Hello, Second and Third Grade Families,

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend parent-teacher conferences last week. It was wonderful to share all of the hard work and progress the students have already made this year.

Last week, we continued to make progress in our Place Values Block. The children are excited to see what large equations they are able to solve independently. One student jumped for joy when she worked through a problem she found particularly challenging. Hearing her shout, “I did it!” brought happiness to the entire class. It is lovely watching the children learn with such enthusiasm.

This week, we will continue practicing place value with a focus on subtraction. In our cookie story, a large storm at sea will knock several shipments of cookies into the ocean, and the children will need to figure out how many cookies remain. We will also work in addition with regrouping. Sums such as 15 +16 will introduce regrouping the ones into a new group of ten. Regrouping will be a skill that we practice gradually and for the entirety of the year and into next year.

Of course, excitement is in the air for pumpkin carving this Friday and Kingdom of Halloween this Saturday. The children have been collecting twigs, leaves, and other foliage from the forest to decorate their pumpkin houses. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help in this activity. It should be a fun afternoon!

Announcements and Reminders:

Kingdom of Halloween is Saturday! Please, if you have not yet signed up for a slot or if you would like to volunteer for an extra time, sign up here:

(I’ll throw in a homemade pumpkin pie for anyone who signs up at our 7:00 timeslot)

Mornings are cold in the forest, and dismissal is hot at the picnic tables. Please dress your child in layers! It will be in the 40s this week, so send your child with their mittens and coat!

Warm regards,

Meredith