September 30th - October 4th

Welcome second-grade families!! Thank you for taking the time to read our second-grade blog. Make sure you are checking our blog weekly for calendar updates, what we are learning and any announcements regarding second grade and TCE.

Calendar

October 1st - PTO Meeting 6pm *All parents are welcome*
October 4th - CISD Community Tailgate (see below)
Texan Town #3
October 10th - Spirit Rally @ 8 AM
End of Nine Weeks
October 11th - Fall Parent Conference Day
October 14th - No School
October 18th - PTO Movie Night 6-8pm
Texan Town #4
October 21st - 25th - Red Ribbon Week
October 25th - Red Ribbon Run (2nd Grade @ 2:10)
Texan Town #5

Announcements

Parent Newsletter
Ms. Martin shares out our campus newsletter via email each Friday. Make sure to read her newsletter for information regarding campus news. This weeks newsletter can be found linked here.

Pumpkin Patch
This fall we will be turning our very own TCE Garden into the TCE Pumpkin Patch! We are so excited about all of the wonderful learning activities and curriculum connections we will be able to make in our school garden! If you would like to help us turn our school garden into the TCE Pumpkin Patch, please consider donating a pumpkin (any size or type) to our garden! You can begin sending in pumpkins as soon as possible, and we will take them to the garden. You can also drop them off in the garden on your own! 
Thank you so much! 

CISD Community Tailgate
CISD invites our community to join us for our 3rd annual community tailgate Friday, October 4th from 5:30 p.m. to game kickoff at 7 p.m. The tailgate will be held in the parking lot of Buddy Echols field at Coppell High School in front of the tennis courts. Dinner from Hard 8 BBQ will be available for $5, which includes either of turkey or beef sandwich, two sides and drink. The only way to guarantee a meal is to purchase tickets in advance by the end of the day September 30th. To purchase a ticket, visit https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/CISD-Community-Tailgate/SbmIp9B. We also will be celebrating the district's 60th birthday with a Pop Up Party at the Community Tailgate. Join us in celebrating CISD and supporting our Cowboys as they play Hebron High School. Game tickets are still required to enter Buddy Echols Field to watch the game. 

Fall Conferences

Fall conferences are coming up! We have October 11th set aside for parent/teacher conferences. Please sign-up using the link for your child's homeroom teacher.

2A McGraw/2B Bowman Sign-up

2C Judd/2D Gipson Sign-up

What are we learning?

Math: In math this week, learners will begin to subtract two-digit numbers using mental strategies and algorithm based on their knowledge of place value. They will apply this knowledge and skills to solve one and two-step word problems involving addition and subtraction. 

Subtracting by Breaking Apart

Subtracting by Counting Up

Reading: In reading workshop this week, learners will become flexible word solvers, using multiple strategies at a time as well as notice beginnings and endings of words so they can read parts of the word quickly. In writing workshop, learners will learn to revise and edit their writing in meaningful ways. We will begin preparing for our end of unit writing celebration. 

Science: In science, learners will explore how materials change their physical properties when we cut, fold, sand and melt them.

Social Studies: In social studies this week, learners will learn how leaders help their communities. 

February 25th - March 1st

What are we learning?

Math: In math this week, learners will continue to connect repeated addition and subtraction to multiplication and division situations that involve equal groupings and shares. Learners will model, create, and describe contextual multiplications situations in which equivalent sets of concrete objects are joined.

Please check out the resource Math 4 Texas; a resource created for parents to understand the break down of each math standard and possible questions/resources to use at home to support your child. Here the link to this week's math standard focused on hands on multiplication representation. 

Reading: In reading workshop this week, learners will explore cultural versions of the fairy tale Cinderella, comparing and contrasting characters, settings, and plots. In writing workshop, learners will learn how to add details to their stories. they will also practice spelling high frequency words with different endings, and continue with cursive handwriting.

