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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
