We are hard at work learning and practicing behaviors for our Daily Five. Today we made our chart for Work on Word Work, and then I showed them the many choices we have for doing word work. After that, we took time to practice. We also reviewed our Read to Self and Work on Writing I charts. We practiced them for a short time also. They are really "getting" the idea of what they need to do to make this work for everyone in the classroom! We even talked about how this is like our monthly theme of TEAMWORK.
I hope to get to each reading group this week. That means the kids will have to work independently while I am with each group so we don't have interruptions. Part of this learning is also good manners - not interrupting ( unless it's an emergency.) Students will not necessarily "stay" in the same groups. Once they've progressed, they can move to a different group. The idea is to learn at each student's level.
This week we are working on possessive pronouns, compound words, long e sounds, ou and ow sounds, and synonyms.
In Math, we continue to work on simple addition and how it relates to subtraction. Please practice the fact families with your child. This can be done in the car, while setting the table, doing dishes, etc. We practice this way: If I say 3+5, kids need to say 3+5=8, 5+3=8, 8-5=3, and 8-3=5.
In Science, we used the balance to learn about mass. Thursday we will do the Chapter Review.
Social Studies is our map study continuing from last week. My kids are really pretty good at this! This week our Weekly Reader is on Hispanic Heritage Month.
In Religion, we read about God's Stories and related this to family stories of our own. They learned the Bible is divided into the Old Testament ( before the birth of Jesus), and the New Testament (after Jesus was born). They've also learned that Psalms are prayers and songs and most were written by David.
Another new and fun game to learn spelling words: We played Sparkle! They love it! It's also excellent for listening skills as they need to listen to what the person before them says. Ask them about this game!
Have a good week!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
September 9, 2010
Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the family dinner! It was a good chance to see each other once again. I also enjoyed seeing the new families who've joined our school family this year!
We've been working on Reading Assessments this week, but I'm not quite finished. These assessments will help me know the abilities your children have - and I can work with their levels at their pace. Sometimes students will move up levels during the year- not at any particular time, but when they are ready. I will be working at implementing the Daily Five this year. So far, we've learned how to choose "Good Fit" Books. The way they do this is to use "I PICK" which is I choose, what's my PURPOSE for reading this book, why am I reading it- am I INTERESTED in it? C is for COMPREHEND. Can I understand it? K is for KNOW. Do I know most of the words? These are questions students ask themselves when choosing books to read. The next thing we will learn about and practice will be "READ TO SELF".
In Science, we are reading about Inquiry skills -observing, comparing, hypothesizing, communicating,...
In Religion, we have been talking about creation. We learned a little more about Mary, the Mother of God, on her birthday, September 8th. The kids wrote in their journals what they know about Mary. Then I read the book Mary, Mother of God while they were working on a picture of Mary. After that, we went to Liturgy which was the Mass of the Holy Spirit. It's always nice to be able to share in the mass with our entire school family!
We read the Weekly Reader today and learned how apples get from the trees to our stores. There was a diagram of an apple for the kids to read. Being able to read diagrams is an important skill for kids to learn.
We are working on addition in Math. Today we did doubles and doubles plus one. The addition table was very difficult for most of the children. After much practice, there was that "AHA" moment when they "got it"! Some of them were able to see the pattern of doubles and doubles plus one - for a while I wasn't sure if they were going to understand it. Those AHA moments are what make teaching fun!
Sunday is our Open House from 9-12.
REMEMBER- Monday Night is Grade two Parent Night! We'll meet from 5:30-6:00 so it won't take too much of anyone's time. See you then!
Have a good weekend!
