Birthday Friday!

The days have gotten away from me!  I forgot that this Friday, August 29, is the last Friday of the month.  If your child has an August birthday, please feel free to send in cupcakes, drinks, or other treats to help us celebrate.  We will eat these snacks when we come in from recess at 2:00 that afternoon.  Thanks!

Weekly Newsletter (August 25-29)

Here is a copy of our weekly newsletter for the week of August 25-29.

Spelling and Vocabulary Word Information

Parents,

I wanted to clarify a few things about our spelling and vocabulary words.  Each week your child will get 15 spelling words.  The first 12 are labeled as “Spelling Words”.  These are the 12 that will count against them if they misspell them.  The last three, labeled as “Challenge” or “Bonus” words do not count against them if they misspell them, but do count as bonus points if they get them right.  So for each spelling test, your child has the potential to earn a grade as high as a 103.  (I will encourage every child to at least try to spell the bonus words.  Like I said, they won’t count against him, but it does give him the chance to earn extra points.  It can’t hurt to try!) 

As for vocabulary words, they will not necessarily be tested on the spelling of these, but rather for the meaning (although correct spelling is important and emphasized).  These words are connected to our story or topic of study in reading each week.  Students will get tested on a separate vocabulary test, and it’s usually given with the reading test.  The test will usually be either multiple choice, fill in the blank, or matching. 

We practice both sets of these words all week long.  Students complete spelling and phonics pages, write sentences with both their spelling words and vocabulary words, and use them in class discussions.  The words can be found on the weekly newsletter, on the classroom website, on the back board in our room, and students will also receive a copy to keep at their desks at all times for practice.  It is also very important for them to practice these words at home, as well. 

I hope this clears up some of the confusion.  If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime!

~Mrs. Stevens

Class Schedule

Here is a copy of our class schedule.  

Mrs. Stevens’ Class Schedule

(Monday—Thursday)

7:45-8:45—Literacy (Social Studies and Science, rotated on a weekly basis)

8:45-9:30—Related Arts

                    Monday—P.E.

                    Tuesday—Library or Guidance 

(rotates weekly)

                    Wednesday—Music

                    Thursday—Computer Lab

                    Friday—P.E.

9:30-11:10—ELA

11:10-11:55—Lunch (Mrs. Stevens’ class: 11:25-11:55)

11:55-12:45—Math

12:45-1:30—RTI

1:30-2:00—Recess

2:00-2:30—Math (continued)

2:30-2:45—End of Day Activities

Friday Schedule

7:45-9:45—ELA/Literacy

9:45-10:15—Recess

10:15-11:15—Math

~Lunch is the same~

11:55-12:45—Math (continued)

12:45-1:30—RTI

1:30-1:55—Literacy (continued)

1:55-2:25—P.E.

Week 1

Wow!  I  hope everyone had a great first week of school.  I know I did.  I have some amazing kids in my class this year and I can't wait to get started.

First of all, I want to go ahead and post some reminders on here in case you didn't see the letters that were sent home this week with all of the craziness that was going on.

*Class Donation
In order to get everything we need to have a successful year, we are asking for a $25.00 class donation.  This is not a required fee, but please keep in mind that the money goes to help fund our classroom so that everyone can have the tools they need to be successful learners.

***Please send this in by Friday, August 22!***

*Ice Cream

We will get ice cream on Friday afternoons--starting this Friday, August 22--between 1:45 and 2:30 in the afternoon.  Please note that the cost of ice cream has gone up to 75¢.

*P.E. Days

We will have P.E. twice a week (the exact days will be in our weekly newsletter).  Please make sure that on these days your child is wearing appropriate clothing and tennis shoes.  Students will not be allowed to change clothes before/after gym.  Please make sure they understand that whatever they wear to school that day is what they must participate in when we have gym.  

*Snacks

We will have snack every day during recess (1:30-2:00 Monday-Thursday and 9:45-10:45 on Friday.  Ice cream is Friday afternoon.)  Please send your child a snack every day.  I am also asking parents to send in a class snack.  Please make sure to send in items that can be stored at room temperature in the room.  Items can include goldfish crackers, dried fruit, individual cereal boxes, etc.  

~Thank you to the parents who have already donated some snacks to our room!~

*Water Bottles

Please send your child a water bottle to keep at his/her desk.  Make sure it has a top that can be securely sealed.  Our water fountain in the classroom does not work very well at the moment, so students have to leave the room to use the fountain in the hall.  Because of this I am encouraging students to bring in their own water bottles.  Please also note that soft drinks are not allowed, per school policy.  

*Sweaters

Please send your child a light sweater or long sleeve shirt to wear in the classroom.  It does get kind of chilly in here at times.  

*Supplies

If you haven’t already done so, please send in a crayon box and 2 composition notebooks (the black & white ones) for your child.  They also need crayons, and 2 plastic folders.  

I think that about covers everything for our first week.  Remember to check this site regularly for more updates.  I will also be posting a copy of our weekly newsletter beginning next week.  

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday!

~Mrs. Stevens

Welcome to 2nd Grade!

Welcome to our classroom blog!  You can visit this page anytime to find out more about what's going on in our classroom.  I will keep this blog updated with everything from what we're doing in class to important dates and happenings at our school and will also link to fun and educational websites that you and your child can use at home.

But first, let me tell you a little bit more about myself.  My name is Stephanie Stevens.  I graduated from Austin Peay State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 2013. I worked with 3rd graders and kindergarteners during my student teaching and I also worked as an interim 2nd grade teacher here at WCES last school year.  I have lived in Cheatham County my entire life and even attended WCES as a child.  

I truly believe that I have the absolute BEST job in the world.  There's nothing better than getting to spend the day with a wonderful group of kids, learning and growing together.  I know that we are going to have a ton of fun this year and we're going to learn a lot while doing it.  If you need anything, my door is always open.   Get ready for a fantastic school year!

http://lynniepinnie.com