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!