A Fun Week

We have had a great week thus far in Room 16! Here is what we've been up to...

Science:We have learned that matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. The three types of matter are: solids, liquids, and gases. This week we explored various solids, both soft and hard, and determined that solids keep their own shape and their own size. Unlike solids, liquids form to the shape of their container. Solids can be thin like milk, or thick like honey. Today we did an experiment where we poured water into various vases. We observed how the water took the shape of the vase it was poured in. To prove a point, I even poured water out of the vase on to our tiled floor to show how when water is not in a container, it takes no shape. The students loved it!

Writing:
In writing we have been working on personal narratives. In order to organize their writing, I taught students the strategy of brainstorming about their story using time line. As an example, I told them about when I was dunked at the Sharon Timlin Road Race. I thought out loud as I created a time line with the details that occurred in order during that event. By creating a time line prior to writing a story, students are able to better organize their thoughts and add more descriptive details.

Reading:
In reading our main selection was called, "Meet Rosina." It was about a deaf girl, so we had many discussions about disabilities, and I was very impressed with the students prior knowledge. Many of them were able to make great connections to "Meet Rosina," as well as the story they read in their small reading group. Tomorrow they will be learning how to sign their name using sign language- be sure to ask your child to show you when they get home from school tomorrow! We also continued to work on being able to identify the main idea of the story, as well as the supporting details. This continues to be a developing skill for children; while reading at home with your child try to discuss the main idea of the story you're reading together. Working on skills at home as well as in school makes a big difference!

We also learned about TTQA this week. TTQA stands for "turn the question around." We practice this skill throughout second grade when we respond questions about stories we read. The reason I emphasize TTQA so much is because it makes for stronger answers. An example of turning the question around would be: "What's your favorite color?" "My favorite color is red."

Phonics:
Our phonics rule this week was "long/short i." So far, we've read stories and poems about long/short i and even wrote poetry ourselves! Additionally we've done word sorts and fun, interactive games on the Smartboard.

Grammar:
In grammar this week, we learned about predicates. Students now know that in order to be a complete sentence, a sentence must have a subject and predicate, or in second grade terms, a "who" and a "do." Today we did a fun activity where students either received a card with a subject on it or a card with a predicate on it. They then matched up with a classmate who had an opposite card and together created a sentence. Some of the sentences were really silly, but the point I was trying to make was that even if a sentence is totally silly, if it has a subject and a predicate, it is a complete sentence.

Math:
We are wrapping up Unit 2 in math. This week we practiced frames and arrows, name collection boxes,  and function machines. They practiced many of these skills by working collaboratively with their tables and then presenting to the class. They did a great job! We will be tested on these skills Wednesday of next week.

Other Business...
Please be sure to send back your conference reminder form, as well as the Unit 1 Math Test. Thank you!