We did some tree rubbings and leaf rubbings today. It was so fun! This happened after guided reading groups. During the guided reading groups, children worked hard too! We practiced in our fluency folders or read to ourselves.
We filmed the I Pick Rap today. I will work on getting that video on the blog as soon as possible. In writing, we talked about completed sentences. We classified groups of words into either sentences or not sentences.
We played Be a Mind Reader in word work. In math, we worked on the Make a Ten strategy for addition. We used tens frames and number bonds.
Don't forget Black and Yellow tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Monday
This morning, we used Cuisenaire Rods to learn our doubles plus one facts. This was really a visual way to represent what a doubles plus one fact actually is. For example, if we know 5 + 5 = 10, then we know 5 +6 = 11 because 6 is one more than 5 and 11 is one more than 10. We will keep working on this concept as we tackle 3 digit addition.
We made black and yellow chains for our 3B's parade on Wednesday. Please remind your child to wear black and yellow for this. Thank you!
In writing, we wrote about our weekends using the 5 Finger Planner. Some children even finished both the planning and the writing. During word work, we talked about short vowel sounds in the words: got, stop, ran, want, hid. These are the word wall words for the week.
This afternoon, we started reading groups. If children did not work with an adult today, they were book shopping, making their paper chains, and/or reading to themselves.
Homework went home today. Let me know if you have any questions!
We made black and yellow chains for our 3B's parade on Wednesday. Please remind your child to wear black and yellow for this. Thank you!
In writing, we wrote about our weekends using the 5 Finger Planner. Some children even finished both the planning and the writing. During word work, we talked about short vowel sounds in the words: got, stop, ran, want, hid. These are the word wall words for the week.
This afternoon, we started reading groups. If children did not work with an adult today, they were book shopping, making their paper chains, and/or reading to themselves.
Homework went home today. Let me know if you have any questions!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Thursday
Please remember that today is Friday for the kiddos. We are meeting as teachers tomorrow, but there is no school for the students.
It was a bit of a different type of day. We had morning meeting first thing and then word work. I assessed them on the 20 review words on which we have been working. We had Mrs. Kleiner came in to talk about how we deal with anger. Students brought home a drawing they completed as part of her class. In math, we used Cuisenaire Rods to think about the double numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. This activity spilled over to the afternoon as well.
The rest of the afternoon, we took the STAR assessment in reading. Students worked hard and should feel proud!
I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
It was a bit of a different type of day. We had morning meeting first thing and then word work. I assessed them on the 20 review words on which we have been working. We had Mrs. Kleiner came in to talk about how we deal with anger. Students brought home a drawing they completed as part of her class. In math, we used Cuisenaire Rods to think about the double numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. This activity spilled over to the afternoon as well.
The rest of the afternoon, we took the STAR assessment in reading. Students worked hard and should feel proud!
I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Wednesday
We had STAR testing today in the computer lab. It was the math test today and we have the reading test tomorrow. Your children worked really hard and did a fabulous job!
We read 2 Kevin Henkes' books today: Owen and Sheila Rae, the Brave. Tomorrow we will vote for our favorite!
In math, Mrs. Jones did some fun activities with the Hundreds board. Ask your child if he/she knows the sum of the digits in a two digit number.... for example the sum of the digits of 52 is 7.
In word work, students were mind readers! Ask them what that means! We finished up Weekend News and had a lot of friends share their writing today.
We read 2 Kevin Henkes' books today: Owen and Sheila Rae, the Brave. Tomorrow we will vote for our favorite!
In math, Mrs. Jones did some fun activities with the Hundreds board. Ask your child if he/she knows the sum of the digits in a two digit number.... for example the sum of the digits of 52 is 7.
In word work, students were mind readers! Ask them what that means! We finished up Weekend News and had a lot of friends share their writing today.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Tuesday
We have increased our stamina for read to self up to 3 minutes! This is great news! I know that doesn't seem like a lot of time, but it is important for students to practice correct reading behaviors from the start. If a child is off task in any way, we stop (not singling out that child of course) and review proper behaviors. I talk about building stamina in reading like building stamina for running a marathon. We start slowly and train correctly.
