February Newsletter

February Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Many of you have been hearing and asking about SWPBIS.

SWPBIS Positive Behavior Intervention & Support is a program to promote and maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence. It is school-wide strategies for helping all students achieve important social and learning goals. We know that when good behavior and good teaching come together, our students will excel in their learning. As part of the PBIS program, we will establish several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school. We will explicitly teach those expectations to the students and reward them frequently with positive notes and rewards for their great behavior. The expectations for all student behavior will be clear throughout our building, cafeteria, gymnasium, and classrooms, etc. You will be able to ask your student, “What are the rules in your school?” “How do you follow those rules?” “What happens when a teacher sees you following the rules?”  Ask your child if he/she has received a Mustang’s Shine Ticket? How did it make them feel to be recognized?
Our school rules will specifically address:
· Make Responsible Choices
· Maintain the Right to Learn
· Show respect to all
*These rules now hang in many areas of our building for reminders. On your next visit, look for them! ☺
We will apply consistent consequences and positive reinforcement for all students. By detailing every expected behavior and teaching in a positive way, we will provide a common language for everyone in our building, including students, teachers, front office staff and our paraprofessionals.
We believe that by helping students practice good behavior, we will build a school community where all students have an environment where they respect themselves and others, and feel safe daily to learn, and enjoy their elementary school experience!

Reading:  This week we have a guest speaker coming from Deer Flats Wildlife to talk about animal habitat and camouflage.  Students have been learning about various land and sea creatures and the four things that all animals need to survive. Ask your child what those four important things are? Our next reading theme will be Courage and Bravery the end of February.

Math: This month we will begin a new exciting math unit on geometry. Students will learn to recognize, name, build, compare, and sort two and three dimensional shapes of triangles, rectangles, squares, circles, cones, cubes, spheres, cylinders, and pyramids. They will learn to classify objects by their attributes.  At home connections during this unit may include asking your child to find some of the shapes we are studying in and around the home and identify their name.

Character: Caring is our new virtue of the month.  Integrating this virtue with our animal research students were asked a question to ponder “ how to people show they care about the animals of the earth”.  We discussed what it means for an animal to be considered endangered .  We discussed three ways you can care for the earth.  Ask your child what the 3R’s are? (recycle, resue, reduce)

In closing I’d like to share how much I care about each and every child in my class. You have trusted me with your precious children.  I believe in helping my students master the virtues with in them.  Some of the most important lessons students receive in school go beyond academics.  I like to think of the Virtues as the content of a student’s character, and teachable moments as the “lesson plans” for shaping those virtues.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hebdberg

Animal Camouflage Diorama Project

We are starting a new reading unit that is all about animals and camouflage! Additionally, most of the stories will be expository text. Expository text gives information or explains something. It uses facts about real events or people. It presents information in a clear way, and gives events in the order in which they happen. We will be starting a writing and research project. Each student will choose an animal to learn about, research, and write about. This will be done in the classroom. At home we would like each student to make their own diorama about their animal and its habitat. After your child chooses an animal, please help him/her prepare a simple diorama.
1. Choose an animal that uses camouflage.
2. Get to know your animal by doing research on the internet or in library books.
3. You will find out what the animal looks like, where it lives, what it eats, and how and why it uses camouflage.
4. Use a box (shoebox works well) to create a diorama demonstrating animal camouflage. It should represent the animal and its surroundings, including how it uses camouflage. The following link is an excellent source for instructions: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Diorama

The dioramas are due back at school on February 1st. We will attach the written project done here at school to the at home diorama project and put them on display.  Please let me know if there is anything I can send home (paper, shoe box, modeling clay) to help with the project. Have fun and use your emagination. Students will only be graded on the at school writting portion of this project based on a rubric and not on the at home diorama.
 Thank you!

Sample projects from last year....

