Author: Melissa Morrier-Turk

Dear 2B Families,

I hope everyone is staying healthy!  Tomorrow is National Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  Your child is invited to bring a Dr. Seuss book to school for an afternoon partner activity.  I am still building my Dr. Seuss collection, so it would be helpful to have some extra books from home. 😊

• Math: We will be taking our assessment on double-digit addition with and without regrouping tomorrow.  I was able to check-in with each student on Friday during our math scoot game for review and they were able to clearly explain the reasoning for regrouping using mathematical vocabulary, which was awesome!
• Social Studies: We started our habitat reports using ProQuest through the SMM Library Portal.  The students have really been enjoying the opportunity to research and use the Chromebooks to do so!
• Religion: We started our Lenten Journey journals, we will be reflecting and meditating throughout Lent.  We also set goals for how we can pray, sacrifice, and be loving and kind to show that we are a follower of Jesus during Lent and beyond. A highlight from 2^nd grade this week, was when the students went into classrooms around the school and shared about the CRS Rice Bowl.  I was only able to pop into a few rooms, but I had many teachers also approach me and share how wonderful they did.
• Reading: See below for information about our next report!

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling, we will be focusing on the “ir and “or” phonogram sets next week.  The homework packet is due on Friday, March 6^th!

Biography Report: The biography report packet was sent with your student on Friday.  I have asked the students to keep these packets in their folders so we can write down the name of their famous person and in case we have time to do research at school.  The packet is a rough draft and the final poster, sent home on March 12^th, is due Monday, March 23^rd.

• Presentations will be the week of March 23^rd-27^th.
• Please remind your child to bring their “Top 3” Famous People list to class tomorrow 3/2, as we will be finalizing choices then.
• Included in the packet is a list of notable people that have been chosen in the past, along with directions for research, and a rubric.
• We have practiced research on ProQuest over the past couple weeks and the students will be able to get a book on their person from the library on Tuesday.
• If you are able to help your child supplement the materials provided by checking books out a local library that would be helpful too!

Auction Project: Please see the forwarded email last week from Vanessa Thuyns (Bennett’s mom) to support our auction project!  The book basket turned out wonderfully, thank you to all of those who donated! 😊

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Best,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

We had an eventful week in 2B!  We wrapped up our science unit about force, friction, work, gravity, and lubricants.  Next, we will be diving into learning about simple machines.  The students were given homework to look for inclined planes (ramps) and wedges in their homes and neighborhoods.  In math, we are continuing to practice strategies for double-digit addition with regrouping.  We learned how to round to estimate the sum, and had a blast estimating the amounts of different objects in our classroom.  Some examples of objects we estimated included: marbles in the marble jar and spots on our star of the week’s stuffed dog.  In religion, we will be creating Lenten promises and discussing how we prepare our hearts for Easter.  In social studies, we will be using the Chromebooks to research animals.  This is going to prepare the students for their Biography Reports which will be coming home in the next couple weeks.  Overall, we had a wonderful week in 2^nd grade!

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling, we will be focusing on the e-e (e consonant e) and u-e (u consonant e) phonogram sets next week.  The homework packet was sent home today and is due on Friday, February 28^th!

Ash Wednesday: We will have an all-school mass for Ash Wednesday next week at 11:00 a.m.  Please make sure your child is dressed in full-uniform this day!

Auction Project: Please see the forwarded email from Vanessa Thuyns (Bennett’s mom) regarding our classroom auction project!  The book basket turned out wonderfully, thank you to all of those who donated! 😊

Enjoy your weekend!

Warmly,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

We really felt the love in 2B this week!  Please see the attached picture for some fun from our party and a special Valentine’s Day greeting.  Thank you, all, for sending letters to your student.  It truly meant so much to each one.

This week we will be celebrating Day 100 on Friday, with some fun “100” related activities.  In religion, we will begin preparing our hearts for First Communion and Lent with a reminder of why Sundays are special.  This week, we talked about the creation story and why it is important to love and care for God’s creations.  In math, we continued to dive into double-digit addition and will be taking our chapter test on Tuesday!  The science study guide was sent home with your student yesterday and we will be taking our science test on Tuesday as well!

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling, we will be focusing on the “ea” phonogram set.  I like to help the students remember the rule with this little trick, “when two vowels go a-walkin’, the first does the talkin’.”  While I remind the class that this rule doesn’t always apply, it does apply to the rule for this week.  The homework packet is due on Friday, February 21^st!

