Weekly Update

We had a great Valentine's Day! We did some Valentine themed math, read Valentine themed books, had treats and made a craft. The second graders also exchanged their Valentines and it was so much fun listening to them say "Thanks!" unprompted after reading a card from a classmate. Thanks to everyone who helped out reading cards, helping write or rewrite or fix cards, hot gluing, and sending in stickers, boxes, treats and more! Your support made for a wonderful day for the second graders!

Writing:

We started working on book reviews this short week.  They have really grown as writers, especially persuasive writers. We spent some time talking about the ways book reviews are different from other kinds of reviews and everyone has at least a plan complete so we can hit the ground running next week!

Math:

We are still measuring! We aren't only measuring though. We are comparing lengths, and subtracting double digit numbers while doing so.  We are also adding lengths, which means adding double digit numbers too.  Ask your child to subtract 48 inches from 72 inches and see if he or she has a good strategy. We have used number lines as well as base 10 sticks and dots, and some kids take apart the tens and ones. We have not started the traditional borrowing and carrying yet because we want to make sure the second graders concretely understand what combining and comparing numbers is before we move to the abstract.

Reading: 

We are keeping track of our longer books by checking in with the story elements.  As your child reads at home, ask them for a  retell. This is what we've been using in class, but no matter the graphic, narrative fiction all has the same story elements.

Social Studies:

We are starting our next unit on learning about citizenship and local government. This week we talked about why people form governments.   

Extra Information:

February 23- Early Release Day

February 26 & 28- Parent Teacher Conferences

Scholastic Book Fair- Our class will PREVIEW on February 26, and will be able to PURCHASE on February 27. (It will also be open during Parent Teacher Conferences).

Park Challenge Dress Up Days:

Monday: Wear strips, polka-dots, or flowers (or any combination!)

Wednesday: Words on my Shirt Wednesday (any words on a shirt count! Points are per person, not per word.)

Friday: Blue Out for Hudsonville!  Wear some blue today!