January Newsletter

Jumping January News for Mrs. Hedberg’s Class

 

Reading:

This week we started our new reading unit.  The genre is expository text.  Expository text gives information.  It tells people something.  It uses facts about real events or people.  It presents information in a clear way, and gives events in the order in which they happen.  Our new reading theme is “Look Again”. The students will be learning a lot of information about animal camouflage.  If you have any books at home about our new theme please bring them in to share with the class.  Students are invited to visit the Animal camouflage link found on on the Mill Creek Website under student. Have fun exploring this site at home too! This reading unit also fits with one of the second grade science standards ( 2.S.3.2.1 Identify four basic needs of all living things (food, shelter, water, space). Students will be given the assignment of making an animal diorama at home. Watch for information to come home in this week's Friday folder. We will have a special guest come and visit our classroom from Deer Flat Wildlife refuge during this unit.
Math:
We have just begun Topic 9 Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers. Students will be learning various models to subtract two-and one-digit number, some traditional and some not.  Students will draw on prior knowledge of number sense and place value.  There is more than one way to subtract two-digit numbers.  For example they have been breaking apart numbers using place value: Find 52-14:   (50+2)
                             -(10+4)
                             ______
Since they can not subtract 4 from 2 in the set of whole numbers, they need to regroup. The traditional algorithm for subtraction is difficult for most children to master. Please when working with your child at home ask them to explain how they need to regroup 1 ten as 10 ones, if necessary. Be sure they indicate this regrouping in the algorithm. During this unit students will learn how to use addition to check subtraction. This reinforces the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction.  Please remember that I provide two sides of math homework, the Practice side (on grade level) and an Enrichment side(above grade level). Your child should only be doing the level that can be done for independent practice at home.  If you find your child struggles with either please contact me and I will provide a Reteach page if needed. I believe in diffentiating homework to meet the needs of my independent learners. Homework should by no means be a burden to parents.

Character: This month we will focus on Honor for our Character Education lesson.  Students will learn that honor is living with a sense of respect for what you believe is right. It is living by the virtues, showing great respect for yourself, other people, and the rules you live by. When you are honorable, you don’t have to feel ashamed of who you are or what you are doing. You are worthy of respect. You set a good example.

I would like to say thank you for all the cards, small gifts, and goodies that came in over the holidays. I usually write personal thank you notes unfortunately, I misplaced my thank you list so please forgive me for the generic thank you!! 

Sincerely, Mrs. Hedberg

Holiday Happenings for December

HO HO HO   

Holiday Happenings for December!                                

December 1, 2011

Dear Parents,

This month will go by quickly and Christmas break will be here before we know it.  I will need as much help as you can give in the classroom. Please any parents that can give and hour in the mornings 8:30-9:30 or late afternoons from 2:00-2:40 please contact me or just come in.  I have lots of holiday activities that I need help with I am just one elf and will need extra hands in order to pull of the Christmas around the world activities and arts and crafts I have planned.  I am also looking for one or two parents to take charge and set up a party for the last hour of Wednesday December 21^st  from 1:00-2:00. The second gr ade as a team will be planning and providing a Polar Express Morning for the entire 2^nd grade, but the afternoon party hour will need to be parent organized and run...   I have planned one story/game for the children after lunch.  I am asking that each child bring one giant sized wrapped chocolate bar of any kind and we will be reading the Right Family Christmas Story. Each child will get to unwrap and keep the chocolate bar they have at the end of the story. This is always a holiday favorite game and the students get a chance to give and receive.  More info will follow once I have parents to plan the last hour of the day?  Cookie decorating, gingerbread houses, games?

I need parents to sign up or e-mail me if you can help on the following days:

Monday 12/19 I need Art Parents from 1:00-2:40 we will be making frames for our parent gifts that afternoon and gift bags. (just pretend you didn’t see yours)

Tuesday 12/20 from 1:00-2:40 I need one parent to help us Christmas Carol the building we will be singing our own 12 -----of Christmas song that the students will write and illustrate. We will go to as many classrooms as sign up to have us visit and spread our

Christmas Cheer!

