Sweet November!

I'd like to begin by saying (rather belated, I apologize) thank you to all the parents and students for making our Fall Festival such a huge success!  I think the students had a GREAT time!  Their pumpkin charts are hanging in the hallway now - and I've received many complements on the work they did!  Thank you all so much - and I hope you had a great Hallween!

Moving on - it's NOVEMBER!!!!!!  Can you believe it?  We have LOTS of AWESOME upcoming events!

Beginning with our Field Trip on Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The entire second grade will be traveling to the historical areas of both Frederick and New Market for walking tours.  This field trip will help our students to apply what they've been learning in Social Studies to some real world situations!  We've been learning about communities - different types (urban, rural, suburban), and how they compare between past and present. The students will also be able to apply some map skills.
We will be able to compare and contrast the two walking tours.  We will make predictions before, and then review those predictions afterwards and see what else we can add!
Please remember to have your students:
1.  Eat breakfast in morning - we'll be burning lots of energy today!
2. Bring a bag lunch - prefereably in a paper bag/grocery bag that can be thrown away after lunch.  This will help to eliminate any excess "stuffs" to carry around.
3. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather - the current prediction is sunny with highs in the upper 50s. (Gorgeous! With a light jacket!)
4. Please be sure to wear comfortable shoes with socks- LOTS of walking and standing! 
5. Review safety and courtesy rules when out in public - staying with the group, asking an adult to use the restroom/get a drink. using pleases and thank-yous, etc.

Thank you very much to the parents who offered to chaperone! We are limited to two chaperones per class - so we had to draw names to pick the two we would have for each class.  There will be other opportunities for chaperoning field trips in the future, so if you weren't chosen this time, you will be in the future!  Thank you again for your help and support!

Veterans' Day is also on November 11th

Sent home on Friday was a white, half sheet of paper asking for information about veterans you may have in your family!  This information is also going to be used by our upper grades in reports that they are doing on Veterans.  If you are able to, I encourage you to please send in what you can!  Thank you!

November 14th  WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE!
The movie times for the 14th haven't yet been posted on the website for the Regal Cinemas at Westview.  If the times are the same next week as they are for today, there is a 2:15 showing.  I'll keep an eye on the website, should there be any changes.

November 17th as a part of American Education Week, we'll be having a guest author/illustrator visit UES!  John Steven Gurney has illustrated many books - including the A-Z Mystery Series - and has a new book out as well!  I've added a few links to the blog about him - check it out!

Academically Speaking...

This week in math we will be starting our geometry unit!  This will take us to Thanksgiving!  Be on the lookout for homework assignments relating to the topic.

We're also starting our Short Stories unit in Language Arts.  This begins with a review of story elements, then moves on to reading different examples (including tall tales, fairy tales, and fables), to the students writing their own! 

Spelling - we are studying long i!  The spelling quiz will be this Friday, November 13th.

Thank you again for all your support!  Have a great weekend!

:)