December 20, 2013~~~Merry Christmas!

NEWS FOR PARENTS:

I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy this blessed time with family and friends!


 
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
  ~~~INFORMATION FOR JANUARY~~~

Students Return-----------January 7 
PTO Meeting -------------- January 14~~Green Pods Perform 
Class Pictures -------------January 14
CiCi's Spirit Night----------January 16
Lee/King Holiday----------January 20
Yearbook Sales--$24.00--Begin January 29

December 9-13 and 16-19, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:  

***PARENTS!  Please suggest to Santa Claus that he might think of bringing some new crayons for Christmas!  I know that our class would certainly request more hand sanitizer, paper towels, wet wipes, Lysol or Clorox wipes AND spray....  THANK YOU for requesting these for us!

Christmas Concert---Tuesday, December 10, 6:00 p.m.

Breakfast with Santa---December 18, 8:15 a.m.

Classroom Parties~~~Afternoon of December 18.

*Parents, you have received a note requesting items for our special snack for our Christmas Party :)


Christmas Holidays~~~~December 24 - January 7, 2014

**Car Riders will be released on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m. Buses and vans will follow.  Please make arrangements for your child to be picked up on time this day!

 

November 18 - 22, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:  

Please remember to send written notes for every absence.  Also remember that the office will NOT accept phone calls for car/bus changes after 2:00 p.m.  You must send a written note for car/bus changes with your child in the morning.  EMAIL is NOT a reliable way to communicate with us, as teachers do not check email all day long.  If a substitute is in the room, he or she will not get the message.  Thank you so much for your help!

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS: November 25 - 29, 2013 :) 

Our CES Student Council is collecting canned goods and nonperishable foods for needy families.  Please send donations before Friday morning!
  

*STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Elijah

November 11 - 15, 2013

I hope you had a wonderful Veterans Day and that you remembered to "THANK A VETERAN!"

NEWS FOR PARENTS:  

Please remember to send written notes for every absence.  Also remember that the office will NOT accept phone calls for car/bus changes after 2:00 p.m.  You must send a written note for car/bus changes with your child in the morning.  EMAIL is NOT a reliable way to communicate with us, as teachers do not check email all day long.  If a substitute is in the room, he or she will not get the message.  Thank you so much for your help!

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS: November 25 - 29, 2013 :)
 

*STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Nathan

November 5 - 8, 2013

November 5th---PTO/Math Night.  Blue Pods performing!

Student Council Installation~~~9:00


GOTCHA Party ---- Friday!

*STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Harrison

October 28 - November 2, 2013

**Students will be released at 12:00 on Wednesday!  Please don't forget!

RED RIBBON WEEK!  

Monday~~~~~~Wear Red
Tuesday~~~~~~Silly Socks/PJ's
Wednesday~~~~COSTUME PARADE and Special Treat :)
Thursday~~~~~Favorite Team Shirt/Pep Rally
Friday~~~~~~~Camo Day! 

 
***COSTUME PARADE:  This is a time for dress-up FUN!  Please do not wear any scary or frightening costumes to our parade. Kindergarten will begin to march at 8:15. 

October 28th---Chick-fil-A Spirit Night from 5-8 PM

November 5th---PTO/Math Night.  Blue Pods performing!

GOTCHA Parties-----Next week :)

 

*STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Jonah

October 14 - 18, 2013

***Help, please :)  Would you consider making a donation to our class?  Our class printer uses Black and Tri-Color HP 901 cartridges.  Please keep us in mind, and thank you!!

Please join our PTO today!  Membership is $10 per family.  Thank you for supporting your child's classroom and our school :)

**Cookie Dough Sale is going on right now!  Buy your cookie dough to support our school.  Sale ends October 15th :)

***Information about our special treat following the Fall Costume Parade will be coming soon!

 
October 17th---CiCi's Spirit Night from 5-9 PM

October 28th---Chick-fil-A Spirit Night from 5-8 PM

 

**Important update about Spelling Tests!  I have been correcting students' handwriting and spelling for almost 9 weeks.  Many children have improved in all areas!  I must remind my students that correct letter formation is VERY important when it comes to spelling words.  No uppercase letters may be used unless we are writing words that include capitalization.  If an "a" looks like an "o," then I will grade it as an "o."  Reversed letters and numbers will be counted wrong. For the next three quarters, students know what is expected.