Science: In science this week, learners will finish up their data collection on weather patterns for the month of February. Learners will discuss differences they found this past month in temperature, wind conditions, precipitation, and moon patterns. We will reflect and record our findings in our science journals and on Bulb.

Social Studies: In social studies this week, learners will compare the roles of public officials, including mayor, governor, and president.

Calendar

February 22nd - Spring Texan Town #1
February 22nd - Looping Survey Due (see below)
February 22nd - TCE PTO School-wide Movie Night @ 6:00 (see below)
February 25th - Box Tops 4 Education DUE (see below)
February 25th - Canned Food Drive ENDS (see below)
February 28th - Stuffed Animal Day (see below)
March 1st - Kids Heart Challenge Jump Rope Day
March 1st - Spring Texan Town #2
March 5th - PTO Meeting @ 6:00 PM
March 6th - Class Pictures
March 7th - Open House from 5:30-7:00 PM
March 8th - Shamrock Shuffle (2nd Grade @ 2:10 PM)
March 28th - TCE 2nd Annual Culture Night (see below)
April 12th - TCE Color Run
April 29th - STEM Family Night 5:30-7:00

Announcements

Parent Newsletter
Ms. Martin sends out a parent newsletter each week with many important announcements about TCE. Click here to check out this weeks newsletter.

PTO Movie Night
Our wonderful PTO Dad's Club is hosting a FREE, FUN Movie Night. This Friday, February 22nd from 6:00-8:00 PM in the TCE Gym. The movie shown will be The Incredibles 2.

Book Fair Volunteers

Volunteers needed for the Spring Book Fair! The Spring Book Fair is coming soon, and we need parent/community volunteers* to help with Book Fair Preview on February 28th, March 1st, & March 4th and run cash registers, tidy/restock shelves, and help customers find things during gate actual Book Fair week, March 4th-8th. We also need several volunteers to help with Book Fair set-up and tear down on February 27th and March 8th. We appreciate community support to continue this exciting tradition and consumer/financial literacy learning experience for our learners! Please sign-up for an available time slot at this link. (LINK HERE)

*Volunteers must have an approved Coppell ISD background check on file before you will be permitted to help with the Book Fair. A new background check is required each school year. You should submit the form at least a week before volunteering. You can find the background check form at this link.

Stuffed Animal Day

Our February coupon from our holiday coupon book will be celebrated on Thursday, February 28th. Your child is welcome to bring a stuffed animal for the day to learn along side them at school. Please make sure that your child's stuffed animal is small enough to fit in their backpack. 

TCE's 2nd Annual Culture Night
We are excited to have our 2nd annual Culture Night at TCE. Last year was such a great success with all the dishes you shared with our TCE community. If you would like to share an appetizer, main dish or dessert on March 28th please sign up below. We will be in contact with you with more specific details as the event grows near. TCE will provide sample cups to share the dish you bring. This event was successful because of all our families' contributions. Thank you for making our school so great!

SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE

Be on the lookout for more information about this event including performances and interactive stations!

Box Tops for Education
TCE is collecting Box Tops for Education! Clipped Box Tops are each worth 10 cents for our school and are already on the boxes in your pantry. Second grade won a popsicle party in the fall for turning in the most box tops at TCE. Help us in supporting our school and keeping the honor of being the grade level with the most box tops turned in. You may turn in box tops on the pink collection sheet sent home this past week or print out a copy from the graphic below. You may also turn in box tops in a baggie labeled with your child's name and grade. The deadline for submission is Monday, February 25th.

Canned Food Drive

Our TCE Student Council is leading a canned soup drive to benefit Metrocrest Services Food Pantry. The canned soup drive will continue through February 25th. The grade level that turns in the MOST cans will earn an extra fifteen minutes of recess! Thank you for supporting our Student Council in this service activity. 

Upcoming TCE Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming family events happing this spring at TCE.

February 18th - 22nd

What are we learning?

Math: In math this week, learners will connect repeated addition and subtraction to multiplication and division situations that involve equal groupings and shares. Learners will model, create, and describe contextual multiplications intuitions in which equivalent sets of concrete objects are joined.

