Mrs. Etchberger’s 2nd Grade Class

Due to some schedule conflicts we have a new library time.  Our library day is now Tuesday from 9:15-9:45.  The new schedule will begin this week.

I have uploaded some of the photos from Grandparents Day.  Click on the link to the right and check them out!

Hello Parents!  Here are a few reminders, they are also on the homework log: In-service on Friday, no school, picture day on Thursday. Also, I will not be in the classroom on Wednesday, but I will have access to my email at some point during the day. If you need to contact me about anything, feel free to email me and I will respond as soon as possible. The Word Study test will be Thursday. All information is listed on the Homework page.

I have added some new information to the homework page.  Check it out!

As several of you have noticed, the Pre-test this morning may not have the same ten words on it as the list your child came home with.  If your child made a 100 on the Pre-test, I gave them the “Red” list to study for Friday’s test.  If you child did not make a 100 on the Pre-test, they received a “Blue” list with the same ten words.  Here is how Word Study will assessed for the upcoming weeks:

Word Study Explanation

This year our spelling tests will be done somewhat differently.  Every Monday you will receive our weekly homework log with the week’s Word Study words.  There will be a total of 10 Word Study words; 2 sight words along with 8 words that follow a special spelling pattern (we call these words word family words). Sight words are commonly used words that usually do not follow the basic rules of spelling. Both types of words will be used each week to complete homework assignments and will be practiced at school during our Word Study block. 

On Mondays, students will take a pretest to assess their previous knowledge of the word family and sight words. If a student makes a 100 on the pretest, he/she will study the same word family for the week, but will be given a red list consisting of more difficult words to work with for homework. He/she will also take a slightly more difficult test on Friday.

On Fridays, we will have our Word Study test.  Our test will include 8 word family words. Four of the words will come from the word family words given for the week and four will be “ transfer words”.  Transfer words are words that follow the same spelling pattern, but were not assigned as homework for the week.  This type of test will ensure that students are not just “memorizing” words with the spelling pattern, but truly understand and can apply the spelling pattern in their writing. 

For example:  If our weekly words were long a words such as bake, take, rake, lake, quake, brake, stake, fake, cake, and make, our spelling test would include 4 of these words plus 4 other words that followed this pattern such as snake, or wake.   By studying the spelling pattern throughout the week students should now be able to apply that pattern to new words in their writing.

Both lists will be tested with transfer words to ensure their understanding.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email or call me.  Have a wonderful week!

Hello Parents!  This week is full of activities.  The most important is Open House tomorrow at 6:30.  Come and see your child’s desk, work, and classroom.  There will be a conference sign-up sheet if you would like to meet with me sometime in October or November to discuss your child’s progress.  Continue to work with your child on his or her math facts and reading every night.  Word study this week is “-ick” “-ack” and “-eck” words.  Please have your child complete his or her Word study homework in his or her Word Study spiral.  If you complete a word search or cross word puzzle, please paste it into the spiral.  I hope to see you at Open House!

The first week of second grade is complete and we all survived! :o) During the upcoming week we will begin Word Study. For this week, our Word Study words focus on short vowel sounds. I encourage you all to visit the short vowel website that is linked to my blog page. There will be a Word Study assessment on Friday. A homework log will also be going home this week. Please review all announcements listed on the homework log with your child. Also, we will take our first trip to the library on Thursday. Your child’s library books are a fabulous resource to read daily and can be read for the 20 minutes necessary for the Reading Log. The reading log will also be going home next week and should be signed daily. Remember that Monday, September 3, is a holiday! Have a wonderful three-day-weekend!

Sincerely,

Amy Etchberger

Parents and Students,

Our first day of second grade flew by and we had lots of fun. We read several stories, such as “First Day Jitters”, by Julie Danneberg and “No, David!” by David Shannon. We completed an All About Me page, as well as a math word search. We took a tour of the school and met our new nurse, Mrs. Vaughn. After lunch, we were able to go outside for recess, even though it rained a bit this morning. We finished our day writing in our Treasure books. Treasure book writing will be done at the end of every day in order to give your child a chance to reflect on what he or she has learned, as well as exposing them to writing on their own. I think we have a wonderful year ahead of us, and I cannot wait to get started. If you need to contact me, please feel free to email me, call me, or post a comment at the bottom of this page by clicking on the “No Comments” link.

Sincerely,

Amy Etchberger

832-668-8100 ext. 81225

aetchberger@dpisd.org

Dear Parents,

The 07-08 school year has quickly come and summer is now at an end. Your child is now a second-grader and the expectations for him or her have risen. In first grade, the emphasis is on learning to read. The main focus in second grade is reading to learn. We focus our attention on several non-fiction stories and events in addition to the fiction stories. There are several English Language Arts concepts that we introduce and review throughout the year. When you take 20-25 minutes everyday to read with your child, you greatly increase their ability to become a stronger reader and student. The strategies used during reading and the fluency your child builds will help them throughout second grade and on the TAKS test next year. It is imperative that you read with your child nightly in order to ensure his or her success. In second grade we also introduce two-digit addition, two-digit subtraction, and adding the value of coins, along with other math concepts. Review simple addition math facts with your child when you are able to and review your child’s homework nightly. The more involvement you have with your child, the greater chance of excelling. I strongly encourage you to contact me whenever there is a question or concern. I can be contacted by phone or email. I am looking forward to being your child’s teacher and all of the wonderful things planned for this year.

Sincerely,

Amy Etchberger