Teresa Vento

Vento Village News

February 12, 2009

 I want to thank you for coming to conference week. I enjoyed meeting with you to discuss your child’s progress. I hope you found the information valuable and that you have a better understanding of what we do each day. If you were unable to attend your child’s conference and would like to reschedule, please let me know. I am always available via email. We have been very busy since the beginning of the New Year. Here are some highlights:

We are implementing a new reading comprehension strategy which fosters story retelling ability. I will keep you posted on how the strategy is working and how you can support continued learning at home.

Sight Words: I handed out sight word folders at conference. Please support your child’s reading progress at home by practicing sight words daily. The students spend 20 minutes per day at a sight word center but it is important to practice at home as well. I will be taking another inventory at the end of this grading period and will share the results. http://www.mrsperkins.com/

Writing: We are working on persuasive writing. We just finished writing about why you should buy your child’s favorite cereal. We had a taste test with 12 different sugar-filled cereals in order to prepare for this task!

Math: Second graders are working on measurement. We will begin fractions early next week.

Important Vocabulary:  measure, ruler, inch, foot, yard, centimeter, estimate (guess)

http://www.funbrain.com/

Word Problems: The students are coming along in their problem solving abilities.  Daily practice includes writing, reading and determing the correct operation to solve the problem.  We are focusing on locating important words within the problem.  You can reinforce this skill at home by reviewing these papers with your child. 

Social Studies: The students were very involved in Inauguration Day. We prepared by learning about our new president and discussing events which occur around an inauguration. We had lunch while watching Mr. Obama take the oath of President. It was exciting to share this event with your children. We discussed the life and contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr.. The students constructed a time line of his life.

Science: We are currently studying stars, shadows and what causes day and night. The students are working on a shadow lab to help support their understanding of the earth’s rotation.  

Important Vocabulary:  stars, constellation, sun, shadow, rotate, Earth

Snack: Please send a healthy snack with your child daily.

We are running low on glue sticks. Donations are always appreciated.

Valentine’s Day: Students may bring in Valentines to exchange with their homeroom peers on Friday. Lists were sent home earlier this week. Students may wish to include Caitlyn, our Kennesaw Mountain High School Rise Student, in the Valentine exchange. 

Important Reminder: Monday the 16th is a student holiday.

Second Grade:  field trip forms due

Need to know a sign? 

http://www.aslpro.com/

Have a wonderful weekend!

'

Vento Village News: January 16, 2009

Happy New Year!!!  The new year is in full swing.  The students are back in the working mode and learning is in the air!!!  This is a busy time of year with much to cover between now and Spring Break.  Still Elementary is challenging all students to improve their math skills and problem solving ability.  We are practicing daily, but we need your help.  What can you do?  Practicing addition/subtraction facts with your child for just a few minutes each day will make a difference in their performance.  We are beginning a new classroom incentive to help motivate the students to memorize their addition and subtraction facts. You will have an opportunity to learn about the incentive during conference week. 

Reading Update:  The students continue to read daily.  You will be receiving an inventory of your student's sight word recognition during conference week.  Sight words need to be mastered so we can focus on learning strategies for comprehension.  There are many resources to help with this skill. We practice daily in class.  However, your support at home is so important.  I am attaching several links to help support your learning environment at home. 

Important Reminders

Monday, January 19th:  NO SCHOOL!!!!!

Please remember that conference week is early release for the students.  They will be dismissed to the buses at 12 o'clock.  January 26th-January 30th

Send a healthy snack daily.  We are discussing the benefits of making good food choices during snacktime. 

I look forward to conferencing with you.  Have a great weekend!

http://www.mrsperkins.com/dolch.htm

http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Dolch/Dolch.html

http://www.funbrain.com/funbrain/math/

 

The Holiday Season!!!

The Holiday Season is upon us!  Our second graders enjoyed attending the Nutcracker Ballet at the Cobb Civic Center last week.  We can all feel the excitement in the air!!

Here are some important dates to keep in mind:

Sign Language Class:  4-5PM  Wednesday, December 17th
You are encouraged to attend this free class.  This is also a great opportunity to meet other parents.  Hope to see you there. 

Holiday Party Schedule
Thursday, December 18th
9-10:  Second grade
10-11:  First grade

Winter Break:  December 22nd - January 2nd

Due to a lack of parking, the administration has requested parents do not attend the holiday classroom parties unless they are volunteering.  However, there is a Friends and Family lunch in February. 

Although this is a time of year to celebrate, we will continue working up until our well deserved break.  I am so proud of all of the students.  The entire class did AWESOME on their magnet assessments.  Please continue to review sight words daily.  Just a few minutes per day will make a difference. 

Next week we will enjoy holiday themed stories to support our reading comprehension skills and learn about family traditions.  I look forward to learning more about your special traditions. 

On behalf of the entire department, I wish you a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.  Thank you for sharing your children with us.

Feel free to contact me via email at teresa.vento@cobbk12.org