Sunday, September 30, 2012
Looking Back
I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! While the Illini lost :( the beautiful Fall weather and colors made for a fun weekend anyway! I am excited for our short week ahead we have a lot to pack in and I know we will have a great week!
Reading- We continued practicing how to make mental images while reading. The students were even able to use this strategy during our read aloud, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We will continue to discuss mental images and how one image can change as we read more in a story.In addition to practicing our mental images, we have also been working on making different connections while reading. We have practiced making text-to-self connections between our books and things we have experienced in our own lives. We have also started text-to-text connections where we connect two different texts we've read to help us understand our books better.
Spelling- We continue to use Words Their Way which is a phonics based curriculum. On Mondays we begin to sort and practice the spelling pattern of their given words. Learning phonics patterns will help with decoding more difficult words. Overall, it seems that our beginning weeks have gone well, please let me know if concerns arise. The spelling routine will remain the same, with the spelling checklist every week and a test on Friday. In class we also have a routine where students are doing similar activities each week and everyday to reenforce the word patterns.
Math- This week we began Unit 2. The focus of this unit is on addition and subtraction facts. We talked about number stories, and the kids did a wonderful job creating their own and sharing them with the class. We then moved into learning patterns and short-cuts that can help while adding. One of the tools we focused on was a fact table.
Everyone is doing a great job with Rocket Math! Our routine is now set up and the kids have done nicely with our beginning of the year rule changes. Keep making and reaching those goals!
Math tests will go home by Tuesday with the unit homework attached! :)
Science: We continue to learn about Rocks and Life Cycles. This past week we sorted the rocks that everyone hunted for by rock properties (shape, texture, color, weight, size). We are all really excited about taking this geologist job on and everyone is enthusiastic to learn more about how rocks are formed throughout next week.
This week we also went back outside to observe our class tree. Our tree is turning into beautiful colors. This week we measured the circumference of the tree trunk and made predictions as to how much the trunk will grow when we measure it in the spring again.
Looking Ahead:
-There is no school Friday
-There will be no school Monday: Columbus Day!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
LMC Today!
Good Afternoon Second Graders,
This afternoon in the LMC we are going to be learning some very important skills on the computer.
Go home tonight and teach someone at home how to log into BookFlix. After logging in- read someone a story or listen to a story of your choice. Make sure to record your reading on your reading log.
Happy computering!
:)
Miss Rosenthal
This afternoon in the LMC we are going to be learning some very important skills on the computer.
Go home tonight and teach someone at home how to log into BookFlix. After logging in- read someone a story or listen to a story of your choice. Make sure to record your reading on your reading log.
Happy computering!
:)
Miss Rosenthal
Monday, September 17, 2012
September 17th-21st
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!
Spelling is here! :) I know there will be a learning curve because this different and there will be routines to get into so please feel free to email with any questions. The answer documents will come home Tuesday afternoon in backpack mail to help with the rest of the weeks home assignments.
Please make sure you help your second grader check off the homework as you complete it together. Then Thursday night sign the bottom sheet to be returned for the test on Friday.
More to come for our exciting week ahead!
Spelling is here! :) I know there will be a learning curve because this different and there will be routines to get into so please feel free to email with any questions. The answer documents will come home Tuesday afternoon in backpack mail to help with the rest of the weeks home assignments.
Please make sure you help your second grader check off the homework as you complete it together. Then Thursday night sign the bottom sheet to be returned for the test on Friday.
More to come for our exciting week ahead!
Monday, September 10, 2012
September 10th-14th
Everyone's smiles were shining today for picture day!
We came back from the weekend really ready to learn. We had a packed day and it went really well. As a class we set a goal for ourselves to work on our transitions. When we move from activity to activity or subject to subject, that is a transition. As a team we decided we wanted this part of our day to go quicker and quieter. Everyone has been working really hard to improve in this area. I have seen great improvement already! Keep it up!
Looking further into the week:
Reading: This week we will continue to work on the reading strategies we were introduced to last week- 'Check for Undestanding' and "Backup and Re-Read'. When we stop and 'Check for Understand' every four pages or so, we ask ourselves WHO and WHAT is happening in the story. We are learning that is we do not understand a part of the book we should not read on. Instead we have been practicing how to back up a page or two and re-read from that point to see if the story becomes more clear.
Along with these two important strategies we continue to practice our first Daily Five activity 'Read to Self'. This week we will also add 'Work on Writing' and 'Word Work'.
Math: We are continuing to review past material. Today we looked at number grids, explored number patterns and talked about what it looks like to work in small groups. We will continue to play money games as well as addition games to strengthen some of our basic math skills.
Writing: We are finishing up with our Friendly Letter writing unit and moving into some poetry this week. Today we read a silly poem from one of my favorite poets- Shel Silverstein.
Science: At the end of last week we began our science unit. Our first unit has the kids learning about life cycles. We will be looking at Plants, Trees, and Family through generations. On Thursday of last week the students worked in groups to create a question they wanted to answer (ie: will crayons color if they are dipped in water first). After formulating a question, it was up to the group to design an experiment they think would get them the results they were looking for.
This was such a great opportunity to see the students problem solve and work as a team- it was very impressive!
*** Spelling will begin this week!*** There will be more information to come about how spelling program works and the spelling homework assignments.
Thank you!
We came back from the weekend really ready to learn. We had a packed day and it went really well. As a class we set a goal for ourselves to work on our transitions. When we move from activity to activity or subject to subject, that is a transition. As a team we decided we wanted this part of our day to go quicker and quieter. Everyone has been working really hard to improve in this area. I have seen great improvement already! Keep it up!
