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December 9, 2022

12/9/2022

 
Happy December! 

We have only 1 more week until winter break! We are finishing up some testing and doing some fun winter activities next week. Please let me know if your child will be absent or leaving earlier next week. 

We are very excited for the 2nd grade Winter Party Class Celebration! The 2nd Grade Room Parents have scheduled our Winter Party for the last day of the semester, Friday, December 16th, from 11:30-12:15. We appreciate them and can’t wait!  
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This next week, students will be learning about different winter holidays. They will include Christmas, Hanukkah, and Diwali.

​IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Monday, December 12th   Black & White
  • Tuesday, December 13th   Plaid
  • Wednesday, December 14th   Twin with a Friend!
  • Thursday, December 15th   Wear red or something Rudolph-themed
  • Friday, December 16th   PJs and Hot Cocoa 
  • Monday, December 19th - Tuesday, January 3rd   Winter Break ​
  • Wednesday, January 4th   First Day of 2nd Semester​

Winter story time with Dolvin Staff

An evening story-time event coming to your homes next week!  Next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, beginning at 7 pm, members of the administrative team will read holiday stories to your children (and moms, dads, dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) via THIS LINK on Microsoft Teams. This event will begin Tuesday!  

CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead!

Best,

Bianca Balcar

December 2, 2022

12/2/2022

 
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Students have begun visiting Hudson, a hypoallergenic certified therapy dog this week. They were able to practice their reading skills and read aloud to him. Both Hudson and the students were thrilled! ​

​Rocking adjectives by reviewing with Kahoot! Look at these podium champs!
Happy December! I can’t believe how fast time is moving. This time is always fun but very busy.  Keep an eye on the Dates to Remember as the schedule is very busy. 

Students will continue to work hard these 2 weeks before our Winter Break. As a reminder, Tuesday, December 6th is Fulton County Remote Day. Students will be provided with a Choice Board to be completed and returned on Wednesday, December 7th.  

We are all looking forward to the Winter Party!  The 2nd Grade Room Parents have scheduled our Winter Party for the last day of the semester, December 16th from 11:30-12:30. We appreciate them and can’t wait! The last week of school students will be learning about different winter holidays. They will include Christmas, Hanukkah, and Diwali.

How can you help at home? Please continue reading each night with your child. As you read, ask questions and have them find their answers. Also, please practice math facts. You can create games, use flash cards or find educational computer games and even songs/chants. Students need repetition and practice. We are also beginning to tell time to the hour, ½ hour and 5-minute intervals. We would love your support by having you begin practicing telling time at home. Thanks! 

UPCOMING "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I can identify and manage distractions. 
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can read and write with unpredictable vowel teams (/ou/ as in house and /ou/ as in touch) 
  • I can identify the central idea (main topic) of a text and give supporting/key details.  
  • I can retell an expository (non-fiction) text. 
  • I can write a personal narrative using a sequence of events, transitions, and an ending.  
​Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can determine the main idea (central message) of a text and explain how key details support the main idea.
  • I can identify chronology in expository texts and explain a series of events in the order they occurred.
  • I can use key details to summarize expository texts.
  • I can identify a comparative and superlative adverb and use it correctly in a sentence.
Science 
  • I can record and analyze data to decide if a design solution works as intended, with a force (a push or a pull). 
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.3
  • I can tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to the nearest five minutes, using a.m. and p.m. 
  • I can tell time to the hour and ½ hour. 
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.3 
  • I can measure area by counting unit squares.  
  • I can use multiplication to determine areas. 
  • I can break figures apart to determine area more easily. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Tuesday, December 6th   Remote Day (NO SCHOOL) 
  • Friday, December 9th   Virtual Parent Coffee 
  • Friday, December 16th   Winter Party, Holidays Around the World, & Last Day of the Semester 
  • Monday, December 19th - Tuesday, January 3rd   Winter Break ​
  • Wednesday, January 4th   First Day of 2nd Semester

​CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great Thanksgiving Break ahead!

