Friday Updates 12/20/24

Just a quick reminder that I turn off my email and ClassDojo notifications during breaks. I might check it occasionally, but it it is unlikely that you will be able to get ahold of me until January 6th. 

If you have an school-related emergency, I would recommend contacting the PNB admin, Mr. Thiessen, paul.thiessen@lcps.org, Mrs. McAllister, turner.mcallister@lcps.org, or Mrs. Davenport, latoya.davenport@lcps.org. 

The Front Office will be closed during winter break this year.

Reminders for Friday, December 20th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Winter Break 12/21/24 - 1/5/25
• Last school day before winter break is 12/20/24
• Return to school on Monday, 1/6/25
• Homework packet due Friday, 1/10
• Packet will go home on Monday, 1/6
• Measuring to the nearest inch using a ruler Quiz on Thursday, 1/8 (math)
• Economics Fair Project due by 1/14/25
• MAP Testing on 1/14 & 1/16
• Charged chromebook
• Good night's sleep
• Good breakfast
• Measuring to the nearest pound using a scale Quiz on Wednesday, 1/15 (math)
• Economics test on Thursday, 1/16 (social studies)
• Measuring Volume (liquids) Quiz on Tuesday, 1/21 (math)
• Measurement Reasoning Quiz on Thursday, 1/23 (math)
• Your child is expected to know when to use a ruler, a scale, or a liquid measuring cup to measure a given object.

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook.
• Next event is Wednesday, 1/22/25 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.
• Topic: School Health Procedures, Mental Health, and MTSS
• Dinner and childcare will be provided.
• Please let Mrs. Gustilo (roxanne.gustilo@lcps.org) or Ms. Stiffler know if you plan to attend and if you would like an translator for your langauge (Arabic, Urdu, etc.) Thank you!

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table with your child.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We learned about -le as an ending and when to double the consonant. If the word has a short vowel, then you need to double (apple). If the word has a long vowel, then you do not double (maple).

Handwriting  -  We practiced the lowercase and uppercase letters Cc, Aa, Oo.

Reading - We reviewed story structure.
Writing - We finished our fiction/creative stories. We started talking about adjectives in detail (we have been discussing them all year).

Math - We practiced telling time to the nearest 5 minutes. We will start using ruler to measure to the nearest inch when we return, starting our measurement unit.

Social Studies- We learned about the ways of life of the Lakota native group. When we return, we will start leraning about economics.

Have a restful winter break!

I will see the kids back at school on January 6th (unless it snows or baby comes super early!),

 

Friday Updates 12/13/24

Reminders for Friday, December 13th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Homework packet due Friday, 12/20
• Packet will go home on Monday, 12/16
• Pinebrook Movie Night: Inside Out on Friday, 12/13
• Make sure to RSVP by 12/11!
• Questions, please email Mrs. Higgins at denise.higgins@lcps.org.
• Time to the Nearest 5 Minutes quiz on 12/18 (math)
• Lakota quiz on 12/19 (social studies)
• Winter Break 12/21/24 - 1/5/25
• Last school day before winter break is 12/20/24
• Return to school on Monday, 1/6/25
• Economics Fair Project due by 1/14/25
• MAP Testing on 1/14 & 1/16
• Charged chromebook
• Good night's sleep
• Good breakfast

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook.
• Next event is Tuesday, 12/17/24 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.
• Topic: School Personnel, the School Day, and School Procedures
• Dinner and childcare will be provided.
• Please let Mrs. Gustilo (roxanne.gustilo@lcps.org) or Ms. Stiffler know if you plan to attend and if you would like an translator for your langauge (Arabic, Urdu, etc.) Thank you!

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table with your child.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We learned about dropping "e" from VCe words when adding suffixes -ing (race/racing) and -ed (bake/baked). We also learned about changing "y" to "i" when adding suffixes -es, -ed, -ly, -ness (happy/happily, baby/babies).

Handwriting  -  We practiced the lowercase and uppercase letters Hh, Bb, Pp.

Reading - We read folktales and noticed the story structure.
Writing - We reviewed conjunctions - words the combine two ideas (and, so, but, because) - and continued working on our fiction/creative stories.

Math - We did a lesson about rounding to the nearest 10 and then started our time unit. We are practicing telling time to the nearest 5 minutes. We will continue this next week.

Social Studies- We learned about the ways of life of the Pueblo native group. Next week, we will learn about the Lakota.

