It's hard to believe that the autumn weather is beginning! It will soon be time for Halloween, pumpkins, and colorful leaves! We continue to have a great year in our classroom and are remaining extremely busy. I am very proud of our class for earning their first marble party...a "PJ'S and Parfaits" celebration...yesterday.
Students will finish their assessment on butterflies and moths tomorrow. I look forward to seeing all of the things they have learned during this first science unit. Believe it or not, some of our Monarch caterpillars are STILL snacking on milkweed! Most have gone into their chrysalises...we hope to see some adult butterflies emerging in a few days!
On Friday, we will begin a health unit of study on the body. For the first few days, we will talk about taking care of our skin, hair, nails, etc. Next week, we will talk about the parts of the eyes and ears, as well as how to take care of them. Next Wednesday, an ophthalmologist will visit our class to talk further about proper eye care. As we get further into October, students will begin to study the body systems, starting with the skeletal system! I will be taking the butterfly items off of our science wall...if you have posters, pictures, books, X-Rays, etc. that would tie in well with this study of the human body, we would love to borrow them for a few weeks!
Reading groups got off to a wonderful start last week! I have had great reports from other teachers who have students from our class in their groups, and have really enjoyed working with my groups as well. Some reading skills that students will be working on with fiction books this year are summarizing, making inferences, making text-t0-text, text-to-world, and text-to-self connections, and many other things! Within non-fiction texts, students should be working on locating and using text features (glossary, index, diagrams, etc.), as well as identifying main ideas and defining new vocabulary words. If you have questions about skills you would like to work on at home, let me know and I will send some resources your way!
During our language block, we will be beginning a new author study later this week on Mem Fox. We are also working on identifying synonyms and antonyms, writing contractions properly, and alphabetizing groups of words. Please look over the DLR (Daily Language Review) pages that are coming home to get an idea of what editing skills we are working on as well. These are the half-sheet pages that have the day of the week at the top of them and include sentence writing skills, compound words, spelling questions, etc.
In math, students are currently studying measurement and shapes. New terms introduced have been centimeter, square corners, right angles, vertical, horizontal, and perimeter. This is a short unit and will be assessed later this week. Next week, we will begin an in-depth study of story problems.
The 2nd graders have shown a lot of enthusiasm for our current study in Writer's Workshop...paragraph writing! They have done a fantastic job staying on topic and using supporting details. Next week, they will choose one of their memories from the memory box to write a paragraph about. Late last week, we sent out the friendly letters for which you provided addresses and stamps. If any of the recipients write back to your children here at school, I will send those letters home for you to enjoy!
Next Wednesday, October 6 will be "Walk to School Day". If you live close enough and the weather permits, please plan to walk to school with your child if possible. Teachers will also be joining groups of students walking to school, and there will be a snack at the end of the walk! Hope to see you all then! We are crossing our fingers for another beautiful fall day.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monarchs!
I hope that your 2nd grader has come home and told you all about the new visitors in our classroom...24 Monarch larvae! Students have been amazed at how quickly these larvae have gone from barely-visible caterpillars to HUGE caterpillars that will soon be going into their chrysalis stage! We will spend the rest of this week, as well as next week, continuing our study of butterflies and moths. Next week, I will e-mail out a study guide to help as you guide your child in reviewing for the test on Tuesday, September 28.
I am excited to hear that several students were able to make it to the Monarch Watch open house last weekend! Here is a link to another opportunity...the Monarch tagging event at Baker Wetlands this Saturday:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/wetlands/
In math, we continue to discuss strategies and write story problems. This week, students were introduced to story problems that involve a missing number at the beginning of the equation. Students are quickly discovering that it is very challenging to write a story problem to go with equations like this! Here is an example of what this type of story problem would look like:
Equation: ___-4=11
I had SOME pretzels. I ate 4 of them. Now, I have eleven pretzels. How many did I start with? I started with 15 pretzels.
Several homework assignments now have had a question involving students in writing their own versions of various types of story problems. Please double check your child's homework to be sure that he or she is grasping this concept!
