We have completed our first quarter in math, learning about numbers 0-20 and how we can compare them. Now we will move forward with using our numbers to measure objects in our real world using a variety of nonstandard units. Continue to practice counting and comparing numbers one through twenty in order to prepare for our units ahead. Lots of "autumn" learning is taking place in math with expressing ideas and concepts! Keep it up!
In our new Social Studies unit, the children will explore Communities by taking a closer look at some of the people and places found there. They will learn about different community helpers and how they meet the needs of people who live in the community providing services. They will also learn that communities can be large or small and that all settings-cities, country, and suburbs-have communities.
In Science we are currently exploring characteristics of daytime and nighttime. Students will be discussing different celestial objects such as sun, moon and stars as well as other objects seen in the sky during daytime and nighttime. Students will be learning to make comparisons between daytime and nighttime as well. Students will continue to explore and discover that continuous patterns occur in nature such as seasons, blooming flowers and phases of the moon. Students will also be introduced to the use of different machines.
Finally, we will be reading books about family and discussing character and setting. Our budding authors are taking off with their Writer’s Workshop, and will learn how to create list and label books. We are also learning to write sentences by using a combination of sight words and “stretching” unknown words to hear the sounds, then write the sounds you hear. Our kids’ confidence in their writing skills is growing by leaps and bounds!
Wow! It’s hard to believe that we are in the second quarter. The First Grade Team is very proud of the progress that students have made academically and socially. Our first Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Monday, November 11th. We are eager to meet with you to share your child’s progress and value your input on their learning needs and goals. Report cards will be sent home on Thursday, November 7th. Please remember to sign and return the envelope to verify that you have received your child’s report card. Thank you for your support and all that you do to help your child put their best foot forward.
Thank you!
November brings an opportunity for students to learn a lot about cultures. For the social studies unit, our second grade students will be learning about biographies, the Earth’s landforms, and geography. We will visit historical facts on Native American culture and assess different climates across the world and how this concept affects agriculture. In science, we will be discovering the exciting topic of fossils and dinosaurs! The reading theme will allow us to continue to assess fiction vs. non-fiction and identify how people interact with nature. We will also research biographies and examine how people make differences in our world. In math, we will continue to learn concepts of counting money, computation, and measurement. This is a great opportunity to incorporate real world learning at home. Parents, you can have your child practice counting coins at home or have them count out coins to pay for items at the grocery store. They can even help you add the costs of your to-do item lists. Students can also engage in measuring the length of their current shoes compared to an old one and or record their height to observe how much they have grown.
The Second Grade Team
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The Hawk Highlights…….
Dear Families,
Continue to have your child read at home for at least 20 minutes each night. Ask them questions about what they read. Have them explain how they got their answer. Have a variety of fiction and non-fiction books for your child to read. Remember reading should be enjoyable.
Math: As always practice multiplication facts if they have mastered all of them start working on division. This is a very important skill. During this month we will be focusing on measuring. Feel free to show your child different tools that are used to measure and how they are used.
Science – We are finishing up weather and moving on to space.
Social Studies – In honor of Native American history month, the 3rd grade will be researching different Native American tribes and cultures.
We are now in the Second Marking Period. Math classes will be learning about fractions and decimals. In Science, the students are working on a Space Science Unit. Social Studies classes have begun Unit 2 which focuses on the lands and people of the different regions students learned about in Unit 1. Language Arts classes will be investigating the essential question: What are some patterns in nature? Students will read literary and informational texts about weather and nature. They will also complete the Nonfiction
Writing Fundamentals unit of study which includes some texts about nature. At the end of the unit, students will publish a
non-fiction piece.
As the weather becomes colder, it is important to express to your children the importance of wearing coats outside. Many students have not wanted to wear their coats at recess time and the weather is getting cooler each day. Please stress the importance of this so that it is an easy transition . Parent Teacher Conferences are Monday, November 11th. Teachers will be scheduling conferences.
We have just completed our first quarter of the school year and what an eventful time it has been! Everyone looks forward to build on our newfound knowledge.
Our Reading/Language Arts classes are embracing the concept of “doing the right thing.” This is a mindset students should have in all aspects of their decision making no matter how big or small events seem. We will see how people in history made difficult choices as well as regular
people in today’s society. Honesty is an important to maintain even when having difficulties. Their reading comprehension will improve by employing skills in predicting, sequencing, summarizing and making inferences. Writing skills will allow students to create memoirs.
To prepare for middle school (and beyond) our Math classes will delve into using decimals properly. To prepare, students have been practicing their factoring and skip counting. In real world application, learning to manage money will greatly assist. They will learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers with decimals.
In Science, we will be completing the role of the water cycle and how it sustains life for so many things. As a practical aspect, Mrs. Babayemi is beautifying High Bridge by leading community members to plant trees on campus. They did a wonderful job at making our part of the world a bit greener. She surely has more ideas and welcomes everyone to assist.
Social Studies will explore regions of the country. Regions make a big impact on the language, culture, and basic lifestyles of its citizens. A fifth grade child living in the desert of the southwest has quite a different viewpoint than a child living in our Mid-Atlantic region. We will see how.
