It was a rainy Friday and Picture Day today! After art first thing, we had Mrs. Math Jones come in and teach us about tens frames. After that we had pictures and Ketchup Time. This afternoon we had indoor recess in Ms. LeBaron's room and then we put work into our portfolios! The remainder of work from September is coming home today.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday
Yahoo! Mr. G helped me figure out how to upload the video! It's finally there! Check the I PICK Rap tab up top.
We did a lot of research today in the library. Students picked a backyard habitat animal and learned more about it using the nonfiction features that we've been talking about! The rest of the class worked on the Nonfiction Scavenger Hunt.
Mrs. Kleiner talked about respecting one another today, something we've been talking a lot about. It was a great day!
We did a lot of research today in the library. Students picked a backyard habitat animal and learned more about it using the nonfiction features that we've been talking about! The rest of the class worked on the Nonfiction Scavenger Hunt.
Mrs. Kleiner talked about respecting one another today, something we've been talking a lot about. It was a great day!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday
Ms. Adams had her teaching debut today for morning meeting! She did a great job! The students were very responsive to her. The professor from NEC was very impressed with our class.
In reading, we read a book about Backyard Habitat animals. We will be studying these tomorrow in the library. Students will begin researching an animal and they will put their information together for an end project afterward. We will be stressing the nonfiction conventions and how they help readers gain information. Students then worked either in a reading group, on a nonfiction conventions scavenger hunt or picking facts from nonfiction books.
In writing, we finished up our writing benchmarks, finished up our Weekend News and then did a word work activity. Mrs. Cannon had read us the book A House is a House for Me. I had students reread this book and look for rhyming words. This activity was called Rounding up the Rhymes.
This afternoon after library, quiet time and read aloud, we had a math test on place value.
In reading, we read a book about Backyard Habitat animals. We will be studying these tomorrow in the library. Students will begin researching an animal and they will put their information together for an end project afterward. We will be stressing the nonfiction conventions and how they help readers gain information. Students then worked either in a reading group, on a nonfiction conventions scavenger hunt or picking facts from nonfiction books.
In writing, we finished up our writing benchmarks, finished up our Weekend News and then did a word work activity. Mrs. Cannon had read us the book A House is a House for Me. I had students reread this book and look for rhyming words. This activity was called Rounding up the Rhymes.
This afternoon after library, quiet time and read aloud, we had a math test on place value.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday
We filmed our I-PICK rap today, but I'm thinking of redoing it. I didn't like the camera angle. We will try again tomorrow. Students did the writing benchmark today as well. The majority did not finish and will work on it tomorrow.
In reading, I read Tacky the Penguin and we looked at a nonfiction book about Penguins. We put together a Venn Diagram comparing the similarities and differences between fiction and nonfiction. Students did a great job with this activity.
In word work, we chanted and wrote the 5 new word wall words for the week: said, there, their, our, and they. Students also put boxes around each word to show letters that were "upstairs", "on the ground" and "in the basement" letters.
This afternoon, we read Gooney Bird Greene. Students are loving this book. In math, we took a practice test on place value. The actual test will be tomorrow. We also played a game called, "Place Value Poker." It was very fun!
Pictures are Friday!
In reading, I read Tacky the Penguin and we looked at a nonfiction book about Penguins. We put together a Venn Diagram comparing the similarities and differences between fiction and nonfiction. Students did a great job with this activity.
In word work, we chanted and wrote the 5 new word wall words for the week: said, there, their, our, and they. Students also put boxes around each word to show letters that were "upstairs", "on the ground" and "in the basement" letters.
This afternoon, we read Gooney Bird Greene. Students are loving this book. In math, we took a practice test on place value. The actual test will be tomorrow. We also played a game called, "Place Value Poker." It was very fun!
Pictures are Friday!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday
This morning, we wrote about our weekend for our weekend news! This is becoming easier as we practice more. I handed our writer's notebooks today and we learned about our own personal dictionaries. Students put a copy of their first grade word wall words into their notebooks as well.
During computer lab, we learned how to do Tumblebooks. We also learned how to bookmark this page at school so we can to it easily.
