Fall Happenings

Great news...our blog is up and running again!  I'm not sure what the technical issue was, but it appears to be fixed now . I hope that the e-mails over the past few weeks have given you the information you needed.

We have been staying very busy in room 139.  It's hard to believe that the end of the first trimester is just a few short weeks away! Here's what's going on in 2nd grade this month:

Math -
In Unit 2, students are learning how to work with place value.  We have worked on number words, representing 100s, 10s, and 1s in multiple ways, using expanded form (246 = 200+40+6), and adding two and three digit numbers that involve making a new ten or hundred.  This week, students are learning about counting mixed groups of coins.  My understanding is that counting money is no longer a big part of first grade math standards, so this would be a great time to work with your child at home on basic money counting skills! 

Reading -
Reading groups are well underway!  It's been wonderful settling into a routine.  At conferences next month, I'll have a lot of information to share with you about reading levels and progress.  If you have questions before then, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.  Our current read aloud is Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.  Students are enjoying this classic collection of short stories.  If you visit a bookstore or the library (or even Amazon.com!), you might want to check out other books by Betty MacDonald.

Writer's Workshop -
We are continuing to work through our informational writing unit.  Students have worked with lab reports, science booklets, and technical (how-to) writing.  Later this week, they will begin their final information writing project: a research paper on a body system.  Be sure to ask your child what body system he or she has chosen to research!  If you have kid-friendly books or other resources at home that pertain to the body systems, feel free to send them in!  I am providing our health text book, a couple of websites, a few books, and an article for each student. 

Science -
In addition to writing about the human body systems, 2nd graders are also studying other aspects of the human body.  This week, we are learning about proper nutrition and diving into the book Good Enough to Eat.  Over the next couple of weeks, students will continue to learn about meal planning and why a variety of nutrients are important to good health. 

Please mark the following dates on your calendars.  Thank you, as always, for all you do to support learning in our classroom!  I look forward to seeing you all at conferences soon!

Upcoming Dates:

October 27-31 - Red Ribbon Week

October 29 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Abby and Loukas!

October 31 - Costume Parade and Class Parties

November 7 - No School

November 12-13 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 13-14 - No School

November 19 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Banks and Ben!

November 26-28 - Fall Break - Happy Thanksgiving!