I did a comparison with shoes today with picking good fit books. Ask your child about that. Mrs. Patterson came in today to talk about empathy. Some friends went to the library today. In writing workshop, we wrote Weekend News based on yesterday's 5 Finger Planner. We discussed homophones today (words that sound the same but are spelled differently). Our focus mainly are our/are; here/hear; there/their; where/wear.
In math, we began talking about addition strategies and reviewed different areas of place value.
I did a comparison with shoes today with picking good fit books. Ask your child about that. Mrs. Patterson came in today to talk about empathy. Some friends went to the library today. In writing workshop, we wrote Weekend News based on yesterday's 5 Finger Planner. We discussed homophones today (words that sound the same but are spelled differently). Our focus mainly are our/are; here/hear; there/their; where/wear.
In math, we began talking about addition strategies and reviewed different areas of place value.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Monday
Busy, busy, busy! I hope you find the brief newsletters helpful. I try to highlight what is happening each week for you. I figure you can get the big picture and then come here for the details. Hope that is working for you. Check out the new design. I'm trying to embed a calendar, but it's a bit clunky. I'll keep working on it so you have a reference of important events to come.
In math, we took a place value test. I will look forward to looking at these tonight to see if we need more time on this topic. After Morning Meeting and snack, we did our portfolios. Students wrote about the 5 items they brought in for their Me Bags as well as picking an assignment from last week.
In word work, we reviewed the last 10 words from the first grade list. In writing, we planned our "Weekend News" and will write that tomorrow. I read a book called Meanwhile...and we discussed temporal words (first, then, next, after, finally).
We read The Year of Billy Miller and then did a shared reading on the September poem from the book Chicken Soup with Rice (FUN!). We reviewed rhyming words.
Finally, in reading, we sang a rap song (I Pick). We will video this after more practice. It's a catchy one. Also, we began building our stamina for Read to Self.
Homework this week is to memorize their password (student identification number) and do a math sheet with place value. Don't forget to keep reading and recording on that reading log! I'll collect those next week.
In math, we took a place value test. I will look forward to looking at these tonight to see if we need more time on this topic. After Morning Meeting and snack, we did our portfolios. Students wrote about the 5 items they brought in for their Me Bags as well as picking an assignment from last week.
In word work, we reviewed the last 10 words from the first grade list. In writing, we planned our "Weekend News" and will write that tomorrow. I read a book called Meanwhile...and we discussed temporal words (first, then, next, after, finally).
We read The Year of Billy Miller and then did a shared reading on the September poem from the book Chicken Soup with Rice (FUN!). We reviewed rhyming words.
Finally, in reading, we sang a rap song (I Pick). We will video this after more practice. It's a catchy one. Also, we began building our stamina for Read to Self.
Homework this week is to memorize their password (student identification number) and do a math sheet with place value. Don't forget to keep reading and recording on that reading log! I'll collect those next week.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Friday
We went to the library this afternoon and learned about how to pick Just Right/Good Fit books for ourselves. Students had the opportunity to choose a book from the library for their book boxes. We will continue this conversation next week as this is a difficult skill for many. We filled our book boxes in the classroom with Just Right books as well. This is something we will do once a week. Again, it is a learning process as make decisions about the books that we can read independently,
In math, we worked with the concept of 10 more, 10 less, 1 more, 1 less, 100 more, 100 less than a number. This rounds out our study of place value for now. I will assess students on Monday and we will move on to addition with regrouping!
In writing today, we brainstormed topics that we could write about in our writers' notebooks. During word work, students did another activity about contractions. We ended our day with Ketchup Time (work in our table folders).
In math, we worked with the concept of 10 more, 10 less, 1 more, 1 less, 100 more, 100 less than a number. This rounds out our study of place value for now. I will assess students on Monday and we will move on to addition with regrouping!
In writing today, we brainstormed topics that we could write about in our writers' notebooks. During word work, students did another activity about contractions. We ended our day with Ketchup Time (work in our table folders).
