weekly update

Writing:

We have started our realistic fiction unit and I am so impressed at how far these kids have come as writers. This week they developed a character and thought of realistic problems. Then they all wrote a plan and started their story. Ask your child about their character and story. Next week the second graders will finish their story. I didn't get everyone's persuasive writing graded last weekend, so if you didn't see your child's final piece and score it will be in their mail this week!

Phonics:

We learned all the tricks to spell long vowel words, wrote them into our Builder's Notebooks, and sent them off to the BLC. We think that is where Gus has gone too because he's been missing for a couple of days! We are hoping our words and tips get added to the BLC Vowel Manual.

Math:

We are subtracting BIG numbers!  Ask your child to show you how to subtract 227-19!  Some might be tempted to show your second grader how to do the "way that we learned it when we were young". That's fine, but be ready to explain the why behind it and that it is one of many strategies. The way our curriculum teaches the kids to subtract really helps them to be flexible math thinkers and successfully manipulate numbers in their heads. Ask your child to explain how he or she subtracts that problem. They may not be accurate yet, but they should have a strategy that they are comfortable with.

We are also learning about measuring with centimeters.  Ask your child if they can tell you how many centimeters are in a meter. 

Reading:

We have been working hard on fluency as well as wrapping up our March Madness book battle. The book The Yellow Bus won in our classroom, but that might not be the book that wins the school-wide competition. We had a special treat on Friday when Luke, our high school football player volunteer came and read to us. He read The Yellow Bus and I Do Not Eat Children, which was also from our March Book Madness bracket.

Extra Information:

April 3-13 Spring Break

April 29 - Art Show

weekly update

It's hard to believe that St Patricks Day was on Monday. It feels like so long ago! The second graders did an Unlock the Rainbow activity at math time. They solved problems and earned badges, finally earning a pot of gold badge! It was good fun and a good review of math concepts we have learned and been working on!

Writing:

We wrote our last review this week and have finished our opinion writing unit. The second graders wrote a book review, so it was a perfect one for the month of March!  We have been reading so many books for March is Reading Month and the second graders have been trying to persuade each other about which one is the best! Before turning them in the second graders did some peer revising and editing. Many second graders are still trying to remember to use correct capitalization and punctuation, and reading with a peer helps them find and correct their mistakes. Once I get these reviews scored I will send them home with a grade sheet attached.

Math:

We have started our next unit in math.  This unit will have us doing a lot of subtraction with pretty big numbers. So far we have found two methods that work well for most of the students. One is to turn the subtraction problem into an addition problem and add up. (From 63-27=__ to 27+__=63) The other is to subtract in parts by splitting the number being subtracted into tens and ones (63-20=43 and 43-7=36).

We will also be exploring measurement with meters and centimeters in this unit and we are off to a great start with that!

Reading:

We wrapped up our series book clubs this week - mostly. On Thursday and Friday the second graders used everything they know and love about their book club books to make posters to share their series with others. We have to put some finishing touches to them on Monday and then we will be done with series book clubs!

We also read with Mrs DeSmit's Kinder class this week! It was so fun reading to and also listening to the kindergarteners!

Phonics:

We are busy filling out a notebook with spelling tips and examples of ways to spell long vowels for the BLC. So far we have studied long a, long e, and long i. We added our long vowel spelling information to our word builder's notebook and worked in groups to make posters with spelling tips.

Homework:

The math page is due by March 28.

Extra Information:

Next weeks dress up days for the Park Challenge are:

    Monday: Dress for your future job

    Wednesday:Wacky Wednesday

    Friday:Favorite Team Day

April 3-13- Spring Break

Construction continues outside our window! The old playground equipment was taken out this week and cement was poured. The second graders have gotten so used to it that they largely ignore the noises and comings and goings of trucks and workers, but seeing the cement truck right outside our window was pretty exciting!

weekly update

Writing:

The kids took a break from writing reviews, and had fun writing about how to catch a leprechaun.  They wrote great How-Tos and made a "wanted" poster for a leprechaun too. On Friday they designed and built leprechaun traps. Next week we get back to regular writing and will wrap up our persuasive unit with book reviews.

Math:

The second graders have gotten good at identifying shapes and their characteristics. We took our math test on geometry on Friday. I will score them this weekend, so ask your child how he or she did and then look for the test next week! Our next unit will bring us back to multi-digit addition and subtraction and measurement - this time with centimeters and meters.

Reading:

The kids are continuing to work in their book clubs and we are studying how authors write for a series.  Last week we focused on how authors choose specific words for description in order to bring the book to life, and also how they used literary language.  Next week some will switch to a different series, but we will talk more about authors' craft. We wrap the unit up with a book series share where the second graders can talk about what they loved in their series. 

Phonics:

Our class got hired from the B.L.C. company!  We have been building Bigger, Longer, more Complex words, and have shown that we have what it takes to know how to handle hard words. Our first assignment is to build a long vowel manual! We started last week, but it will take all of next week to get it done!

Homework: 

The two-sided math paper is due by March 21

Extra Information:

March 21- World Down Syndrome Day- Wear crazy socks to school

weekly update

Writing:

The second graders worked on restaurant reviews this week. Since this is the third review they have written it was done pretty independently. This gave us a chance to work on editing and revising. They looked back in their writing to fix any capitalization or punctuation mistakes. We also used colored pencils to identify main ideas, supporting reasons, and transitions. The second graders are getting really good at persuasive writing, and editing and revising too!

Math:

We are adding in three dimensional shapes with the two dimensional shapes the second graders have already learned. We also started a new workplace exploring all the ways to use shapes to make new shapes. Finally we ended the week with a three-part hidden squares quilt project. We will finish the project on Monday by making a big whole-class quilt.

Phonics:

We are word builders!  We are learning different ways to build bigger, longer, and more complex words.  One trick is to spell the biggest part of the word first. Another approach is to make spell by syllable and make sure each syllable has a vowel. We have likened spelling word to the construction of our school - we build words part by part and each part is important!

Reading:

The second graders are working independently in their book clubs! They hear the day's assignment, read their book club books, then meet with their clubs to talk over what they have read. The great part about series book clubs is that once one of the book club members finishes their book they can grab another title in the series and keep reading. We are learning about characters across series, so there's no waiting for everyone to finish their book to have great discussions. The second graders are reading at their own pace and everyone can contribute!

Extra Information:

March 14- Early Release Day