Mrs. McConahey - Second Grade

Happy Summer!

2011-05-31T11:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you for a wonderful year of second grade fun. It was sad to see the journey end because this was a really great group of students. I hope you all have a safe and happy summer! Please remember to practice your second grade skills and continue to email me with any questions. I sent home some great ideas with your children on the last day of school with fun activities to share with the whole family. Don't forget to read, Read, READ and visit your local library. Have fun with the websites I've shared and come back to see me next year!
Love Mrs. McConahey

March

2011-03-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

The school year is almost over and we have a very busy couple of next weeks coming up.

Mark your calendars...
Next week report cards go home on Wednesday, March 16th.
It is also an Early Release day without any after school.

No school for students on Thursday or Friday, March 17th and 18th.

I will be on maternity leave starting April 11th. I have a great sub lined up and she will take over for the rest of the school year. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns you may have patriciamcconahey@yahoo.com

The week of April 11th is also the week that second grade will be taking the Stanford 10 standardized tests. Please make sure that your child comes to school and is on time and well rested every day that week.

Happy March!

January

2011-01-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

We have been working on learning about and practicing the character trait of Caring this month. Students have been learning that caring is thinking with your heart and treating people the way they should be treated. All month long, we focused on showing our classmates that we care. The student chosen as our "Star Character of the Month" was Jasmine. Congratulations, Jasmine!
In past months, we have focused on the character traits of Respect and Responsibility. Our student of the month for Respect was Dantae and our student of the month for Responsibility was Lexxye. These students enjoyed a special character lunch.

We have also been working on earning ACT tickets.
Caught in the ACT means Patriots Are respectful, Caring, and Take responsibility. Look for these green tickets to come home with your child. They are a big deal!

Holiday Reports

2010-12-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Holiday Reports are due on December 16th.
Please see the weekly newsletter for specific information on what is required in the report.
Reports should be presented on a poster board. Please let me know if you need help purchasing a poster for the report.

November

2010-11-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all the parents who donated cans of food for the Harvest Fest and for the food drive! The students really enjoyed their Thanksgiving lunch here at school and we are working hard to gather food to give to needy families this season.

As we approach winter break, please remember to send your child with a warm coat every day. Jackets are part of the school uniform and must be red, white, or navy to be worn indoors.

This Wednesday, Dec. 1st, is a Dollar Dress Down Day.

Please check your child's folder every day for important teacher and school updates!

Thank you for all your support this year! I really appreciate it.

October News

2010-09-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

We have some important dates coming up this month, so please mark your calendars.

October 6th
Dollar Dress Down Day

October 7th
40th Day of School! Please be sure that your child is here and on time because this is a very important day for attendance at our school. We will be having a lot of fun activities to celebrate being in school for 40 days!

October 13th
Report Cards go home!
This is a half day without lunch or the after school program. Please plan to pick your child up at 11:25 on this day.

October 14-15th
No School

October 19th
Picture Retakes

October 26th
Our class field trip to Buckelew Farms. Please send in your permission forms and six dollars.

Welcome Letter

2010-08-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Second Grade Families,
My name is Patricia McConahey and it is my pleasure to welcome your child to second grade at La Paloma Academy! I am very excited to meet you and your child and begin a year full of enriched learning. The month of August will consist of activities that will enable the students to get to know one another and for me to get to know who they are. The goal is for our classroom to come together as a community and for everyone to feel safe and comfortable working with each other.
As the year begins, I would like to make a promise to you that I will dedicate myself to your children and work towards instilling in each one a true love of learning. Our classroom environment is one of action, participation, and hands-on involvement. The emphasis will be on trying your best and taking risks. I plan to provide a safe and nurturing environment for my students so they will feel free to become all that they can be. The only mistake is not to try! Working together, we can assure that every child feels welcomed and receives the best education possible. I feel that communication and teamwork between parents and teachers is vital. I will do my best to keep you informed and involved in your child's classroom life. If you need to contact me, you can reach me via school telephone before and after school. I can also be contacted via email. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have a question or a concern.
I can't wait to meet your child on the first day of school and you at the Meet the Teacher night in September. Here, I will ask for you to sign up for volunteer opportunities and your child will be able to give you a tour of the classroom and show you what we've been learning. As school starts, please check your child's Homework Folder nightly for daily behavior plans, homework, and other school information. Also, you will be seeing a Friday Folder each Friday with specific info. on curriculum, classroom policies and procedures, graded work, and the weekly newsletter. I will be sending home some "parent homework" the first few days of school for you to fill out and return. Hopefully you have received the second grade supply list. If not, I have posted it on my blog for you.
I look forward to meeting everyone and I hope you enjoy the last few days of summer!

