Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a wonderful start to your week!  We were very productive in room 27 today.  We wrote poetry, finished up opinion posters, used perseverance in math today (they did awesome) and had a dance party!

End of Year Celebrations
I have started a page to post pictures of our end of the year celebrations.  Today we had a dance party.  Check out the pictures here.

Tomorrow, our celebration is board games and building activities.  If your student would like to be a board game to play tomorrow afternoon, they may do so.  There are games and Legos in the classroom if they do not want to bring a game.

Oreos and Opinions
Oreos and Opinions is tomorrow morning from 7:45-8:15.  I hope you will be able to attend.  We will not start sharing our work until 7:45 because all the students need to get their laptops logged in and their presentations open.  The students have worked very hard on their writing and are excited to share it with you.  Plus, we have Oreos.  :)

End of Year Lunch Bunch
If you haven't RSVP'd and plan to come to the End of the Year Lunch Bunch next Tuesday, please send back in the RSVP form.  We need to let the kitchen know how many adult lunches and student lunches to expect that day.

Have a wonderful evening!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

We had a fun day in Room 27!  We started the day off with the Variety Show.  We have some VERY talented students at RBE.  We even had a few "celebrities" make an appearance.  (Picture below)  We played with Snap Circuits (pictures here) today and did some opinion writing.  :)

Reading/Writing
In reading and writing next week, we will be working on poetry.  We will be reading and analyzing poetry during reading and then we will be writing different types of poems during writing.

The students finished up (a few are still putting finishing touches on posters) their opinion pieces today.  They will be sharing these pieces at Oreos and Opinions on Tuesday from 7:45-8:15.  I hope you can join us.  I will be purchasing Oreos this weekend, they wrote opinion/persuasive pieces today about Regular Oreos or Flavored Oreos.  We will see who has the best arguments.  :)

Math
We will continue to work on problem solving and early algebra next week.  This unit teaches the students a lot about perserverance.  They have to look at a problem and figure out different ways to solve the problem.  The problem this week involved counting coins, determining how many go in a roll, then splitting the money up equally.

Field Day
Field Day is next Friday.  We will be participating from 11:30-2:15.  Please send a full change of clothes with your student in case they get wet.  It will not be a fun ride home on the bus if they are all wet.  It is also Summer Dress Up Day so they can wear their summer arrite, but no swimsuits and it needs to be school appropriate.  :)

End of Year Countdown
We started our End of the Year Countdown today.  We have 10 (well 9 now) ballons and will pop one balloon each day and it has a small celebration for the day.  Today's was Tootsie Roll Pops.

Homework Lunch Bunch
We had a group eat lunch in the classroom for doing their homework at least 3 times this week.  We have one more week of this incentive.  If students do homework at least 3 times next week, they will be able to eat in the room the following Monday (we don't do it next Friday since we are already eating in the room).



Important Upcoming Events
Tuesday, May 17: Oreos and Opinions from 7:45-8:15 (please RSVP if you haven't already done so)
Wednesday, May 18: Please return ALL library books
Friday, May 20: Field Day and Summer Dress up Day
Monday, May 23: Walk to Rock Bridge State Park (shhh!!!  don't tell the kids, we will pop this balloon next Friday)
Tuesday, May 24: End of Year Lunch Bunch Celebration (please RSVP if you plan to attend and haven't already done so)
Thursday, May 26: Last Day, early dismiss at 12:10 (they will officially be 3rd graders when they walk out the doors) :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ross

Field Trip was a SUCCESS!

Happy Wednesday!

We had a WONDERFUL field trip today!  The weather was gorgeous (no rain!) and the students had a great time!  They were also very well behaved.  They did a fabulous job representing RBE.

Thank you to all the parents who chaperoned our field trip.  I know the students enjoyed having more "independence" if you will by being in a smaller group than having to stay in a group of 25.  I know this can be a crazy time of year and I really people taking off work to come on our field trip.  I know the kids enjoy getting to spend their field trip with you.  This was my first time taking this field trip, if there is anything that you think could be improved for next year's field trip, please let me know.  :)

Here are some pictures from today.  Chaperones if you have pictures, please send them and I will upload them as well.  :)

PLEASE check your students for ticks tonight.  I have already found 2 on me.  We had a great field trip, but there are some downsides to a field trip in the wilderness, ticks is definitely one of those.

We still have a lot of fun things planned over the next few weeks.  We will start  countdown on Friday for the last 10 days of school which is absolutely crazy to me.  You will have a third grader in just a few short weeks.  :)

If you haven't RSVP'd for the Oreos and Opinions or the End of the Year Lunch Bunch and plan to join us, please send in your form.  If you need an additional form, please let me know.

Have a wonderful evening!

