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Welcome to 2nd Grade with Mrs. Applegate!
 
 
My name is Samantha Applegate and I am so excited to be joining the SJCS family! I grew up in central Indiana and graduated with my degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University in 2017. My husband and I relocated to the Chicagoland area in 2019 where I spent the first three years teaching Kindergarten. This will be my fifth year teaching and my second year teaching at St. Joseph. 
 
When I'm not teaching, you can find me spending time at the lake and watching college football. I also enjoy concerts, reading, and spending time with my friends and family. Some of my favorites include Diet Coke, Starbucks, and trips to Target. I look forward to an amazing 2022-2023 school year!
 

Posts

2/27/24

HOMEWORK:
 
Math: Lesson 3 pgs. 429-430, evens or odds. 10 minutes of addition and subtraction basic facts.
 
Reading and Writing: ai, ay review words, hunt for adverbs (-ly words, or words that tell where, when, how verbs happen) use in a sentence.
15-20 independent or partner reading.
Reminders: 
No School Friday, March 1-Teacher's Personal Development Day!

3/26/24

HOMEWORK: 
 
Math: 3-Digit Subtraction Lesson 2-pgs. 423-424 evens or odds. Basic math facts (+ and -) for 5-10 minutes.
 
Reading and Writing: 20 minutes of reading independently or with a partner. Write some key details about what you read.
*Review pages are coming home to use for assessment prep-Fundations.
 
Reminders:
  • Tomorrow is our Unit 10 Fundations Assessment. (ai, ay words)
  • Friday, March 1-NO SCHOOL!

Week at a Glance: 2/26/24-3/1/24

Fundations (phonics)-
  • students will read and write words with ai, ay (long syllables),
  • read and write words with long e syllables (ee, ea, and ey),
  • spell trick words: whose son and won
  • read on level fluency decodable passages with fluency and comprehension
Wit and Wisdom: We will continue to learn about the Legend of the Bluebonnet (Early American History). We have grasped concepts in what is an Introduction to a paragraph; we will continue to do samples and learn to develop our own for an informational paragraph. In small groups we have been reading our Geodes(Wit and Wisdom) and supplemental material around our Black History month theme.
 
Math- we will begin our next Chapter 7-Subtract 3-Digit Numbers. Our focus will be on:
  • subtracting hundreds,
  • mentally subtract 10, and 100,
  • regrouping 10s
  • regrouping 100s
Science: We have begun our Unit on Plant Adventures-this week's focus in on seed dispersal-how do animals impact this process?
 
Religion: This week we will:
  • identify the importance of quiet for reflection
  • tell the story of God's appearance in the burning bush to Moses
  • understand that God's presence in church makes it a holy place-we practice our Reverence
  • we celebrate and worship God at Mass by asking for God's mercy
  • define: mercy

Please reinforce the following at home:

  • We have been struggling quite a bit recently as a class to work at an acceptable volume level (in class with me and with several of the Specials teachers). More specifically we have been reviewing the following:
    • Keeping hands (and feet) to self - This helps ensure that no one gets hurt accidentally.
    • Level 0 (no talking) or Level 1 (whisper) during independent work time - This allows for everyone to focus and do his/her best work.
    • Level 0 during directions - This makes sure no one misses or misunderstands what is expected of everyone.
    • Quieting down the first time a teacher signals-timer buzzer or clap, clap, clapclapclap- This means that an activity is ending and it’s time to listen to the directions or that it has become too loud and students need a quick redirection for their behavior.
  • Students are given ample opportunities to talk during the day (lunch, recess, frequent brain breaks, and classroom activities that either involve pair or small group sharing), so we have reviewed that the need to work quietly at these other times is very reasonable.
  • We are a class family and a team, so we all need to work together for the good of the class, which means following directions the first time and creating a positive, peaceful learning environment for everyone. 🙂 
  • Thank you, as always, for your help and support with this at home.

Reminders:

  • PLEASE revisit the 
  • Thank you for your generosity to the Food Pantry and to the McTeacher fundraiser.
  • Please take your children to Mass this weekend to celebrate the second Sunday of Lent. This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare our hearts for Easter, and it is also the best way to prepare your children for First Communion.
    • Saturday = 5pm
    • Sunday = 7am, 9am (with Children’s Liturgy of the Word), 11am, 5pm
  • All School Mass = Tuesday at 8:30am in the church
    • This past Tuesday the students did much better following directions, participating in the prayers, and sitting/kneeling quietly during the appropriate times. Thank you for your help with this at home!
  • No school = Friday, 3/1 → Teacher professional development day
  • Field Trip = Wednesday, 3/13 → Thank you all for sending in your forms and money. We are looking forward to an enjoyable show!
    • We finished up the book James and the Giant Peach on Thursday. It was made into a Tim Burton movie (rated PG). You can find a copy at your local library or on Disney + if you and your child want to watch this prior to attending the show.
 

