It was another busy day! We had our last Second Step lesson with Mrs. Kleiner today. It was a lesson in safety. During math, we worked on word problems with multiplication and division. We will have a test on this chapter on Monday. Tomorrow, Mrs. Math Jones will be in to talk more about multiplication.
In reading today, we learned about rubrics and how to rate ourselves in certain areas. Students picked a piece to read and rate themselves on for their fluency. I had them videoing themselves using the iPad and then listening back to it. They, then proceeded to use a rubric to evaluate themselves. This will be something for their portfolios. We will do more with this tomorrow.
This afternoon, we had writing workshop.
Tomorrow students are welcome to wear any sports gear that they have (even hats!) in honor of the Super Bowl on Sunday. Even though my team missed out (boooooo), I'll be sure to don my Patriots gear!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wednesday
Happy Delayed Opening Day!
We had a very productive day. Did you know that we are studying division? Wow! It's amazing and we're doing it! We've learned that division is repeated subtraction (just like multiplication is repeated addition). Today, we did word problems involving multiplication and division. I'm so proud of these kiddos!
In reading, we worked on using emotion when we read aloud to help our comprehension. We read The Day the Goose Got Loose practicing this.
We switched groups for WIN time. We had outside recess even (yahoo!). February lunch menus went home today. On February 13, the entire second grade gets to eat hot lunch for free! I circled the date on the lunch menu.
We had a very productive day. Did you know that we are studying division? Wow! It's amazing and we're doing it! We've learned that division is repeated subtraction (just like multiplication is repeated addition). Today, we did word problems involving multiplication and division. I'm so proud of these kiddos!
In reading, we worked on using emotion when we read aloud to help our comprehension. We read The Day the Goose Got Loose practicing this.
We switched groups for WIN time. We had outside recess even (yahoo!). February lunch menus went home today. On February 13, the entire second grade gets to eat hot lunch for free! I circled the date on the lunch menu.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday
We had a full day of learning today! In the computer lab this morning, we took a virtual tour of the house where Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up. Then, we completed a Venn Diagram comparing our houses to his.
In our Weekend News, we tried to have nice, full sandwich writing. Ask your child what that means! We did very well with this! In reading, we read the January poem of Chicken Soup with Rice and went over the Write About Reading for the week. Students worked on the work board while Mrs. Jones and I met with reading groups. During Word Work, we learned more about suffixes.
This afternoon, we finished our last activity with magnets. We were able to see the actual force field from the magnets! It was so cool. We also had a class meeting to take care of a few issues, like spots in line. Finally, we did worked on division in math. We are looking at it as repeated subtraction at this point.
Homework went home tonight. Thanks for your help with this. Let me know if you have any questions/concerns.
In our Weekend News, we tried to have nice, full sandwich writing. Ask your child what that means! We did very well with this! In reading, we read the January poem of Chicken Soup with Rice and went over the Write About Reading for the week. Students worked on the work board while Mrs. Jones and I met with reading groups. During Word Work, we learned more about suffixes.
This afternoon, we finished our last activity with magnets. We were able to see the actual force field from the magnets! It was so cool. We also had a class meeting to take care of a few issues, like spots in line. Finally, we did worked on division in math. We are looking at it as repeated subtraction at this point.
Homework went home tonight. Thanks for your help with this. Let me know if you have any questions/concerns.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday
Brrrr!!!!! Our room is nice and toasty, which is great! We've had indoor recess yesterday and today, though. Seems like everyone is a little itchy to get outside: me included!
We have been learning things about magnets. Today, we learned that magnets have a North and a South Pole and that objects are more attracted to those areas than the others of a magnet. Fun stuff!
In math, we continue our study of multiplication. Students are using language such as 5 groups of 3 is the same at 5 X 3. This is new for many but we are slowly catching on.
This week in reading, our focus has been reading fluently. Yesterday, we talked about how punctuation affects how we read. Today, we discussed how to phrase and stick words together that belong together to make it sound more natural.
I hope you stay warm!
We have been learning things about magnets. Today, we learned that magnets have a North and a South Pole and that objects are more attracted to those areas than the others of a magnet. Fun stuff!
In math, we continue our study of multiplication. Students are using language such as 5 groups of 3 is the same at 5 X 3. This is new for many but we are slowly catching on.
This week in reading, our focus has been reading fluently. Yesterday, we talked about how punctuation affects how we read. Today, we discussed how to phrase and stick words together that belong together to make it sound more natural.
I hope you stay warm!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday
We did some great activities with magnets today! Students are learning many things about magnets and they are so excited! Ask your child what he/she learned or did today having to do with magnets.
Students also took a test on bar models and we did a writing benchmark. Students also did some snow shoeing in PE today. In word work, I introduced 5 new word wall words today. We also finished the Whangdoodle today! I will read the Epilogue tomorrow. I loved this book and I'm hoping your child did too!
