Happy Friday!

I hope that your family had a wonderful Halloween.  If you have a picture of your child dressed up in his/her Halloween costumes - we would love to see it!  You can email me a picture or send in a picture.  I can't wait to see all the costumes!

Nut Free Classroom

Our classroom is now a peanut and tree nut free classroom.  Please make sure that you child's daily snack do not include peanuts, peanut butter or nut products.  They also cannot be processed where peanuts have (or may have been) processed.  Thank you in advance for checking your child's ingredient list on his/her snack. The items you pack in your child's lunch box do not have to be peanut free.  A note and a list of different snack options that are peanut free are coming home in your child's Friday Folder (or click on the link).

Special Things Happening Next Week

• Parent/Teacher Conferences are up in full swing!  Last week, you received your parent/teacher conference time - we have had some this week and most are next week.  This is the first year that Mrs. Ross & I are doing our conference together, and both of us like to talk - so we will be setting a timer to help us stay on track and be respectful of your time.  We are looking forward to meeting with everyone during this time.
• The Book Fair will be set up in the Media Center next week.  A flyer came home last Friday with some of the books that will be on sale and the kiddos were super excited!  On Monday, we will get a chance to tour the book fair and the kids will have an opportunity to make a wish list.
• Progress reports will be coming home on Wednesday for any families that we met with on conferences earlier than Wednesday.  If we have a scheduled conference time with you on Wednesday or Thursday, we will give you your child's report card then.
• We will have a Veteran's Day Assembly on Wednesday at 9:30.  Mrs. Sharp has been working hard with the kids on learning some patriot songs as a tribute to the veterans who will be coming to the assembly on Wednesday. 
• Flu Clinic is on Thursday, November 9, for any student who has a signed permission slip turned in.
• As a reminder, we will have no school next Friday, November 10, due to conferences.
• Please help your child remember to bring a jacket/winter coat next week.  On many of the days the high will be in the 50's - which would mean it will be in the 40's when we take our morning recess.

Upcoming Fun the Following Week!

• Our first trimester pizza party is scheduled for November 15.  Your child can bring a special drink (Gatorade, juice, soda) to enjoy.  If you choose to send in a drink for your child, please make sure that the container is not glass.  Your child will still need a snack to enjoy in the morning.
• Our November school-wide celebration will be stuffed animal day on Friday, November 17.

Meals of Wheels Food Drive

Just as reminder that 2nd grade is bringing in peanut butter for the food drive. If you are wanting to donate a jar of peanut butter the table is set up in the foyer outside the RBE office.  All food items are due by November 14.

What's Been Happening in 2nd Grade?

• Math: This week, we talked about a variety of strategies to solve subtraction problems.  We learned about counting up and back, and the rule when +0 or +1.  Today we learned about In/Out Boxes.  We talked about the rule and if a number went in, what number would come out?  Below are a few examples.  Next week, we will continue to talk about subtraction strategies of doubles, counting back 10 and counting up 10.

• Writing: This week, the students began to write their rough drafts of their second personal narrative.  This is a lot less teacher led, so it is a better representative of what the child is able to do.  Next week, we will continue to work on this piece of writing by editing and revising.
• Reading: This week, we focused on using context clues to figure out made up words.  In a small text, there was a made up word and in our reading small groups we talked about the clues that the author gave us to figure out what the unknown word was.  We had to be word detectives! :)  Next week, we will be answering questions from the text and specifically talking about how to refer back to the text to answer questions.
• Science:  We will be starting our states of matter unit next week.  We will be talking about solids, liquids, and gases. 
• Word Study: We will continue to work on short and long vowel word patterns next week.  Next week we will focus on short vowel (CVC) and long vowel (CVCe) words.  Next week's words are: vote, rule, safe, wipe, space, which, lots, tall, spend. club.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ross