Germination! / Poetry Cafe this Friday

In science we are making observations as seeds germinate.

Hello everyone, here is the update for the week.

NWEA Testing for Spring
Spring NWEA testing begins this week.  Our days for testing are as follows:  This Tuesday, April 28th we will be taking the English Language Arts portion of the exam.  Next Thursday, May 7th we will be taking the Math portion of the exam.  Please make sure that your students get a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before each exam.

Poetry Cafe Reminder
On Friday, May 1st second grade will be hosting parents for our annual Poetry Cafe.  From 10:35 to 11:15 Room A-2 students will be reading some of their original poems while parents enjoy coffee, snacks, and juice. 

Curriculum Overview
Literacy - In literacy we will be working on summarizing and synthesizing the text we read.  As we read we will look for the most important information and big ideas and we will work to summarize and share what we learn in writing.

Writing - Students will be finishing up their poetry writing in preparation for this Friday's poetry cafe.  Before the big event we will also practice reading and expressing our poems out loud.

Math - This week we will be finishing up a unit on time, analog clocks and elapsed time.  We will also be beginning a unit on multiplication and division.  We will have a math exam on Time this Wednesday, a study guide will go home on Monday.

Science - Last week we learned what a seed needs to germinate and we placed seeds in moist plastic bags so we could watch the germination process.  This week we will learn more about germination as well as plant some seeds in pots.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - We finished our review of Unit 4 last week and students will be taking their test this week.  Our next unit will be called "How do communities change?".

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - Students will be getting their new vocabulary words for this week. They come from the book “Stellaluna.”  They are:  anxious, grasp(ed), clutch(ed), clamber(ed) & peculiar.  In addition we will be completing the word sort for this cycle which will come home in the Monday Envelope today (Sepich) and next week (Heron, Luxon & most Wesley)

Leadership - Learning about the power of our words.  Ask your students about Mr. Peabody's Apples.

Thank You For Attending Student Led Conferences

Last week students dissected three different kinds of seeds.  When our work was completed students were able to identify
different parts of each seed (see chart below).  In the photo above you can see the tiny plant embryo in a Fava bean seed.

It was really great seeing you all last week for Student-Led Conferences. If I was busy during your conference and you have additional questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me.  Two important events are coming up in second grade: our annual poetry cafe and a field trip to the Walled Lake Nature Center.  More information about both of those events is below:

Poetry Cafe
On Friday, May 1st second grade will be hosting parents for our annual Poetry Cafe.  A informational sheet went home today in the Monday envelopes on pink paper.  From 10:35 to 11:15 Room A-2 students will be reading some of their original poems while parents enjoy coffee, snacks and juice.  We need help from parents to organize this event, if you are interested in volunteering please see the pink sheet for more information.

Field Trip
On Wednesday, June 3rd, second grade students will be leaving school for a field trip to the amazing Walled Lake Nature Center.  At the center students will attend four 45 minute outdoor classes on different topics.  I've looked over the agenda and looks like an amazing trip.  A packet of information printed on white paper went home today in the Monday envelopes.  We will need drivers for this field trip, if you would like to attend there is a form within the packet you can fill out and return.

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

Math - This week we are beginning a unit on Time.  Students will practice reading both analog and digital clocks.  We will also practice calculating elapsed time.

Science - Last week we dissected seeds and learned about their different parts.  This week we will begin planting seeds so we can watch them germinate.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - Last week we learned about how people specialize to produce certain goods and services.  We also learned how we trade money to get the things we want and need.  We will be finishing our unit this week so please look for a study guide and your child’s packet to come home as we will be taking our test next week.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - This week students will be working with the new word sorts.  We will continue to work with the vocabulary words from the book Lon Po Po as well as our new sorts

Leadership - Choosing new jobs, learning how to take chances and be comfortable with mistakes.

Half-Days and Student Led Conferences This Thursday and Friday

Room A-2 students use hand lenses to examine the seeds they discovered around the school.

I hope all of you enjoyed having your children home for Spring Vacation.  Maybe it was the pajamas they wore today but they all seemed very rested.  Here is the update for the week:

Spirit Week
This is Spirit Week!  Here is the schedule, slightly updated from what I originally sent out:

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.

Thursday and Friday are Half-Days of Instruction
Student led conferences are set for this Thursday and Friday, April 16th and 17th.  If you haven't already, 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.  To accommodate the conferences Silver Springs will have half-days of instruction this Thursday and Friday.

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 currently finishing a unit on money.  This week we are specifically focused on real world math problems involving money.  We will have an exam this Wednesday.  A study guide went home today.

Science - In Science we are continuing our study of the plant life cycle by examining seeds.  Last week we searched for and found seeds and seed pods around the school.  This week we will be dissecting seeds and learning about their different parts.

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - We are reviewing natural, human, and capital resources which are are needed to produce goods and services.  We are also learning about how our economic wants are satisfied by businesses.  Students are also creating a business directory page for a local business.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - Classes will be receiving their new sort this week (the old one will come home in the Monday Envelope) as well as beginning to work with the vocabulary words using games.

Leadership - Keeping our leadership notebooks up to date.  Preparing for student led conferences.

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.