Best,

Bianca Balcar

november 18, 2022

11/18/2022

 
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2nd grade has had a busy week! We had so much fun today on Thankful for Reading Day. We got to read with our 5th grade book buddies, we listened to special guest readers (Mrs. Noles), we rotated to all the 2nd grade classes and listened to a book read by each teacher, and we got to read by flashlight with our friends. It was a great day of being thankful for reading!  heard so many students comment on how fun today was and how it was the best day ever! We are all thankful for each other and are excited to spend time with family as we head into the upcoming holiday week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing week.  Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who will be celebrating. We all have so many things to be thankful for!​

Upcoming "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I can make a goal and follow the steps to reach the goal.  
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can read and write with unpredictable vowel teams (oo as in moon and oo as in book) 
  • I can identify how characters in a story respond to challenges.  
  • I can identify the different points of view of the author.  
  • I can identify the different points of view of characters.  
  • I can write a personal narrative using a sequence of events, transitions, and an ending.  
  • I can draft the body of my personal narrative.  
  • I can explain what an adjective is and use it in my writing.  
​Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can use descriptive text structures to make logical connections between sentences and paragraphs.
Science 
  • I can describe some effects that forces have on an object.  
  • I can understand how force and motion is used in the real world.
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.3
  • I will model and solve addition and subtraction story problems involving length.  
  • I will generate measurement data by measuring several objects and display data in a line plot 
  • I will tell whether events happen in the AM or PM.  
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.3 
  • I can recognize that a plane figure, which can be covered without gaps or overlaps, by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units.  
  • I can describe area as measurement of n unit squares that cover a figure with no gaps or overlaps.  
  • I can measure area by counting unit squares.  ​

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Monday, November 7th – Friday, December 2nd   Window of Wishes 
  • Monday, November 21st - Friday, November 25th   Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No School
  • Tuesday, December 6th   Remote Day - Runoff Election 
  • Friday, December 9th   Virtual Parent Coffee 

CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great Thanksgiving Break ahead!

Best,

Bianca Balcar

November 11, 2022

11/11/2022

 
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HUGE shoutout to Officer Ann from JCPD for reading to us during "Worth it Wednesday" this week! 
Practicing our /ow/ phonics pattern this week with dry erase. So much fun!
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Getting creative during today's indoor recess! 
2nd grade has worked hard this week in all content areas. We took our Georgia’s Native American Assessment.  We loved seeing the turkeys in disguise come back to school. There are some very creative turkeys! Our Student Success Skills lesson was "Stop, Then Decide." It helped us to pause and think before making a decision. How will the decision make you or others feel?  Choose the best decision. Then go for it! ​

NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I can identify when I am feeling stressed and practice strategies for managing stress effectively.  
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can read and write with unpredictable vowel teams (ea for eagle and ea for bread) 
  • Examples of ea (long /e/): sea, heat, peach 
  • Examples of ea (short /e/): head, thread, breath 
  • I can identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to explain, describe, or answer.  
  • I can read and understand a fiction text.  
  • I can identify the author’s point of view.  
  • I can write a personal narrative using a sequence of events, transitions, and an ending.  
  • I can draft an introduction to my personal narrative.  
  • I can draft the body of my personal narrative.  
  • I can explain what an adjective is and use it in my writing.  
​Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can determine the meaning of non-literal words and phrases as they are used in a text.
  • ​I can recount important events in folktales.
Science 
  • I can describe how pulling on an object will affect it.  
  • I can design and create a device to change the speed or direction of an object. (paper airplanes) 
  • I can describe some effects that forces have on an object.  
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.3
  • I can estimate the length of an object and select the appropriate tools to measure objects twice using different units of measure.  
  • I will measure and compare the lengths of objects.  
  • I will model and solve addition and subtraction story problems involving length.  
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.3 
  • I can recognize that a plane figure, which can be covered without gaps or overlaps, by n unit squares is said to have an area of n square units.  
  • I can describe area as measurement of n unit squares that cover a figure with no gaps or overlaps.  
  • I can measure area by counting unit squares.  

