Nancy Hester

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CRCT TESTING

We are almost done with CRCT testing.  Math is tomorrow.  Your child is as prepared as s/he can be.  As the testing letter that came home on Monday said, make sure that your child has a good night's rest, a good breakfast, and arrives on time.  We will make this as pleasant as is possible!!  I believe that all of the children know how to do everything if they will just focus and check for careless errors.  I have been preparing them from the first day of this school year, so there is nothing new on the test.  I wish them all the best!

On that same note, even though CRCT testing will be over soon, school is not.  Please reinforce to your child that school work must be continued until the last day of school.  Thank you.

FIELD TRIP FORMS

In the Thursday folder this week you will find a form for an in-house field  trip.  Nana Nature will bring us a program on photosynthesis.  This relates to our final science unit on life cycles.  Please try to return the forms as soon as possible.  Thank you for your support.

SCIENCE PROJECT

You will find a letter in your child's folder today concerning an Australian Animal Research project.  I have already gone over this with your child in class and s/he has chosen an Australian animal to do the project on.   Please go over both sides of the letter with your child and help them decide on how they will complete it.  Next Wednesday, s/he will be finding information about their animal during their computer class.  This is to get them started.  There is a special form that will help them take the proper notes about their animal.  That day (Wed.), they will bring this form home along with websites that are available for them to finish their research and project.  The back o f the letter gives a rubric that will be used to grade the projects.

Students enjoy learning about new animals. This project combines our study of Australia with our study of life cycles.  Help your child learn and cultivate his/her creative abilities.

AR ENDS

Our Accelerated Reader program ends on April 28 with the last day of test taking.  Please encourage your child to continue taking tests until Monday.  Our class has already reached our goal of 100%!  So, we will get a Pizza Party by the end of the year.  This does not necessarily mean that your child has met his/her goal.  Each child knows how close they are to their individual goals and should strive to get as close as possible. The AR Rally is scheduled for May 2. Great going, class!

DATES TO REMEMBER...

APRIL 28-LAST DAY FOR TAKING AR TESTS

APRIL 30-ALL MEDIA CENTER BOOKS DUE

MAY 1 - PTA--Kindergarten performs

MAY 2 - FIELD TRIP FORMS & PAYMENT DUE; AR RALLY

MAY 9-2 & 3RD FIELD DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:             rILEY ABELSON- APRIL 28TH       

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Reading/Language Arts

We continue to work on the following skills in Reading and Language Arts:  Identifying the main idea of a story or a paragraph, writing a main idea in a story using details to support the main idea, using commas, apostrophes, end marks, identifying subject and predicate in a sentence, and writing a letter in correct format.

Social Studies

We have started our unit of study on Australia.  The students seem excited to learn of this "Land Down Under."

Science

The class really enjoyed our study of the solar system.  They all did a great job on the test we had last week.  Good work!

Math

Keep practicing the addition and subtraction facts to memorization.  Many students are still using their fingers.  They must know these facts from memory by the end of the year or they will not receive an E in Math.  This is such an important skill to know before they go on to third grade!

CRCT TESTING

We have been practicing for the CRCT test in class and will continue until the actual test.  The class has also practiced on the computer in Tech class.  Your child will be bringing home a folder(black leather)on Friday that contains the practice sheets we have done.   Send this folder back after Spring Break so we may add to it.  Go over these sheets as you see fit.

The CRCT test begins on April 23 and goes through the 29th for make-ups.  It is important that you have your child here on time on these dates.  Our main testing will be on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th.  If your child is not here on those days, s/he will have to make up the test upon his/her return.  This make-up session will not be with me.  Since research shows that a child does better on a test when in their normal surroundings, it is best if the child can be here on the actual days.   We know, however, that illness may occur during this time and cannot be avoided. 

REMINDERS

Please return Boosterthon pledge money in the appropriate envelope as soon as possible

Send in more pencils, pens(they are running out of ink), and tissues

Remember to take a minimum of two AR tests per week.  We only have  nine more people for the whole class to meet their goal!  All who make their goal will get their name entered into a drawing for a bike!

