Late October Happenings

What a fabulous trip down town on Thursday. I hope the kiddos told you all about it. The firefighters, police officers, town workers and friends at the cable studio were all so wonderful and happy to share their knowledge with the kids. Sitting in the ambulance or ladder truck, trying on handcuffs, being seen on TV or seeing our school on a large map were just a few highlights from the days events.

 

 

Charlotte B even had her birth certificate pulled from the files of thousands of certificates in just seconds.

Thank you to all the chaperones who came along for the fun. We had an absolutely beautiful day. The children were very excited and enthusiastic everywhere we went. All were well prepared and asked some very interesting questions. On Wednesday night, homework will be to write a thank you note to one of the services workers who patiently shared their time and expertise with us. The children have also been working on a research project on one service worker with a partner. This week they will use their research to put together a short power point on their service worker. A final piece will be to create a service worker craft project to culminate the unit. It has been a very productive unit on communities. Our next topic will be mapping which will further develop their knowledge of these social studies skills.

 

On Thursday, our class is looking forward to our Halloween Celebration. The children will be involved in creating some haunting craft projects in the afternoon. It is always a fun day but the week is always very exciting too. There will be lots of reading of wonderful literature,  poetry and song. It is always hard for second graders to focus this week anticipating the haunting events but there is still lots of business to accomplish as well. Please have your child wear Halloween colors, Halloween shirts and possibly some limited make-up. Thank you to all who offered to send in materials and snacks for the day.

In Math, all second graders are working on Chapter 2 of the In Focus Math Program. This chapter is Addition of Three Digit Numbers With and Without Regrouping. Kiddos still need to practice their easy facts in order to make these three digit problems easier.

In FUNdations, we are beginning Unit 5; the study of multisyllabic words, compound words, and homophones. Students will be taught that at the end of  two closed syllables you use _ic as in the words; traffic, public, and comic. Please continue to practice trick words possibly putting them on index cards and keeping a set in the car.

Finally, in grammar, we continue to focus on capitalizing proper nouns. The children know the rule but often forget and do not carrythe rule over to their everyday writing. In writing, we are still writing small moments and narrarives trying to "stretch" and "super size" sentences.

Happy Haunting friends and GO RED SOX!

Looking For Changes

Each Leaf Is Beautiful

     Looking at this beautiful tree and thinking about the changes taking place around us, reminds me of the changes taking place in classrooms around the world. Just as each beautiful leaf on a tree grows and changes every fall so do our children every fall season. All crisp and fresh for a new school year, children float into our schools ready to grow and change with another year of learning.

I am beginning to see the changes already happening like beautiful colored leaves in the tree of life.

     Mathematically, all second graders are working on place value (ones, tens, hundreds), writing numbers in standard form (342), word form (three hundred forty two), and expanded form (300+40+2). They are also comparing the value of numbers as greater than, less than and equal to,  (>,<,=). Next they need to order these numbers from greatest to least (432, 231, 129). Finally students should be able to use these skills in real life situations (word problems) using critical thinking skills to solve problems such as:

        Mel has 523 stamps. Jan has 374 stamps. Who has more stamps? How many more?

     Grade 2 students have all been writing narratives daily in their classes. Students are learning to take a "small moment" and write about it using details that can help a reader visualize what happened. They think, talk, sketch and write about these "small moments" that happen to all of us each and everyday. Next, they will pick one piece and edit it for capitals, end marks, spelling and add an appropriate opening and closing to thier piece. Soon children will be able to revise their piece and "stretch" their thoughts and ideas. Stretching thoughts and ideas helps to create more interest in their piece therefor captivating their audience. For example:

        I saw a big bird in the trees. Revise it to: I was surprised when I gazed at the big red Cardinal sitting quietly in the tall maple tree in my backyard.

      Grammar will also tie into these writing pieces. Second graders have been learning the difference between simple and compond sentences. This week students will learn that a noun names a person, place or thing in a sentence. Next week our goal will be verbs (action).

      During reading time, students have been reviewing reading strategies to improve Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency and Expanding Vocabulary. The DailyCAFE works in partnership with guided reading at an individual students reading level. Students work with teachers in groups and individual conferences to determine a strategy goal that needs to be practiced through the reading of "JUST RIGHT BOOKS" or guided reading. Students need to take responsiblity for practicing these strategies (back-up reread or cross-check do the pictures and words match) often.

       Fianlly, OCTOBER 24 has been set for our Field trip into the Reading Community. Anyone willing to chaperone is welcomed as long as a CORI has been filled out prior to the trip. Information will be coming home to all second graders this week. Also, please be supportive when our Room Parents call for volunteering, snacks or supplies for our Halloween Celebration on Thursday, OCTOBER 31. Thank you advance for your help.

     Overall, everyone is doing well. At times some students need subtle reminders to follow rules and routines. Hopefully all will run smoothly in the very near future. All in all, they are a great bunch of leaves!

Have a great week!
Deb