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Cody



*READING/SPELLING  Our story this week is "Turtle's Race with Beaver." We are learning about the sequence of events in a story.  Spelling words are "r-controlled" -er, ir, ur.  Spelling Test will be on Friday.  **Use the following website to review Spelling words:  www.spellingcity.com
 

Please write Spelling words three times each every night at home! We will check words at school daily.  I HIGHLY recommend that parents give their children a practice test every Thursday night. Remember: Words from LAST week will be included in this week's dictation sentences.
 
**There are two parts to doing homework: Doing the work at home, and returning it in the homework pocket of your Apple Binder. 



**LANGUAGE/HANDWRITING
We will review and test First Quarter Language skills which include four types of sentences:  declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory; collective nouns, dictionary skills, contractions, and context clues. **Students must remember that handwriting is very important.



**MATH
We will complete the First Quarter Post-Test in math this week.  This test includes every skill learned so far this year.  Students will continue to do a "3 Minute, 50 Addition Facts Drill."  Use addition flash cards, games and computer activities to reinforce addition facts.  I encourage students to play computer games at home on www.abcya.com.


**SOCIAL SCIENCE
We will focus on our state of Alabama.  Students will identify our state bird, flower, flag, and important facts that make our state great!  Monday is the day Christopher Columbus' birthday is celebrated.  We will read about him and watch a video, "American Hero Classics: Christopher Columbus."

October 7 - 11, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:

 ***Help, please :)  Our class is in need of one very important item... I use our classroom printer all day long.  Most of the copies you receive from me have been made on this HP printer at my desk.  I am working hard to conserve ink~~~but have already been through TWO black cartridges since the first of August! 

Would you consider making a donation to our class?  Our class printer uses Black and Tri-Color HP 901 cartridges.  Please keep us in mind, and thank you!!

Parents~~~Kindergarten and First Grade are way ahead of us in PTO Membership.  Mrs. Goodin has mentioned that out of over 900 students, we only have around 100 PTO members... We can do much better than that, I am sure.  PLEASE reconsider and join our PTO today!  Membership is $10 per family.  Thank you for supporting your child's classroom and our school :)

**Cookie Dough Sale is going on right now!  Buy your cookie dough to support our school.  Sale ends October 15th :)

***Important assignment due Friday, October 11th:  Students have 1/2 sheet with blanks for name, address, and phone number.  Each child will tell me their address and emergency phone number for a DAILY GRADE .  Please work with your child.  Thank you!
 
October 11th------ Shaved Ice

GOTCHA Party, October 11th

October 17th---CiCi's Spirit Night from 5-9 PM

October 28th---Chick-fil-A Spirit Night from 5-8 PM

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Meya

September 30 - October 4, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:

I enjoyed meeting with each of you during our "Parent Report Day!"  Thank you for your support and for loving these children so much.  I'm seeing improvement already!

Parents~~~Kindergarten and First Grade are way ahead of us in PTO Membership.  Mrs. Goodin has mentioned that out of over 900 students, we only have around 100 PTO members... We can do much better than that, I am sure.  PLEASE reconsider and join our PTO today!  Membership is $10 per family.  Thank you for supporting your child's classroom and our school :)

***Help, please :)  Our class is in need of one very important item... I use our classroom printer all day long.  Most of the copies you receive from me have been made on this HP printer at my desk.  I am working hard to conserve ink~~~but have already been through TWO black cartridges since the first of August! 

Would you consider making a donation to our class?  Our class printer uses Black and Tri-Color 901 cartridges.  Please keep us in mind, and thank you!!

