Writing: We have been hard at work getting our small moment stories ready for our writing celebration next week. Second graders worked with their writing partners to give and receive feedback about how to improve their stories. We have been working to write a final copy of our small moment stories and are so excited to share them with families next Thursday!
Math: In math we’ve been using the material of base 10 blocks to add and subtract numbers. Many of these problems have regrouping meaning a ten needs to be traded for ten ones or vice versa. Using the hands-on approach of solving with base ten blocks and then moving on to using just a visual/drawing of the base 10 blocks helps second graders to get ready for solving multi-digit addition and subtraction problems later in the year. Second graders continue to enjoy making daily math choices that review essential second grade skills as well as reinforce skills that we are currently working on.
Science: Second graders shared the results of their science experiment on leaves and we learned that the leaves have the job of taking in air and sunlight. We learned about photosynthesis and that this is the process that leaves use to make food for the rest of the tree. Second graders made models of trees that went home this past week (there are photos of all of our trees below). Finally, we have begun a project to wrap up our unit in which second graders will study one type of tree.
Second Step: We have spent a lot of time both during our designated time for our social curriculum and throughout each school day talking about the zones of regulation. This may be familiar to you if your child attended first grade at Newman as we connected the zones to the movie Inside Out. Here is a visual of the zones.
Each second grader created a zones toolkit, which contains self selected strategies for getting back to the green zone. These strategies have been helpful for many second graders so that we can stay in the green zone and be ready to learn!
Conversation Starters:
What strategy has been most helpful for you when you are in the red or yellow zone?
Who sits with you at your new table spot?
How do you know when you need to regroup/trade when you’re using base 10 blocks?
Dates to Remember
Tuesday 11/7: Food Pantry Field Trip
Thursday 11/9 9 AM: Writing Celebration in the Cafeteria!
Friday 11/10: No School