It was so great meeting with all of you last week and sharing the wonderful work your children have been doing in 2nd grade! There are many, many things going on in our classroom during the next few weeks. Take a look at what's coming up!
Curriculum/Projects
Math
During the current unit, students are working with place value. They have practiced showing large numbers in a variety of ways, adding 2-digit numbers and making new tens and new hundreds, and counting mixed groups of coins. We will wrap up unit 2 in the next couple of weeks. Unit 3 involves measuring length and identifying the properties of different shapes.
What can I do at home?
Continue working on counting money with your child. If you haven't already, log in to Blackboard and check out the games and videos for unit 2. As we begin unit 3, let your child help you measure things for projects at home.
Reading
We have just finished our unit on exploration. During Reading Street unit 2, students will answer questions about the importance of working together. This past week, we have been looking for examples of cause and effect in works of fiction and nonfiction. After fall break, we will be learning about Abraham Lincoln and revisiting our previous study of author's purpose.
What can I do at home?
Read daily with your child. As you read, discuss events in books that cause other events to happen. Log in to Blackboard and let your child read you his or her guided reading books each week. Continue practicing spelling patterns for the list words that come home each week.
Writer's Workshop
We are gearing up to begin our unit on expository writing! During this unit, students will examine the scientific process and will make information booklets detailing steps to various experiments that we do in class. Students will write directions on how to build catapults, and will then use those catapults to explore the forces of motion.
What can I do at home?
Do a simple experiment with your child. As you do the experiment, have your child create a "how-to" writing piece or poster to bring to school and show me.
Science/Social Studies
Next week, we will begin our study of transportation, communication, and the ways these things have changed over time. This will lead into our study of famous inventors and the impact they have had on history.
What can I do at home?
Next week, you will receive information about our next at-home connection project. Students will have three options to choose from, and will have until after winter break to complete the project. Thanks in advance for your support at home! I know I have some great inventors in my classroom, and I can't wait to see what they come up with!
Genius Hour
We are trying something brand new in 2nd grade this year...Genius Hour! During this at-school project, students will be researching a topic of their choice and designing a presentation to share with the class. This project really encourages creativity and curiosity, and I'm so excited to see how it unfolds! I'll be sending home more information soon...stay tuned!
What can I do at home?
Periodically touch base with your child to see how the project is coming along!
Winter Fun
In December, 2nd graders at Langston will be participating in the Gingerbread STEM Community and Makerspace Global Project. Our classes will be working together to create a gingerbread model of historical Lawrence and present day Lawrence. This will tie in with our study of how ideas and communities change over time. We will be sending out information regarding what supplies are needed for this wonderful opportunity after Fall Break. You can read more about the project at http://gingerbreadstemcommunity.weebly.com.
Upcoming Dates...Mark Your Calendars!
November 23-25: No School - Fall Break
November 30: Scholastic orders due
November 30: November Birthday Breakfast (Kalon and Jenna)
December 21: December Birthday Breakfast (Brock, Will, Hudsen)
December 22: Class parties at 3:00
December 23: Winter break begins! See you next year!
Friday, November 18, 2016
Friday, September 30, 2016
October News
Wow...the month of September has flown by! We have a lot going on this month in 2nd grade.
Math
Our Unit 1 test will be next Thursday, October 6. Students have been working on addition and subtraction fact fluency, identifying and explaining odd and even numbers, and discussing and showing strategies for many different types of story problems. We begin Unit 2 on Monday, October 10. In this unit, students will represent numbers in multiple ways using place value, compare larger numbers, work with counting mixed groups of coins, and begin learning strategies for adding double digit numbers.
What can you do at home?
To prepare for next week's assessment, please work with your child on reading and re-reading story problems carefully and showing work in an organized, detailed way. This would be a great time to discuss the importance of checking over work carefully before turning it in! If you are able to get on Blackboard at home, work with your child on any of the word problem games and activities in the Unit 1 folder. Help your child select activities that are a good fit, as the activities range from basic addition and subtraction story problems to comparison and multi-step problems. There are also practice games and videos for odd and even numbers and basic addition and subtraction strategies. The Unit 2 folder will become available soon.
