Click the link below for parent resources for Mathematics and the Common Core State Standards; Annotated by Elizabeth Van Cleef (Stratton Math Instructional Coach)

We have had a very productive week of writing!  
The children have been brainstorming moments that have really mattered in their lives and have been jotting the ideas into their "tiny topic" notebooks.  These notebooks are used as "idea files" to help generate small moment stories.  At home, if your child thinks of a memorable idea for a story, please ask her/him to write it down and then to write/paste it in her/his tiny topic notebook in school. Once the children have developed their story ideas, they share their thoughts with their learning buddy and then plan their stories in their booklets. (see photos)

Lucy Calkins says, ""Today, tonight, tomorrow-and forever!-be on the lookout for small things in your lives that could make memorable stories and catch them!  Write them down! Be like Jane Yolen; [author of "Owl Moon" and more] be a writer.  Listen and look closely and don't let everything pass you by.  You'll be able to write with details because you'll live with details.  Start now!" 
(taken from "Lessons from the Masters; Improving Narrative Writing" Lucy Calkins, Amanda Hartman, Julia Mooney Published by Heinemann)

The children worked on their own and with partners to solve math story problems.  The children used a variety of strategies to show their math thinking; number lines, equations, and pictures.  All of the boys and girls labeled their answers.  They were reflective while solving the problems.  Keep up the fantastic work! 

I am looking for 1-2 Room Parents to help plan celebrations throughout the year and to support efforts from the PTO. Please let me know if you would like to help out.  

Update: Julie Vakoc has offered to help as a room parent, but it's always helpful to have additional support.

Many thanks!

Julie Barth

Jbarth@arlington.k12.ma.us

Today our class practiced our writing stamina. The children worked well independently. They focused on writing interesting leads for their journal entries. Their work was very impressive!

Tomorrow (9/23) is an early release day. The children will be dismissed at 1:00. Wednesday is Picture Day. We do not have school on Thursday.

After an empowering and inspiring few days in DC, I am back in Boston. I'm looking forward to seeing the boys and girls on Monday! Enjoy your weekend!

Today I attended a conference dedicated to ending extreme poverty. The keynote speaker was John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana from 2001-2009. I also had a chance to see some amazing sites in our nation's capital.

Today I spent the day at the U.S. Capitol working to end extreme poverty.

Our Stratton School "Picture Day" will be on Wednesday, September 24th. We will have individual photos and a class photo taken on this day.  Photo package options will be sent home soon.

Save the date: Stratton School's Curriculum Night will be on Tuesday, September 30th. During the evening you will be able to visit your child's new classroom and hear about our amazing year in second grade!
Time: TBA

Many children chose to create designs using our pattern blocks during our choice time.  Some students asked me to take photos of their creations!  Very cool designs!

Our colorful hot air balloon projects are now on display in our classroom. Students designed their own hot air balloon and wrote interesting information about themselves!

We are having a great start to the school year! Thank you for the school supplies! If you have not sent in your Student Health and Emergency form and/or the Stay Sharp All Summer continent book, please do so tomorrow or Monday. Thanks very much!