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Sunday, November 13th   World Kindness Day
  • Friday, November 18th   Thankful for Reading Day - Students are invited to dress as their favorite book character (or in their PJs). Our only ask is that students don't wear Halloween masks, please! Feel free to bring the book that your character is in. We would love to take some photos! There will also be a contest for the best dressed character. Lastly, we will get to spend some extra time reading throughout the day. You may send a flashlight in with your child for "Flashlight Reading." It is going to be a fun-filled day of reading activities!
  • Monday, November 21st - Friday, November 25th   Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No School

CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar

November 6, 2022 - Late Edition

11/6/2022

 
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Game Day - whole class reward!
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Author's Share Day Celebration for our animal research writing!
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Our awesome Mystery Reader of the week! Thanks for choosing 2 wonderful books and for getting the kiddos excited with your expression, excitement, and passion for reading! We loved having you! 
2nd grade has worked hard this week in all content areas! We finished Unit 2 in on-level math and took the major assessment. We will kick off unit 3 with measurement this upcoming week. We will wrap up our social studies unit over Cherokee and Creek Native Americans and move on to our science unit later in the week. Proud of all the learning and accountability I am seeing each and every day from our amazing students!

NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I can learn strategies for making good decisions.
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can read and write with unpredictable vowel teams (ow for snow and ow for owl).
    • Examples of ow (/o/): show, slow, row 
    • Examples of ow (/ou/): brown, cow, frown 
  • I can identify the main purpose of an informational text, including what the author wants to explain, describe, or answer.  
  • I can read and answer questions about a text.
  • I can write a personal narrative using a sequence of events, transitions, and an ending.  
  • I can explain what an adjective is and use it in my writing.  
Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can determine the meaning of non-literal words and phrases as they are used in a text.
  • I can recount important events in folktales.
  • I can determine the theme (central message) of a folktale and use key details from the text to explain how this message is conveyed.
Social Studies
  • What types of tools did the Creek and Cherokee use for hunting, building, and fighting? 
  • What types of homes did the Native Americans live in during the winter and summer months? 
​​​Science
  • I can describe force.
  • I can describe motion. 
  • I can describe some effects that forces have on an object.  
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.3
*Click above where it says "Unit 2.3" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can make a a reasonable estimate about an object's length.  
  • I can estimate lengths of objects using standard units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.  
  • I can problem solve when measuring objects that do not follow typical measuring rules.  
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.3
*Click above where it says "Unit 3.3 for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can solve two step ‘how many more and how many less’ problems using information presented in a scaled bar graph 
  • I can describe an area as a measurement of n unit squares that cover a figure with no gaps or overlaps.  ​

Important Upcoming Dates

  • Tuesday, November 8th   Remote Learning Day - work was sent home last Thursday to complete at home on this day. Please email me if you need another copy.​
  • Wednesday, November 9th   Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night - see below for more information.
  • Friday, November 18th Thankful for Reading Day - Dress as your favorite book character! 😊 More information to come about this fun-filled reading day.  
  • Monday, November 21st - Friday, November 25th   Thanksgiving Break - No School

chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

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What?   Chick-fil-A Spirit Night 
Where?   Chick-fil-A at Alpharetta Commons 
Date?   Wednesday, November, 9, 2022 
Time?   All day! Students/parents may visit any time during the day.
Families must say they are from Dolvin for the school to get credit. 
Why?   To support Dolvin and “Eat more Chikin!” 
Chick-fil-A has drive-through, carryout, mobile orders, and dining room seating. 
*If ordering on the app, put DOLVIN in the special instructions for our school to get credit. 
We encourage you to wear Dolvin Spirit Wear and/or decorate your cars to show school spirit! 

