Greetings from 2nd grade!!! This week flew by! We must have been busy! Here are a few reminders.
Book-It!!! Remember to mark your minutes down for November on your calendar.
We will not have a spelling unit or memory next week because of Thanksgiving break. The attached lists are for November 30th-December 4th. I will not send home a newsletter next week.
Advent services are coming up in December. I know it is still seems far off, but it will be here before you know it. Our class will participate in the 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. services on Wednesday, December 16th. Please mark that date on your calendars. Your child is expected to be at both services. Again, if you cannot make it Mrs. Bell will need a note.
In math we started the 100 problem timed tests. If your child is having trouble be sure to do some extra practice at home. Remember they have 6 minutes to complete the 100 problems.
I have not set a date yet, but we will be having a continents and oceans quiz sometime before Christmas. Please have your child be studying the attached map. They will be given a blank map and they will have to label the 7 continents and 4 oceans. The do not need to study the spellings. I will have a list for them. I will send home a practice test when we get back from Thankgiving break.
Here’s what we have been up to this week:

Religion: In religion this week, we finished up our unit “Leaders for the Lord.” The last leader we talked about was Josiah. Josiah became king when he was only 10 years old. Josiah was taught about God and he set out to repair the temple. While doing so, the scriptures were found, including God’s commandments for the people. Previous kings did not live according to God’s commands. Josiah was sad about the nation’s sinfulness and how they had been living. He gathered the people to repent and hear God’s word. The people then worshiped God and celebrated the Passover because they knew that God delivered them, forgave them, and loved them. The Bible also teaches us about our lives. The Ten Commandments remind us that we are all sinners. The Gospel tells us the good news that Jesus loves, forgives, and saves us. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us to live as God’s people. God wants us to tell everyone the good news of His love and salvation. In addition, we started a new unit entitiled, “Jesus is Coming.” We began by talking about the prophets and the message they had foretold. They told of a savior who would come and bring forgiveness and eternal life. What a wonderful message to share.

Math: In math this week we started adding double digit numbers with carrying or regrouping. The kids got really excited about this and most of them picked up on it pretty quick. We even tried a few problems adding 3 and 4 digit numbers. Try a few at home with your child. Again, make sure you continue practicing addition facts for the 100 problem fact tests. We have also started subtraction by 1’s as well.

Reading: In reading this week we reviewed the sounds of nd, nk, and ng. In addition we practiced reading with more feeling again, which means we pay attention to the sentence punctuation and whether or not someone is speaking. I love listening to the kids read once this becomes a habit. We read a new story entitled, “ My First American Friend.” We went over the following high frequency words: girls, last, didn’t, myself, flying, and soon.

Science/SS: In science this week, we began a new unit about the earth’s surface. We talked about weathering and erosion. We also discussed how earthquakes and volcanoes can change the earth’s surface. In addition, we talked in detail about rocks, sand, and soil. In social studies, we practiced reading a landform map and talked about various regions. As a class we reviewed the seasons and talked about climate. Depending on one’s location, seasons and climate will vary. Finally, we have been studying the continents and oceans. We have a little chant to help us remember. We have also been locating these on a map. We will have a continent and oceans quiz before Christmas. I will give more details after Thanksgiving.

Language Arts: In language arts, we studied abbreviations, more specifically abbreviations for titles. Abbreviations are like sentences, they start with a capital and end with a period (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Jr., etc.). We did return to verbs as well. We did some work with past tense verbs and talked about adding –ed. Finally, we worked on combining sentences. Instead of writing two short sentences we combined sentences with the same subject to make one longer sentence.

Spelling/Phonics: In spelling this week we talked about the vowel sound heard in ball. Next, week we will not have a spelling unit, so the spelling list that is attached is for the week of Nov. 30th -Dec. 4th. In phonics, we worked on the hard and soft “g.” In addition, we went over the following high frequency words: only, laugh, own, even, their, might.

God’s blessings this Thanksgiving!! I am thankful for this class for your child! Thank you for all your support so far this year. I appreciate it. We all have much to be thankful for. God has richly blessed us!!

