Dear Parents and Guardians,

We had another busy week of learning! In math, we wrapped up learning our addition strategies and moved on to subtraction. We began by learning how to solve subtraction problems using a ten frame. We also learned how to count back to subtract on an open number line. It is extremely important to double check our answers, so we learned how to use addition to help us do that! In reading, we finished up our Goodbye Summer packet, which taught us all about long and short vowels, vowel teams, silent e, as well as ed and ing word endings. We began DRA testing so that next week, we can pick out our classroom library books and apply our reading lessons to what we are reading independently. In writing, we created a web describing what is important about our second grade class. Once we brainstormed, we picked a topic, and wrote four reasons with examples, that supported our topic. We then took all of that information, and wrote a final copy. In religion, we welcomed a youth minister into our classroom, who will be with us and work with us on Mondays. We also learned about God’s creation and the story of Adam and Eve. In science, we described what a property is, and how to describe them. We went through and discussed how color, flexibility, texture, help describe the properties of objects. We brainstormed words that would help us describe objects for our experiment the following day, which was looking at different objects and describing them based upon their properties. 

I just wanted to give you all an update on my health because of my absence on Tuesday. I was out due to a sinus infection, however, I was tested for COVID and it came back negative. I am very cautious throughout the day with our students, and would never return to school without a negative COVID test. Your students' health, as well as the health of other staff members, friends, and family, are always priority. 

With that being said, I know the changing of the season brings allergies and colds back. I appreciate you all being so cautious and keeping students home if they are not feeling well. Unfortunately, if a child is home sick, I cannot admit them on to Zoom for the day. Although we do have a student who is learning remotely, the work and link for Zoom is being sent to that student in advance. If your student is going to be out for a period of time, I can put together the work they have missed, however, if they are out for a day, the work that they have missed is in their mailbox, and they have many opportunities to work on it/ complete it during catch up time throughout the day. Thank you for your understanding in advance. 

Reminders:

• As per the Archdiocesan Office of Evangelization, Education and Catechesis and (OEEC) and from the CT Office of Early Childhood Coronavirus Memo #29, as of September 21, 2020, masks will be required for all children, 3 years of age and older. 
• Yellow Dress Down passes from last school year expired today. If a student brings one to school, they will not be accepted, and their uniform will have to be dropped off for them to change into. 
• There will be no school on Friday, September 25th due to professional development for teachers.
• If you would like to send in money for your student to have a special treat, we will only be having special treats at lunch on Fridays. 

 

Have a great weekend,

Tiana Mappa

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Although we had a short week, it was very busy! We began by jumping into our Envisions math curriculum. We started with addition fact strategies. These strategies included learning about turn around facts, which allows the student to understand that no matter the order of two addends, the sum is always the same. For example, 7 + 5 or 5 + 7, no matter the order the answer remains 12. We also made and solved doubles addition problems. For example, 10 + 10 = 20. However, after solving these doubles problems we then applied it to near double equations. Those equations add +1, +2, and +3 to the second addend. For example, 10 + 13 = 23. Knowing the doubles fact, and figuring out how many we added to the near doubles equation allowed students to add more fluently. Lastly, we learned how to add by making a “10” in a ten frame. In reading, we continued to learn even more vowel teams, and how they sound within a word. We also learned the rhyme “when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking, and the second one is silent” as a reminder to what vowel is considered long within the word. For example in the word “rain” the a is long, and the i is silent. In writing, we created a Heart Map. A Heart Map is a heart divided into sections. Within those sections, students were asked to write down topics they thought they could write a lot about. Students picked a topic from their Heart Map, and wrote all about that topic across two pages. We also learned what a superstar sentence is and how to write one. As second grade writers, we begin every sentence with a capital letter, our sentence has seven words or more, and ends with punctuation. In religion, we brainstormed ideas from what we knew about what a baptism is and discussed if we have ever attended one. We then learned each step in the baptismal process. In science, we began our science unit by learning about matter and its three different forms: solids, liquids, and gasses. We also went around our classroom and identified the different states of matter that we saw. 

 

Students have been added to both my Google Classroom as well as our specials classes. I sent their emails and passwords home with them, so they can have access remotely. We will actually begin using Google Classroom next week. Just as a reminder, at pick up time, I need to get the entire class outside before I can start sending the students to you. I promise once we are all outside I will get them to you as fast as possible, but if they leave without me seeing them get to you, it becomes a safety concern. Thank you for understanding in advance. As always if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me!
Reminders:

• If you have forms that have been filled out, they can be sent in at any time.
• If you still have Dress Down passes from last school year (expiration of 3/27/20) - these will be accepted through Sept 18, 2020 (next Friday).
• P.E. is on Fridays so they can wear their P.E. clothes then. If it is also extremely hot/humid, they are allowed to wear them to stay cool as well.
• If you would like to send in money for your student to have a special treat, we will only be having special treats at lunch on Fridays. 

 

Have a great weekend,

Tiana Mappa

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have made it back to school! I have loved having the opportunity to begin both teaching and getting to know your students. I can already tell that these students are so excited to be back in the classroom and are ready to learn! In math this week, we created Math About Me people. This activity allowed students to use things such as their birthday, favorite number, people in their family, and how many teeth they have lost to create equations and build a paper person. We also created Mathematicians which described what we thought we were good at in math, and something we were excited to learn in math. We also solved as many addition, subtraction, and mixed addition and subtraction problems in five minutes to show how much we knew. Lastly, we practiced graphing and solving addition and subtraction word problems to become word problem ninjas! In reading, we began our Goodbye Summer Superkids booklet which is helping us read short stories, and answer questions about what we have read. In phonics, we went over what letters vowels were, and the rules for long and short vowels. We have just begun working on vowel teams such as oa and ai. In writing, we got to know each other by creating an I Am Special Flower. Students wrote many sentences describing why they believed they were special! We also created a Portrait Poem, where students described things like “If I were a dessert I would be a..”. We also read The Dot, discussed the book, and wrote about how we leave our mark in life. In religion, we discussed what God's gifts are, disciples, as well as the good deeds we do on a daily basis. In social studies, we read This Is How We Do It, which described how students around the world lived their lives while going to school. Just like the students in the book, we started writing sentences that described what our day as school students looks like. We also discussed what Labor Day is, and why it is celebrated. In science, we learned about the brain and all the things it is responsible for.

Students have been admitted into my Google Classroom and now have access to it! I will be sending home their emails and passwords next week, so students can also have access from home. On Google Classroom, I plan to post a virtual copy of the homework packet just in case it is needed. I usually have an extra hard copy, however, it is nice to have access to it online as well. I will also be posting these newsletters on Google Classroom as well, just in case you cannot access it for some reason from your email. If we happen to end up completely virtual (I hope not) Google CLassroom is the format where I will upload work for students, as well as grade student work, which is why we are getting the students familiar with it now, just in case. As far as homework goes, I send a homework packet home on a Monday night. It has a reading log, and asks students to read for twenty minutes each night. It also has math pages dealing with whatever topic we are working on in class. However you would like your student to complete their math portion of their homework is totally up to you! All I ask is that they are reading for twenty minutes every night. As always if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me! Reminders for next week: Mass will be on Tuesday from 8:45-9:45 outside. Students do not have to wear their dress uniforms. We ask that they do bring a towel or something they can sit on outside. P.E. is on Fridays so they can wear their P.E. clothes then. If it is also extremely hot/humid, they are allowed to wear them to stay cool as well. If you would like to send in money for your student to have a special treat, we will only be having special treats at lunch on Fridays.

Have a great long weekend,
Tiana Mappa