Dear Parents,

Let me start by saying thank you for taking timeout of your busy schedules to attend parent/teacher conferences. I always look forward to sharing “gifts and goals” and seeing parents in person.  We will not have conferences  in the spring so please check Skyward regularly to view your child’s progress. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me  LHedberg@msd134.org . 

Reading:  This week we began a new unit on “Kindness”. Over the next 6 weeks students will be reading fiction and non-fiction stories that demonstrate the spirit of kindness in some way. Your child will encounter age-old classics in this unit, such as “Elves and the Shoemaker” and “Cinderella”.  Our first story was about forest animals that make room for one more friend to get out of the rain, under an expanding mushroom.  In another story we will watch a young girl practically bring a stuffed bear to life.  Students will read a real-life account of people helping whales in trouble and research facts about different whales as a writing connection.  It is my hope that this unit will bring some inspiration, as well as adventure, our way!  I have challenged my students to show an act of random kindness each day.

  “Life’s most urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Love and kindness are never wasted”. As a reminder every student is asked to turn in his/her Book-It -Reading calendar at the end of every month.  I was sad to see that only 4 out of 22 were turned in on time for the month of October.  I feel so strongly that students should develop good reading habits at home that I am adding an additional incentive.  Students that show responsibility and turn in their reading calendars on time will not only get a pizza coupon but will also be invited to "Lunch Bunch" on the first Wednesday of each month! Students will get to come back to the classroom and have lunch with the teacher and watch a fun video for part of their recess.

Math: 2.0A.2 Develop fluency to add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies.  By the end of second grade know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.  Students should be able to use the friendly number 10 to compensate and hold numbers mentally. Please use decks of playing cards at home and or dice to add and subtract like in the traditional game of War. Play subtraction and addition War as a family. Even though daily math sheets don't come home your child should be demonstrating thier math knowledge by participating in the Passport Math program and games. 2.0A.1 Using addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together,taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, using new mathematical strategies, refer to some examples on your child's November Math Passport. (these were handed out as conference in your child's conference folders.  In addition we will be reviewing +/- 0,1,2 make ten and doubles.  Can your child tell you all the doubles facts?  Please be watching for practice sheets to come home once or twice a week for additional practice! 

Character: Patriotism/Citizenship
With the presidential elections and Veterans Day this month we will learn a lot about what it means to show patriotism and be good citizens  in our communities and our classroom. If anyone is a Veteran or knows a Veteran that would like to talk or visit our class please call.  If anyone has a name of a family member or friend that is serving or has served at any time in our nation's armed forces please e-mail me with information and I would like my students to write a friendly letter of thanks for his/her service to our country.

Holiday Projects:  We will be knitting Indian head bands and making friendship bracelets in November please watch for flyers on these projects and start shopping for yarn!      

 Sincerely,
Mrs. Hedberg