Reading
This week, we continued our unit on exploration by investigating the things we can learn by exploring in space. During this time, students worked with identifying the main idea and details in an expository text called Exploring Space with an Astronaut. Phonics skills covered so far have been short vowels, as well as words with long vowels and a silent e. Next week, we will look at the things that can be discovered by exploring in nature as we read Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night. Our next spelling list includes words that have consonant blends.
What can you do at home?
Continue to explore the Reading Street items that are available on Blackboard. Allow your child time to do some exploring in the community as we continue our discussions of the importance of exploring and the things that can be learned! Read stories to your child, and have your child read to you. Find new and creative ways to help your child study spelling words and vocabulary words.
Writing
Students have really enjoyed learning about writing personal narratives! They have been working on writing strong beginnings and endings, zooming in to magnify details, and using the writing process to improve what they are working on. Next week we will work on self-evaluation in writing, as well as using interesting words, dialogue, and action to bring characters in a story to life.
What can you do at home?
Encourage your child to write stories for fun at home. I've been updating our Narrative Writing folder on Blackboard (under ELA) with videos, tips, and visuals that tie in with what we are learning. Mini lessons we've covered so far are also available on Blackboard, if your child has missed a day.
Science
For the past two weeks, students have been researching various landforms using a variety of sources here in the classroom. Next week, they will work on some self-guided projects to deepen their understanding of these landforms. The following week, we will begin our study of erosion.
What can you do at home?
Earlier this week, you received a copy of our first at-home connection project. Please help your child complete his or her landform sculpture and poster. We will be using these in 2 weeks to create digital presentations. Let me know if you have questions.
Important Dates this Month
October 5 - Walk to School with Teachers
October 11 - Mrs. Williams out (touring preschools for next year...YIKES!)
October 13 - Landform Projects Due
October 14 - No School
October 18 - Mrs. Williams out in the afternoon
October 21 - No School
October 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week
October 26 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy Birthday to Alyssa, Parker, and Allison!
October 31 - Halloween class party
Math
Our Unit 1 test will be next Thursday, October 6. Students have been working on addition and subtraction fact fluency, identifying and explaining odd and even numbers, and discussing and showing strategies for many different types of story problems. We begin Unit 2 on Monday, October 10. In this unit, students will represent numbers in multiple ways using place value, compare larger numbers, work with counting mixed groups of coins, and begin learning strategies for adding double digit numbers.
What can you do at home?
To prepare for next week's assessment, please work with your child on reading and re-reading story problems carefully and showing work in an organized, detailed way. This would be a great time to discuss the importance of checking over work carefully before turning it in! If you are able to get on Blackboard at home, work with your child on any of the word problem games and activities in the Unit 1 folder. Help your child select activities that are a good fit, as the activities range from basic addition and subtraction story problems to comparison and multi-step problems. There are also practice games and videos for odd and even numbers and basic addition and subtraction strategies. The Unit 2 folder will become available soon.
Reading
This week, we continued our unit on exploration by investigating the things we can learn by exploring in space. During this time, students worked with identifying the main idea and details in an expository text called Exploring Space with an Astronaut. Phonics skills covered so far have been short vowels, as well as words with long vowels and a silent e. Next week, we will look at the things that can be discovered by exploring in nature as we read Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night. Our next spelling list includes words that have consonant blends.
What can you do at home?
Continue to explore the Reading Street items that are available on Blackboard. Allow your child time to do some exploring in the community as we continue our discussions of the importance of exploring and the things that can be learned! Read stories to your child, and have your child read to you. Find new and creative ways to help your child study spelling words and vocabulary words.
Writing
Students have really enjoyed learning about writing personal narratives! They have been working on writing strong beginnings and endings, zooming in to magnify details, and using the writing process to improve what they are working on. Next week we will work on self-evaluation in writing, as well as using interesting words, dialogue, and action to bring characters in a story to life.
What can you do at home?
Encourage your child to write stories for fun at home. I've been updating our Narrative Writing folder on Blackboard (under ELA) with videos, tips, and visuals that tie in with what we are learning. Mini lessons we've covered so far are also available on Blackboard, if your child has missed a day.