Have a wonderful weekend,

 

Economics Project 2024

Economics Project

“Product Fair”

Due January 14th

As a part of our Social Studies Economics unit, the second grade students at Pinebrook will be having a Product Fair on January 15th. 

Each student needs to create/produce an item for the Product Fair. Students need to make 5 of the same products. Some examples of products the students could make and bring in are: 

• small handcrafted items such as paper bag puppets, coin banks, braided jewelry, games, toys, or artwork. Pinterest is a great resource to think of ideas!
• Absolutely NO food items or GLASS ITEMS!!!
• Products should be made from everyday items, recycled objects, or cheap craft materials. 

The students will use fake money to buy and sell products.  Students will price their items to be either $1, $2, or $3.

Students also need to fill out the attached Product Sheet. 

Products are due in school on January 14.

Click here for ideas.

Click to see this flyer and the attached product sheet (that must be turned in):

• Arabic
• English
• Urdu

 

Friday Updates 12/6/24

We have made it to December!

Reminders for Friday, December 6th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Homework packet due Friday, 12/13
• Packet will go home on Monday, 12/9
• Pancake Breakfast and Holiday Vendor Fair tomorrow, 12/7
• 8:30 - 10:30am at Pinebrook
• Holiday Shop will be open after school from 3 - 4pm on 12/9 & 12/10
• Rounding to the Nearest 10 quiz on Tuesday, 12/10
• example: 59 rounds up to 60, 23 rounds down to 20, 45 rounds up to 50.
• Pueblo quiz on Thursday, 12/12 (social studies)
• Family Literacy Night on Thursday, 12/12
• 6:00 - 7:30pm at Pinebrook
• Come out and hear PNB staff read some stories!
• Pinebrook Movie Night: Inside Out on Friday, 12/13
• Make sure to RSVP by 12/11!
• Questions, please email Mrs. Higgins at denise.higgins@lcps.org.
• Winter Break 12/21/24 - 1/5/25
• Last school day before winter break is 12/20/24
• Return to school on Monday, 1/6/25

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook.
• Next event is Tuesday, 12/17/24 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.
• Topic: School Personnel, the School Day, and School Procedures
• Dinner and childcare will be provided.
• Please let Mrs. Gustilo (roxanne.gustilo@lcps.org) or Ms. Stiffler know if you plan to attend and if you would like an translator for your langauge (Arabic, Urdu, etc.) Thank you!

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table with your child.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We learned about when to double the last consonant before adding a suffix (-ed, -ing, -er-, -est).

Handwriting  -  We practiced the lowercase and uppercase letters Rr, Mm, Nn.

Reading - We identifed text organization, text structure, and learned some new vocabulary.
Writing - We started planning out our fiction stories (characters, setting, problem, and solution). We also learned about conjunctions - words the combine two ideas (and, so, but, because).

Math - We practiced adding together the coins in U.S. money/currency (pennies, nickels, dimes) to get a total value/worth. We talked a lot about the word "cent". Next week, we will do a lesson about rounding to the nearest 10 and then start our time unit.

Social Studies- We learned about the ways of life of the Powhatan native group. Next week, we will learn about the Pueblo.

Have a fabulous weekend,

 

Tuesday Updates 11/26/24

Reminders for Tuesday, November 26th

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• Homework packet due Friday, 12/6
• Packet will go home on Monday, 12/1
• Please return movie permission slip!
• No School 11/27 - 11/29 -- Thanksgiving Break
• Return to school on Monday, 12/2.
• Counting Coins up to $1.00 quiz on Wednesday, 12/4 (math)
• up to $1 using like coins (only pennies, only nickels, etc.)
• TouchMath Money is a strategy to help your child remember the valuse of each coin and count collections.
• Powhatan quiz on Thursday, 12/5 (social studies)

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook.
• Next event is Tuesday, 11/19/24 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.
• Topic: The U.S. School System, Study Skills, and Homework
• Dinner and childcare will be provided.
• Please let Mrs. Gustilo (roxanne.gustilo@lcps.org) or Ms. Stiffler know if you plan to attend and if you would like an translator for your langauge (Arabic, Urdu, etc.) Thank you!

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table with your child.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We reviewed when y is a vowel, it must take the place of another vowel sound -- y = /short i/ gym, y = /long i/ sky, y = /long e/ baby.

Handwriting  -  We practiced the lowercase and uppercase letters Jj, Uu, and Yy.

Reading - We practiced identifying theme and retelling a story.
Writing - We practiced base words (the main part of a word), prefixes (word parts that are added to the beginning of base word and change the meaning), and suffixes (word parts that are added to the end of a base word and change the meaning).