In reading, I met with a reading group while others worked on reading nonfiction. In word work, we learned about homophones. Some of our word wall words are homophones.
This afternoon, we did some challenging math with number lines. Students worked on catching up with some workbook pages. It was a great day!
During computer lab, we learned how to do Tumblebooks. We also learned how to bookmark this page at school so we can to it easily.
In reading, I met with a reading group while others worked on reading nonfiction. In word work, we learned about homophones. Some of our word wall words are homophones.
This afternoon, we did some challenging math with number lines. Students worked on catching up with some workbook pages. It was a great day!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Friday
Well, we didn't get to video the I PICK rap today. I remember at the end of the day and not everyone was in the room. So, we will certainly do that on Monday. The kiddos are very ready! It's awesome!
This morning, we began with art. Next, after snack and choice time, we had math. We worked with number lines to help us skip count. We noticed patterns skip counting by 5 and 10! Next, we played a math game. Also, this afternoon, we worked on some workbook pages. That's a lot of math! Our unit on place value will be ending next week. After this, we will move on to addition facts!
During "Ketchup" time, we worked on any work that we didn't finish throughout the week. Please note, anything not done was sent home this weekend to be completed for homework. Thanks for your help with this!
For Word Work, we read a poem called, "My Backpack" and talked about syllables. We also played "Be a Mind Reader".
This afternoon, we read chapter 2 of Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry. Then, we did centers with Scholastic News, Handwriting, and math workbooks.
Don't forget that Friday is picture day!
This morning, we began with art. Next, after snack and choice time, we had math. We worked with number lines to help us skip count. We noticed patterns skip counting by 5 and 10! Next, we played a math game. Also, this afternoon, we worked on some workbook pages. That's a lot of math! Our unit on place value will be ending next week. After this, we will move on to addition facts!
During "Ketchup" time, we worked on any work that we didn't finish throughout the week. Please note, anything not done was sent home this weekend to be completed for homework. Thanks for your help with this!
For Word Work, we read a poem called, "My Backpack" and talked about syllables. We also played "Be a Mind Reader".
This afternoon, we read chapter 2 of Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry. Then, we did centers with Scholastic News, Handwriting, and math workbooks.
Don't forget that Friday is picture day!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday
We began our day with math today because later in the morning we went to the library. In math, we are looking at ordering 3 digit numbers. Students used the white boards to show what they knew.
After snack, Mrs. Kleiner came for Second Step. Next, we had a lesson about vowels and used the word wall words to identify and categorize words based on the number of vowels.
In the library, Mrs. Alibrandi taught us about the conventions of nonfiction print. We learned about Headings, Bullets, Bold print, sidebars, glossaries, etc. Students found examples of these in nonfiction books. We will continue this work next week in guided reading groups.
This afternoon, we had PE and then read a book about favorite places. Students then wrote about their favorite places to be.
After snack, Mrs. Kleiner came for Second Step. Next, we had a lesson about vowels and used the word wall words to identify and categorize words based on the number of vowels.
In the library, Mrs. Alibrandi taught us about the conventions of nonfiction print. We learned about Headings, Bullets, Bold print, sidebars, glossaries, etc. Students found examples of these in nonfiction books. We will continue this work next week in guided reading groups.
This afternoon, we had PE and then read a book about favorite places. Students then wrote about their favorite places to be.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday
Our reading class today was all about shoes! We made the comparison from Good Fit shoes to Good Fit books. I brought in shoes from home to show how different shoes have different purposes (winter boots, flip flops, bowling shoes, etc). Then I showed them how Mr. Follansbee's muck boots don't fit me. This was to show how different people have different fits with books and shoes!
Students filled their book boxes with Good Fit books this morning. These needed approval from me. We also took out the handwriting books today as I have noticed that some children need help with number formation.
We started a new book Gooney Bird Greene. In math, we did more work with greater than and less than. I showed students my webpage and how to get to math links and spelling links (games) as well.
Students filled their book boxes with Good Fit books this morning. These needed approval from me. We also took out the handwriting books today as I have noticed that some children need help with number formation.
