December 15th

Congratulations!

I forgot to send the congratulations list for getting all their work done last week. So here it is. Give them a big high 5!

Ayden        Brody           Cache

Derek        James           Kristian

Nelson       Sawyer         Tate

Tyler           Addy             Amorina

Berkley       Claire            Denym

Emma         Emmy           Megan

What a great job kids!

Parents, thank you for encouraging your children. It makes a big difference when they know that education is important to you, also.

--

Carolyn Olenslager

December 5, 2014

Thank you to those of you who have sent in your child's home reading time for November. If anyone still has their calendar at home, please send it in on Monday.

In year's past I have sent home weekly progress reports on how each child has worked through the week. This year I have decided to just congratulate those who have finished their reading centers during the week. That way, you can encourage your children to stay more on task or pat them on the back for a job well done.

This week, I would like to congratulate the following children who got all their reading center work completed!

     Ayden             Addy

     Colin               Amorina

     Derek              Aniessa

     Kristian            Claire

     Nelson             Denym

     Tate                 Emma

     Tyler                Emmy        

     Cache went home sick, but would have had his complete, too.

     GREAT WORK KIDS!!!! 

If your child is not on the list, ask him/her how hard s/he is working or how hard s/he is talking.

I have each child on the level he/she can totally succeed on, but s/he has to put forth the effort.

Have a great weekend!

For our writing center next week, the kids will be writing about how to set up a Christmas tree. When they get their directions written, they get to make a "real" mini Christmas tree from left-over branches and a potato.

I usually have my own real tree, but this year my husband bought a fake one, so I have no branches. If any of you have left-over branches that you trim off the bottom of a real tree, would you please send them in to our class?

THANK YOU!

I got this this morning and am passing it on to you.

Dear Parents,

The SUU Athletics is providing our students some awesome opportunities for their

classroom reading minutes. The program would like to award each one of our

students with two event tickets (basketball or gymnastics), as well as a hot dog and

a drink for accomplishing their monthly reading minutes.

This program will start Dec. 1st

reading calendars). These minutes are NOT in addition to the goal your student’s

classroom teacher has already set. It is just a great reward for your student for

being a dedicated consistent reader.

 and run through Jan. 30th

(teacher) has set the following reading minute goals:

Dec. 1st

 – Dec. 31st

Jan. 1st

 – Jan. 30th

 (reading minutes)

 (reading minutes)

We officially have had 20 school days that all the kids have been here.
So the kids voted that their special day would be pajama day tomorrow.

I hope they don't freeze to death!

-- 

It seems forever since I had time to share our curriculum plan with you. So here goes:

Curriculum:

reading - We are working on "close" reading where the kids learn to read for information and pick out the important parts in order to gain greater comprehension.

language - similes (as _____ as) used for comparisons, compound words, synonyms and antonyms, vocabulary expansion

math - chapter 3: addition facts, related numbers (fact families), missing numbers

Thanksgiving unit - writing a Rag Rug Diary, history of the pilgrims and Indians, mapping/geography, finger crochet

Spanish - finishing up numbers to 100...then beginning colors

FYI:
•Thanksgiving holiday begins on Wednesday, the 26th. Students return the following Monday.

Note:

This has been a rough year for getting kids to work instead of talk. I have had to tighten the screws, but I'm so glad to report that it is finally working! At first there were only 3 students staying in reading center rotation for completing all 4 reading centers. The rest had to work individually at their desks to remove distractions. Now, with the specialty classes attached, 19 children are in rotation this week because they completed all their work. YEAH! CHEER! HALLELUJAH!

It is much harder on me, but if the kids are internalizing being in charge of themselves and doing what they should, then it is totally worth the effort. I am thrilled with that progress.

Carolyn Olenslager

Mr. Oldroyd wants everyone to know that there will be no costumes worn to school on Friday.

If your child is participating in the Reflections contest, entries are due tomorrow.

Have a great night.

Just a heads up --- Today the students' progress reports will be in their backpacks. Several got "needs improvement" on their work habits. I'll keep working with them at school to help then get those habits in place. With your working on those skills at home, we should be able to make an impression!!

Also, Mrs. Davis, our art teacher, has been teaching the children about space through 3-D art. Each student has made moon phases and stars, etc. out of clay. Today at art she will help the kids put them in a mobile to display at Arts Night. There is a white paper - entry form- in their backpacks. Please fill out the kids' information and return the papers. Mrs. Davis said she has to have them so they can be entered in the Arts Night.

Thanks.

