Friday, March 17, 2023

Family Newsletter

 Dear Families,


Here is our week in review:



Social-Emotional Learning:

  • This week the students assembled individualized calming cards to help them be more engaged learners, sustain attention and complete work more independently.  These calming cards will serve as a visual reminder for the students and hopefully help them make responsible decisions at school.  We also hope that these calming cards will lead to more self awareness, a sense of control and confidence. The students are so excited to use these strategies and are doing a wonderful job!

  • In our restorative circle with Ms. Nicole this week, the students learned how they can be “Kindness Superheroes” at school and at home.  They learned that reaching out to other friends on Harmony to ask to play a game at recess together or sit together at lunch can be examples of how they can be “Kindness Superheroes”.  They can also use kind words and expressions to show kindness.  Ask your child to share more about their special Kindness Superhero powers.




Reading:

  • We started learning about the Iditarod on Harmony.  The students will learn about the history of the race and about the equipment and training of the dogs as we explore this topic together.  The students will participate in different read alouds and have a variety of learning projects to work on.  The students listened to the book about Akiak, for example, and completed a character comparison, finding similarities between themselves and this amazing sled dog.  They discovered that they are all brave, kind and can show resilience and perseverance.

  • The students also have the opportunity to participate in an Iditarod Reading Challenge on Harmony.  This is optional and the students can participate if they want to.  During independent reading times (or any other explore/choice times during our school day), the students can read a chapter (or book) and write a summary about what they read to “move” along the Iditarod Trail just like the mushers and the sled dogs. The students have their own trail maps and read along the trail.  When they reach the finish line, they will get a special certificate/prize.

  • We had a special visit from the author Rebecca Rule this week.  She read her book “The Iciest, Diciest,, Scariest Sled Ride” to the students at ABS. The students enjoyed talking to a real author.

 




Writing:

  • Mr. Matt continued to teach his creative writing unit this week.  The students were very engaged and eager to add more details to their words and pictures. This week, they learned to add suspense and a solution to the problem their characters adventures.




Math:

  • Second grade mathematicians started learning more systematic ways to use a number line to show their math thinking, using both addition and subtraction. As you may recall, the students are very familiar with using number paths.  A number line is slightly different in that it allows the student to show their math thinking by indicating “jumps” along a number line that can represent any number sequence.

  • Second grade mathematicians also continued working on fractions.  This week they learned about how to “extend” fractions in drawings/representations.  For example, if ⅓ was visible on a paper, how could they add to the drawing to show ⅔ or a whole.  They are fantastic math problem-solvers!




News and Reminders:

  • If you have not signed up for a parent-teacher conference yet here is the link.  I look forward to the opportunity to chat with you again about your child’s learning at school.

  • Mr. Matt started his solo week today and did a terrific job.  He will be the lead teacher all of next week too with me in a supporting role.  




Have a great weekend,

Maria


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