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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

Thursday, 4/15, Homework

Here is tonight's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes and complete a row on the April Reading Log
 
2. GoMath! 8.4 homework pages -- please help your child bring back ruler to school tomorrow
 
3. Practice spelling words -- test on Friday (compound words)

Wednesday, 4/14, Homework

 

1. Read for 20 minutes -- complete a row on the April Reading Log
 
2. GoMath! 8.3 homework pages 557-558
*Please bring the ruler back to school each day.*
 
3. Practice spelling words -- compound words
 
Reminders:
  • Please send in pencils as needed.
  • All 2nd graders will attend Mass on Thursdays (starting tomorrow). If your child will be receiving First Communion this year, please also try to bring your children to Mass on the weekend (either at St. Joe's or at another church) in order to help prepare them for receiving their First Communion in a few short weeks
  • Parents and Families, please check your email today regarding registering your family for the First Communion mass. 
     

 

Tuesday, 4/13/21, Homework

Here is tonight's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes and complete row on April Reading Log
 
2. GoMath! Lesson 8.2 homework pages (pp. 551-552)
*Students brought their ruler to complete their work. Please help make sure these come back with the students on Wednesday.*
 
3. Practice spelling words -- compound words 

Pencils

Dear Families,
 
Many of the students are running out of pencils as we near the end of the school year. At your convenience, please send in a few extra with your child for him/her to use.
 
Thank you,
Ms. Finerty 

Monday, 4/12, Homework

Happy Monday! We are so happy to have welcomed back all students who have had to quarantine! It's great to have a full class in person again.

 
Here is tonight's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes and complete row on April Reading Log
 
2. GoMath! Lesson 8.1 homework pages (pp. 545-546)
*Students brought home a bag of color tiles to complete their work. Please help make sure these come back with the students on Tuesday.*
 
3. Practice spelling words -- this list focuses on compound words (two syllables with two words in each syllable) 
Here is the list: 
  1. basketball
  2. bathtub
  3. someone
  4. backyard
  5. weekend
  6. driveway
  7. something
  8. bedtime
  9. birthday
  10. raindrop
  11. riverbank
  12. mailbox
  13. outside
  14. everybody
  15. sometimes
  16. baseball
Reminders:
  • Second grade will attend Mass in person on Thursdays starting this week. 
  • Spelling Test is on Friday
  • Please send in new pencils for your child as needed.

Week at a Glance 4/12/21-4/16/21

Week at a Glance

Week of April 12-16, 2021

Math: We will begin a new chapter in our GoMath! Books that focuses on measuring in inches and feet. This week, we will start by practicing measuring using inch blocks and rulers. Students will also practice estimating lengths of objects using inches. Finally, they will use measurement information in word problems as they add and subtract lengths.

Science: This week we will explore the Mystery Science question: Why are toys made of plastic? In this lesson, students will learn about melting and about the solid and liquid states of matter. They will then discover why plastic was invented. In the activity, students will conduct an investigation to determine which types of candy melt in hot water. Using their observations, they will decide which type candy is the best choice to bring to a hot summer camp. 

Language Arts: Our grammar skill this week will focus on using different verb tenses. Students will use the past, present, and future tenses of verbs correctly in sentences. Using our Mentor Sentence from Diary of a Worm, we will practice our spelling skill of forming compound words. During Writing Workshop, we will continue practicing our cursive writing, but we will also return to opinion writing. Students will choose a topic and work up to an opinion paragraph with an opinion statement, supporting reasons, examples of the reasons, and a concluding statement.

Reading: This week’s story of the week is Anansi Goes Fishing. It is a folktale that we will use to review the skill of comparing and contrasting information within and between texts. The spelling words will contain compound words, which are formed when two words are combined to form a word with a new meaning.

Social Studies: We will take our Chapter 3 test on Monday. (Students can use their Study Guides and their notebooks on the test.) Later in the week, we will preview the next chapter, about Economics. This week, we will focus on where items come from, and we will learn the  following terms: needs, wants, barters, scarce, choice, and purchase.

Religion: We will focus on Session 7 in our God’s Gift: Eucharist books, which is about receiving. We will discuss how to receive the Eucharist and practice the prayers that make up the Communion Rite. We will also practice the response of “Amen” when receiving the body and blood of Jesus.

 

Assessments:

  • Social Studies Chapter 3 Test →  Monday, 4/12 (students can use their notebooks and their study guides)

  • Spelling Test →  Friday

 

Reminders:

  • Please try to attend mass with your child over the weekend. *This is important as we get closer to First Communion.*

  • Next week, we will start attending Mass in person. Second grade will attend on Thursdays. This will take the place of watching virtual Mass on Tuesdays, like we have been doing throughout the year. *Please help by reviewing the Mass responses and expected behaviors with your child at home. We will also be reviewing these in class.*

  • Please review the following pages in your Together Magazine in the coming week: pp. 46-51 → Session 7 Receiving.

