Weekly Update

Writing:

Everyone has chosen a topic, filled in a planning map of all the information they know about that topic, grouped that information into chapters, and written an introduction. This group of second graders are strong writers and I think their books are off to a great start! This book is the guided practice stage of our informational writing unit. We are going through each part step-by-step. Next week we will work on writing different chapters that are related to the main idea of the book. The second graders will work on chapter and section headings, label a diagram, and we might even get to writing a conclusion next week.

Math:

The second graders are learning how to add and subtract with numbers in the 100s.  We are also working on how to read clocks, telling time to the 5 minutes.  If you have an analog clock at home, see if your child can tell you what time it is.  Ask them how they know the difference between the hour and minute hand. We talked about how the minute hand is longer and reaches out to the minutes on the clocks at school. One of the students said they remember which hand is which because the word hour is shorter than the word minute, so the hour hand is the short one. Telling time is part of our measurement unit, and the second graders have been having fun learning about linear measurement too. Last week we measured giant magic beans using unifix cubes. Then we used cube measuring tapes to measure all kinds of things in the classroom, including each other : )

Social Studies:

We are learning all about maps and how they show features of a community. We are even making maps of our own! The second graders went outside and drew some fantastic maps of their playground last week. If you have some maps at home show your child different types of maps. They have really been interested in looking at maps in class.

Reading:

We are continuing our unit on learning how to read nonfiction books.  We learned that we don't have to read an ENTIRE nonfiction book to understand any section because they don't build on each other like chapters in a story do. We will continue this work next week by highlighting really helpful features like headings, bold words, a glossary, and an index.

Homework:

The two-sided math page is due by October 17.

Extra Information:

October 15 - Skating Party at Tarry Hall

October 27- Picture Retake Day

October 30- All-School Halloween Parade at 9:30

Second Grade Sign Up Genius

October 31- No School