Week of February 26th

The "Walk of Fame" was such a success! 

Thanks for being a partner with us on this project! 

The children really enjoyed sharing all the information they learned!

First, they used the green screen to read the biographies they wrote in class.

We kind of LOVE the green screen!

Then, they added their background...

AND THEN... the hall presentations! 

They nailed it!

Here's what's in store for this week!  

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER FORMATION 

We will read about how Jesus heals the blind man from Mark 10:46-52. The virtue from this story is DILIGENCE. We define diligence as God’s power for you to focus on your work. As we read and learn, we’ll ask ourselves the following “Big Question:” What do you need to throw aside to follow Jesus with determination?

PHONICS and SPELLING 

The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound in English. It can disguise itself using any of the five vowel sounds. This week we will study words that use the schwa "uh" sound.

READING SKILLS and STRATEGIES 

We have a lot of March Book Madness books to read this week! Reading these books is such an exciting way to read just for entertainment - and then decide our opinions of each of the books. Voting begins soon! Come check out the school halls to see the updated brackets each week!

GRAMMAR and WRITING 

Speaking of opinions, we're going to launch a new writing unit that will tie in perfectly to March Book Madness... persuasive writing! As your second grader learns about persuasive writing they will write opinion pieces in which they introduce a topic, state an opinion, and supply reasons that support their opinion. I can't wait to see what kind of opinions come from your sweet children!

NEWS and NOTES 

• CHANGE CHALLENGE COLLECTION is THIS WEEK!!!
• Please send in change jars to help support our CCLS-U friends!
• The Six Flags "Read to Succeed" forms were due last week
• If you still have one, please turn it in tomorrow.
• February 28th - February Reading Logs due
• March 2nd - TRIVIA NIGHT!
• March 9th - End of 3rd Quarter
• March 19th-23rd - SPRING BREAK 
• March 30th - NO SCHOOL Good Friday 
• April 2nd - NO SCHOOL Easter Monday

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK!

Week of February 20th

Happy Tuesday! Here's what's in store for the week... 

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER FORMATION PROJECT

This week we will read about how Jesus blesses the children from Mark 10:13-16. The virtue we will focus on is RESPECT. We define respect as God’s power for you to honor Him and others. As we read, we will ask ourselves this “Big Question,” How can a childlike faith enable you to show love and respect for others?

PHONICS and SPELLING 

The words we'll be reading, sorting and spelling this week will have the "oi" and oy" spelling patterns. The spelling homework has slightly changed. It's not much more, it's just different. Your kids should know what to do. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

READING SKILLS and STRATEGIES 

Did your second grader tell you about March Book Madness? March Book Madness is an online bracket-style tournament that matches books in one-on-one "games."  The games will be decided by a simple vote on a Google Form from kids all across the globe! After each round of voting the bracket will be updated and the next round of voting will begin.  We are SO excited to read all 16 books before the first round of voting begins on March 1st. This year's theme is "compelling characters."

After we read a book, we rate the book, and discuss WHY we would give it that particular rating. We will also zone in to each of the characters and discuss what makes each of them so captivating. 

WRITING and GRAMMAR 

Wow! Your children worked VERY hard last week on their biography reports about their Famous Americans. Thanks to those of you that really helped make this a team (home and school) project. This week we will work on editing and adding finishing touches on the biographies, and making the posters. Just as a reminder, February 23rd at 2:15 is our "Walk of Fame."  During the "Walk of Fame," parents and other students from the school are invited to walk the school's halls while your second graders teach them about their Famous American. Your second grader should plan on dressing up "in character" that day. We will NOT have formal presentations in class.

NEWS and NOTES 

• February 21-23 First Graders Annual "Garage Sale" and "Cookie Sale"
• Students will be able to shop before school between 7:50 and 8:10.  Items will cost between 10 cents and $1.00.  First graders will also be selling cookies for 50 cents a bag at lunch time. All proceeds support the first graders in their effort to raise money for their friends in Uganda. 
• February 23rd - Six Flags "Read to Succeed" forms due
• February 28th - February Reading Logs due 
• February 26th - Change for CCLS-U "Coin Collection" due
• March 2nd - TRIVIA NIGHT!
• March 9th - End of 3rd Quarter
• March 19th-23rd - SPRING BREAK 
• March 30th - NO SCHOOL Good Friday 
• April 2nd - NO SCHOOL Easter Monday

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK! 