  • Please see the post below with Communion Reminders if you have any questions about First Communion

First Communion Reminders

Banner Kit

  • Each second grade student will make a First Communion banner to hang on the end of their pew during Communion Mass. This banner will be made at home. Families may either purchase materials at a local store, or you may purchase a banner kit through the school in January for $20.  

Communion Practice:  Monday, April 26, 2021, at 6:00PM in the Church

  • All students are required to attend Communion Mass practice with one parent. Details about the practice will be sent home in early April. All COVID safety protocols must be honored during practice (masks, social distance, hand sanitizer).
  • We encourage all second graders to bring a canned good to be donated to the St. Joseph Food Panty.    

Communion Mass: 10:00AM in the Church on Saturday, May 1, 2021

  • Please be seated in the church by 9:50AM.
  • Each family will have a limited number of attendees due to the social distancing requirement in the church. Each family may have the total of 5 attendees during the Communion Mass, including the second grade student (the student and four guests).  
  • Each family will be required to pre-register their attendees by April 23.
  • Be sure to bring your Communion banner to hang on the end of your pew.
  • Mass will be live-streamed, and a link will be shared with you during the last week of April.

Communion Pictures during Communion Mass

A photographer will be present during Communion Mass to take a picture of each child as they receive the sacrament for the first time.  Pictures will be available for purchase after mass, and the cost for the picture is about $20.

Attire for Communion:

  • Girls typically wear a white dress and, if desired, a veil and/or gloves.
  • Boys should wear dress pants/sport coat or a suit with a shirt and tie and dress shoes.

 

Friday Assignments For Students Who Need to Quarantine

We are looking forward to welcoming you back next week!!

Phonics

______ Spelling Test - call in to our Google Meet (use the link in Google Classroom) at ________

______ Upload a picture of your test to Seesaw (while on Google Meet call)

Reading

______ Complete the Picture of the Day Seesaw assignment

______ Complete the Unit 3 Week 2 Test on Savvas (log on through Google Classroom) - please complete this on your own

______ Independent reading - read for 30 minutes (any book of your choice)

*Please note this should be in addition to the Reading Log*


Writing

______ Letter s → watch this video BEFORE writing in your book

______ Complete pp. 18-19


Math

______ Complete an entire session of XtraMath

_____ Complete the Measurement Pre-Assessment → please complete this on your own


Religion

_____ Read and pray through pp. 58-60 in your blue Communion book


Science 

_____ Use this Mystery Science Lesson Video → How Are Vaccines Made to follow along in your Science notebook 

Thursday Assignments for Students Who Have to Quarantine

Phonics

______ Readers and Writers p. 209

______ Readers and Writers p. 215

Reading

_____ Watch this mini lesson about prefixes → video link 

_____ Complete Readers and Writers p. 210 (prefixes)

_____ Listen to the story Two Bad Ants → video link

_____ Complete the Two Bad Ants comprehension questions - *Question 7 = optional*


Writing

______ Letter p → watch this video BEFORE writing in your book

______ Complete pp. 16-17


Math

______ i-Ready Math lessons - work for 30 minutes or more

*Your classmates took a quiz today on telling time. You will make up the quiz on the day you return to school.*

______ Complete an entire session of XtraMath


Religion

_____ Read and complete pp. 56-57 in your blue Communion book


Social Studies

_____ Complete this Kahoot! to review for the Chapter 3 test

Thursday, 4/8/21, Homework

Here is Thursday's homework:

1. Read 20 minutes and complete a row on the April Reading Log
 
2. No Math homework (students took a quiz on telling time today)
 
3. Study Spelling words (test tomorrow) 
 
Reminders:
  • Spelling Test is Friday
  • Reading Test is Friday
  • Social Studies Chapter 3 Test is Monday, 4/12

Wednesday Assignments for Students Who Have to Quarantine


Phonics

______ Color the Chunk - long o vowel teams → circle or color in each oa, ow vowel team

______ Color the Chunk → Choose 3 words from each side; use each word in a sentence (on any blank paper) = 6 sentences total


Reading

_____ Complete the Drawing Conclusions Page (A Frog Fable)

______ Independent reading - read for 30 minutes (any book of your choice)

*Please note this should be in addition to the Reading Log*


Writing 

______ Letter j → watch this video BEFORE writing in your book

______ Complete pp. 14-15


Math

______ Complete an entire session of XtraMath

______ Complete the Time Review Sheet (2 pages front and back)


Religion

______ Read and complete activities on pp. 52-55 in your blue Communion book

______ Watch this video about Easter


Social Studies

_____ Complete the Chapter 3 Test Review sheet → Keep this, as you will be able to use it on your Test next week

*You can (and should) use your Social Studies notebook and My World book to help you complete this.*

Wednesday, 4/7/21, Homework

Here is today's homework:

1. Read 20 minutes
*Complete a row on the April Reading Log*
 
2. Math - Telling Time sheet (1 side)
(Students can write the answers anywhere inside each box, or they can number the back of the paper and record answers there.)
 
