November 28th-December 2nd

Greetings Families,

        I hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving and enjoyed the extra family time!  It’s hard to believe December begins this week.  We have many special activities and projects that occur in December, so be sure to keep reading the Palermo Post for updates. 

We are skipping ahead to Topic 8 in math (Adding 2-Digit Numbers).  We will be discussing regrouping, also known as “carrying,” when adding 2-digit numbers.  It’s important that students keep up addition fact practice at home to make two-digit addition a little bit easier.

In Reading we will continue our “Working Together” unit.  This week we are reading Scarcity, which introduces producers and consumers and how many things can affect what we buy, such as price and changes in weather.  In writing we will discuss and write about wants and needs for the holiday season.  You can continue these conversations at home!

We had an excellent start to our Barnes and Noble Fundraiser on Saturday.  Just a reminder, you can still shop online until Thursday (Dec.1^st).  If you choose to shop online, please use our promo code: 12013090.

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

November 28-Dec. 1^st-Barnes and Noble online Fundraiser, promo code: 12013090

December 6^th & 7^th -Winter MAP Testing

December 16^th-All-School Sing Along 8:30

December 20^th-Gingerbread House making (more information to follow)

December 21^st-GHS Chorus visits for holiday music 1pm

December 22^nd- January 2^nd Winter Break

January 19^th- UMass Women’s Basketball Game Field Trip

November 14th-November 18th

Greetings Families,

We have a full week ahead, with no half days or days off.  This may feel a little different because November is so full of short weeks!  We will dive into our next math unit: Mental Addition.  This unit will provide students with strategies to add in their heads.  Please continue to practice math facts at home to solidify these skills.  Last week I put a login sheet into the back sleeve of the binder.  This sheet provides all the logins for programs we use at school, which can be used at home too!

        In reading we are continuing Unit 2: Working Together.  This week we will explore the question: How has working together changed history?  We will learn about Abraham Lincoln and his effects on our history. 

        This Friday we have our November All School Meeting which 2^nd grade will be hosting.  We hope to see you there!

This week’s focus words are as follows:

Spelling Words Contractions Can’t           it’s      he’s      I’m        didn’t      who’s She’s         aren’t     isn’t Haven’t      hadn’t     I’ll

Amazing Words Identify Significant Ingenious Architect Participate Scour Aloft tinker

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

November 16^th Fundraisers Due

November 18th All School Meeting 8:30

November 23rd Early Release Thanksgiving Break

November 26th Barnes and Noble Fundraiser (see back for more info!)

October 31st-November 4th

Greetings Families,

What a great turn out for conferences this fall!  I was very happy to have met with 100% of families this year.  As we enter November, we have several days that are not regular school days (days off and half days).  Please be sure to check the “Important Dates” for these changes.   If your child participates in trick or treating tonight, please remember to not send him/her to school with candy for a snack.  Thanks!

In reading this week we are starting Unit 2: Working Together.  In this unit, we will read a variety of text genres, and will answer the following questions:

How can we help each other in dangerous situations?

How has working together changed history?

How can we work together to meet people’s needs?

Why is it a good idea to work together?

How can we work together to solve problems?

This week’s focus words are as follows:

Spelling Words r-Controlled ar,or,ore,oar hard    born    horse before    more    smart farm    porch    corn chore    score    part

Amazing Words Courageous Hazard Rescue Instinct Blustery Avalanche Skittish Fast-paced

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

November 8th No School Teacher In-Service Day

November 10th Picture Retake Day

November 11th No School Veteran's Day

November 18th All School Meeting 8:30

November 23rd Early Release Thanksgiving Break

November 26th Barnes and Noble Fundraiser

October 17th-October 21st

Greetings Families,

        What a pleasant surprise that the warmer weather is returning for this week!  Please be sure to check the weather before school to ensure that your child is dressing appropriately.  

        This week we are wrapping up Unit 1 (Exploration) in reading.  Today and tomorrow, students are working on a test to show their understanding of concepts taught during this unit.  On Wednesday, we will begin The Life Cycle of a Pumpkin and will continue into next week.  This means our spelling test will be next Wednesday (the 26^th), instead of Friday. 

        Next week we have community readers coming in for Pajama Night on Wednesday from 5-6:30pm.  This is an event many of our Newton families look forward to.  We will get the chance to meet three different members of the community, listen to a book and ask them questions about their careers.  I hope to see you there!  Next week we also have parent-teacher conferences on Thursday and Friday, which means dismissal will be at 11:55.  If you have not signed up for a conference yet, please do so this week.  I would like to send home reminders on Friday.