In Him,
Miss Rempfer

Spelling Words: sheep, chase, wish, much, chop, each, dish, such, wash, ship, catch, sure, she, chin
Challenge Words: shout, lunch

Extra List: weak, ahead, another, whenever, treat, window, forever, railway, pushed, lettuce, walked, sticks, plates, readers
Challenge Words: chalkboard, niece

Memory: May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise. Psalm 119:41

Greetings from 2nd grade!! What a great week! I want to thank the class for their hard work on the habitat projects. I was very impressed! We did much better this week with following directions and getting back into the routine. Here are a few reminders:
Book-It!!! Remember to mark your minutes down for November on your calendar.
Advent services are coming up in December. I know it is still seems far off, but it will be here before you know it. Our class will participate in the 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. services on Wednesday, December 16th. Please mark that date on your calendars. Your child is expected to be at both services. Again, if you cannot make it Mrs. Bell will need a note.
Chapel offerings are going to Pastor Lima in New Orleans. Pastor Lima was vicar at Zion at one time.

Religion: This week we talked about the prophet Elisha. Elisha’s teacher Elijah was taken to heaven. Elisha was worried he wouldn’t be able to do his job well and he was sad that he could no longer talk to his friend Elijah. Elijah was happy to be able to go to his heavenly home. So the class talked about some sad and glad things that have happened in their lives. We also talked about how we can bring both sad things and glad things to God in prayer. We can ask for His help and comfort with the sad things in our lives. We can thank and praise Him for the glad things with which He blesses us. We also talked about King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a good king. He tore down idols. He led the people in worshiping and obeying the Lord. Hezekiah knew Jerusalem was under attack, but he prayed to the Lord. He trusted in God’s might and the Lord took care of the enemy. Hezekiah also became very sick when he was a young man in his 30’s. Hezekiah was sad because there was much that he still wanted to do to help the people and serve the Lord. Hezekiah again prayed to the Lord. The Lord heard his prayers and gave Hezekiah 15 more years to live. Hezekiah was faithful to God, but that doesn’t mean everything always went right for him. We live in a troubled world, and Satan is always trying to attack us. God has won the victory over sin. He gives us the victory through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. We can trust that He has power to help us with our other troubles in the way and time He knows best.

Math: In math this week, we talked about polygons. We practiced making polygons on a geoboard, which the kids really enjoyed. We also practiced adding 3 or more single digit numbers. One strategy we use is to locate two numbers that will equal ten first. We also learned how to write fractions using fraction notation. We tested our addition facts over 15 ,16, 17, and 18. Now we will be moving on to subtraction, but we will still occasionally take a 100 problem addition fact test. The kids will be given 6 minutes to finish, so keep practicing addition facts at home.

Reading: In reading, we tested our comprehension, worked on identifying details, and reviewed the following high frequency words: small, brown, sea, lead, and island. We read in groups and talked about words with –nd, -nk, and-ng. Finally, we reviewed our dictionary skills as we talked about guide words.

Science/SS: In science this week we shared our habitat projects. I really enjoyed listening and it is so nice to see them take so much pride in their work. Thank you for your help as well. In social studies, we learned how to read a grid map and we also talked about North America. We identified its neighbors to the north and to the south. We also talked about various landforms and bodies of water (example: gulf, island, peninsula, hills, mountains, etc.)

Language Arts: In language arts we finally were able to finish our descriptive writings. You should have seen them in your child’s folder yesterday or today. We also started a new unit on verbs. We first talked about action verbs and present-tense verbs. We also talked about subject-verb agreement.

Spelling and Phonics: In spelling this week we studied words that have the long “e” spelled with ee, ea, or just e. Next week we will be studying words with the vowel sound you hear in ball. In phonics, we practiced identifying how many syllables were in a word. In addition, we talked about words that end with –le and the hard/soft sounds of the letter “c.”

