Here's what we did this week...
In Fundations we completed our fourteenth unit on using the vowel pairs ou and ow. We will take our Unit test on Monday.
In math we are working to complete Investigations Unit 6 where we have been focusing on using the 100 chart to help us add and subtract double digit numbers and to manipulate adding and subtracting 'ones' to make or break a 'ten'. We have looked at the chart as 'rows of tens' and tiles/squares of 'ones'. We played several games (Missing Numbers, Get to 100, Roll-A-Square, Unroll-A-Square, Collect $1.00, Spend $1.00) to help us with our 100 chart fluency and familiarity.
On a side note, our classroom computer station (i.e. Bobcart) has seen its final days. For the remainder of the year we will not have the same daily access to Xtramath.org as we have been used to for practicing our math facts. I would ask that if you are able to, please have your child log onto his/her account on a desktop computer at home or the public library as often as possible (daily, preferred). Our final math fact test (given system-wide to all second grade students) is rapidly approaching and practicing facts to maintain speed and accuracy is extremely important. Thank you!
In Miss Varrell's reading group we we have completed our month-long unit on reading, comprehending and summarizing nonfiction books. We focused our reading on amphibians (and reptiles). Because of our analysis we knew a lot about these fabulous animals before we began learning about them in science class! It's amazing what you can learn when you can read. :) Also, the children have been making super posts and comments on their kidblogs during center time. The blogs are beginning to show better keyboarding skills as well as writing stamina and thoughtful reflection of literature. Miss Varrell is very proud!
In writing/social studies, over the past few weeks we have focused our energy on note-taking and 'translating' notes into sentences to publish a research document. We used our writing skills in the multicultural project developed by Mrs.D'Elia and Mr. Callahan to tie some of our social studies and English language arts standards together. Several children completed the project today and will soon have their e-books published online for all to see. We will continue to publish the remaining e-books next Wednesday. Thank you Mrs. D'Elia and Mr. Callahan!
In science we have begun our animal unit where we will be learning about amphibians, reptiles and insects. Our unit will take several weeks, but we have made a good start with amphibians. Over the past two weeks we had several animal visitors from the amphibian family: a toad, a frog and two salamanders! Ms. Pavlicek and the fabulous Burlington Science Center has enabled us to experience these wonderful animals in our classroom and we look forward to meeting some reptiles soon!
In addition to working on our animal unit in class, we will be visiting the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield, MA on Friday, May 17 as our final second grade field trip. We will be focusing on the habitats of insects: field, woods, and pond. More information about the field trip will be sent home next week.
Weekend Challenge Activity: Find the name of 2 animals from each family we are studying (2 amphibians, 2 reptiles, 2 insects) that can be found in Burlington! Make a poster entitled Burlington Animals and draw the animals with their corresponding labels on your poster. We will hang the posters in the room on Monday!
F.Y.I.
- All of the Peace T-shirts were sent home this week. Thank you for all your support with this special charity endeavor. Your generosity was overwhelming. The total money raised by our T-shirts was $375.00. Thank you to all!
- Happy Mother's Day to all our moms, aunties and grandmothers!
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