2/22/24

HOMEWORK:
 
Math- continue to practice the rules for regrouping 3-digit addition problems and how to work through word problems. We reviewed today in class. 
Test tomorrow!
 
Reading: 20 minutes, use words from your text to use in sentences-also review ai, ay words with double vowel syllables (laid, paid, sway, today) Review trick words: America, thought, country
 
Extras: 
  • Unit 10 Fundations (phonics) Assessment Tuesday, Feb. 27th
  • Thank you for your generosity to the Food Pantry!
  • Thank you also to those who participated in the McTeacher's fundraiser!
 
Good News to share: When we were in Media class on Wednesday, Mrs. Hoglund complimented the class on how well they were writing complete sentences and organizing their ideas. They are really working hard on their reading and writing, and it's fantastic to see the skills and knowledge translate to other subjects and with other teachers!

2/21/24

HOMEWORK:
 
 Math: test Friday-Chapter 6 Add Three-Digit Numbers. My Review pgs. 401-404 in their folders tonight. Review and practice!
 
Reading: 20 minutes of independent or partner read. Write words from Unit 10 Fundations packets. Do a page for practice.
 
Reminders:
  • McTeachers Night-TONIGHT!!! Come see your teachers work our fundraiser night at McDonald's on Peterson Road by Sunset Foods!
  • Food Pantry=Please bring in Chunky Soups tomorrow! Thank you for your generosity!
  • Math Chapter 6 test Friday!

2/20/24

HOMEWORK: 
 
Math-Lesson 8 pgs. 399-400, 5-10 min basic facts-subtraction. 
Assessment-Friday!
 
Reading- 20 minutes. Scholastic News is coming home-reread and answer questions.
Writing: words with ay and ai spelling-use in sentences, look for homophones, and synonyms and antonyms. Practice -trick words: America, school, though.
 
 
Additional Reminders:
  • McTeachers Night Fundraiser = Wednesday, 2/21
    • See the flyer in the weekly Knight Notes for more information. 
  • Food Pantry Collection = Thursday → 2nd grade should bring in chunky soups. (Jewel Osco currently has a coupon in their app for Progresso soups, if you are interested!)

2/15/24

HOMEWORK: 
 
Math: Pgs. 369-70 Check My Progress. 10 minutes basic math facts-subtraction.
 
Reading/Writing: Unit 10 practice-"Read, Write and Mark" worksheet in their folders.
 
Reminders:
  • PLEASE fill out and return the permission slip and money for our Field Trip!
  • No School Monday, February 19th due to President's Day!
  • Thursday, February 22, please bring in "Chunky" soups to donate to our Food Pantry collection.
  • Next, Friday, February 23rd, will be our Chapter 6 Math assessment. Study Guide will come home in their folders tomorrow.

2/14/24

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY and beginning of Lent!
 
Homework:
 
Math- Lesson 6 (Add Three-Digit Numbers) pgs. 387-88. Basic facts practice (5 minutes) subtractions.
 
Reading/Writing: Please read for 15 minutes and write homophones in a sentence for practice-you can mark up words from our Fundations (main/mane, pain/pane, tail/tale, mail/male)
 
REMINDERS:
  • NEW permission slips are in your child's folder today. Please return those and the filed trip fee asap. Thank you!
  • Student's filled out Lenten promises today to use as a discussion starter with your family at home. Please help them deepen the understanding and importance of this liturgical season in the church.
  • Monday, February 19th is a No School day to observe President's Day!

2/13/24

Homework:
 
Math- Regroup Tens to Add- pgs. 381-82. Basic facts practice 5 minutes.
 
Reading- independent or partner read for 10-15 minutes, write a few sentences about what you've read-add an adjective! 
 
Reminders:
  • THANK YOU TO OUR HELPER THAT RAN THE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY TODAY!! The kids made some very cute crafts that are coming home with them!
  • Kiddos made you all a Valentine card; please look for that as well!
  • Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday! We will have 8:30 all school Mass.
  • Lent begins, please talk with your children at home about what this means as a catholic!
  • NEW FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIPS -will come home with your child tomorrow. Please sign and return asap! 
  • Next Thursday, February 22nd, is our Food Pantry collection-please bring chunky soups!
  • Please remind your kiddos to wash their hands really well when they use the bathroom each time. Germs are more easily spread when we forget to be diligent in this!

2/12/24-Homework and Reminders

Math: Lesson 4- Regroup Ones to Add pgs. 375-76 evens or odds; 5 minutes basic math facts practice.
Reading/Writing: 10-15 minutes of independent or partner reading. Writing-words from our current curriculum-homophones (sale, sail; two, too, tale, tail), great, country, away.
 
