November News

Math - Geometry Unit

Second Grade mathematicians explored Quadrilaterals (closed figures with 4 sides).

We sorted quadrilaterals into those with four sides and not four right angles and those with 4 side and 4 right angles. We learned that quadrilaterals that have four sides and four right angles are rectangles.

Sorting shape cards

We then used square tiles to find the amount of space rectangles take up (area) and ordered rectangles from biggest to smallest.

Ordering rectangles

Science

We have finished up our Matter unit!  Second graders explored properties to determine which materials would make the best wall.  We tested different mortar, and built walls from stones. We then tested the walls by having a golf ball run into them.  Kids recorded the results, made observations then redesigned their walls and/or adjusted their mortar mix.

Designing our first wall

Designing our first wall

We then tested our walls, made observations and improvements and built a new wall that we tested again!

Spelling

We have been reviewing first grade spelling skills ch, sh, th as well as -ack, -eck, -ick, -ock, -uck.  This week we reviewed -ng and -nk.

We are also reviewing and learning Trick Words aka, Red Words, aka, High Frequency words:

we                                         there

your                                      their

was                                        said

of                                           if

you                                        which

do                                          will

about                                     last

left                                         never

us                                           how

up                                          each

end

Our spelling schedule  follows a weekly pattern:

Monday - whole group lesson (children brainstorm words that have the sound we are learning for the week)

Tuesday - word sort

Wednesday - building words - you will see letter cards come home Wednesdays

Thursday - work with partner to build words

Friday - Teacher dictates words or Spelling Check (test) 

Writing

We have finally finished up our Narrative Writing unit.  I had wanted the kids to share their books with parents before vacation.  Unfortunately, I was sick and that did not happen.

The new date for sharing is: Tuesday, December 12th from 12:50-1:10.  Our holiday sing-a-long and Craft Fair will follow our book share.

    

Awesome October

October Happenings

Math

Second graders are learning about geometry!

Please see the parent letter that went home last week.

Matching faces of a geoblock

Students gave clues to their partner to choose the mystery geoblock

Ask your child to describe the different parts of a geoblock

Second graders sorted shape cards by the number of sides that each shape has.

Science

This week we explored changes in matter by reconstructing matter, and heating and freezing different materials.

We deconstructed K-cups and reconstructed them so they could carry water.

We then tested our designs to see how much water they could carry in one trip.

Students then predicted what would happen to food when heated

Before heating

We heated the food for an hour, made some observations and made some conclusions

After heating

Ask your child:

 What surprised them the most

What we noticed about the vegetable and fruit based foods

What we noticed about the foods that had little change

We then explored how changing matter by heating and freezing can sometimes be reversed and other times not reversed.

Reading

Second grade readers have been learning strategies for figuring out hard words.  As readers we have learned that when words are tricky, we need to roll up our sleeve and work hard to figure them out!  

Ask your child about the word fixing and the sketches below!

 Second grade readers Grow Like Beanstalks!

We Stop and Jot!

We share our thinking with our Reading Partners

Writing

Second graders have been working hard on their Narrative stories.  This week writers learned that 

• Writers work hard to get better.
• Writers set goals and make plans toward these goals.

We reread our pieces of writing and set goals to improve our writing.

October 6, 2017

Writing

Second grade writers are challenging themselves to write 2-3 stories a week!

Spelling

This week we reviewed short vowels sounds.

Math

This week we solved addition and subtraction story problems.  

We shared strategies for solving addition and subtraction problems.

Science

Matter Unit

Second graders tested different materials for softness, the ability to repel or absorb water.

They then used what they learned to design a hat from a paper bag, paper plate, and tinfoil to shield them from the sun and rain.

They then used what they learned to design a hat using a paper bag, paper plate, and tinfoil to shield them from the sun and rain.

Second Grade Scientists observed and identified properties of matter.

They compared a plastic spoon to a steel ball and listed similarities and differences.

Second graders sorted objects by different properties.

Can you guess how they sorted their objects?