I'm am thoroughly enjoying my group of second graders this year!  We are learning so much and work together so well!  I hope you're enjoying the weekly newsletter and can see some of "what we've been up to" each week.  

  I will be scheduling soon the  required first quarter conference.   If you feel like you need to come in at any time for a conference beyond first quarter,  please let me know and we will schedule one.  Please feel free to contact me via phone (704) 857-3400 or via email @ sloopjt@rss.k12.nc.us.

     I've highlighted some things below to update you on our classroom. Some points remain on this page as they are continually important throughout the school year.

•   Your support at home is valued GREATLY ! It takes two components (home support and school support) to have a successful school year.

• Please make sure to look over and return your student's weekly work folders. Ask them about their work and go over any weak areas that you may notice.

• READ, READ, READ!!! Vocabulary development is so important not only in the primary grades, but also in the intermediate grades as students begin to develop more enhanced reading and writing skills. Exposure to varied text and frequent reading is key to developing these literacy skills.  

• HOMEWORK: We try not to overload students with homework. However homework is essential for practice and repetition, especially in math. Please make sure to go over your child's homework and make sure they understand the assignments. A good way to monitor understanding is to ask your child to explain their work or the process that they followed to arrive at their answer.   .   Homework is given on Monday and due the following Monday.  Students will complete a weekly spelling list, a math assignment and will have monthly literacy and math projects.  There is a link to the "Spelling City" website below to help you access this site more easily.

• MATH:  Please work on fact families with your child.  It's very important for students to begin to develop fluency when adding and subtracting.  Make some flash cards and keep them handy around the house or in the car.  Also "picturing" numbers, like on a dice, is a good tool to help with adding and subtracting. For example, if you think of the number five and what it looks like on a die, you can use that pattern to mentally add five.  If students understand what a number really is, they can have multiple strategies for adding.  They can think of a set of 3 and 2 to add 5, or a set of 4 and 1 to add five.  These are just suggestions and strategies that we will be using this year in 2nd grade.

• LANGUAGE ARTS:   We will read many stories and books from various text.  Our reading block will consist of some whole group, small group and centers on a daily basis.  Please read at home with your student and question them about what they are reading.  We want to move past simple "word calling" and are trying to make certain that the students really comprehend what they read.

• SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES:  We're excited to have new books at Knollwood this year that will help broaden our science and social studies reading experiences.  We'll be learning about life cycles, matter, sound and weather in science.  Our social studies learning will include geograph, government, culture, economics, history and natural resources. 

• TECHNOLOGY: Take time to check out the links below. I've listed a couple websites that have math games for your student to play.  As your youngster is at home using the computer, please encourage use of "home keys" (a,s,d,f,j,k,l,;).

Again, thanks for all you do at home to support your student's academic progress. I look forward to your continued support throughout the school year.

Mrs. Sloop

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