Science
For the past two weeks, students have been researching various landforms using a variety of sources here in the classroom. Next week, they will work on some self-guided projects to deepen their understanding of these landforms. The following week, we will begin our study of erosion.
What can you do at home?
Earlier this week, you received a copy of our first at-home connection project. Please help your child complete his or her landform sculpture and poster. We will be using these in 2 weeks to create digital presentations. Let me know if you have questions.
Important Dates this Month
October 5 - Walk to School with Teachers
October 11 - Mrs. Williams out (touring preschools for next year...YIKES!)
October 13 - Landform Projects Due
October 14 - No School
October 18 - Mrs. Williams out in the afternoon
October 21 - No School
October 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week
October 26 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy Birthday to Alyssa, Parker, and Allison!
October 31 - Halloween class party
Friday, September 2, 2016
Back to School!
What a wonderful start to the school year we've had! Students have come in each morning ready to learn, work hard, and help one another. I'm so excited to see them grow this year! Please read on for information about curriculum and upcoming dates for this month.
Math
In Unit 1, 2nd graders are reviewing basic addition and subtraction fact strategies. During this unit, we will look closely at various strategies for solving equations accurately and efficiently. Story problems are also a large focus in this unit. Students are working on expanding their story problem knowledge and showing work in detailed, informative ways. We are practicing showing work in a way that could be used to explain and teach concepts to others. When math homework comes home, please encourage your child to talk through his or her thinking when solving problems!
At home connections:
* Let your child spend time practicing basic math facts using the interactive game links to the right of this blog post.
* Get a set of addition/subtraction flashcards (they have them at Dollar Tree!) and make up games to play together.
* Go on a nature walk and make up math story problems about the things you see.
Reading
For the past two weeks, we have been studying the works of children's author Kevin Henkes. Students are using his stories to review reading comprehension skills (story mapping, identifying the author's purpose in a story, discussing lessons taught through fictional works, etc.) We have also been using Henkes books like Chester's Way and Penny and Her Marble to inspire some creative art projects and written stories in class! Next week, 2nd grade teachers will be collecting oral reading data on students and teaching independent work expectations during our reading block. The following week, the week of September 12, we will begin our first Reading Street unit! Unit 1 is called Exploration. During this unit, students will work with a variety of texts about exploring different communities. Please watch for your child's first spelling refrigerator copy to come home that week. It's important to pick at least one night each week to work with your child on spelling words, as well as vocabulary words. If you need ideas for practice, let me know!
At home connections:
* Work on spelling words in a fun way (check out our Spelling City page that is linked to the right!)
* Have conversations as a family about places you've gone exploring and what you've learned.
* Help your child research a famous explorer. Let me know if your child would be interested in teaching the class about who he or she has researched!
Writing
This week and next, students are reviewing the writing process and basic sentence writing skills. We will begin our first Units of Study writing unit the week after Labor Day. In this unit, students will learn how to craft personal narratives. We will focus on stretching out a story, organizing our writing in a way that makes sense, and using various techniques to bring characters to life when we write.
At home connections:
* Provide your child with a fun journal for free writing at home.
* Make a list of memories your child would like to write about at school.
* Read rich narrative stories at home and talk about the great words and tricks that real authors use.
* Explore keyboarding games on abcya.com.
Social Studies/Science
We are getting into our school year by doing various activities related to citizenship and being a good friend. Students have brainstormed traits of good friends, worked collaboratively on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) projects and practiced group skills. Next week, we will be looking at some unlikely animal friendships. Students will use technology to create a small research project about a set of unlikely animal friends. The week after Labor Day, we will begin our study of landforms.
At home connections:
* Go to the local library and find a book about the ways that animals can help each other.
* Check out some of the great "Unlikely Friend" videos on Youtube.
* Watch for information about our first home connection project toward the end of our landform unit.
Upcoming Dates
September 5 - Labor Day - No School
September 9 - Grandparents' Day celebration - 2:45 (please return your forms ASAP)
September 12/13 - Fall MAP testing for 2nd grade
September 16 - Constitution Day - Wear red, white, and blue!
September 26 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy Birthday, Joseph and Finn!
September 30 - Fall pictures
Have a WONDERFUL long weekend! I really enjoyed meeting with all of you last week!