       

This week’s focus words are as follows:

Spelling Words Consonant digraphs:   that         wish        patch when        what        math   them       shape      whale    itch         chase      bunch

Amazing Words  Adapt Annual Nutrients blazing drought ancient massive sprout

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

October 17^th-October 25^th Box Top Competition

October 20^th- ELT visit

October 25^th-28^th Book Fair

October 26^th-Pajama Night 5-6:30pm

October 27th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent/ Teacher Conferences

October 28th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent / Teacher Conferences

October 28th All School Meeting 8:30am

October 10th-October 14th

Greetings Families,

        I wanted to extend a big thank you to those who came to Open House.  It was so nice to see and meet all of you.  If you did not come, I’ve attached a conference sign up that needs to be filled out as soon as possible. 

        This week we will continue talking about habitats.  Students will learn about animals and plants and how they adapt to their surroundings.  We will continue with last week’s spelling words, as it was a difficult spelling week.  I’ve added six more words we will work on as well, bolded below. 

        In Math, we are starting Subtraction Strategies.  Look out for the learning mat introducing some vocabulary and strategies.  This week would be a great time to play Subtraction War at home!

         

This week’s focus words are as follows:

Spelling Words Inflected Endings Dropped         dropping Excited           exciting Lifted            lifting Hugged           hugging Smiled            smiling Talked            talking Grabbed         grabbing Hopped          hopping Raced             racing

Amazing Words Delicate Inquire Sturdy Exhibit Resist Stun Genius Satisfaction

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

October 27th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent/ Teacher Conferences

October 28th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent / Teacher Conferences

October 28th All School Meeting 8:30

October 3rd-October 7th

Greetings Families,

        This week we are reading A Walk in the Desert.  We will be talking about the desert habitats, as well as other habitats during reading, writing and science!   Students generally enjoy this unit, as we get to do some more hands on activities to explore desert plants. 

        Over the summer, I set up a project on donorschoose.org titled, “Bouncy, Wobbly Seating for Bouncy, Wobbly 2nd Graders!”  In the project I requested wobble stools, small stability balls and floor cushions to provide my class with alternative seating.  I have been so impressed with students’ abilities to use the furniture in a safe and fair way.  It is time for me to create thank yous for our donors who made the project possible.  In my thank you package, I am asked to include photos.  I will not be using your child’s face in the photos, as I am just showing them using the furniture.  If you would not like me to include pictures of your child, please let me know in the communication notebook by this Friday.

        Remember, this Thursday evening (5-6:30pm) is Open House.  We would love to see you there!

This week’s focus words are as follows:

Spelling Words Inflected Endings Dropped         dropping Excited           exciting Lifted            lifting Hugged           hugging Smiled            smiling Talked            talking

Amazing Words Arid Landform Precipitation Dunes Ledge Haven Extinct Forbidding

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

October 6th- Picture Day

October 6th- Open House 5- 6:30

October 27th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent/ Teacher Conferences

October 28th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent / Teacher Conferences

October 28th All School Meeting 8:30

Greetings Families,

        This week we are reading Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night.  We will be talking about camping and constellations during reading, writing and science!   On Friday, we will have our first All School Meeting and our first field trip.  We are going to UMass to watch the Multibands performance at the Fine Arts Center.  It’s important that students understand that good behavior at school earns field trips, so if behavior is not appropriate this week, some students may not be invited to participate.

        There has been a lot of discussion about homework this year.  As a second grade, the teachers have decided that we expect students to read 4 times a week and practice math facts.  I will not collect a reading log this year, I will trust that your child is being honest and practicing reading and math facts at home.   

        We will switch specials on Thursday.  We will have P.E. so please make sure your child has sneakers.

This week’s focus words are as follows:

Spelling Words Consonant Blends Stop State strap Stream Ask mask Nest Breeze Brave Hand Twin Clip

Amazing Words Slimy Fascinating Detective Secure Fledglings Wildlife Tranquil galaxy

If you have any questions, please call the school, email me: alipal1@gpsk12.org or write me a note in the O.W.L. binder. 

All the Best,

Mrs.Palermo

Important Dates:

September 28^th- Field Trip Permission Slip Due

September 30^th-1^st All School Meeting/Field Trip

October 6th- Picture Day

October 6th- Open House 5- 6:30

October 27th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent/ Teacher Conferences

October 28th- Early Dismissal 11:55 Parent / Teacher Conferences

October 28th All School Meeting 8:30