Wednesday 12/21 from  12:45-2:00 as mentioned above parent planned and run afternoon party.

Reading: We will be finishing up our Unit on Kindness before the Christmas break.  Our new 6 week unit will begin when we return from the holidays. The new unit theme will be about animals and camouflage.  Like zoologists, students will be studying animals in their natural habitats.  We will “travel” to different parts of the world to observe animals living in various environments and to observe the specialized adaptations they have developed to survive where they live. Students will learn more about animals they already know and become acquainted with many new ones, as they peek into jungles, swamps, deserts, forest, ponds, mountains, and grasslands. By reading the selections in this new unit, students will discover various forms of camouflage, and learn why it is so critical to may wildlife creatures. I want my students to learn that not all animals camouflage themselves in the same way, and not all of the same reasons. There will be much to be discovered on this journey. I am excited about this theme because it is always engaging no matter what the gender of your child. Boys and girls alike are unusually drawn into the theme and there is nothing better than watching their excitement and enthusiasm about reading.  We continue to work on reading comprehension strategies during literature circle time with RT’s help. Ask your child who RT is and what tools he uses to become a good reader?

Math:  We will be finishing Topic 8 adding two-digit numbers with regrouping before the Christmas break.  We are learning new strategies along with the traditional methods of algorithm that give students options of solving problems multiple ways.  Math instruction is moving in the direction of children using critical thinking skills to solve everyday math. I am providing a link for parents to read up on the new math strategies that might give you more insight into this kind of instruction.

http://beyondtheblue.boisestate.edu/blog/2011/11/28/jonathan-brendefur/ (click on podcast)

FYI  we will be finishing Topic 8 the week of December 12^th and I will not begin the new unit until we come back due so please believe you child when they tell you they do not have any math homework the last week before break. We will instead be catching up on Chess lessons and practicing building our facts with automaticity.

Character:  I have to begin by telling you that my own class has taught me the value of teaching character building education.  My students show me their true gifts of character each and everyday and I am amazed by the integrity I get to witness. This month our new virtue is Compassion and Caring for others.  We will begin the sale of our Friendship for Families bracelets Tuesday December 6^th. The entire second grade has been busy making bracelets for sale and the proceeds will go to supports a family at Christmas.  I have been amazed at how many bracelets have come in and many students involved their entire family in the project.  Thank you for your support at home for this project.

Report cards will come home the last day of school before the break. I will not be sending home Friday folders that day so you will need to check your child’s backpack and contact me if this does not make it home!  Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or concerns about progress.  LHedberg@msd134.org

P.S. I would love to hear from parents if you would like me to continue once a month newsletters. I blog and send hardcopies it is time consuming and I think it is valuable for most?? Let me know if you enjoy it and find it informative?

 

I hope you have a very joyous holiday with your children and families see you next year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hedberg

Friendship for Families Project

 

 

Our class has been given the special opportunity to help a Mill Creek family this holiday season. We have been invited to make and sell friendship bracelets. Any bracelets we make will go towards sponsoring a Mill Creek family and will go towards food, winter clothing, and/or gifts. The making of the bracelets will be done almost entirely at home and as always will be completely optional. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to serve those in our local community, if you would like to make it a family project that would be wonderful as well. We will use the yarn we have here at school, but we will also be in need of yarn donations so if you have any single color yarn to spare we would be happy to use it, please send it in. Blue, orange, and white are always popular colors. If you are interested please send back the bottom portion signed and I will send home the pattern and yarn for you to work on and send in for sale.


The following website gives instructions for the bracelets. However, our pattern will be a little simpler: http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/how-to-make-friendship-bracelets.html#axzz1aL4jgocr

We will be making bracelets the week of Nov. 28 - Dec. 5 (return this day)

We will be selling bracelets Dec. 5 – Dec. 9 for 50 cents.

