Picture Day

Just a reminder that Monday is school picture day! Make sure your child brings in their form, as well as their best smile!

Busy Wednesday

 There was A LOT of learning going on in Room 16 today!

In Science...
Today we began our study on Matter! We started this exciting unit off by discussing what it means to sort things. We defined sort as, "grouping items according to what they have in common." From there, the students broke off into groups where they worked together to sort buttons. Some of the different ways the buttons were sorted were by: color, shape, size, holes in buttons, and texture of the buttons. Be sure to ask your child how they sorted their buttons!

In Word Work...
We learned about ABC order. ABC order is when you list words in alphabetical order. We practiced listing words on our slate, and then manipulating words into ABC order on the Smartboard. For your child's homework tonight, they are to list their 10 spelling words in ABC order. They know their homework sheet is double sided, so don't let them pull a fast one on you! :o)

In Reading...
We reviewed what a "just right" book is. We know that if we have trouble with over five words on a page, then it is too hard. This is where the "Five Finger Rule" comes in handy! We also reviewed Fiction vs. Non-Fiction. We know that Fiction is "fake" or did not happen, and Non-Fiction is real, or based on facts. I challenged the students to read the opposite genre of what they usually read. Ask your child what they read during Reading Workshop today!

In Math...
We practiced using calculators and skip counting on calculators. Be sure to have your child show you how to do it at home! Additionally we talked about "equivalent numbers." Your child should know that equivalent numbers are numbers that equal the same sum, even though they are not the same (e.g. 4+6, 5+5, 2+8 are all equivalent numbers because they all equal 10!).

As I said, we had QUITE the busy day! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Our First Five Day Week!

We successfully completed our first five day week! In reading, we've been focusing on a lot of important concepts such as: how to choose a just right book, making connections while reading (text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world), asking questions while we read, and forming our own opinions about books. We reviewed the 5 finger rule, which is a great rule that lets us know if a book is too hard. Be sure to ask your child about it! In math, we are currently in our first unit. So far we have talked about number lines, counting coins, and telling time. We've learned three great games (2 of which can be played at home!) called Addition-Top-It, Money Exchange, and Penny Plate. Next week we will talk more about using a number grid and the patterns we find on the number grid.

It was wonderful to meet all of you on Curriculum Night! I know we are all going to have a great year together and I am looking forward to working with you all. THANK YOU so much for your generous donations of books from the Book Fair and from the class wish list. It really does mean so much!

Below you will find pictures of your children working hard in Room 16! What a great place to learn.... :o)

What We've Been Up To...

Here are some pictures of what we've been up to the first few days of school...

First Monday

Library/ Book Fair
It's hard to believe that we just had our first Monday at Elmwood! Today was a very exciting day because we got to visit the library to take out books and we got to visit the Book Fair! Each student was able to take out up to two books, and they will be able to exchange those two books for two new books next Monday. In addition, we visited the Book Fair. If your child did not have money, or did not have enough money, they were able to fill out a book "wish list." They can either bring in money with them tomorrow or Wednesday, or they can give you their wish list and you can purchase books on Curriculum Night.

Rainbow Words
Since there were no written directions on the homework (I explained it before school ended), I wanted to inform you of the homework directions. Your child is to write each spelling work in pencil, and then trace over their words three different times with three different colors. The purpose of this assignment is to reinforce your child's spelling skills, and to have fun while studying!

Spelling Tests

Today your child will be coming home with his/her spelling list for the week. For the first three weeks of school (before our reading program starts), spelling words consist of sight words that we as a second grade team feel your child should know and be able to spell. After the first three weeks, our reading program begins and the spelling words are composed of words that follow the phonics rule we are learning about that week.

All students took a spelling pre-test today. If they spelled the word correctly, it was not given to them as a spelling word to study. Instead, they were given an alternate list to select words from. If they spelled a word incorrectly on their pre-test, it was given to them as a spelling word for the week.

Their initial pre-test, as well as their spelling words for the week were sent home in their red-take home folder. The half-sheet of paper with ten words on it will be their spelling words for the week. They know they are responsible for studying their words this week because they will be tested on Friday. Happy studying! :o)

Another Great Day

Today was another great day in Room 16. I was really impressed with how well the students did with our morning routine. With some guidance, they came right in, hung up their backpacks, handed in paperwork, and got to work on our Before School Work. We did another great getting to know you activity today called, "When The North Wind Blows." The children LOVED it! In addition, we did a class scavenger hunt, which you will find in your child's take-home folder. We also had an all school fire drill. Since we had practiced yesterday, the students knew exactly what to do and exited the school calmly and quietly. Way to go, Room 16!

Next week we will begin to discuss our hopes and dreams for second grade. Once we've established our hopes and dreams, we will be able to generate a list of classroom rules that we will follow so that we can attain our hopes and dreams. I am looking forward to discussing your child's goals for the year with them!

Have a great long weekend! :o)