An important part of staying healthy is to find ways to manage stress and anxiety. Our Health classes will examine methods in identifying and tending to stress in our lives.
We continue our college and career readiness. Students have examined their talents and strengths to choose a career or to determine what path to take to gain a career truly desired.
As mentioned last month, Camp Schmidt is slated for Monday and Tuesday, February 24-25. Many parents showed an interest in acting as chaperones, please set your calendars if you wish to do so. We are making inquiries for a field trip to the Publick Playhouse as well.
We look forward to our continued efforts greatly impacting our academic abilities.
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Volume 2, Issue 3
From the Music Room...
SAVE THE DATE!!!!!
WINTER CONCERT 2013!!!
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18TH, 2013
7:00 P.M.
HEAR THE OCHESTRA PLAY!
HEAR THE 4TH AND 5TH GRADE CHORUS SING!
www1.pgcps.org/highbridge – A great place to find the school calendar, frequently asked questions, current events, and websites for enrichment and intervention!
PGCPS
These students are having fun as they measure their pumpkins after visiting the Pumpkin patch.
Volume 2, Issue 3
November 5, 2013
The Hawk Highlights…….
Principal’s Greetings…...
November Hawk-Eyed Tips
Tip #1 – Candy & Other Treats This Time of the Year
I always put in a plug in for healthy eating and tooth care during our November newsletter. Many children have received sweet treats for Halloween Trick-or-Treating and/or Fall Festivals. Please be sure to go through your child’s treats and take out those items that may not be so good for their teeth. Believe it or not, chocolates are often the more desirable candies because they will not stick to your teeth as many other candies do. Teach your child to make good choices as they pick through candy and limit his/her candy consumption to 1 or 2 items a day. Hopefully, they received some nice candy alternatives such as stickers, pencils, Goldfish crackers, Teddy Grahams, and pretzels. Did you know that many dentists and orthodontists have buy-back programs in their offices? You can take candy to their office and for a certain amount of candy, they will give your child money. You could also have a similar trading system in your home. Have your child give you a candy of their choice and provide him/her with a nice alternative (food or otherwise). Just remember, a little candy is always fine, but remind your child to be sure to brush his/her teeth in the morning and night, if not right after eating the candy, to make sure his/her teeth stay healthy and strong!
Tip #2 – Helping With Homework at Home
Homework is often an event in many homes! After a long, rigorous day of learning, children are often ready to rest or play (usually play) at the end of a school day. Here are some basic tips to assist your child in successfully complete his/her homework.
Create an After-School Schedule. Allow your child free time/down time (about 20 mins.) to relax and/or have a snack before he/she jumps into homework. Then have him/her begin homework. Depending on your child, you may need a quick exercise/catch your breath/go to the bathroom break between subject matters. Once homework is completed he/she can pick some activities of his/her choice (fun & educational is always our pick, but he/she can choose from options you provide). When creating this daily schedule, identify specific blocks of time for each part of the schedule to help guide your child in staying within the parameters of a certain time. This is important at home & school. A timer supports this effort. If your child goes to after-school programs and/or extracurricular activities, make sure that is taken into consideration on the schedule and homework doesn’t fall by the wayside.
Set the mood. Establish an area for homework that is conducive to your child being able to focus on homework completion. Ideally this would be a quiet, well lit, clean & organized location. Homework is a review of what has been taught at school so he/she should be able to work independently, but you or another responsible person should be close by if he/she has questions or needs some guidance.
Prior to your child beginning his/her homework, take a look at what they have to do and make sure he/she can explain what they are expected to do. If your child completes homework before you pick him/her up in the evenings, make sure you have him/her explain what the homework was and check the work carefully. It’s OK and expected that you will check work and minimally support when needed, but please do not do the work for your child! Give him/her a chance to think things through and ask him/her questions to help them arrive at the answers for the homework.
Make sure your child’s work is neat and legible before turning it in to the teacher and make sure it goes in its proper place in his/her bookbag at night so that it gets to school the following day.
Always be positive with your child about homework. Ask him/her what they learned in class and how it relates to the homework. Help keep him/her motivated supporting good effort and praising completed homework. Also, reward your child for a job well done with a favorite treat or some fun family time together. Always encourage your child to take pride in his/her work & accomplishments.
Some challenge with homework completion is absolutely normal for most children. However, if your child continues to struggle after establishing a homework routine & following the steps above, contact his/her teacher immediately to discuss this concern and come up with a plan to ensure your child’s homework success.
~ Mrs. McLaughlin
Assistant Principal’s Tips...By Mrs. McLaughlin
Dear High Bridge Families,
Well we are into November and the 2nd Quarter is underway! Report cards go home this week as well. This will give you the opportunity to discuss with your child the progress he/she is making or not making and put some strategies in place to address your concerns. Also please take advantage of Parent Teacher Conference Day this Monday November 11th. Please sign up with your child’s teacher.
As we approach the Thanksgiving Season we have a lot to be thankful for. There are a lot of people less fortunate than we are and need our assistance.
As always, thank you for your support and Happy Thanksgiving! ~ William J. Kelly