News:
Reading: We started the week by learning how to partner read and brainstormed things that might distract us during independent reading time. We formulated ideas of how we could resolve these issues. On Wednesday we started learning how authors use word choice to add interest and meaning to their texts. We explored books with rhyme and generated rhyming words from books. We discussed how authors use regular beats and rhythm to set a tone, or mood, to a book. Writing: The class spent the first two days working on a story about a time they played with a friend. This story was completely independent of support from me or others. Students created "heart maps" to help them think of things they would want to write about this year. The class enjoyed thinking about what inspires them as writers and writing their own stories each day. Word Study: We learned some activities to practice high frequency words, words we will be working on throughout the year - roll and spell, rainbow words, build a flower, and more. We reviewed the difference between consonants and vowels. The class used whiteboards to make their names and distinguish consonants and vowels. Partners put their names together to formulate new words from the letters in both their names. Students used the letters of their first and last name to do an activity. Math: We took a pre-assessment on the first Bridges unit on Monday. Students learned how to get on Moby Max on the computers and took a placement test. This will give them lessons tailored to what they need to learn. We started to learn number facts using a number rack (Rekenrek). Students made their own with beads and pipe cleaners. We learned ways to quickly identify numbers on the number rack. Science:
We started learning about science. We brainstormed what science is and what scientists do. Second grade introduced the super scientist project that each child will do one time this year. We learned that scientists observe and ask questions. Partners worked on comparing a penny and a nickel. News:
Reading: Our learning goal this week was to learn how to choose just right books. Our focus questions were: Do I like it? Does it fit? Does it help me? We compared books to shoes. Some shoes are too big and some are too small (too hard or too easy). We have shoes for different purposes (running, in the snow, etc.) just like we read books for different reasons. We collaborated to make a chart on what Reading Workshop should look like, sound like, and feel like. Writing: We spent a lot of our writing time this week sharing our "Me" bags. We read books about playing with a friend. Students will be writing about playing with a friend next week. Word Study: We spent this week working on spelling high frequency words. This is a list of 158 words that children should know how to spell by the end of second grade. After I grade their lists, I will send home a copy so they can practice the ones they missed with you. We will also be practicing them this year in school. Math: This week's focus was on sorting and graphing. Students make beetle glyphs to represent different things about them. We used these beetles to then classify them in different ways (color of beetle, how many stripes, etc.) Students learned about Venn Diagrams and determined which beetles would fit in different categories. We created a picture graph with our glyphs and drew a bar graph relating to the data. Friday students took the MAP math assessment. Social Studies:
Our focus this week was to read books and discuss what it means to be a good citizen. Students created faces of themselves to display around the school pledge: We will take care of ourselves, take care of others, and take care of Scottish Corners. The class took a short assessment relating to our lessons on being a good citizen. It consisted of 3 scenarios where they would have to describe what they would do and say. Notes:
Reading: We read several books about school, names, and how to act in a community. We did an activity to get to know how the books in our room are organized. Students enjoyed independent and partner reading time. Writing: We wrote and sorted our names by how many letters each contained. Students created a poem about themselves and illustrated it. They interviewed someone from our class and shared about that person. Word Study: We came up with words for each letter of the alphabet and students illustrated posters for our ABC chart. The class took some beginning of the year spelling assessments. Math: We discussed the meaning of "glyph" and "symbol" as students created a bead chain with colors symbolizing different things about themselves (e.g. yellow beads for how many pets you have). The class created a "Math about Me" craft. We discussed what Math Workshop should look like and sound like. Groups played fact fluency games to practice what math workshop should look like and sound like. Social Studies:
We talked about summer vs. school and what to expect. Table groups collaborated to "save Fred" by figuring out ways to get the gummy worm Fred into his life preserver, a gummy life saver. We started a chart of ways to be a good citizen. |
dates to rememberMarch 16-April 3: No
School April 10: No School April 13: Spring Photos May 1: COSI Field Trip May 15: Springtacular Related Arts ScheduleApril 6 - April 10
Monday: P.E. Tuesday: Library Wednesday: Art Thursday: Music Friday: No School Books we
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