-Jaclynn Williams
Math
In Unit 1, 2nd graders are reviewing basic addition and subtraction fact strategies. During this unit, we will look closely at various strategies for solving equations accurately and efficiently. Story problems are also a large focus in this unit. Students are working on expanding their story problem knowledge and showing work in detailed, informative ways. We are practicing showing work in a way that could be used to explain and teach concepts to others. When math homework comes home, please encourage your child to talk through his or her thinking when solving problems!
At home connections:
* Let your child spend time practicing basic math facts using the interactive game links to the right of this blog post.
* Get a set of addition/subtraction flashcards (they have them at Dollar Tree!) and make up games to play together.
* Go on a nature walk and make up math story problems about the things you see.
Reading
For the past two weeks, we have been studying the works of children's author Kevin Henkes. Students are using his stories to review reading comprehension skills (story mapping, identifying the author's purpose in a story, discussing lessons taught through fictional works, etc.) We have also been using Henkes books like Chester's Way and Penny and Her Marble to inspire some creative art projects and written stories in class! Next week, 2nd grade teachers will be collecting oral reading data on students and teaching independent work expectations during our reading block. The following week, the week of September 12, we will begin our first Reading Street unit! Unit 1 is called Exploration. During this unit, students will work with a variety of texts about exploring different communities. Please watch for your child's first spelling refrigerator copy to come home that week. It's important to pick at least one night each week to work with your child on spelling words, as well as vocabulary words. If you need ideas for practice, let me know!
At home connections:
* Work on spelling words in a fun way (check out our Spelling City page that is linked to the right!)
* Have conversations as a family about places you've gone exploring and what you've learned.
* Help your child research a famous explorer. Let me know if your child would be interested in teaching the class about who he or she has researched!
Writing
This week and next, students are reviewing the writing process and basic sentence writing skills. We will begin our first Units of Study writing unit the week after Labor Day. In this unit, students will learn how to craft personal narratives. We will focus on stretching out a story, organizing our writing in a way that makes sense, and using various techniques to bring characters to life when we write.
At home connections:
* Provide your child with a fun journal for free writing at home.
* Make a list of memories your child would like to write about at school.
* Read rich narrative stories at home and talk about the great words and tricks that real authors use.
* Explore keyboarding games on abcya.com.
Social Studies/Science
We are getting into our school year by doing various activities related to citizenship and being a good friend. Students have brainstormed traits of good friends, worked collaboratively on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) projects and practiced group skills. Next week, we will be looking at some unlikely animal friendships. Students will use technology to create a small research project about a set of unlikely animal friends. The week after Labor Day, we will begin our study of landforms.
At home connections:
* Go to the local library and find a book about the ways that animals can help each other.
* Check out some of the great "Unlikely Friend" videos on Youtube.
* Watch for information about our first home connection project toward the end of our landform unit.
Upcoming Dates
September 5 - Labor Day - No School
September 9 - Grandparents' Day celebration - 2:45 (please return your forms ASAP)
September 12/13 - Fall MAP testing for 2nd grade
September 16 - Constitution Day - Wear red, white, and blue!
September 26 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy Birthday, Joseph and Finn!
September 30 - Fall pictures
Have a WONDERFUL long weekend! I really enjoyed meeting with all of you last week!
-Jaclynn Williams
Friday, April 29, 2016
Happy Mayday!
Wow...where has April gone? It's so hard to believe that this will most likely be my last curriculum update of the year! I've enjoyed working with all of and getting to know your 2nd graders during the 2015/2016 school year. They've made so much progress, and I will really miss them next year! Please read on for important information about our current curriculum, and be sure to make note of the dates at the bottom on your calendars. We have quite a few things coming up!
Math:
We will be starting our last math unit next week. During this unit, students will begin to work with arrays and will learn to make the connection to basic multiplication and division strategies. We will also be looking at fractions at this time, and connecting those equal parts to division.
At-home connection - Talk with your child about how to divide items equally. Look at things that come in arrays (egg cartons, the circles on the top of Legos, cookies on a baking sheet, etc.) and talk about the use of repeated addition to find a total
Reading:
We are getting ready to wrap up our Reading Street unit on creativity. During this last week, students are exploring the question, "Where do Creative Ideas Come From?" They've really enjoyed learning about George Washington Carver this week and exploring his biography. Our next...and final...unit will focus on our changing world. Our last day or reading groups will be on May 13.
