Sunday, March 15, 2015

March 15, 2015

March 15 - Spring News for Families


Yes, we are almost there… five days to go! I say this as I look out at more snow coming down.  I think even the children want it to stop!


I first want to congratulate Annabelle Roberts for creating Difference Day.. what may now be an annual tradition at Happy Hollow. She encouraged the school to come last Friday wearing something to show how different we all are. Something to celebrate! She is also taking up a collection for an anti-bullying organization, so send in your contribution!


We have other community service projects to acknowledge: Abby and her brother sold bracelets to raise money to help elephants through the “Hope Elephant” organization in Maine, and Jake and his friends are raising awareness and reminding people to recycle, through their collection of recycled works of art.  Bravo to them and all who support them!


These projects now only empower children to make a difference in the world, but also work on academic skills as students learn to write a script and deliver it in front of the school, communicate with the principal and peers, research their cause, and reflect on their impact.


Here is a summary of what’s happening in other areas of school life over the past month:


Math: We completed our study of 2-digit addition and subtraction.  We used the data from our formal and informal assessments to create a plan for our next unit of RTI, a cross-grade time where we help students in small group intervention, and enrich students who are ready for it.   Meanwhile we are taking a break for our Geometry unit, studying attributes of shapes, polygons, dividing rectangles into rows and columns, and using arrays to add multiple numbers. We will soon be on to 3-digit addition and subtraction!  Get ready!


Reading, Writing and Social Studies:
We have begun our second grade research project, the study of The Continents of the World, which is a wonderful, interdisciplinary unit that touches all of these areas.  The children are so excited! We began with a study of text features in non-fiction (or “informational”) text.  Then we used these to learn and practice research skills.  Next we looked at the world, learned a little about each continent, and asked students to pick their “top 3”.  Finally we created teams to read, write and present the most interesting facts about their continents.  You can support them at home with encyclopedias, online resources (supervised of course), and/or trips to the local library.


Speaking of the world, I hope your child’s Flat Stanley has found an interesting place to visit!  When they come back, please help your child practice their presentation at home.  It should be 3-5 minutes… if their friend or family member wrote a letter that is too difficult for them to read, they can summarize and show the pictures.  If you need help deciding where to send him/her, please let me know.  Thank you!


Other news:
  • We have a new, exciting piece of furniture in our room- a Growlight!  We will begin planting seeds indoors this week, to eventually plant outside in our gardens, once they are moved.  If you want to find out more, please click on the HH Gardens Link above.  Let me know if you want to get involved- the children LOVE it! (Don’t tell them how good it is for them!)
  • Also, our student teacher, Mrs. Evers, is doing a fine job- we are so lucky to have her!  She is working one-on-one with students, assessing their skills, and even teaching lessons already.  Some of you may meet her at your conference.  


Finally, I am thrilled to be able to show you your child’s progress this year, in our Spring Conferences.  If you need a reminder, please use the doodle link here: http://doodle.com/yieeesmc3gtbg9b5dymgn4z8/admin#table. Please come with any questions you have.  This is truly a partnership and I am enjoying every minute of it!


Thank you, parents, for all of your support.
Deborah Niles