Please check out the resource Math 4 Texas; a resource created for parents to understand the break down of each math standard and possible questions/resources to use at home to support your child. Here the link to this week's math standard focused on hands on multiplication representation. 

Reading: In reading workshop this week, learners will continue with our author study of Kevin Henkes, and compare the character traits, plots, and lessons in the books. In writing workshop, learners will continue with opinion/persuasive writing. They will also practice spelling words the contain oi/oy patterns, and continue with cursive handwriting.

Reminder that all Six Flags 6 Hour reading logs are due to your child's classroom teacher by February 19th. (see below)

Science: In science this week, learners will finish up observing, describing, and recording patterns of objects in the sky, including the appearance of the moon and record artifacts from our learning in our Bulb digital portfolios.

Social Studies: In social studies this week, learners will compare the roles of public officials, including mayor, governor, and president.

Calendar

February 15th - NO SCHOOL for Learners; Professional Development
February 16th - Mrs. Judd's Birthday
February 18th - NO SCHOOL; Holiday/Weather Day
February 19th - Six Flags Read to Succeed Logs DUE (see below)
February 20th - Newcomer Parent Class 5:00-7:00 PM TCE Library
February 22nd - Spring Texan Town #1
February 22nd - Looping Survey Due (see below)
February 22nd - TCE PTO School-wide Movie Night @ 6:00
February 25th - Box Tops 4 Education DUE (see below)
March 28th - TCE 2nd Annual Culture Night (see below)
April 12th - TCE Color Run
April 29th - STEM Family Night 5:30-7:00

Announcements

Parent Newsletter
Ms. Martin sends out a parent newsletter each week with many important announcements about TCE. Click here to check out this weeks newsletter.

Looping Feedback Survey: 1st-5th Grade Parents
Please take a moment and fill out a short survey to give TCE Families the opportunity to give their personal feedback regarding your child's looping experience. All questions about looping refer to your child's movement with the same teacher(s) from grade K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Ms. Martin has provided this forum to allow parents to be completely honest in your answers, which will be used to inform our campus practice and to deduce whether looping has a positive impact on our school community and our learners' academic and emotional success. The survey will be open for two weeks, closing on February 22nd. 

TCE's 2nd Annual Culture Night
We are excited to have our 2nd annual Culture Night at TCE. Last year was such a great success with all the dishes you shared with our TCE community. If you would like to share an appetizer, main dish or dessert on March 28th please sign up below. We will be in contact with you with more specific details as the event grows near. TCE will provide sample cups to share the dish you bring. This event was successful because of all our families' contributions. Thank you for making our school so great!

SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE

Be on the lookout for more information about this event including performances and interactive stations!

Box Tops for Education
TCE is collecting Box Tops for Education! Clipped Box Tops are each worth 10 cents for our school and are already on the boxes in your pantry. Second grade won a popsicle party in the fall for turning in the most box tops at TCE. Help us in supporting our school and keeping the honor of being the grade level with the most box tops turned in. You may turn in box tops on the pink collection sheet sent home this past week or print out a copy from the graphic below. You may also turn in box tops in a baggie labeled with your child's name and grade. The deadline for submission is Monday, February 25th.

Six Flags Read To Succeed

Your learner should have come home with a letter and reading log for the Six Flags Read To Succeed program. If your child reads 6 hours (360 minutes) and logs their reading (with a parent signature), they will earn a free ticket to Six Flags. This reading log is due back by February 19th to earn the Six Flags ticket. Reading done for your child's RED folder may also be recorded on their Six Flags reading log.

Upcoming TCE Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming family events happing this spring at TCE.

February 11th - 15th

What are we learning?

Math: In math this week, learners will use place value to compare and order whole numbers up to 1,200 using comparative language, numbers, and symbols (>, <, or =).

