Week of April 4th

Finally! A full week of school again.

It's been nice enjoying a few days off here and there, but it will also be wonderful to have a "normal" week this week. However, after this week ends, things will be different again due to Achievement Tests. Achievement Tests will be given during the morning block, so the afternoons shouldn't be too disrupted, (with the exception of knowing how drained your children might be from their morning tests). Just as a head-up, there will be no spelling during achievement test week because there will be no reading unit to correspond.

Last week was really fun! We stared our science unit on biomes and we began a poetry writing series. I guess we were SO busy that I neglected to take pictures! I apologize and promise to have many next week!

The only one I have is of only some of your children enjoying independent reading at the end of the day. Keep your kiddos reading and responding to what they read. They are learning a lot about inferring with poetry study. I challenge you to ask them questions that make them think with their independent reading at home!

RELIGION

The last unit of the year is packed with stories that include action and power, courage and faith, perseverance and promise. The emphasis is on evangelism. We will look at how the Gospel spread by the command of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit. The mission Jesus gave His followers is the same mission He gives to us. I challenge you to live your lives on mission and spread the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ! 

MEMORY WORK 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

SPELLING and GRAMMAR 

This week in spelling we will work on identifying syllables and blend words with silent letters such as gn, kn, wr, and mb. In grammar we will make present tense verbs agree with the pronoun in the subject part of the sentence. 

LIST ONE

knife	knot	gnaw	wrist	wren
thumb	lamb	debt	knee	sign

LIST TWO

knife	knot	gnaw	wrist	wren
thumb	lamb	debt	knight	signpost

BONUS - poetry

WRITING 

Wow! Your kiddos sure know a lot about poetry! Last week, we explored poetry's many different characteristics. This week, we will continue to learn about how poetry is a special kind of writing in which sounds and meanings or words are combined to create ideas and feelings. Stay tuned for some poems to appear on SeeSaw! (If you are not a Seesaw subscriber and you would like to be, please reach out to me and I'll try to get you connected!)

SCIENCE 

Biomes, biomes, biomes... Your second graders are becoming biome experts. They are very interested in how plants and animals survive together in certain climates. We will continue to explore the world's various biomes this week and begin to brainstorm creating biome boxes. Thanks to those of you that sent in boxes. I think I have what we need!

Due to achievement testing the Biome TEST will not be until Monday, April 18th.

NEWS and NOTES

• April 10th - CCLS Sunday at Glendale
• April 11th - 15th Achievement Test week
• April 21st - Grandparent's Day (Elementary School)
• April 21 - Elementary Operetta 

• If anyone would be interested in helping me put together a few motivational themed test-taking notes with treats or surprises, let me know. I've got a few ideas, but I'd love some help with the assembly. Thanks in advance!