Sincerely,
Mrs. McConahey
patriciamcconahey@yahoo.com

Second Grade Supply List

2010-08-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to La Paloma Academy! I am looking forward to an exciting year of new learning adventures. Please check my blog often for important updates.

Second Grade Supply List
2010/2011
2 boxes Kleenex
1 bottle Hand Sanitizer
2 bottles Anti-Bacterial Sanitizing Wipes
4 Dry Erase Markers
2 packs of Pencils (high quality such as Paper Mate, Dixon, Ticonderoga, etc.)
1 plastic Pencil Box
1 personal hand Pencil Sharpener
2 boxes Crayons (24 pack of Crayola)
1 box Markers (Crayola)
1 pack of Construction Paper
1 pack of Lined Paper- wide ruled
2 Glue Sticks
1 bottle of Glue
2 pair child safe Scissors
4 large Pink Erasers
2 Spiral Notebooks-wide ruled
4 Pocket Folders
$2 donation for an electric classroom Pencil Sharpener

Mini-Society News

2010-04-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

Our second grade class has begun a new unit in Social Studies called, "Mini-Society." It's an exciting hands-on unit that teaches students about economics.
Students will establish their own society, print their own money, open their own businesses, and create their own government. This experience will help your child understand more about entrepreneurship, economics, government, law, math, and ethics.
In the process of creating a business, your child may ask you about providing some materials to make the products that they have decided to sell. Please let me know if this is a problem for you and we will make other arrangements here at school. Since students are unable to bring home Mini-Society money to "pay" for their requested materials, we encourage you to "barter" with your child. Feel free to be creative to help your child learn about the value of money and that there is a cost for their supplies. Please do not go out and spend a lot of money!
Example...
Your child comes home requesting that your purchase felt and ribbon for his or her project. Instead of simply running to the store to get the supplies, find a way for them to earn them with a job for which they may not already be responsible (washing dishes, washing the car, pulling weeds, giving mom or dad a shoulder rub, doing little sister's hair, playing with little brother, etc.)

April

2010-03-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

A few quick reminders......

We will be on Spring Break from April 1st-5th.

Next month, we will review the Character Traits of Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

We are practicing getting ready for the state standardized tests. Please look for the practice tests in your child's Friday Folders and go over anything they missed.

The Bookman's Reading Challenge is coming to an end. Our class did a wonderful job reading and responding to lots of great books!

We are working on Biography Research reports in class. We have done most of the research in the classroom, but some kids might need some help getting more information from the public library or off the internet at home. Please ask your child who they are doing their report on and if they need some additional assistance.

Dates for the week of March 22, 2010

2010-03-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

Come see the Talent show at La Paloma Lakeside this Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium.
Winners of this week's assemblies will go on to particiapte at the Central Campus on Friday at 7:00 pm. We got to see a few performances today and you will love the talent we have here at our campus! Our own Talia will be putting on a comedy routine for you.

Don't forget, Spring Pictures are tomorrow (Tuesday) and your child may wear a non-uniform outfit if they will be getting their pictures taken.

The school Dance is on Friday from 3:30-4:30 pm for the second graders. The cost is $1 and your child needs their signed permission slip to get in.

Field Trip

2010-03-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to go to the Desert Museum on March 19th. Please fill out your permission slips and turn them in along with $3.25. Don't forget to pack a lunch, bring water, and wear sunscreen. The Desert Museum has many walking paths, so wear comfortable shoes!

Looking Ahead to March

2010-02-22T13:17:00.000-08:00

Here are a few important dates that you will need to know........
March 2nd Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
March 3rd Dollar Dress Down Day
March 11th Report Card Day (Half Day for students with no lunch and no after school)
March 12th-15th Spring Break
March 16th Skate Night
March 19th Breakfast with Mr. L
March 19th Character Lunch
March 19th Movie Night
March 20th LPA Golf Tournament

February News

2010-02-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

February is a busy month for second graders!

Field Trip on March 19th
We are getting ready for a field trip to the Desert Museum to end our study of desert animals. The students are excited to see the animal that they did their research report on in real life.
Please fill out and return the permission slip that went home today.