Students also took a test on bar models and we did a writing benchmark. Students also did some snow shoeing in PE today. In word work, I introduced 5 new word wall words today. We also finished the Whangdoodle today! I will read the Epilogue tomorrow. I loved this book and I'm hoping your child did too!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Friday
We have been busy as usual in 2F. I have finished my reading benchmarks. Students read aloud a leveled piece of writing while I look at their miscues. Next, they read the rest of the story on their own and I check for comprehension. I am so encouraged by the results of this assessment. Students are moving right along! Very exciting!
In writing, we are all almost done our published pieces. When everyone is finished, we will have a special author's tea. I will invite parents to come in as students share their final drafts. I will let you know when this is. I look forward to that celebration as publishing a piece of writing is a lot of work!
Mrs. Math Jones came in today and taught us beginning multiplication! The kiddos were so excited! We will have a test on the bar models on Tuesday and move right into multiplication next week.
I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Wednesday
Our day began with an all school assembly in the MPR. We talked about bullying and saw videos that went with the book Don't Laugh at Me. We sang the 3B's song as well.
In writing today, we spent quite a bit of time on the steps of Writing Process. Students are at the point now where they decide what they are working on during writing class and then sign up on our chart with a clothespin. We went over what each step means exactly before trying it out. It went well! Students are really understanding and implementing the writing process.
In word work today, we switched classrooms and worked in WIN groups. We will do this for the next 5 weeks.
Today in math, we worked with more word problems. Students were faced with 2 step problems today. This is difficult! Students did very well! I am so proud of them!
In writing today, we spent quite a bit of time on the steps of Writing Process. Students are at the point now where they decide what they are working on during writing class and then sign up on our chart with a clothespin. We went over what each step means exactly before trying it out. It went well! Students are really understanding and implementing the writing process.
In word work today, we switched classrooms and worked in WIN groups. We will do this for the next 5 weeks.
Today in math, we worked with more word problems. Students were faced with 2 step problems today. This is difficult! Students did very well! I am so proud of them!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday
Tomorrow is the 3B's assembly. Please have your child wear black and yellow if possible. We talked a lot about certain vocabulary that students may hear at the assembly. I read the book Don't Laugh at Me. Students will hear more about bullying at the assembly.
Our writing lesson was about Show Don't Tell. This is a strategy where authors use words to describe things, rather than come right out and tell you how a character is feeling. I read When Sophie Gets Angry and we talked about how we show anger. Then students wrote a description of someone who was angry. We all shared our best sentences with the group.
Today in word work, I introduced the 5 new word wall words for the week. Tomorrow, we will switch groups for WIN time based on a phonics assessment.
In math, we continue our study of bar models. We are working with comparison models. Students are working well with it.
Our writing lesson was about Show Don't Tell. This is a strategy where authors use words to describe things, rather than come right out and tell you how a character is feeling. I read When Sophie Gets Angry and we talked about how we show anger. Then students wrote a description of someone who was angry. We all shared our best sentences with the group.
Today in word work, I introduced the 5 new word wall words for the week. Tomorrow, we will switch groups for WIN time based on a phonics assessment.
In math, we continue our study of bar models. We are working with comparison models. Students are working well with it.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday
We are continuing our study of bar models in math. For some, this strategy seems silly, especially if the child can compute correctly another way. Bar modeling is a very important part of the Math in Focus program. It is introduced in second grade and built upon throughout the program. We will be finishing up with bar models this week, but the exposure to them is important for each child. Thank you for your assistance and understanding with this part of the program.
We are also continuing our study of retelling fictional texts. In the computer lab today, we learned how to use Kidspiration as a method of organizing our thoughts for retelling. We practiced with our read aloud book. Students continue to work on this in the classroom during Guided Reading as our Write about Reading station.
In Word Work today, we discussed how to add suffixes to root words. I focused on adding "ing" and "ed" to words that end with silent "e". Dropping the silent "e" before adding a suffix starting with a vowel is where we are focusing. This is the second lesson on this rule. It was introduced on Friday.
We also have begun to study about magnets. This is a fun unit that is very "hands-on". You will hear more about this as the week goes on.
We are in need of plastic grocery bags for our wet snow clothes after recess. Any donations are greatly appreciated! Thank you!
We are also continuing our study of retelling fictional texts. In the computer lab today, we learned how to use Kidspiration as a method of organizing our thoughts for retelling. We practiced with our read aloud book. Students continue to work on this in the classroom during Guided Reading as our Write about Reading station.
In Word Work today, we discussed how to add suffixes to root words. I focused on adding "ing" and "ed" to words that end with silent "e". Dropping the silent "e" before adding a suffix starting with a vowel is where we are focusing. This is the second lesson on this rule. It was introduced on Friday.
We also have begun to study about magnets. This is a fun unit that is very "hands-on". You will hear more about this as the week goes on.
