Phew! The energy level is high today! After music this morning, we had writing workshop. Here we learned how asking questions of each other is helpful when trying to think of details to write about our topics. We will begin drafting tomorrow.
In reading, we read the October poem from Chicken Soup with Rice. We talked about what we noticed and/or liked. Then it was onto Guided Reading and the workboard.
For word work today, we talked about short i words and played 20 questions with short i words. Also at morning meeting this morning, we played I Have Who Has.... This was great!
In math, we began our discussion of subtraction. We talked about the language we would hear when talking about subtraction. Someone even knew that subtraction was related to division in some way! Very cool! We worked in Daily 5 math groups as well.
Have FUN tonight!
BOO!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tuesday
Oh my! Between early dismissals, late starts, the hurricane and Halloween, let's just say it's been an interesting 2 days! Yesterday, we went to the computer lab to learn about Xtra Math, a program the is web-based where students can practice their daily math facts. I'm assigning a new piece of homework that involves keeping a math log. I would like for children to practice their addition and subtraction facts up to 20 a few minutes each night. They can use flashcards, do so orally, get on Xtra math (see the handout that came home yesterday) or do some worksheets. It is so important for children to have their addition and subtraction facts mastered in order for them to experience success with the higher level math required with Math in Focus. Thanks for your help with this. Let me know if you have questions.
In word work, yesterday, Ms. Adams introduced the 5 new words of the week: good, school, would, should and these. Thanks for your help practicing these at home.
Today, we started with an introduction to the MAP test that we will take on Monday morning. Mrs. Pond showed us what the test will look like in the computer lab today. We will take the reading test on Monday and the math test will follow sometime the following week.
In reading, today, we began working with our Guided Reading Work Board. This consists of the independent work that students are doing while I'm meeting in reading groups. Such activities are: read to self, read to someone, write about reading, listen to reading, and reading group work. Students keep track of what they've done at the end of each reading class. They will pass this sheet into me at the end of the week. It went really well today.
This afternoon, we took a math test on addition up to 1,000. We're moving on to subtraction to 1,000 next! I will lay some groundwork with basic subtraction before launching into regrouping. This is always a difficult concept for second graders.
Please remember that our Scarecrow day will be Friday afternoon. Also, I sent home a pre-conference sheet for you to fill out before parent conference day. If you could do that as soon as possible, that would be fabulous! Thank you!
In word work, yesterday, Ms. Adams introduced the 5 new words of the week: good, school, would, should and these. Thanks for your help practicing these at home.
Today, we started with an introduction to the MAP test that we will take on Monday morning. Mrs. Pond showed us what the test will look like in the computer lab today. We will take the reading test on Monday and the math test will follow sometime the following week.
In reading, today, we began working with our Guided Reading Work Board. This consists of the independent work that students are doing while I'm meeting in reading groups. Such activities are: read to self, read to someone, write about reading, listen to reading, and reading group work. Students keep track of what they've done at the end of each reading class. They will pass this sheet into me at the end of the week. It went really well today.
This afternoon, we took a math test on addition up to 1,000. We're moving on to subtraction to 1,000 next! I will lay some groundwork with basic subtraction before launching into regrouping. This is always a difficult concept for second graders.
Please remember that our Scarecrow day will be Friday afternoon. Also, I sent home a pre-conference sheet for you to fill out before parent conference day. If you could do that as soon as possible, that would be fabulous! Thank you!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday
In math this morning, we worked on regrouping in the tens and the ones place today! Woo Hoo!
In reading, we worked on word attack strategies including read on, reread, and think what makes sense. We read a big book about Animal Tracks to practice these strategies.
We got together in our scarecrow groups to talk about our supplies and what is still needed. Looks like, overall, we are in good shape.
This afternoon in writing workshop, we talked about publishing stories. All students have chosen a topic to write about and we will go through the writing process together.
POPCORN TOMORROW!
In reading, we worked on word attack strategies including read on, reread, and think what makes sense. We read a big book about Animal Tracks to practice these strategies.