Looking further into the week:
Reading: This week we will continue to work on the reading strategies we were introduced to last week- 'Check for Undestanding' and "Backup and Re-Read'. When we stop and 'Check for Understand' every four pages or so, we ask ourselves WHO and WHAT is happening in the story. We are learning that is we do not understand a part of the book we should not read on. Instead we have been practicing how to back up a page or two and re-read from that point to see if the story becomes more clear.
Along with these two important strategies we continue to practice our first Daily Five activity 'Read to Self'. This week we will also add 'Work on Writing' and 'Word Work'.
Math: We are continuing to review past material. Today we looked at number grids, explored number patterns and talked about what it looks like to work in small groups. We will continue to play money games as well as addition games to strengthen some of our basic math skills.
Writing: We are finishing up with our Friendly Letter writing unit and moving into some poetry this week. Today we read a silly poem from one of my favorite poets- Shel Silverstein.
Science: At the end of last week we began our science unit. Our first unit has the kids learning about life cycles. We will be looking at Plants, Trees, and Family through generations. On Thursday of last week the students worked in groups to create a question they wanted to answer (ie: will crayons color if they are dipped in water first). After formulating a question, it was up to the group to design an experiment they think would get them the results they were looking for.
This was such a great opportunity to see the students problem solve and work as a team- it was very impressive!
*** Spelling will begin this week!*** There will be more information to come about how spelling program works and the spelling homework assignments.
Thank you!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Weekly Update September 2nd-5th
I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend!
Our first full week together went wonderfully! There is always quite a lot to pack into those first days and we have accomplished a great amount! We will continue to work on our classroom routines throughout this short week as well.
This week in...
Reading- We will continue to build our stamina by practicing 'Reading to Self', the first of our Daily Five activities. Tomorrow we will model what 'Reading to Self' looks like, sounds like and feels like. Through the rest of the week we will add the second Daily Five activity, 'Work on Writing'. Our class is filled with really excited readers and writers. It was actually wonderful to hear all the moans and groans when I had to call our time to stop reading. This is a great sign that we have second graders who already are able to sustain their reading for longer times.
Continue working on your READ-O game boards. As a reminder, those are not due until the first day of school in October- October 1st. Please make sure you are signing or putting your initials into the box that your student completes.
Math- We continue to work our way through Unit One. So far we have reviewed calendar math, number lines, skip counting and patterns, as well as time and money. If you have not please be sure to send your second grader with their money bag for future lessons throughout the year. Thank you!
We also continue Rocket Math. We had a needed 'rule change' last week. Each time your student takes the Rocket Math test for a minute they have a goal to try and reach. This goal comes from their previous Rocket Math try. For example, say yesterday I took test B and completed 32 problems correctly- today when I attempt B for the second time my goal is 32 problems correct. If I am able to get 32 problems or more- I move onto C the next time we do Rocket Math.
At home please make sure your student practices the top for 3 minutes and takes the test (the portion on the bottom) only for one minute.
Writing- We will continue our Friendly Letter Writing unit. The kids last week loved starting to write letters. This week they will have an opportunity to write anyone in school or to anyone at home. We will also write a letter to our class Desk Fairy. The Desk Fairy comes to our room at random times throughout the year to check in and make sure we are keeping our desks clean and tidy. If she feels that you have done a nice job keeping your work space tidy, she will leave a ticket. If a student collects 5 tickets, they can trade them in for a prize.
Other Reminders:
- Please make sure you send your Second Grader with their reading log tomorrow.
- Please make sure you send your Second Grader with their Behavior Reflection form tomorrow, signed.
It is a shorter week, but we have a lot to do! We will continue to get to know each other through some more summer fun activities! I know it will be a busy week, but I also know we will have a great week!
Our first full week together went wonderfully! There is always quite a lot to pack into those first days and we have accomplished a great amount! We will continue to work on our classroom routines throughout this short week as well.
This week in...
Reading- We will continue to build our stamina by practicing 'Reading to Self', the first of our Daily Five activities. Tomorrow we will model what 'Reading to Self' looks like, sounds like and feels like. Through the rest of the week we will add the second Daily Five activity, 'Work on Writing'. Our class is filled with really excited readers and writers. It was actually wonderful to hear all the moans and groans when I had to call our time to stop reading. This is a great sign that we have second graders who already are able to sustain their reading for longer times.
Continue working on your READ-O game boards. As a reminder, those are not due until the first day of school in October- October 1st. Please make sure you are signing or putting your initials into the box that your student completes.
Math- We continue to work our way through Unit One. So far we have reviewed calendar math, number lines, skip counting and patterns, as well as time and money. If you have not please be sure to send your second grader with their money bag for future lessons throughout the year. Thank you!
We also continue Rocket Math. We had a needed 'rule change' last week. Each time your student takes the Rocket Math test for a minute they have a goal to try and reach. This goal comes from their previous Rocket Math try. For example, say yesterday I took test B and completed 32 problems correctly- today when I attempt B for the second time my goal is 32 problems correct. If I am able to get 32 problems or more- I move onto C the next time we do Rocket Math.
At home please make sure your student practices the top for 3 minutes and takes the test (the portion on the bottom) only for one minute.
Writing- We will continue our Friendly Letter Writing unit. The kids last week loved starting to write letters. This week they will have an opportunity to write anyone in school or to anyone at home. We will also write a letter to our class Desk Fairy. The Desk Fairy comes to our room at random times throughout the year to check in and make sure we are keeping our desks clean and tidy. If she feels that you have done a nice job keeping your work space tidy, she will leave a ticket. If a student collects 5 tickets, they can trade them in for a prize.
Other Reminders:
- Please make sure you send your Second Grader with their reading log tomorrow.
- Please make sure you send your Second Grader with their Behavior Reflection form tomorrow, signed.
It is a shorter week, but we have a lot to do! We will continue to get to know each other through some more summer fun activities! I know it will be a busy week, but I also know we will have a great week!
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