Due to the uncertainty of weather conditions resulting from Hurricane Matthew, all schools and district offices will be closed Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7.

All athletic events and extracurricular activities are canceled this evening and through the weekend.

Extended Day will be open and operating this afternoon.

Please visit www.stjohns.k12.fl.us for more information and updates.

Please be safe!

Students worked so hard to earn their laps for the Fund Run!  I bet they slept GREAT that night!

Thanks to Mr. McCarthy for coming in this afternoon and being our first Mystery Reader!

What LEARNING and GROWING went on in room 217 this week:

Academics

ELA:  We finished reading Totally Disgusting by Bill Wallace.  This book was full of adventure and fun.  The students and I quickly fell in love with the main characters Mewkiss the Cat and Barkus the Dog.  We are looking forward to our next big novel adventure on Monday!    Our reading block also focused on sorting, recognizing, and spelling words with -oo, -ew, ow, and -ou, as well as exploring text evidence.   Lastly, we took our lesson 4 Wordly Wise Test.

Writing:  We created FANTASY stories that included sight, sound, and temporal words.  We also paired up and listening to each others stories and responding with the prompt “I learned that…”

Math:  We continued our work in Chapter 3 by using equations to represent words problems.  We also practiced repeated addition.  Students immediately noticed that this skill appeared to tie right into multiplication – SO exciting!  Chapter 3 Math test will be on Monday.

Enrichment:  Students practiced analytical reasoning with an activity called “What’s that Dot?”

Students of the week:

Leta and Caenan

Thank you for being such good listeners!

Important Dates:

10/4:  Picture Day!  These will be individual portraits and not class pictures.

10/10:  Gifted Screening (students already identified will not be tested.)  An opt-out letter was sent home today (September 30th) if you are not interested in having your child tested.

10/14:  1st Quarter ends

10/14:  Fire Safety Demonstration

10/15:  October Scholastic Book Orders due – Class Code MBCQN – CHECKS OR CREDIT CARD ONLY – NO CASH

10/17:  FORMER Teacher Work Day.  This will be a make-up day for the hurricane on 9/2.  Students are expected to be at school this day.

10/18:  Rype and Readi Field Trip – please have students wear RB Hunt shirts, tennis shoes, and pack their lunch in a plastic ziploc bag with their name clearly written on the front.

10/20:  PTAO meeting

10/21:  Character Parade and Fall Festival 5:30-7:30

10/21:  AR incentive – Snow cones and extra recess!  Ask your child how close they are to their goal!

10/28:  Report Cards sent home  (initial date of 10/24 pushed back due to hurricane)

10/31:  Book Fair

Reminders

• Fund Run was a BLAST!  Thanks to all the parents for coming out to cheer us on!  Our class earned over $1900 in donations!  Impressive!  I have contacted PTO with missing prizes from students.  Please let me know if your child didn’t receive an item they earned. Fund Run collection envelopes as well as additional information was sent home today in red communication folders.
• Thank you to Mr. McCarthy for being our first Mystery Reader!  The students really enjoyed your book!
• October is packed with exciting and busy activities.  Please make sure  your child comes to school everyday rested and prepared to learn!
• Fall Festival will be here before we know it!  Lauren Leth has planned a FUN witch hat ring toss game!  Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering for a 30 minute block to help run this!

Gettin’ down at the Fund Run Pep Rally!  Our class has some MOVES!

What LEARNING and GROWING went on in room 217 this week:

Academics

ELA:  We continued reading Totally Disgusting by Bill Wallace.  Our reading block also continued our focus on sorting, recognizing, and spelling r-controlled words as well as exploring text features in books.   Lastly, we began Lesson 4 Wordly Wise vocab.

Writing:  We created SCARY STORIES that included sight and sound words.  We also practiced pairing up and listening to each others stories and responding with the prompt “I liked your story because…”

Math:  We continued our work in Chapter 3 by practicing addition and subtraction facts.  We are seeing relationships and patterns between the two which is helping us become more efficient mathematicians! We also began “Mad Minute” this week with addition problems – one of our most intense times of the day!

Social Studies:  We continued our study on the Presidential Election and learned exactly where the White House is located and the history of White House pets!

Students of the week:

Saylor and Stella

Thank you for being such good listeners!

Important Dates:

9/20 – FUND RUN KICK OFF

9/29 – FUND RUN – 2nd grade time slot:  10:35- 11:25

9/30 FUND RUN RAIN DATE and vocab journals due

10/10:  Gifted Screening (students already identified will not be tested)

10/14:  1st Quarter ends

10/15:  October Scholastic Book Orders due – Class Code MBCQN – CHECKS OR CREDIT CARD ONLY – NO CASH

10/17:  FORMER Teacher Work Day.  This will be a make-up day for the hurricane on 9/2.  Students are expected to be at school this day.