At-home connection - Continue reading with your child on a regular basis! Ask your child about ways they can be creative this summer.
Writing:
We are about halfway through our unit on opinion writing. Students are learning how to defend their opinions about books using specific examples. Next week, we will look at ways to incorporate quotes from characters in our opinions. Students will also begin to explore creative ways to use comparisons between two pieces of written work to convince their readers to agree with their opinions.
At-home connection - When your child shares an opinion with you...whether it be about a book, a food, or something else...ask him or her to give you convincing reasons!
Science/Health:
It's been so much fun to hear about the plant and animal models that students are working on! They should plan to bring those to school no later than May 16. Please remember that these models should be made of things you have at home already...there's no need to purchase supplies! I hope that many of you will be able to attend our Ecosystem Zoo Open House on May 18!
Now that we have finished studying ecosystems in class, we will be taking some time to look at our health standards. Your child is bringing home a letter today with information about the standards we will cover. Please look it over and contact me with questions.
At-home connection - As we prepare for our Body Venture field trip on May 12, talk with your child about how the body works. Conduct a little research about the different body systems, or read a fun book about the body together!
Speaking/Listening:
We like to wrap up our 2nd grade school year each year by giving students the chance to see what it's like to be a teacher! The week of May 16 will be our annual Teach the Class week! Early next week, your child will be bringing home a note about this project. Each student will have 5-10 minutes to teach his or her classmates how to do something. This can be as simple as drawing a picture of a dog or kicking a soccer ball, or as complicated as a small craft project or assembling a favorite food recipe. This would be a great weekend to start brainstorming ideas with your child! Please note that no students will be assigned to teach their lesson on May 18, as that is the day of our Ecosystem Zoo!
Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendars!
Math:
We will be starting our last math unit next week. During this unit, students will begin to work with arrays and will learn to make the connection to basic multiplication and division strategies. We will also be looking at fractions at this time, and connecting those equal parts to division.
At-home connection - Talk with your child about how to divide items equally. Look at things that come in arrays (egg cartons, the circles on the top of Legos, cookies on a baking sheet, etc.) and talk about the use of repeated addition to find a total
Reading:
We are getting ready to wrap up our Reading Street unit on creativity. During this last week, students are exploring the question, "Where do Creative Ideas Come From?" They've really enjoyed learning about George Washington Carver this week and exploring his biography. Our next...and final...unit will focus on our changing world. Our last day or reading groups will be on May 13.
At-home connection - Continue reading with your child on a regular basis! Ask your child about ways they can be creative this summer.
Writing:
We are about halfway through our unit on opinion writing. Students are learning how to defend their opinions about books using specific examples. Next week, we will look at ways to incorporate quotes from characters in our opinions. Students will also begin to explore creative ways to use comparisons between two pieces of written work to convince their readers to agree with their opinions.
At-home connection - When your child shares an opinion with you...whether it be about a book, a food, or something else...ask him or her to give you convincing reasons!
Science/Health:
It's been so much fun to hear about the plant and animal models that students are working on! They should plan to bring those to school no later than May 16. Please remember that these models should be made of things you have at home already...there's no need to purchase supplies! I hope that many of you will be able to attend our Ecosystem Zoo Open House on May 18!
Now that we have finished studying ecosystems in class, we will be taking some time to look at our health standards. Your child is bringing home a letter today with information about the standards we will cover. Please look it over and contact me with questions.
At-home connection - As we prepare for our Body Venture field trip on May 12, talk with your child about how the body works. Conduct a little research about the different body systems, or read a fun book about the body together!
Speaking/Listening:
We like to wrap up our 2nd grade school year each year by giving students the chance to see what it's like to be a teacher! The week of May 16 will be our annual Teach the Class week! Early next week, your child will be bringing home a note about this project. Each student will have 5-10 minutes to teach his or her classmates how to do something. This can be as simple as drawing a picture of a dog or kicking a soccer ball, or as complicated as a small craft project or assembling a favorite food recipe. This would be a great weekend to start brainstorming ideas with your child! Please note that no students will be assigned to teach their lesson on May 18, as that is the day of our Ecosystem Zoo!
Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendars!
May 4 - May birthday breakfast/Make-Up birthday breakfast
May 6 - ALL library books due!
May 11 - June birthday breakfast - Cara, Davis, Owen
May 12 - Body Venture field trip - 11:25-3:25
May 16 - Animal and plant models due
May 16-20 - Teach the Class week (info coming soon)
May 18 - July birthday breakfast - Cooper, Eli S., Ethan
May 18 - Come visit our Ecosystem Zoo! We will be open 12:15-1:00!
May 19 - Talent Show
May 20 - Field Day
May 26 - Last day...have a GREAT summer!
Friday, April 1, 2016
Spring Things!
Happy Friday!
I hope that you all have had a great week. Please read on for current curriculum information, as well as upcoming dates.
Reading Street:
Our current unit is on creativity. This week and next, students are answering the question "How can we solve problems in a creative way?" We are reviewing what a folk tale is and practicing comparing and contrasting two stories. To tie in with our story of the week, "Anansi Goes Fishing", my reading groups are working with books that deal with spiders, nets, and webs. Spelling words for the week are compound words.
At home connection:
Encourage your child to do something creative! This might be an art project, a writing project, an invention, or imaginative play.
Writing:
In our opinion writing unit, students are reviewing the parts of a letter. They are then using their letter-writing skills to write about opinions they have about books. Upcoming lessons include developing opinions in order to convince readers, supporting opinions with specific events from books, providing specific examples when defending an opinion, and thinking carefully about the audience you are speaking to.
At home connection:
Throughout the day, ask your child to share opinions with you. Ask them to explain their opinions using words like "because" and "for example".
Math:
This week we began Math Expressions Unit 6. In this unit, students are working with place value in larger numbers. Skills in this unit include using symbols to compare numbers, ordering numbers, representing numbers in different ways (with money, with boxes, sticks, and circles, in written form, in expanded form, etc.) and using strategies introduced in earlier units to add and subtract numbers in the hundreds.
At home connection:
Today your child is bringing home a copy of a game we played in class called Rhino Race. This is a great game for practicing number representation and number comparison! Be sure to check it out!
Science:
We are currently studying the parts of flowers and pollination. Students have researched different pollinators (so far, we have focused mostly on bees) and have learned how to identify the basic parts of a flower. Next week, we will research how pollination works. For the remainder of April (and part of May), students will be studying the ways that plants and animals are adapted to survive in various ecosystems.
At home connection:
Go on a nature walk with your child and keep track of how many pollinators you see in action!
Upcoming Dates...Mark Your Calendars!
April 19 - Music Program
April 27 - Birthday Breakfast...Happy birthday to Caleb and Lucas!
April 28 - Kansas City Zoo
April 30 - Langston Hughes Family Fun Run
I hope that you all have had a great week. Please read on for current curriculum information, as well as upcoming dates.
Reading Street:
Our current unit is on creativity. This week and next, students are answering the question "How can we solve problems in a creative way?" We are reviewing what a folk tale is and practicing comparing and contrasting two stories. To tie in with our story of the week, "Anansi Goes Fishing", my reading groups are working with books that deal with spiders, nets, and webs. Spelling words for the week are compound words.
At home connection:
Encourage your child to do something creative! This might be an art project, a writing project, an invention, or imaginative play.
Writing:
In our opinion writing unit, students are reviewing the parts of a letter. They are then using their letter-writing skills to write about opinions they have about books. Upcoming lessons include developing opinions in order to convince readers, supporting opinions with specific events from books, providing specific examples when defending an opinion, and thinking carefully about the audience you are speaking to.
At home connection:
Throughout the day, ask your child to share opinions with you. Ask them to explain their opinions using words like "because" and "for example".
Math:
This week we began Math Expressions Unit 6. In this unit, students are working with place value in larger numbers. Skills in this unit include using symbols to compare numbers, ordering numbers, representing numbers in different ways (with money, with boxes, sticks, and circles, in written form, in expanded form, etc.) and using strategies introduced in earlier units to add and subtract numbers in the hundreds.
