Newsletter

Second Grade News                      November 1, 2013

Things to Note:

*PLEASE RETURN GREEN SLIPS FOR Monday, November 11 – Parent Teacher Conferences

*HOMEWORK PACKETS WERE DUE NOVEMBER 1^st

Science:   Our Hands on Nature lesson had students thinking about Life in the Dirt.  Student looked closely at worms and even got to go outside and look at the creatures living in our soil here at Calais! 

Soon we will begin our next science unit on MOTION! I think it should be great fun J

Math:   Students have been exploring coins and their values.  Second graders have been learning how to read and write the time on an analog clock to the nearest ½ hour.  Many of the second graders are ready to move on to reading the clock to the nearest 5 minutes.  We continue to work on knowing our facts fluently.  We have begun some problem solving.  We have learned the problem solving steps (1.  Read the problem, 2. Make a game plan, 3.  Solve the problem, 4.  Reflect) and have used them to solve story problems.  Students have discussed ways that they solved problems and have learned that adding by place is much faster (“efficient”) than a counting all or count on strategy.  One way that students have been using the adding by place strategy is by taking a problem that asks them to add 10 to 12, and decomposing the 12 into two smaller easier to work with number such as 10 and 2, 12=10+2.  Ask them about it!  Next week, we will jump into place value and look closely at numbers and how many groups of hundreds, tens, and ones they have. 

Word Study:

Students have been focused on hearing the difference between long vowel i and short vowel i, as well as studying the spelling patterns used for those long i words.  In addition to looking at specific vowels, second graders have created a word folder that they can record those words that they are always supposed to spell correctly.  They have enjoyed using this new tool when they are writing. 

Writing:

Students have been working hard to write Small Moments (Personal Narratives).  They have learned much about the mechanics of writing as well as the craft of writing.  Their writing growth has been amazing!  We will continue work on writing mechanics, craft, and stamina throughout the year.

Have a great week – Mrs. Raynor