DATES TO REMEMBER

April 4 - Spirit Day and Jump Rope Day(send in any old sneakers for recycling)

April 7-11--HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

April 23-- CRCT begins

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

REPORT CARDS

Your child's report card is in his/her Thursday folder this week.  Keep in mind that as the year progresses, your child is expected to become a more independent worker.  This is to prepare them for third grade next year.  The grades on the report card reflect these higher expexctations and how your child is meeting these expectations.

As of this grading period, I have not marked down grades for not having the basic math facts memorized.  The final grading period will, however, be marked down if your child has not mastered this most important skill for both addition and subtraction by the end of the year.

BOOSTERTHON FUN-RUN

Tomorrow is the day to send in your collected pledges for our Fun Run.  The students seemed to really enjoy being a part of this fundraiser.  I hope that all were able to collect their pledges.

SNACKS

Please remember to have your child put a snack daily in their backpack.  I have a few snacks, but will only  give out one per week.  Up until now, I have not limited what I gave out.  I do not believe this is teaching them responsibility.  Have your child pack their own snack and you may have a few minutes of extra time for you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

ELIZABETH DUNN             MARCH 9

DATES TO REMEMBER:

MARCH 21 - RETURN THE SIGNED SIGNATURE CARD FOR REPORT CARDS

APRIL 1 - CHICK-FIL-A NIGHT

APRIL 4 - SPIRIT DAY

APRIL 7-11--SPRING HOLIDAYS

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

JAPANESE CELEBRATION

What a lovely celebration!  Thanks to all of you who sent in donations and came to help.  The class looked quite festive with our "table" on the floor, the cushions made by Mrs. Cohen, the pretty paper goods, and the floral decorations for our table.  The class enjoyed samples of chicken teriyaki, rice, California rolls and mock sushi along with Pokey sticks  and seaweed.  Many in the class were dressed for the celebration, which made them look so special.  With the coordination of our Room Moms, Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Cavanaugh, along with Japanese information presented by Mrs. Cohen and the donations sent in by all of you, this was a most memorable day for our class!

SCIENCE

Our next unit in Science will focus on the movement of the Sun, moon and stars.  We will learn what makes a year on Earth and the phases of the moon.  We will also explore some of the constellations.

WRITING

Our writing focus for this grading period is persuasive writing.  We will learn how to write a persuasive paragraph about many subjects. 

FUN RUN BOOSTERTHON

By now you have heard about our spring fund raiser.  The Fun Run Boosterthon was kicked off on Monday with a pep rally.  The students are excited about earning prizes as they gather pledges for their Fun Run Day next Wednesday.  All parents are invited to come and watch.  Second grade will be walking between 10:00 and 11:00 on the 12th (rain date 13th).  All of the proceeds go to help our school.  Please try to support this effort.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Kaylee Cavanaugh has been selected as the first place winner in our Writing Fair!  Kaylee's story, Goin' Fish'n, will be sent on to the county level.  She will be honored at a Writer's Tea in May.

PTA

This coming Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 our second grade classes will be performing for the monthly PTA program.  They are to wear their class t-shirt and blue jeans.  Please try to attend and see our students perform.

SIX FLAGS READING

Seven of our students read for six hours and have earned a free Six Flags Ticket for this summer.  The tickets will be distributed in May for these students.  Congratulations to you!

SUPPLIES

Many  of the students are running out of pencils or ink pens.  You might ask if they need some new supplies.

DATES TO REMEMBER

MARCH 4 - EARLY RELEASE (Students dismissed two hours early)

MARCH 6 - PTA 6:30- SECOND GRADERS PERFORM

APRIL  23-MAY 2--CRCT TESTING ( DO NOT MAKE ANY APPOINTMENTS DURING THE FIRST 3 DAYS)

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM NEWS

Our Japanese unit is coming to an end.  Our celebration is this Friday, from 1:00-2:00.  If your child wants to dress up in "Japanese" style, s/he may.  It is not a requirement.  Karate uniforms and bathrobes are fine.  Use your imagination!  It should be fun.  Thank you in advance for all of the help from you for this special occasion.

We will be reviewing for our Math unit in the next two weeks with the post test around March 6 for most teachers.  Go over papers with your child from their Thursday folder and reinforce the skills that we are learning.  Also, keep practicing those math facts.  CRCT is just around the corner.

CRCT

In your child's folder today, there is a letter from Mrs. Smith concerning CRCT practice.  Your child's number to log on to this site is on this letter.  Please put this in a safe place and have your child practice the CRCT on line.  You will see more and more practice work on this format come home in the future.