We got together in our scarecrow groups to talk about our supplies and what is still needed. Looks like, overall, we are in good shape.
This afternoon in writing workshop, we talked about publishing stories. All students have chosen a topic to write about and we will go through the writing process together.
POPCORN TOMORROW!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wednesday
After music, morning meeting, and snack this morning, we looked at our Weekend News. Students were asked to reread it and look at their sentences. They looked at how the sentences began, how long they were, and how many sentences they've written. Students then made a goal for their writing, based on what they found in this research. I will continue to show them how to vary their sentences as we work on Weekend News each week.
In reading, we discussed reasons for choosing favorite parts in books. This goes with our Write About Reading for the week. In word work, we spelled out the word wall words using our bodies. Ask your child about that!
This afternoon, we read My Father's Dragon and did more math with regrouping. It seems as though we are getting it! Daily 5 math is always fun!
In reading, we discussed reasons for choosing favorite parts in books. This goes with our Write About Reading for the week. In word work, we spelled out the word wall words using our bodies. Ask your child about that!
This afternoon, we read My Father's Dragon and did more math with regrouping. It seems as though we are getting it! Daily 5 math is always fun!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday
We began our day with our 3B's Assembly in the MPR. It was nice to see everyone in black and yellow. It's always nice to get together as a school to see our learning community!
In reading today, we talked about Writing about Reading. I'm asking students to write about what they've read each week in a structured manner. This week, they are picking their favorite part from a book that they've read during Read to Self time and reporting out on that by Friday. I modeled how to do this with a Ladybug book called Calvin Can't Fly. I will continue this lesson tomorrow when we talk about what qualifies a "favorite" part.
We reviewed short 'a' vowels in word work today. We read Miss Mary Mack and then did an activity with vowel patterns word families.
In math, we did a lesson on 3 digit addition with regrouping in the tens place. We also reviewed no regrouping with 3 digit numbers and regrouping in the ones with addition. Students worked in small groups during Daily 5 Math time.
Things are clicking and we are learning a lot! I hope you are hearing positive things at home!
In reading today, we talked about Writing about Reading. I'm asking students to write about what they've read each week in a structured manner. This week, they are picking their favorite part from a book that they've read during Read to Self time and reporting out on that by Friday. I modeled how to do this with a Ladybug book called Calvin Can't Fly. I will continue this lesson tomorrow when we talk about what qualifies a "favorite" part.
We reviewed short 'a' vowels in word work today. We read Miss Mary Mack and then did an activity with vowel patterns word families.
In math, we did a lesson on 3 digit addition with regrouping in the tens place. We also reviewed no regrouping with 3 digit numbers and regrouping in the ones with addition. Students worked in small groups during Daily 5 Math time.
Things are clicking and we are learning a lot! I hope you are hearing positive things at home!
Monday
Sorry for the late post. My older daughter turned 9 so our afternoon and evening was booked! We had a great day today. Students worked on their Weekend News, Nature Graphs in the computer lab, and math addition of 3 digits for math.
We were in the computer lab for math today. I had the kiddos go on the website for the math program using the virtual manipulatives. This was pretty awesome to watch! If you are interested in having your child practice at home, please let me know. They can have access at home. I'm hoping to put more activities in their accounts for them to work on. It's a cool resource.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRESS YOUR CHILD IN BLACK AND YELLOW TOMORROW! It is our 3B's assembly. Mr. Carozza came in this morning and sang the song with us. He played his guitar and everything!
Another reminder is to send in the scarecrow supplies. If you forgot what your child signed up for, please let me know. I have a master list. Also, we are in need of $1.50 from each child to cover the cost of snacks for our scarecrow celebration. Thank you!
We were in the computer lab for math today. I had the kiddos go on the website for the math program using the virtual manipulatives. This was pretty awesome to watch! If you are interested in having your child practice at home, please let me know. They can have access at home. I'm hoping to put more activities in their accounts for them to work on. It's a cool resource.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRESS YOUR CHILD IN BLACK AND YELLOW TOMORROW! It is our 3B's assembly. Mr. Carozza came in this morning and sang the song with us. He played his guitar and everything!
