It was a wonderful transition back after the holidays and so nice to see everyone. After several days of indoor recess, we are all looking forward to some relief in the temperatures and time to enjoy the snow. There was only one day last week when it was safe enough for us to go outside and even then, we were only outside for a short time. See the Gallery for pictures of our snow play on the roof. We'd also like to wish Caden a very Happy Birthday!
KINDERGARTEN BUDDIES
Last week, we again met with our Kindergarten Buddies. Ms. Stowe-Grant read a story of kindness called The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson and we decorated bookmarks. The bookmarks contain a message that reads:
This bookmark is for you!
Kindness is Contagious!
Pass it on!
From the Kindness Kids,
Ms. Stowe-Grant’s Class and Ms. Harrison’s Class
2014-2015
Next week, we will hide the bookmarks inside of books in the Lim Family Library for others to find. Stay tuned for photos from that kindness mission!
MATH
In math, we practiced making change. For most children, we started with $1.00 and practiced counting up, just like cashiers do when giving change back to you at a store. If a candy bar costs 45¢, we practiced counting by 10s -45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, and then by 5s to 100. The change is 55¢. We encourage your favorite second grader to practice this strategy at home. Make up real world number stories for him/her to solve and remind your child to pay careful attention whenever a cashier gives you change. For children who were ready, we had them make change from $5 or $10. Transitioning up to the next dollar is confusing for some children and this next level offered a good challenge!
READING WORKSHOP
We are beginning to talk about about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement by reading, sharing and discussing picture book biographies. We will be learning about the features of biographies and introducing the comprehension strategies main idea and determining importance. Determining importance is a strategy that readers use to distinguish between what information in a text is most important versus what information is interesting but not necessary for understanding. This practical reading strategy enables students to distinguish between the most and least important information presented in nonfiction reading.
Last week, we learned about Ruby Bridges, the brave six-year old girl who was faced angry crowds and empty classrooms as she became the first African American child to attend an all-white school after a court-ordered desegregation in New Orleans in 1960. We read The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and viewed this slideshow of photographs from that time in our country's history. We spent time talking about why Ruby was so brave and because she was close to their age, the children really connected to her story. Be sure to ask your child about brave Ruby. On Thursday, January 15th, we will participate in the Primary School MLK Jr. Assembly.
NEW READ ALOUD
Be sure to ask your child about our latest read aloud, Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Here is a short summary from the author's website:
In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
So far this book is keeping the children engaged and on the edge of their seats as we end each chapter!
PS ART NIGHT
Please see the flier below with details about this week's PS Art Night. We hope you can attend with your child!
KINDERGARTEN BUDDIES
Last week, we again met with our Kindergarten Buddies. Ms. Stowe-Grant read a story of kindness called The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson and we decorated bookmarks. The bookmarks contain a message that reads:
This bookmark is for you!
Kindness is Contagious!
Pass it on!
From the Kindness Kids,
Ms. Stowe-Grant’s Class and Ms. Harrison’s Class
2014-2015
Next week, we will hide the bookmarks inside of books in the Lim Family Library for others to find. Stay tuned for photos from that kindness mission!
MATH
In math, we practiced making change. For most children, we started with $1.00 and practiced counting up, just like cashiers do when giving change back to you at a store. If a candy bar costs 45¢, we practiced counting by 10s -45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, and then by 5s to 100. The change is 55¢. We encourage your favorite second grader to practice this strategy at home. Make up real world number stories for him/her to solve and remind your child to pay careful attention whenever a cashier gives you change. For children who were ready, we had them make change from $5 or $10. Transitioning up to the next dollar is confusing for some children and this next level offered a good challenge!
READING WORKSHOP
We are beginning to talk about about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement by reading, sharing and discussing picture book biographies. We will be learning about the features of biographies and introducing the comprehension strategies main idea and determining importance. Determining importance is a strategy that readers use to distinguish between what information in a text is most important versus what information is interesting but not necessary for understanding. This practical reading strategy enables students to distinguish between the most and least important information presented in nonfiction reading.
Last week, we learned about Ruby Bridges, the brave six-year old girl who was faced angry crowds and empty classrooms as she became the first African American child to attend an all-white school after a court-ordered desegregation in New Orleans in 1960. We read The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and viewed this slideshow of photographs from that time in our country's history. We spent time talking about why Ruby was so brave and because she was close to their age, the children really connected to her story. Be sure to ask your child about brave Ruby. On Thursday, January 15th, we will participate in the Primary School MLK Jr. Assembly.
NEW READ ALOUD
Be sure to ask your child about our latest read aloud, Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Here is a short summary from the author's website:
In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
So far this book is keeping the children engaged and on the edge of their seats as we end each chapter!
PS ART NIGHT
Please see the flier below with details about this week's PS Art Night. We hope you can attend with your child!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
You should have received an email from Sign-Up Genius inviting you to sign up for a parent-teacher conference on February 6th or February 12th. This sign-up link can be found under the FOR PARENTS page as well. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child's progress.
Enjoy your week!
You should have received an email from Sign-Up Genius inviting you to sign up for a parent-teacher conference on February 6th or February 12th. This sign-up link can be found under the FOR PARENTS page as well. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child's progress.
Enjoy your week!