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Mrs. Marisa Macdonald » Home

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Welcome to 2nd Grade with Mrs. Macdonald!

 

I am a Florida native and received my BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of South Florida. After graduation, I pursued my Masters of Education through the University of Notre Dame’s ACE Service through Teaching Program and have been an educator for the last fourteen years. Additionally, I earned my English as a New Language endorsement through the University of Notre Dame in 2012. I taught at a Catholic school in Kansas City, Kansas, and I then moved to Chicago in 2010 where I spent eight years teaching second grade at a Catholic school in Pilsen. I am excited to be back for my fifth year of teaching in this beautiful school community.

In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, singing, traveling, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I could not imagine teaching anywhere else but a Catholic school, where I can share my faith with my students and watch them grow in their own relationships with God. I am especially looking forward to preparing my students for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

 

Posts

Week at a Glance 12/13/21-12/17/21

Week at a Glance

Week of December 13-17, 2021

Math: We will continue learning about 2D and 3D shapes. We will describe the shapes’ attributes, and we will keep practicing how to count the sides, angles, edges, and vertices. We will have a short quiz on Friday, which will cover identifying 2D and 3D shapes, counting the number of sides and angles on 2D shapes, and recognizing which 3D shape has a specified number of faces, edges, and vertices (e.g., which shape has 0 faces, 0 edges, 0 vertices? Answer: sphere).

Science: We will learn about patterns of how water and rivers flow. We will watch Mystery Science videos and build models to illustrate these concepts. If time permits, we will also participate in an activity answering the question “Why is snow white?”

Language Arts: We will turn our writing focus to writing another type of informational text - How To books. Students will learn about putting directions in the proper sequence and using transition words like first, next, then, and last.

Reading: During our word work time, we will practice decoding and encoding words with silent letters, specifically silent k (like knit and knock) and silent w (like wrist and write). We will also do some work with homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings (e.g., dear and deer). We will continue reading about our Superkids adventures in our readers. Finally, we will switch back to a new issue of our Super magazine

Social Studies: None - see Science

Religion: As we draw closer to Advent, we will light the third (rose/pink) candle on our Advent wreath. We will learn the special name for this Sunday of Advent (“Gaudete Sunday”), and we will continue to open boxes for our class Nativity scene. We will use our Finding God books and additional resources to read about the Christmas season of the church, lasting from sundown on Christmas Eve through the Baptism of the Lord (this year, celebrated on Sunday, January 9th).

 

Tests and Quizzes:

  • Spelling Test = Friday
  • Math Chapter 12 Quiz = Friday → all about shapes
 

Additional Reminders:

  • Christmas FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION = Thursday, 12/16 - Thank you in advance for your generosity. Please refer to the email from Mrs. Lombardo or this week’s Knightly Notes for a list of preferred items.
  • Please try to take your child to Mass over the weekend. We will celebrate the third week of Advent and light the pink/rose candle.
  • Monday (during school) we will meet with our 8th grade buddies to work on a special Advent craft.
  • We will attend our All School Mass virtually next week (Tuesday → 8:30am).
  • Thank you for your generosity with the hat and glove donations for the homeless shelters.
  • If you did not receive the email to sign up for the Superkids parent portal, please email me, and I will see what I can do to remedy the situation.
  • If you would like to donate books or other items to our class during the holidays, please consider choosing something from our Amazon wishlist.
  • Class Christmas party = Monday, 12/20 - Pizza will be provided for the students.
  • Last day of classes before Christmas break = Tuesday, 12/21 (regular 2pm dismissal)

Thursday, 12/9/21, Notes

Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice spelling words - test = Friday
 
3. Math 12.5 homework pages
 
 
Additional Reminders:
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th.
  • We have plenty of brown paper grocery bags. If you have not sent one in yet, please do not send one. Thank you!
  • If your child wears boots to school, please send him/her with an extra pair of shoes to change into for the classroom.
  • **Bears/Packers/Sports Team dress down tomorrow.**

We have plenty of brown paper bags

We have more than enough brown paper grocery bags. If you have not sent one in yet, please do not bother to do so. We are good to go for next week!
 
Thank you!

Wednesday, 12/8/21, Notes

Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice spelling words - test = Friday
 
3. Math 12.4 homework pages
 
4. Social Studies --> test = Thursday --> Students will be able to use their packets of notes.
 
 
Additional Reminders:
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th.
  • We have plenty of brown paper grocery bags. If you have not sent one in yet, please do not send one. Thank you!
  • If your child wears boots to school, please send him/her with an extra pair of shoes to change into for the classroom.