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Sincerely,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

We are continuing to learn and grow as students in 2B!  The students have settled back into the routine and have been focused learners this week during Catholic Schools Week.  Today, we had the opportunity to visit the parish office to deliver letters we had written.  We received a fun tour, visited Father Olson, and Deacon Dave, who gifted us with Saint medals and candy—what a delight!  In reading, we have been working on using prediction to help with comprehension. In writing, we started stories about what it would be like to be trapped in a snow globe!  We are currently in the rough draft stage of our writing process and will be moving onto editing and our final drafts tomorrow.  In science, we are wrapping up our unit on Physics—Force, Gravity, Friction, and Work.  We will be taking our assessment tomorrow, 1/31.  The students brought home their study guides on Wednesday this week.  Please see the attached pictures of a fun data math activity and visit from fellow 6^th grade SMM student who received 1^st place at the Speech Tournament last weekend for her read aloud story! 😊

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling we will be focusing on the suffixes “ing” and “ang.”  There is an optional enrichment opportunity to be completed during the Super Bowl.  We will use the data collected as a graphing extension in math next week.  Also, attached to the homework is “Science Homework 35” to be completed by Tuesday, February 5^th. The homework packet is due on Friday, February 7^th.

Catholic Schools Week:

Friday, January 31^st: Celebrating Faculty, Staff, and Distinguished Graduate

Distinguished Graduate Ceremony for Jane Mason in the Parish Hall at 2:00 p.m.

Auction Basket: Please check your inbox for the email forwarded from Vanessa Thuyns, Bennett’s mom, with information regarding our auction basket.  We are putting together a “Book Basket.”  Items must be labeled 2B Auction Basket and dropped off at the office no later than February 12^th.  For any questions please email, v-french@hotmail.com.  Thank you for supporting the SMM Auction!

Guild Faire: We will be attending the Guild Faire on Monday, February 3^rd.  There will be tacos, delicious treats, and items for sale.  If you wish to support this cause, your child may bring their money in a plastic bag labeled with their name.  All donations will be sent to Clare’s Place, part Catholic Community Housing Services, which provides 65 units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless and vulnerable households in Snohomish County.

Valentine’s Day Cards: We have been learning how to write friendly letters in 2^nd grade.  Our Common Core State Standard learning target is, “I can use commas in greetings and closings of letters.”  As a part of our Valentine’s celebration, I am wondering if you would help me complete a project for your student.  Please write a letter sharing five (5) reasons you like your student.  Use print so he/she can read your comments.  Your letter(s) can be dropped off at the front office or mailed to school.

St. Mary Magdalen School

c/o Child’s Name Ms. Borseth 2B

8615 7^th Ave. SE

Everett, WA 98208

Your letter will help each child to recognize and appreciate positive attributes about themselves.  I will hand them out on February 13^th during our Valentine’s Party.  Thank you for your time and thoughtfulness.  The letters will definitely be a special treat for the students!

Have a fun-filled Super Bowl Weekend!

Warmly,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

We have been quite busy preparing for Catholic Schools Week in 2B this week!  In English Language Arts, we wrote about how we “Learn, Serve, Succeed, and Lead” at St. Mary Magdalen.  Today, we worked on creating a “Recipe of Me,” to share with visitors this weekend at the Open House on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  In science, we observed friction using race cars, ramps, and a towel in our lesson.  We also connected our observations of the salt and sand on the roads during our snow days last week and discussed how that can be helpful when roads are snowy and icy.  In math, we have continued learning about different types of graphs, specifically line graphs and coordinate grids.  Tomorrow, we will play “Pirate Ship” game to extend our knowledge of coordinate points.  Next week, we will be discussing Venn diagrams and probability.  We are looking forward to a fun-filled week recognizing the amazing people and things happening at St. Mary Magdalen.  We are truly fortunate to be a part of such an awesome community.

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling we will be focusing on the phonogram sets of “ar” and “er.”  The new homework packet is due on Friday, January 31^st.

Operation Warm Feet: 3^rd grade is putting on a service project to help the homeless in our community stay warm during this winter season!  Please bring in a new pair of wool socks if you are able. These socks will be donated to the Everett Gospel Mission and Mercy Watch.

Catholic Schools Week:

Monday, January 27^th: Community Day

FREE DRESS for students who attended Mass in their school uniform. Volunteers are invited to Pope John Paul II portable for coffee and pastries as a way to say Thank You for all you do!