I am happy to report that we will be starting reading groups next Monday! Be on the lookout for a laminated manila folder coming home in the first few days of reading groups containing reading homework. Students will have reading homework frequently. Books are always due back the following day. One change in 2nd grade is that students will sometimes have WRITTEN homework assignments to go with reading group books. Please help your child be responsible for written assignments, as well as assigned reading.
Last week in writing, students worked with partners on their first research project of the year! I was extremely impressed with the great research students did on assigned butterflies and moths, and cannot wait to share these with you at conferences in the fall! This week, students have been reviewing parts of speech (nouns, verbs, and adjectives) and practicing some more personal narrative and non-fiction writing. Next week, we will continue looking at the writing process. Students will begin to be more involved in their own editing and revising. Next week we will also be sending out friendly letters, so please remember to send in an envelope, a stamp, and an address of someone your child knows if you have not already done so.
As always, thank you for ALL you do! It continues to be a fantastic year!
I am excited to hear that several students were able to make it to the Monarch Watch open house last weekend! Here is a link to another opportunity...the Monarch tagging event at Baker Wetlands this Saturday:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/wetlands/
In math, we continue to discuss strategies and write story problems. This week, students were introduced to story problems that involve a missing number at the beginning of the equation. Students are quickly discovering that it is very challenging to write a story problem to go with equations like this! Here is an example of what this type of story problem would look like:
Equation: ___-4=11
I had SOME pretzels. I ate 4 of them. Now, I have eleven pretzels. How many did I start with? I started with 15 pretzels.
Several homework assignments now have had a question involving students in writing their own versions of various types of story problems. Please double check your child's homework to be sure that he or she is grasping this concept!
I am happy to report that we will be starting reading groups next Monday! Be on the lookout for a laminated manila folder coming home in the first few days of reading groups containing reading homework. Students will have reading homework frequently. Books are always due back the following day. One change in 2nd grade is that students will sometimes have WRITTEN homework assignments to go with reading group books. Please help your child be responsible for written assignments, as well as assigned reading.
Last week in writing, students worked with partners on their first research project of the year! I was extremely impressed with the great research students did on assigned butterflies and moths, and cannot wait to share these with you at conferences in the fall! This week, students have been reviewing parts of speech (nouns, verbs, and adjectives) and practicing some more personal narrative and non-fiction writing. Next week, we will continue looking at the writing process. Students will begin to be more involved in their own editing and revising. Next week we will also be sending out friendly letters, so please remember to send in an envelope, a stamp, and an address of someone your child knows if you have not already done so.
As always, thank you for ALL you do! It continues to be a fantastic year!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Getting into the swing of things!
It is hard to believe that today marked the 15th day of school! We have been so busy here in 2nd grade! I have really enjoyed getting to know your children these few weeks.
In Language Arts, we continue our author study of Kevin Henkes. We are also doing some reading comprehension and writing activities with fairy tales. During Writer's Workshop students are working on the elements of sentences, as well as how to use question words like "who", "what", "when", "where", "how", and "why" to make good sentences into home run sentences. Later this week, we will talk about subject and predicate and what makes a sentence a complete idea.
In science, students are getting prepared for the arrival of our Monarch caterpillars next week! We have studied some different life cycles, as well as what makes an insect an insect. Today, we looked at the parts of a caterpillar and discussed the word "metamorphosis". When our larvae arrive, we will begin to make written scientific observations and learn about butterflies!
In Math Expressions unit 1, we continue to look at story problems, money, and addition/subraction strategies. Students have been practicing making "proof pictures" to show their math strategies. I will soon be sending home login information so that you can get into the Math Expressions website and do some exploring. Thank you for your diligence in helping your children complete math homework each night! So many students have already filled up at least one homework punch card.
Students will take a spelling test and receive new spelling words tomorrow. Please remember that some form of spelling homework is due between new spelling words being given on Wednesday and the following Tuesday. Even a note from you saying your child practiced spelling at home that work is fine and earns a punch on a homework punch card!