10/18:  Rype and Readi Field Trip

10/20:  PTAO meeting

10/21:  Character Parade and Fall Festival 5:30-7:30

10/28:  Report Cards sent home  (initial date of 10/24 pushed back due to hurricane)

10/31:  Book Fair

Reminders

• Thank you for supporting our Fund Run this week!  This money will go toward purchasing NEW playground equipment!
• On the day of the Fund Run (Thursday, September 29th) please make sure your child comes to school in running shoes, shorts, and applies sun screen BEFORE they arrive to school.  Students are also welcome to bring hats and sunglasses to keep themselves cool.  I would also recommend sending in a cold water bottle (possibly freeze the night before) with your child’s name clearly labeled on the outside.  We will change into our Fund Run shirts the morning of the race.

• We are still in desperate need of volunteers for our Fall Festival.  Please email me with a time slot that will work for your family to make this fun event a success!

We read The best part of Me by Wendy Ewald and wrote about our favorite body parts

Happy 8th birthday to the JUBILANT JAXON!!!

What LEARNING and GROWING went on in room 217 this week:

Academics

ELA:  We began reading Totally Disgusting by Bill Wallace.  Class novel time is quickly becoming everyone’s favorite part of the day – including mine!  We are enjoying hearing from different characters perspectives and practicing using inflection as we read.  Our reading block also focused on sorting, recognizing, and spelling r-controlled words as well as exploring text features in books.   Lastly, we are focusing on Lesson 3 Wordly Wise vocab.  Your child’s vocab journal with their new job should be in their backpack.  Journals are due September 30th.

Writing:  We continued creating lists and writing SILLY STORIES that included sight and sound words.

Math:  We are currently working on basic facts and relationships –  using double facts and practicing addition facts.  We also began math centers this week.  They were a hit!

Science:  Severe Weather was discussed this week as well as precautions we should take during scary weather.

Students of the week:

Gaby and Nicholas

Thank you for being SO hardworking!

Important Dates:

9/20 – FUND RUN KICK OFF

9/29 – FUND RUN – 2nd grade time slot:  10:35- 11:25

9/30 FUND RUN RAIN DATE

10/10:  Gifted Screening (students already identified will not be tested)

10/14:  1st Quarter ends

10/17:  FORMER Teacher Work Day.  This will be a make-up day for the hurricane on 9/2.  Students are expected to be at school this day.

10/18:  Rype and Readi Field Trip

10/21:  Character Parade

Reminders

• I am missing a few interim envelopes.  Please send these in by Monday.
• Thank you to those who attended Open House.  I enjoyed seeing you all!  If you were unable to make it, please contact me to meet for a conference.
• Thank you so much for all the hand sanitizer!  We are set for the year!  😉
• We had exactly 3 students turn in field trip forms the next day with requests to be chaperones.  Based on our “first come, first serve” rule stated on the permission trip they were picked first.  HAVE NO FEAR though!  We have quite a few more field trips coming up this year!
• Thank you to Lauren Leth for taking on the BIG task of being our room parent.  Please sign and return the paperwork she sent home ASAP.

• Fall Festival Virtual Sign up:  Please email me([email protected]) with your name, phone number and email address of a 30 minute time block that will work for your family to volunteer in our booth.  Feel free to recruit high school and/or middle school students who need volunteer hours.   

Happy 8th Birthday to Cassidy!

Readers are LEADERS!

What LEARNING and GROWING went on in room 217 this week:

Academics

ELA:  We are just about finished reading Snot Stew by Bill Wallace.  Students are really enjoying reading the story from KiKi the cat’s point of view.  Our reading block also focused on sorting, recognizing, and spelling long i words.  Lastly, we took our Wordly Wise lesson 2 test.  Overall, the students did significantly better on this test than the first.  HOORAY FOR GROWTH!

Writing:  Students made lists of friends and then wrote a story about one of them.  They also had the opportunity to get out their red pen (the best part!) to edit their writing to add more sight and sound words.

Math:  Numbers patterns were a focus this week.  Students were challenged to find 100 more/less or ten more/less with numbers over 100.  This built on our previous knowledge from Chapter 1 – base 10.

Social Studies:  This week we learned about the election, presidential facts, and information on our current presidential candidates.  This led to many colorful conversations and debates!

Students of the week:

Leta and Sam

Thank you for showing the character count traits of trustworthiness.