Mrs. Ross

Field Trip Information

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and were able to get outside and enjoy the weather before all the rain this week.  :(  I'm hoping the forecast isn't completely accurate and it won't rain all week.  Below is some important information regarding our field trip.  Your student also has some information coming in their backpack also.

Rain or Shine

• We will be going on our field trip rain or shine.  I'm hoping for more shine, than rain.  :)  If it is pouring on Wednesday morning, we may leave a little bit later since the first part of the field trip is walking around on the trail.  It will be a decision we make Wednesday morning.  We will still go whether it is raining or shining because some of the activities we have planned are indoors.  

Dress Appropriately

• Please make sure your student wears tennis shoes on Wednesday.  I recommend an older pair of tennis shoes due to the potential for some wet paths as we walk.  Also, please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather.  If they would like a light jacket or raincoat, that is fine, but they will be responsible for the coat on the trip.

Sunscreen/Bug Spray

• I recommend applying sunscreen and bug spray before sending your students to school on Wednesday.  We will be outside most of the day.  We can't apply sunscreen or bug spray at school due to medication rules, but I would recommend applying it before sending your student to school.

Lunch

• Students need to bring their lunch on Wednesday (unless you indicated on the permission slip that they would be buying lunch).  Their lunch needs to be in a gallon size Ziploc bag with their name clearly marked.  All containers need to be disposable because we will not be bringing anything back with us to school.  Students may bring a soda to drink if they would like, but all drinks need to be in plastic or cans, NO GLASS.  If you do not have a gallon size bag, I will have some at school.  We have chaperones who will be transporting our lunches in coolers.  Chaperones, please don't forget to pack yourself a lunch also.  :)

Snack

• I have purchased fruit snacks for the students and chaperones to have while we are at Runge.  It will be up to the chaperones when to have their group stop to have the snack.  If your student would like to bring a snack to have when we get back to school, they may do so.  Please make sure that their afternoon snack is NOT packed in their Ziploc bag because we will not be transporting food back to RBE from Runge.

General Guidelines

• We are representing RBE and it is very important to represent out school in a good way.
• Students are REQUIRED to stay with their chaperone at all times.  
• They need to be walking on the paths only.  Please no walking in the mulch, flower beds, benches, etc.
• Please make sure your student arrives at school on time.  I would hate for anyone to miss the field trip because they are late to school.
• If your student has an RBE shirt or a green or blue shirt, have them wear them on Wednesday.  It makes it easier to spot the kids, plus it is fun for us all to match.  :)

Even with the forecast, I'm really looking forward to this field trip.  It should be a lot of fun and educational also.  If you have any questions regarding the field trip, please let me know!

Have a wonderful evening!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend!  I'm crossing my fingers the rain in the forecast for the weekend, holds off a little bit.  :)

I have uploaded the newsletter to the blog, please take the time to read over it.  There is a lot of important information about upcoming events and what we will be working on next week.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated items or money to Ms. Rottjakob's tote, as well as for the pizza party.  I put a picture below of the filled tote.  She was very surprised and happy.  We were very lucky to have her with us this semester!  We even made her tear up when we gave her the tote today.  I count that as a success!  She will be joining us next Wednesday on our field trip and possibly for the Variety Show also.

Thank you to everyone who has RSVP'd for our Oreos and Opinions, as well as our Lunch Bunch.  If you haven't RSVP'd and are planning to come, please do so.  This allows me to get an accurate head count for the cafeteria as well as to buy Oreos.  :)

Field Trip Next Wednesday!

• Please make sure your student has a lunch with them on Wednesday.  If your student is purchasing a lunch from the cafeteria, they will go down that morning to get their lunch.  Please pack their lunch in a gallon size Ziploc bag with all disposable containers.  We want to be to throw everything away at Runge when we eat lunch.  Please do not send in any glass containers.  All drinks need to be in cans or plastic bottles (all that can be thrown away).
• We will be outside all day.  Please apply sunscreen and bug spray to your student before they leave the house.  We cannot apply sunscreen or bug spray at school.
• Please make sure your student wears tennis shoes for our field trip.  There will be a lot of walking and sandals will not be comfortable for the day.
• Currently, the forecast is for upper 50's-lower 70's throughout the day.  Please make sure your student is dressed appropriately for the weather.  If they want to bring a light jacket, they may do so, but they are responsible for the jacket throughout the day.
• Please make sure your student is on time on Wednesday.  I would hate for anyone to miss our field trip because they arrived late to school.
• Please remind your student that we will have a lot of fun at our field trip, but our expectations are the same.  They need to be safe, respectful, learners on our field trip.  

I can't believe we only have a few more weeks of school.  Please remind your student that even though the year is coming to a close, we still have to do our job at school.  I know when it is gorgeous outside, we all want to be outside, but it's important to remember to stay focused at school.  :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ross

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

I hope you have had a great week!  We have been very busy in 2nd grade!

