Writing the 4-Square Way

Today in writers' workshop we used a 4-square organizer to start writing about a topic from our seed lists. Students are learning to write a topic sentence, three supporting details, and a conclusion. This visual organizational tool is a great way to start thinking about the beginning, middle, and end of a piece of writing. Take a look at my modeled writing and a couple great examples of student work, and ask your kiddo about the writing we did this week! 

New Communication Folders

Our communication folders are finally here!! Look for your child to bring home his or her new folder this week! This folder needs to go home and come back to school each day. Put notes or homework in the left pocket if it needs to come back to school. The papers on the right are notes and graded work that can stay home. Please help your child take the full advantage of this great communication tool!

Spelling Study Support

You can now found our Pathways spelling lists for each week on our class page at http://www.spellingcity.com/MsAuxierGr2/

We've played some of the online spelling games at school. This is a great opportunity to make practicing your spelling words a fun home activity! Play away!

Something new!

Check out the new "Class Newsletters" tab at the top of this page! You can click this tab and go directly to my Parkway page where all of the weekly newsletters are at your fingertips. 

Becoming a Super Speller

Our First 4 Weeks of Spelling Lists

Can you believe that your child has already been introduced to forty spelling words just since the beginning of the school year? He or she should be bringing home a list of words on Monday or Tuesday of each week, with each word written out by segmented sounds and then re-written like a "real word". We practice these words throughout the week, learning to use them in context and understand the phonics rules behind them, but the best way for students to really learn spelling words is simply by studying what they look like and sound like. Spelling is all about visual memory! We teach the students to "take a picture in their minds" of what the word looks like. You can help your child study their spelling words at home by making flashcards, writing the words in shaving cream or with sidewalk chalk, or having your kiddo write them on a marker board. We take a spelling test every Friday, so it would help your child feel prepared and confident if you spent a few minutes helping them study at home each night!

Newsletters and More!

Have you been to my page on the Parkway Elementary website? You can go to my newsletters page to view each Friday's newsletter, along with other communication that I may send home like the Classroom Guide. Check it out!

Weekly Newsletter

Click here for the newsletter from Friday, August 31st. 

More Daily 5...

In our second grade class we are continuing to learn the components of the Daily 5 as we implement balanced literacy during Readers' Workshop. This week we introduced "Read to Someone". In this part of the Daily 5, students sit EEKK (Elbow to Elbow, Knee to Knee) and read together. Students can read one book together or take turns reading a page at a time from their own Just-Right books. We are learning how to coach each other as we read and help our friends by checking for understanding. Here are some pictures of our class practicing "Read to Someone" during Readers' Workshop this week. :)