mornings.  This makes the redistribution much easier if I have the folders returned ahead of Friday.

With regards to planners, the children should have those here at school every day.  We write our behavior from the clip chart in them each day, which allows you to do a quick check and discuss the day.  We also will write other messages here and there in the planners.  Please, please, please not only check the planners each evening, but also help get those back here every day.  Thanks for your help with this.

Did the children tell you about our special guests in our class?  We are observing a family of crickets - looking to see them up close and personal, watching how they meet their basic needs.  The chirping has been rather soothing, to be honest!

Next week's Spelling words are as follows: dish, what, than, chest, such, thin, push, shine, chase, while, catch, sure, which, then, whisper, thumb and WOW is they.  There is also another dress down day next Friday - 25 cents to wear jeans, sweats, sportswear or something very glittery! Totally worth it in my opinion!

These newsletters, along with other information, updates and photos are posted on my blog...check it out at buster2ndgrade.blogspot.com

As always, please email me with any questions or concerns atmlbuster@torahacademy.org

Guest "Speaker"

Thursday, we had the privilege of meeting Matt's dog Jill.  We have been studying working dogs and finding out about the ways dogs help people and Matt's dog has had some special protection training.  Also, Matt worked directly with dogs while serving in Afghanistan.  It was fun (for most!) to see a dog up close and to hear about Matt's experiences.  Thanks for coming!

10/2/14 Update

Happy Fall everyone!  A few things to keep in mind with our schedule for the next few weeks...I'm not sending a homework packet this week and there will NOT be a Spelling test for the next two weeks.  The next homework packet will come home 10/15 and isn't due until 10/23.  Please encourage your children to keep reading over the days off from school!

Thanks for your continued support and please let me know if you have any questions.

9/22/14 Update

Just a few quick notes to start our short week...there is no homework packet or Spelling test this week.  I will send home only Spelling homework on Tuesday, for next week, and our next Spelling test will be on Thursday, October 2.  Thanks to everyone for doing well on returning homework..remember, packets are due Thursdays.

We begin visits to the Library today - both classes go on Mondays, but the schedule is somewhat sporadic.  If your child finishes a library book ahead of time, feel free to send it back and we will get it returned to the library, so they can check out another book for their next visit.

That's about it - I wish everyone a blessed and happy New Year and enjoy the upcoming days off...the weather looks like it will be fantastic!

2nd Grade Weekly Update 9-15-14

Apologies for the delay in the weekly update - I try my best to send updates on Fridays.  The good news is my blog is up and running.  Updates, Spelling lists, photos of cool stuff from 2nd grade, etc. can be found by accessing the blog.  Stop by at least once a week for the weekly update, plus other times here and there for a look into what we are doing in our classroom.  You can find the blog at www.buster2ndgrade.blogspot.com

This week's Spelling words are...tap, tape, fin, fine, tub, tube, rob, robe, cap, cape, slid, slide, hop, hope, scrap, scrape.

I've had a few comments that the Spelling words are "too easy" for second graders.  A few things to explain my process and technique...first of all, in order to build confidence in our procedures for Spelling, we started with just 12 words that are phonetically based.  Phonics, even for children with higher levels of comprehension, is always a good thing to practice.  Being able to decode harder and harder words is based on a strong phonics background.  Also, being able to spell the words on the weekly test is an important first step, but the goal in second grade is to use those correctly spelled words in the children's every day writing.  I will closely monitor the children's writing skills to look for this.  As we move further into the year, we will increase the number of Spelling words for some children and later, will provide alternate lists to those children who are BOTH consistently spelling words correctly on tests and in their writing.  I hope that gives you a little more information on our Spelling program for this year.  Please let me know if you have further questions.

We have our Chapter 1 Math test Tuesday.  It will cover place value, which we've been working on since school started.

Also, we will begin going to the school library next Monday.  The schedule is sporadic, so I will try to include Library week information in the updates, so the children know when to return library books.

That's the short story from here.  Please email me with any questions or concerns, and please be sure to check the blog going forward for weekly updates and other 2nd grade news.  

Welcome to 2nd Grade 2014-2015

Welcome to all our second grade families.  This is Mrs. Buster's 2nd Grade Blog!  Here you will find newsletters, miscellaneous updates, Spelling lists and other awesome updates from our classroom.  Check back at least once a week for the newsletter, which hopefully will be posted on Fridays, and then other random times when I post photos of our children doing terrific things here in class.  We are off to a great start in 2nd grade and the blog is a great way for you to follow along with our learning and our fun!

May 19 Update

It's true - there is NOT a homework packet this week.  This also means there won't be a Spelling test either.  We are focusing on getting everything organized for Achievement Fair next week, which leaves us with many loose ends to tie up.  Be sure to mark your calendar and join us that evening - the children are getting really excited to share their hard work with their families.