We are in need of plastic grocery bags for our wet snow clothes after recess. Any donations are greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Thursday
We continue to keep busy in 2F! This morning, I showed students new ways to represent bar models. Some of it seems a bit confusing, so I am exposing them to these ways, but am really just looking for concrete understanding of part, part, whole represented in a bar model. Students are really doing well with the concept of bar modeling. I am so excited to see how well they are doing. We have some great mathematicians in our room!
Mrs. Kleiner came in today and did some relaxation exercises with us. After that, we read Leo the Late Bloomer and talked more about retelling and how this relates to story elements (character, setting, plot, conflict and solution).
In word work today, we changed many short vowel words into long vowel words by adding a "magic" e or silent e to the end. It's amazing how many words that this works for.
This afternoon, we had PE and then writing. Busy, busy, busy!
Here is a link to Mrs. Emerson's site. Check it out!
https://sites.google.com/a/sau66.org/hopkinton-art/
Mrs. Kleiner came in today and did some relaxation exercises with us. After that, we read Leo the Late Bloomer and talked more about retelling and how this relates to story elements (character, setting, plot, conflict and solution).
In word work today, we changed many short vowel words into long vowel words by adding a "magic" e or silent e to the end. It's amazing how many words that this works for.
This afternoon, we had PE and then writing. Busy, busy, busy!
Here is a link to Mrs. Emerson's site. Check it out!
https://sites.google.com/a/sau66.org/hopkinton-art/
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Wednesday
It's the middle of the week and we are back to working hard! Bar models in math, publishing our writing, making words, and retelling stories are some of the things that have been happening in here today!
We are also reading a great book aloud: The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. It is entertaining as well as well written. For many, this is their favorite part of the day!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns along the way. I appreciate any feedback you have.
We are also reading a great book aloud: The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. It is entertaining as well as well written. For many, this is their favorite part of the day!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns along the way. I appreciate any feedback you have.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Tuesday
We have all settled into our routines again today. We revisited our original Hopes and Dreams for second grade and talked about how we are doing as far as achieving them. Our discussion focused on how we are a community and here to help each other achieve the goals/resolutions that we've set for ourselves. Students were so supportive of one another and the goals. (SO proud!) It's great to revisit our goals this time of year and also solidify the structure that is put into place in our room.
In writing today, we learned about the trait of organization. I presented a mixed up story and we took it apart to make it fit back together again. I'm hoping to see more of this in students' writing. Students will not write on 2 sides of the paper when drafting stories so that if they need to cut their stories apart and paste them back together, they can.
In reading, we read a poem and we talked about how to proceed with Write About Reading this week. We are working on retelling, which is a tough skill.
We learned the 5 new word wall words today. Also, we focused more on bar models in math.
In writing today, we learned about the trait of organization. I presented a mixed up story and we took it apart to make it fit back together again. I'm hoping to see more of this in students' writing. Students will not write on 2 sides of the paper when drafting stories so that if they need to cut their stories apart and paste them back together, they can.
In reading, we read a poem and we talked about how to proceed with Write About Reading this week. We are working on retelling, which is a tough skill.
We learned the 5 new word wall words today. Also, we focused more on bar models in math.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Monday
Happy New Year!
It's great to be back! I hope you all had a wonderful relaxing holiday/break. I sure did and I raring to go today.
We began our day, after our morning meeting, we wrote our Weekend News. Students had to really focus on one aspect of the time they had off. After this, students worked on their published pieces. We are all almost done and ready to share. So exciting!
In computer lab today, we learned about a new site called Thinking Blocks. (www.thinkingblocks.com) Students were able to practice with bar models using this site. I love it! Next, Mrs. Pond showed us an activity using Kidspiration, pattern blocks and snowmen. It was challenging, but fun!
In reading we got used to the work board again. I have begun doing winter reading benchmarks today. Word Work had us being mind readers! Fun stuff using word wall words. I will send home the January word wall words tomorrow.
During math, we did an assessment and then Daily 5 math! Good stuff!
I sent home homework for the week: a reading log and a math log. There was also some information that goes with our math program about bar models with practice problems. Students are welcome to try some of those at home. Thanks for your support with this!
It's great to be back! I hope you all had a wonderful relaxing holiday/break. I sure did and I raring to go today.
We began our day, after our morning meeting, we wrote our Weekend News. Students had to really focus on one aspect of the time they had off. After this, students worked on their published pieces. We are all almost done and ready to share. So exciting!
In computer lab today, we learned about a new site called Thinking Blocks. (www.thinkingblocks.com) Students were able to practice with bar models using this site. I love it! Next, Mrs. Pond showed us an activity using Kidspiration, pattern blocks and snowmen. It was challenging, but fun!
In reading we got used to the work board again. I have begun doing winter reading benchmarks today. Word Work had us being mind readers! Fun stuff using word wall words. I will send home the January word wall words tomorrow.
During math, we did an assessment and then Daily 5 math! Good stuff!
I sent home homework for the week: a reading log and a math log. There was also some information that goes with our math program about bar models with practice problems. Students are welcome to try some of those at home. Thanks for your support with this!
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