Onward to 3rd

Congratulations 2nd Graders!

You did it! Have a wonderful summer! Remember to read every day (scholastic.com/summer) and practice your math (xtramath.org) every day. Please call the office with questions. Miss Debbie has all of the login information.

See you in August! I can't wait to hear all about your summer adventures!

Websites and Resources

Here are a couple of websites to check out:

1. First Communion Photos - Click on the link to see photos on a Shutterfly account. Many thanks to Miss Clare and Miss Longton for taking the photos and for uploading them to the site!

2. Scholastic Summer Reading - Click on the link, sign in (using your username and password that went home in your child's Thursday folder last week), and start logging those reading hours! It's important to read every day!

Forgot your child's username and/or password? Need assistance? Email me (foyleolu@gmail.com).

3. FREE Summer Reading Programs for Kids - Check out this website for deals from the library, Scholastic, Barnes & Noble, and more!

Art Show Thanks and a few more photos

Thank you to all students and families who attended the art show! Miss Longton and Miss Snyder did a fantastic job organizing all of the student art projects. It was wonderful to see the students share their work with you!

Poet-Tree from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades

2nd Grade artwork

The year is not over yet... This past week we learned about Andy Warhol and his art styles. I showed the kids a couple of pictures I made in his style, along with some photos on the internet, and then they set to work. Some still need to finish next week!

Miss Foyle's "Andy Warhol" music notes

Miss Foyle's footballs

Finally, you may have seen a recent math project come home in your child's folder. We learned about shape transformations, more specifically, translations, rotations, and reflections.

This visual, along with another activity on Friday helped us remember these big vocabulary terms:

Translation = slide (hexagon with paper clip)
Rotation = turn (pentagon with brad)
Reflection = flip (triangle with tape)

zoo field trip and art project

We lucked out with beautiful weather for our field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Here are a few photos from the day. If any parent chaperones have pictures to share, please email me (foyleolu@gmail.com), and I will gladly add them to this blog. Thank you!

Posing with the lion statue

the hogs

lots of birds- and some fascinating facts to read

How tall are you compared to a polar bear?

On Friday, we enjoyed some extra time in art to work on a special project for our moms...

We reviewed mixing colors too!

We hope you enjoy your frames with your children's pictures!

Finished product - they came out great!

Happy Mothers' Day!

First Communion photos

First Communion pictures

Click on the link above to see photos from First Communion! Thank you for supporting your children through such an important sacrament in our faith. Please continue to take them to mass each week.

Art Project and Special Visitors

We had a fabulous Friday. The second graders were on their best behavior at Mass. They knew all of the answers to the questions Fr. Felipe asked them about First Reconciliation (Saturday at 6:30pm). They sculpted animals out of clay during Art class. Also, they were on their best behavior for our school's guests from the University of Notre Dame.

You can watch a short informational video about the bus tour visits at the link below. Additionally, please enjoy some photos from the art projects:

Have a great weekend. Looking forward to seeing many families on Saturday night!

Phonics Syllables and a Special Visitor

We are back from spring break, and we're working hard in these last few months of school.

In Phonics, we have been reviewing all of our syllable types for single syllable and multi-syllable words:

closed (c) - ex. cat
open (o) - ex. she
magic e (v-e) - ex. make
r-controlled (r) - ex. cart
double vowel (d) - ex. coin

On Wednesday, the students used cereal boxes that were marked up according to their syllables to help generate their own lists of each type. I was proud of how well they worked together and of all the words they listed on their charts!

We are still hoping for spring, but we are enjoying indoor recess as best we can while the rain and the snow keep coming...

Also, please ask your child about our special visitor from today (Thursday)- my twin sister came and enjoyed learning with us! A second Miss Foyle for second grade!

*Please remember*

First Reconciliation - 6:30pm - Saturday, April 5th - at St. Ann church

Aquarium Photos

Don't forget to ask your children about today's field trip to the Shedd Aquarium. We had a wonderful time! There were so many animals to see. We even watched a 4D movie and a Dolphin Show!

Please see some photos below:

"Look! The turtle is following my hand!"

Sting rays

The students were able to pet the fish.

Students waiting to pet the fish

Ready for the 4D movie

Waiting for the 4D movie

Ready for the Dolphin Show!

Please check your children's Thursday folders. There was a note about how to prepare for Terra Nova tests. Here are the main points from the letter:

1.    Go to bed early every night.

This may mean turning off video games or the TV earlier than usual. It is important that they are well-rested so that they can focus. I will send home less homework than usual as well.

2.    Eat breakfast every morning.

Food helps the body and the brain function at their best.

3.    Be prepared.

Help your child arrive to school on time every day (7:45am). Please make sure he or she has pencils and healthy snacks in his or her backpack.

4.    Stay calm. 

      Please make sure your child understands that the results will not affect his or her grades and that he or she may not know every answer. The important thing is to keep breathing, follow ALL directions, and try his or her best.