**Cookie Dough Sale is going on right now!  Buy your cookie dough to support our school.  Sale ends October 15th :)

**PTO Meeting---October 1st, 6 PM.  Yellow Pods Perform!

October  4th and 11th------ Shaved Ice

GOTCHA Party, October 11th

October 17th---CiCi's Spirit Night from 5-9 PM

October 28th---Chick-fil-A Spirit Night from 5-8 PM

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Sydney

September 23 - 27, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:
***PARENT REPORT DAY IS Monday!  Check your schedule for correct time.  I am looking forward to meeting each one of you :)

 

***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Kindergarten classes at CES are way ahead of first and second grades in PTO Membership....

Please join our PTO!!!  We need YOU. Membership is $10.00. Let's show the other classes at CES that we are the BEST!  For those who have already joined, you are AWESOME!

 

 

 "See You At the Pole 2013" Rally is September 25th at 7:15 AM!  Let's all be there!

 

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Kayla

September 16 - 20, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:

 

***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Kindergarten classes at CES are way ahead of first and second grades in PTO Membership....

Please join our PTO!!!  We need YOU. Membership is $10.00. Let's show the other classes at CES that we are the BEST!  For those who have already joined, you are AWESOME!

 

 CiCi's Spirit Night is September 19th from 5 - 9 PM.

 

 "See You At the Pole 2013" Rally is September 25th at 7:15 AM!  Let's all be there :)

 

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Connor



*READING/SPELLING  Our story this week is “A Walk in the Desert." We are learning to identify the main idea and details of a story.  Reading "Daily Grade #4" will be on Thursday. Spelling words include "inflected endings."  Spelling Test will be on Friday.
  

Please write Spelling words three times each every night at home! We will check words at school daily.  I HIGHLY recommend that parents give their children a practice test every Thursday night. Remember: Words from LAST week will be included in this week's dictation sentences.
 
**There are two parts to doing homework: Doing the work at home, and returning it in the homework pocket of your Apple Binder. 



**LANGUAGE/HANDWRITING
We are continuing to practice making good sentences.  We are learning about four types of sentences:  declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Language Test will be on Friday.  **Students must remember that handwriting is very important.



**MATH
We will read and write numbers to 1000 using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form.  Our class will begin studying "Odd/Even" numbers this week as well.  Use addition flash cards, games and computer activities to reinforce addition facts.

I encourage students to play computer games at home on www.abcya.com.


**SOCIAL SCIENCE
Our study of landforms and bodies of water begins today!   

September 9 - 13, 2013

NEWS FOR PARENTS:

Thank you to parents who are putting your PHONE NUMBER and "E. Boyer" on checks!  Also, I appreciate receiving all money in a zip bag or envelope telling what it is for.  You are helping save me so much time in the mornings :)

 

I have reminded students who need to bring $3.00 to pay for the Apple Binder provided by our office.  We need to finish paying Mrs. Gail~~~

 

Please join our PTO!!!  We need YOU. Membership is $10.00. Let's show the other classes at CES that we are the BEST!  For those who have already joined, you are AWESOME!

 

*Return Vision Screening forms!  Screening is Tuesday, September 10th, at 8:30 AM.

 

*Picture Day~~~~Tuesday, September 10th.  Please send your envelope with appropriate information checked.

 

*Shaved Ice is Wednesday.

 

*Blue Pod DIBELS testing is Wednesday!  Be ready to do your BEST reading.

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Alyssa

September 3-6, 2013

 
**CLASSROOM NEEDS:  Thank you for everyone who has generously donated requested items to our classroom!  We appreciate you so much!
 
**NEWS FOR PARENTS
Students may NOT be dropped off at school until 7:30 a.m. Children must be inside the classroom before 8:00 a.m.  Juice and snack money is finished and ready to send up at 7:55 before announcements.
  
Remember to put your child’s name, phone number, “E. Boyer” and lunch number on checks. 

Put ALL MONEY in a zip bag or envelope telling what it is for.  Children do not remember.

 

***Don't forget to send $3.00 for your Apple Binder
  

***Please join our PTO!!! We need YOU. Membership is $10.00. Let's show all the other classes that we are the BEST when it comes to PTO participation :)

 

**Dates to Remember:  

 

September 3rd---- PTA is TONIGHT.  No performances, but we need your support!

