2nd Grade - Ms. Hester

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Family Math Night at Publix is coming up soon.  Enjoy an evening with your child and help them solve real-life problems with groceries.  Just check in at the entrance and get the Worksheet for the proper grade level to work.  Do a little shopping while you are there.  There will be a goody bag when they finish and turn in their paper.  I will see you there on February 2 at the Publix on the corner of Dallas Hwy. and Barrett Pkwy.

We are studying Jackie Robinson this week in Social Studies.  The class seems to be enjoying learning about these heroic men like Robinson and King.  We are also connecting the study of these biographies with  research in writing.  Our Media Specialist, Mrs. Jones, is conducting some lessons on research and how to go about it using the internet, and later, encyclopedias.

BOOK ORDERS

You will find three fliers for book orders in the Thursday folder.  Remember that this is strictly optional.  If you would like to purchase any books from these fliers, you may do so by sending in the forms with a check made out to Scholastic.  Or, you may go online and order from there.  Either way, our class gets credit and earns free books for the classroom.

CALLING ALL PICTURES

The yearbook staff is requesting any pictures that you have of events that happened at school to be shared with us.  They may be used in the yearbook.  Just copy them to a disk, mark it, and send it in to the PTSA.

 FAMILY AND FRIENDS LUNCH

Be on the look out for information about the upcoming lunch time when we invite Family and Friends to eat with our students.  The dates are February 14 and 15.  Second graders will have guests on the 15th.  I do not have times for this yet.  Sometimes the  lunch schedule has to be changed, so look for this information, also.

VALENTINES

A list will come home next week of the names of the students in our class.  You may use this list for your child to address Valentine cards for Valentine's Day.  It is our custom that if a child brings a Valentine to one of the class members, they should bring in one for everyone in the class.  This keeps anyone from getting their feelings hurt.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

FEBRUARY 2 - FAMILY MATH NIGHT @ PUBLIX 

                                  6:30-8:00

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

MANY THANKS!

I would like to thank all of you who made the Holiday Party a success.  We had plenty of good food and everyone had a good time.  A special thanks to Mrs. Howard for coordinating this event.

 Also, thank you for the gifts which were given to me.  I sent "Thank Yous" out to individuals, but I think some of them never made it home.  It was very thoughtful of you.  I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday.

 

CURRICULUM

 We are off to a good start for 2012.  Everyone came back without forgetting too much of our routine.  That is wonderful!

Our third quarter of math has begun with regrouping addition to three digits.  We will be continuing with subtraction to three digits, solid geometry figures, counting change, and fractions.  Many of these skills build on what we have already learned.

For Social Studies, we have begun a study of government with laws and rules, rights and responsibilities.  We will be studying Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson.  This will tie into our writing genre of informational writing.

WINTER READING CHALLENGE

Congratulations to those who succeeded with the Winter Challenge.  Half of the class participated.  Those students are Gabe Berris, London Davidson, Lindsey Falvo, Katlyn Hansard, Madison Howard, Emily Johnson, Schuylar Kamicha, Carter Minish, and Kate White.

GOOD WEBSITE

If you need a good website for your child, you can find one at www.mathplayground.comto help your child practice math skills.  Help them get online to keep up these skills.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

JANUARY 16 - MLK HOLIDAY

JANUARY 17 - CHICK-FIL-A NIGHT

JANUARY 18 - STEVIE B NIGHT

JANUARY 23 -  OTTER'S CHICKEN

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCHUYLAR KAMICHA-----JANUARY 15!!

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

This has been a busy week.  We have had several tests and a few more to go.  Next week, I am not giving any homework.  I know that everyone is so busy with finishing up last minute things for the holidays, so I don't think you should have to worry about homework.  Please try to read a few minutes daily, if possible.  I know sometimes it just doesn't happen!

Over the holidays, please have your child read a little along.  We don't want them to regress and have to back-up in January.  The math facts or a few math problems along would be helpful, too.  It might even give you a few minutes of quiet time while they are busy with reading and math.

HOLIDAY PARTY

Mrs. Howard has been working hard to organize our holiday party.  Thank you for the quick response that she said you have given her.  It sound like the class will have plenty to eat.  There is no gift exchange this year.

