Week of Dec. 9-13

Here is an update of the learning from last week.

• Reading-We're working on conventions of nonfiction (text features). This week we worked on maps, labels, glossary, index, table of contents, heading, comparison, and captions.
• Writing-Students have written and shared their fairy tales.
• Math-We've studied inches, feet, yards, and centimeters.  We've taken measurements  and put them onto line plots. We have just finished this unit. We'll review together on Monday for Tuesday's test. *Please look for the review test to come home on Monday evening.
• Social Studies-We've studied the compass rose and worked on map keys.

Visit

This last week I was able to bring Nathan to school for a visit.  I was very excited and glad to see everyone again.  However,  I am pretty sure the students were more excited to see Nathan than to see me! : )   I also got to talk with Mrs. Wilke about what has been going on in class.  These are the topics studied last week.

• Math - We compared numbers within 200, explored 2-digit addition, used the all totals method in addition, used the new groups below method in addition, practiced addition with sums over 10
• Wordly Wise - We finished unit 4.
• Literacy - Guided reading groups are going well. We have started our fairy tale unit. We've read Cinderella and identified main characters, setting, and plot. We also read another "Cinderella" story entitled, The Rough-Face Girl.
• Writing - We have learned to study other authors to help us with our own writing. We studied similes.

I'm Back!

Well, back to the blog that is.  As many of you probably heard, I had a baby boy last Sunday.  Nathan is doing very well and our family is adjusting to another member.  I still plan on updating this blog every week.  I talk with and email Mrs. Wilke, so I will be able to keep the blog up to date with the learning that is happening in the classroom.  I heard that the class was very helpful this week!  Keep it up!  I like hearing all of the great things you are doing!

Last Week's Learning

Last week in math we continued to work on more complex story problems.  We explored problems with extra information, not enough information, and hidden information.  This week be on the lookout for some homework on these types of problems.  Please have your child explain their thinking to you and explain how they solved the problem.  If everything goes as planned, we should have our Unit 1 Test on Friday.

For literacy we focused on identifying the characters, setting, problem, and solution in several fiction stories.  Please continue reading with your child at home and asking them questions about what they read.  In writing we are still exploring personal narratives and adding details to our stories.  It is wonderful to read stories where the students are beginning to apply this skill.

We had a special presentation put on by the Neenah-Menasha Fire Department.  Students learned about what to do in case of a fire.  They also got to see a fire truck and explore both the inside and outside.  Below are some pictures from the fire presentation.

It was wonderful to see everyone at Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Thank you for taking the time to be involved in your child's education!

Spelling Words for the week of October 14th 

same

also

three

well

such  

Reminder

Wednesday, October 16th is Grandparent's Day and an 11:30 Dismissal.  Please make sure Grandparents have their ticket when they arrive.

A Look Back & Ahead

Last week we learned a little bit about schema (prior or background knowledge).  We discussed why it is important to activate our schema before reading and how it will help us better understand what we read.  We did several schema activities including a lint roller activity, listening to songs, brainstorming, and making connections to what we read.  In writing, we are continuing our work on narrative writing including stretching a story out across the pages and focusing on adding details to our writing.  In the picture below, students used a lint roller to help illustrate that everyone's schema is different because we all have different experiences.

In math we worked on problem solving.  We focused on compare story problems.  Please continue to work with your child on their math facts and on any homework that comes home.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

In Social Studies we began learning about communities.  We learned what a community is and about three types of communities.  Ask your child to tell you about communities!  We will be continuing our learning about communities for the next few weeks.  The pictures below show how students worked together to show their knowledge of different community types.

A look ahead...

This week's spelling words are: time, find, long, must, and give.  Since we do not have school on Friday, we will take our spelling test on Thursday this week.  Please make sure to study these words at home.

I will not be sending home a book order for the month of October because of the Book Fair taking place at Spring Road from October 7-11 and October 16th.  Please refer to the Spring Road Website for more information about the book fair and spirit (dress up) days.