 

September 10th ---- Picture Day

 

September 20th -------Second Grade GOTCHA Party! :)

 

 

 

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Hannah

**READING/SPELLING  Our story this week is “Exploring Space."  We will read this story, as well as other stories and poetry, to reinforce the skill for this week : Main Idea and Details.
 
Please write Spelling words three times each every night at home! We will check words at school daily. 

**There are two parts to doing homework: Doing the work at home, and returning it in the homework pocket of your apple binder. Spelling test will be on FRIDAY.

**LANGUAGE/HANDWRITING
We will learn to identify and write good sentences this week, along with "Collective Nouns."  Collective nouns tell about "groups" of nouns, such as a "school" of fish or a "gaggle" of geese.
Students are learning to use their best handwriting. We will write our first and last name and the date on our papers. I am so proud of your effort! 

**MATH
We are continuing to learn about place value (ones and tens) and will do review pages at home.** Use addition flash cards, games and computer activities to reinforce addition facts. 

**SOCIAL SCIENCE
We will learn about urban, suburban, and rural communities, and how they are the same/different.

August 26 - 30, 2013

We have had a wonderful first week of school!  Please read "News for Parents" below for a few helpful reminders...................

**CLASSROOM NEEDS:  Thank you for everyone who has generously donated requested items to our classroom!  We appreciate you so much!
 

**NEWS FOR PARENTS
Students may NOT be dropped off at school until 7:30 a.m. Children must be inside the classroom before 8:00 a.m.  Juice and snack money is finished and ready to send up at 7:55 before announcements.
  
Remember to put your child’s name, phone number, “E. Boyer” and lunch number on checks. 

Put ALL MONEY in a zip bag or envelope telling what it is for.  Children do not remember.

 

***Don't forget to send $3.00 for your Apple Binder
 

***Please join our PTO!!! We need YOU. Membership is $10.00. Let's show all the other classes that we are the BEST when it comes to PTO participation :)

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Begins NEXT week!

**READING/SPELLING  Our story this week is “Iris and Walter."  We will read this story, as well as other stories and poetry, to reinforce the skill for this week : Character and Setting.
 
Please write Spelling words three times each every night at home! We will check words at school daily.  (The only night we do not write Spelling words is Wednesday night... That is up to parents!)
**There are two parts to doing homework: Doing the work at home, and returning it in the homework pocket of your apple binder. Spelling test will be on FRIDAY.

**LANGUAGE/HANDWRITING
We will learn to identify and write good sentences this week. 
Students are learning to use their best handwriting. We will write our first and last name and the date on our papers. I am so proud of your effort! 

**MATH
We are learning  about place value and will do review pages at home.** Use addition flash cards, games and computer activities to reinforce addition facts. 

**SOCIAL SCIENCE
We will learn about urban, suburban, and rural communities, and how they are the same/different.
 

August 19 - 23, 2013

WELCOME TO OUR CLASS!

Here is a printout of my Open House PowerPoint for future reference:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**What can I expect in 2^nd Grade?

There are a lot of changes that take place in 2^nd grade.  My goal as classroom teacher is to prepare your child for curriculum demands and standardized testing that takes place when your child goes to 3^rd grade. We will take the practice ARMT in the spring!

**You will need to check our *class blog for all news and information!  No printed newsletter will come home unless you do not have a computer. *www.mrsboyersgoodapples.blogspot.com and www.bluepod2.blogspot.com

**Reading

Our reading series has been set up on Days 1-5 for several years.  This has changed.  Students will now use the weekly story, poetry, and other resources in the classroom to introduce and reinforce particular skills.  Your child's Reading Test will be skill based rather than based on questions from one story. 

 

**AR

AR will be more rigorous this year.  Goals will be set at 90%.  Students will be required to take two or more tests each week.  AR is used to build the students' reading comprehension and fluency skills.  The "Student Record Report" will be sent home with your child's report card each quarter.  Our administrator will receive a Diagnostic Report each quarter showing your child's progress.  AR books will come home every night!  Please read with your child and have him/her read to you each evening.