Closing

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great rest of your evening and week ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar

October 28, 2022

10/28/2022

 
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Thank you, again, to Mr. Cheng for reading to us! We LOVED the glow-in-the-dark, spooky story. We appreciate you coming in to read to us!
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Getting creative with some STEM materials during indoor recess!
2nd grade has worked hard this week in all content areas, but especially English Language Arts! We finished our Unit 2 in Reading, our Phonics unit over vowel teams and long vowel/silent E patterns, and our Animal Research essay. We rocked food donation by bringing in food that will help the community. “Challenge Accepted” was our mantra as we learned that problems could be challenges and planned ways that we could solve them to help us learn and grow. We will continue strong with learning next week! ​

NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I can pause (stop and think) before I act.
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can identify where I hear the digraph sounds (beginning, middle, or end) 
  • I can read and write with unpredictable vowel teams (ie for chief and ie for fries) 
    • Examples of ie (/e/): chief, thief, brief 
    • Examples of ie (/I/): spies, fries, tie, cries 
  • I can explain how non-fiction text can help me understand the meaning of text (photographs, diagrams, and captions) 
  • I can identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to explain, describe, or answer.  
  • I can write a personal narrative using a sequence of events, transitions, and an ending.  
  • I can use actions verbs in my writing. 
  • I can read and use plural and irregular plural nouns in my writing.  
Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can identify the main idea (central idea) and supporting details in an expository text.
  • I can use central ideas and key details to summarize expository texts.
  • ​I can use action verbs in my writing.
Social Studies
  • What types of tools did the Creek and Cherokee use for hunting, building, and fighting? 
  • What types of homes did the Native Americans live in during the winter and summer months? 
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 2.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • Unit 2 Math Assessment (1st Week of November).
  • Double digit addition with and without regrouping. 
  • Double digit subtraction with and without regrouping. 
  • Money: Counting Coins – mixed values. 
  • Bar Graphs with different scales (key). 
  • Solving word problems with addition and subtraction strategies 
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.3
*Click above where it says "Unit 3.3 for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can solve two step word problems involving the four operations with a letter standing for the unknown.  
  • I can solve unknowns with an input/output box.  

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Wednesday, November 2nd   School Store: All items are $1.00 
  • Friday, November 4th   Wearing your favorite boots and fall clothing! 
  • Friday, November 4th   Bingo Night
  • Tuesday, November 8th   Remote Learning Day - work will be provided to complete at home on this day. ​
  • Friday, November 18th Thankful for Reading Day - Dress as your favorite book character! 😊 More information to come about this fun-filled reading day.  

​Monday Activities

1. Animal Author's Share Day!
  • Our class will be celebrating an awesome few weeks of animal research and writing with an Author's Share Party on Monday, October 31st! To make things even more exciting, we'd love to celebrate with some animal-themed snacks. 😊 If you'd like and are able to, please consider contributing an item for our "Zoo Trail Mix.” You can check out the Sign-Up Genius here. If your child has allergies or if you’d prefer to send in a snack form home for him/her to enjoy, please feel free to do so on this day. I’d love for everyone to be able to take part!​
2. Game Day
  • Our class has been working hard at following the school's PBIS rules and as a result, we have earned a class reward! Woohoo! We will celebrate with board games at the end of the day on Monday. Your child is welcome to bring in board games, card games, and beaded/bracelet crafts. Please keep any devices at home. Thank you in advance for your help with this!

CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar

October 21, 2022

10/21/2022

 
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Awesome "Mind Stretch Monday" lesson with the #DolvIncredible Ms. Huber! We created our own WILD chain reactions!
We welcomed our 2nd amazing Mystery Reader this week, and our hearts are so happy about it! Loved listening to "Little Red and the Big Bad Editor!" We've been working so hard at editing and revising our writing pieces lately, so this was the perfect read-aloud choice!
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​Check out these student leaders teaching others how to use the CUBES word problem strategy! Wow, I am so proud of their hard work!
What a wonderful week, filled with learning and laughter in second grade!

A couple quick notes -
  • We had another amazing guidance counseling lesson with Mrs. Fisher this week where we discussed distractions in the classroom and ways to ignore or get help from the teacher, if needed.
  • Don’t forget to check Infinite Campus for grades and the 1st Nine Weeks Progress – your child is working hard! 

NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I can think about a problem as a challenge.
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • Review: I can recognize, read, and write words with vowel teams (aw, au, igh, oa, oe, ee).
  • Review: I can recognize, read, write, and say words with digraphs (ch, sh, ph, th, wh).
  • I can make words that rhyme when I see a word or hear a word.  
  • I can recognize the middle sound of a word.  
  • I can read and understand poetry. 
  • I can use text evidence to ask and answer questions about poetry.  
  • I can use the writing process to research and write expository text. (Planning, brainstorming, researching, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing). 
  • I can read and use irregular plural nouns in my writing.  
Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can use text evidence to respond to historical fiction.
  • I can determine the main idea of a text and identify supporting details.
  • ​I can summarize the events of a story.
  • I can identify and use irregular plural nouns in sentences. 
  • I can use a graphic organizer to draft an opinion essay.
Social Studies
  • What are the 5 regions of Georgia that we learned earlier in the year? (review) 
  • In what regions do the Creek and Cherokee Indians live? (new) 
  • How are the lives of the Creek and Cherokee Indians different than ours today? 
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 2.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can count collections of coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters).
  • I can count dollar bills.
  • I can interpret bar graphs with different scales.
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 3.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can draw a scaled picture graph using more than 1 category and solve one- and two-step “how many more” and “how many less” problems in scaled bar graphs.
  • I can show what I know on a major assessment (we will take our test toward the end of the week).

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

October 24th – 28th: Red Ribbon Week! 

  • ​Monday, October 24th   Wear Red for "RED’y to live drug free"
  • Tuesday, October 25th   Wear your favorite sports team for Team up Against Drugs 
  • ​Wednesday, October 26th   Wear Red, White, and Blue for Voting to be Drug Free &  The Journey to Graduation - Grades are important, but that's not all! 
  • ​Thursday, October 27th   Wear Camouflage for you will not see me doing drugs
  • ​Friday, October 28th   Wear Crazy Socks and Hats for Celebrate Life and Get Crazy 
  • Tuesday, November 8th   Remote Learning Day - work will be provided to complete at home on this day. 

Help Fight hunger This Holiday Season!

Hello, families! Our #DolvIncredible Community is coming together to help provide families with Thanksgiving dinners. Please consider donating items from the list below. Grocery store gift cards are also welcome.
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  • Canned Vegetables   Corn, Sweet Potatoes/Yams, Greens such as Collards or Spinach—PLEASE NO Green Beans 
  • Boxed/Bagged Potatoes & Rice   All Types – Mashed/Scalloped Potatoes, White/Brown/ Yellow Rice 
  • Boxed Pasta Mixes   Mac-n-Cheese boxes and individual servings 
  • Baking Goods   Cake Mixes, Cornbread Mixes, Biscuit Mixes, Brownie Mixes, Pie Makings 
  • Canned Fruit All Types - Apples, Peaches, Cranberry, Cranberry Sauce, Pineapple, Applesauce 
  • Canned Soups ​

CLOSING

​As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar

October 14, 2022 - Week 10

10/14/2022

 
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!We enjoyed extra recess today as 2nd grade donated the most coats for the for the coat drive. Thank you, parents, for supporting our school and helping the community! 
Welcome back! I hope you had an amazing "Fall Break" with however you chose to spend it. I know some of you stayed at home and some of you went on a trip. Either way, I hope that you were able to make memories, have fun, relax, and rejuvenate as your second grader will be starting the 2nd quarter of school.  

​NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I know how mistakes help me grow.
  • I know that it is okay to make mistakes, that is how I learn.  
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can recognize, read, and write words with vowel teams (aw and au).
  • I can recognize, read, write, and say words with digraphs.  
  • I can make words that rhyme when I see a word or hear a word.  
  • I can recognize the middle sound of a word.  
  • I can read and understand poetry. 
  • I can use text evidence to ask and answer questions about poetry.  
  • I can use the writing process to research and write an expository text. (Planning, brainstorming, researching, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) 
  • I can read and use irregular plural nouns in my writing.  
Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can use text evidence to respond to historical fiction.
  • I can determine the main idea of a text and identify supporting details.
  • ​I can summarize the events of a story.
  • I can identify and use irregular plural nouns in sentences. 
  • I can use a graphic organizer to draft an opinion essay.
Social Studies
  • I can describe how the Creek and Cherokee Indians adapted to the land and influenced by their environment.  
  • I can compare the Indian cultures from the past to Georgia today. (then and now) 
  • I can describe the culture, clothes, homes, tools, food, accomplishments, and ways of living for the Creek and Cherokee Indians.  
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 2.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can fluently add and subtract within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties, and the relationship between addition and subtraction.  
  • I can solve one and two step word problems using addition and subtraction strategies.  
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 3.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can create a model for and solve multiplication and division word problems.
  • I can use data to create a bar graph.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • “Socktober” Collections EXTENDED through Friday, October 21st​​ - Let's go 2nd Grade! Please consider bringing in the new socks that will be donated to our community. 
  • Monday, October 17th   Motivational Monday: Wear your favorite motivational/kind shirt 
  • Tuesday, October 18th Twin Tuesday Find a friend and Twin it up 
  • Wednesday, October 19th Orange you glad its Wednesday? Wear orange. 
  • Thursday, October 20th   Give Negativity the Boot: Wear your favorite pair of boots.  
  • Thursday, October 20th   Picture Retake Day  
  • Friday, October 21st   50th Day of School: Poodle Skirts and Bobby Socks 

CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar​

October 7, 2022 - Week 9

10/7/2022

 
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HUGE shoutout and thank-you  to Mr. Cheng, Kaylee's father, for being our first Mystery Reader of the 2nd grade school year! We loved hearing you read Shopping with Dad. If you'd like to sign up to read to our class, you can do so by clicking here.
Look at the amazing Pumpkin Book Reports that our class has completed! I am so proud of the detail and the hard work that was put into not only the pumpkins, but also the reports. 2nd grade ROCKS!
Wow! It has been an amazing but busy week in second grade. Can you believe we are ¼ of the way through the school year already?! Next week is Fall Break and a nice chance to relax before coming back for the second quarter. Please mark your calendars as there are many different activities happening in October!

NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • There are not any lessons this week. Students will review the SPLASH Rules/the BIG 3 and explain how they play an important role in being successful at school.  
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can recognize, read, and write words with vowel teams (oa, igh, ee, oe, ai, ay, oi, and oy). 
  • I can ask and answer questions about a fable/fiction text.  
  • I can explain how the character solves the problem that they face within the story.  
  • I can identify the main story elements in a story. (Character, setting, problem/solution, beginning/middle/end) 
  • I can draft an informational essay with an introduction, facts, and a conclusion. 
  • Grammar Review: I can read and recognize plural nouns. 
Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can use context clues to identify and and determine the meaning of figurative terms and phrases.
  • ​I can analyze a character's thoughts, dialogue, and actions to determine key character traits.
  • I can write realistic fiction stories where a character encounters a problem and works to determine a solution.
Social Studies
  • I can describe what life was like for the Cherokee Indians 
  • I can tell you how decisions made by the Cherokee Indians were connected to where they live. 
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 2.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can use data from a tally chart to make a bar graph.  
  • I can draw a picture graph to represent data.
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 3.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can use the relationship between multiplication and division to solve for the unknown in multiplication problems using the inverse.  
  • I can use unknown-factor problems to solve division equations. ​

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • “Socktober” Collections through Friday, October 14th​​ - Let's go 2nd Grade! Please consider bringing in the new socks that will be donated to our community. 
  • Monday, October 10th – Wednesday, October 12th   Fall Break (No School) 
  • Thursday, October 13th - Friday, October 14th   Bus Driver Appreciation Week 
  • Wednesday, October 12th   Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • ​Thursday, October 13th   Hats Off to Thursday: Wear your favorite Ball Cap! 
  • Friday, October 14th   Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness. Wear Pink 

FOOD ACTIVITIES (Reminder)

Sometimes, I like to do activities that involve food/drinks for the students, or will occasionally reward with them a special treat for awesome behavior! If you would prefer for your child not to participate with the rewards I provide, please send me an email to let me know ASAP. Additionally, please consider sending in a bag of treats from home for me to keep on-hand so your child can participate with food/drink approved by you. Thank you in advance!  ​

FALL CONFERENCES - LAST call!