At home connection:
Today your child is bringing home a copy of a game we played in class called Rhino Race. This is a great game for practicing number representation and number comparison! Be sure to check it out!
Science:
We are currently studying the parts of flowers and pollination. Students have researched different pollinators (so far, we have focused mostly on bees) and have learned how to identify the basic parts of a flower. Next week, we will research how pollination works. For the remainder of April (and part of May), students will be studying the ways that plants and animals are adapted to survive in various ecosystems.
At home connection:
Go on a nature walk with your child and keep track of how many pollinators you see in action!
Upcoming Dates...Mark Your Calendars!
April 19 - Music Program
April 27 - Birthday Breakfast...Happy birthday to Caleb and Lucas!
April 28 - Kansas City Zoo
April 30 - Langston Hughes Family Fun Run
Sunday, February 7, 2016
February Fun!
The school year continues to fly by! Read on for important curriculum information, and be sure to note the important dates on your calendar as well.
Math:
In Expressions Unit 4, students continue to practice strategies for subtracting numbers within 1,000, both with and without regrouping. This unit will be tested at the end of next week. Please continue to work with your 2nd grader not only on subtraction, but also on counting money and reviewing addition strategies and various story problems. In the next unit, we will begin looking at ways to organize data on graphs.
Reading:
We are wrapping up Reading Street Unit 2, Working Together. This next week, students will be reading the story "One Good Turn Deserves Another". Students will be practicing long "a" words and will be comparing and contrasting characters in a story. Our next large unit is called Creative Ideas. During this unit, we will be exploring the question, "What does it mean to be creative?" Thank you for your continued help in supporting your child with spelling and reading practice at home!
Writing:
Students have been having a lot of fun with our writing unit on technical writing! For their first lab report, they experimented with ramps and toy cars. For their second report, they built catapults in class and are now beginning to test them by launching different objects and comparing how far they go. Next week, we will review the scientific process and the different text features that scientists us when they write. It would be a great time to review the steps to the scientific process with your child!
Science:
The 2nd graders have done an excellent job with their inventors/engineering unit! If you get the chance, swing through our classroom sometime this week to take a look at our bridges. Students will modify them on Monday and Tuesday and we will test them out on Wednesday. We will wrap up this unit by building models of suspension bridges at the end of the week and closely examining their parts.
Social Studies:
Our Kansas State symbol research projects will be going up on display in the red pod this week. Next week, we will be studying United States symbols using technology.
Upcoming Dates:
February 12 - Valentine's Day Party
February 19 - No School
February 24 - Birthday Breakfast
February 24-25 - Conferences - Please sign up on Skyward.
February 25-26 - No School
March 14-18 - Spring Break
March 29 - Langston Hughes Fitness Fair
Monday, January 4, 2016
December/January Updates
Happy New Year! I hope that you all had a wonderful and relaxing holiday. I'm so excited to see my 2nd graders and to hear about the great adventures they had during the break! Please read on for information about upcoming curriculum and, as always, feel free to call or e-mail with any questions.
Math: During our upcoming math unit, students will be reviewing the work we did this fall in adding 2-digit and 3-digit numbers, and using that knowledge of place value to practice subtracting larger numbers. Students will be learning many strategies for subtracting large numbers. When you see math homework during this unit, feel free to share other strategies you may know with your 2nd grader! In this unit, we will also be going further with our study of money as students practicing counting mixed groups of coins higher than $1.00.
Reading Street: We will be continuing our Reading Street unit on working together. During the next few weeks, students will be reading about and discussing the importance of working together to meet the needs of others. Please watch for your next "Refrigerator Copy" to come home early next week. It will include details about upcoming spelling words, comprehension strategies being studied, and new vocabulary words. We will be taking a short break from reading groups so that I can get some mid-year reading testing underway. We will not be doing a winter MAP test this year, but I will have Aimsweb scores to share with you at your conference in February.
Writer's Workshop: We are ready to get into our next writing unit! We took some time away from our regular writing program to review narrative writing and to practice the writing process with the "Important Books" you received during the break as a gift from your child! During the upcoming unit, students will be learning about technical (how-to) writing. We will focus on the importance of giving detailed directions, using sequencing words, and using the scientific process to write lab reports. This would be a great time to review our "How to Draw a Monster" project from earlier this year with your child.