**Math Matters!!

We will be working on timed drills each quarter. It is very important that your child have the opportunity to work on addition and subtraction facts at home.  There will be math homework several nights each week to reinforce skills learned in class.

 

**How to be a “Super Speller”!

The spelling test will consist of 15 words, 3 teacher dictated sentences, and 2 student created sentences.  Weekly spelling tests will count 20% toward the Language grade.  During the 1st quarter, one point is counted off for each mistake up to 5 points on each dictation sentence.  Beginning the 2nd quarter, if a student makes one mistake, the entire sentence must be counted wrong.  Spelling and Language are combined into Language Arts and will be shown as one grade on the report card.

**Classroom Discipline

Praise and “Gotchas” are given for good behavior. Students who make the right choices will often get to visit “The Apple Basket!”  We also have a “Friday Treat” for those who have "smiles" on their daily calendar.

 

We have three main rules to remember: Respect others, respect yourself, and respect property. Students receive two warnings for a particular behavior.  After that point, the student will receive a “Minor Behavior” slip.

**Behavior will be documented every day on the “Behavior Calendar” and sent home in your child’s APPLE binder for you to see and SIGN each night!  This is our way of communicating with each other and having your child be held accountable for his/her actions—whether they be good or bad.  I consider the “Behavior Calendar” to be treated as a homework assignment… Again, this is part of learning to be responsible!

***Homework

Spelling and Math homework should not exceed 30 minutes per night.  Please encourage your child to head papers correctly and use best handwriting. Workbook pages are assigned when a Math or Reading skill needs reinforcing at home.  We check it together the next day.

***What is an “Apple” Binder?

Applying Perfect Practical Lessons Everyday

An Apple Binder is your child’s take home binder. Its purpose is to keep communication with parents open, and to teach your child organizational skills and responsibility.

All money should be in a sealed envelope or zip bag with your child’s name and what the money is for written on the outside.  

ALL checks must have your child’s name and “E. BOYER” at the bottom.

**Communication

You MUST send a note for every absence within 3 days. After that, I cannot change an unexcused absence on the computer. No email. 

***You MUST send a written note for car or bus changes.  The office will not take calls for changes… ONLY in case of an emergency.  If I do not receive a note, then your child will do what he/she normally does in the afternoon. No email or fax.

You can reach me several ways if you have any questions or concerns:

–School Telephone:  285-0273

-E-mail: elaine.boyer@elmoreco.com

–Coosada Website: www.mycoosada.com

–Blog – http://mrsboyersgoodapples.blogspot.com

 

Please send $3.00 as soon as possible to pay for the Apple Binder.

 

Join our PTA!  $10.00 per family.  Our class appreciates your help.

May 20 - 22, 2013

You Can Do It!

You are very special, and I want you to know,

I loved being your teacher, and it’s hard to see you go.

Though our time together this year has come quickly to an end,

I will remember you forever, my dear second grade friend.

As you continue your journey, you will learn and grow.

Please carry these words I give to you, wherever you may go.

Always do your best, no matter how hard it seems,

And if you do, I promise, you will reach your dreams.

Remember to tell yourself, “I CAN do it,” because I know you can;

Just think of all you’ve learned since school first began.

Reading, Writing, and Math; I know weren’t always fun,

But I am so proud of you for all that you have done.

You will continue learning as you move from grade to grade,

Keep this in mind and think about the progress you have made.

And if you feel like giving up---keep trying, you’ll make it through,

For you will see that you can do anything you set your mind to.

As time goes by you may forget some things about second grade,

Like the stories we read and the games that we played.

But there’s one thing I hope you remember your whole life through,

It’s to know that you CAN do it, and Mrs. Boyer believes in YOU!

May 13 - 17; 20 - 22, 2013

**Choir Concert~~~May 14th at 6:00 p.m.  Choir members are to be here at 5:45.

**FIELD DAY is Thursday, May 16th from 8:30 to 9:35 a.m.  ***Parents, we need volunteers to help with our groups moving from activity to activity.  Can you help?

