Ms. Bell's 2nd Grade Class

Looking Ahead

Here's a peek at next week:

Spelling - This week will start with a quick review of short vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u).  We will look at ways to add suffixes to words (like -s, -ed, & -ing).  We will also continue our look at contractions (i.e. it is --> it's).  Our test will include our core words:  your, an, can, we, there.

Math - What time is it?  Well, this week we will be exploring the wonders of telling time.  We will be working on telling time by the hour half hour and quarter hour on analogue clocks. 

Science - Our class will be looking at the three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases.  We will be able to identify the specific characteristics of each state.

Reading & Writing - Students will be performing their reader's theater this week! We will also be working in small groups on guided reading.  In writing, we will begin wrapping up our unit on narrative.  The focus this week will be on engaging beginnings and endings.

Other news:  On Friday, we will have crazy hair day!  Sounds like our "principal and assistant principal of the day" have some great ideas!  Second grade is also having a rotation day to learn all about the upcoming elections.

Scholastic Book Clubs

Look today for the Scholastic Book Club forms for October and November.  There is a letter attached to the forms to let you know how to order online or by check.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Our class appreciates your support!!!  It allows us to order new books for our classroom library.

Also, the Book Fair is going on this week!  Thursday and Friday are the last day to make purchases!!  The Book Fair will be over on Friday at noon. 

Red Ribbon Week

This week is RED RIBBON WEEK!  Show your spirit and say NO to drugs!

Monday:  Crazy Sock Day

Tuesday: Wear Red

Wednesday: Murdock Spirit Day

Thursday:  Wear sneakers to "walk away from drugs"

Friday: Murdock Spirit Day

Looking Ahead

Here's a look at the week ahead:

Reading & Writing: We are working on our final copies of our "pumpkin" stories.  Students will be meeting to finalize and conference aboutt heir writing.  Small groups will also be working towards performing their reader's theater scripts for Mrs. Dobkin's class.  We will also be taking a preview visit to the Book Fair on Tuesday.

Math:  This week is practicing double-digit addition with regrouping.  As the week progresses, we may get into telling time and reading analog clocks.

Science & Social Studies:  We will be working on our unit in "The States of Matter".  Students will be learning about solids, liquids, and gases and how they change between different phases.  We will also have a special guest visit our grade on Thursday from the Cherokee Native Americans!

Spelling & Grammar:  We will be working on our core words in spelling.  We will be adding to our list of homophones and reviewing synonyms and antonyms.

Other reminders:

• 2nd & 3rd grade morning walk is Monday and Wednesday
• Book Fair - M-Th 7:30-4:00 & F 7:30-noon
• 2nd Grade FUNraiser - after school

This week with the Beach Buddies 9-29 to 10-3

There is a lot going on in our class.  Click on the link below to see the "Week in Review".

Download 929_103.doc

Here is an overview of the week ahead:

Reading & Writing: We will be continuing narratives in writing.  This week, we will be beginning our "pumpkin adventure" stories.  In reading, we will be working in small groups on reading response journals.  Another "Book in a Bag" will go home next week to practice fluency and comprehension.

Language Arts: Our spelling program, Sitton Spelling, will begin this week.  It will continue to review the skills that were practice with Open Court Phonics.  Next week's core words are:  we, there, can, an, your.

Math: It's time for double-digit addition.  Using the math strategies from a few weeks ago, we will be starting with addition without regrouping.

Social Studies: We will finish our unit on "Getting to Know Georgia" and moving into the Creek and Cherokee Indians.  We will be going on a field trip on Wedneday, October 8th, to the Funk Heritage Center to learn about the Native American cultures and settlers that lived in the region many, many years ago.

Science:  We are gearing up to begin a unit on Matter. 

Health: This week we discussed following directions.  Mrs. Fogel presented a lesson the importance of listening completely before doing something.  It is something we discuss frequently in class discussions.

Bob the Tree

As part of our study of "Seasonal Changes", we have adopted a class tree.  Since the season is summer, we looked at Bob's bark, leaves, and other features. 

Library Lessons

Checking out books is always fun for us.  However, did you know we also learn in the library, too?  This week's lesson was on how to use brochures to find information!  We looked up all kinds of facts about Georgia State Parks!  I didn't know there were so many!  This ties into our unit on the regions of Georgia!

Ice Cream Blast!

Thursday aftrernoon was filled with sweet treats as many of us headed over to Carvel to partake in ice cream fun!  Mrs. Bell was even behind the counter scooping ice cream!  Yum!  Thank you to all who came out to support our school and MESF!

Science Lab Fun

This week we visited Mrs. Kaufmann in Murdock's very own Science Lab!  She introoduced us to the lab by giving us safety rules and introduced the Scientific Method.  We were able to build "roto-copters" and see if there was a difference between size and shape!  It was certainly a lot of fun!

3...2...1...Lift Off!!

To celebrate Murphy's birthday, every kid sent off one balloon.  Balloons were launched Friday afternoon with information to contact the school if you find one.  I wonder where our balloons will end up??