This week in the Wonders program we will investigate the question, How do we use energy? Students will continue to study long vowel spellings, specifically ones that use the silent e. As well, we will learn about the author’s purpose for writing a story (persuade, entertain, or inform) and continue to work on pronouns. I know the evenings are busy during the spring, but try to continue to read aloud with your child for 20 minutes each night!
In math this week, we will begin to explore equal shares and the language of fractions. This will continue to lay the foundation for multiplication and division. As we wrap up the school year, this will be the final new topic introduced, and we will review key skills that must be mastered in second grade. In writing, we are ending the year with a focus on research and poetry. Students are excited to build an online research poster, and are eager each day to work on this project. Each student was able to select an ecosystem to research independently. They will present this work to their classmates in the next few weeks. Additionally, I am introducing students to the several types of poems and we are working to create a poetry book! Just a reminder that there is no school this Monday, May 29th due to Memorial Day. The Memorial Day assembly will be on Tuesday, May 30th if you are able to attend. As well, community meeting will be next Thursday, June 1st. This is also the day that the field trip permission slip is due. Let me know if you have any questions!
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This week in the Wonders Program we are exploring the question, What do myths help us understand? The students will be reading myths about nature, and exploring the idea that long ago people created stories to explain phenomenon they did not understand. We are working through open and closed syllable patterns this week for spelling. This is a tricky concept for many second graders. We will continue to practice this skill throughout the week in class, and will revisit the concept at the very end of the year.
More information about the 6 syllable types, including open and closed syllables, can be found here: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/six-syllable-types In Math, we are wrapping up our geometry unit and preparing to take our end of unit assessment. We will finish the year introducing fractions and multi-digit subtraction. As well, the students will take their timed tests for computation and math concepts (AIMSweb). We have begun a unit on poetry this week. This will be the focus for the remainder of the year. We are brainstorming ideas before I introduce the multiple types of poems. This is a great time to pull out your favorite poems to share with your child. Remember to continue to read aloud with them each evening for 20 minutes! On a final note, we have a packed end of the year. Here are this week’s special activities: Tomorrow the entire school will be walking to celebrate our school-wide reading goal. All students will leave the school and walk the trail connecting the footbridge to the Library before returning back. Please ensure your child has proper foot ware and I encourage bug spray J On Thursday, the students will attend a special event with storyteller Lee Cabral. Mr. Cabral is an amazing story teller who continues the tradition of passing stories down through generations, and is a perfect tie into our study of myths this week! Also on Thursday, field trip permission slips will be coming home. Please note that they are due the following Thursday. If you would like to chaperone, please note that on the permission form and send in the additional $8.00 fee. All chaperones are welcome to join us. Finally, next Tuesday (the day after Memorial Day) we will have a Memorial Celebration. Please have your child wear red, white, and blue as we remember the many who have served our country. This week in the Wonders program we will take our final assessment. The students have been hard at work learning about the theme of a story, pulling out main ideas, and identifying story elements. This assessment will check in on all of these skills. As well, they will complete an unassisted informational writing piece. Since it is a testing week, there will not be any spelling homework! In Math we will wrap up our learning about arrays and continue to explore equal shares. While this is an introduction to the skill, and I am impressed with the student’s work thus far. We will continue to revisit this learning throughout the year! In addition to our unassisted informational writing, students will wrap up their research work. This work will be on display at the Artist in Residence celebration this Thursday, beginning at 5:30. The evening will consist of moving throughout different locations within the building, and I will be moving with the group. If you arrive after 5:45, please find us at our second location! I have included some pictures from our campout afternoon- the kiddos had a blast! This week in the Wonders program we will explore the question, “Why are rules important?” The students will have the chance to learn a bit more about the formation of our constitution, which is always of high interest for the students. We will move away from identifying the plot of the story (we are experts in this) and look again at cause and effect. As well, we will study short vowel digraphs that do not sound the way they are spelled. One example is the ea spelling for the short e sound in bread. As we finish out the year, we will encounter the most difficult spelling patterns. You may find that your child has fewer or less difficult words based on their pre-assessment. Please let me know if your child is feeling overwhelmed with the list that is sent home!
In Math this week, we will begin by wrapping up our focus on polygons before moving onto arrays. Students will learn that larger numbers can be organized into even sets of rows. For instance, 8 can be organized into 2 rows of 4, or 4 rows of 2. This lays the foundation for later understanding that 4 X 2 = 8. This is a critical concept of mathematical understanding, and we will continue to revisit and practice this skill throughout the remainder of the year. We are wrapping up our informational writing as the students continue to practice their research. I have taught them a structure for organizing the information they gather, taught them how to write a lead and wrap up sentence, and we are working on rewriting the facts in our own words. They are quite excited to have the freedom to choose a topic, and are getting great keyboarding experience as they type up their work. We continue with the artist in residence both today and Wednesday. So far we have explored our space, build insect homes and created a flag that will mark our larger builds. By the end of the day Wednesday, the space will be transformed into a story trail, with story boards that showcase student writing. Upcoming Dates: Class Campout Afternoon- Friday, May 12th Jump Rope for Heart- Thursday, May 11th Artist In Residence Celebration – Thursday, May 18th 5:30 (first 15 minutes are in the classroom) Monday, June 12th- Squam Lake Field Trip - I nformation will come home the last week of May |
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