Remember, whether it is a sad thing or a glad thing, you can always take it to the Lord in prayer. God’s blessings on your weekend!

In Christ,
Miss Rempfer

Spelling Words: dog, paw, call, saw, ball, all, draw, small, log, fall, best, came
Challenge Words: stall, claw

Extra List: mouse, owns, steak, pretty roommate, rained, depart, rider, caves, carpet, pail, pipes, badly, display
Challenge Words: monuments, thoughts

Memory: I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:3
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Philippians 2:10

Greetings from 2nd grade! This week was hectic. We were trying to get back on track. I apologize if things seemed unorganized. It seemed as though the kids forgot what it was like to be in school J. Next week, it is my hope that we will be back into our routine. Here are a few reminders:
Your child’s habitat project is due this Monday, November 9th. If the project is late points will be deducted. I am looking forward to seeing what each one of them has been working on. Don’t forget to have them answer the questions in complete sentences.
The church is continuing to collect canned goods for those in need. I believe the food bank is going to try to put together baskets for families at Thanksgiving time. Any non-perishable food item you could donate would be a huge help. Have your child bring it to the classroom and I will be sure to get it where it needs to go.
I am sorry that I haven’t been able to get a hold of some of you to reschedule conferences. I was out of town last weekend. I also had a dentist appointment, church meeting, tutoring, and some make up conferences this past week. If you still wish to reschedule please give me a call at 720-217-7017.
I sent out book orders this past Wednesday (the 4th). The forms are due back on Friday, November 13th. Please make checks payable to scholastic. If you are thinking about giving books as Christmas presents for your child, let me know and I will arrange to give you the books instead of sending them home with your child.

Here’s what we have been up to this week:

Religion: In religion this week, we talked about David and Jonathan and the friendship they had. Sometimes we take our friendships for granted. We often know what I want a friend to do for us. But we forget to be a friend in return. We all need help. Our help comes from our best friend. Jesus loved us so much that he gave up everything, even His life, to save us from sin. Jesus is the best example of a friend. Jesus knows we have a lot to learn about friendship. He forgives what we have done wrong, and then He also helps us to learn to show true friendship to others. The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us.” (Ephesians 4:32-5:2)

Math: In math this week we continued adding 2-digit numbers. We tested over our 13/14 facts and moved onto our 15, 16, 17 and 18 facts. We talked about measuring in feet and when it makes sense to use inches and feet. Finally, we practiced drawing and reading a number line.

Reading: This week we did some reviewing from last week. We reviewed antonyms, sentences, and some vowel-consonant-e. I thought we had that down, but we did need some more work. We also started a new story entitled, “Where Does the Trail Lead?” These were the vocabulary words: brown, island, lead, smell, dunes, tracks, twilight, and tidepools.

Science/SS: In science this week, we differentiated between food chains and food webs. It can be a little confusing for them. In addition, we took the Unit B test together as a class. The kids were able to use the book to find answers and we would talk about each one. I did not want to send out another study guide because the habitat projects are due on Monday and we just took our social studies test at the beginning of the week. In social studies we started a new unit entitled, “The World Around Us.” We will be talking about regions, landforms, climates, directions, etc.

Language Arts: In class this week we continued working on our rough drafts for our descriptive writing. We did not get as far as I had hoped last week. Again, students are supposed to use their senses to describe one of their favorite places. Once the rough draft is written we will revise it and start the final draft. Some kids are at that point, and others still have a little ways to go.

Spelling and Phonics: In spelling this week we studied more long “a” spellings and next week we will be studying more long “e” spellings. In phonics, we reviewed and tested on long vowels. In addition we started working on compound words.

God’s blessings on the week ahead. We thank God for the gift of friendship!!

In Him,
Miss Rempfer

Spelling Words: clean, keep, please, green, we, be, eat, tree, mean, read, the, people, he, feet
Challenge Words: stream, street

Extra List: sure, ready, shout, places, wait, pairs, office, robin, booklets, bean, space, warn, branch, talk
Challenge Words: field, phone

Memory: If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8