Classroom News Ms. Rust November 24, 2008 Dear Second Grade Families, The end of November is quickly approaching.  The last week of November is a short one for us because of the Thanksgiving break.  There will be no spelling this week.  We will resume spelling again on Monday.  Recently, the most of the school, grades 1-6, took a field trip to see the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra perform at the Tedd Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis.  The children learned about the musical periods and movements over the last 400 years including Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary.  We enjoyed listening to music from various musicians including Vivaldi.  We will spend some time this week reading stories about Thanksgiving and we will take a virtual tour to learn about the daily life of the first pilgrims and their trip to America was like. Check out what we have going on in our class over the next two weeks! Unit of Inquiry We are in the middle of our unit of inquiry called Home Sweet Home.  The students and I have been reading nonfiction literature that supports the unit and the lessons in writer’s workshop.  Over the next two weeks we will continue to learn about the characteristics of the various habitats around the world.  We will have an artist study next week that ties into this unit.  We will study the life and art of the German artist Franz Marc.  His works of art often portray animals in bright colors with various types of lines.  One of his best works was recently displayed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  It is called Blue Horses.  During the study, each child will choose an animal and create a piece of artwork in the style of Franz Marc.  Oil pastels will be our medium.  Other activities for the unit include graphing the results of our Backyard Habitat homework, working on our habitat flip books, and starting the 3D biome dioramas.    Math Workshop We are currently in the middle of unit 4 in math.  We will complete the unit with the unit 4 test and open response by the end of next week.  Unit 5 will begin in December.  It focuses on concepts of geometry, 2D and 3D shapes, line segments and more.  Expect the parent newsletter to come home at the end of next week. Reader’s Workshop Mini lessons during our  shared reading time will focus on spelling groups, contractions (I’m, can’t, don’t, she’ll, I’ll, couldn’t ...), and new word wall words.  We will be reading a variety of nonfiction literature with a focus on animals and their habitats.  The children will  continue to learn about the parts of good non fiction literature including table of contents, glossary, index, subheadings and more.  We will also start focusing on summarizing and discussing main idea. Writer’s Workshop The students have completed their personal narratives and will begin participating in lessons that focus on parts of nonfiction literature.  They will practice writing and summarizing main ideas and begin the rough draft to their non fiction expert book.  Each student will choose a biome to build their expert book on. Here is some important information to keep in mind over the next two weeks: *Attention Parents!  As previously stated in my last parent letter, the Time for Kids subscription has been ordered for each student as well as clay for their 3D biome diorama.  Each child is asked to bring in $7.10 for their subscription and clay.  Cash or check, but checks should be made out to Melissa Rust.  I have paid for both orders with my personal credit card.  Money is due to school by Wednesday, November 26th.  Thanks again for your support! *Book order s are due back to school with payment by Wednesday,  November  26.  This is the only order before winter break in December.  The order has great books on sale.  Many would make fun and educational holiday gifts!  Some are as low as $1.00.  Remember, each dollar spent earns the class bonus points to spend on new materials and books.  Thanks to those who have sent orders in. *No school on Thursday and Friday, November 27th and 28th for Thanksgiving Break.  Enjoy! *Highland Park El. and Barnes and Noble on Ford Pkwy. are teaming up on December 7th to raise money for the school.  A portion of the profits from items sold that day will go to our school.  Representatives from the school and PTA will be there.  We hope you can stop by to support the school! *Children’s Museum field trip is on Wednesday December 3rd.  I have had four parents/relatives offer to chaperone so far.  I am still looking for one more.  If you are interested in helping, contact me at 293-8770 or e-mail me at melissa.rust@spps.org.  A big thanks to those who are coming with us!   Chaperones, please remember to meet us at the Children’s Museum at 9:45 on the main floor.  *Kindergarten classes are raising money to buy misquito nets for families in Africa.  Each day, an average of 3,000 people die from Malaria.  It is a part of the kindergartner's unit action step.  Donations are accepted through winter break.  *Gingerbread Houses! - We  will be having a little fun this holiday season.  Each student will be creating their own gingerbread house in mid December.  I am asking each student to bring in one can of white frosting and one small bag of candy for decoration.  I will supply the cartons, utensils, plates and graham crackers.  We are connecting this activity to one of our shared reading stories. *Homework Assignments - The students write their homework for the day in their planners.  Please make sure to check the planner each day to find out what their homework is for the night.  If homework is missing then a note is sent home.  This should be signed and returned to school the next school day.  Planners need to be signed by a parent every weekend. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families!  See you in December.  The next newsletter will be in two weeks.  If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail, please contact me at melissa.rust@spps.org.  Sincerely, Ms. Rust 2nd grade Highland Park Elementary PYP