Science/Social Studies: For the month of January, we will be continuing our study of engineering/inventions. Before the break, students presented their invention connection projects to the class. There were so many creative inventions presented, and we had a lot of fun inviting our 5th grade book buddies down to view them! For the next several weeks, we will be focusing on different types of bridges. Students will learn the history behind the development of suspension bridges and will be comparing the uses of different types of bridges. We will be doing several hands-on projects during which students build and test models of plank bridges and suspension bridges. We will also be talking about forces that affect the structure of bridges, and this vocabulary of forces and motion will also tie in with our technical writing unit.
* Our regular homework schedule will resume this month...December was a bit crazy as we were wrapping so many things up at once! Please remember...
Mondays - Students practice their spelling and vocabulary words at home in a creative and fun way.
Tuesdays - Students log into our Kidblog and respond to the posted question.
Wednesdays - Students complete a math sheet at home...they need these Thursday mornings for a collaborative activity in class.
Thursdays - Students read for enjoyment for at least 20 minutes.
Please make sure the following dates are on your calendars. Have a GREAT week!
January 18 - No School
January 27 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Annie!
January 28 - Trip to the Lawrence Arts Center (no volunteers or payment required)
February 19 - No School
February 24 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Chloe and Brady!
February 24-25 - Conferences
February 26 - No School
March 14-18 - Spring Break
March 29 - Langston Hughes Fitness Fair
Math: During our upcoming math unit, students will be reviewing the work we did this fall in adding 2-digit and 3-digit numbers, and using that knowledge of place value to practice subtracting larger numbers. Students will be learning many strategies for subtracting large numbers. When you see math homework during this unit, feel free to share other strategies you may know with your 2nd grader! In this unit, we will also be going further with our study of money as students practicing counting mixed groups of coins higher than $1.00.
Reading Street: We will be continuing our Reading Street unit on working together. During the next few weeks, students will be reading about and discussing the importance of working together to meet the needs of others. Please watch for your next "Refrigerator Copy" to come home early next week. It will include details about upcoming spelling words, comprehension strategies being studied, and new vocabulary words. We will be taking a short break from reading groups so that I can get some mid-year reading testing underway. We will not be doing a winter MAP test this year, but I will have Aimsweb scores to share with you at your conference in February.
Writer's Workshop: We are ready to get into our next writing unit! We took some time away from our regular writing program to review narrative writing and to practice the writing process with the "Important Books" you received during the break as a gift from your child! During the upcoming unit, students will be learning about technical (how-to) writing. We will focus on the importance of giving detailed directions, using sequencing words, and using the scientific process to write lab reports. This would be a great time to review our "How to Draw a Monster" project from earlier this year with your child.
Science/Social Studies: For the month of January, we will be continuing our study of engineering/inventions. Before the break, students presented their invention connection projects to the class. There were so many creative inventions presented, and we had a lot of fun inviting our 5th grade book buddies down to view them! For the next several weeks, we will be focusing on different types of bridges. Students will learn the history behind the development of suspension bridges and will be comparing the uses of different types of bridges. We will be doing several hands-on projects during which students build and test models of plank bridges and suspension bridges. We will also be talking about forces that affect the structure of bridges, and this vocabulary of forces and motion will also tie in with our technical writing unit.
* Our regular homework schedule will resume this month...December was a bit crazy as we were wrapping so many things up at once! Please remember...
Mondays - Students practice their spelling and vocabulary words at home in a creative and fun way.
Tuesdays - Students log into our Kidblog and respond to the posted question.
Wednesdays - Students complete a math sheet at home...they need these Thursday mornings for a collaborative activity in class.
Thursdays - Students read for enjoyment for at least 20 minutes.
Please make sure the following dates are on your calendars. Have a GREAT week!
January 18 - No School
January 27 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Annie!
January 28 - Trip to the Lawrence Arts Center (no volunteers or payment required)
February 19 - No School
February 24 - Birthday Breakfast - Happy birthday, Chloe and Brady!
February 24-25 - Conferences
February 26 - No School
March 14-18 - Spring Break
March 29 - Langston Hughes Fitness Fair
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