We started a new book Gooney Bird Greene. In math, we did more work with greater than and less than. I showed students my webpage and how to get to math links and spelling links (games) as well.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday
We turned our 5 Finger Planners from yesterday into sentences. We worked on making a 7 sentence paragraph about one event of the weekend. Students were encouraged to make sure their word wall words were correct. I passed it back and had students fix their writing. This is the beginning of the editing process for us.
Students also were introduced to the I-PICK rap. We will practice this week and I'll video it for you to see. This is a song about picking the right book for yourself. Each letter stands for something when choosing a book:
I = I choose a book.
P= What's my purpose for reading?
I = Am I interested in this book?
C= Do I comprehend what I'm reading?
K= Do I know most of the words?
Also during reading, we filled out a survey about our attitudes in regards to reading. These will go into our portfolios. With the rest of the time, we decorated our buckets.
During Word Work, we chanted the new word wall words with the Alligator Clap and Batter Up. The words for the week are: don't, her, here, how, mother. There is a letter coming home about our Word Work on Friday of this week.
After indoor recess, we read aloud the Tale of the 3 Ralphs, a pretty comical story. The story's moral was that fair does not always mean the same. We talked about what this meant for us in 2F.
In math today, we are comparing 2 and 3 digit numbers. We learned about the greater than and less than symbols.
Students also were introduced to the I-PICK rap. We will practice this week and I'll video it for you to see. This is a song about picking the right book for yourself. Each letter stands for something when choosing a book:
I = I choose a book.
P= What's my purpose for reading?
I = Am I interested in this book?
C= Do I comprehend what I'm reading?
K= Do I know most of the words?
Also during reading, we filled out a survey about our attitudes in regards to reading. These will go into our portfolios. With the rest of the time, we decorated our buckets.
During Word Work, we chanted the new word wall words with the Alligator Clap and Batter Up. The words for the week are: don't, her, here, how, mother. There is a letter coming home about our Word Work on Friday of this week.
After indoor recess, we read aloud the Tale of the 3 Ralphs, a pretty comical story. The story's moral was that fair does not always mean the same. We talked about what this meant for us in 2F.
In math today, we are comparing 2 and 3 digit numbers. We learned about the greater than and less than symbols.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Monday
What an exciting day! Mrs. Pond came in and showed us how to use the iPads today for our computer lab time. We got to try out a couple of apps: Whirly Word is one and Mrs. Spider's Story is the other. It was great fun! We have 3 iPads housed in our room and it is my intention now to get them going. Please let me know if you know of any apps that your child enjoys at home. We could investigate and put them on the iPads here. Any feedback is welcome.
During writing today, we learned how to use a five finger planner as a brainstorming tool. I asked students to pick one thing that they did over the weekend. This is called their "Weekend News". They mapped out the details of this event and some even began writing these into a paragraph! We will go over tomorrow how to turn our brainstormed ideas into sentences.
Some of us got to share our 5 memories bags. I will work in more tomorrow. I know it's hard to wait! We will also make our buckets tomorrow. On Friday, we read a book about how to fill buckets. Ask your child about that. We will work hard as a class to be bucket fillers!
In math we are learning about standard form, expanded form and word form of numbers. Place value can be tricky. We are working with numbers in the hundreds place. Reading and writing number words is difficult. We are working through it though!
Today is Constitution Day! We watched a video that goes with the Scholastic News that they read on Friday talking about this day. We also read a book about the Constitution. Finally, I sent a coloring book home. This is not homework. Your child can do this at their own leisure.
September 28 is picture day!
During writing today, we learned how to use a five finger planner as a brainstorming tool. I asked students to pick one thing that they did over the weekend. This is called their "Weekend News". They mapped out the details of this event and some even began writing these into a paragraph! We will go over tomorrow how to turn our brainstormed ideas into sentences.
Some of us got to share our 5 memories bags. I will work in more tomorrow. I know it's hard to wait! We will also make our buckets tomorrow. On Friday, we read a book about how to fill buckets. Ask your child about that. We will work hard as a class to be bucket fillers!
In math we are learning about standard form, expanded form and word form of numbers. Place value can be tricky. We are working with numbers in the hundreds place. Reading and writing number words is difficult. We are working through it though!
