Grade Two has begun Chapter 4 of the In Focus program. It is titled: Using Bar Models in Addtition and Subtraction. It is similar to the part-part-total that we used to teach in Everyday Math. Students would represent numbers in part-part-total diagram, providing a pictoral representation of parts making a whole. Comparing these numbers, illustrating the known and unknown parts, helps the children see clearly whether to add or subtract to solve problems. Please refer to the In Focus Think Central website for parent support videos.
This week we also begin to work on informative writing. The children will begin with a How To writing teaching a friend "how to" do something. Over the course of the next several weeks we will continue to perfect narratives while moving onto non-fiction writing. This will tie in nicely as will begin to focus on non-fiction in reading as well. Did you know we read non-fiction very differently then fiction? Students will learn all of the charateristics of non-fiction texts such as: break-aways, diagrams, charts, titles, subtitles, glossaries, and captions. Students really enjoy no-fiction, especially when they can read about something they are seriously interested in. You will find some non-fiction on RazKids as well.
Mapping continues to be our focus in Social Studies. Ask your children if they can tell the longest mountain range in the world or the largest range in the US. After the first of the year we will finish up with important rivers of the world.
Griffin is our Star Student of the Week this week. D'Monye did a fine job last week including singing and went home with a beautiful book with positive thoughts about him from classmates. We look forward to great things from Griff this week.
Don't forget to send in "Snowball" gifts Monday. We will have our swap on Friday afternoon. Thank you to all who will be contributing goodies for our Holiday Snack which will be Friday morning.
Merry Christmas to all! I wish you all happiness and good health in the New Year!
