Thank You

Dear All,
I have had the best teaching year in 22 years. Your children were kind, curious and motivated. I want to wish you all a wonderful summer.  
Thank You, Mrs. Jeni Goode

Field Day 2017

The children had a wonderful time at Field Day on Friday, May 26th. The weather was sunny, warm and breezy. Thanks to all the parents who worked at Field Day. It was a success because of you.

Early Chapter Book Suggestions

Early Chapter Books

Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott Cam Jansen series by David Adler The Golden Ghost (and related books) by Marion Dane Bauer Sophie series by Lara Bergen Pony Pals series by Jeanne Betancourt Beast Quest series by Adam Blade Soccer Cats series by Matt Christopher Peach Streed Mudders series by Matt Christopher The Bailey School Kids series by Debbie Dadey Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo The Hardy Boys: Secret Files series by Franklin Dixon The Dragons of Wayward Crescent series by Chris D'Lacey Clubhouse Mysteries series by Sharon Draper Sassy series by Sharon Draper Dyamonde Daniel series by Nikki Grimes My Weird School series by Dan Gutman Sneaky Pony series by Hadley Higginson Nancy Drew Notebook series by Carolyn Keene Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series by Carolyn Keene Ready Freddy series by Abby Klein Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline Pony Crazed Princess series by Diana Kimpton Katie Kazoo series by Nancy Krulik Flower Fairies Friends series by Pippa Le Quesne Various Sports books by Jake Maddox Miami Jackson series by Patricia & Fredrick McKissack Rainbow Magic Fairies series by Daisy Meadows Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park The Littles series by John Peterson Jigsaw Jones Mystery series by James Preller Calendar Mysteries series by Ron Roy A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy Marvin Redpost series by Louis Sachar Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon Dinosaur Cove series by Rex Stone

Summer reading

Why is Summer Reading so Important?  It helps keep children growing as readers. Those that read do not have "summer slide" in their reading life. Summer slide is when children regress in their reading ability.

Video on Summer Reading




Links to Summer Reading programs at area libraries:

St. Louis County Library Summer Reading Info

St. Louis Public Library Summer Reading

Richmond Heights Public Library Summer Reading

Spring Newsletter

In Readers' Workshop we are finished our Unit on Characters in Books. The students have learned to look at the characters in the books they read as a friend. Many students have read through whole series and can tell someone all about the main character. We have learned that many fiction books have a problem and solution and we can understand the author's message. Many children have been reading for longer periods of time because they are so excited to read about the characters in their books. In addition, we studied books across the genres. We compared nonfiction books to fiction books on the same topic. Last, we  read some fairy tales to better understand the Second Grade Fairy Tale Theater show which was April 19th. This was a performance in which all second grade students got to participate. Next, we are starting book clubs.  The students will get into groups to read and reflect on books.

Along with reading about characters in books we wrote  fiction character stories in  
Writer's Workshop.  Each student created a character that goes on realistic adventures. The students had many books in their series and were excited to read their writing to their friends in kindergarten and fourth grade. The excitement in the room over the last month to write was infectious. Some students had up to 13 stories in their series!  Next, we are learning about poetry. The students are learning to see the world through artists eyes and express their feelings.

In Math, we are starting Chapter 17, Addition and Subtraction to 120. The students will use the strategies they learned in Chapter 13, addition and subtraction to 40,  to help them with regrouping larger numbers. Being able to add and subtract in the vertical form is a necessary skill for second grade. In second grade addition and subtraction starts with 3 digit numbers (100s) and goes up to 4 digit numbers (1000s).  Over  the summer your child may access two online resources:
www.mathgames.com   or    www.gregtangmath.com

In Science,  we are learning  about Air and Weather all through May.  During this science unit, the children will explore properties of air as it interacts with other materials and when it is put under pressure.  We will observe, record and discuss the weather every day and discuss the types of instruments scientist use to learn about the weather.


Important dates to remember:
Thursday, May 25th-  All Library Books due
Friday, May 26th- Field Day
Monday, May 29th- No School, Memorial Day
Thursday, June 1- Last Day- EARLY RELEASE

All Aboard Field Trip

Thank you to the parents who braved the weather to come with us to the Museum of Transportation. If you have not taken your child, this is a fabulous family place. Children get to see old cars, trains and trollies. All can tour the old train cars and ride the trolley and train. Unfortunately the weather did not allow us to do the rides. So, the children took home a free admission ticket and train ride ticket for future use.

Fairy Tale Theater

The first grade got to watch the Second grade's performance of Fairy Tales last week on Tuesday, April 19th. Many students can't wait to be in second grade and put on this play!

Cricket Game

On Thursday, April 27 the students learned about the game Cricket from the St. Louis Cricket Club and even got to play a game! Thanks to Avaneesh's mom, Santhi Pondugula, for organizing this event.

Magic House Fun

Thank you to all the parents who were able to come to the Magic House, Thursday, April 6th. The students had a lot of fun.  Please click on the link provided to see the slide show:
Magic House Slide Show.

Time Line

TimeLine Project:

Dear Parents,
Please have your child bring in 6 to 7 pictures of themselves from birth to now, one for each year. Students will be making a timeline with the pictures. Make sure the pictures are copies of the original pictures. Also, You can send digital pictures via email and I will print them out on the color printer at school. Students need to be able to tell one or two things about each picture.
PLEASE HAVE PICTURES ASAP
See Example:

 

Please send old "long Ago" items to share with the class.  I have an old typewriter, wall rotary phone and  video camera that I will share this week. 

New Writing Unit

Out new Writing Unit is from Scenes to Series that includes making a Character and writing several stories with the character that is made-up. These characters get to go on many adventures. In order to make this unit fun, I am asking that parents please send DUCK TAPE and an EMPTY CEREAL BOX. We will use the duck tape to bind our stories and the cereal box will be cut and decorated to keep the stories. We will share these stories with our parents and then with fourth grade buddies. 

A Year with Frog and Toad Musical

This morning the students went to Florissant Civic Center to see the musical A Year with Frog and Toad. Many students had never seen a live show before and loved the experience. We got back in time to eat lunch in the classroom and then go to specials.

Black History Night Activities

This years theme for Black History Night is the Harlem Renaissance. We have read books and watched videos about these artists: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes, and Faith Ringgold. We made a quilt square for each person and then made quilts. They are hanging up stairs in the hallways. Black History Night is Thursday, February 23. The kids need to be at Clayton High School starting at 6:30 with the show starting at 7 p.m. All students 1st through 5th grades get to sing, act or dance on stage. Please mark your calendars for this special event!

Reading TO Kindergarten

Today we read to Mrs. O'Dea's kindergarten class. The First Grade students practiced for 3 days to get their reading smooth like a Zipper! We discussed that reading is sometimes like trying to zip a coat. If someone gets stuck, they back up, fix and try again to make it smooth.
Next week we will read to our 4th grade buddies and will practice new books to read out loud.