Reminders:
  • There is a lot coming home in the kiddos folder today-please look for a permission slip for our upcoming field trip. The parent/family Preparing at Home for First Eucharist book-this is yours to use at home with your student and family together. You will also find the Unit 10 Fundations (phonics) parent guidelines packet.
  • Tomorrow is our class Valentine's Day party! No Mass
  • Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, mass is at 8:30
  • Next Thursday is our Food Pantry collection-our class is asked to bring in chunky soups

Week at a Glance: 2/12-2/16/24

Fundations: This week we will work on encoding and decoding words with a double vowel/team ai, ay. Students will be able to read trick words- great, country, and away. We will work to read a grade level passage with fluency. Students will learn about how to spell and identify homophones with long vowels. (tee, tea or sail, sale)
 
Wit and Wisdom (reading and writing)- We continue to build knowledge of the life of pioneers who journeyed west in Early American history. This week we will learn to connect visual art with  our text. We will use prior knowledge in discussions using vocabulary form the text.(journey, tragedy, response) Students will work with peers to revise their informational paragraphs.
 
Math-our focus this week is to regroup while adding 3 digit numbers and the different ways we can break apart numbers to use mental math.
 
Social Studies-students will learn ways we can be smart consumers. We will discuss ways in our own families we can make small changes to help us live smarter-costs=benefits, wants vs. needs.
 
Religion- This week we begin the preparation for First Holy Eucharist. We will discuss Lenten promises and celebrate Ash Wednesday. We will continue to talk about other sacraments and the purpose of all of these in the catholic church.

2/7/24

HOMEWORK:
 
Math: Lesson 3 Mentally Add 100 or 10-pgs. 367-68. Please do 5-10 of basic math facts. (+ and -)
 
Reading and Writing: 10-15 minutes of reading/partner. The students have a Scholastic News reader to use tonight.
Please use this to also read and then write 2-3 sentences about what they have read.
 
Reminders: 
  • I-Ready Diagnostic reports are coming home in your child's folder today. Please remember there are many variables that factor into these scores. We look at in class work, scores on additional assessments and where as teachers we can tackle concepts again. We did very well overall! 
  • Tomorrow is an early release day! (10:50)
  • Friday-No School! Enjoy the long weekend!
  • Our Valentine's Day party is Tuesday, February 13th due to Ash Wednesday being February, 14th this year. Room moms are sending out further information on this.
 

2/6/24-Tuesday

HOMEWORK-
 
Math: Lesson 2 pgs. 361-62, 5 minutes of basic facts practice (+).
 
Reading and Writing: Please continue writing words with ar, ir, er, or, and ur in sentences. Indepedent reading or partner reading for 10-15 minutes. Please ask your child comprehension questions during, and after reading. This builds focus and understanding of content.
 
Total homework should be 20 minutes (no more) before Reading each night.
 
Reminders: 
  • Unit 9 Fundations Assessment tomorrow! (er, ir, ur words, trick words-brother, earth)
  • Thursday is an early (10:50) dismissal day and following are our virtual and optional conferences.
  • Friday- NO SCHOOL! Enjoy the long weekend!

2/5/24

HOMEWORK:
 
Math: pgs 355-56 Make a Hundred to Add Lesson 1, Chapter 6.
5 minutes of basic facts practice (+ and -)
 
Reading/Writing: please read independently or partner read 10-15 minutes. Words to write: mother, father, brother-in sentences-use with a verb and an adjective.
 
Reminders:
  • This Thursday is our due date for donations for the Chemo Care Bags.
  • Thursday is a 10:50 dismissal day, followed by OPTIONAL, virtual conferences if signed up for those.
  • Friday, is NO SCHOOL-enjoy the day off!
 

Week at a Glance: 2/5-2/8/24

Fundations: (phonics): Students will be able to-

  • Spell words with /er/ spelling patterns: er, ir, ur
  • Use prefix re to determine the meaning of unknown words
  • Spell trick words mother, brother, father, earth, learn, picture
  • Apply spelling rules to his/her writing

Reading and Writing: (Wit and Wisdom) Students will be able to-

  • compose an informational paragraph
  • Draft a paragraph with clearly explained details
  • Discuss the challenges and responses faced by pioneers
  • Use a Frayer Model to define terms

Math: Students will be able to-

  • add numbers in the hundreds.
  • use expanded form to add a three-digit number.
  • add 10 or 100 mentally.

Religion: We will review and reflect our our sacramentally experience from our First Reconciliation. We will use this week before Valentine’s Day to focus on the love God wants us to show one another-”Love one another as I have loved you!”-This is the GOLDEN RULE


Social Studies: Students will be able to-

  • Show examples of community service jobs to relate new concepts to personal experience.
  • Use role playing to learn about the job duties of eight different service jobs.
  • Appreciate the role service workers play in our complex economy.
  • Learn how specialization occurs in work today.



Reminders: 

  • I-Ready Diagnostics will be wrapped up this week! Please have your kiddos eat a healthy breakfast and get plenty of rest!
  • Chemo Care Bag supplies are due. There was a handout sent home in your child’s folder Friday to see what items are needed for this service project. Thank you for your continued generosity!
  • This Thursday, February 8th is a half day with 10:50 dismissal. Followed by virtual OPTIONAL conferences.
  • Friday, February 9th is a NO SCHOOL day!