Another reminder is to send in the scarecrow supplies. If you forgot what your child signed up for, please let me know. I have a master list. Also, we are in need of $1.50 from each child to cover the cost of snacks for our scarecrow celebration. Thank you!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Thursday
Sorry for the late post. I sat down to do some work and realized that I didn't update!
DON'T FORGET THAT TOMORROW IS POPCORN DAY! 50 cents a bag. It works to pay ahead if you'd like. There are 5 more including tomorrow. I'm happy to keep a tab!
Today was one of those days where I'm so glad I'm a teacher! We had some great stuff going on in our room, I'm proud to say. We started the day off with math. I loved having math first; everyone was so fresh and ready to go. It was great. I introduced multi-digit addition by using graph paper to line up the ones column, the tens column and the hundreds column. This is a great visual tool. Once we had this under control, we moved on to Daily 5 math. I love working with students in small groups. I find so much value in it.
After snack, we had Second Step and then reading. We talked about word attack strategies. The one we are focusing on now is think about what makes sense in the sentence. We practiced with some sentences on the overhead. Students then proceeded to work independently on Read to Self and Read to Someone while I met in groups.
In Word Work today, we used the iPads and did Tic Tac Toe Phonics as well as Spelling City. Fun!
This afternoon, we had PE and then did a lesson in writing workshop using the iPad and putting sentences together. Students proceeded to work on their own writing. We ended with writing share.
Please remember that Parent Conferences are on November 6. Let me know if you've forgotten your time.
DON'T FORGET THAT TOMORROW IS POPCORN DAY! 50 cents a bag. It works to pay ahead if you'd like. There are 5 more including tomorrow. I'm happy to keep a tab!
Today was one of those days where I'm so glad I'm a teacher! We had some great stuff going on in our room, I'm proud to say. We started the day off with math. I loved having math first; everyone was so fresh and ready to go. It was great. I introduced multi-digit addition by using graph paper to line up the ones column, the tens column and the hundreds column. This is a great visual tool. Once we had this under control, we moved on to Daily 5 math. I love working with students in small groups. I find so much value in it.
After snack, we had Second Step and then reading. We talked about word attack strategies. The one we are focusing on now is think about what makes sense in the sentence. We practiced with some sentences on the overhead. Students then proceeded to work independently on Read to Self and Read to Someone while I met in groups.
In Word Work today, we used the iPads and did Tic Tac Toe Phonics as well as Spelling City. Fun!
This afternoon, we had PE and then did a lesson in writing workshop using the iPad and putting sentences together. Students proceeded to work on their own writing. We ended with writing share.
Please remember that Parent Conferences are on November 6. Let me know if you've forgotten your time.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Wednesday
In writing this morning, we looked at groups of words and decided whether they were sentences or not. We are looking at complete thoughts vs. incomplete thoughts. I am looking for students to show control over this in their writing. It's a work in progress! Students got a chance to share their writing at the end of writing workshop.
During reading class, we practiced Read to Someone and Read to Self while I pulled guided reading groups. We talked a little about how to help one another when we read to each other. This is also a work in progress!
Ms. Adams did a lesson on digraphs for Word Work. Students had to sort pictures containing ch, wh, th, or sh in them.
We finished Gooseberry Park today! It was a great book!
In math, we are plugging along with regrouping. We will start 3 digit addition tomorrow! Daily 5 Math is going well. I think the kiddos are excited about it.
Please remember to pass in the scarecrow forms, money and supplies anytime. Thank you!
During reading class, we practiced Read to Someone and Read to Self while I pulled guided reading groups. We talked a little about how to help one another when we read to each other. This is also a work in progress!
Ms. Adams did a lesson on digraphs for Word Work. Students had to sort pictures containing ch, wh, th, or sh in them.
We finished Gooseberry Park today! It was a great book!
