It was such a pleasure seeing everyone at our Spring into Reading night.  I enjoyed seeing my students share their beautiful work with their families.   A great time was had by all!

We had a NH Jump$tart volunteer from the New Hampshire Coalition visit our second graders this week.  This fun, interaction session gives students the opportunity to learn the importance of saving while exploring the differences between needs and wants.  Students shared ideas about personal resources (talent, time, skills) they possess to help others.  Each student received a Centsable moneybox.  This campaign is designed to encourage second grade elementary school children to begin a savings habit that can continue through their lives.  Be sure to ask your child to explain to you the difference between a need and a want.  Have your child show you their new bank and have them explain why each of the ways that we save money is important.

Here is our February Newsletter.  Have a great vacation!

Second graders will be going to The Capital Center for the Arts on March 18th to see Giraffes Can’t Dance.  The time of this field trip has been changed to 12:00.  As a result, each student needs to have a new permission slip completed and signed in order to attend.  Please be on the lookout for the new field trip permission slip (which is on a BRIGHT piece of paper) and return it as soon as possible.  I have made a note of who has already paid for the field trip.  If this provides a financial hardship for your family, please let Mrs. Potter or Mrs. Grantz know and the cost of the field trip will be covered for your family.  Also, chaperones will not be needed on this field trip.

100th Day was a great success.  The students enjoyed many 100 themed activities.

Many students enjoyed creating a 100th Day project.  Each student had a unique way of showing 100.  The students enjoyed sharing their 100th Day projects with the class.  Well done, boys and girls!

Mrs. Grantz challenged the students to count to 100 faster than her.  Many students were able to count very fast.  One student counted to 100 by 10s, another counted to 100 by 50s, another counted to 100 by 50s, and another by 5s.  They were pretty quick.  But, the students were surprised how quick the teacher could count to 100 when she counted by…100s!  Ask your child to show you all of the ways that they can count to 100 by.

Please visit this link to view our January Newsletter! 

At this time your child should be able to recognize a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter (front and back) and state the value of each coin.  Your child should also be able to count a collection of each by counting by ones, fives, and tens.  Counting by 25 is trickier, but we will be experts on that soon.  The students are also learning how to count combinations of these coins, and to draw the coins that represent a value (Example: Show 57 cents with the fewest coins possible).  You can help your child by reviewing these coins (and their values) with them and by having them count small collections of coins.  You can also turn your practice into a game.  Take turns rolling dice.  Receive the number of pennies of the number you roll.  Count your money.  When it is your turn, trade in your pennies for nickels, nickels for dimes, etc.  The first player who is able to trade for a dollar wins!  Have fun playing with money!

We will be having a small Valentine’s Day party on Wednesday, February 14^th.  If you would like to donate items for our party, please visit this link.  Thank you in advance for helping to make the day fun and delicious for the children.  To help us align with the Health and Wellness policy, I ask that you not send in food unless you signed up to do so.  Additionally, it is also important that the treats we receive are treats that can be enjoyed by ALL students.  I appreciate everyone only sending in the requested items to ensure that none of the students are excluded.  All items should be sent in to school on Valentine’s Day. 

Exchanging valentines is optional.  However, if a child brings valentines, he or she must bring a valentine for everyone.  Our class list can be found on this blog.  Please have your child write the individual names on envelopes and do a double check to make sure that there is a valentine for everyone.  Your child is welcome to include individually wrapped candy (that is nut free and made without sunflower oil, flaxseed oil or coconut oil, and were not processed in a facility that also processed tree nuts) or small trinkets. Fun Dip was a big hit recently.  Valentines should also be brought to school on Valentine’s Day.  Thank you for helping your child with this.

Barring any snow days, the 100^th day of school will be on Friday, February 9^th.  We will be integrating the theme of 100 into our curriculum at school.  The students will participate in a variety of 100^th Day activities.  We are looking forward to this special day.  If you would like to make a donation, please visit this link. 

Students who would like to create a project at home, using 100 as a theme may do so.  To give a few examples: 100 Cheerios glued to a poster board, 100 items pinned to your sweatshirt, 100 paper clips to wear as a necklace, write a book or poem about one hundred, etc… Hopefully, that helps get the creative juices flowing!  This optional activity is to be done at home and students who would like to participate should bring it to school on the 100th day of school.  Students who participate will have an opportunity to share their project with the class.

In math, we are learning how to count money and tell time.  You can support your child at home by having your child identify and count pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.  You should also give your child a combination of these coins to count.  To help your child learn how to tell time, ask your child what time it is throughout the day.  You may also say things such as, “We are going to leave to go to Grandma’s house at 7:00.  Can you tell me when it’s time to leave?”  Together, we will help the children become money and time experts!