Hello!

Hello, everyone! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend.

Trips- Let’s Learn Outside of the Classroom!

Do you remember the field trips, guest speakers, and special projects you did when you were in school? These special learning opportunities are some of the most powerful experiences young children can have because they really bring topics “to life”. On Oct. 23, we will visit the Green Meadow Pumpkin Farm. The money was due last Friday, but I wouldn’t want any children to miss out on this important trip. Please send the money by tomorrow if you didn’t send it in last week. On Nov. 5, the students will expand their understanding of Native Americans by viewing the Red Hawk Native American Dance Company. Please see the attached permission slip for more information. Thanks!

New Homework Format

It seems that backpacks are getting heavier and heavier. Let’s lighten things up for the students. Starting this week, students in 2-208 will bring home a homework packet for the week rather than their notebooks and assignment sheets. The homework packet will include the assignment sheet, reading log, a piece of notebook paper for each day of the week, and any worksheets that are to be completed. Students are to put the packet and any notes for you in the pocket at the front of their agenda. The completed packet will be due on Monday.

We Won A Grant!

Last spring, I applied for a grant to help the students with our math program. Well, we won! Starting this week, each student will be using a new calculator and I will be able to demonstrate calculator skills using a special calculator for the overhead projector. You may be wondering why second-graders need calculators. When I was in second-grade, I certainly didn’t need one. However, since then, the math that students are expected to learn is somewhat harder. For example, second-graders nowadays need to know their addition and subtraction facts, just like I did when I was in second-grade. However, they also need to know how to solve number stories (do you remember doing “word problems”?). Sometimes the number stories use large numbers and a calculator is needed. In addition, calculators can help the children learn math concepts in a fun way, just like computers can help the children learn reading and writing concepts in a fun way.

Thank Yous

Thank you to everyone who sent a box of crackers or cookies with their child last week. Thank you also to the family members whom I’ve talked with regarding the children. The easiest way for me to communicate with you is probably if you send a note with your child. Otherwise, I can be reached at ***. Together, we can help the children succeed!

Have a great day!

From Ayana Kee, Second-Grade Teacher

Wishlist… Speaking of Computers

Did you recently get a better computer for your home? Did your job recently upgrade to new computers? If so, we can use the PC computer that you no longer need. Not only would a donation of a computer benefit the students, but it would also be fully tax-deductible. Your donation would supplement the computers available in our computer lab by helping us have a computer in our classroom!

This page's internet address is: http://www.teach-and-learn.org/families/newsletter-10-13-trips-plus.htm.

This page was updated: August, 2005.