Tuesday, 12/7/21, Homework

Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice spelling words - test = Friday
 
3. Math 12.2 homework pages
 
4. Social Studies --> test = Thursday --> Students will be able to use their packets of notes.
**Students brought home a completed copy of the review sheet. (Please excuse the spelling error.)**
 
Additional Reminders:
  • All School Mass = Wednesday, December 8th (8:30am) in order to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All families are welcome to attend. (There is also Mass at 6:30am and 7:00pm if any families want to attend and are unable to join us at that time.)
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th.
  • Please send in a brown paper grocery bag (preferably with handles) at some point this week.
  • If your child wears boots to school, please send him/her with an extra pair of shoes to change into for the classroom.

Monday, 12/6/21, Notes

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas! The students each received a candy cane today, and we read a book about Saint Nicholas.
 
Here is tonight's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice spelling words - test = Friday
**New list and "backpack pages" went home today**
 
3. Math 12.1 homework pages
**Students brought home a reference sheet with 2D and 3D shapes. I recommend putting it in a helpful place at home for your child to use as needed.**
 
4. Social Studies --> test = Thursday
**Students worked on a review sheet in class. They also brought home a completed copy of the review sheet. (Please excuse the spelling error.)**
 
Additional Reminders:
  • There is no all school Mass on Tuesday. We will attend on Wednesday, December 8th (8:30am), instead, as this is a holy day of obligation to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All families are welcome to attend. (There is also Mass at 6:30am and 7:00pm if any families want to attend and are unable to join us at our all school Mass.)
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th.
  • Please send in a brown paper grocery bag (preferably with handles) at some point this week.
  • If your child wears boots to school, please send him/her with an extra pair of shoes to change into for the classroom. They will be given time to change into their boots for recess and dismissal.
 
New Spelling List - soft c /s/ and soft g /j/ sounds
  1. city
  2. circle
  3. nice
  4. space
  5. pencil
  6. excited
  7. age
  8. page
  9. huge
  10. large
  11. giant
  12. gentle

Week at a Glance 12/6/21-12/10/21

Week at a Glance

December 6-10, 2021

Math: We will switch up our learning objectives and turn to a chapter focused on shapes. We will name 2D shapes and identify how many angles and sides each shape has. We will also sort 2D shapes and decide if a shape is 2D or 3D. Finally we will identify different 3D shapes based on their attributes.

Science: No Science this week - we will resume Science lessons the following week

Language Arts: We will continue working on our narrative stories next week. Students are developing characters, setting, and plot (problem and solution). They are working hard and getting very creative with this project.

Reading: We will turn our Phonics focus to words with a soft c (e.g., pencil) and soft g (e.g., gentle). We will work on our fluency and reading with expression each day in our Superkids reader. We will also meet with our Book Club reading groups to work on comprehension of fictional texts (fables and folk tales).

Social Studies: We will review for our Economics test (chapter 4). Students will complete an in-class review sheet on topics that will be covered on the test, including producers, consumers, needs, wants, scarcity, and types of resources (human, capital, natural). Students will bring home a copy of the review sheet, but they will keep their packets of notes here at school to use on the test. The test will most likely be on Thursday.

Religion: December has a couple of very important feast days for Mary, so we will learn about the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when Mary was conceived without sin (12/8), and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, when Mary appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico (12/12).

 

Tests and Quizzes:

  • Spelling test (new list goes home Monday) = Friday, 12/10
  • Reading progress assessment = Friday, 12/10
  • Social Studies Chapter 4 Economics Test = Thursday, 12/9
 

Additional Reminders:

  • Please try to take your child to Mass over the weekend.
  • There is no all school Mass on Tuesday. We will attend on Wednesday, December 8th (8:30am), instead, as this is a holy day of obligation to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All families are welcome to attend. (There is also Mass at 6:30am and 7:00pm if any families want to attend and are unable to join us at our all school Mass.)
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th. Thank you for your generosity during this holiday season!
  • If you would like to donate books or other items to our class during the holidays, please consider choosing something from our Amazon wishlist.

Thursday, 12/2/21, Notes

1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice Spelling words
 
*No Math homework*
 
Tests and Additional Reminders:
  • Spelling test = Friday, 12/3
  • Social Studies Chapter 4 test (Economics) = next week (*most likely* Wednesday or Thursday)
 
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th. Thank you for your generosity during this holiday season!
  • Friday = Christmas concert recording - Students should follow the dress up guidelines in the email sent out from the administration (red, green, white color scheme).

Wednesday, 12/1/21, Notes

1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice Spelling words
 
3. Math - review for test --> no official homework to turn in
*I am sending home the practice test we did in class on Tuesday for you to see the types of problems that will be on the test tomorrow. Please note some of these were multiple choice problems, but the test will not have multiple choice items.*
 
Tests and Additional Reminders:
  • Math Chapter 4 test = Thursday, 12/2 (see review sheet in your child's homework folder)
  • Spelling test = Friday, 12/3
  • Social Studies Chapter 4 test (Economics) = next week (*most likely* Wednesday or Thursday)
 
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th. Thank you for your generosity during this holidays season!
  • Please follow all COVID protocols if your child is not feeling well. Thank you for helping to keep our school family safe, especially between now and Christmas break.