Also, remember that we only need a few parents to help with the party.  Siblings are unable to attend.

BAD WEATHER ALERT!!

At the beginning of the year, you filled out an inclement weather (blue) form that tells me what to do in case of bad weather.  In the past, we were allowed to call to verify the way your child would go home on the day bad weather happened.  We WILL NOT be calling if this should happen.  We will follow the directions that you gave us at the beginning of the year.  If you do not remember how you put down for your child to go home, please email me or send in a note.  I will be happy to remind you.  Otherwise, I will assume that you know how your child will go home and do not need to make any changes. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

This will be my last newsletter of 2011.  I trust that all of you will have a safe and restful Holiday Season.  I look forward to working with you and your child in 2012!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

DECEMBER 23-JANUARY 9 ---WINTER HOLIDAYS

JANUARY 10--STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL

JANUARY 16 - MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

It hardly seems possible that we are thinking of winding down this nine weeks.  There will be a lot of assessments going on in the next two weeks.  Every day is critical for your child to be here unless s/he is ill or has a doctor's appointment.  We will be assessing math and language arts for the county data, as well as doing some individual testing.

Some ways that you can help are to work on math facts, regrouping, geometry, money, telling time to five minutes.  For Language arts, work on writing in complete sentences, telling the main idea of a story, capitalization, punctuation, plurals, and correct use of was and were.  We will have a science test next week  on energy, forces, and motion.  Your child will bring home their sciuence workbook to review these concepts.  This is our last push before the holidays!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Santa's Workshop for purchasing gifts has already been a great success.  If you want to do more shopping, you can shop in the morning from 7:15-7:40 or on Saturday at the Pancake Breakfast.  Santa will be on hand for pictures, too.  This begins at 8:30.

HIGH TOUCH, HIGH TECH

The class had a great time with the High Touch, High Tech scientist!  They not only learned about energy and forces, but had fun playing with all of the different hands-on activities that were presented.  There were four stations that each group rotated to use all of the materials to see how energy can be turned into motion and sunlight.  Ask which activity they liked the best.   They earned a certificate, which is in their Thursday folder along with a flyer that tells how they can enjoy more science activities.

HOLIDAY PARTY

Our holiday party is being planned by our Room Mom, Mrs. Howard.  If you are able to help out by sending in something for the party, please contact her to see how you can help.  The party will be on  Wednesday, December 21.   

DATES TO REMEMBER:

DECEMBER 9 - SPIRIT DAY/CONTINUE TO SEND IN MITTENS, GLOVES

DECEMBER 10 - PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8:30-11:30

DECEMBER 16 - STAR TREE GIFTS DUE TO SCHOOL (IF YOU PARTICIPATED)

DECEMBER 22-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

DECEMBER 23-JANUARY 9 -- HOLIDAY BREAK

JANUARY 10 - RETURN TO SCHOOL

 

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Our in-house field trip is this week.  High Touch, High Tech will present "Force, of Course" to our class on Wednesday.  This program will be during the last part of the day.  The students will really enjoy getting to do many hands-on activities while they learn about energy and forces.

Keep practicing counting change and telling time at home.  We will be reviewing in the next couple of weeks for out Math unit test.  These two skills can never be practiced enough.

Speaking of testing, in the next two weeks we will be having several checkpoint tests to check the progress of everyone.  Please try to have your child at school as much as possible without checking them out early or coming in tardy.  Your child will do better if they are in the regular environment when testing, rather than having them make it up with another teacher.

SANTA'S WORKSHOP

Next Monday, your child will preview the Santa's Workshop during the day.  They will bring  home an envelope and information about this.  Our day to shop is Wednesday.  Any child who brings in money that day (Wednesday) will be allowed to shop at a specific time assigned to our class.  Please do not send in the money until Wednesday.

ORNAMENTS

We are scheduled to make our holiday ornaments next Friday.  Mrs. Howard has been working overtime to prepare for this.  She will also be sending out an email soon for sign-up for sending in items for our holiday party.  Please consider helping out for this special time for our students.  Also, this party is for the children.  Our administration tries to preserve this for the students by asking that only the parents who are helping with the party attend.  They hope that you will understand.