In math, we are plugging along with regrouping. We will start 3 digit addition tomorrow! Daily 5 Math is going well. I think the kiddos are excited about it.
Please remember to pass in the scarecrow forms, money and supplies anytime. Thank you!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tuesday
Today we added to our repertoire of choices during guided reading time. We have now learned how to Read to Someone. Some students call this Buddy Reading. There are specific guidelines that we talked about today during Read to Someone time. One of them is called EEKK! See if your child remembers what that is! Students practiced Read to Someone today both in reading groups and independently.
In writing today, we discussed complete sentences. This was a new concept for the children. We talked about what complete sentences are and what they must have (subjects and verbs essentially). We will continue our work with this as it was new to most.
During word work, we took a spelling test to see where we fall for our next round of WIN groups.
I read aloud Gooseberry Park.... we are almost done! Finally, in math, we talked about when to regroup and when not to. Today was the first day of a new way that I am organizing the independent work time: Daily 5 Math. I have students in groups working on various independent activities. One group is playing a game that is appropriate to the concept we are working on in class. One group meets with me for extra instruction. One group is working in math journals. One group is working on math "by themselves". Finally, another group may be working on the computer. Today was the first day and we are working out the kinks, so to speak. Let me know if you hear anything about this either way. I'm still looking for help on Thursday mornings to run a small group. Email me if you can help out.
In writing today, we discussed complete sentences. This was a new concept for the children. We talked about what complete sentences are and what they must have (subjects and verbs essentially). We will continue our work with this as it was new to most.
During word work, we took a spelling test to see where we fall for our next round of WIN groups.
I read aloud Gooseberry Park.... we are almost done! Finally, in math, we talked about when to regroup and when not to. Today was the first day of a new way that I am organizing the independent work time: Daily 5 Math. I have students in groups working on various independent activities. One group is playing a game that is appropriate to the concept we are working on in class. One group meets with me for extra instruction. One group is working in math journals. One group is working on math "by themselves". Finally, another group may be working on the computer. Today was the first day and we are working out the kinks, so to speak. Let me know if you hear anything about this either way. I'm still looking for help on Thursday mornings to run a small group. Email me if you can help out.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Monday
We learned how to regroup today! How exciting! I showed students on the cool website that comes with our math program. It was very fun to watch. We will continue to practice regrouping 2 digit numbers this week and by the end we will work on 3 digit numbers.
I sent home information about a tradition in second grade: scarecrow building. Students got together on Friday and decided what they would be responsible to bring in to make the scarecrows. You can send those supplies in anytime: the sooner the better. Also, let me know if you can come in to help with this activity.
In reading, we met in groups and practiced read to self. We wrote our weekend news in writing.
We had computer lab today where we began to graph the results of our Nature Hunt.
New word wall words this week: great, grade, friend, write, think.
Finally, we have a new student in 2F! Max came this morning and everyone was very kind to welcome him.
I sent home information about a tradition in second grade: scarecrow building. Students got together on Friday and decided what they would be responsible to bring in to make the scarecrows. You can send those supplies in anytime: the sooner the better. Also, let me know if you can come in to help with this activity.
In reading, we met in groups and practiced read to self. We wrote our weekend news in writing.
We had computer lab today where we began to graph the results of our Nature Hunt.
New word wall words this week: great, grade, friend, write, think.
Finally, we have a new student in 2F! Max came this morning and everyone was very kind to welcome him.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thursday
It was a total Zigger Zagger Day today! We had Mrs. Kleiner come in first thing this morning to do Second Step. Then, Mrs. Maynard from the Town Library came in to read us stories. It is Fire Prevention Week this week, so we got to hear some firemen talk and then go into a fire truck. Fun!
In reading, we learned about the 3 ways to read a book: read the pictures, read the words, and retell the story. We practiced during read to self time while I met with reading groups. In word work, we had our last WIN time for these groups. Tomorrow we will test the 20 review words again to see if progress was made.
This afternoon we had PE and then writer's workshop. Students are hard at work writing, brainstorming and editing their work.
