Classroom Updates

Check out what we've been learning about in second grade!

Math: The kids have learned how to use an open number line and hundred chart to subtract two digit numbers. We are now learning a new strategy, regrouping.  This strategy takes practice!  The poem below is in front of your child's green folder.  It is a great resource to use when doing homework. Ask your child to tell you how they know when to regroup.

In reading we are reading folktales.  See if your child can tell you some of the ingredients of a folktale.  We've read, Little Red Riding Hood, Stone Soup, and The Little Red Hen.  Have your child retell his/her favorite to you.  Next week we will begin reading different versions of The Three Little Pigs.  

In writing, we are learning great writer's make sure they show how their characters are feeling not just tell how they are feeling.  This is called, "Show don't tell."  Check out our Show Don't Tell Posters.  We will be working on adding "show don't tells" to our narrative writing.

The Museum of Science will be visiting second grade next Tuesday.  They will teaching second graders about matter.  Stay tuned for some photos and videos from their presentation.  

Second Grade Update

We've been very busy in second grade.

In reading we have been working on asking and answering questions as well as retelling fiction stories.  Having your child orally retell fiction books at home will help to strengthen retelling skills.
They are very familiar with the "Somebody, wanted, but, so, then" retelling strategy.
Be sure to look out for some samples of your child's reading work in his/her red work portfolio.  We are now switching our focus to nonfiction texts.  Ask your child to share some features found in nonfiction texts.


In math we are working on adding numbers to 100.  The kids were introduced to regrouping this week. Ask them to teach you how to regroup.  We will continue to practice this strategy throughout the year as it's tricky!  It is VERY important your child practices his/her math facts, this will make adding two digit numbers easier!

In writing we've been working on ways writers hook in their readers.  Ask your child to tell you the four ways to "hook in" their readers.    Next week we will work on a narrative piece about a reindeer.  Stay tuned to see the kids final product.

In science we've been talking about how wind and water can cause changes on earth.  The kids will investigate these changes in the STEM Lab.  Ask your child to tell you what they learned!

Our new friend Joseph Jackpot (JJ for short) has been growing!   He now has front and back legs!

Photo Update

Check out what's been going on in our classroom!  Ask your child about Go Noodle, our Holiday Chill Out, our helper Sophie, and the "show don't tell" pictures they made!

What's new in the classroom?

We've been very busy in second grade!!   In reading we are learning that nonfiction books have text features.  These text features help to give us information about the topic we are reading about.  Ask your child to share some features!  Throughout our nonfiction unit we've been reading about owls and then writing facts we've learned  in our owl journals.

In math, we just finished up topic 3 on addition strategies to 100.  The kids took their first online assessment.  You can view your child's progress by logging into enVision with their username and password that was sent home.  Online assessments take a lot of practice as the kids have to learn how to actually take a test on the computer.  These assessments are only a snapshot of your child's understanding of concepts.  Performance on daily lessons also helps to get a more comprehensive picture.

In writing we've been learning that narratives start with great beginnings that "hook" the reader into their stories.  Can your child tell you about the ways we've been hooking the reader in?  Ask them about action, dialogue, question/thought and onomatopoeia. Check out our amazing hooks below:

We've been busy traveling the world to learn the locations and names of the 7 continents and 5 oceans.  We've used an app called Earth 3-D to locate the continents and oceans, played Travel The World, and are now making our own world maps.  Have your child locate these places on an world map or globe.  You can also have them click on the Sheppard Software link and play the world games.

Here are some recent photos!

Halloween Photos