Guerrette Gazette

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2012-01-31T04:24:00.000-08:00

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2012-01-01T15:22:00.001-08:00

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2011-12-01T04:22:00.001-08:00

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2011-11-01T04:31:00.001-07:00

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2011-09-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

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2011-09-05T08:27:00.001-07:00

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2011-05-30T18:48:00.001-07:00

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2011-05-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

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2011-04-03T08:07:00.001-07:00

2011-02-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

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2011-01-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

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2011-01-02T12:05:00.001-08:00

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2010-11-29T04:14:00.000-08:00

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2010-11-01T04:31:00.001-07:00

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2010-10-04T04:53:00.001-07:00

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2010-09-07T04:04:00.000-07:00

Diorama Projects

2010-06-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

Diorama Projects

2010-06-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

2010-06-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

Diorama Projects

2010-06-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

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2010-06-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

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2010-05-04T09:00:00.001-07:00

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2010-03-31T09:20:00.001-07:00

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2010-03-01T09:07:00.001-08:00

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2010-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

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2010-01-05T04:30:00.001-08:00

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2009-11-30T08:53:00.001-08:00

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2009-10-30T05:09:00.001-07:00

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2009-09-28T04:47:00.000-07:00

September Newsletter

2009-09-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents,

It is wonderful to be back in school with the children!
Just as a reminder, I send home a monthly newsletter outlining the areas of study for the month. I also include other tidbits of information I feel are relevant to our class. I do not repeat information Mr. Bousquet provides in his notices. Otherwise, I would go on and on.
This week the children will be reacquainting themselves and getting to know our new friends in class. Academically, we will be reviewing some skills from first grade and we will take a second grade reading test (I will share these with you at conference time). Next week and the remainder of the month, we will begin to study the second grade curriculum. Here is a preview of the remainder of the month.

Language Arts
This month the children will be placed into reading groups according to individual needs. These groupings will change as the year progresses based on changing needs. The groups will then meet with me during the week for small group reading instruction. I will meet with each group at least four times per week. This reading instruction is called guided reading.
This year in writing we will focus on the six traits of writing. These were touched upon in first grade, but we will study them in depth this year. Also, students will now be expected to complete writing assignments using these traits. Our first trait will be “ideas”. Within this unit, the children will be encouraged to write about topics that are familiar to them. They will practice writing leads to their stories and identifying the main idea in their writing and other pieces of writing. We will focus on staying on the topic and writing interesting details about the topic.
We use the Sitton Spelling program in our school. This program provides practice throughout the unit, which focuses on the spelling and use of the new words. Their theory is to have the children learn words forever and not just a Friday test. I will send home the Word Preview papers at the beginning of each week. I tell the children I expect correct spelling with words and concepts I've introduced and phonetic spelling with words I have not. The spelling words for this month are we, there, can, an, your, which, their, said, if, do. This month we are reviewing some spelling skills such as short vowel sounds, contractions with -is, -are, and -have, and the rule for doubling consonants before adding -ed and -ing (clap, clapping, hop, hopping, etc.). Our new skills will focus on when to use your or you're and there or their. This is very tricky for new spellers, and many lessons will be spent on this.

Mathematics
We are continuing to use the Everyday Math program. Please see the attached unit 1 letter, Numbers and Routines, for more information.

Social Studies
Our first unit will focus on families, school, and community. We will discuss how each of these has rules that benefit all people. The children will be introduced to vocabulary such as time lines, voting, community, citizen, law, urban, suburban, rural, customs, traditions, and culture.

Homework
The children will begin having homework the week of September 14th. Our math program does not begin homework until the twelfth lesson. Most nights the children will have reading and math. But on occasion, spelling homework will be given instead of the math. In order to help you know what your child has for homework, I will be asking the children to write down their homework on a homework log. This log will be kept in their homework folders with their homework. Please make sure homework folders are returned each day. I rely on these folders to communicate with you.

Specials
The children will be having library (book checkout) on Mondays, Phys. Ed. on Tuesdays (please have the children wear sneakers), Art on Wednesdays, and Music on Fridays.

One Important Date
This year, the teachers have been asked to have a parent information evening to share our school mission statement, curriculum, behavioral expectations, etc. I will be presenting the majority of this information directly to you in the classroom. I will also be available to answer any questions you may have. This will be held on Thursday, September 10th. More information will be forthcoming in Mr. Bousquet’s Thursday notice.

Please feel free to call or write at any time with questions or concerns. I hope you have a wonderful month!

Chantal Guerrette

A Welcome Letter from Mrs. Guerrette

2009-09-05T06:17:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! Welcome back to school and welcome to second grade! I am looking forward to seeing the children again and meeting a few new students.
First of all, there is no need to purchase any school supplies for your child. I purchase the materials your child will need and we share them. Over the years, I have found this to be the best way to avoid the “yours/mine” arguments. If you would like to donate crayons, markers, or soft tissues, that would be great. But it is not necessary.
Each month I will be sending home a newsletter to let you know what is happening in the classroom. The newsletter will cover topics of study and special events in the classroom. I will not be including dates of school events, as Mr. Bousquet includes those in his Thursday notices. The first newsletter will come home the first week of September.
During second grade we will continue using the Everyday Mathematics program. This program includes homework with each lesson. This homework, called Home Links, will begin with lesson 12 this year. Therefore, math homework will be coming home in about two weeks.
We will also continue using the Guided Reading method of reading instruction. Formal reading groups will begin the second week of school. The children will be bringing books home to practice their new reading skills. In second grade the books begin to be much longer. Therefore, children may only be asked to read a chapter, finish a chapter, or read for fifteen minutes. At times, students will be given comprehension questions to complete with the reading for homework.
Homework for most students should be done independently and take no longer than thirty to forty minutes per evening. Parent review is encouraged. Homework will be sent home almost every week night and will consist of the above mentioned math and reading. On occasion, spelling worksheets may also be sent home. The children are expected to return the homework the next day. Homework is another chance for your child to review a new skill.
Our spelling program is the Sitton Spelling Program. The children will bring home a list of words to study at the beginning of the week. We do practice spelling words in the classroom and we do have spelling tests, usually on Fridays. The goal of this program is to create lifetime spellers and not just learning spelling words for a test.
We will continue with the writing process in second grade. The children will again hear and read current children’s literature. They are taught the process real authors go through to publish stories. Just as they will go through a process to complete stories. We begin writing with some form of web or outline. Then the children will complete a draft of their story. After conferencing with me, the children will make changes and corrections. Finally, the children will publish or present their writing. Some of the forms of writing we will learn are personal narratives, descriptive writing, poetry, non-fiction writing, fiction writing, and letter writing.
Our Language Arts program also includes the study of various genres of writing, vocabulary study, and comprehension strategies directly taught.
This year the children will complete various units of study in Science and Social Studies. Some of the second grade units include the study of ponds, rocks, our community, and federal holidays.
At school, I expect the children to treat each other and staff with respect. I try to create an environment where we all help each other. I encourage children to do their best with all of their learning. There are always times with every child when I need to redirect him/her or address behavior. Please remember, every child is still learning. If I have a concern regarding your child’s behavior, I will contact you or write you a note. Otherwise, I consider their behavior as typical second grade behavior.
The first day of school your child will receive a homework folder. This is not just for homework, but for communication and lunch money too. I do not have time to check the children’s backpacks each day. But I do check their homework folders. Please place any correspondence in this folder.
Our days are very full of learning, and a little fun too! If you have any questions or concerns about your child or anything happening in the classroom, please visit or call me.

I hope to see you soon! Again, welcome back to school!

Mrs. Guerrette