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?

Sunny September Days!

Woo-hoo!  We finally go some sunny warm September  days and have finally gotten outside for some extra recess!

We had a beautiful day for our Fall Hike!

Besides having some relaxing times outside, 

we have been hard at work transitioning into second grade.

Ask your child what happened to Howard because he didn't listen.

Math and Technology

Second graders have started Math Menu.  Math Menu enables for differentiation at math time both through additional activities such as games, computer, and problem solvers, and also through small group lessons with me.  

Last week the class was introduced to Games, which is one station of Math Menu. We discussed why we play math games, where game materials are stored, and how to play the games Make Ten and Tens Go Fish. We learned that we can play math games by our self until a partner can join us.

Last week we reviewed  how to use our Chromebooks for the Computer Station of Math Menu.

Math Menu sheets should be coming home on Fridays.  Be sure to ask your child about it and what they've done this week in math!

This week's Math Menu Have Tos and Choices

Playing  +1 +2 BINGO

Playing  +1 +2 BINGO

Collect 25 Cents

Math Menu Choice of Try A Tiles

Playing Tens Go Fish

Playing Tens Go Fish

Playing Tens Go Fish

Reviewing how to carry our Chromebooks

Reading

Ask your child how their thinking about the story or
characters changed when we read the story several times.

Ask your child how the characters changed throughout the story.

Second grade readers drew and wrote about themselves as a reader.

 Reading Journal - Favorite part of a book

Science

Our first science unit delves into learning about Matter.  Second graders explore properties of matter.  We tested materials for softness, whether or not they absorb or repel water and what each material is used for (warmth or staying cool, staying, dry).  We used what we learned about materials to design hats used to keep us cool and dry.