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