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