Non Screen Activities

Classroom News ~ March 13th, 2020

Dear Families,

Welcome to an early spring break.  First I want to wish all of you a healthy, virus free, break.  I was very sad about this development.  Children generally love school and I love having them here every single day!  So, now we must figure out how the students can keep up with their learning from home.  You can find many educational links to games and websites, which I have selected to support student learning right here on the blog.  You can also find a multitude of links for students on the Camas Ridge webpage.  https://links.4j.lane.edu/index.php/2-3-links/

To make sure your child does not fall behind, here is a summary of our current topics of study. 

READING:  Be sure your child spends at least 30-60 minutes reading each weekday.  Take the weekends off if you want, but definitely read every day.  If you want a change from handheld books I have links to online books on my blog.  Students can read and on some sites they can listen to the books.  Also, St. Vincent DePaul sells used children’s books for .79 cents each.  Maybe you will have time to go find a couple of new books. 

MATH:  Second grade students are working on double and triple addition with and without regrouping.  If you are interested I can send you links to websites where you can print out worksheets for your child.  This is NOT the most fun way to do math, but it will keep their skills sharp.  We have a handful of students who still need additional practice with single digit addition and subtraction.  If you are unsure of your child’s current math level please email me.  Report cards went home a long time ago and we have been working hard in class.  I also have fun math game links on the blog.  Finally, Prodigy Math is a huge favorite.  Students love to meet up virtually in the game.  If play dates are not a possibility, have friends find each other on Prodigy and have a virtual play date!

WRITING:  Second grade goals in writing include using punctuation correctly, using capital letters correctly, and the ability to write about a topic, write a story, which makes sense, and write a friendly letter.  Each child selected an animal to do research about.  Our next page is finding interesting and/or unusual facts about our animals.  This research can be done at home and brought back to school to add into their animal books!

SCIENCE:  We are in the middle of a unit about solids, liquids, and gasses.  If you look up Steve Spangler Science, States of Matter, you will find a multitude of fun things to do with your child at home.  https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/categories/experiments/states-of-matter/

HEALTH:  Miss Cate was completing a unit about bones.  From there our focus will be on 4 different body systems.  (digestive, respiratory, muscular, nervous)  Don’t feel obligated to teach these to your child however, the current virus scare is a great way to open conversations about what is going on inside us.  Please only talk about this if your child does not have anxiety around these issues. 

Finally, I’d like to invite you to email me with any questions or concerns.  If you know a classmate who does not have online access please let me know. I will try to support their learning without the help of the computer.  Please stay safe and healthy. I hope to see us all back at school very soon.

Warmly,

~Donna

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Valentines, 100's Day, & Report Cards, Oh My!

Dear Families,

Wow! There is so much going on, I don’t know where to start.  First, we have a new student joining our class.  His name is Cash.  He will join us Thursday morning.  We made welcome to Camas Ridge cards today.  Everyone is excited to have a new student join our second grade community. 

Another new member of our community is Cate Huang.  She is currently working toward her teaching certification. She is student teaching in our classroom until the end of April.  She is also a Camas Ridge parent.  We are VERY lucky to have her.  If you see her please welcome her to our class.  Last week she sent home a green form to fill out allowing her to video a lesson with students in the video.  This is an Oregon State requirement for all new teachers. If you have not sent the form back with your child, please check backpacks.  The more permission slips we receive, the easier this requirement will be for her to accomplish.  Thank you for your help with this.

We have some very exciting events this month.  Friday, February 14^th is our Valentine celebration.  Students are not required to bring Valentine cards.  If you do choose to send Valentine cards, please have one card for every student. This will prevent hurt feelings.  At the end of this letter is a current class list.  Also, if would like to send in a special snack or host a craft for our class, we will be celebrating from 12:00 – 1:00, Friday afternoon.  Please email me if you are willing to help.

Thursday, February 20^th is our 100^th day of school.  This is a very fun day in second grade.  Last week students brought home a homework assignment.  Each child will bring in a collection of 100 things.  find something you have 100 of that can be carried to school easily to share with the class.  For example, toy cars, popcorn kernels, baseball cards, noodles, pennies, stickers, etc.… Collections can be displayed on poster board. Try to be unique!  If you want poster board to display your collection, let me know and I will give you one. Use your wonderful imaginations!! Please bring your collection of 100 by Wednesday, February 19^th.  

Report cards are coming home on Monday, February 10^th.  I am asking students NOT to open the envelopes before a parent is with them.  The last thing we need is 2nd grade students comparing report cards.  Please emphasize this rule with your child. 

Don’t forget, Friday is library day so bring those books back in the morning.  It is never fun to go to the library and not get to check out a book.  Thank you for your help.

As always, if you want to contact me, email works great!  dubois_d@4j.lane.edu

~Donna

Our Classroom Community

Leo

Harper

Cash

Elena

Audrey

Izzy

Lucas

Marie

Theo

Tatum

Ayden

Fiona

Indigo

Somers

Naleigh

Hunter

Kiara

Spencer

Arya

Remy

Tavin

Wyatt

Stella

Aiden

Kodiak

Johann

Apollo

Seven

Ms. DVD or Donna

Ms. Cate