3. Practice spelling words
 
Reminders:
  • Math Quiz - Telling Time is ib Thursday
  • Spelling Test is Friday (circled words only)
  • Reading Test is Friday (on the iPads)
  • Social Studies Ch. 3 Test is Monday, 4/12

 

Tuesday, 4/6/21, Homework

 

Happy Easter! I hope you had a great weekend!
 
Here is Tuesday's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes and complete a row on the April Reading Log
(sent home today)
 
 
2. Math - Telling Time sheet - 2 sides
--> Side 1 = Telling time to the nearest 5 minutes
--> Side 2 = A.M. or P.M.
 
3. Spelling - Practice words (see list below)
*Students are only responsible for the circled words they brought home today.*
 
Tests and Reminders:
  • Math - Telling Time Quiz = Thursday
  • Spelling Test = Friday
  • Reading Test = Friday (on the iPads)
  • Social Studies Test = Monday, 4/12

Spelling List

  1. coat
  2. soap
  3. goal
  4. low
  5. flow
  6. snow

Spelling List

  1. coach
  2. throat
  3. coax
  4. groan
  5. hollow
  6. arrow

Tuesday Assignments for Students Who Quarantine

 

 

Tuesday, 4/06/21, Checklist

-Watch the Livestream Mass with our school community at 8:30am.

Phonics

_____ *Check Seesaw for a note from your teacher about which spelling list you are on this week*

_____ Use each of your spelling words in a sentence (6 sentences total). Use capital letters and periods.


Reading

_____ Readers & Writers packet - Grammar p. 216

_____ Complete 30 minute of i-Ready Reading lessons

_____ Complete a row on your Reading Log


Writing

______ Letter r → watch this video BEFORE writing in your book

______ Complete pp. 10-11


Math

______ Complete an entire session of XtraMath

______ Complete the Telling Time to the Hour and Half Hour review sheet (front and back)

______ Complete the Telling Time to the Quarter Hour review sheet (front and back)


Religion

______ Complete pp. 12-13 in your My Mass book (the small blue book)

______ Read and complete p. 51 in your big blue Communion book
 
There are no Science or Social Studies assignments today.

Week at a Glance 4/5/21-4/9/21

 

Week at a Glance

Week of April 5-9, 2021

Math: We will finish Chapter 7 with final lessons for telling time on analog and digital clocks. We will review and students will take a quiz on Thursday, 4/8. They should be able to tell time to the nearest hour, half hour, quarter hour, and 5 minutes. Additionally, they should be able to determine if a time should be labeled as A.M. or P.M.

Science: We will use a mini lesson from Mystery Science and watch videos to explore the question: How Are Vaccines Made? We will use specific questions to guide our discussion and inquiry.

Language Arts: We will focus on the grammar skill of using Subject/Verb agreement. During Writing Workshop, we will take a break from Opinion Writing so that we can continue to make progress in our cursive handwriting books.

Reading: This week we will continue to review the reading strategy of drawing conclusions. This week we will use additional texts to help us practice this strategy. We have a shorter list for spelling this week, that will extend our understanding and practice of the long o sound with vowel teams oa and ow in different words.

Social Studies: review concepts from Chapter 3 next week as we prepare for our Chapter 3 test the following week (week of 4/12). This chapter focused on our country’s government and included topics such as the three branches of government, laws and their importance, the United Nations, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. We will complete an in-class review that students can use on the test, as well as a Kahoot! review on our iPads.

Religion: We will return to our Blue Communion Books, to continue prepating for the Sacrament. We will use Session 6 called Remembering, to discuss the meaning of the Eucharistic Prayer as the most important part of the Mass. We will also learn about the Last Supper, which Jesus celebrated with his disciples the night before he died on the cross.

 

Assessments:

  • Math Quiz - Telling Time →  Thursday

  • Spelling Test → Friday (The list your child is responsible for will be circled on the paper that will be sent home)

  • Reading Test → Friday (on the iPads)

 

Reminders:

  • Please try to attend mass with your child over the weekend, either in-person or virtually. Happy Easter!

  • Please review the following pages in your Together Magazine in the coming week: pp. 40-45 → Session 6 Remembering.

  • Friday, April 2nd, and Monday, April 5th there is no school