PHONICS/READING
    In phonics we are working on short vowels and rhyming words.  In reading we are discussing characters, setting, beginning, middle and ending of stories.
    We will also be working on our Short Cycle Assessments in reading and math as well as our Ohio Diagnostic Reading Screener and Running Record.  These assessments are based on the state indicators for second grade.  They are given to determine areas of weakness and guide instruction.  They are not used to determine your child's reading or math grades on his/her report card.
    Please have your child read at least a total of 75 minutes a week. Your child may read silently or orally. Children's reading logs will be checked the first day of each week.
    The first day of school I sent home the Dolch Words, Dolch Story, and Dolch Phrases. The Dolch words are words that children need to learn to help them read fluently. Please practice these words.
SPELLING
Wednesday's test
any   as   boy   gym   have   it   my   off   said   saw   the   they   was   will   you
*because   *family
The * words are challenge words.  They are each worth 5 extra points if spelled correctly.  We will have a practice word test on Tuesday, a word test on Wednesday, and a sentence test on Friday. On the  word test on Wednesday, children will not lose points if they spell the challenge words incorrectly. Children who spell all of the words (including the challenge words) correctly on the practice test on Tuesday do not have to take the word test on Wednesday.  All of the children will take Friday's sentence test. This week the children will create three to four sentences from their spelling words for Friday's spelling test.  They will copy these sentences and bring home a copy for studying on Wednesday.  Every word in a sentence test as well as punctuation is graded.  They will have a test on these sentences on Friday.  Please practice for this test.
MATH
    In math we will establish rules for working in small groups; count by 2s, 5s, and 10s on the number grid; write numbers to 1,000s; identify odd and even numbers on the number grid; use the number grid to find 1 more, 1 less, 10 more, or 10 less; count on the number grid; use place-value skills to complete number-grid puzzles; use patterns to compare number-grid puzzles; identify patterns on the number grid; count on by 2s and 10s on the calculator; write equivalent names for numbers; write equivalent names for numbers using facts; use facts to solve Broken Calculator problems; count by 6s, 7s, and 4s on the calculator; identify the ones digit in numbers; and identify patterns in counts and use patterns to answer questions. We will have a money quiz (mixed sets of pennies, dimes and nickels) on Monday, an addition facts quiz (30 problems in 3 minutes) on Tuesday and Thursday, and a clock quiz (o'clocks, half past and quarter to and from) on Wednesday.
I have also included a sheet on games you may use with your child to practice math skills.
PRINTING/ENGLISH
    In printing we are working on proper formation, spacing, and neatness. In English we are working on proofreading, use of "and", and adding details to our sentences We will also be working on story writing and developing a beginning, middle, and ending in a story. Children are required to use proper punctuation in all of their work.
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
    In science we discussing weather.  Science vocabulary for this unit is: evaporate, water vapor,   condense, water cycle, erosion, precipitation, volcano, earthquake,   landslide.
    In social studies we will be working on maps, map reading, globes, and directions.  We will continue to review the four  levels of behavior and appropriate behavior in school as well as our classroom goals and procedures. In honor of Patriot Day (September 11) we will discuss the roles of policemen, firemen, and emergency personnel.
     We are part of a postcard exchange program.  We will exchange postcards with other classes in the United States.  Donations of postcards with pictures of our area or Ohio and postage stamps for postcards would be deeply appreciated for this project.
COMPUTERS
    We continue to work on basic second grade skills in Jump Start 2nd Grade.
    Our classroom web site is at this address: http://www.genevaschools.org/austinbg/class/gray/
SPECIAL DATES and EVENTS
Student Day- 8:45 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
Recess         - 11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Lunch          - 11:50 - 12:10
Monday     -  AESA Meeting, 3:30 p.m., Music Rm
Tuesday      - Art 1:25 - 2:10
Wednesday- Austinburg Library 2:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Thursday      - Gym 1:45 - 2:20 p.m.
Friday           -  Music  9:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Sept. 24   -  School Pictures
Oct. 10    -  End of First Six Weeks
Oct. 17    -  NEOEA Day - No School
FROM THE TEACHER'S DESK
    I had a wonderful time at Open House. A special thank you to everyone who was able to attend. The children were very eager and excited to show you their room. I hope you enjoyed visiting our room.  The children are very proud of their "classroom community".
    We continue to work on our levels of behavior.  We are generally in the "C" or "D" level.  We are still having a few problems with talking during work-times and not completing our work in school which is the "B" level.  The "B" level is not an acceptable level in our classroom.
    Please remember if your child is sick or late you need to send in a written excuse even if you have called the office on the day he/she was ill. The excuse should include the date of absence or tardiness, reason, parent/guardian signature, and telephone number. Also please put on the top of the excuse Mrs. Gray 2G.  As required by state law,  these excuses are filed in your child's permanent file.
    It is very important that your child learn to stay on task and  complete his/her work every day.  If your child is bringing home several papers a day to finish besides his/her Saxon Math homework/hometask papers, then he/she is having problems staying on task in school. If your child stays on task, he/she will have  plenty of time to finish. We will work on work skills all year.   
    Each day your child should bring home a red "Ready Every Day" Hometask Folder.  Any papers in the left pocket of this folder may stay home.  Any papers in the right pocket are to be returned to school the next day. This red "Ready Every Day" Hometask folder should be sent to school every day.
    Also, please look at the papers your child brings home in his/her blue weekly report - task/work-folder.  Praise your child for good marks and help him/her improve any weak areas. Please keep the graded papers, sign the weekly report sheet in the clear pocket, and return the folder and sheet in the clear pocket to school as soon as possible. Papers marked with an I (Improvement Needed)  or Inc. (Incomplete) should be corrected and returned.