It is now time to begin making our "shrunken head" witches. Each child will need to bring in an apple. A bruise is great for "scariness."  It can be any color or size except a huge one. Apple heads that are too big tend to bobble too much and make the witch tip over. If the apple is old and already shriveling, so much the advantage on the shrinking end. Just whenever your child bings in the apple, we will start on its carving.

Mr. Oldroyd wants this invitation to be relayed to all our parents. Click on the blue attachment below.

--
Carolyn Olenslager

Dear families,
I've finally found time to write. Yeah! Thank you all for coming to parent teacher conference. It's always nice to meet the families of the children.

FYI:

1. The kids will be out of school from October 16th through the 22nd. They will return on the 23rd. When you see all the teacher's cars here before then, don't panic! We have training on the 21st and 22nd.

2. Red ribbon week is October 27th through the 31st. Watch for daily events through the PTA blog.

CURRICULUM:

• reading: This month we are working on "fix-up" strategies to help with comprehension.

• math: We are on chapter 2 - working with numbers to 1000.

• Spanish: Counting to 100 is our ultimate goal. Right now the kids are trying to memorize numbers to 20. Then we will learn the skip count by 10 numbers. Finally we will color in a "color by number" picture...all in Spanish.

• language: We are still working on sentence expansion. We are almost ready to start extending our sentences at the spelling center.

• writing: Our first BIG writing is coming up - our Cinderella stories. These take almost three weeks to complete. First background, then planning, followed by a rough draft. The kids will get their first taste at self-editing and rewritiing. Finally comes the final copy and cover. It is quite extensive, but well worth it on the growth end of things.

• science: Today we began our moon unit. It is just fun. We try our hand at research and sharing new ideas we find.

Have a great holiday / family time.

--
Carolyn Olenslager

This is just a reminder that school is out at 2:30 each day this week...even Wednesday.

Also this week at parent teacher conferences, we will need to stick closely to the times on the schedule because of the number of appointments. I'll try to keep a close eye on the time, but if I go over and it is your turn, please just step into the classroom and clear your throat or something so I know it is time for you. Thank you for that help.

See you soon.

Hi all,

Tomorrow 2 notes will be coming home. The first one on orange is our classroom helpers list. So many of you signed up. THANK YOU!!!!!!

I tried not to burden anyone, so kept your treats down to just two for the holidays. The ZERO HERO helpers and dates are on the reverse side.

also, if the reading days I have you on don't work, please let me know and I will switch them.

The second note is for Parent Teacher Conferences. They are scheduled for the week of September 29th, September 30th, and October 1st. (If I go past that, I just stutter because I've talked so much.) I will stay late on Tuesday night for those who want to come after work.
So far on the schedule are the kids with siblings in our school. We scheduled you in a cluster for your convenience.
The kids who are the only ones in the family in the school, I have not scheduled in. Those parents, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR A TIME THAT IS CONVENIENT WITH YOUR SCHEDULES. These times are on a first come, first serve basis.

Come with any questions or concerns you have, or just to find out where your child has scored or is functioning. I'm very open and will show you what I have.

As always, this will be on my blog for you to refer to.

--

Hello!

What a whirlwind of a school beginning!

FYI:

• Reading moms - I am still matching books to children so they will be ready to read with you. I'll let you know when we are ready to begin. Thanks for volunteering!

• Tier 2 reading help will begin in the next couple of weeks for the low kids who need it. However, the reading lab can only accommodate 12 children from the whole second grade. This means that we teachers will be really relying on you to read with your children at home. With this big of classes, we teachers simply can't give the individual attention that some of these kids need so badly.

•The book order is due on Monday if you want to order. Just make the checks out to Scholastic.

• 14 children have returned their home reading papers. If you haven't sent in your child's reading time, please do that soon.

• Monday is the Back to School Bash. It is always great fun!

Curriculum:

• Spelling: The first spelling test will be tomorrow. It should be interesting. If you see the same words on the next week's test, you'll know that your child needs to study them again.

• Spanish: polite words and greetings

• Math: We are beginning number concepts.

• Science: Friday we will begin the rock unit.

• Reading: I am training the  students how to do the reading centers this week. Next week they will work in small groups. Wish our noise level luck!

 I will cut and paste this email onto my blog so you can refer to it as needed.

 Have a great weekend.

August 11, 2014

Dear families,

What a great year we're going to have!

I'm looking forward to seeing you at back-to-school night.
We meet in my classroom at 6:00.  If you aren't familiar with the school, my classroom is on the lower floor at the end of the first and second grade hallway ... closest to the lower playground. I hope that description helps.

We'll have an overview of what to expect this year as well as a question and answer period where you can ask me anything you might have questions about. At 6:25 we'll travel up to the gym for the general PTA meeting and introduction of all the teachers at South.

See you Tuesday night!
Carolyn Olenslager

Dear families,

Here is more info for the end of school:

 •All leveled library books are now due.

• Homework will still be coming home as usual this week. Friday will be the final day to turn in homework. After that I will not be able to count it on the progress reports.

• The second grade teachers have made an end of level test for math and language. We will be giving those at the end of this week. It will be a good indicator of what your child has learned this year. Please be sure your child is here on Thursday and Friday for these tests.

FINAL WEEK:

Monday= Crazy Hair day

         We will be working on the scenery for our puppet plays.

         We will be having our supply and demand lesson-auctioning off class books

         using homework coupons as currency. The more currency the kids have   earned, the better chance they have of “buying” the book they want.

Tuesday= Crazy Socks day

         We will be finishing up any loose ends and projects.

         We will let the kids plan our last day --- scary!

Wednesday= Cleaning day

         Have the kids wear grubby clothes. We will be hauling desks and chairs outside to scrub down and squirt off. (The kids just might end up a tad wet.)

         Then we’ll start on the inside tables, game shelves, etc.

Thursday= Field day

         Have the kids dress for the weather. We’ll be outside most of the day. 

         Water bottles, sunscreen, and hats are advisable.

         I will be sending home the kids’ portfolios this day. Watch for them. They      have worked hard all year on them.

         Mr. Oldroyd usually has us send the progress card this day, also.

Friday= Meet the teacher day

         In the morning the children will go to their next year’s teacher’s classroom    to meet him/her.

         Following that, we’ll spend the day as the children have planned.

         School ends one hour early at 2:30.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!  THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE A PART OF YOUR CHILD’S LIFE FOR A FEW MONTHS.

Carolyn

--
Carolyn Olenslager

carolyn.olenslager@ironmail.org
smilelifeisgreat.blogspot.com

Dear families,

Here is heads up on dates for May:

• May 1st - field trip to St. George...Children's Museum in the morning, lunch at the park, Gubler Farm in the afternoon.  The museum would like a $1 donation for each child. If you can, send it in before Thursday. Then I'll know what I need to cover. Also, if you need to pay for a school lunch because your child doesn't usually take one, pay for that in the office.

 May 2nd - All library books are due. No more chech outs. If you have lost books, Mrs. Stucki will be sending notes to let you know how much to pay for replacement costs.

• May 5th - Reading Celebration...Be sure to have yor home reding minutes for April in before then.

• May 8th - 2nd grade program in the gym at 2:00. Mrs. Leavitt has been working really hard with the children. They an go home with you afterwards if you like. Just check them out at the office.

• May 9th - Move-It Day. The kids will be moving for an hour.

• May 22nd - field day

I'll email you the schedule for the last week as that time gets closer. As always, this will be on the blog to refer to.  Carolyn Olenslager

April 8

Remember that this Friday is the day our class gets to go to the play at the college. We don't need a permission slip. That was one of the papers you signed at the first of the year. Seven kids have brought in their dollars for the play. THANK YOU! Remember to send in a dollar with your child if you can. Otherwise I will pay it.

Next week is only a two day week, so we will not be having regular reading centers. There will be no spelling coming home.

Tuesday the kids will present their animal projects. FUN, FUN, FUN!

-- 

Wow! March has flown by. Here are some highlights of what to look forward to in April:

• April 2nd: Kindergarten registration from 12:30 to 3:00 at South.

• April 11th: Play "Pirates of Penzance" through the Utah Shakespearean Theater. If at all possible,

     please send in $1 for your child's ticket.

• April 16th through 18th: Spring Break

• April 25th: Bard's Birthday Bash in the morning at the college and the Fire Safety House in the

     afternoon.

• May 1st: Our spring field to the St. George Children's Museum and the Gubler farm in St. George.

CURRICULUM:

reading - Keep those reading times coming in. Reading at home is so important!!!!!

language: This week we will be delving into plurals.

spelling: I retested all the first and second grade words to make sure the kids remembered all

     they had passes off. If some words look familiar and you could swear your child has had them

     before, they must have forgotten them. So we'll review those words so there is a firm base for

     third grade.

science: So far in our animal unit we have covered five of the six vertebrate animal families. We will

     begin fish on Thursday. From there we will learn about habitats, migration, hibernation, and

     adaptation.

math: We are beginning our unit of study on money and time. It would be great if you could get a

     pocket full of coins for the kids to practice counting. Also, have them tell you the time from and

     analog clock instead of a digital one.

writing: We will be writing a narrative story about a fish adventure. They always turn out adorable.

Have a marvelous beginning of spring!

-- 

February 4

Dear families,

Here are a few dates you should know about:

• January 17th is Presidents Day. There will be no school.

• February 28th will be the school spelling bee. Next week the teachers will be giving the preliminary spelling bee qualification test in each individual classroom. The two highest spellers in each class will move on to be in the school spelling bee.

• March 3-6th is parent teacher conference. About a week prior to that, I will send around a blank sign-up sheet. Please consider when your other children's appointments are, what your work schedule is, and when would be most convenient to visit with me. You can have your child come or not. That is your choice. We will discuss anything you have questions or concerns about, work habits, academic levels, etc. Please do not ask me to name a teacher that would be best for next year. You simply can't go wrong with any of them. They work so closely together that  the curriculum is all taught at the same time in all the classes. It would be much better for you to consider who your child works best with or has the most trouble with. (Best friends are not usually the best choice to have together.)

• March 17th is Arts Night. The PTA has a great plan for extending kids knowledge in the different art fields with fun activities interspersed with mini talent show. A note will be sent home soon.

• March 21st is the science fair. Again a letter of explanation will be coming home with the kids soon. Then you will be able to plan for the event. I know the kids who have entered before are so excited to be a part of it again. I hope other kids will feel the spirit and join also!

CURRICULUM:

I hope you are enjoying the weather homework-in-a-baggie activities with your children. When kids experience their learning, they fly higher. More will be coming!

Keep reading with your child. 20 minutes per night is what the state requires. These second graders are capable of that and more. It is exciting to see the extra progress home reading brings.

Thank you for letting me work with your children.
Carolyn Olenslager

January 25

Dear Families,

Attached to the weekly progress update this week is the second term progress report. It is on a blue paper. Please go through it with your child. If you have concerns , please, please, please get in touch with me through email so we can set up a meeting time to discuss concerns and put our heads together to make a plan so your child can be successful! These meetings are so helpful to both home and school.

Yesterday we discussed three essential things in our lives:
     Do your best
     Follow directions
     Think
We talked about scenarios in the home, school, and even when visiting grandma.
I'll keep bringing out our chart as needed to help ingrain these in the children's schema.

That's all for now. Have a great week.

January 15

Dear parents,
     The blog is back up thanks to Mark with the district tech department. Way to know your stuff, Mark!

     FYI better come first:
• This Friday for the Michael Ballam concert, be sure your child is here on time. We will load the busses at 9:00 sharp.

• January 27th, a Monday: PTA Family Movie Night will be at the downtown theater. There will be two sessions. One at 4:30 and one at either 7:00 or 7:30. This is free for South Elementary families.
Keep an eye open for a note from the PTA to see what the movie(s) will be.

• Arts Night will be on March 17th if your child is interested in performing or creating an art piece.

• February 28th: Remember the spelling bee for our school. If you have misplaced the original list and are interested in working with your child, you can copy off another list by going to the school web page and downloading it. If it is the same as past years, we will be having a spell off in class first for those who want to compete. The two top spellers will represent our class in the school spelling bee.

• NO SCHOOL on Monday for the Martin Luther King recess.

Curriculum:
• reading - We are testing DIBELS, benchmarks, and progress monitoring so we can send home the latest and greatest scores on the progress report.

• language - The students are learning/reviewing contractions.

• math - Chapter 4 has the children learning different strategies for adding 2 and 3 digit numbers. For the last week we have been working on different bases using manipulatives to learn the process for regrouping/borrowing and carrying. We are now working strictly in base 10. Tomorrow will be our first day without using manipulatives. Cross your fingers for a great outcome!!!!!

• science - Friday we begin our unit on weather. It is wonderful and filled with homework-in-a-baggie things for the whole family to make and experiment with. I hope you enjoy it as much as the kids. We can't make simple weather instruments and leave them out here at school. Other kids would destroy them in two seconds flat. So the kids can make them and enjoy them at home.

• Spanish - We are just finishing up the days of the week. Then we'll begin weather words. Mrs. Whitney is working with them on reading in Spanish. She is GREAT!!!!!

• History - We will conclude our history lesson about the times of Martin Luther King, segregation, etc. on Friday. Hopefully the students leave this unit with the inherent desire to see equality and freedom reign in our country.

Have a marvelous week!
Carolyn Olenslager