We've been working on Reading Assessments this week, but I'm not quite finished. These assessments will help me know the abilities your children have - and I can work with their levels at their pace. Sometimes students will move up levels during the year- not at any particular time, but when they are ready. I will be working at implementing the Daily Five this year. So far, we've learned how to choose "Good Fit" Books. The way they do this is to use "I PICK" which is I choose, what's my PURPOSE for reading this book, why am I reading it- am I INTERESTED in it? C is for COMPREHEND. Can I understand it? K is for KNOW. Do I know most of the words? These are questions students ask themselves when choosing books to read. The next thing we will learn about and practice will be "READ TO SELF".
In Science, we are reading about Inquiry skills -observing, comparing, hypothesizing, communicating,...
In Religion, we have been talking about creation. We learned a little more about Mary, the Mother of God, on her birthday, September 8th. The kids wrote in their journals what they know about Mary. Then I read the book Mary, Mother of God while they were working on a picture of Mary. After that, we went to Liturgy which was the Mass of the Holy Spirit. It's always nice to be able to share in the mass with our entire school family!
We read the Weekly Reader today and learned how apples get from the trees to our stores. There was a diagram of an apple for the kids to read. Being able to read diagrams is an important skill for kids to learn.
We are working on addition in Math. Today we did doubles and doubles plus one. The addition table was very difficult for most of the children. After much practice, there was that "AHA" moment when they "got it"! Some of them were able to see the pattern of doubles and doubles plus one - for a while I wasn't sure if they were going to understand it. Those AHA moments are what make teaching fun!
Sunday is our Open House from 9-12.
REMEMBER- Monday Night is Grade two Parent Night! We'll meet from 5:30-6:00 so it won't take too much of anyone's time. See you then!
Have a good weekend!
Friday, September 3, 2010
September 3, 2010
Welcome back to a new year of school! We are off to a good start! These first three days were all about learning routines, procedures, etc. I have asked students to read 20 minutes a day, and they should have a reading bag like last year and a reading calendar to be signed by parents. Thanks for taking time to do this!
We practiced Math facts yesterday and used triangle flash cards. The kids really liked those! It is to help practice the four facts - two adding and two subtracting. For example: 2+3=5, 3+2=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3. Today we were working on some review of first grade lessons.
I love to read to my kids, so we've heard several stories and poems. They love it! Next week I will be working on Reading Assessments to see where your child is at so I can provide the needed instruction at his/her level. This year I will be attempting to use the Daily Five for my Reading and Writing. More about that at parent night on September 13!
Book orders will be sent home today. There are three - Yes, more paperwork at the beginning of the year! :-) I would like them returned by September 20. Remember, you can order online and our class will still get credit for your order. If you prefer to send an order with your child, cash is not accepted by Scholastic. They need checks made out to them. (not to me or school.) Thanks!
Hopefully , all of you will go to the Safe and Sacred Training so you can be a driver, helper for our class. It's only an hour. Mark your calendars. I know Mr. Bell sent this message home already, but I strongly encourage you to go to it - grandparents or any other family member who might drive or volunteer should do this also.
Have a great weekend!
We practiced Math facts yesterday and used triangle flash cards. The kids really liked those! It is to help practice the four facts - two adding and two subtracting. For example: 2+3=5, 3+2=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3. Today we were working on some review of first grade lessons.
I love to read to my kids, so we've heard several stories and poems. They love it! Next week I will be working on Reading Assessments to see where your child is at so I can provide the needed instruction at his/her level. This year I will be attempting to use the Daily Five for my Reading and Writing. More about that at parent night on September 13!
Book orders will be sent home today. There are three - Yes, more paperwork at the beginning of the year! :-) I would like them returned by September 20. Remember, you can order online and our class will still get credit for your order. If you prefer to send an order with your child, cash is not accepted by Scholastic. They need checks made out to them. (not to me or school.) Thanks!
Hopefully , all of you will go to the Safe and Sacred Training so you can be a driver, helper for our class. It's only an hour. Mark your calendars. I know Mr. Bell sent this message home already, but I strongly encourage you to go to it - grandparents or any other family member who might drive or volunteer should do this also.
Have a great weekend!
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