The Week After Spring Break is Spirit Week!

Students had a great time at Fun Fair!

Dear Room A-2 families,

We will be celebrating our school spirit the week we get back from Spring Break (April 13-April 17). Each day will have a different theme.  Students really enjoy participating so I wanted to make sure you had all the information now.

Below is a listing of how you can show your spirit each day of the week!

Monday 4/13: Pajama Day
Tuesday 4/14: School Spirit Day
Wednesday 4/15: Hat Day
Thursday 4/16: Crazy Hair Day
Friday 4/17: Wacky Day

Silver Springs also uses Spirit Week as a fundraiser.  If possible, students should bring $1 for each day they would like to participate or $5 at the beginning of the week to participate every day.  All of the donations will go to help support this year’s Lorax Project.  This is a great way to have some fun and support a great cause!  Brought to you by the Community Service Student Lighthouse Action Team.

Fun Fair Photos and Videos in Our Photo Gallery
I just updated the Room A-2 Photo Gallery with a lot of neat photos and videos of the Fun Fair.  The link to the gallery is on the right, I sent the password out in my weekly email.

Student Led Conferences
Student led conferences are set for April 16th and 17th.  Please sign up for a time to come in and have your child show you their work and progress.  I created an online sign up which you can access here.

March is Reading Month
The final March is Reading Month pink strips are due tomorrow!  Thank you so much for remembering each week. 

Family Restaurant Night
Support Silver Springs Elementary and dine at Tony Sacco's at 42970 Grand River Avenue in Novi on Wednesday, April 1st.  20% of your total bill will be donated back to Silver Springs!

Curriculum Overview
Literacy and Writing - In both literacy and in writing we will be studying poetry.  We will study and emulate different types of poems and different techniques used by poets.

Math - We are continuing a unit on money.  This week we are specifically focused on comparing different amounts of money.

Science - Thank you for helping your students review for the scientific measurement exam they took last week.  Graded exams went home today in Monday envelopes.  This week we are beginning a life science unit by going outside to search for and study seeds.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - We are learning about the three types of resources used to produce goods and services; natural (things made by nature), human (worker), and capital (tools). 

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - This week we will finish up our current sorts and finish up adding the new vocabulary words, along with their definitions, synonyms and antonyms to our journals

Leadership - Keeping our leadership notebooks up to date.  Learning more about each other.

iPads in Room A-2!

We were recently able to get a grant approved by Northville Schools to have iPads in our classroom at a 1:2 ratio. 
We are beginning to integrate them into everything we do.

Wow, what a difference a month makes.  To me it feels like we went from snow and cold days to warm and sunny days almost overnight.  I'm loving it.  Here is the news for the week:

Student Led Conferences
Student led conferences are set for April 16th and 17th.  Please sign up for a time to come in and have your child show you their work and progress.  I created an online sign up which you can access here.

March is Reading Month
The March is Reading Month pink slips are due tomorrow!  Thank you so much for remembering to send them in last Tuesday--the numbers for our class skyrocketed.  Also, thank you for providing your students with the opportunity to read at home.

Fun Fair Is This Friday
Come join me this Friday at the Silver Springs Fun Fair!  There will be inflatables, face painting, games, prizes, food and more!  Pre-registration forms were due last week.  If you are still interested in attending, you can buy your tickets at the door for $15/child and $10/adult.  Doors open at 5:30 PM and the event will last until 8:00 PM.

Family Restaurant Night
Support Silver Springs Elementary and dine at Tony Sacco's at 42970 Grand River Avenue in Novi on Wednesday, April 1st.  20% of your total bill will be donated back to Silver Springs!

Mr. Luxon Not At Silver Springs This Wednesday Afternoon
This Wednesday afternoon I have another Northville professional development opportunity to attend so I will leave campus around lunchtime.  Visiting teacher Mrs. Lenore Lewandowski will be teaching in my place for the afternoon.  She is a regular at Silver Springs and knows the school and the students extremely well. 

Curriculum Overview
Literacy - In literacy we will are reading non-fiction, looking for important details, and determining the main idea of a non-fiction text.

Math - This week we are beginning a unit on money.