Today, we went to Hickman High School to see a jazz performance.  The students were very well behaved and enjoyed the concert.  Check out the pictures here.

Here is what we will be working on next week and some important information about the rest of the year.

Reading

• Next week in reading, we will be working on different components of poetry.  We will learn about the components and then have the opportunity to identify them in various poems.

Writing

• We will continue working on opinion writing next week.  The students were able to choose a topic of their choice and will be researching the topic and then writing an opinion piece about the topic.  This will be one of the writings they will share at Oreos and Opinions.  

Math

• We are wrapping up our measurement unit.  Our current plan is to test on Wednesday, May 4.  After we finish up measurement, we will move onto early algebra.  These will actually be concepts the students have already seen such as finding the missing number.  

Science

• We are continuing to learn about the needs of plants in science.  We are also going to start discussing food chains and ecosystems in preparation for our field trip to Runge.  

ST Math

• Our school now has ST Math available to the students.  They haven't used it yet, but will next Monday in Media.  It is a website that has games to practice math concepts.  The games have no words, the students have to use their problem solving skills to identify how to get Jiji (the penguin in the game) across the screen by solving different math problems.  Once students set up their account (next week in Media), they will be able to access ST Math from home also.  On the Symbaloo on the RBE Media Center website, they can click on the penguin which will take them to ST Math.  Again, they won't have access until next week, but starting next week, if they want to play around with it at home, they can.  The first few times they play, it might be frustrating to them since they aren't directions, they have to figure out how to play each game.  There is research behind the program that shows that nonverbal (all pictures) allows the students to use more problem solving skills and to ultimately be more successful.  

Homework

• Just a reminder that weekly homework is finished as of today.  If the students would like to continue doing homework, they will get a sheet on Monday they can fill out.  They will need to reading for 15 minutes and do 15 minutes of math facts and get both initialed by parents.  If they do this for 3 days of the week, they can eat lunch in the room on Friday.  This is not at all required, it is completely optional.  

Important Upcoming Events

• Friday, May 6: Ms. Rottjakob's pizza party (your student doesn't need to bring a lunch)
• Wednesday, May 11: Runge Field Trip
• If you have signed up to chaperone and haven't let me know about releasing your contact information, please do so.  This will allow chaperones to coordinate carpooling to Jeff City if they would like.  
• Friday, May 13: Variety Show
• Tuesday, May 17: Oreos and Opinions from 7:45-8:15 (Please remember to RSVP on the blue sheet sent home)
• Friday, May 20: Field Day and Dress like Summer day (No swimsuits)
• Tuesday, May 24: End of the Year Lunch Bunch (Please remember to RSVP if you will be coming, the invite was on yellow paper)
• Thursday, May 26: Last day of school, early dismiss at 12:10
• Thursday, June 2: Summer School Open House, 4:30-6:00

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ross

Oreos and Opinions and Lunch Bunch :)

We have two fun parent and student events planned in May.  Your student brought home a sheet about them both today and there is an RSVP to be returned at the bottom of each.

Oreos and Opinions
The students have worked so hard on their opinion writing and would love to share their hard work.  Also, who doesn't love Oreos?  :)  So, why not put them together.  On May 17 from 7:45-8:15, please join us in the classroom so your student can share their awesome opinion writing.  Please fill out the RSVP at the bottom of the invitation and return it with your student.

End of the Year Lunch Bunch
On Tuesday, May 24, we will be having an end of the year lunch bunch for students and their parents (or grandparents, special friend, etc) from 11:00-12:00.  The students will go to recess like normal from 11:00-11:15 and then we will have lunch in the pavilion.  You may bring fast food in for your child if you would like, or they can buy a school lunch or they can bring their lunch from home.  On the permission slip, please make sure to mark what they will be eating for lunch (brought by you, school or brought from home) and also let me know if you will be purchasing a school lunch.  This will be a fun way to celebrate the end of the year.  :)

Runge Field Trip
YEAH!!!!!  Everyone has turned in their permission slips.  If you signed up to be a chaperone, please email me to let me know if I can share your contact information (if so, please send me the information you would like me to share) with other chaperones to possibly coordinate carpooling.

Homework
As a reminder, this is the final week or "normal" homework.  Next week, students can do opitinoal homework if they would like.  They can read and practice facts for 15 minutes each night.  If they get this signed at least 3 nights during the week, they can eat lunch in the room on Friday.

Pizza Party
As a reminder, we will be having our Pizza Party for Ms. Rottjakob next Friday, May 6.  Students will not need to bring a lunch that day.  They will still need a snack if they want one in the morning.  I have had a parent volunteer to send in drinks.  If you are willing to send in fruit/veggies, cookies or chips, please let me know.  I will be providing the pizza for everyone.

Have a wonderful evening!

Mrs. Ross