POPCORN TOMORROW!!!!!!
In reading, we learned about the 3 ways to read a book: read the pictures, read the words, and retell the story. We practiced during read to self time while I met with reading groups. In word work, we had our last WIN time for these groups. Tomorrow we will test the 20 review words again to see if progress was made.
This afternoon we had PE and then writer's workshop. Students are hard at work writing, brainstorming and editing their work.
POPCORN TOMORROW!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Wednesday
I had an appointment this morning so I was a little bit late. When I walked in, everyone was quietly working at their desks! What a treat! They had just read The Alphabet Book and were doing some brainstorming about topics to write about in their writers' notebooks. Next, we went to the computer lab to do a website called Into the Book. This works on metacognition while reading. Next, we switched groups for WIN time.
After lunch, we read aloud and then did a lesson on rebuilding numbers. This is the step between adding with no regrouping to adding with regrouping. Mrs. Math Jones came in and gave a small assessment.
MRS. GRADY'S CLASS IS SELLING POPCORN ON THE NEXT 6 FRIDAYS. IT COSTS 50 CENTS A BAG.
After lunch, we read aloud and then did a lesson on rebuilding numbers. This is the step between adding with no regrouping to adding with regrouping. Mrs. Math Jones came in and gave a small assessment.
MRS. GRADY'S CLASS IS SELLING POPCORN ON THE NEXT 6 FRIDAYS. IT COSTS 50 CENTS A BAG.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tuesday
We had another whirlwind of a day! With PE first thing this morning, we worked the day away so quickly! I am starting something called "App of the Day". This is the part of the day when I introduce a new app on the iPads to the class. Since we have 3 in our room all of the time, it's important for us to know how to use the apps that are on the devices. Today's App of the Day was Spelling City. This is just like a website that we used for Word Work last week only you can't input your own words. You use their lists which are quite good, actually. Ask your child to tell you about it!
After this time, we introduced our 5 new word wall words. The October list has gone home today to hang on your frig and practice whenever you have a minute. The words today are: you, got, today, end, and week. We did an "on the back" activity which is when we use a pattern in the word to spell other words. For example, if you know how to spell end, you can spell lend, mend, bend, tend, etc. I'm trying to get students to use the word wall words as much as possible when writing.
Speaking of writing, we did Weekend News today. After that, we moved right into reading with a strategy called Check for Understanding. I used the book Tops and Bottoms to model how I check after each page to see if I'm understanding the book. I showed how this was done. This is something you can do at home. After your child reads, you could ask them to stop after each page and retell what is happening. If she/he cannot retell, the book may be too difficult.
In word work, we worked in our WIN groups and will for tomorrow and Thursday. Friday I will assess to see if we've made improvement. This afternoon, we learned how add double digit numbers without regrouping and read aloud.
After this time, we introduced our 5 new word wall words. The October list has gone home today to hang on your frig and practice whenever you have a minute. The words today are: you, got, today, end, and week. We did an "on the back" activity which is when we use a pattern in the word to spell other words. For example, if you know how to spell end, you can spell lend, mend, bend, tend, etc. I'm trying to get students to use the word wall words as much as possible when writing.
Speaking of writing, we did Weekend News today. After that, we moved right into reading with a strategy called Check for Understanding. I used the book Tops and Bottoms to model how I check after each page to see if I'm understanding the book. I showed how this was done. This is something you can do at home. After your child reads, you could ask them to stop after each page and retell what is happening. If she/he cannot retell, the book may be too difficult.
In word work, we worked in our WIN groups and will for tomorrow and Thursday. Friday I will assess to see if we've made improvement. This afternoon, we learned how add double digit numbers without regrouping and read aloud.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Thursday
Today we had PE first thing due to the third grade testing. The kiddos came back very sweaty! Phew! They had fun, though. Mrs. Kleiner came in to do a lesson about preferences. During reading, we read a book about the best place to read. Please check your email about an assignment that goes with this book.