DATES TO REMEMBER

DECEMBER 7 - SANTA SHOPPING DURING SCHOOL

DECEMBER 10- PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH SANTA & SHOPPING

DECEMBER 22 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

DECEMBER 23-JANUARY 9---WINTER HOLIDAYS

JANUARY 10 - RETURN TO SCHOOL

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

When we return after the holiday, there will only be a few weeks left of this nine weeks.  We will be assessing what the children have learned at this midpoint of the year.  I know that it is hard to keep your child's attention during this holiday season with all of the activities that go on.  Please try to help them with this. 

We just finished our social studies for the nine weeks and will be moving on to our science.  We will begin a unit on energy and forces of push and pull. 

Continue to practice a few math facts daily so your child can use these facts more easily.  Also, remember that daily reading is part of their homework.

HIGH TOUCH, HIGH TECH

Our in-house field trip with High Touch, High Tech will be soon after we return to school.  Only a few have not returned their permission forms and donation.  Please try to get these in as soon as possible.  It is really a worthwhile program.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

NOVEMBER 17 - YOGLI MOGLI

NOVEMBER  21 - 27 --- THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

NOVEMBER 28 - RETURN TO SCHOOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

MARY ROSE PEDIGO -21    CARTER MINISH-   23  LINDSEY FALVO- 25

 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

ART ORDERS

If you are planning to order anything from your child's artwork that came home, please make sure that you have the order in by this Friday.  The funds from these sales go to the Art program here at Still.  Ms. Duhn could really use the funds and these items would make great gifts.

CURRICULUM

Please practice counting change and making change.  The way I have explained it in class to make change is that the money they use to buy an item is the whole.  Then, the item's price is one part and the change they get back is the other part.  They need to count up from the price to their original money.  Then, they need to count the change they received (part).  These two parts should equal the whole amount of money they had to begin with.  ( Whole = part + part)

 Example:  $1.00 (whole)  $0.85 (cost of item-part) + $0.15 (change-part)

To check:  $0.85 (part) + $0.15 (part) = $1.00(whole)

I hope this helps you to help your child with change.

AR

Please read the AR books that your child brings home with them.  The nine weeks is well underway and your child should have passed at least 3 if not 4 AR tests with 80% or higher comprehension.  Many of our class have not taken a test at all.  Try to encourage them to bring their AR books home for you to help them with this goal.

FIELD TRIP

In your child's Thursday folder this week is a form for another in-house field trip.  This one is for High Touch, High Tech.  This company comes into the schools and teaches hands-on Science skills to each class.  The students love the many activities that they get to participate in.  The activities are directly in line with our Science Standards for this nine weeks.  Please try to get the permission form and the donation back to us before the Thanksgiving break.  Thanks!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

NOVEMBER 11 - VETERAN'S DAY;  FALL FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 19-27 - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Our math unit is going well.  I am so pleased with the progress that all of the students are making with subtraction with regrouping.  Thank you for helping your child at home.  The main problem that most students have now is knowing their basic subtraction facts quickly.  By the end of the year, they must know their facts to memory.  PLEASE work on these a few minutes each night.  It will help your child tremendously!

Ask your child who Tomochichi and James Oglethorpe are.  We are learning what these two men had to do with the beginning of Georgia.  We will learn about a woman named Mary Musgrove next week.

Continue to read daily with your child.  Ask questions of what they have read to help them with their comprehension.

FALL FESTIVAL

Our Fall Festival  is Friday, November 11.  Mrs. Howard, our Room Mom, is in need of some volunteers.  All you would have to give is 30 minutes of your time while you are here.  That way, everyone can enjoy the festival with their child while helping our booth out, too.  Please contact Mrs. Howard  or send in a note to me, if you can help.

FALL BACK

I know that you have and will see this until this weekend, but just a reminder to turn your clocks back on Saturday night.  This is the time we get to sleep an extra hour.

