Fifty Nifty United States!

Dear Families,

We had a busy week in second grade! During Number Corner we began exploring a new calendar pattern exploring basic fractions concepts.  Students will be using the calendar markers to interpret a fraction as a number of equal parts of a whole and a set.

There has been a lot of excitement around state research and float building!  Our brief state float parade is scheduled for Thursday at 2:00 p.m.While we are not officially inviting families because we are aware that it is hard to get away during the school day, if you are available, feel free to stop by.  There will be plenty of photos and we will be sure to get a video:)

This month's Hands on Nature taught us about squirrels.  We learned that there are 3 kinds of squirrels in Vermont: Flying squirrels,  and gray and red squirrels.  We pretended we were squirrels hiding acorns and learned how a squirrels body helps them adapt. Special thanks to Mrs. Baer and Mrs. Clark!

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:
~Place Value Triple Roll
~Haiku Poetry
~Nonfiction reading clubs
~Ally or bystander in guidance

Have a great weekend!

Katie

Sharing Opinions

Dear Families,

It was so nice to see so many of you at parent-teacher conferences.  Thank you for taking the time to come to the classroom to see more of your child's work. 

We began a new math unit: Place Value to One Thousand.  This week the students counted popsicle sticks grouping them by 10s then 100s.

During reading workshop we wrapped up our unit by creating news bulletins sharing what we learned about reading fluently, understanding literary language and keeping track of longer books.  We will now be moving onto Nonfiction book clubs.

We also completed our Opinion writing unit by typing nominations and recording videos sharing book nominations.

Click here to hear your child's opinion writing!

The children worked very hard on their state research this week!  We are still looking for about 8 more copy paper boxes and volunteers for next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to help supervise painting of floats.  Please send back the blue form on Monday if you are able to help out!

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:
~Rectangle hunt in Number Corner
~Painting Sakura cherry blossom trees
~Poetry walk
~How Much, How Many, How Far, How Heavy, How Long, How Tall is 1,000?

Have a wonderful weekend!
Katie

Half and Half

Dear Families,

It was such an amazing turn out tonight for the Taiko Drumming performance.  The children were so proud to share their new learning .  Thank you all for supporting this school wide event!

On Monday we had our last Math Through Art session.  The children created 'half and half'' designs using a grid with 48 squares.  We were able to create a second grade mural of all the designs that will hang on our team bulletin board. 

The biggest excitement of the week for the children by far, was finding out the name of the state they are going to research!  I'm sure you have heard your child singing  'Fifty Nifty United States' at home! I am still looking for copy paper boxes if you have any to donate. 

Thank you for sending back your conference forms so quickly.  In your child's folder today is your scheduled conference time.  If you are unable to make your time, please let me know as soon as possible.

Making name necklaces, thanks Truly!

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:

~Beat You to $1.00

~Typing nomination letters

~Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs

~United States time zones

~Reading goal clubs

Have a great weekend!

Katie

Which Shape is the Rule Breaker?

Dear Families,

It was a very busy and fun week in second grade! Math Through Art, Disability Awareness, Farm to School, an all school movie celebration, and some learning thrown in there!

We began our week with our first Math Through Art session with Ms. Nancy.  Our PTO generously funded two sessions for each second grade classroom.  Math Through Art is an opportunity for students to experience a broader understanding of concepts in math while learning about and practicing cooperation skills.  Students engage creatively and learn math concepts as well as show their understanding in many different ways, making the bigger concepts become second nature.  We can't wait for our second session on Monday!

We wrapped up our guidance unit on Changing Perspectives by participating in four stations that helped build our awareness of disabilities.

In Farm to School we learned about Cacao and made homemade hot chocolate!

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:
~Political and Physical maps
~Counting pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters
~Adding quotes to support our opinions in writing

Have a great weekend!
Katie

Keeping Track of Longer Books

Dear Families,

Another short week, but still full of learning in second grade!  We had a wonderful first week of Taiko drumming with Paton Sensei.   We learned a lot in a short amount of time!

We began our study of the United States by completing a scavenger hunt using a junior classroom Atlas.  We are collecting large cardboard copy paper boxes for a culminating activity at the end of our unit.  If you have any at home, please send them our way!

During Reading Workshop, we began working in same-book partnerships.  The goal of this unit is to help readers keep track of longer books by using their partner for help.  During this bend of the unit, partners are working on setting goals for a stopping point, where they will meet to discuss the important events in the chapter or section.  They are also learning how to stop along the way and jot important events on post-it notes.

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:
~Mystery Doug
~Identifying coins
~Adding fun little extras to our opinion letters
~Making withdrawals from the Base Ten Bank

Have a great weekend!
Katie

Welcome Back!

Dear Families,

I hope you had a restful and relaxing vacation with your family. It was wonderful to see all the smiling faces and get back into routine.

This week we concluded our unit of measurement by informally exploring the concept of proportions.  Using Jim and the Beanstalk, students used pictures of "giant" sized objects to measure other objects such as a rake, ladder, and door. Next week we will take an end of unit assessment and begin a short, focused unit on money.

Today we enjoyed a wonderful field trip to the Flynn to see Rosie Revere, Engineer! and Friends. 

We are looking forward to our Taiko Drumming residency next week!  Today we attended a performance by the drummers at the kick-off assembly.  Thanks to our wonderful PTO for giving our school this opportunity!

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:
~Clementine
~ Noticing when an author uses figurative language ("It was a piece of cake!")
~How Tall is the Giant's Door?
~Two quarters a day
~Reading closely to gather more opinions about our books
~Talent share

Have a great weekend!
Katie

Go Cats Go!

Dear Families,

We've had a wonderful week of learning in second grade.  This week we continued our unit of measurement by informally exploring the concept of proportions.  Using Jim and the Beanstalk, students used pictures of "giant" sized objects to measure other objects such as a rake, ladder, and door.

Wednesday's field trip to the UVM Women's Basketball game was a lot of fun.  The children were so well behaved and were great fans!   Children who attended the game were given a journal, courtesy of VSAC!

Today your child is bringing home their writing folder from our Nonfiction writing unit.  Inside you will find their published nonfiction book.  Enjoy looking through all the wonderful writing!

Other Things to Ask Your Child About:
~How Tall is the Giant's Door?
~Reading at a just-right pace
~Writing about more than one part of a book
~Our guest teacher, Miss McMorrow:)

I hope you all have a wonderful vacation.  See you in March!

Katie