Tuesday, January 28^th: Student Day

Teacher’s Choice (we will do something special in 2B!)

Thursday: Celebrating Vocations

Cards for our friends in the Parish Office

Friday, January 31^st: Celebrating Faculty, Staff, and Distinguished Graduate

Distinguished Graduate Ceremony for Jane Mason in the Parish Hall at 2:00 p.m.

 Parental Consent Permission Slip: Throughout this trimester, I am going to be evaluated using the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) as I complete my Masters in Elementary Education.  While the primary purpose is to evaluate my teaching, the project will include short video recordings of lessons I have taught.  In the course of taping, with your permission, your child may appear on the video recording.  If you choose not to give your permission, then your child will still participate in the classroom instruction as usual.  S/He will just be seated out of camera range.  The video recordings will be used solely for purposes of evaluating my instruction.  This permission slip will be coming home with your child tomorrow.  Please have your child return this form by tomorrow Friday, January 24^th.

Warmly,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

Our week has sure flown by!  I hope you were able to keep warm and cozy during the past few snow days!  Today, we had a “snowball fight” with paper snowballs in class.  Each student was able to share what they did during their snow days, it was a blast!  We will be elaborating on our short sentences tomorrow during English Language Arts.  Tomorrow, we will also be continuing to prepare for our First Reconciliation and discuss the many achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr.  A quick reminder that tomorrow is a half day!

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling we will be focusing on the phonogram sets of “oa” and “ee.”  We will continue to practice these phonogram sets next week, however there will be a new homework packet sent home tomorrow. The new homework packet is due on Friday, January 24^th.

Operation Warm Feet: 3^rd grade is putting on a service project to help the homeless in our community stay warm during this winter season!  Please bring in a new pair of wool socks if you are able, I know Costco has a great selection. 😊  These socks will be donated to the Everett Gospel Mission and Mercy Watch.

1^st Reconciliation:  Please take some time to review the “Steps for First Reconciliation” and “Examination of Conscience” pages with your student to further prepare them for First Reconciliation.

1^st Reconciliation Rehearsal: Friday, January 17^th 6:30-7:30 p.m.

1^st Reconciliation: Saturday, January 18^th 10:00 a.m.

 Parental Consent Permission Slip: Throughout this trimester, I am going to be evaluated using the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) as I complete my Masters in Elementary Education.  While the primary purpose is to evaluate my teaching, the project will include short video recordings of lessons I have taught.  In the course of taping, with your permission, your child may appear on the video recording.  If you choose not to give your permission, then your child will still participate in the classroom instruction as usual.  S/He will just be seated out of camera range.  The video recordings will be used solely for purposes of evaluating my instruction.  This permission slip will be coming home with your child tomorrow.  Please have your child return this form by next Friday, January 24^th.

Warmest wishes,

Addison Borseth

Dear 2B Families,

Our New Year is off to a great start in 2^nd grade!  In math, we have been learning about various types of graphs and answering questions about them.  Today, the students will have the opportunity to graph some hot chocolate items before our hot cocoa party this afternoon.  In religion, we have been continuing to prepare our hearts for First Reconciliation.  We have been discussing forgiveness, grace, penance, the Ten Commandments, Our Father, Reconciliation, and how to be the “best-version-of-ourselves.”  In science, we started learning about force and gravity.  The highlight of our science lesson was observing an astronaut wring out a wet washcloth in space, we were quite surprised by the results!  In writing, we wrote down some of our goals for the New Year and shared them with the class.  It was an exciting challenge to figure out how we might achieve our goals, through practicing or eating more vegetables (which was quite a popular one)!

Important Tidbits:

Homework: In spelling we will be focusing on the phonogram sets of “oa” and “ee.” The homework packet is due on Friday, January 17^th.

Operation Warm Feet: 3^rd grade is putting on a service project to help the homeless in our community stay warm during this winter season!  Please bring in a new pair of wool socks if you are able, I know Costco has a great selection. 😊  These socks will be donated to the Everett Gospel Mission and Mercy Watch.

1^st Reconciliation:  If you child is receiving the sacrament of First Reconciliation, they will be bringing home a purple “Steps for Reconciliation” page along with an “Examination of Conscience.”  Please take some time to review these pages with your student to further prepare them for First Reconciliation.

1^st Reconciliation Rehearsal: Friday, January 17^th 6:30-7:30 p.m.

1^st Reconciliation: Saturday, January 18^th 10:00 a.m.