Two forms came home today for you to fill out. The first is a blanket authorization form to participate in field trips inside the Lawrence area. This will need to be on file for students to go to the Lied Center this winter for a production, so please send it back as soon as possible. The other form is information about our school celebration of Grandparent's Day! Students are inviting their grandparents to our school on September 10 at 3:00 for refreshments and reading. We will meet in our classroom. If grandparents are unable to attend, students are welcome to invite a parent, great-aunt, uncle, etc. to take their place! This should be a fun afternoon, and we are all really looking forward to it!
If you did not have a chance to stop in and sign up for a conference on either November 10 or 11, please contact me as soon as possible to set up a time. If you have any questions or concerns and would like to set up a short meeting before then, let me know!
Have a great week!
In Language Arts, we continue our author study of Kevin Henkes. We are also doing some reading comprehension and writing activities with fairy tales. During Writer's Workshop students are working on the elements of sentences, as well as how to use question words like "who", "what", "when", "where", "how", and "why" to make good sentences into home run sentences. Later this week, we will talk about subject and predicate and what makes a sentence a complete idea.
In science, students are getting prepared for the arrival of our Monarch caterpillars next week! We have studied some different life cycles, as well as what makes an insect an insect. Today, we looked at the parts of a caterpillar and discussed the word "metamorphosis". When our larvae arrive, we will begin to make written scientific observations and learn about butterflies!
In Math Expressions unit 1, we continue to look at story problems, money, and addition/subraction strategies. Students have been practicing making "proof pictures" to show their math strategies. I will soon be sending home login information so that you can get into the Math Expressions website and do some exploring. Thank you for your diligence in helping your children complete math homework each night! So many students have already filled up at least one homework punch card.
Students will take a spelling test and receive new spelling words tomorrow. Please remember that some form of spelling homework is due between new spelling words being given on Wednesday and the following Tuesday. Even a note from you saying your child practiced spelling at home that work is fine and earns a punch on a homework punch card!
Two forms came home today for you to fill out. The first is a blanket authorization form to participate in field trips inside the Lawrence area. This will need to be on file for students to go to the Lied Center this winter for a production, so please send it back as soon as possible. The other form is information about our school celebration of Grandparent's Day! Students are inviting their grandparents to our school on September 10 at 3:00 for refreshments and reading. We will meet in our classroom. If grandparents are unable to attend, students are welcome to invite a parent, great-aunt, uncle, etc. to take their place! This should be a fun afternoon, and we are all really looking forward to it!
If you did not have a chance to stop in and sign up for a conference on either November 10 or 11, please contact me as soon as possible to set up a time. If you have any questions or concerns and would like to set up a short meeting before then, let me know!
Have a great week!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Welcome back!
I am so excited to be starting a new school year! It has been great getting to know your 2nd graders the past few days. Rather than sending home a paper newsletter this year, I will be posting important class information on this blog. When there is an update, I will send out an e-mail. I plan to update at least every other week. I encourage you to check in often. To the right, there are several links that will be helpful to you and your 2nd grade student this year! These links will change periodically to tie in with our curriculum.
Don't forget that the 2nd grade curriculum night is this Thursday, August 19, at 6:00 in our classroom. I hope to see all of you then!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Happy Summer!!!
It is so hard to believe that I am sitting down to write our last blog post of the year! Tomorrow marks the last day of school. I want to thank all of you for a great year filled with too many fun memories to count. I have been very fortunate to be a part of your child's life this year. Have a wonderful summer, and be sure to stop in to say "hello" in the fall!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Approaching the end of 2nd grade!
As we coast into the end of the year, there are just a few announcements I want you to be aware of. Here they are!
1. Today was the last official spelling test of the year. For the next week, students will be working with frequently mis-spelled words, such as "usually", "think", "a lot", "supposed", "almost", and "until". Rather than taking a test on these words, students will practice using these common words in their everyday writing. I am not sending a complete list home...if you would like it, please let me know.
2. Our field trip to the Kansas City Zoo is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 11. Students, again, will need to bring a sack lunch with only disposable items and shoes appropriate for walking. Let's all cross our fingers for a much better day, weather-wise! We leave the school at 9:00 and return at 2:45.