Important Dates:

9/12 – Interims sent home

9/15 – 2nd Grade Open House 6:00 – 7:30

9/15 – PTAO meeting at 8:30 AM

9/20 – FUND RUN KICK OFF

9/29 – FUND RUN

9/30 FUND RUN RAIN DATE

Reminders

• Thank you for all the box tops this week!  We are LOADED!  Keep ’em coming!

• Students are pumped to show you their classroom and current work they have been producing in class for Open House.  If you attend, you are excused from homework that night.  Just mark “Open House” for that nights assignment.  You are not expected to stay the entire time.

• We are in need of hand sanitizer for our classroom.  Please send some in if you are able!

  Have a great weekend!

Animal loving Leta escorting one of our surprise visitors (a centipede!) back outside to its natural habitat!  🙂

What LEARNING and GROWING went on in room 217 this week:

Academics

ELA:  We finished reading Magic Treehouse’s Hour of the Olympics. We compared what elements in the story made it both a FICTION and NON-FICTION chapter book.  I am looking forward to beginning the HYSTERICAL Snot Stew by Bill Wallace next week.  Our reading block also focused on sorting and recognizing long o words.  Lastly, we began our second set of wordly wise vocabulary words.

Writing:  Students practiced making lists of “It happened to Me” as well as writing narratives about memorable events in their lives.

Math:  Numbers to 1,000 were tackled the week – students were challenged with their number sense through word problems, higher order thinking questions, and independent work revolving around larger numbers.

Science: We discussed Earth Science and Earth’s Structures. Students recognized that the Earth is made of of rocks and that rocks come in many sizes and shapes.  They also described how small pieces of rock and dead plant and animal parts can be the basis of soil and explained the process by which soil is formed.

Students of the week:

Emi and Liam

Thank you for showing the character count traits of responsibility and respect.

Important Dates:

9/9 – Vocabulary Journals due.

9/12 – Interims sent home

9/15 – 2nd Grade Open House 6 – 7:30

9/15 – PTAO meeting at 8:30 AM

9/20 – FUND RUN KICK OFF

9/29 – FUND RUN

9/30 FUND RUN RAIN DATE

Reminders

• We are still collecting box tops!
• If your child needs a new library bag please send in $1 to purchase one from Ms. Gorick.  Otherwise, please send in a bag from home.  The plastic bags are SUPER noisy in the hallways and break easily.

• VOLUNTEER INFORMATION WAS SENT HOME ON THURSDAY
  If you are interested in volunteering with our class, please sign and return.  You must be an approved volunteer to enter our school building.

• Junie B. Jones the Musical is playing at Limelight Theater October 1, 8, 15, and 22nd!  You can purchase tickets here:    http://www.limelight-theatre.org/wp/?page_id=1536

  Have a great week!

All SJCSD schools and district offices will be CLOSED tomorrow and will reopen on Tuesday, September 6. All Friday night and Saturday activities including athletic events are canceled. Please check the district webstite www.stjohns.k12.fl.us for any additional updates.

Be safe.  – Mrs. Saxon

Two fabulous books we read this week – The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper and The Name Jar by Yangsook

These books were great reminders to do unto others as you would have them do unto you as well as beautiful examples of love and acceptance. 

What LEARNING and GROWING went on in room 217 this week:

Academics

ELA:  We began Magic Treehouse’s Hour of the Olympics.  Students had great conversations comparing Rio’s Olympic Games vs. the first Olympic games in Greece.  We were also surprised by how much stayed the same!  Our reading block also introduced “Read to Self” and “Work on Writing”.   These activities were completed independently.  Students picked “JUST RIGHT” books for their book bins and practiced writing in their journal.  Lastly, we wrapped up our first vocab lesson with Wordly Wise and went over expectations for their vocab journal which will be taking the place of traditional spelling tests.

Writing:  “Free-wheeling” sketches like author/illustrator Donald Crews were practiced this week while we wrote stories with partners and continued writing various narratives.

Math:  Students were stretched to the limit with their number sense this week.  We took chapter 1 test on Number Concepts and will begin Numbers to 1,000 next week.  Practice counting backward, by two’s, fives, ten’s, and recognizing number patterns on number charts!

Social Studies: We discussed weather/climate as well as Earth’s precious resources – natural, renewable, and nonrenewable.

Students of the week:

Brooke and Jaxon

Thank you for being exceptionally hard-working and taking initiative this week!

Important Dates: 

9/1 – Scholastic orders due

9/5 – Labor Day – No school

9/12 – Interims sent home

9/15 – 2nd Grade Open House 6 – 7:30

Reminders

• We are still collecting box tops!
  
• If your child needs a new library bag please send in $1 to purchase one from Ms. Gorick.  Otherwise, please send in a bag from home.  The plastic bags are SUPER noisy in the hallways and break easily.
  