Today is Constitution Day! We watched a video that goes with the Scholastic News that they read on Friday talking about this day. We also read a book about the Constitution. Finally, I sent a coloring book home. This is not homework. Your child can do this at their own leisure.
September 28 is picture day!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday
It was great to see all of you last night at Open House. I hope you enjoyed our classroom. I think your children had fun showing you around!
Today we created our own classroom rules. We looked at our Hopes and Dreams and tried to come up with a set of expectations that will help us achieve these. We meshed these with the 3B's and came up with a "contract" for all to sign. This is hanging in our classroom now.
Mrs. Kleiner came in for Second Step today and we had PE after recess. Students had 2 sessions of math today since we were interrupted by a fire drill yesterday. We are working on place value and skip counting.
We also went to the library to talk about choosing "good fit" books. Mrs. Alibrandi read us a book and then gave students strategies for picking books. All students left with one good fit book to put in their book boxes.
Today we created our own classroom rules. We looked at our Hopes and Dreams and tried to come up with a set of expectations that will help us achieve these. We meshed these with the 3B's and came up with a "contract" for all to sign. This is hanging in our classroom now.
Mrs. Kleiner came in for Second Step today and we had PE after recess. Students had 2 sessions of math today since we were interrupted by a fire drill yesterday. We are working on place value and skip counting.
We also went to the library to talk about choosing "good fit" books. Mrs. Alibrandi read us a book and then gave students strategies for picking books. All students left with one good fit book to put in their book boxes.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wednesday
I look forward to meeting you at Open House this evening. I will be here from 6:30 to 7:30PM in the classroom. See you then!
Today, we had music right off at 8:10. 2F has been great about getting in the room and getting ready for a special! It's impressive!
After Morning Meeting and snack, we made a Who am I? book where we wrote riddles for people to guess. These were all put into a book to be read in the classroom. After that, we read Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. This is a story about a boy who befriends an older woman who has lost her memory. The boy finds objects to help her get memories back. Students have their first homework assignment! I sent home a paper bag with directions on it. They are to find 5 things to put in their bags that spur memories for them. These will be shared with the class and I will take pictures of each student with their items for their portfolios. This assignment is due no later than Monday.
During Word Work, I explained how to do an activity called Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check. We will work on this tomorrow as we ran out of time!
Speaking of running out of time, we had a fire drill today that cut into our math time. We are working on place value but I will need to finish up the lesson tomorrow! I also read The Conversation Club to them and we talked about taking turns to speak and raising our hands.
Today, we had music right off at 8:10. 2F has been great about getting in the room and getting ready for a special! It's impressive!
After Morning Meeting and snack, we made a Who am I? book where we wrote riddles for people to guess. These were all put into a book to be read in the classroom. After that, we read Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. This is a story about a boy who befriends an older woman who has lost her memory. The boy finds objects to help her get memories back. Students have their first homework assignment! I sent home a paper bag with directions on it. They are to find 5 things to put in their bags that spur memories for them. These will be shared with the class and I will take pictures of each student with their items for their portfolios. This assignment is due no later than Monday.
During Word Work, I explained how to do an activity called Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check. We will work on this tomorrow as we ran out of time!
Speaking of running out of time, we had a fire drill today that cut into our math time. We are working on place value but I will need to finish up the lesson tomorrow! I also read The Conversation Club to them and we talked about taking turns to speak and raising our hands.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Tuesday
It was another great day in the land of 2F! What gorgeous weather! The classroom has finally cooled down a bit, thank goodness. I brought in an extra fan for the afternoons. It seems to help a bit.
This morning we read a book called Meet Jane. This is a book about Jane Goodall and how she dreamed of becoming who she is as a small child. We discussed what it's like to have dreams and goals and hopes. Next, students thought about what their dreams and hopes are for their second grade year. We made a bulletin board for you to see at Open House. Tomorrow we will continue this discussion by making our own set of classroom rules.