It was our second day of WIN groups. Students seem to enjoy moving into different classes. It was indoor recess again. In math, we took a pretest for chapter two and played some addition games.
It was our second day of WIN groups. Students seem to enjoy moving into different classes. It was indoor recess again. In math, we took a pretest for chapter two and played some addition games.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Wednesday
After music first thing, we worked on our riddles today. Students have taken their research on the backyard habitat animal and created riddles for them. Also, they did illustrations of the animals. It is my intention to have them read the riddles into a program on the computer called Voice Thread. Then, we will display their pictures as answers to the riddles. I will be able to post them on the blog, or at least a link to them. All in good time!
Also, something new and exciting happened today. We mixed all of the second graders up for WIN time. WIN stands for What I Need and we are working on phonics/spelling skills. The kiddos were very excited to get to go to other rooms and work with other students. We will do this tomorrow as well as next week.
This afternoon, we started a new book called Gooseberry Park. Also, we worked on addition strategies in math. I will pretest the next unit which is addition up to the 1,000 place.
Also, something new and exciting happened today. We mixed all of the second graders up for WIN time. WIN stands for What I Need and we are working on phonics/spelling skills. The kiddos were very excited to get to go to other rooms and work with other students. We will do this tomorrow as well as next week.
This afternoon, we started a new book called Gooseberry Park. Also, we worked on addition strategies in math. I will pretest the next unit which is addition up to the 1,000 place.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Tuesday
As we were going through the schedule today with the kiddos, we realized that we had nothing "special" today. Of course for me, everyday is special! It was, however, a normal, run of the mill day! In reading, we really worked on Read to Self. We made a T-chart of what it looks like and what it sounds like when we are Reading to ourselves. This is the activity that students are doing while I meet with reading groups at the moment. We also talked about my Crown of Silence! Ask your child about that!
In writing, we filled out a Writing Bingo card to spark ideas to write about in our writers' notebooks. Some students even got to write about something from the bingo card in their notebooks.
In word work, we did something a bit challenging. We looked at the shapes of the words without words in them and tried to fill in these puzzles of sorts. We talk a lot about "in the attic" letters vs. "main floor" letters and "basement letters". Ask your child about that to understand it a bit more.
We finished Gooney Bird Greene today! This a story all about storytelling and what makes a good story. Very fitting!
Finally, in math, we worked on the strategy of making a ten to help us add. We used tens frames to show different ways to look at addition problems. For example, we looked at 8 + 6 is the same as
10 + 4. This is challenging for some.
In writing, we filled out a Writing Bingo card to spark ideas to write about in our writers' notebooks. Some students even got to write about something from the bingo card in their notebooks.
In word work, we did something a bit challenging. We looked at the shapes of the words without words in them and tried to fill in these puzzles of sorts. We talk a lot about "in the attic" letters vs. "main floor" letters and "basement letters". Ask your child about that to understand it a bit more.
We finished Gooney Bird Greene today! This a story all about storytelling and what makes a good story. Very fitting!
Finally, in math, we worked on the strategy of making a ten to help us add. We used tens frames to show different ways to look at addition problems. For example, we looked at 8 + 6 is the same as
10 + 4. This is challenging for some.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday
We did lots and lots of stuff today on the computers! In computer lab, we learned how to bookmark this site. We went onto Spelling City and did some games/quizzes with our word wall words. It was good practice. We also got to play "Hungry Fish" on the iPads in math. That was a favorite part of many people's day.
In reading, we read more nonfiction and met in reading groups. I introduced the last of the first grade Word Wall Word list: very, who, were, where, and went. Next week, we will begin with second grade words that will be new to us.
In math, we are talking about addition strategies. Today we worked with tens frames to show how to make tens as a strategy. During writing, we did our Weekend News.
In reading, we read more nonfiction and met in reading groups. I introduced the last of the first grade Word Wall Word list: very, who, were, where, and went. Next week, we will begin with second grade words that will be new to us.
In math, we are talking about addition strategies. Today we worked with tens frames to show how to make tens as a strategy. During writing, we did our Weekend News.
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