Indian Headbands

We are busy knitting our Indian Headband thanks to a few parents that helped me get all 24 students started on this fun holiday craft.  Students get to practice their small motor skills and enjoy knitting circle time to share stories and friendship.

Courage and the Wizard of OZ

Dear Parents,

As you know our Character Virtue this month is Courage.  Mrs. Davis our counselor is presenting a lesson to my class this week using the "Wizard of Oz" as a connection to this virtue. I asked my class how many of them had ever read the book or watched the movie version of this classic.  To my surprise less than half had heard of this story. I have decided to show the movie on our last day of school before the Thanksgiving break as a follow up to their learning as well as a much deserved reward for all the A.R. reading they have been doing to earn special classroom events.

Courage to continue trying in difficult situations...

Courage to face your fears.....

You have the courage within.....

 

November Newsletter from Mrs. Hedberg

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 additng an additional incentive.  Students that show responsibility and turn in thier 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 thier 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 knowlege 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 mathmatical 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 nations armed forces please e-mail me with information and I would like my students to write a friendly letter thanking them 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

Tumble Books

Looking for a fun way to keep your child exposed to books ? We have discovered "Tumble Books", on a great website through the Boise Public Library. My students learned how to access this fun website and experience the read-a-loud books on line. Here's how to access Tumble Books and open a whole library of books right at home.  From picture books to chapter books they are all leveled with A.R. reading levels and all! It's like having a libary of books at your figertips!!! The link to the Boise Public Library has been added to my blog.  Click on the link, next click on Tumble Books, Click on Read Alouds. This is a great way for students to get exposure to good modeled read alouds. The text is highlighted so students can follow along as they listen. As a general rule students should listen to books 1-2 levels higher than their independent reading level.

October Newsletter

Happy fall everyone, I can’t believe that it is already October.  Let me first remind you that later this month is our one and only, parent teacher conference for the year.  You will be receiving a conference form to request times that might best fit into your schedule. I will try to accommodate you the best I can.  Please fill this form out and return it A.S.A.P. Conferences will be later this month October 27^th and October 28^th. 

October will bring our first classroom party.   The afternoon will be full of fun learning.  Our Math lesson will be all about estimation, place value, and counting by 10’s. If you have any giant pumpkins or sunflower heads that you can donate for that day please contact Mrs. Hedberg. Following our Pumpkin Math activity we will have time for games and trick or treats.  Mrs. Telford will be heading up our first fall party and will contact parents that signed up to help at the beginning of the year.  Watch for more information later this month.

Math:   We are very fortunate to have the ability and staffing to extend learning for our accelerated math learners as well as provide intensive intervention for learners based on need.  These times have been built into the weekly schedule and have begun this week... I will send notice if your child is participating in any extended math learning. This month we will be covering Place Value, and money.

Reading:  We have two more weeks of our “Sharing Stories” theme.  We have been building lots of comprehension strategies and skills such as making connections, making predictions, clarifying and monitoring text. Ask your child who RT is and what tools he teaches the students to use during literature circle time?  Our next theme will be “Kindness” a perfect connection to the character virtues we study each month. Life’s most urgent question is what are you doing for others? “Love and Kindness are never wasted”.

Character: This month is our Virtue of Friendliness. Mrs. Davis our school counselor presents a lesson monthly in each second grade class. We have read many stories during our reading theme that also lend themselves to teaching the virtues.  We read from Aesop’s Fables as part of our integrated reading unit and discussed many morals of the stories.  Ask your child what his or her favorite was??

In closing, I’d like to brag about my class 100% of my students had the honor of attending “Lunch Bunch” for completing all of their homework for the month and showing their virtue of responsibility turning it in on time WOW! Watch in this Friday’s folder for Book It coupons to come home for Pizza Hut for any and all that completed 15-20 minutes of at home reading on the homework calendar keep it up! 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hedberg