After PE, Mrs. Cannon came in and read us a book called A House is a House for Me. We then made our own pages for a class book again, for you see tomorrow night. I was able to do some reading benchmarks while this was happening. I am wondering if anyone out there would be interested in bringing their child to school early one morning (7:30) for me to benchmark. Please let me know if this is an option for your family.
In Word Work, we chanted the 5 words of the week. Then we played Be a Mind Reader with one of these words.
After lunch, recess, quiet time, and read aloud, we did our first lesson in the new math program. Students got to use textbooks! Very exciting!
This morning we read a book called Meet Jane. This is a book about Jane Goodall and how she dreamed of becoming who she is as a small child. We discussed what it's like to have dreams and goals and hopes. Next, students thought about what their dreams and hopes are for their second grade year. We made a bulletin board for you to see at Open House. Tomorrow we will continue this discussion by making our own set of classroom rules.
After PE, Mrs. Cannon came in and read us a book called A House is a House for Me. We then made our own pages for a class book again, for you see tomorrow night. I was able to do some reading benchmarks while this was happening. I am wondering if anyone out there would be interested in bringing their child to school early one morning (7:30) for me to benchmark. Please let me know if this is an option for your family.
In Word Work, we chanted the 5 words of the week. Then we played Be a Mind Reader with one of these words.
After lunch, recess, quiet time, and read aloud, we did our first lesson in the new math program. Students got to use textbooks! Very exciting!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Monday
I apologize for not updating on Friday! The day just got away from me and I never got to it!
Today was a fun day. We ended it with an assembly. I will post pictures soon. It was a man who does stunts on his bike. He showed us some and even jumped over Mr. Carozza at the end! Everyone was very engaged during his talk.
Mrs. Jones came in and worked with us on Number Bonds. This is a new concept for our class. It is another way to look at fact families. We will begin our new math program tomorrow. We also had computer lab this morning. Students learned to log in and how to open an application (Kid Pix). We also learned rules.
We put our classroom puzzle together today. You will see it at Open House. Please don't forget to come on Wednesday night at 6:30. This is a chance for your child to show you around the classroom and some of the fun things we've been doing so far in 2F. I will also have a sign up for parent conferences there. Please look for that.
I introduced the first 5 words from our Word Wall today. These are review words from first grade. We will work with these five words all week during Word Work. They are: after, are, because, before, and could. If you'd like to help your child by studying them, that would be fabulous!
Today it was Judah, Kevin, Kally, Ned and Russell's day to go to the library. They will go every Monday.
Today was a fun day. We ended it with an assembly. I will post pictures soon. It was a man who does stunts on his bike. He showed us some and even jumped over Mr. Carozza at the end! Everyone was very engaged during his talk.
Mrs. Jones came in and worked with us on Number Bonds. This is a new concept for our class. It is another way to look at fact families. We will begin our new math program tomorrow. We also had computer lab this morning. Students learned to log in and how to open an application (Kid Pix). We also learned rules.
We put our classroom puzzle together today. You will see it at Open House. Please don't forget to come on Wednesday night at 6:30. This is a chance for your child to show you around the classroom and some of the fun things we've been doing so far in 2F. I will also have a sign up for parent conferences there. Please look for that.
I introduced the first 5 words from our Word Wall today. These are review words from first grade. We will work with these five words all week during Word Work. They are: after, are, because, before, and could. If you'd like to help your child by studying them, that would be fabulous!
Today it was Judah, Kevin, Kally, Ned and Russell's day to go to the library. They will go every Monday.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thursday
Phew! It's been another busy day in 2F. We began with our regular Morning Meeting. Students made a graph of their favorite special today. We were able to have some good math conversation about the results of the graph. We also played "Coseeki" at Morning Meeting. We are learning about each other through our share time.
We had our first fire drill this morning. 2F did very well. Next, we made puzzle pieces for a class puzzle that we will put together tomorrow. I did some reading assessments with individuals while students were working. I gave a pretest of high frequency words from first grade Word Wall Words.
We went to the library for our introduction this morning. Students can begin to take books out starting next week. PE was this afternoon and we worked on the Cuisenaire Rods for math today.
Coming up: Open House is Wednesday night at 6:30PM. I will have a parent conference sign up out there as well as a sign up to volunteer in my classroom.
