Second graders have been busy learning all about maps.  Please remember to send your child with a coat as the weather is getting colder.  Check backpacks every Thursday for important information.

Important Dates & Reminders

Language Arts

• Students are writing nonfiction books.  Students are using text features to enhance their writing.  
• Students can read nonfiction books to deepen their understanding of the real world.
• Students are able to read and write words with abstract vowels: oi, oy, au, aw.

Questions to ask your student:

• What was the book about?
• What are 3 things you learned about the topic?
• What do the text features teach you about?

Math

• Students are able to estimate and measure length to the nearest inch.
• Students are able to estimate and measure weight to the nearest pound.
• Students are able to read the temperature on a Fahrenheit thermometer.

Questions to ask your student:

• Review/practice math facts.
• Create and solve story problems.

Science

• Students  will identify and describe different types of storms.
• Students will identify precipitation associated with storms. 
• Students will explain how tracking weather data helps prepare for storms.

Questions to ask your student:

• What are the characteristics of a tornado, hurricane, thunderstorm, and blizzard?
• How does knowing the temperature help us plan for the day?

Social Studies

• Students will learn about 3 Native American tribes.
• Students will compare and contrast the lives of the Powhatan, Lakota, and Pueblo people.

Questions to ask your student:

• How does the land around you determine how you live?
• What are natural resources and how do we use them?

Specials:

• Library: 2nd graders will continue exploring how the nonfiction section is organized and how they can find books that are a good fit for them based on interest, topic, format, images, and text. They will experience and explore a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, and participate in related STEAM challenges.
• PE: PE: After mastering our first unit- “Rules, Routines, and Expectations,” all classes are progressing to the next unit. Students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are mastering movement skills (locomotors) and relationship terms (“over, under, through, etc”). Our connection to FCPS’ “Portrait of a Graduate” is currently connected to “Communicator” traits. Please contact Ms. Brod or Mr. Bergin for any questions or concerns.
• Music: Ms. Shaw’s Music Class 2nd grade- practicing our plate song & dance to Grand Ol’ Flag for the upcoming Veterans Day Assembly and writing our own 4 beat rhythms. 

• Music: Mr. Sawasky’s class: K – 6th grade will continue to explore traditional Hispanic music for Hispanic heritage month. 

• Art: In the Forestdale art program, the primary goal is to create an environment in which every student feels confident, safe, and supported by Ms. Barrett and by the other students. The goal is that each student will reach a level of technical mastery and self-confidence that allows them to take risks with their own artwork and create work that they value. In October all students will be wrapping up their printmaking units and doing their planning drawings for the upcoming painting unit! 
• 2^nd graders made marker prints of their favorite animal using Presto foam printing plates.
   
• CCT: There are nine critical and creative thinking strategies. In October students will be practicing the strategy called FOFE: fluency, originality, flexibility and elaboration. 

• Thursday, October 12^th Full-Time (Level IV) Screening Family Night

If your student is in grades 2-6 and you are interested in referring them for full-time AAP services, please attend the Full-Time AAP Screening Night with Katelyn Spengler. It will be at Forestdale from 6pm-7pm in the library. There will be a Spanish interpreter. Email Katelyn Spengler at [email protected] with any questions.

• Students will be engaging in a Socratic Seminar this quarter. The students will read a story and then have a student-led discussion. Students do not need to raise their hands but rather share ideas and respond authentically. 

ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages

During the month of November, we are highlighting the language of inquiring. Here are some questions you can ask your students to help them practice how to inquire.

• What are you wondering about?
• What questions do you have about that?
• I wonder why __________?
• Who __________?
• What __________?
• When __________?
• Where __________?
• Why __________?
• How __________?

Looking for books to read at home with your students? Unite for Literacy has free audio books with many language options to choose from! You can access them at https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/.