Bookman's Reading Logs
Keep reading and recording your minutes. Our class has read hundreds of books so far for the reading challenge.

Grandparent's Day Celebration on Feb. 24th
We are excited to welcome your grandparents into the classroom on Wednesday. We are planning some fun activities to do with them and we will have a special lunch.

Rodeo Break on Feb. 25th and 26th
We don't have school on Thursday or Friday. No need to look for spelling words or homework packets this week!

February Character Trait is Caring
We will be reviewing ways to show each other we care. We have many kind, sharing, and compassionate kids in our class. Keep up the great work guys!

February Updates

2010-02-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day..........
I sent home a class list last week so that you could begin making cards for each child in the class. Don't forget to decorate a box to collect the cards & treats and bring it in on Friday.

Science Fair........
The kids are very excited about our Second Grade Science Fair! I enjoyed looking at the project plans that were due today and I can't wait to see the finished projects on February 19th.

Grandparent's Day.........
February 24th is the La Paloma Academy Grandparent's Day celebration! Grandparents are welcome to come for fun activities, pictures, and a special lunch with their grandchild. Please fill out the registration form and return it by Feb. 19th.

Love of Reading Week.........
February 15th-19th
We will be having a lot of fun activities to celebrate our love of reading. More info. to come soon.

Character Counts.........
Congratulations to Jordan! She was the student we chose for Fairness last month and she will be attending the special Character Lunch. This month we will be focusing on Caring. Ask your child about kindness, sharing, and compassion.

Rodeo Break........
No school on Feb. 25th and 26th

January Updates

2010-01-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

Our Butterfly Magic Field Trip will be on Friday, January 29th. Please get fingerprinted in our front office on Mon. or Thurs. from 9-11 if you are planning on attending.
Remember to send a lunch with your child on this day.

The 100th Day of School is on Wednesday, January 27th. We will be doing some fun activities as a class and as a school. This is a free Dress Down Day! Please send in 100 snack bites (m&ms, pretzels, marshmallows, etc.) to school so we can mix it up to make GORP. No nuts please!

Bookman's Reading Challenge!
Continue to READ, READ, READ, and record the books you read on the reading logs that I send home each Monday.

Character Counts......
We have been focusing on Fairness this month.
Ask your child about the following sayings....
It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.
Don't judge another until you've walked a mile in his shoes.
You can't judge a book by its cover.
Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

A few reminders...............

Re-enrollment forms went home this week. Please fill them out and return them to me no later than Friday, Jan. 22nd.

Report Cards went home before Winter Break. Please sign and return the form that was attached to your child's report card.

We are participating in the Bookman's Reading Challenge. Please help your child fill in their tracking forms and return them by March 31st. Our school has the chance to win $15,000 dollars and all we have to do is READ!

We held a class Spelling Bee today and Alyus Obregon was our champion. Congratulations to Alyus! He will go up against three other second graders on Monday. Good Luck!

We will be going on a class Field Trip on Friday, January 29th. Please look over, sign, and return the form that went home today. Please remember to send in your dollar ASAP and pack a lunch for your child on that day.

Important Holiday Info.

2009-12-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents,
Please be sure to check this week's newsletter for the curriculum update.

A few reminders.........

*Our Holiday Program will be on Dec. 16th at 9:00 am in the auditorium. Our class is singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

*Please come join us afterwards for milk and cookies in the classroom. Please send your child to school in their "holiday best" formal attire.

*Report Cards go home on Wednesday, Dec. 16th. This will be a half day without lunch or the afterschool program. Please make arrangements to pick your child up at 11:30 on this day.

*No Homework Packets this week due to the three day week.

*No Spelling Test either. Spelling words did go home though for your child to practice.

*Please continue to read with your child over the long Winter Break.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday season!
We'll see you next year,
Mrs. M

Holiday Program and Party

2009-11-22T05:18:00.000-08:00

Our school Holiday Program will be held on Dec. 16th at 9:00 am in the auditorium and we will be having a class Holiday Party after that in the classroom. Your child would love to see you there! If you have a special holiday that you celebrate and you can share it with us, please let me know. We'd love to learn about different cultures and the holidays they celebrate.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-22T05:14:00.000-08:00

We have a short school week, school is on Monday and Tuesday only.
I will not be sending home any spelling words or homework this week.
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Break!
Don't forget, Thanksgiving Feast is on Tuesday so please send in your can of corn if you haven't.
We are also in need of crock pots and can openers. Please label them if you send them in.
Thank You!
Mrs. M

Top Five Ways to Help your Child be Successful in 2nd Grade

2009-11-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

1. TALK about school and special activities/events:
"Tell me about Math today..."
"Who did you play with at recess?"
"What kinds of questions did you ask today?"
"What is one new "thing" you learned today?"
"What did you do in P.E./Art/Music/or Library today?"