We had our first fire drill this morning. 2F did very well. Next, we made puzzle pieces for a class puzzle that we will put together tomorrow. I did some reading assessments with individuals while students were working. I gave a pretest of high frequency words from first grade Word Wall Words.
We went to the library for our introduction this morning. Students can begin to take books out starting next week. PE was this afternoon and we worked on the Cuisenaire Rods for math today.
Coming up: Open House is Wednesday night at 6:30PM. I will have a parent conference sign up out there as well as a sign up to volunteer in my classroom.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Another Great One!
We had another fabulous day! Our day started with music first thing in the morning. I was so pleased with how well 2F got themselves ready to go in a quick amount of time. Walking quietly in the hallway was a success as well. Very impressive!
We made bracelets today. Each bead represents something. Students shared their bracelets with each other and then did a sort of scavenger hunt to find others with similar interests and bracelets. The Blanket Game came back. We are getting to know the names of our classmates.
I read aloud a book about fire drills and we talked about how to proceed in 2F if there is a fire drill. The discussion went well. Students were able to think about all of the important behaviors during fire drills.
In math today, Mrs. Jones came in to read us a book and do a counting activity with us. Everyone loved it! We also did another activity with Cuisinaire Rods. We are working on Number Sense.
We made bracelets today. Each bead represents something. Students shared their bracelets with each other and then did a sort of scavenger hunt to find others with similar interests and bracelets. The Blanket Game came back. We are getting to know the names of our classmates.
I read aloud a book about fire drills and we talked about how to proceed in 2F if there is a fire drill. The discussion went well. Students were able to think about all of the important behaviors during fire drills.
In math today, Mrs. Jones came in to read us a book and do a counting activity with us. Everyone loved it! We also did another activity with Cuisinaire Rods. We are working on Number Sense.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Welcome to Second Grade
This is the first post of my 2012 - 2013 school year. I'm happy to report that we had a fabulous day today! We began our day with our Morning Message on the new projector! I have my iPad hooked up to project the letter and then the students get to fill out the interactive part on the chart paper. Today's question was how we got to school this morning. The majority were dropped off from a car. We made our first class graph!
Students learned how Morning Meeting will operate all year long. Every day we have 2 leaders who tell us the schedule, do the calendar, report the weather, and help us read the Morning Message. They play a key role in our Morning Meeting. The leaders have the opportunity to share any news that they feel is important with the class. They also lead the line and get the snack milks. I don't do class jobs, but the leaders do all of the things students would do if they had jobs.
After Morning Meeting, we decorated candles showing our birthdays. These were hung on the birthday cupcakes in the classroom. We also worked on a challenging word search with all of our names in it. Students also decorated their Take Home Folder covers. Hopefully, you saw these today when your child showed you the paperwork sent home today.
We had snack and then PE. To finish our morning, we played a game with a blanket, learning everyone's names. We will play this tomorrow as we try to learn all about each other. We also did a scavenger hunt to find things in the classroom that will be useful to us!
This afternoon, we read a book and had some "Quiet Time". Ask your child what that's all about! We worked on some math with Cuisinaire Rods. It was a great day!
Students learned how Morning Meeting will operate all year long. Every day we have 2 leaders who tell us the schedule, do the calendar, report the weather, and help us read the Morning Message. They play a key role in our Morning Meeting. The leaders have the opportunity to share any news that they feel is important with the class. They also lead the line and get the snack milks. I don't do class jobs, but the leaders do all of the things students would do if they had jobs.
After Morning Meeting, we decorated candles showing our birthdays. These were hung on the birthday cupcakes in the classroom. We also worked on a challenging word search with all of our names in it. Students also decorated their Take Home Folder covers. Hopefully, you saw these today when your child showed you the paperwork sent home today.
We had snack and then PE. To finish our morning, we played a game with a blanket, learning everyone's names. We will play this tomorrow as we try to learn all about each other. We also did a scavenger hunt to find things in the classroom that will be useful to us!
This afternoon, we read a book and had some "Quiet Time". Ask your child what that's all about! We worked on some math with Cuisinaire Rods. It was a great day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)