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I can't believe it's already time to start preparing for Fall Conference Day on Wednesday, October 12th! I would love to sit down and discuss your child's progress (thus far) with you. Please take a moment to look over the Sign-Up Genius and select a time on this day that works well for you. Please email me directly if you have a conflict and I will do my best to accommodate your schedule. Thank you in advance!

​CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar

September 30, 2022 - week 8

9/30/2022

 
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Enjoying lemonade to celebrate author's purpose! LemonADE - authors write to ANSWER a question, DESCRIBE something, or EXPLAIN a process.
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Our first 2 classmates to earn Book Vending Machine coupons! Awesome book choices, Sanuthi and Eric!
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Hip, hip, HOORAY! We had our first visit from the PBIS cart this Wednesday. Our class is making a SPLASH with their awesome behavior! Keep it up, Dolphins!
It's hard to believe that September is almost over! Time is going by so fast and it’s amazing to see the growth happening with the students. I am looking forward to meeting parents for conferences. Please look for a link below to sign up! 

NEXT WEEK'S "I CAN" STATEMENTS

Student Success Skills
  • I know different ways to get my needs met. 
On-Level Reading & ELA
  • I can identify the prefixes: un, re, dis, mis, fore, pre. 
  • I can read and understand a fable. 
  • I can use text evidence to respond to a fable. 
  • I know what animals in stories can teach us. 
  • I can draft an informational essay with an introduction, facts and definitions to support, and write a conclusion. 
  • I can use collective nouns correctly. 
Accelerated Reading & ELA
  • I can use the compare and contrast text structure to show similarities and differences between two or more things.
  • I can use the cause & effect text structure to show similarities and differences between two or more things.
  • I can write realistic fiction stories.
Science 
  • I can classify objects based on their physical properties.  
  • I can describe physical and chemical changes in matter. 
  • I can describe reversible and irreversible changes in matter. 
On-Level Math (New Enhanced Standards) - Unit 2.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 2.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can use base ten drawings and equations to subtract 2-digit numbers. 
  • I can use a number line to subtract 2-digit numbers. 
Accelerated Math - Unit 3.2
*Click above where it says "Unit 3.2" for the Parent Letter for further explanation of the standards/topics covered in this unit.
  • I can use the relationship between multiplication and division to solve for the unknown in multiplication problems using the inverse.   
  • I can use unknown-factor problems to solve division equations. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

  • Monday, October 3rd   Wear the color blue
  • Tuesday, October 3rd - Wednesday October 4th   Math MAP Testing 
  • Friday, October 7th  Dolvin Spirit Day - wear your favorite fall colors
  • Wednesday, October 12th   Conference Day
  • Socktober Collections now through Friday, October 14th   Let's go 2nd grade! 
​​*School Store is every Wednesday in the double hallway. 

Food activities

Sometimes, I like to do activities that involve food/drinks for the students, or will occasionally reward with them a special treat for awesome behavior! If you would prefer for your child not to participate with the rewards I provide, please send me an email to let me know ASAP. Additionally, please consider sending in a bag of treats from home for me to keep on-hand so your child can participate with food/drink approved by you. Thank you in advance!  

FALL CONFERENCES ​

Picture
I can't believe it's already time to start preparing for Fall Conference Day on Wednesday, October 12th! I would love to sit down and discuss your child's progress (thus far) with you. Please take a moment to look over the Sign-Up Genius and select a time on this day that works well for you. Please email me directly if you have a conflict and I will do my best to accommodate your schedule. Thank you in advance!

MYSTERY READER SIGN-UP

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I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to our awesome Mystery Reader Coordinator, Mrs. Becki Miller (Austin's mother) for organizing our MR schedule for the school year! If you're interested in coming to read to our class, please sign up here. If you haven't already done so, please be sure to complete the Fulton County Volunteer Application few days BEFORE you plan to read (please click here to to so). If this has not been completed and processed before your arrival, you will not be able to go past the front office. 

Our Sign-Up Genius can be found here. On the day of your session, please email me 3 clues to share with the class to get them guessing and excited about our visitor. We can't WAIT to have you in to read!

CLOSING

As always, feel free to reach out with questions and concerns. I am here to support you and your child. Have a great weekend ahead! 

Best,

Bianca Balcar
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