• Please be sure to add your current email address to the RB Hunt Peacher Flyer Distribution on RB Hunt’s website.  Here is more information on this AWESOME transition:
  

St. Johns County School District is moving away from printed flyers to a new electronic system. Our district and each school now has its own online area where flyers will be posted.

This “green” initiative will save our schools tons of paper and reduce copy costs by thousands of dollars. On top of that, posting school flyers electronically removes a significant administrative burden from teachers, office staff and volunteers. 

No action is required on your part. You will receive a welcome email from Peachjar that includes a username and password. This is provided to give you the opportunity to manage your account and flyer delivery preferences. You do not need to login to receive or view school eflyers.

This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved flyers. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

More information about this initiative is available when you click the Peachjar Eflyers button on the district’s and RB Hunt’s website homepage or visit  http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/cr/flier-distribution-request/.

• VOLUNTEER INFORMATION WILL GO HOME NEXT WEEK!  I appreciate you giving me the first full month with your students to establish crucial rituals/routines.  I look forward to your help!

• Vocabulary journals went home this week.  Assignment is due September 9th.  Instructions are in the journal.
• A yellow or green folder went home this weekend with your child.  Please go over tests, sign, and return tests Monday. 

• Junie B. Jones the Musical is playing at Limelight Theatre October 1, 8, 15, and 22nd!  You can purchase tickets here:    http://www.limelight-theatre.org/wp/?page_id=1536

  Have a stupendous weekend.  Go outside, play board games with your family, and enjoy our beautiful city! 
  

We had a great first FULL week of school.  We stayed BUSY and time flew by!  I REALLY enjoyed reading your parent letters to me about your child.  I learned so much and appreciate your input.

Academics

In Math we focused on even and odd numbers, place value, different forms of numbers, standard expanded, and word.  We will take our first math test next week.  In Reading, we focused on wh questions – who, what, when, where, and why.  Our word study/language focus was on long and short vowel sounds as well as nouns.  We also wrapped up Junie B. Jones Cheater Pants class novel this week.  We will begin Magic Tree House Hour of the Olympics next week.  I look forward to some meaningful conversations!  In Writing we enjoyed getting comfortable with our writing community, writing a few pieces, and sharing!  Social Studies focus was on maps and globes.

Students of the week:

Belle and Ennis 

Thank you for being task-masters and SUPER responsible this week!

Important Dates: 

8/25 – PTAO meeting

8/26 –  Summer Reading Party

9/1 – Scholastic orders due

9/5 – Labor Day – No school

9/12 – Interims sent home

Reminders

• AR has officially kicked off!  The students have been taking quizzes like crazy!  Please encourage your child to only take tests on current books they have read.  Be sure to check out their score through home access! 
• You may also access Math Facts in a Flash through home access. This is a great program to encourage math fluency – PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS!
  
• Got Box Tops?  Box tops give our school a TON of money!  Ask grandparents, family members, and neighbors to pitch in as well!  Please send them in with your child.
  
• If your child needs a new library bag please send in $1 to purchase one from Ms. Gorick.
• A vocabulary journal will be going home next week.  Information will be inside the journal so keep an eye out for it.

(Pictured above – All about Me flip books, Puzzle “PEACE” community building, Interview and Introduce)

What a STELLAR first week of SECOND GRADE!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the students in class this week.  They are a great bunch!  Rituals/Routines and expectations were covered this week as well as some getting to know you activities and community building.  We even started a few academic areas! Students are really enjoying our first class novel – Junie B. Jones Cheater Pants.  We even one the Spirit Award today for wearing the most RB Hunt shirts!  We have a great crew – I am one lucky teacher.

Some updates/reminders

1.   Nut allergy – You MAY send your child with peanut butter to lunch.  If they eat anything nut-related though they will need to immediately wash their hands afterward.  Please emphasize the importance of this at home.  I will be sure to remind students at school.
2. Snack – Please pack a healthy snack with your student every day.  I prefer these to NOT contain nuts to keep our classroom nut-free.  Some examples are grapes, goldfish, gummies, etc.
3.   Homework goes home Monday.  I will send homework for the entire week and collect it on Friday.  Please get in the habit of having your child read at least 20 minutes every night.  Readers are leaders.
4. If you DO NOT want your child’s picture displayed on this website please contact me.  If I do not hear from you by next week, I will assume I am cleared to display their picture.  
5. I will contact volunteers after the first month of school.  The first few weeks are CRITICAL.  As soon as I feel comfortable all students know expectations I will send home information.  Trust me, I’d love the help!
6. Please don’t forget to turn in a red, yellow, and green folder as well as 2 highlighters and red pens.  

That is all for now.  Have an awesome weekend!