VETERAN'S DAY

We will celebrate Veteran's Day at Still with a breakfast with some of our Veterans.  You should have already sent in pictures and a reply to the invitation that went out to Veterans of our school family.  If you have not, please get those in this week.

 DATES TO REMEMBER:

NOVEMBER 8 - NO SCHOOL (TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY)

                                    ELECTION DAY

NOVEMBER 8 - CHICK-FIL-A NIGHT

NOVEMBER 11 - VETERAN'S DAY; FALL FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 16 - STEVIE Bs NIGHT

NOVEMBER 21-25 - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

DECEMBER 1 - SCIENCE NIGHT

 

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CONFERENCES

I would like to thank each of you who attended your child's conference this week.  We had a great turnout!  I feel that it was time well spent sharing your child's accomplishments thus far.

NEW ARRIVAL

Our class has a new student!  His name is William and he is originally from Rockmart,  Georgia.  We are glad to have him in our class.  Everyone is being very helpful to him.  That brings our total to 19. 

PICTURE RETAKES

If you were not happy with your child's pictures from school, retakes will be November 2.  You must return the entire package to get the new ones.  If you were not at Still when pictures were taken, your picture will be taken for the yearbook.

BANDAIDS

The class is in need of bandaids.  It always makes a hurt feel better if we can put a bandaid on.  All other supplies are holding up well.  Thank you for your generosity.

Have a great fall weekend!

 DATES TO REMEMBER:

October 27 - Yogli-Mogli Night

November 2 - Picture Retakes

November 11-Veteran's Day/ Fall Festival

 

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CONFERENCES

I look forward to seeing each of you at conferences next week.  I have been busy preparing information for this meeting.  I will keep this blog short, since I will be meeting with you.  Remember that school children will have early dismissal two hours earlier than usual.

VETERAN'S DAY

You have received a flyer and a notice from PTSA concerning our Veteran's Day Breakfast.  It will be on Veteran's Day and Veteran's are invited to the breakfast.  Also, if you have a Veteran who cannot attend, but would like to place their picture and name on our Wall of Honor, please send these in by October 28.  Invitations are due back by November 1.

BOOK FAIR

Your child has a flier in his/her Thursday folder about the Book Fair.  It will be open next week during conferences.  I hope that you will be able to visit this worthwhile event and help our Media Center earn some new books!

PERFORMING ARTS FRIDAY

On Friday, the class will be going to the Cobb Civic Center for one of their Performing Arts presentations.  They will see a ballet about George Gershwin.  Since this is a special program, we have requested that the students wear nice clothes---no bluejeans, if possible.  It is a great opportunity for the class to experience a special event in a theater.  I know that they will enjoy the production.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRODY!!                                OCTOBER 18

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Our nine weeks has come to a close.  I look forward to meeting with you during conference week.  The schedule is set and now I just have to get everything ready to share with you.

MANY THANKS!

Thank you so much for being so generous with the donations for our public safety officials and the Calvary Children's Home.  There is still time to send in anything for the Calvary Home if you would like to donate anything else.  I am sure they really appreciate your help.

NEXT WEEK

We have several programs out of the ordinary next week.  Our in-house field trip about the Creek and Cherokee Indians is next Wednesday here at Still.  The class should enjoy making some crafts similar to those made by these Native American groups.  Next, we have a Performing  Arts program on Friday at the Cobb Civic Center.  We are to see a presentation on Gershwin.  I look forward to see what they will perform for second graders to appreciate this composer.

Due to the program on Friday, we will have a lunch change to 12:21-12:51.

DATES TO REMEMBER

OCTOBER 17-21 - SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

OCTOBER 17 - CHESS CLUB BEGINS

OCTOBER 18 - BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY

OCTOBER 19 - STEVI Bs

OCTOBER 21 - PERFORMING ARTS AT THE CIVIC CENTER

OCTOBER 24-28 - CONFERENCE WEEK (SCHOOL IS OUT 2 HOURS EARLY)

OCTOBER 24 -OTTER'S CHICKEN NIGHT

NOVEMBER 2 - PICTURE RETAKES (RETURN PICS TO GET RETAKES)