Math - We started learning about the coins in U.S. money/currency (pennies, nickels, dimes), their individual values, and adding them together to get a total value/worth. We will also talk a lot about the word "cent".

Science - We learned about ways that habitats can change. We will learn about ways that environment can affect our health next week.

Have a wonderful break and I'll see the kids again on Monday, 12/2,

 

Friday Updates 11/22/24

There are a few new resources on the blog!

• Vocabulary Resources
• also listed under Families tab at the top of the blog
• Reading Lessons Mind Maps
• also listed under Student tab at the top of the blog
• Study Guides document now includes links to the mind map where the kids and I drop our ideas about the topics 
• also listed under Student tab at the top of the blog
• can be used for studying!
• On ClassDojo, I am starting to post the vocabulary words that we discuss during reading lessons each day. It does not mean that your child will be assessed on these words. It does allow for discussions at home and help build their word meaning knowledge.

Reminders for Friday, November 22nd

• Remember your Chromebook and charger every day!
• Practice your student ID number!
• NO Homework packet next week. 
• Next packet will go home Monday, 12/2.
• Please return movie permission slip!
• Environmental and Community Health on Tuesday, 11/26 (health)
• No test.
• Your child will make a poster in class that encourages others to protect the environment. It is related to changes in habitats and also our health unit.
• No School 11/27 - 11/29 -- Thanksgiving Break
• Return to school on 12/2.
• Counting Coins up to $1.00 quiz on Wednesday, 12/4 (math)
• $1 using like coins (only pennies, only nickels, etc.)
• Powhatan quiz on Thursday, 12/5 (social studies)

Notes

• PEP (Parents as Educational Partners)
• There are monthly events for grown-ups and caregivers of English Language (EL students). They are hosted by Mrs. Gustilo, one of our EL teachers at PNB, and Ms. Stiffler; while our kids happen to have both these teachers, these meetings are for ALL families at Pinebrook. All meetings are held at Pinebrook.
• Next event is Tuesday, 11/19/24 from 5:30 - 7:30pm.
• Topic: The U.S. School System, Study Skills, and Homework
• Dinner and childcare will be provided.
• Please let Mrs. Gustilo (roxanne.gustilo@lcps.org) or Ms. Stiffler know if you plan to attend and if you would like an translator for your langauge (Arabic, Urdu, etc.) Thank you!

• Weekly Reminders
• Return library books by Mondays!
• We will get new books EVERY Monday.
• If you do not return your books, you will not be allowed to pick out new books.
• Wear sneakers on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E.
• If you do not wear sneakers/tennis shoes/trainers or closed-toed shoes (NO boots), you will not be allowed to participate in P.E. This is a rule from the P.E. teachers.
• Ice Cream is available at lunch on Wednesdays for $1.
• LCPS allows students to purchase ice cream any day of the week.
• As a team, second grade is encouarged to get ice cream on Wednesday to help prevent any chaos (like buying 4 ice creams).
• Parents can join at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
• Please be sure to bring your ID card to get in the front door.
• Please make sure to stay at our table with your child.
• Our lunch is 12:20 - 12:50pm.
• House Spirit Days are on Fridays.
• Wear your house color on Fridays to show house spirit. 

• Pinebrook Family Resources Page
• Information on how to study, testing, online programs, etc.

PTA Events

• School Store is open on Fridays from 7:40 - 8:00am.

Week Overview

SEL/Morning Meeting & Grade 2 SEL Home Link document

Phonics - We learned about when y is a vowel, it must take the place of another vowel sound -- y = /short i/ gym, y = /long i/ sky, y = /long e/ baby.

Handwriting  -  We practiced the lowercase and uppercase letters Jj, Uu, and Yy.

Reading - We learned about retelling, theme, central idea, and text organization.
Writing - We learned about base words (the main part of a word), prefixes (word parts that are added to the beginning of base word and change the meaning), and suffixes (word parts that are added to the end of a base word and change the meaning).

Math - We compared 2-digit numbers using <, >, and = and ordering them into least to greatest and greatest to least. We will revisit this skill later in the year with 3-digit numbers. Next week, we will start learning about the coins in U.S. money/currency (pennies, nickels, dimes), their individual values, and adding them together to get a total value/worth. We will also talk a lot about the word "cent".

Science - We learned about ways that habitats can change. We will learn about ways that environment can affect our health next week.

Stay warm this weekend,