Kettner’s Classroom News
2007-2008

Reading

Welcome to the second grade reading program! Although we’re off and running, you may be wondering exactly how our program works.

Our reading program consists of different components. One component involves reading stories together as an entire class—this is done so that we can all work on the same vocabulary skills and reading strategies. Soon, we will be adding guided reading groups—where the children will be reading books at their own specific reading levels in small groups of their peers. In addition to those two components, the children also participate in independent reading—which we call Reader’s Workshop. In Reader’s Workshop, the students independently read books at their own specific reading levels and respond in journals. We also do a whole group read-aloud daily---done either by me or the “star student of the week.” By incorporating all of these different components, the children receive a healthy dose of reading skill development daily!

Finally, please be on the look-out for our AT HOME reading component. This BOOK BAG program will be starting soon. Your child will be bringing home a bag of books geared to his/her own reading level. The books are to be practiced at home, and then returned and traded in for new ones. The program is meant to provide you with another source for “just right” books for your child to read at home.

So, with all of that being said…………………………happy reading!!!

Math

Our school district has adopted the “Everyday Math” program. This program is done daily, and teaches children a wide variety of Math skills—including how to become better problem solvers. Be sure to watch for the Math Homelinks that your child will be bringing home. Please help him/her complete the homework and return it the next day!

Spelling

We have weekly spelling lists. The new words are given to the children on Monday, and the spelling tests are given on Friday. Daily practice of these words will benefit your child.

Content

Have you heard about the caterpillars yet??? If not, ask your child about science class!! We are currently studying animal life cycles through the use of the Butterfly Einstein Kit. In this kit, we are provided with “Painted Lady” caterpillars. Each child cares for his own caterpillar, until it forms into a chrysalis and eventually hatches into a beautiful Painted Lady butterfly! The whole process is amazing and fun. The children are taking good care of their “butterfly babies” !!

Writing

Our class loves to write!! We have started Writer’s Workshop on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Writer’s Workshop is where we write stories—starting with an idea, creating a web, writing a draft, having the story edited and typed, and finally publishing and illustrating our stories.

We’ll be bringing home our completed books soon!!

That’s the news for now…………..hopefully we’ll be adding a classroom photo gallery soon!!

Mrs. Kettner