2. READ with your child....newspapers, riddles, fiction, non-fiction, etc.
ASK your child to read to you and take turns reading together.
"Tell me your favorite part...funniest part...most surprising part..."
"Tell me in your own words what just happened on this page."
"Tell me the main idea of this story."

3. PLAN a daily Homework Routine...be a "guide" to build independence!
*Start the homework assignment together by saying, "Tell me what your Homework Goal is today."
*Do one or two parts of the assignment together to check for your child's understanding. Gradually build their independence to help them be successful on their own.
"Show me what to do and how to get started..."
"Now you do your best thinking to finish your homework and then I'll check to see how you did."

4. WRITE notes, lists, riddles, thank you letters, and compliments to your child!
* Write step-by-step directions for taking care of the pet or doing chores.
*Write a warm fuzzy compliment to your child.
*Write clues to find a mystery object in the house.
*When you model writing at home, your child will write too!

5. PRACTICE every day Math Problem Solving at home!
* Read recipes and measure ingredients.
*Estimate grocery store prices together.
*Read a menu and create/write problems from the menu.

Remember to read our weekly newsletter for more helpful information and check the blog too!

November 2, 2009

2009-11-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents,
Thank you for taking the time to read my blogs and to read our weekly newsletters.
We had a successful Spin the Wheel Booth at the Harvest Fest on Friday! It was great to see so many second graders there. I'd like to thank you for volunteering to work the booth and for your generous donations of candy and prizes. The kids really enjoyed the treats you sent in.
Thank you especially to Mr. Henke! He built the booth and worked the whole time!
We couldn't have done it without you and I really appreciate your support.
Mrs. M

Books and Blankets

2009-10-19T01:46:00.000-07:00

Don't forget about Books and Blankets on Wednesday! Send your child to school in their pajamas and have them bring their favorite books, a blanket, and a pillow or stuffed animal. We'll be having a reading party in the classroom for the first hour of the day. Snacks and drinks will be served and you can send in a special treat if you'd like. Please remember that it must be peanut free!

Important Information for the Week!

2009-10-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Parents,
Please be sure to read my newsletter this week because we have a very busy week ahead of us.
Here are a few important reminders:
1. Dress Code is important, so please refer to my newsletter for specifics.
2. Wednesday is Dollar Dress Down Day (bring $1 if you dress down).
3. Thursday is the 40th Day (we have a second grade Field Day scheduled and lots of fun activities).
4. Friday is a Half Day without lunch or after school. Please pick your child up from school at 11:30.
Report Cards will come home with your child on this day.
Thanks for all your support!
Mrs. M

September

2009-09-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful first month of school! The students are having fun getting to know one another and they are making lasting friendships while learning interesting things every day. I enjoy seeing your child's face light up as we create new learning adventures each day. Please ask your child about what they learned in school each day and what they still wonder about concepts being taught. Explore together new ideas and work to review what was introduced in class each week. Please read my newsletter to update yourself on the curriculum and upcoming dates. Don't hesitate to call the school or stop by if you have any questions or concerns. My door is always open to you and I want your child to have a fun and exciting year in second grade. I feel communication is key for a positive learning experience and I'd love any input you have on how to better help your child. Have a great week!
Love, Mrs. M

Welcome to Second Grade!

2009-09-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to second grade at La Paloma Academy Lakeside. This is a place where you can come for important school and class updates. Please visit my blog frequently to keep yourself informed of the latest news.
Also, be sure to check your child's Homework Folder nightly for important papers.
On Mondays, look for your child's homework packet which is due on Fridays and look for their spelling words to be studied for the test on Friday. You will also see my class newsletter and the school's newsletter "The Link."
You will see your child's Responsibility Card come home each night. Please go over it with your child and discuss behaviors if it is signed.
On Fridays, look for your child's Friday Folder. This contains their graded assignments from the week. Please help them go over any mistakes and correct them together.
Thank you for all your support so far this year.
Mrs. McConahey