It's been a busy couple of weeks in our classroom. We ended our week with a shortened performance of the Middle School musical The Wiz. First and Second Grade students collaborated with art teacher, Ms. Mazurek, to create beautiful poppies for one of the scenes. During the show there were lots of oohs and aahs when the poppies were revealed! Poppies will be returned and sent home as soon as the set is taken down. Bravo second graders!
POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY
We have added several photographs to the Poetry Study Album that capture Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 18th. The children read their poems to each other, practicing pausing at line breaks and reading with fluency and expression. We then traveled around the school to find adults and students willing to lend their ears. Each second grader had the chance to read 3 or 4 times and their audiences were impressed and delighted!
We are wrapping up our poetry study by creating a class ebook. Each child is working on a poem of their own that will be illustrated, typed and narrated into digital form that we hope to share with you soon!
FAMILY MESSAGE FOLDERS
Family Message Folders were NOT sent home on Friday because we have been so busy with poetry writing. We will resume this activity next Friday. If your child's folder is still at home, please return it tomorrow. Thanks!
MATH
We have continued to practice our algorithms for solving double-digit addition and subtraction problems. Ms. Olander also helped us review some strategies for solving teen minuends, such as 15-8, 12-7, 14-9. The children shared their strategies with her and she introduced a new one that the children have called "Ms. Olander's Trick" or Covering. The children are encouraged to use whatever strategy works best for them.
Below are a couple of examples of Ms. Olander's Trick. The children cover up the number in the ones place, turning it into a zero. Because most children have a solid understanding of the compliments of ten, it is easier for them to subtract from 10. Then, they add in the number they "covered up" back in. In the example below, 15 - 8, becomes 10 - 8 = 2 and the 5 is added back in for the total difference of 7. This strategy or trick is helpful for those students who cannot already solve these types of problem automatically. Please invite your second grader to show you Ms. Olander's Trick.
POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY
We have added several photographs to the Poetry Study Album that capture Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 18th. The children read their poems to each other, practicing pausing at line breaks and reading with fluency and expression. We then traveled around the school to find adults and students willing to lend their ears. Each second grader had the chance to read 3 or 4 times and their audiences were impressed and delighted!
We are wrapping up our poetry study by creating a class ebook. Each child is working on a poem of their own that will be illustrated, typed and narrated into digital form that we hope to share with you soon!
FAMILY MESSAGE FOLDERS
Family Message Folders were NOT sent home on Friday because we have been so busy with poetry writing. We will resume this activity next Friday. If your child's folder is still at home, please return it tomorrow. Thanks!
MATH
We have continued to practice our algorithms for solving double-digit addition and subtraction problems. Ms. Olander also helped us review some strategies for solving teen minuends, such as 15-8, 12-7, 14-9. The children shared their strategies with her and she introduced a new one that the children have called "Ms. Olander's Trick" or Covering. The children are encouraged to use whatever strategy works best for them.
Below are a couple of examples of Ms. Olander's Trick. The children cover up the number in the ones place, turning it into a zero. Because most children have a solid understanding of the compliments of ten, it is easier for them to subtract from 10. Then, they add in the number they "covered up" back in. In the example below, 15 - 8, becomes 10 - 8 = 2 and the 5 is added back in for the total difference of 7. This strategy or trick is helpful for those students who cannot already solve these types of problem automatically. Please invite your second grader to show you Ms. Olander's Trick.
In math, we have also introduce geometry and 2-dimensional shapes. We have learned the vocabulary words: side, vertex/vertices, angle and polygon, line, line segment, endpoint and parallel lines. Polygons are 2-dimensional shapes with that follow these rules:
Below are some examples of polygons vs. shapes that are not polygons:
- Have three or more sides
- Are closed shapes
- Their sides do not cross
- All sides are straight, no curves
Below are some examples of polygons vs. shapes that are not polygons:
SAVE THE DATE FOR YEAR-END POTLUCK
Please save Thursday, June 6th from 5:30-7:00 pm for our year-end potluck in the Cafeteria/Japanese Garden. We will gather together to celebrate the our wonderful second grade year of learning, laughing and fun! We will have a special presentation to reminisce about the year so we hope you and your family can join us! More details coming soon...
Be sure to ask your second grader about our newest read aloud, The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Please save Thursday, June 6th from 5:30-7:00 pm for our year-end potluck in the Cafeteria/Japanese Garden. We will gather together to celebrate the our wonderful second grade year of learning, laughing and fun! We will have a special presentation to reminisce about the year so we hope you and your family can join us! More details coming soon...
Be sure to ask your second grader about our newest read aloud, The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin.
Enjoy your Sunday!