February 14th - 16th

It sure is strange starting our week on a Wednesday, but I very much appreciated being able to learn and serve alongside a few of my colleagues on Monday and Tuesday. Thanks, and I hope you were able to relish in a few extra days off from school routines! 

This week we will be working diligently on our Famous American biography reports. Everyone should have brought back their "notes" today. We will be using those notes to draft the reports all week. It would be nice to have the books your child read to take the notes, as well. Please don't forget that February 23rd at 2:15 is our "Walk of Fame".  During the "Walk of Fame," parents and other students from the school are invited to walk the school's halls while your second graders teach them about their Famous American. Your second grader should plan on dressing up "in character" that day. We will NOT have formal presentations in class.

There will be NO SPELLING this week! 

NEWS and NOTES 

• February 19th - NO SCHOOL President's Day 
• February 23rd - Six Flags "Read to Succeed" forms due
• February 28th - February Reading Logs due 
• February 26th - Change for CCLS-U "Coin Collection" due
• March 2nd - TRIVIA NIGHT!
• March 9th - End of 3rd Quarter
• March 19th-23rd - SPRING BREAK 
• March 30th - NO SCOOL Good Friday 
• April 2nd - NO SCHOOL Easter Monday

Our field trip last week to Concordia Publish House was a wonderful experience!

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK!

Week of February 5th

I pray that we all come back happy and healthy this week, and that all the yucky illness that we experienced last week is behind us.
Thanks for bearing with me while I was home with a sick kid too! 

On Friday, every child received the name of the Famous American he/she will be researching. If you have any questions about my expectations, please let me know as soon as possible. Basically, just read and research as much as possible, and take notes so that your child "becomes an expert" on their person. Having a vast amount of knowledge will help with writing the biography in class.

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER FORMATION PROJECT
This week we will read from Mark 7: 24-30 and Matthew 15: 21-28, and learn about a woman who had many opportunities to quit before receiving her daughter’s healing, but her diligent faith would not let go. Consequently, this week's virtue is DILIGENCE, which we define as God's power for you to focus on your work. The big question is, "How can you pursue Jesus, no matter what the obstacles?"

PHONICS and SPELLING
We'll be reading, sorting and spelling words with the "ou" and "ow" spelling patterns.

READING SKILLS and STRATEGIES 
In reading, we'll continue to target identifying the differences between fiction and nonfiction. We'll read another biography about the famous author, Tomie DePaola, and then compare it to one of his well-known books, The Art Lesson. Reading various autobiographies has been a great segue for all the biographies your children will be reading for their the famous American projects.

GRAMMAR AND WRITING 

We go through the motions day after day... brainstorming, drafting, editing, revising and publishing... sometimes forgetting the importance of it all. Well, our field trip to Concordia Publishing House on Tuesday will be a fantastic way for your children to see this writing process become a reality at an authentic publishing company!

In turn, students will be wrapping up and publishing their own realistic fiction stories this week! Some of them have even begun "writing a series" with their characters. Each child has a different goal, for example, some will focus on editing their spelling, and some will be stretching out their characters adventures, but everyone will be using their unique craft as they experience what it's like to be an author. Be proud! 

NEWS and NOTES 

Oops! We accidently missed the CCLS-U "coin collection" for January. Our current total is $215.32... so let's try to BEAT our goal of $250.00 by February 26th. 
February 6th - morning field trip to Concordia Publishing House (CPH)
February 12-13 NO SCHOOL for teacher professional development 
• Parent/Teacher Conferences optional  
• February 19th - NO SCHOOL for President's Day 
• March 2nd - TRIVIA NIGHT!
• Looking for a fun night out this winter?  Join your CCLS friends at Trivia Night on March 2  from 6PM-10PM for an "unquestionably" good time!  Come for the competition or just for the food, drinks, and fun. Sign up as a table of 8, or as an individual/couple. You won't want to miss our "CCLS Experience" silent auction items AND Sign-Up Parties.  Other highlights include.....cash prizes for the winning team, attendance prizes, dessert auction, 50/50 raffle, buy an 8th grader to help you with a round of questions, free soda and snacks, or bring your own food and adult beverages. Hosted by the 8th Grade Class. Proceeds support the 8th Grade Class Trip and CCLS Tuition Assistance Funds.

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEK!