December 21 - 23

Well, here we are! The kids are excited, but controlling it so far. Our concert is tonight at 7:00. We'll be performing on the left side of the beachers, so you may want to sit on the left side of the auditorium. The classroom door will open at 6:45. The kids will wait with me until it's their turn to perform. We will return to the classroom after the finale. Please make sure I know when you've picked your child up from the classroom.

Tuesday is a big day. Santa (there, I said his name) will visit at 12:00. I have gifts for the kids to open after that. We'll start cooking and putting together the food for our Fiesta and will eat at 1:00. We'll play some games, take a few pictures and get ready to go home.

Wednesday we'll take down and put away decorations. We'll give the classroom a thorough cleaning, rearrange desks, and get ready for a new start in the new year. Sometime during the afternoon we'll have a visit from Mrs. Long and her puppy guide dog - this is a schedule change.

We've had fun studying Mexico and will refer to it all year long. During these last three days we'll also talk a lot about the Arctic Tundra. Please help us connect our learning at home by asking us questions, telling us what you know, or help us find more information on our topics. It makes what we learn so much more meaningful when our families get involved. Thank you for all that you do!

Regular schedules including nightly homework will resume on January 4. Thank you for your flexibility during these last two weeks.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

December 14-18

Thank you for your support of our decision to buy Angels through Make-a-Wish this year instead of holding the more traditional grab bag present exchange. We received our Angels yesterday and Mrs. Ellsworth quickly hung them for all to see. You'll be able to read the stories of the four children helped by Make-a-Wish on the angels when we send them home. Again, thank you. This kind of giving has really made an impression on the kids. You've helped them see beyond themselves this season in order to help someone else. That's not an easy concept for 7 & 8 year olds! We'd like to thank Mrs. Cucinella for suggesting this idea and carrying it through!

Homework for this Week:

We'll only have math homework Monday through Wednesday and nothing from the packets all week. There's a math test on Thursday, so there won't be homework Thursday night. Friday night's homework will be one simple review sheet.

There won't be any homework of any kind next week.

Notes:

The Elementary Christmas Concert is Monday evening, Dec. 21, at 7:00. Our class will enter down the left hand aisle and will stand on the left side of the bleachers. You may want to arrive early to get the best seats. I will arrive and open the classroom door at 6:45. We'll be singing a beautiful song called "There will be Peace" and a jazzy little number called "Pinata!" (My apologies if the former has been driving you crazy at home!)

Our Mexican Fiesta on Tuesday, Dec. 22, will be scheduled around a visit from a fellow up north (I hesitate to say his name out loud!) and Mrs. Long with her 4 month old guide dog in training. We've enjoyed Mrs. Long's visits for several years now, but never with such a young puppy. We can't wait to meet the new trainee!

We'll spend much of Wednesday, Dec. 23 cleaning up the Christmas joy and preparing for the new year. The kids are welcome to bring something from home to play with during free play time that afternoon.

Finally, Mrs. Fordyce has been instrumental in forming a collection of winter boots, coats, mittens, etc. If your child needs winter clothing items, please just let me know and we'll "shop" in the nurse's office. If you need a place to send winter items your child has out grown, please consider donating them to our school collection. This is such a great way to reuse items and help kids in the process.

I hope you're enjoying this holiday season. It truly is a wonderful time of the year!

Merry Christmas!

Lanie Groff

Nov. 30 - Dec. 4

Our manuscript, "Adirondack Mountain and Sacandaga River History" was mailed yesterday! It will be printed and shipped to us before Christmas. This has been quite a project; one that has required us to demonstrate everything we know about working together as a team. Now we're ready to jump into our next theme - Mexico!

Homework for this week:

Monday - Write your vocabulary in descriptive sentences. Many of you are getting VERY good at this. You're connecting new vocabulary to your lives and showing me you really know what these words mean.

Tuesday - Write your goal for December. Remember, your goal should be something that is going to help you become a better person. Also, explain why this is a good goal for you to achieve.

Wednesday - We'll discuss Mexican art during our new unit. Please complete the Mosiac.

Thursday - Write your spelling words three times each.

Friday - Please complete the North American Neighbors map page.

NOTES:

Our PTO Santa Land shopping time is scheduled for 12:30 on Friday. The cost is $2.00 an item.

Please come and see the Senior Play this Friday and Saturday night!

Our Christmas Concert is scheduled for Dec. 21.

November 16-20

Whew! We all have a busy week ahead. First of all, here are the homework assignments:

Monday: Please write our new vocabulary in complete, descriptive sentences.

Tuesday: Halie Stuart is our new Star Student. Please write a letter describing all the things you know and admire about her. Include at least 5 sentences and appropriate letter form.

Wednesday and Thursday: These are conference nights. Your assignments are either attend your conference or write your spelling words three times each, depending on when your conference is scheduled.

Friday: Use the study sheet you'll receive to study for your social studies test on the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving.

Elementary students will be dismissed at 12:00 on Thursday and Friday.

Reminders:

All order forms for the Adirondack book we're writing need to be marked yes or no and returned to school. I'm happy to see so many of you are ordering. I have sources we can contact if you need financial assistance in ordering the book. This information will be kept confidential and it will allow you to purchase this educational keepsake for your child. We'll send our order in December 1. I can't wait to see the final product!

The NCS PTO sent home fliers earlier this week advertising Northville Central School clothing and other related items. If you'd like to place an order, please get it in by Friday, November 20. You can purchase a $5.00 Falcon t-shirt for each item ordered!

The Senior Play was scheduled for this weekend, but has been postponed until Dec. 4 & 5 due to the conflict with this weekend's State Championship semi-final soccer game in Oneonta. GO FALCONS! Falcon car stickers are available for $1.00. Please let me know if you'd like one.

Please be on the lookout for a note detailing what we need for our Stone Soup celebration next Tuesday. We're pretty curious about this! Yes, we'll use real (clean) stones!

And finally, a note from Mrs. Coupas:

"In case anyone is in need of nice gloves and mittens...

The SWANY outlet is open in Johnstown on Rt. 29, right next to Fagant's.
Kid's mittens and gloves $5 and adult $10...Hours are 10-4 and they are open on
Saturday, too. We went this weekend, wow!"

Thanks, Mrs. Coupas! No sign of snow yet, but it's getting a little chilly out there!

Have a wonderful week. I'm looking forward to talking with you about your child!

Lanie Groff

October 27-30

FIELD TRIP

It's bound to be a whirlwind week. With Monday off, we'll need to resist the urge to fit too much into a short week. Our class went to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs this afternoon. We're sure to talk often about the variety of inventions and social implications of being thought of as a "science nerd" as presented in the movie. The kids were very well behaved in the theatre and thought the whole 3D experience was great! Many thanks to Madi Whittaker's mom, Emily's grandma, Maddy Rhodes's mom, Emma's aunt, and our substitute aide, Mrs. Dimick for chaperoning the trip.

PUMPKINS

The pumpkin projects are AMAZING! The characters match their sketches so well! Please have your child return their rough drafts of the character sketches so final drafts can be completed. The pumpkins are being displayed in the hallway with the final drafts for all to see. We hope you'll have time to stop by to see them.

SEED PROJECTS - HOMEWORK FOR OCT. 27-NOV 2

Your child has a sheet in their home folder describing this week's homework project. We realize we've had two project assignments in a row and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please know we had to take many things into consideration when planning the projects and other assignments. We look forward to seeing how many different kinds of seeds will be collected and how creatively they'll be displayed.

TESTING SCHEDULE

This is just a reminder that our testing schedule is a little out of whack this week. Reading, spelling, and grammar tests will be Tuesday, Oct. 28. (We'll even have a science test on seeds and plant parts!) We'll get back on track next Monday with a new set of vocabulary and spelling words, followed by a test on Friday.

HALLOWEEN

I left my list of things people offered to provide for our party at school, so I'll have to update with that information tomorrow. I won't be in school Thursday and Friday this week due to family illness. Mrs. Natasha Cucinella will be our substitute. She has experience with our schedules and topics and will do a wonderful job. Please remind your child to keep their costume in a bag until time to get dressed for the parade (at 1:15.) Have a great time trick-or-treating Friday night and don't forget about the Haunted House at NCS on Saturday!

HARLEM ROCKETS

We hope to see you at the Harlem Rockets game/performance next Tuesday night. Presale tickets are $8. $10 at the door.

Have a great time trick-or-treating! I hope Mrs. Ellsworth will take lots of pictures so I can see you all at your scariest!

Mrs. Groff

My apologies for the lack of updates. I'm still unable to create new posts from school! Once I get home, life here kind of takes over and...... well, I'm sure you know what I mean!

The buildings the kids designed for the Community Home Project were outstanding! They received social studies, speaking, and listening grades for the project and presentation. We've received so many wonderful compliments from community members who have viewed them in the hallway. Thank you so much for your help and support at home. It means so much to me and everything to your children.

Our field trip to Conbeer's Farm was a real treat. The weather was beautiful and we were lucky to have many helpful chaperons. Our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Alter (Madi's grandma), Mr. Cozzolino (Katelynn's dad), Mrs. Lastro (Daniel's mom), and Mrs. Ellsworth. Picking out our own pumpkins was a highlight. The oxen demonstration was fascinating ~ they were given the same commands we heard in the Oxcart Man! We were awed by the opportunity to milk a goat and all of us wanted to make pickles as soon as we got home! The only casualty was my voice. I was a little hoarse from running screaming through the corn and hay mazes. If you can't beat them, join them!

We hope you'll have a chance to see Calib Warner's Star Student display in the hallway. The kids have all written to him describing everything they know and appreciate about him. We're so lucky to be surrounded by such great friends!

Homework assignments are coming in more consistently. Each night your child has two math sheets (the B side) and a page connected to reading, social studies, or science. The only exceptions will be math assessment days and project weeks. Each homework assignment receives a grade and is averaged into a cumulative grade for the subject. Since a cover page listing all homework assignments was sent home in your child's home folder, I won't duplicate the information here.

The reading tests continue to present challenges. Please know it's nearly impossible to receive perfect scores on them all the time. The skills we're learning to apply often involve higher level thinking skills and these processes aren't taught or learned in a few lessons. However, please contact me if you have concerns. I'd be happy to discuss any of your questions.

Our math scores have been EXCELLENT. Participation in social studies and science activities has been outstanding. This hardworking class isn't shy to "go the extra mile." They're a pleasure to work with! I want you to know I realize how much energy goes into raising a responsible child. Your commitment shows!

Enjoy the rest of your week!
Lanie Groff

September 28-October 2

There's so much big news this week I'm not sure where to start! Remember these three things:

#1 The field trip to Conbeer's Farm has been changed to Tuesday, October 6.

#2 Building Projects are due this Friday, October 2. Follow the suggested timeline and rubric I sent home last Friday and you'll get the grade you want! Study your spelling words and finish side B on your math papers for the only other homework this week.

#3 Friday is Fire Prevention Day at NCS. We'll be outside from 9:00 - 10:00 that morning touring rescue vehicles, so wear something appropriate for the weather.

Families:

Please be on the lookout for Home / School Connection notebooks in your child's book bag. My goal is to record observations for you to read at least once a week. Please sign my message when you receive the notebook, respond if you'd like, and return it to school. I'm hoping this will provide an opportunity to communicate on a more consistent basis.

The kids have been doing a great job getting their homework done and turned in on time. I know this is due in large part to your help at home. Thank you for helping create a connection between what we do here in school and your home.

Have a terrific week! I can't wait to see the buildings!

Mrs. Lanie Groff

September 21-25

Our first full week of school went extremely well. Many parents have contacted me for one reason or another and I appreciate the communication. We had great weather on our Village field trip last Wednesday. We've started brainstorming which building we'd like to create a model of for our Communities Home Project. We're also planning on taking a "real" field trip next Friday! Read below for more information on both of these items. But first, here are the homework assignments for Sept. 21-25.

Monday

Look in your home folder for your spelling pretest page from this morning. You wrote your vocabulary on this page. Please write the following vocabulary in descriptive sentences. Write your sentences on the notebook paper provided.

share

wonderful

delighted

thinning

enjoyed

company

Pick three or four spelling words to begin studying tonight.

Tuesday

Madison Whittaker is our first Star Student! Please write her a letter telling her all the things you like and appreciate about her. Include at least five sentences. Write your letter on the notebook paper provided. For example, I could write:

Dear Madison,

I'm glad you're in my class this year. It's fun having two Madisons! You're very polite in class. What is your favorite thing to do at recess? I think we're going to be very good friends.

Your second grade teacher,

Mrs. Groff

We'll edit these letters in class. Don't worry about perfect letter form or spelling yet.

Wednesday

Please read and complete How have you used Math Today?

Thursday

Please read and complete Where would you go? How would you get there?

Friday

Please read the description of next week's homework project and the rubric on the back carefully. You're going to create a model of the building of your choice in Northville. You'll still have vocabulary and spelling homework next week, but this weekend and the rest of next week's homework time should be devoted to designing and constructing your building.

Field Trip Notes:

Mrs. Lent has organized a second grade field trip, Friday, Oct. 2, to Conbeer's Farm near Fonda. The cost is $6.00 per person. We'll need to bring a bagged lunch. Let's hope our beautiful weather continues! A field trip permission slip with all the details will be coming home shortly (probably tomorrow!)

Have a great week!

WELCOME TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

Aha! Those of you who attended Open House were promised I would update our 2nd grade site. It turns out I currently can't access it from school (how ironic!) and am attempting to do so at home. So here goes.....

Last week was GREAT. I honestly don't know when I've had so much fun meeting a new class. The kids were all pleasant, respectful, and knew how to have fun when the situation called for it. We're going to have a terrific year. The kids all wrote about their first day in their journals. We'll edit their paragraphs and hang them in the hallway a.s.a.p.

Our theme for September is Communities. We've been reading about the many kinds of jobs a community can offer. We brainstormed all the jobs necessary to help keep a classroom moving smoothly, then we applied and were hired for those jobs. This week we'll study the variety of goods and services a community needs to be successful.

The homework assignments for last week, Sept. 9-11, looked like this:

Wednesday:

Please give your parents piles of fascinating reading material to peruse, complete, and return.

Thursday:

Please attend Open House and write your street address on the house pattern provided.

Friday:

Please write the names and addresses of three people to whom you could write throughout the year.

Here's the homework for THIS week, September 14-18.

Monday:

Please write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences. You'll also find the vocabulary words listed on the bottom of the spelling pretest you'll take home today.

tomorrow ~ the day after today noun

different ~ unlike, not the same adjective

groan ~ to make a deep, unhappy sound verb

excited ~ thrilled, happy about something adjective

carefully ~ using care, thinking about what you're doing adverb

whisper ~ to speak very softly verb

Choose 2 or 3 spelling words to study tonight.

Tuesday:

Please read, complete, and return the Community Workers page.

Choose 2 or 3 more spelling words to study tonight.

Wednesday:

Please interview your parents about their jobs, complete, and return the Parental Careers page.

Keep studying those spelling words!

Wear comfortable clothes today. We'll take a walk around the Village to look at buildings and businesses this afternoon.

Thursday:

Please read, complete, and return the Jobs at Home page.

Don't forget to study for your spelling test tomorrow!

Friday:

Please read, complete, and return the Community Signs page.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Groff

Year-end Trips

Whew! We walked to the Schoolhouse and Bradt Museums this morning, then had lunch and a little play time in the park. It thundered the whole way "home," but we made it back just before the skies let loose. Our many thanks to Mrs. Lakata, Mrs. Akey, and Jordan Stofa for accompanying us and making it possible to tour in two groups. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer were both available to guide us through the Schoolhouse Museum - thank you to both!

Each year I make a yearbook filled with pictures of our class activities. This year I made a digital scrapbook that you can order if you wish. The cost is $45 for a full color, spiral bound yearbook including all taxes, shipping, and handling. I can show you what it will look like if you'd like to stop by the classroom to see it before you decide to order or not. If you choose to order a yearbook, please make a check out to me and I will have it sent directly to your home.

Homework for June 15-19.
This will be the last week of any kind of homework!

Monday - Please write the following sentences in descriptive sentences.
concern – something of interest or importance – noun
goalie – a player assigned to protect the goal or net in various sports – noun
figure – a shape or outline of something, especially in the form of a body – noun
vendors – people who sell something – noun
exclaimed – spoke out with strong feeling – verb
collection – a group of objects or works to be seen, studies, or kept together - noun

Tuesday - Please read and complete the Weekly Reader, American Symbols.

Wednesday - Please practice reading from a book you'd like to share with the class.

Thursday - School will be dismissed at 12:00 today. Please write the following spelling words three times each. Tomorrow's your last spelling test!
regular: fire, wire, hire, tire, drier, flier, crier, sure, cure, pure
review: north, wore
frequency: island, though, special

Friday - School will be dismissed at 12:00 today. Design your own United States symbol. This was Nate's idea and I think it's a great one! I can't wait to see what you choose to represent our country!

Have a wonderful week!
Monday, June 22 will be a full day of school.
Tuesday and Wednesday, dismissal will be at 1:00.
Thursday's dismissal will be at 11:30. This is the last day of school.
High school graduation will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

The Count Down's On!

Nick Palmateer and Eric Greenhhill are participating in the 2009 Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership program. They're holding a food drive through June 19 to fulfill part of their 100 hour community service requirement. Please go through your pantry and see if you have a nonperishable food item you could donate to the cause.

Class Picnic / Museum Fieldtrip Details
When: Monday, June 15 from 9:15-11:45
Where: Bradt Building and Park
What: Each student should bring what they'd like to eat and drink for lunch

Don't forget to come see The Monster Journals June 12 and 13 at 7:00.

Here's the homework for June 8-12

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary in descriptive sentences.
invented – made something new – verb
design – a plan for how something should be made – noun
products – things made by people or machines – noun
instrument – a tool or machine used for a special purpose – noun
allowed – let something happen; made something able to happen – verb
powerful – mighty; very strong - adjective

Tuesday - Please read and complete the Weekly Reader called Incredible Insects.

Wednesday - Please practice reading from a book you'd like to share with the class.

Thursday - Please write the following spelling words three times each.
regular: more, tore, wore, store, oar, roar, board, port, north, fort
review: dear, here
frequency: building, machine, scientist

Friday - Use the patriotic paper I've sent home to write about why you're glad you live in America. Please refer to the MANY ideas we've already brainstormed in class. Perhaps you can come up with even more ideas when you talk to your family about your assignment!

Have a great week and don't forget about the food drive!
Mrs. Groff

June, June, June!

June events:
9 - Food Pyramid presentation by Cornell Cooperative Extension
12 & 13 - Elementary musical, The Monster Journals @ 7:00
15 - Schoolhouse / Bradt Museum tours, class picnic (more info to follow)
17 - Northville Public Library trip
18 - 12:00 dismissal
19 - 12:00 dismissal
21 - Happy Father's Day!
22 - full day of school, Kindergarten Program @ 6:00
23 - 1:00 dismissal
24 - Elementary Awards @ 8:30, 1:00 dismissal
25 - Last day of school - 11:30 dismissal
26 - High School graduation @ 7:00

Homework for June 1 - 5

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary in descriptive sentences:
impossible – cannot be done, adjective
treasures – very valuable things, noun
watch – to look at, verb
talent – a special skill or ability, noun
pleasant – nice, enjoyable, pleasing, adjective

Tuesday - Please write a Star Student letter to Breanna Strouse. Create five sentences telling her what you appreciate and admire about having her as a friend.

Wednesday - Please practice reading a book you'd like to share.

Thursday - Please write the following spelling words three times each:
regular: near, dear, ear, deer, steer, queer, verb, perch, here, where
review: chair, care
frequency: heavy, system, region

Friday - Please read and complete, Go Fish

Looking Forward to Warmer Weather!

The Math, Science, Technology Fair was a hit! The kids' recycling projects were incredible. We had balloon cars, bird feeders, wind chimes, self-watering flower pots, even a working compost bin ~ what imaginations! Nate entered his own project, Pepper Sneeze, and won 2nd place in the elementary report category! Congratulations to all.

We hope you'll be able to find time to visit our hallway. You'll get a kick out of our coral reef (made from joint compound and paint) and the compound Rainbow Jellyfish made from plastic baggies with compound words written on their tentacles.

Don't forget to visit the Art Show, attend the Elementary Spring Concert (at 6:30) and vote on our school budget Tuesday, May 19.

Homework for May 18-21

Monday - Please write the following words in descriptive sentences.
creating – making something new – verb
memories – persons, things, or events remembered again – noun
familiar – known because of having been heard or seen before – adjective
imagination – the ability of the mind to form pictures of things that are not present or real –noun
glamorous – fascinating, exciting, and charming – adjective
occasions – important or special events - noun

Tuesday - Please write a Star Student letter to Joey. Joey, be sure and write to me describing all the things you'd like me to know about you!

Wednesday - Please practice reading from a book you'd like to share with the class.
There's a PTO membership/officer election meeting tonight at 6:00 in the conference room.

Thursday - I don't want any homework this weekend, so I'm not giving YOU any! Have a great Memorial Day and take time to remember the people who have defended our country so bravely.

Note: No school May 22-26

The NCS Math, Science, Technology Fair will be Wednesday, May 13. It's open during the day 12:45-2:30 and in the evening 4:00-6:00.
Please help fund our fair buy joining us for the chicken BBQ during the afternoon session. Tickets are $9.

All second grade recycling projects are due by Wednesday, but can arrive any time prior to that date.

We will write vocabulary sentences and Star Student letters in class, so there will only be math homework Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday night's homework: visit the MST Fair if you can!

Thursday: Please write the following spelling words three times each:

Regular words: cage, page, judge, lodge, large, barge, bulge, change, range, hinge
Review words: face, germ
High-Frequency words: among, decided, brought

Friday: Read and comlpete activities in Weekly Reader.

We hope to see you at the fair!

Science Fair Project




Dear Family,
We’re culminating our Earth unit by studying the many ways we can take care of it. We’ve talked extensively about reducing what we buy, reusing whatever we can, and recycling before throwing items away.
Our homework project for May 6-12 is to make a useable object out of materials that might have ordinarily been thrown away. These “Recycling Projects” will be displayed at the Math/Science/Technology Fair next Wednesday, May 13.
Please help your child think of an appropriate item to build. Past ideas have included musical instruments, toys, games, decorations, bird feeders, banks, etc. A paragraph written by your child identifying the item, telling how it was made, and of what materials it was made should be included.
The projects will be graded for Science and Writing on the following criteria:

4 - All materials are reused items (nothing purchased)
The object is useful or artistic
The paragraph is written in full sentences with no errors
The project is complete by the due date

3 - Most materials are reused items
The object is useful or artistic
The paragraph is written in full sentences with minor errors
The project is complete by the due date
2 - A reused item is part of the project
The project is useful or artistic
No paragraph is included or it is poorly written
1 - The project is not done


Please contact me with any questions.

Lanie Groff

In order to allow more time for kids to work on their recycling projects we've cancelled the homework listed for Tuesday through Thursday. We'll send home a description of what is needed for the project Wednesday.

Pride goeth before the fall.....

I was so proud of myself for posting last week's homework on the Friday before. Little did I know there was a glich somewhere and the listing never posted. My apologies! The kids did remarkably well considering no homework was posted. I didn't even know there was a problem until today (Thursday!) I guess they're more independent than I thought!

Anyway, here, I promise is the homework for May 4- 8.

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences.

• surface – the outside part of something – noun
• spacecraft – a vehicle for traveling into space – noun
• lunar – relating to the moon – adjective
• visible – able to be seen - adjective
• footprint – a mark made by a foot – noun
• discovered – found or learned for the first time - verb

Tuesday - Please read the Weekly Reader called, The Buzz about Honey, and complete the activity on the back page.

Wednesday - Please practice reading from a book you'd like to share with the class. Remember, we'd like to hear you read from a book you can read fluently.

Thursday - Please write the following spelling words three times each.

regular: camp, wagon, cave, gift, cent, gym, face, gem, girl, germ
review: knot, wrist frequency: against, true, half

Friday - Please read the rubric (description of requirements) for our recycling project.

Thank you to those of you who complimented us on our recent publication, All about the Earth. That project was a very big deal for us and we're proud of the result!

Wow, What a Weekend!

I'm sorry the original posting didn't go through. It's 7:00 on Thursday night, but if your child is still trying to find a spelling list (even though they should have one in their home folder from Monday's pretest) here it is!

Spelling words for the May 1st posttest:
regular: knee, knife, knot, gnaw, sign, wrist, wren, thumb, lamb, debt
review: alone, idea frequency: certain, field, hundred

Again, I apologize for the confusion.

Lanie Groff

April Showers

We were so lucky to have such nice weather over vacation. Now I guess we're in for a little rain, but we sure need it! The kids all told entertaining tales about their vacations today, Mr. Rey from the Department of Conservation talked to us about the importance of trees, and perhaps best of all we welcomed Mrs. Sperry back!

Here are the homework assignments for April 20-24.

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences.

• vast - very large in size or amount - adjective
• oceans - very large bodies of salt water - noun
• areas - certain spaces, regions, or sections - noun
• voyage - a long trip by water, over land, or through space - noun
• planet - a huge object that travels around the sun - noun

Tuesday - Please read the Weekly Reader Objects in Space and complete the activity on the back cover page.

Wednesday - Please practice reading from a book of your choice to share in class.

Thursday - Please write the following spelling words three times each. Explain the schwa sound to your parents!

Regular words: alone, agree, ago, above, again, awake, away, idea, alike, comma

Review words: noise, broil

Frequency words: finally, notice, morning

Friday - Start planning your science fair project. See information below.

The NCS Math, Science, Technology Fair will be Wednesday, May 13. All second graders will be entering as part of a mandatory science grade. Each second grade student may choose to do one of the following:

• Design a usable item out of materials that would normally have been thrown away. Examples include banks and birdhouses made out of soda or detergent bottles, but try to be more imaginative!
• Enter your own project idea independently. You'll need to complete the online MST Fair form on the homepage of the school web site. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Report cards will come home Thursday!

Homework for April 6 - 9

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary in descriptive sentences.

• gathered – brought together, collected, verb
• agreed – to have shared the same opinion with someone else –verb
• randomly – without a plan or purpose, adverb
• jabbing – poking with something pointed, verb
• signal – a sign that gives a command, noun

Tuesday - Please read Weekly Reader, "Kids Dig In" and complete the activity on the back cover.

Wednesday - Please write the following spelling words three times each.

regular: soil, broil, moist, point, boil, oil, toy, joy, soy, royal
review: down, house frequency: pulled, voice, travel

Thursday - Have a wonderful Spring Break! Happy Easter!

I'll see you April 20th!

Our New Theme is "The Earth"

Our "All about the Earth" book is on it's way to the publisher! Delivery is expected some time shortly after vacation. We can't wait to share it with you!

Homework for March 30 - April 3

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary in descriptive sentences.

• lengthy – long - adjective
  
• burrow – a hole dug in the ground by a small animal – noun
  
• ranger’s – something belonging to a person who patrols a forest or park – possessive noun
• warning – something that makes one aware of danger–noun
  
• distant – far away in space or time – adjective
  
• beyond – farther along in space or time - adverb
  

Tuesday - Please write a Star Student letter to John Sira. Remember to write five complimentary sentences in letter (not list) form.

Wednesday - Please practice reading a book you'd like to read in class. Last week was great! We heard from books about Egyptians, helicopters, and stinky garbage trucks (among others!)

Thursday - Please study your words all week and write each word three times tonight.

Friday - Please think carefully about the assignment called, "Asking the Right Questions." Complete and return it by Monday, April 6 so we can share them in class. These will be given out later in the week - no copier today.

Please support the comunity service project of the class of 2012. Donate pet food for their Pet Food Drive. Pet Food will be given to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.)

It's Spirit Week!

Monday - wear your pajamas!
Tuesday - wear green (or your green pajamas!)
Wednesday - wear falcon colors - blue and white!
Thursday - Twin Day - dress like a friend
Friday - wear your favorite hat!

Here's the homework for March 23-27

Monday - Please write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences

• noble – showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor 
• promised – said that one would definitely do something
  
• gleamed – glowed or shined
  
• wiggled – moved from side to side with short, quick motions
  
• beloved – dearly loved 
  
• glanced – looked at quickly
  

Tuesday - Please write a Star Student letter to Nate.

Wednesday - Please practice reading a book to share with us.

Thursday - Please write the following spelling words three times.
regular: pause, draw, launch, law, fault, jaw, fawn, hawk,
raw, crawl
review: cool, flew
frequency: door, remember, order

Friday - List 10 signs of SPRING! (I think it's safe to say it's finally here!

Don't forget the PTO Family Fun Night this Saturday, March 28 in the NCS gymnasium. Grades K-3: 4-5 pm and Grades 4-6: 5-6 pm.
I've heard about some of the things the PTO has planned and I don't think this is something you'll want to miss! Admission: one school supply per family member.

It's a short week!

Please remember we will dismiss at 12:00 noon on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is a Superintendent's Conference Day. Students will not attend (but teachers will!)
Reminder: some kids still need cereal boxes for the dinosaur project.

Here are the homework assignments for March 16-19.

Monday - please write your vocabulary words in descriptive sentences.

• grasslands - large open areas of land covered with grass, such as prairies or meadows - noun
• violent - showing or caused by great physical force - adjective
  
• beware - to be on the lookout for something dangerous or harmful - verb
  
• prevent - to stop or keep something from happening - verb
  
• uprooted - pulled all the way out of the ground - verb
  
• destroy - to completely ruin something - verb

Tuesday - please read and complete both sides of the page called Fact and Fiction about St. Patrick's Day. Don't forget to wear green!

Wednesday - please write your spelling words 3 times each.
regular: root, glue, boot, flew, suit, new, fruit, shoe, clue, canoe
review: cook, could
frequency: complete, measure, questions

Thursday - please read and complete the page called paper clips. You'll need a magazine or newspaper for this assignment. We have some in the library if you don't have any at home.

Friday - No school - enjoy yourselves!

March 9-13

I hope you were able to enjoy the outdoors this weekend! I'm just not going to say a word about that white stuff out there. Spring is around the corner!
Each student needs a cereal box for their dinosaur diorama. Feel free to send in extras if you have them!

Here are the homework assignments for March 9-13.

Monday: Please write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences. Yes, there are only five this week. Don't ask me why!

• conservation ~ the protection and wise use of forests, rivers, minerals, and other natural resources (noun)
• remains ~ stays when other things have left (verb)
  
• trouble ~ danger; problem (noun)
  
• extinct ~ when a thing dies out and no more of its kind are living anywhere on Earth ( adj)
• hardest ~ needing or using a lot of work (adj)
  

Tuesday: Please write a Star Student letter to Carina. Include at least five sentences telling her what you admire and appreciate about having her for a friend. Please start each sentence with a different word.

Wednesday: Please choose a book to read to the class. Each student will get 2 minutes to read. Please practice and prepare, so your reading is fluent.

Thursday: Please complete BOTH sides of the spelling page we'll send home later this week. Austin (who receives a 100% nearly every week) has this study tip to share. He writes his spelling words every night of the week. He writes any words he misses on Monday once. He writes any words he misses on Tuesday twice, etc. until he knows them very well by Friday. Good tip. Thanks, Austin!

regular: shook, stood, hook, brook, crook, foot, soot, could,
should, would
review: clerk, stir
frequency: during, sure, whole

Friday: Please read and complete a St. Patrick's Day page that will come home on Friday called Pipe Dreams.

More Snow Today?

I thought this storm was going to miss us! Oh, well, here are the homework assignments for March 2-6:

Monday: Please write these vocabulary words in descriptive sentences. I sure like it when you write about something connected to you!

• wider ~ larger from side to side, broader (adj)
  
• saddest ~ most unhappy (adj)
  
• balance ~ to be steady and stable (noun)
  
• deserted ~ left empty or alone (adj)
  
• freezes ~ changes from liquid to solid (verb)
  
• imagine ~ to create a picture in your mind, pretend (verb)

Tuesday: Please write a Star Student letter to Cody Payne! Include five sentences telling him what you admire and appreciate about him.

Wedesday: Read a book to share in class. These book reports are going very well. We all enjoy learning about our friends' favorite topics.

Thursday: Please do the spelling page I will hand out later in the week. In the meantime, here are this week's words.....
regular: clerk, term, herd, skirt, sir, stir, churn, burst, hurt, turn
review: shark, storm frequency: hours, problem, usually

Friday: TBA ~ Special recognition to Alex, Austin, and Nate; the only students who did last Friday's March goal assignment before I asked for it Monday morning. Thanks, guys!
 
Have a great week!
Mrs. Lanie Groff

Welcome Back!

Homework for Feb. 23-27

Monday ~ Please write your vocabulary words in descriptive sentences.

• itches – tickling feeling in the skin that make one want to scratch ~ noun
  
• puddles – small pools of water, especially rainwater ~ noun
  
• preen – to smooth or clean feathers with the beak or bill ~ verb
  
• beasts – animals other than humans ~ noun
  
• handy – useful ~ adjective
  
• nibble – to bite gently or to take small bites ~ verb

Tuesday ~ Please write a Star Student letter to Alex. Include at least five sentences telling him what you know and appreciate about him.

Wednesday ~ Read a book to share in class.

Thursday ~ write your spelling words three times each
regular: part, sort, start, storm, park, short, farm, for, dark, horse
review: scream, stripe
frequency: area, money, piece

Friday ~ Please write your goal for March. Remember a goal is something you'd like to do which makes you a better person. We will hang these in the hallway for everyone to read!

I'd like to thank all the families who sent in items for Valentine's Day. We were keeping it "low key" around here, but it sure was nice (and unexpected!) to receive goodies that afternoon!

Lanie Groff

Feb. 9-13

This will be a review week in language arts, so there won't be any homework other than math each day.
Have a great vacation!
Mrs. Groff

February 2-6

Here are the assignments for this week!
Note: The spelling words are challenging this week (see list under Thursday.)

Monday ~ Please write your vocabulary words in complete sentences.
sincerely ~ with honesty adverb
impatient ~ easily annoyed adjective
furious ~ very angry adjective
demand ~ to ask for something firmly verb
emergency ~ a sudden event that must be dealt with quickly
noun
snoop ~ to look around in a sneaking way verb
Tuesday ~ Complete both sides of Mitten Match/What do you know about
Storms?
Wednesday ~ Please read a book to share in class.
Thursday ~ Please write your spelling words three times each.
regular: screen, strict, scream, sprain, scrape, spring, stripe, spruce,
struck, strap
review: path, wishbone frequency: carry, talk, once
Friday ~ Please do both sides of Where's Antarctica/The Stages of a Snowflake

We've started a new classroom library program. Each student is able to check out one classroom book at a time from my personal library. Please ask your child about their book choice and have them read to you as often as possible. I am so appreciative of your support!

Enjoy this week of fairly clear weather!

Lanie Groff

The homework assignments for Jan. 26-30
Monday: Write the following words in descriptive sentences.
students ~ people who go to school to learn noun
effort ~ trying hard to do something noun
perform ~ to present something, such as a play or a dance,
in front of an audience verb
mood ~ the way you feel noun
remember ~ to think of something that happened in the past
verb
proud ~ feeling pleased and satisfied about something well done adjective
Tuesday: Write a Star Student letter to Alex Flickinger.
Wednesday: Read a book to share.
Thursday: Write the following spelling words three times each.
regular: each, teaching, teeth, wishbone, matching, which, path, fishing,
watch, dish
review: white, chase
frequency: body, pretty, young
Friday: Complete both sides of the Weather Wizard page (this will be passed
later this week.)

Thank you and have a warm week!
Lanie Groff

Happy Inauguration Day!

What a patriotic group! The kids have been full of questions and comments about President Obama's inauguration. We had the television on much of the morning (with the sound off) pausing for moments to watch bits about the White House and the Obama's meeting the President and Mrs. Bush for coffee.

We wrote down our homework assignments, completed a fact and opinion page about the weather, and read about Martin Luther King, Jr. in our centers and reading groups this morning. We took our spelling pretest, corrected it and put it in our home folders. I've listed our new spelling words below if you can't find the pretest. Math included a lesson on writing fractions. A few of us are progressing well with addition facts including 6's, 7's, and 8's. The rest of us need to keep practicing!

Homework assignments for this week are:

Tues. ~ Read and complete the back of the Martin Luther King, Jr. page
Wed. ~ Write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences.
ancient - very old; having to do with times long ago adjective
hopeful - having promise that what is wished for will happen adjective
unable - not having the power or skill to do something adjective
confirm - prove to be true or correct verb
valid - correct based on facts or proof adjective
Thurs. ~ Write the following spelling words three times a piece.
regular: chest, chase, sheep, think, while, chill,
shape, thing,white, wheat
review: mule, fuse frequency: idea, often, second
Friday ~ Read a book to share with the class on Monday.

Our Adirondack author, Liza Frenette, will visit on Friday. Book orders are due Friday also.

Thank you and have a nice week!
Lanie Groff

Copier News and Homework

Dear Families,
Apparently our school copier is more severely wounded than originally thought! There is no set repair date, so we'll be relying even more heavily on communicating through the school web site than ever!
The kids have been very good about establishing the new homework routine we started in December. Please remember, it generally follows this routine:
Monday - write vocabulary sentences in descriptive sentences
Tuesday - writing assignment (often a Star Student letter)
Wednesday - read a book to share with us in class
Thursday - write spelling words three times each
Friday - teacher's choice

Each child wrote the following assignment for Friday, Jan. 9, in their Home/School Connections Notebook.

A Cloud with a Silver Lining
Please write about a difficult time in your life and the positive things that happened as a result.

I'm assigning this activity in conjunction with our weather unit and hope it creates an opportunity for you to talk with your child about coping with feelings.

Here are the homework assignments for Jan. 12-16th

Monday: Please write the following vocabulary words in descriptive sentences.
enormous, buddy, tips, accident, obeys, attention
Tuesday: You're the meteorologist today! Complete the weather report you
receive in class and report back to the class.
Wednesday: Read a book to share with the rest of the class on Thursday.
Thursday: Please write the following spelling words three times each.
regular words: mule, June, bugle, music, fuse, duke, use, tune, flute, dune
review words: pony, leaf
high-frequency words: above, color, song
Friday: TBA

Thanks so much!
Lanie Groff

Happy New Year! Over the years I've learned how much kids want to see their friends after a long vacation. That makes it a little more difficult to buckle down and produce a hard day's work. So........our first school day of 2009 was very active. 

First of all, we shared exciting moments from our Christmas break, then we mapped out a new design for our classroom. We created a reading nook (John named it the Book Nook) and eliminated a few pieces of unnecessary furniture. The kids submitted designs for the desk layout. We haven't decided which to try first, but we're leaning toward trying to create the number 2 with our desks. Of course, this was my sly way of getting help with reorganizing our books and cleaning behind big pieces of furniture! Alex, Noah, Nate, Moriah, and Michael dug right in and deserve special mention. 

We took a spelling pretest, had a math review lesson, and introduced our new science unit on weather. Our special concentrations this week will be the three major cloud types and the water cycle.

Homework: It's a good thing we've started making less copies because the copier is down AGAIN! Each child copied the homework schedule in their Home/School Connection Notebook, but here it is just in case.

Monday - Please write our new vocabulary words in descriptive sentences. 

Tuesday - Please write a Star Student letter to MacKenzie describing things you know and appreciate about her.

Wednesday - Please bring a book you've read to share on Thursday. You'll be asked to give the title, author/illustrator, a brief summary, and recommendation.

Thursday - Please write your spelling words three times each (I'm impressed with how many of you write them five times each!)

Friday - This will be assigned later in the week when I know I can make copies.

It was great to see the kids again - I think we're glad to be back!

Mrs. Groff