1. Dear Parents,
On Wednesday our Unit 10 math tests were sent
home and most students did a good job. However, I did
notice that students who may have struggled on the test,
knew how to do the problems, but made a simple mistake
like not looking at the sign and added instead ofsubtracted.
We have been working very hard in class on
building stamina not only in reading, but other areas as
well. We have been practicing taking our time,reading the
questions carefully, looking at all the possible answers, and
rechecking our work beforeturning things in. We have
been talking about all ofthese test taking strategies to help
prepare for the MEAP next year.
Please continueto practice addition and
subtraction facts at home. I am very happy to say that on
the last timed test every student improved theiraddition
and subtraction scores! Everyone is doing a great job.
During the last week of school we will be having a 2nd grade
math tournament for addition and subtraction facts. The
top student in each class will compete with each otherto see
who knows their facts the fastest. It is still anyone’s game!
Please be sure to be practicing counting by 3’s and 4’s over
the next week. I will begin to assess students on that
concept the week ofMay 21st.
It has been a warm and sunny week. Students have
spent a lot of time outside for recess,wellness, and PE.
However, the air conditioning works great in our room;
thereforewe can be very cold inside. It’s great to dress in
layers, becausein most cases it’s been chilly in the morning,
but hot in the afternoon.
The second gradeclasses will be making tie dye t-
shirts to wear on the day ofour party in June. Our plan is
tie dye the t-shirts with Mrs. Gerken’s class on Thursday,
May 31st. Please start sending in white t-shirts for your
child to tie dye. I will keep them here at school so students
don’t forget them on the day ofpainting. We are really
excited to have the entire second gradein matching t-shirts!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Enjoy every minute ofthe day with your kids and family 
If you haveany questions, please feel free to contact
me. Remember you can reach me by our folder, by email, or
by phone.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ealy
 Please remember to return library books every
Friday!
 Please remember to return Weekend Writing every
Friday!
SAVE T HE DAT E
Friday, May 18, 2012
Letter from Mrs. Ealy
What We’re Learning About!
Math – This week we started Unit 11, which is on Whole Number
Operations. We worked on finding the amount of change given when
buying certain items. Many students are still struggling with this
concept. We spent an extra day this week just reviewing. Please
continue working on this at home!
Reading – During reader’s workshop for the rest of the year we will be
building our stamina for 3rd grade and making plans for our reading
lives. This week we started talking about making reading goals for the
summer.
Writing – This week we continued our short realistic fiction unit. The
students came up with ideas for their realistic fiction story and started
developing their characters in their book. Next week we will map out
our stories and begin writing!
Science – This week we started our last science unit on plants. The
students took a “plant walk” around the back of Oxbow to look for
different types of plants. The students collected leaves and we made
leaf rubbings in our plant books. We also made a KWL chart about
what we know about plants and what we want to learn.
Next Week’s Specials
Monday - Wellness
Tuesday – Art
Wednesday – Music and Computers
Thursday – Music and P.E. (Wear Sneakers)
Friday – Library and P.E. (Wear Sneakers)
2nd Grade News
Mrs. Ealy’s Class
May 11, 2012
Upcoming Events and Dates to
Remember
May 14 OPCMeeting
May 18 Spring Carnival