Every Tuesday for the next several weeks, our class will host a student teacher! Her name is Miss Welch. Miss Welch attends Husson College and needs to complete a 30 hour practicum. She will begin by observing, then I will slowly hand over responsibilities to her. Miss Welch must complete at least two lessons in the classroom. Her focus for the semester is writing. I know that we have a lot to show Miss Welch with our Writing Workshop. She couldn't have picked a better class to join!
In Math we are focusing mostly on story problems. It is important to know if you need to add or subtract, and to which numbers you are performing the operation. We talk a lot about how numbers mean something - they are attached to an object (like 7 fish, 2 arms, 5 inches...). You can practice at home by either stating simple story problems and asking your child to tell you what equation would go with that problem, OR stating an equation and asking your child to come up with a story to go with it. We are working with addition and subtraction within 10.
This Wednesday, September 28 is School Picture Day. Even if you're not ordering photos, your child will still get his/her picture taken.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
What Are We Learning About?
We are finishing up our mini-unit on the butterfly life cycle, and are about to begin a unit on "Rights and Responsibilities". During this unit we will discuss a person's rights in general; and more specifically our rights as students. Once our rights are established, we will then discuss the responsibilities we have to ensure those rights for all. For example: All students have the right to be heard. Therefore, it is your responsibility to listen when others are talking.
In math we are working on subtraction within 10. It is our goal that second grade students will be proficient in adding and subtracting within 10 by the middle of October. In addition to basic equations, we are challenging ourselves with story problems, knowing when to add or subtract for a story problem, and solving for an unknown (5 + ? = 8). We are also learning about "Fact Families" to help learn the relationship between adding and subtracting. An example of a Fact Family is: 7+3=10, 3+7=10, 10-7=3, 10-3=7. I use a combinations of class discussion, projects, practice sheets, and games to support our learning in math.
In Writing Workshop, we are still learning about all the materials in the Writing Center and the procedures for writing a story. We are generating ways to come up with ideas for what to write. As I finish up with reading assessments, we are learning about different centers that we will visit during our Guided Reading and Centers time. All of the work we do in centers supports our learning in spelling, phonics, and reading.
In math we are working on subtraction within 10. It is our goal that second grade students will be proficient in adding and subtracting within 10 by the middle of October. In addition to basic equations, we are challenging ourselves with story problems, knowing when to add or subtract for a story problem, and solving for an unknown (5 + ? = 8). We are also learning about "Fact Families" to help learn the relationship between adding and subtracting. An example of a Fact Family is: 7+3=10, 3+7=10, 10-7=3, 10-3=7. I use a combinations of class discussion, projects, practice sheets, and games to support our learning in math.
In Writing Workshop, we are still learning about all the materials in the Writing Center and the procedures for writing a story. We are generating ways to come up with ideas for what to write. As I finish up with reading assessments, we are learning about different centers that we will visit during our Guided Reading and Centers time. All of the work we do in centers supports our learning in spelling, phonics, and reading.
Friday, September 9, 2011
A Successful First 7 Days!
We have been having a great time getting to know each other and exploring our classroom. It will take some time before all of our routines are under way, but for now the boys and girls in our class are doing wonderful.
I'm sure you have already heard about our caterpillar - turned chrysalis - turned butterfly friends! Ask your child to explain metamorphosis, or the monarch butterfly life cycle to you. We have all become quite knowledgeable in this area!
Book Orders came home today (Friday, September 9). They are due by Wednesday, September 14. One thing I forgot to mention in the newsletter is that families can order books online as well. Just go to scholastic.com and enter activation code "FZY46". I had never offered this until last year; and had one parent who tried it out successfully.
Have a fabulous weekend!
I'm sure you have already heard about our caterpillar - turned chrysalis - turned butterfly friends! Ask your child to explain metamorphosis, or the monarch butterfly life cycle to you. We have all become quite knowledgeable in this area!
Book Orders came home today (Friday, September 9). They are due by Wednesday, September 14. One thing I forgot to mention in the newsletter is that families can order books online as well. Just go to scholastic.com and enter activation code "FZY46". I had never offered this until last year; and had one parent who tried it out successfully.
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