October 20-24
Next Friday, I would like to host a Halloween celebration for our class — a Pumpkin and Pizza Party! 🎃🍕
Each student is asked to bring $3 to cover the cost of two slices of pizza and a mini pumpkin to decorate. We will also gladly accept small donations of cupcakes or drinks, but our main activity will be painting mini pumpkins together!

Reading:
We are wrapping up our unit on Exploring Habitats and will focus on the rainforest this week. Students will have their end-of-unit vocabulary quiz on Thursday.
Vocabulary words:

Forest Floor

Pond

Rainforest

River

Swamp

Waterproof

🔗 Review Unit 2 Vocabulary Words here
https://quizlet.com/1073224909/2nd-grade-unit-2-exploring-habitats-flash-cards/?i=675s6n&x=1qqt

Phonics:
This week, we are reviewing r-controlled vowels and the long a spelling patterns (ai and ay).
Our heart words are: father, water, today, very
🎥 Watch October’s Phonics Lesson Videos here
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1W6JEdcqT3oOvl2EIkN2IvrWeu6Z0lTyvbj0r8-hZ7vY/edit?usp=sharing

Math:
We are continuing to learn addition strategies. This week, we will focus on using concrete models such as place value discs to help students visualize regrouping (carrying numbers).
While some strategies may seem tedious, the goal is for students to explore different methods and eventually choose the one that works best for them.

🧬In science, we will start a new unit on matter.

Thank you for your continued support — we’re looking forward to a fun and learning-filled week!

Warmly,
Mrs. Steele

October 6- October 10

This week in Reading, we are continuing our unit on Exploring Habitats! Our focus will be on water habitats. 💧

📘 Vocabulary Quiz – Thursday
Vocabulary Words:
Burrow
Coral Reef
Depend
Desert
Fresh Water
Lake
Nest
Ocean
Salt Water
Shore
Tide Pool
🔗 Review the Unit 2 Vocabulary Words here:
https://quizlet.com/1073224909/2nd-grade-unit-2-exploring-habitats-flash-cards/?i=675s6n&x=1qqt

✨ Phonics
We'll review words with long vowel + VCC endings and the -le pattern.
💖 Heart Words: both, fourth, four, forty, people
📺 Watch October's phonics lesson videos here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1W6JEdcqT3oOvl2EIkN2IvrWeu6Z0lTyvbj0r8-hZ7vY/edit?usp=sharing

🧬 Science: Continuing our unit on Life Cycles

➕ Math: Starting our new unit on Adding and Subtracting Strategies

📅 Dates to Remember
🚫 Friday, October 10 – Teacher Work Day (No School)
📝 Field Trip Forms Due – October 9
✏️ Homework is due every Friday (No school Friday, Homework is due 10/13)
🌽 Field Trip to Kersey Valley Maize Adventure – October 15
👩‍🏫 Thursday, October 16 & Friday, October 17 – Face-to-Face Conferences
Sign up here ⬇️
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFA82FA6FDC16-59083135-parent

Please indicate whether the conference will be conducted in person or via phone.

September 29- October 3


In reading, we will continue our unit on Exploring Habitats, focusing on the desert habitat. Students will not have a vocabulary quiz this week, but please take time to review the words using the link below:
🔗 Unit 2 Vocabulary Words- https://quizlet.com/1073224909/2nd-grade-unit-2-exploring-habitats-flash-cards/?i=675s6n&x=1qqt

In phonics, we will practice two-syllable words with open and closed syllables, along with words ending in -tch, -ch, and -dge. This week’s heart words are: woman, women, move.
🔗 October Phonics Lessons & Heart Words- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1W6JEdcqT3oOvl2EIkN2IvrWeu6Z0lTyvbj0r8-hZ7vY/edit?usp=sharing


In math, we are wrapping up our unit on place value. Students will compare numbers using > , < , and = symbols and take an end-of-unit test at the end of the week.

In science, we are continuing our study of animal life cycles. Students are especially excited about observing their mealworms as they go through metamorphosis.

Reminders:

🍂 PTT Fall Festival – Saturday, October 4th

📝 Field Trip Forms Due – October 9th

📚 Teacher Workday – October 10th

🌽 Field Trip to Kersey Valley Maize Adventure – October 15th

✏️ Homework is due every Friday

Have a fanCACTUS week!

🌟 Classroom Update 🌟

Hi Families!

We have lots of exciting things happening this month:

📌 Field Trip: Field trip money is due Wednesday, October 9th. A few friends still need to turn it in—thank you for helping us get everything in on time!

📄 Supplies Needed: We are running low on copy paper (it wasn’t on our original supply list). If you’re able to send in a pack, we would really appreciate it!

📚 Reading Challenge: Our fall reading challenge is officially underway! 🎉 In September, our classroom winners were Emma and Ezequiel—way to go! For October, students will be bringing home a Reading BINGO sheet. If they complete an X on their board, they’ll be entered into a special drawing to be our October winner. 🍂✨

Thank you, as always, for your support! We love celebrating your children’s hard work and successes together. 💛