Writing - This week students will continue publishing some of their reviews of movies and restaurants.  We are also reviewing how to write, format, and punctuate a personal letter.

Science - Last week we studied differences between single substances and mixtures.  We also reviewed material for our upcoming Science Exam which is this Tuesday.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - Last week we began our new unit by reviewing the concepts of wants vs. needs and goods and services.  We also learned about making wise economic decisions by thinking about pros and cons of our purchases.  Finally, we learned that when we make an economic decision our second choice is called our opportunity cost.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - This week students begin another round of vocabulary words.  These words come from the book “Lon Po Po, A Red Riding Tale from China”. The words are: dusk, route, cunning, clever and paced.  In addition to learning the words and definitions, students will learn synonyms, antonyms and review how prefixes and suffixes can change the word slightly.  We will also be getting new word sorts this week.  All 2nd grade classes will be bringing home their old word sorts in their Monday Envelopes.

Leadership - Keeping our leadership notebooks up to date.

Bring in Pink March is Reading Month Slips Tomorrow!

Students examine a graduated cylinder to determine the capacity of different cups.

Milk and Cookies
On Friday afternoon I came down with a bad cold.  Because I'm still not feeling 100% I will not be at Milk and Cookies tonight.  Sorry for this change.  Mrs. Hunt and a whole host of other teachers will be there--it will definitely be a fun time!

Math Test
We are having a math test this Wednesday on customary measurement (feet, inches).  A study guide went home today and will serve as homework for Monday and Tuesday night.  I believe all of your students are well prepared for this exam.

Writing Reviews
This week, instead of a Homework Journal assignment I sent home with students a form they will use to guide them as they write their final review/opinion piece.  Students have been writing reviews of restaurants, books, movies, and video games.  Today students chose what they wanted to write about for their final piece and took home a corresponding form to help them plan for what to write.  Please help them complete this form and return it by Friday.  If you have any questions please let me know.

Student Led Conferences
Student led conferences are set for April 16th and 17th.  Please sign up for a time to come in and have your child show you their work and progress.  I created an online sign up which you can access here.

March is Reading Month
The March is Reading Month pink slips are due again tomorrow.  We are having a contest to see whether boys or girls can read more and which class can read the most!  Right now we are not doing so well only because so many of our slips came in late last week.  I know we can turn it around, send those pink slips in tomorrow please!

Curriculum Overview
Literacy - In literacy we will be reading non-fiction and seeing if we can sort out what we read to determine what information is most important.  From there we will also be working on internalizing that knowledge and summarizing it our own words.

Math - This week we are finishing up a unit on Customary Measurement (inches, feet, etc.).  An exam is on Wednesday and a study sheet went home today.

Writing - This week students will begin publishing some of their reviews of movies and restaurants.  They will also take home a sheet they will use to help them plan for their post assessment writing piece.

Science - This week we will use graduated cylinders to find the capacity or volume of different containers.  We will also began looking at the differences between mixtures and single substances.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - We finished unit 3 last week and will begin our new unit called “How do we work together?”  This week we will begin by reviewing wants and needs and goods and services.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - We wrap up our latest set of vocabulary this week with some fun games to reinforce and cement the words in the students minds.  I'm impressed with the amount of students coming up to me to either show me one of our past words they've found in a book they are reading or they tell me one they've found either at school or home.  When I ask them if they can tell what it means, they can!  At school we talk a lot about suffixes, prefixes and base words to help determine the meaning of words.   We will hear the next story from which the 5 new vocabulary words will come from as well as continue with the new sorts that were handed out last week.

Milk and Cookies Reading Night is Next Monday

Students use a balance to compare the mass of different objects.

Milk and Cookies
You children really wanted me to let you know that Milk & Cookies Reading Night is this coming Monday from 6 to 7 PM.  I will be attending but I do not yet know if I will be reading.

Mr. Luxon Not At Silver Springs This Wednesday
This Wednesday I am attending a professional development conference and will not be at school.  Silver Springs visiting teacher Ms. Lebeis will be teaching in my absence.  She is the same teacher who taught for me a few weeks ago when I was out.  The students enjoy having her and she knows Silver Springs really well.