THANKS!

I want to thank you all for the Valentine's and the special treats which you gave me on Valentine's Day.  They were greatly enjoyed!  Hope your day was special!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

KAYLEE CAVANAUGH - FEBRUARY 10                        CAMRYN AVERY FEBRUARY 25

DATES TO REMEMBER...

FEBRUARY 22 - JAPANESE CELEBRATION

FEBRUARY 22 - COSMIC BOWLING

FEBRUARY 22 - SIX FLAGS READING LOGS DUE

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

THANK YOU!

I want to thank you for coming to your child's conference in January. (I forgot to mention this last week until after I had published my blog.)   I always enjoy meeting with my  parents to share their child's progress.  Thank you all for your wonderful support. 

CURRICULUM

Our Japanese unit continues to go well.  The students are learning quite a bit about this Asian country.  You should have received an email concerning our celebration.  We will need your help to make this a fun experience for the class.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations go to Jordan Moss for being the First Place  Winner in Second grade for the Science Fair!  His experiment dealt with the best way to remove scratches from CDs and DVDs.  We are so proud of him!

Also, we are proud of our other participants from our class, Matthew Cohen and Tyler Cox.  Matthew's experiment dealt with the growth of stalactites and stalagmites and how they form crystals.  Tyler's experiment dealt with which brand of popcorn popped the most kernels.  (PopSecret won!)  Thank you, boys, for such great effort.

TISSUES

Our tissue supply is gone.  Please send in a box of tissues with your child.  With the colds and allergies, they disappear quickly.  Thank you!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

February 15 - Sparkles Skate Night

February 18-19--Student Holidays

February 22 - Japanese Celebration & Cosmic Bowling

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Our unit on Japan has begun and everyone is excited!  Please refer to the separate letter in your child's folder for more information on this unit.  Especially pay attention to our celebration at the end of the unit on February 22.

In Math c lass you will find us using money and counting back change from $1.00 and $5.00 this week.  Please continue working on this important skill at home.  Next week we will be learning how to measure using inches, feet, yards, and centimeters.  This could also be practiced at home.

VALENTINES

In your child's folder is a list of our class's names.  These may be used for your child to address his/her Valentines.  If your child chooses to send in Valentines, please make sure that each child in the class has one.  Also, do not send in the Valentines until Valentine's Day.  We will decorate bags for them to "deliver" their Valentines on that day.

ACCELERATED READER

Congratulations!  Our class has reached over 50% of its goal this year.  Because of this, they will receive ice cream treats tomorrow.  Keep up the good reading!

BIRTHDAYS

I am behind on recognizing birthdays.  Here are the ones that I have not recognized:

                     Mackenzie - Dec. 29th      Ashley - Jan. 6      Matthew - Jan. 24 

Birthdays to come:

                           Kaylee - 10th                                             Camryn - 25th

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 1 - Spirit Day

February 5 - Chick-Fil-A Night

February 6 - Early Release (students released 2 hours early)

February 7 - PTA/Science Fair

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.  They just make the best of everything!"

Author Unknown

HESTER'S NESTERS NEWS

CURRICULUM

Second grade is in the finishing stages of our informational writing.  The class has been taking notes on Martin Luther King, Jr. as I have been reading books about him to them.  They will take these notes, organize them and then compose a paragraph about Martin Luther King.  This will be done on their own to see just how much of what they have been taught is being applied.  Encourage your child at all times to proofread anything that s/he writes, just as you do.  This will only help them to become better writers in the future.

In your conference next week, I will be going  over your child's writing, reading, and math, in particular.  I look forward to discussing the progress your child has made.

COMPUTER LAB

Mrs. Missini has requested that anyone who could, please send in hand sanitizer for the computer lab.  She tries very  hard to make the lab as sanitary as she possibly can by having each student use the sanitizer as they enter the computer lab.  With cold and flu season upon us, this is a great help.  If you haven't sent in some for the lab, please consider doing so.  It would be greatly appreciated.

DATES TO REMEMBER

January 21 - Holiday (MLK Day)

January 22-28 -- Student conferences(school dismisses 2 hours early)

February 1 - Spirit Day (Wear class t-shirt)

I look forward to meeting with each of you next week at conferences!!