Please check out the resource Math 4 Texas; a resource created for parents to understand the break down of each math standard and possible questions/resources to use at home to support your child. Here the link to this week's math standard focused on comparing and ordering numbers to 1,200. 

Reading: In reading workshop this week, learners will continue with our author study of Kevin Henkes, and compare the character traits, plots, and lessons in the books. In writing workshop, learners will continue with opinion/persuasive writing. They will also practice spelling words the contain oi/oy patterns, and continue with cursive handwriting.

Reminder that all Six Flags 6 Hour reading logs are due to your child's classroom teacher by February 19th. (see below)

Science: In science this week, learners will continue observing, describing, and recording patterns of objects in the sky, including the appearance of the moon.

Social Studies: In social studies this week, learners will finish this biography presentations and begin learning the roles of public officials, including mayor, governor, and president.

Calendar

February 10th - Mrs. Bowman's Birthday
February 14th - Valentine's Day Party @ 1:00 (see below)
February 15th - NO SCHOOL for Learners; Professional Development
February 16th - Mrs. Judd's Birthday
February 18th - NO SCHOOL; Holiday/Weather Day
February 19th - Six Flags Read to Succeed Logs DUE (see below)
February 20th - Newcomer Parent Class 5:00-7:00 PM TCE Library
February 22nd - Spring Texan Town #1
February 22nd - Looping Survey Due (see below)
February 22nd - TCE PTO School-wide Movie Night @ 6:00
February 25th - Box Tops 4 Education DUE (see below)

Announcements

Parent Newsletter
Ms. Martin sends out a parent newsletter each week with many important announcements about TCE. Click here to check out this weeks newsletter.

Looping Feedback Survey: 1st-5th Grade Parents
Please take a moment and fill out a short survey to give TCE Families the opportunity to give their personal feedback regarding your child's looping experience. All questions about looping refer to your child's movement with the same teacher(s) from grade K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Ms. Martin has provided this forum to allow parents to be completely honest in your answers, which will be used to inform our campus practice and to deduce whether looping has a positive impact on our school community and our learners' academic and emotional success. The survey will be open for two weeks, closing on February 22nd. 

Box Tops for Education
TCE is collecting Box Tops for Education! Clipped Box Tops are each worth 10 cents for our school and are already on the boxes in your pantry. Second grade won a popsicle party in the fall for turning in the most box tops at TCE. Help us in supporting our school and keeping the honor of being the grade level with the most box tops turned in. You may turn in box tops on the pink collection sheet sent home this past week or print out a copy from the graphic below. You may also turn in box tops in a baggie labeled with your child's name and grade. The deadline for submission is Monday, February 25th.

Valentine's Day Party
Our second grade valentines day party will be on Thursday, February 14th at 1 pm. If your child would like, they may make Valentines or bring cards. Please make sure sure he or she brings one for each person in the class. The names of students in your child's homeroom have been sent home. Due to allergies please make sure all treats are peanut/tree nut free. Students may decorate and bring a box or a bag from home to hold their valentines. You are welcome to join us for the party!

Ideas & Inspiration for Valentines Boxes & Bags

Here are a few ideas if you need something to help you get started when thinking about decorating a valentines box/bag. Pinterest has many great ideas and examples as well! Designs can be as elaborate or simple as your child would like. 

Six Flags Read To Succeed

Your learner should have come home with a letter and reading log for the Six Flags Read To Succeed program. If your child reads 6 hours (360 minutes) and logs their reading (with a parent signature), they will earn a free ticket to Six Flags. This reading log is due back by February 19th to earn the Six Flags ticket. Reading done for your child's RED folder may also be recorded on their Six Flags reading log.

Upcoming TCE Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming family events happing this spring at TCE.

October 22nd - 26th

Welcome second-grade families! Thank you for taking the time to read our second-grade blog. Make sure you are checking weekly for calendar updates, what we are a learning and announcements for second grade!

What are we learning?

Math: In math this week, learners will begin to determine the value of a collection of coins up to one dollar. Learners will then use the cent symbol, dollar sign, and decimal point to the name the written value of a collection of coins.