I hope your New Year is off to a wonderful start.  Have a great weekend!

Warmest wishes,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

We had a festive, fun-filled, and culturally enriching week in 2^nd grade.  I am blown away by how well each student did on their presentation of their country and that each student became an expert.  We extended our learning with a “Feast of Cultures” on Wednesday and I was amazed by the compliments buzzing throughout the room.  Tomorrow, we will be celebrating our hard work with a movie.  I am planning to show the new animated version of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch before our sing-along.  It is rated PG, if you prefer that your child not watch this movie, please let me know and I will have another fun activity for them to work on.  I am excited to celebrate each student’s hard-work this trimester!

Important Tidbits:

Homework: The next homework packet will be sent with your child on Monday, January 6^th.  There will also be a spelling list that is going to coming home.  Please continue to practice short-vowel sounds, consonant digraphs, and long vowel sounds.  Math flashcards are also a helpful tool to keep in mind!

Winter Break Reading Challenge: Your child will be bringing home a “Winter Break Reading Challenge.”  Each marshmallow is worth 20 minutes of reading.  If a majority of the class participates, we will be having a hot cocoa party in January!

1^st Reconciliation:  I am also sending home some prayers that it would be helpful for your child to practice over break in preparation for our First Reconciliation, which is just two weeks after we return from break!

1^st Reconciliation Parent Meeting: Monday, January 6^th 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the gym.  Students do not need to attend.  If your child will not be going through First Reconciliation, you may disregard this part of the message.

1^st Reconciliation Rehearsal: Friday, January 17^th 6:30-7:30 p.m.

1^st Reconciliation: Saturday, January 18^th 10:00 a.m.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break and a Happy New Year!

Warmest wishes,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Dear 2B Families,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your friends and family.  The students came back rested and ready for the festive month of December!  We had an exciting week welcoming our classroom “Elf on the Shelf” Candy Cane Snowball, named specially by the students of 2B.  We jump-started our week by reviewing the thousands place in math and ordering numbers in the hundreds.  It is amazing how quickly our math brains successfully transitioned from ones and tens, to hundreds and thousands!  In religion, we started our preparation for First Reconciliation and preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus.  In social studies, we have begun traveling around the world.  Today, we made our first stop in the Netherlands for the feast day of St. Nicholas.  We even had a special visitor fill our shoes while we were out at recess.  What a thrill!  If you have a chance to ask your child to “pass the halite” at dinner this weekend, I know they would be delighted to share what they have learned about minerals in science this week.

Important Information:

Homework and Spelling: A homework packet was sent home with your student today.  The spelling rule for next week is short and long vowels.  This packet is due on December 13^th.

Holidays Around the World Report: Holidays Around the World report is due next Friday, December 13^th.  Presentations will be held December 16^th-December 20^th.  Our “Feast of Holidays” is on Wednesday, December 18^th.  I will be sending out a signup.com document for plates, napkins, volunteers, and more next week!

SMM Christmas Program: Next Friday, December 13^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Everett Civic Auditorium, the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for seating.  Please be sure to arrive by 6:30 p.m. to find parking and so your child can find their seat prior to the start of the program.  Mrs. McMurray and Mrs. Rivord have been doing a wonderful job preparing the students for the program, it is going to be quite the performance!

 1^st Reconciliation:  1^st Reconciliation Parent Meeting: Monday, January 6^th 7:00-8:00 p.m.  Students do not need to attend.  If your child will not be going through First Reconciliation, you may disregard this part of the message.

1^st Reconciliation Rehearsal: Friday, January 17^th 6:30-7:30 p.m.

1^st Reconciliation: Saturday, January 18^th 10:00 a.m.

Thank you for all your support!  Have a great weekend!

Warm regards,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher

Important Tidbits:

Homework: I will be sending home a homework packet and spelling list on the Monday following break.  The spelling rule will be “long-i” sound (i-e) and “long-o” sound (o-e).  The homework will be due on Friday, December 6^th.

 Holidays Around the World Project: A packet was sent home with your student yesterday.  The students did some research on countries with books from our school library and had some reflection about their family history.  They are excited to get started researching information about their country.  I encourage you to visit a local library to check out a book on your student’s country or research on ProQuest.  The upcoming homework will include this project as nightly work. 😊  The final project is due on Friday, December 13^th.

I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family and friends.  Enjoy your break!

Warmly,

Addison Borseth

Second Grade Teacher