Monday: Character Education Lesson
Tuesday: Mrs. Wilke, my long-term substitute, will meet our class and shadow me
Wednesday:  Fire Safety Presentation & Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday:  2:15 Early Dismissal & Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday:  NO SCHOOL & Parent Teacher Conferences

Week in Review

This past week we were very focused.  We engaged in many different lessons to help us learn all about metacognition, which is thinking about our thinking.  We made a "Real Reading Salad" to illustrate that when we read, we not only read the text, but also have lots of thinking going on.  In addition, we created a Venn Diagram, used a thinking bubble, and did some partner reading with picture books.  All of these activities helped the students deepen their understanding of "real reading" and metacognition.  This coming week, our focus will be on schema.

Our class is off to a wonderful start in writing this year!  Students were very excited to receive little notebooks to use as their "Idea Files" and jot down ideas for future writing topics.  Our big focus right now is learning how to pick a small moment to write about and then stretch it out into a story.

In math last week and coming up this week we are focusing on story problems.  We have been learning about Add To and Take From types of problems.  These story problems are difficult for students to realize what the question is asking and how to go about solving it.  Talking through the problem and retelling the problem in their own words seems to help those who are having difficulty.  Students have been doing a wonderful job explaining their thinking through math talk and by showing their thinking with equations and drawings.  

Here are some pictures of our learning this week!

This is the "Real Reading Salad" we created as we read a book together and shared our thinking.  As you can see, there is a lot more "thinking" in our salad than "text."

This diagram shows what "Real Reading" is all about.

We got a chance to "see" students thinking as they tried on the thinking bubble and shared their thoughts.

Students enjoyed reading wordless picture books and sharing their ideas. 

Week in Review

Last week we accomplished much new learning.  Our focus in literacy was Checking for Understanding when partner reading.  This took us several days of practice, but I am confident that students now know how to ask and answer questions to ensure reading comprehension.  In writing, students completed writing samples for three different types of writing:  Narrative, Informational, and Opinion/Argument.  We also read a book titled "What Are You So Grumpy About?"  Students then wrote their own "grumpy" books.  We will be sharing these with each other next week.

In math, students learned about equations, equation chains, and writing equations horizontally and vertically.  Students enjoyed learning a new game called "Puddle Jump" on the Smartboard.  Students should practice the "Make-a-Ten" strategy and math facts at home.  Thank you for making sure that your child has completed his/her homework.  So far, every student has returned all of their homework.  Keep up the great work!

 Students use this organizer with question stems to help them Check for Understanding when they are reading with a partner.

Students learning how to play Puddle Jump on the Smartboard.

Week 2

We had another busy, great week!  We reviewed how to "Read to Someone," learned 5 new spelling words and had our first test, practiced the "Make-a-Ten" strategy in math, and wrote narrative and informational writing pieces.  Everyone really worked hard!

I also want to thank you for keeping up with signing the student planners, filling out the reading log, and for making sure your child returned their math homework.  I got every paper back!  It was also wonderful to see so many families at the PTO Picnic.  I really appreciate your support and so does your child!

Reminders for next week:

Tuesday - PTO Meeting @ 3:15
                Skate Night @ 5:30

Wednesday - Picture Day
                     11:30 Dismissal

Friday - Book Orders Due

Below are a few pictures from the week.  One is a class created chart with our classroom expectations. In the others, students are engaged in Read to Someone.  As you can see, students did a wonderful job of sitting EEKK, sharing the book, and reading in quiet voices.

1st Week of 2nd Grade

We had a very successful first week of school!  Everyone was very excited to see one another again (which might be why they were a little talkative!) and make friends with new classmates.  This past week, we spent time going over school and classroom expectations, learning routines, and getting to know each other.

From our new student planners, you can see that we have also been doing quite a bit of assessing.  These assessments are providing valuable information about your child and will be used to in helping me plan instruction to meet their needs.

I appreciate your willingness to sign the planners each day and your communication via notes and comments in the planners.  In addition, thank you for filling out the parent survey.  I enjoyed reading your responses and goals for your child.

I do have a few pictures from the 1st week to share with you.  In addition to a class picture, you will students focussed on building their reading stamina.

Welcome!

Welcome to a new school year!  I am so excited that I will be seeing familiar faces to start the year.  2nd grade is going to be an awesome learning adventure!