Second graders have been busy learning routines and procedures.  We are enjoying getting to know each student!  We encourage you to talk to your child each day about what they are learning and what is happening at school.

Important Dates & Reminders

• CogAT testing for all 2nd graders will be Oct. 10-12.

Language Arts

• Characters:  students are learning to understand characters have feelings, feelings can change, and how to justify their actions using the text.
• Students are able to read and write words with CVC, beginning and final blends, CVCe, digraphs, and vowel patterns: ee, ea, oo, ow, ou

Questions to ask your student:

• Who are the characters in the story?
• What are they feeling?

Math

• Students are able to solve story problems.
• Students are able to quickly add +/- numbers to 20.
• Students are able to identify the place value of each digit in a 2 digit number.
• Students are able to identify 10 more and 10 less of a given number.
• Students are able to compare (<,>,=) and order numbers.

Questions to ask your student:

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

Science

• The life cycle of monarch butterflies

Questions to ask your student:

• What are the stages in the monarch butterfly cycle?
• What important facts do you know about monarch butterflies?

Social Studies

• US symbols: the American flag, Washington Monument, Statue of Liberty, bald eagle
• Geography: 7 continents, 5 oceans, equator, prime meridian
• Major rivers and mountains in the United States

Questions to ask your student:

• What are some symbols of the United States?
• What are the 7 continents?
• What are the 5 oceans?
• What is an equator and where is it located?

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 Speakers of Other Languages

Greetings from the Forestdale ESOL team! There are 5 teachers on staff this year – Jena Rogers, Atkeh Al-Shami, Atija Softic, Judy Kelliher and Catherine Canada. ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) teachers specialize in helping students who speak more than one language as they develop their English skills, while also supporting instruction in reading and basic content knowledge like science and social studies. Check out this section of the monthly newsletter for ESOL information and resources!

During the month of October, we are highlighting the language of informing. Here are some questions you can ask your students and sentences you can use to help them practice how to inform.

• Tell me about what you noticed.
• Tell me what happened.
• What does that look like?
• How might you describe that?
• I notice that __________.
• That is __________.
• That has __________.
• This shows __________.