This week we celebrated two birthdays - Adelle's and Leila's. We also enjoyed a Mystery Reader, really became hooked on our latest read aloud, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, and learned a little about the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
SNOW STUDY
We ended our study of snow crystals and the water cycle by using our snow catchers! On Wednesday, we rushed outside right after P.E. to take advantage of the falling snow. It was quite blustery but the children were able to identify many different kinds of snow crystals. Later in the afternoon, it started snowing again. This time the flakes were huge and light. Looking out the windows, it felt as if we were inside a snow globe. We went outside once more and the excitement was contagious. The snow flakes were beautiful! It was wonderful to try our snow catchers and see just how Snowflake Bentley felt to so many years ago when he captured the first snow crystals on film. Be sure to check out the Gallery to see all the photos.
MATH
This week, we practiced writing numbers in expanded form (3462 = 3000 + 400 + 60 + 2) and played the place value game Zim Zam Zowie. This time, the children had to guess numbers in the hundred thousands and millions! They are getting quite good at reading such large numbers! We learned where to place the comma once the number moves beyond the hundreds. In second grade, we continue to build on children's understanding of place value - how to read and write numbers beyond 1000 and recognize how much each digit is worth.
READING WORKSHOP
Ms. Harrison completed reading assessments while the other children worked on many different activities to support their reading and spelling skills. For the last couple of weeks, the children have worked on their independent reading, developed writing ideas using the iPad app called Write About This, and practiced the long vowel i spelling patterns ( i_e as in time, -y as in cry, and -ight as in knight). We also introduced homophones. These are words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings such as night and knight, stair and stare, ate and eight, pear and pair. These words can present quite a spelling challenge but the children enjoyed some fun homophone riddles. Ask your favorite second grader if he/she can think of any other homophones!
FAMILY MESSAGE JOURNALS
Please read your child's latest letter (sent home yesterday) and write your reply. Family Message Journals should be returned next week. We will not write in them again until we return from the Mid-Winter Break.
MAPLE SUGAR FIELD TRIP
On Thursday, March 6th, we will be taking our annual second grade field trip to the Indiana Dunes to learn about how maple sap is gathered and made into maple syrup and sugar. We have room on the bus for 3 parent chaperones so please let Ms. Harrison know if you’d like to join us. As with the trip to the apple orchard, everyone welcome to join us but you may have to drive your own car. This will be an all-day, outdoor field trip. More information to come!
VALENTINE'S DAY
We are still in need of a few decorating supplies and strawberries for our Valentine's Day celebration on Thursday, February 13th. Decorating supplies should be sent in on Tuesday so we can begin decorating our bags (no one has signed up for those yet!). Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to make this day fun and special!
If your child is planning on giving valentines, we ask that he/she have one for each student in our class so that no one feels left out. We have included a class list as well as a list of teachers and staff in case your second grader would like to give them valentines too. We will pass out the valentines on Thursday during our celebration. Feel free to send them in early if you'd like.
SNOW STUDY
We ended our study of snow crystals and the water cycle by using our snow catchers! On Wednesday, we rushed outside right after P.E. to take advantage of the falling snow. It was quite blustery but the children were able to identify many different kinds of snow crystals. Later in the afternoon, it started snowing again. This time the flakes were huge and light. Looking out the windows, it felt as if we were inside a snow globe. We went outside once more and the excitement was contagious. The snow flakes were beautiful! It was wonderful to try our snow catchers and see just how Snowflake Bentley felt to so many years ago when he captured the first snow crystals on film. Be sure to check out the Gallery to see all the photos.
MATH
This week, we practiced writing numbers in expanded form (3462 = 3000 + 400 + 60 + 2) and played the place value game Zim Zam Zowie. This time, the children had to guess numbers in the hundred thousands and millions! They are getting quite good at reading such large numbers! We learned where to place the comma once the number moves beyond the hundreds. In second grade, we continue to build on children's understanding of place value - how to read and write numbers beyond 1000 and recognize how much each digit is worth.
READING WORKSHOP
Ms. Harrison completed reading assessments while the other children worked on many different activities to support their reading and spelling skills. For the last couple of weeks, the children have worked on their independent reading, developed writing ideas using the iPad app called Write About This, and practiced the long vowel i spelling patterns ( i_e as in time, -y as in cry, and -ight as in knight). We also introduced homophones. These are words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings such as night and knight, stair and stare, ate and eight, pear and pair. These words can present quite a spelling challenge but the children enjoyed some fun homophone riddles. Ask your favorite second grader if he/she can think of any other homophones!
FAMILY MESSAGE JOURNALS
Please read your child's latest letter (sent home yesterday) and write your reply. Family Message Journals should be returned next week. We will not write in them again until we return from the Mid-Winter Break.
MAPLE SUGAR FIELD TRIP
On Thursday, March 6th, we will be taking our annual second grade field trip to the Indiana Dunes to learn about how maple sap is gathered and made into maple syrup and sugar. We have room on the bus for 3 parent chaperones so please let Ms. Harrison know if you’d like to join us. As with the trip to the apple orchard, everyone welcome to join us but you may have to drive your own car. This will be an all-day, outdoor field trip. More information to come!
VALENTINE'S DAY
We are still in need of a few decorating supplies and strawberries for our Valentine's Day celebration on Thursday, February 13th. Decorating supplies should be sent in on Tuesday so we can begin decorating our bags (no one has signed up for those yet!). Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to make this day fun and special!
If your child is planning on giving valentines, we ask that he/she have one for each student in our class so that no one feels left out. We have included a class list as well as a list of teachers and staff in case your second grader would like to give them valentines too. We will pass out the valentines on Thursday during our celebration. Feel free to send them in early if you'd like.
valentineslist.doc |
Be sure to check out the Gallery for new Mystery Reader and birthday photos. Enjoy the weekend.