Please remit the $5.00 per child for our field trip on June 9 to Slate Run Farm.  We will be taking lunch with us, so plan on sending a sack lunch that day.  Don't worry - I'll give plenty of reminders.

The countdown to the end of the year is on, however, we still have a great deal to learn.  Thanks in advance for reminding your children to work until the end and stay focused - many are already on vacation, based on how they are managing their day.  Thanks for your help in making second grade terrific right up until the very last day.

Questions? Email me at mlbuster@torahacademy.org

Writer's Workshop Sharing Night

Our Writer's Workshop Sharing Night will be Monday, March 31, right here at CTA.

Please join us at 7:00 in the Shul, and we will then proceed to our classrooms, where each child will read a few selections from their poetry booklets.

More details to follow, but be sure to mark your calendars.

3/10/14 - No Homework this week!

It's true - if you fear you lost track of the General Studies homework packet, fear not - there is no homework this week.  Between the Writing Workshop we are wrapping up and having a very full day of Purim activities on Friday, I decided to forgo the usual Spelling routine and the weekly homework.  Don't worry - we will get back on track next week.  Enjoy a little extra time - it's even warm enough to go outside instead of doing homework for once!

Don't forget to send in Purim Carnival money - all the specifics can be found in the Dateline, which you can access at the CTA website.  Usually $5.00 is more than enough for games and treats.  Should be an exciting day for everyone.

As usual, please email me with any questions or concerns at mlbuster@torahacademy.org

100th Day...sort of!

So with some creative accounting, we celebrated the 100th Day of School here in 2nd grade, even though it's only been 99...I forgot about one of our snow days!  Oh well - it's better for our schedule on a Thursday anyway.  Here are some photos of our activities - we used cooperation, communication, measurement, reasoning skills, spatial awareness, estimation, large motor skills, creativity and elapsed time...we fit a lot into our day!  There was so much fun to be had that some have more things they can do at home, so you can find ways to celebrate 100 at home over the long weekend.  Scroll down for great photos of our second graders in action...

By the way, I dedicate our 100th Day to my grandmothers, both of whom turn 100 years old this year!  They are amazing women and I'm lucky to have them both around.

Some friends even had 100th Day shirts from last year still!

 Collecting data about how many times we can do a variety of things in 100 seconds, like blinking, saying the alphabet or hopping.

 Making structures cooperatively using 100 marshmallows and 100 toothpicks.  I specifically got non-Kosher marshmallows so I wouldn't have to worry about anyone eating their building materials!

We used dice and a stamp pad and took turns to see who could get to 100 gumballs first!

What a winter!

This winter certainly has made it a challenge to keep things on track, but we are working very hard when we are here.  Please remember that our Grandparents/Special Person's Day is Friday, February 7 from 12:30-2:00.  If you haven't already responded to me about your child's arrangements, please email me at mlbuster@torahacademy.org so we can plan accordingly.

Our Spelling test this week is on homophones.  The children not only need to know how to spell the words, but also which each word means...they should know a "week" has 7 days and "weak" means not strong.  We spent time practicing this today, so hopefully they understand the differences between these confusing words!  The words are meet, meat, week, weak, road, rode, tail, tale, be, bee, too, two, to, see, threw and through and the word of the week is because.

Stay warm!

Grandparents/Special Person Day!

Save the Date!

Our annual Grandparents/Special Person Day will be held on Friday, February 7, starting at 12:30.

More details to follow, but be sure to arrange a visitor for your children!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014!  This year certainly got off to an interesting start.  Hopefully things will settle in and we can resume our routine and get moving after the extra days off.

A few dates to remember, to start things off...

• This Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 8:00 a.m., there is annual Parent Breakfast for grades K-6.  You and your family are welcome to join us - this is always a nice event.  
• On Tuesday, January 21, commencing with the start of the 3rd quarter, we will do the "BIG SWITCH!"  The afternoon class becomes the morning class and the afternoon switches to mornings.  I've never been through this, but the children have done it two years in a row, so I expect a seamless transition.  I cannot wait to see if there are any differences in the learning styles though - a social experiment for me!  
• The 2nd Grade Chag HaChumash will be held Thursday, January 30 at 2:30 in the afternoon.  More details to follow from Rabbi Hauser.
• Friday, February 7 will be Special Persons Day, from 12:30-2:30 p.m.  Again, more details will follow, but mark your calendar and find that Special Person to join us here in the classroom.

This weeks Spelling words are as follows and our Spelling routine is back in place - homework due Thursday, test on Friday...free, each, clean, teeth, please, sheep, beach, wheel, team, speak, sneeze, people, eat, read, between, reason and the WOW is family.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the above! 

mlbuster@torahacademy.org