3. 2nd graders brought home a letter last Friday regarding our upcoming "Teach the Class" project. The week of May 17th, each student will have a chance to teach his or her classmates how to do something. In the past, students have done small craft projects, sports, snacks, drawing lessons, etc. Please return the bottom portion of the form you received this week so that I can start putting a schedule together. I'm looking forward to seeing what your children come up with!
4. In math right now, we are working with point of origin and measuring distances. This would be a perfect time to sit down and look at a road map with your child! Good topics of discussion would be directions, following a map scale, and exact measurements.
5. We have been lucky these past few days to have a volunteer from the bank visiting our classroom to talk about needs and wants, the government, voting, and communities. Next week, we will take a few days during our science/social studies time to talk about animal adaptations.
6. I hope you got a chance to read your child's animal research book! I was impressed with all of the great information and writing presented. We are currently working on a descriptive writing project.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding end-of-the-year activities, dates, etc. Have a great week!
1. Today was the last official spelling test of the year. For the next week, students will be working with frequently mis-spelled words, such as "usually", "think", "a lot", "supposed", "almost", and "until". Rather than taking a test on these words, students will practice using these common words in their everyday writing. I am not sending a complete list home...if you would like it, please let me know.
2. Our field trip to the Kansas City Zoo is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 11. Students, again, will need to bring a sack lunch with only disposable items and shoes appropriate for walking. Let's all cross our fingers for a much better day, weather-wise! We leave the school at 9:00 and return at 2:45.
3. 2nd graders brought home a letter last Friday regarding our upcoming "Teach the Class" project. The week of May 17th, each student will have a chance to teach his or her classmates how to do something. In the past, students have done small craft projects, sports, snacks, drawing lessons, etc. Please return the bottom portion of the form you received this week so that I can start putting a schedule together. I'm looking forward to seeing what your children come up with!
4. In math right now, we are working with point of origin and measuring distances. This would be a perfect time to sit down and look at a road map with your child! Good topics of discussion would be directions, following a map scale, and exact measurements.
5. We have been lucky these past few days to have a volunteer from the bank visiting our classroom to talk about needs and wants, the government, voting, and communities. Next week, we will take a few days during our science/social studies time to talk about animal adaptations.
6. I hope you got a chance to read your child's animal research book! I was impressed with all of the great information and writing presented. We are currently working on a descriptive writing project.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding end-of-the-year activities, dates, etc. Have a great week!
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Williams "Cool it Down!" Smoothie
It has been a great Wellness Week here at Langston Hughes! As part of the festivities, each class in the school wrote and tested an original smoothie recipe to be submitted to a panel of judges. The first place prize went to Mrs. King's 5th grade class, but the students and I thought our smoothie was pretty fantastic as well. They asked me to share the recipe with you...so here it is!
Side note - Our field trip to the zoo has been tentatively re-scheduled for Tuesday, May 11. I will let you know when this date becomes official. We will be in need of one, possibly two, new parent volunteers due to scheduling, so let me know if you are interested and we will attempt to fill those spots. Admission cost is $6 for adult sponsors.
The Williams "Cool it Down!" Smoothie
By 2W
Ingredients:
3/4 cup pineapple juice
3/4 cup vanilla soymilk
3/4 cup 100% carrot juice
2 ice cubes
1 banana
1 cup frozen mango chunks
5 frozen strawberries
2 cups frozen raspberries
1. Combine liquids in a cup and pour into blender.
2. Add ice and fruits.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Serve with a raspberry garnish.
5. Enjoy!
Side note - Our field trip to the zoo has been tentatively re-scheduled for Tuesday, May 11. I will let you know when this date becomes official. We will be in need of one, possibly two, new parent volunteers due to scheduling, so let me know if you are interested and we will attempt to fill those spots. Admission cost is $6 for adult sponsors.
The Williams "Cool it Down!" Smoothie
By 2W
Ingredients:
3/4 cup pineapple juice
3/4 cup vanilla soymilk
3/4 cup 100% carrot juice
2 ice cubes
1 banana
1 cup frozen mango chunks
5 frozen strawberries
2 cups frozen raspberries
1. Combine liquids in a cup and pour into blender.
2. Add ice and fruits.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Serve with a raspberry garnish.
5. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