Second Grade "GOTCHA" Party will also be Thursday, May 16th in the outdoor gym at 1:50.  Drawing for girl's and boy's bicycle :)

**BLUE POD 2nd Grade HONORS DAY will be on May 17th at 1:15 p.m.  Our class will have a hotdog lunch in the classroom at 12:00 Noon. 

Parents will then need to leave for the gym in order to find a seat.

**You may check your child out in the classroom after the ceremony.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Alexis

LESSONS FOR THIS WEEK:  We will continue to review all math skills, do DIBELS Math online testing, learn about our country's "Symbols of Freedom," and finish with Reading End-of-the-Year Benchmark Test.  

**LAST DAY OF SCHOOL** Wednesday, May 22.  

More information coming!

May 6 - 10, 2013

**BLUE POD 2nd Grade HONORS DAY will be on May 17th at 1:15 p.m. See two letters that came home today!

**Library books MUST be returned no later than May 10th.

**$3.00 cash and bottom of letter for Hotdog Lunch on Awards Day due by May 14th~~~NO LATER! 

**Choir Concert~~~May 14th at 6:00 p.m.  Choir members are to be here at 5:45.

**FIELD DAY is May 16th from 8:30 to 9:35 a.m.  ***Parents, we need volunteers to help with our groups moving from activity to activity.  Can you help?

**Buy your Yearbook today!  The price is $22.00.

**Student of the Week:  Emma

**May 1st - Second Grade will visit Airport Road Intermediate.  No money needed.  Parents may meet us there to learn more about third grade. Students must ride the bus to and from the school.

**BLUE POD 2nd Grade HONORS DAY will be on May 17th at 1:15 p.m. More information coming to you soon!

**LAST day for library books: May 9th

**Choir Concert~~~May 14th at 6:00 p.m.  Choir members are to be here at 5:45.

**FIELD DAY is May 16th from 8:30 to 9:35 a.m.  Parents, we need volunteers to help with our groups moving from activity to activity.  Can you help?

**Buy your Yearbook today!  The price is $22.00.

**STUDENT OF THE WEEK:  Jonathan

LESSONS FOR THIS WEEK:  

Math: Our classes will complete graphing, and then begin learning about multiplication~~~repeated addition and equal groups.

Reading: Story for this week is, "Red, White, and Blue."  Read story EVERY NIGHT.  

Spelling: Our words this week include adding -ed and -ing. Practice words every night.  Test will be on Friday. 

Grammar: We are learning how to place quotations around specific words someone says.

Social Science: We will complete our study of maps, globes, continents, map keys and symbols.      

April 22 - 26, 2013

**Second Grade students will be completing the "Mock" ARMT (Alabama Reading and Math Test) on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  This practice test will help your child prepare for the actual test in third grade.  We will begin promptly at 8:15.  Make sure your child eats a good breakfast and arrives on time!

**LAST DAY FOR ANY CHECKS will be April 22nd. 

**Relay for Life "Balloon Release" will be on Wednesday, April 24th.

Bring $2.00 to participate!

**GOTCHA Bowling Field Trip----Thursday, April 25th

Please send in your permission form and $10.00. 

**May 1st - Second Grade will visit Airport Road Intermediate.  No money needed.  Parents may meet us there to learn more about third grade. Students must ride the bus to and from the school.

**BLUE POD 2nd Grade --- HONORS DAY is May 17th at 1:15 p.m.  More information coming very soon!  

**Buy your Yearbook today!  The price is $22.00.

LESSONS FOR THIS WEEK:  

Math: Our classes continue to collect information and record data.  We are using tally marks, bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.

Reading: Story for this week is, "Just Like Josh Gibson."  Read story EVERY NIGHT. Plans right now are to do all testing next Friday. 

Spelling: Practice words every night.  Test will be on Friday. 

Grammar: 

Social Science: We will complete our study of maps, globes, continents, map keys and symbols.