Writing: Second grade writers have been working hard on making a plan before writing. We learned about several different strategies to plan such as drawing pictures first, telling the story across your fingers, as well as using a graphic organizer such as a topic umbrella. Right now, we are working on writing as much as possible and there is no specific genre that we are writing. Just like reading, we are building our writing stamina. Our independent writing time has built up to 15 minutes.
Math: In math we have been focusing on building routines around math workshop. Math workshop includes a lesson, independent work time, followed by a math choice such as a game with a partner. As second graders continue to build independence with math workshop, I will soon be able to begin pulling small math groups. During this time, I’ll be able to provide more individualized math instruction to students in order to meet their needs whether that involves reviewing concepts or extending math thinking in a challenging way. We are continuing to review the most essential math skills from first grade. This includes adding and subtracting on the number line, adding and subtracting multiples of ten, and using base 10 blocks to show place value.
Fundations: We have been working on an assessment on first grade trick words. These are commonly used words that cannot be sounded out and must be memorized. I will use this list of words as well as the second grade list of words to provide weekly practiced on trick words that is individualized to the words that your child needs to master. Trick words will be practiced during morning work time each day.
Science: Our first science unit is Trees. We learned how to sketch like a scientist by paying attention to small details and adding words/labels to our sketches. We also observed trees around our school.
Conversation Starters:
What is the five finger rule for reading a just right book?
What is 45 + 10? 67 + 10? 28 + 10? What is your strategy for adding 10? Can you add 30 to each of those numbers?
What story are you working on in writer’s workshop? What could you write about next week?
Dates to Remember:
9/19 No School
9/25 Second Grade Curriculum Night 6:30 PM (Adults only please!)