Reading: In reading workshop this week, we will continue growing our knowledge with nonfiction texts. We will explore "what is this book teaching me?" and how to clarify keywords within the text. I writing workshop, we will continue to write narratives using a variety of creative writing tools.

The R.E.D. reading folder is due on Friday, October 26th. Please make sure that the log is completely filled out including a parent signature!

Science: In science this week, learners will begin studying earth materials from our natural world.

Dear Parents,

This week we will begin a study about rocks. For one of our first activities, we will be learning how rocks are alike and how they are different. In order to do this, we will be sorting rocks by color, texture, size, etc. Please help your child find three rocks, put them in a Ziploc bag, and return them to school by Friday, October 26th. It would be best if each of these rocks were different from each other in some way, for example, different size, shape, color, etc. You are also welcome to send in a small rock or mineral collection if you have one from home. 

Thank you for helping your child find their rocks for this sorting activity! 

Mrs. Gipson & Mrs. Bowman

Social Studies: In social studies this week, learners will explore landmarks and symbols through critical thinking experiences and collaborative teamwork.

Calendar

October 22nd - Return Signed Report Cards
October 22nd - 26th - Red Ribbon Week
October 22nd - PTO Teacher Auction Luncheon @ 11:30
October 26th - Jack O' Lantern Jog (2nd Grade @ 2:10)
October 26th - Fall Texan Town #3
October 26th - TCE PTO's Free Family Movie Night
October 29th - 30th - Storybook Pumpkin Patch
November 2nd - Pansy Planting

Announcements

Red Ribbon Week

Our TCE student council has come up with some amazing theme days to celebrate Red Ribbon Week THIS week October 22nd - 26th.

Report Cards

Friday, October 19th, your child brought home their report card for the first nine weeks of school. If you would like more clarification for what each standard means and what it looks like for your child to met standard, approach standard, and make insignificant progress towards standard please check out the CISD standards-based report card rubrics found here. Please note that every nine weeks the same standard may be reported on but the rigor and expectations increase from nine weeks to nine weeks. Please reach out to your child's teacher(s) if you have any questions or would like clarification regarding their report card. 

Storybook Pumpkin Patch
The Town Center Elementary Library will host a Storybook Pumpkin Patch for any TCE students that would like to participate. At home, students and/or families can decorate a pumpkin to look like one of their favorite children's book characters. Students may bring their decorated pumpkin to the TCE Library 7:30-8:00am on Monday or Tuesday morning, October 29-30, 2018. The pumpkins will be on display for viewing Monday, October 29th - Thursdday, November 1st. Pumpkins must be removed from the library by 3pm on Friday, November 2nd. Visit this link for details and guidelines: tinyurl.com/TCEpumpkinpatch. 

Snacks
Please remember that second grade has a snack each morning, as it is a long day for our learners. Many learners are coming to school each day without a snack and expecting one from their teacher. Teachers are unable to pass out snacks to learners due to allergies and food restrictions. Please send a small, healthy snack for your learner each morning does not require a fork or spoon to eat or contains peanuts/tree nuts. Please see below for examples of a healthy snack for learning. 

PTO Family Movie Night

Join us in the gym on Friday, October 26th at 6pm. Dinner, drink, and snacks will be sold starting at 6pm while supplies last. All dinner and concession items sold will benefit our PTO. Pre-register online at www.tcepto.com to guarantee your dinner and preferred choice.

Rocks for Science

This week we will begin a study about rocks. For one of our first activities, we will be learning how rocks are alike and how they are different. In order to do this, we will be sorting rocks by color, texture, size, etc. Please help your child find three rocks, put them in a Ziploc bag, and return them to school by Friday, October 26th. It would be best if each of these rocks were different from each other in some way, for example, different size, shape, color, etc. You are also welcome to send in a small rock or mineral collection if you have one from home. Thank you for helping your child find their rocks for this sorting activity!