Curriculum Overview
Literacy - In literacy we will be reading non-fiction and seeing if we can sort out what we read to determine what information is most important.  From there we will also be working on internalizing that knowledge and summarizing it our own words.

Math - Last week we finished up our unit on Metric Measurement.  This week we are beginning a unit on Customary Measurement (inches, feet, miles, etc.).  During this unit I also want students to further develop their understanding of perimeter.

Writing - This week students will continue writing reviews of movies and restaurants.  As we write we are trying to make our reviews well-rounded by not only talking about what we love, but also include complaints and suggestions.

Science - This week we are using balances to determine the weight of different objects.  We will also begin studying liquid volume.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - Last week we wrapped up and reviewed Unit 3.  Your child is or already has brought home their Unit 3 packet to help them prepare for their test this week.  Please review the concepts in the packet with your child.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - Old sorts will be coming home today in the Monday Envelope.  Students will begin new sorts this week, as well as begin playing review games for the vocabulary words.

Leadership - Reviewing our classroom Mission Statement and writing compliments for each other.

Students share the classroom with Leadership Day visitors.

Author Bob McLeod Kicks off March is Reading Month!

Author Bob McLeod came to Silver Springs to help us kick off March is Reading Month.

From time to time it is starting to seem like Spring is around the corner; I hope you were able to get out this weekend.  I have a lot for you to read this week:

Leadership Day
Leadership Day is this Thursday.  Students will be taking teachers and principals from other districts on a tour of Silver Springs.  Please have students dress up a bit on Thursday.  Students should do their best to dress nicely but there is no need to go out and buy new clothes.

No School For Students On Tuesday
There is no school for students this Tuesday.  Teachers will be in meetings both at Silver Springs and districtwide.  We are forecast for snow that day, so maybe it will end up to be a good day for students to stay home.

March is Reading Month Contest
For March is Reading month we are having a classwide and schoolwide contest to see whether the boys or girls of Room A-2 can read more at home.  You and your child can record the time spent reading on the pink sheets that went home last Monday.  Because I want students to focus on this contest for March I will not be sending home the regular reading logs.

Author Bob McLeod
Last week author Bob McLeod visited Silver Springs to kick off March is Reading Month.  He led an assembly for students that was both informative and captivating.  As part of his presentation Mr. McLeod showed students the process he went through to write and illustrate his book SuperHero ABC.  He also gave students a drawing lesson.  If you haven't already discussed this assembly with your child I recommend asking them about it.

Parent Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer in Room A-2 I could use help in the mornings between 9 and 10:30 AM, Tuesday through Friday.  My plan would be to have volunteers do a few administrative tasks (making copies, etc.) and then read with students.  You could volunteer every week, every other week, whatever suits your schedule.

Curriculum Overview
Literacy - In reading we will be reading non-fiction and seeing if we can sort out what we read to determine what information is most important.  From there we will also be working on internalizing that knowledge and summarizing it our own words.

Math - Last week we finished up our unit on Metric Measurement.  This week we are beginning a unit on Customary Measurement (inches, feet, miles, etc.). 

Writing - This week students will continue writing reviews of movies and restaurants.  As we write we are trying to make our reviews well-rounded by not only talking about what we love, but also include complaints and suggestions.

Science - Last week we conducted an experiment where we used measurement of time to record how long it takes for different objects to roll down a ramp.  This week we are using balances to determine the weight of different objects.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - Last week we practiced our civic responsibility of voting and then wrote an opinion piece to support our vote.  We have also been learning about American symbols such as the flag, national anthem, Statue of Liberty, etc.  Finally, we are learning about ways to show patriotism such as saying the pledge of allegiance, singing a patriotic song, celebrating national holiday, and learning about our county’s history.  We will be finishing this unit soon, so look for your child’s review packet to come home to study in the next week or two.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - This week, we will continue working with the vocabulary words for from the book about Roberto Clemente.  We will be playing games to reinforce both the definition of the word, as well as the synonyms and antonyms that we have learned.  We will also be doing the writing sort for the word sort we've been working on.  This word sort will come home in NEXT week's Monday Envelope.

Leadership - Preparing for Leadership Day this Thursday!

Room A-2 students use an iPad to track how quickly cars and marbles travel down a ramp.