Quick Tips Video - Spelling and Math

If you are looking for some ideas to practice Spelling and Math with your child this week, check out this short video I made for a couple quick tips on spelling oo and ew words, along with subtracting - when or when not to regroup.
 
Video link (~ 4 minutes)

Tuesday, 11/30/21, Homework

1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice Spelling words
 
3. Math "Practice Test" (2 sides) - We completed a practice test in class, but the homework is another version for additional practice. Students will see problems like these on the test on Thursday.
 
Tests and Additional Reminders:
  • Math Chapter 4 test = Thursday, 12/2 (see review sheet in your child's homework folder)
  • Spelling test = Friday, 12/3
  • Social Studies Chapter 4 test (Economics) = next week (*most likely* Wednesday or Thursday)
 
  • Hat and glove donations (kid and adult sizes) should be brought in by Friday, December 10th. Thank you for your generosity during this holidays season!
  • Please follow all COVID protocols if your child is not feeling well. Thank you for helping to keep our school family safe, especially between now and Christmas break.

Service Opportunity

Dear Families,
 
In this season of giving, we have found another opportunity here at St. Joe's to share with those in need. The Franciscan Outreach and Boulevard Centers homeless shelters are in need of new gloves and winter hats (kids and/or adult sizes). If you would like to contribute to this cause, please send in your donations by Friday, December 10th. If you would prefer to send in a couple of dollars, I can use that money to purchase additional hats and gloves. (Please just put it in an envelope marked "gloves and hats".) We will also work at school to write cards for the people who will be receiving these gifts.
 
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
 
Sincerely,
Mrs. Macdonald
 

Monday, 11/29/21, Homework

Happy First Week of Advent, and welcome back to another week!
 
Here is Monday's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes (I cannot emphasize how important this is for all of the students to continue to grow as readers.)
 
2. Practice Spelling words (see list below)
 
3. Math 4.9 homework pages (2-step word problems)
 
Tests and Additional Reminders:
  • Math Chapter 4 test = Thursday (see review sheet in your child's homework folder)
  • Spelling test = Friday (see list in your child's homework folder)
  • Social Studies Chapter 4 test (Economics) = next week (*most likely* Wednesday or Thursday)
 
  • All School Mass = Tuesday, 8:30 am - We will attend virtually this week.
  • Please see your child's homework folder for an Advent calendar.
 
Spelling List:

Words to Practice: words with oo and ew

  1. cook
  2. took
  3. foot
  4. stood
  5. too
  6. tool
  7. boot
  8. soon
  9. blew
  10. chew
  11. threw
  12. grew

Dear Families,
 
There is no homework over the Thanksgiving break. We hope everyone is able to relax and refresh. Instead of posting homework, I want to share with you a Thanksgiving family tradition I have taken part in since I was a child - making "Turkey Apples." It can double as a decoration for the table!
 
Materials:
- 1 apple per person (red delicious works, but others do too)
- toothpicks (1 for neck, 5 for feathers, 3 for legs = 9 total per person)
- raisins (last year I found that red grapes work too, if you're not s fan of raisins)
- 1 green olive per person (a green grape could work here too - you just won't have the red part sticking out)
 
For Assembly of the Turkey (see the picture for assistance):
- Put raisins (/red grapes) on each of the feather toothpicks and the neck toothpick
- Put the green olive (/green grape) on the top of the neck toothpick
- Stick the feather and neck toothpicks in the apple
- Use three toothpicks to create a tripod for legs
 
**You absolutely do not need to make these turkey apples. I know every family has their own traditions and fun activities for different holidays. That being said, if you do make these, I'd love to see a photo!**
 
 
Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe and healthy. Enjoy the break - Wednesday thru Sunday!

Monday, 11/22/21, Notes

Monday's Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice Spelling words
 
3. No Math homework
 
Upcoming Tests and Quizzes:
  • Spelling Test = Tuesday
  • Reading Progress Assessment = Tuesday
  • Math Chapter 4 Test = Thursday AFTER Thanksgiving (12/2)
Additional Reminders:
  • Thanksgiving Break = Wednesday, 11/24 - Friday, 11/26
    • If you plan to travel for Thanksgiving, please plan to also follow the health and safety protocols outlined for travel. We understand how important the holidays are for family time, and we also value our school family and want to keep everyone safe and healthy. Thank you for your cooperation.
    • There is no homework for Thanksgiving break! We want it to be just that - a break from school. We truly hope your families are able to enjoy your time together and that there is plenty of time for fun and relaxation.
    • This Thanksgiving I will certainly be counting your children as blessings in my life!