It was wonderful to have everyone back at school after two weeks of Spring Break. We jumped right into our routines and began some exciting new projects. Thanks to Kiran for the yummy Easter egg cookies and to Hannah for the matzah, butter and raspberry jam for Passover. We enjoyed both of these treats!
FAMILY MESSAGE FOLDERS
Family Message Folders came home on Friday. Be sure to write a reply and return the folders early next week.
ADMISSIONS VISITORS
This year, I serve on the Admissions Committee as the second grade representative. That means that on occasion for the next month or so we will have a second grade candidate spend the morning with us as he/she learns a little about our school. On Friday, we had our first visitor named Hannah. The students knew ahead of time that she was coming and became so excited that many of them made her lovely cards to greet her when she arrived. The cards said things like, "We are so glad you are here." It was such a wonderful act of kindness and it made our visitor feel a little more at ease. Bravo second graders!
APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Last week, we began reading and exploring lots of different kinds of poems. All month we will be celebrating and sharing poetry and we need your help. On Wednesday, the children will begin to look for inspiration in the world around them as they observe "with a poet's eye." We will be observing things from nature and using our senses. To get ready for this activity, we will be putting together a "nature museum." Much like our science collection from the fall, we invite children to bring in objects from nature that are interesting and sturdy enough to be picked up and observed. These items may include rocks, shells, birds nests, fresh flowers or branches (with interesting buds or blossoms), feathers, pine cones, etc. Please send in items by Wednesday and we will make sure to have them returned at the end of our study.
During this month, we invite you to share poems with your child. As we have told the children, poems are meant to be celebrated, shared and read aloud. Encourage your child to pay attention to the rhythm of the poem, does it rhyme, what kinds of feelings or images does it create? If you have any favorite children's poetry books at home, please send them in to school to be shared. I still have my own Where the Sidewalk Ends book by Shel Silverstein from 4th grade! Stay tuned for more details about our poetry study. Soon, the children will be writing their own poems!
FAMILY MESSAGE FOLDERS
Family Message Folders came home on Friday. Be sure to write a reply and return the folders early next week.
ADMISSIONS VISITORS
This year, I serve on the Admissions Committee as the second grade representative. That means that on occasion for the next month or so we will have a second grade candidate spend the morning with us as he/she learns a little about our school. On Friday, we had our first visitor named Hannah. The students knew ahead of time that she was coming and became so excited that many of them made her lovely cards to greet her when she arrived. The cards said things like, "We are so glad you are here." It was such a wonderful act of kindness and it made our visitor feel a little more at ease. Bravo second graders!
APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Last week, we began reading and exploring lots of different kinds of poems. All month we will be celebrating and sharing poetry and we need your help. On Wednesday, the children will begin to look for inspiration in the world around them as they observe "with a poet's eye." We will be observing things from nature and using our senses. To get ready for this activity, we will be putting together a "nature museum." Much like our science collection from the fall, we invite children to bring in objects from nature that are interesting and sturdy enough to be picked up and observed. These items may include rocks, shells, birds nests, fresh flowers or branches (with interesting buds or blossoms), feathers, pine cones, etc. Please send in items by Wednesday and we will make sure to have them returned at the end of our study.
During this month, we invite you to share poems with your child. As we have told the children, poems are meant to be celebrated, shared and read aloud. Encourage your child to pay attention to the rhythm of the poem, does it rhyme, what kinds of feelings or images does it create? If you have any favorite children's poetry books at home, please send them in to school to be shared. I still have my own Where the Sidewalk Ends book by Shel Silverstein from 4th grade! Stay tuned for more details about our poetry study. Soon, the children will be writing their own poems!
MATH
In math, we introduced double/triple-digit and subtraction problems. We have mainly focused on simple problems that do not involve regrouping (borrowing). For some children who are ready, we are working on the borrowing strategy. We call it the Trade First Method. We have taught the children to start in the ones place and then move on to the tens place, etc. Children need to look at the ones place to determine if the amount is enough to subtract. If it is not, they need to borrow (or trade a ten for 10 ones). Many children pick up on this strategy quickly and can memorize the steps. We, however, also want children to understand the problem conceptually. We use special blocks called Base Ten Blocks that include ones, tens and hundreds. By manipulating these blocks, children learn place value and we can easily model addition and subtraction problems.
CLASSROOM NEEDS
We are in need of some extra snacks for those times when children have forgotten a snack, dropped one on the floor or are simply still hungry. Pretzels and granola bars are great choices (peanut/tree nut free). We could also use a few bottles of hand sanitizer (with a pump). Thanks for you support!
In math, we introduced double/triple-digit and subtraction problems. We have mainly focused on simple problems that do not involve regrouping (borrowing). For some children who are ready, we are working on the borrowing strategy. We call it the Trade First Method. We have taught the children to start in the ones place and then move on to the tens place, etc. Children need to look at the ones place to determine if the amount is enough to subtract. If it is not, they need to borrow (or trade a ten for 10 ones). Many children pick up on this strategy quickly and can memorize the steps. We, however, also want children to understand the problem conceptually. We use special blocks called Base Ten Blocks that include ones, tens and hundreds. By manipulating these blocks, children learn place value and we can easily model addition and subtraction problems.
CLASSROOM NEEDS
We are in need of some extra snacks for those times when children have forgotten a snack, dropped one on the floor or are simply still hungry. Pretzels and granola bars are great choices (peanut/tree nut free). We could also use a few bottles of hand sanitizer (with a pump). Thanks for you support!
Be sure to ask your second grade about his/her new desk spot and our new read aloud, The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling. Also, check out our Gallery for the latest updates to the Alvin Ailey albums and Mystery Reader. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!