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Thursday
Today was another busy day in 2F! We did a lot of work with ordering and comparing 3 digit numbers. We were able to move around and order some numbers. Then we did a workbook page about this topic. After art, we had snack and a movement break outside. Mrs. Kleiner came in to do a lesson about cause and effect. Next, we had morning meeting and talked about our birthday graph. Students then wrote data statements about the graph for writing workshop.
This afternoon, we did a sorting activity with contractions. We also read another Kevin Henkes book: Chester's Way. Next, we did an activity about identifying the beginning, middle and end of a story. We did read a chapter from The Year of Billy Miller as well.
This afternoon, we did a sorting activity with contractions. We also read another Kevin Henkes book: Chester's Way. Next, we did an activity about identifying the beginning, middle and end of a story. We did read a chapter from The Year of Billy Miller as well.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Wednesday
Mrs. Jones came in during math class today and did some activities with the hundreds board. We counted by 10's (forward and back) and by 1's (forward and back). We also talked a bit about ordering 3 three digit numbers and how to write that in a sentence. For example, 299 is greater than (insert symbol here) 108 is greater than 99. We did a monthly math assessment too on computation.
Today is Constitution Day! We learned what the Constitution is and even watched School House Rock. Students colored a book with information about the Constitution in it. Then, students signed the 3B's Constitution for our classroom.
In word work, we learned about contractions. Students played a game called Cloudy Contractions. It was challenging at first, but we were able to spend some time on it after lunch to understand it more. For writing workshop, we worked on a page for a class book about our names. We used the information you sent in from the homework about how kiddos got their names. I loved reading those tidbits! We ended with something we learned today.
Today is Constitution Day! We learned what the Constitution is and even watched School House Rock. Students colored a book with information about the Constitution in it. Then, students signed the 3B's Constitution for our classroom.
In word work, we learned about contractions. Students played a game called Cloudy Contractions. It was challenging at first, but we were able to spend some time on it after lunch to understand it more. For writing workshop, we worked on a page for a class book about our names. We used the information you sent in from the homework about how kiddos got their names. I loved reading those tidbits! We ended with something we learned today.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Monday
Please remember that order forms for T-shirts for the artist in residence are due tomorrow.
New homework came home today. Let me know if you have any questions.
We had a blast today sharing our "Me Bags"! We took each person's items out one at a time and tried to guess whose bag was whose. Then, students explained a little about themselves based on the items in the bags. It was so fun. I have taken a picture of each child with his/her items for their portfolios. At the end of our day at closing circle, students shared one thing they learned about a classmate from the items in the bags. It was so fun!
In math, we reviewed greater than and less than and how to compare 3 digit numbers. We learned a new way to draw the greater than and less than symbols using dots... ask your child!
Another exciting thing that we did today was pick the first assignment that went in our portfolios! All of the rest of the work came home today. I will do this on a weekly basis (usually Fridays) so you will see all of the weekly work coming home on Fridays after your child has chosen one item for his/her portfolio. Students reflected on why this item will go into the portfolio (something he/she is proud of, worked hard on, learned something from, enjoyed, etc.) in writing which is in the portfolio as well.
In writing today, we began a weekly assignment called Weekend News. I asked your child to pick one thing that he/she did this weekend about which to write. We planned our writing today on a 5 Finger Planner. We will turn this brainstorm sheet into sentences tomorrow.
For word work, we are focusing on 5 words: don't, her, here, how, mother. This afternoon, we learned about the third way to read a book which is by retelling it.
New homework came home today. Let me know if you have any questions.
We had a blast today sharing our "Me Bags"! We took each person's items out one at a time and tried to guess whose bag was whose. Then, students explained a little about themselves based on the items in the bags. It was so fun. I have taken a picture of each child with his/her items for their portfolios. At the end of our day at closing circle, students shared one thing they learned about a classmate from the items in the bags. It was so fun!
In math, we reviewed greater than and less than and how to compare 3 digit numbers. We learned a new way to draw the greater than and less than symbols using dots... ask your child!
Another exciting thing that we did today was pick the first assignment that went in our portfolios! All of the rest of the work came home today. I will do this on a weekly basis (usually Fridays) so you will see all of the weekly work coming home on Fridays after your child has chosen one item for his/her portfolio. Students reflected on why this item will go into the portfolio (something he/she is proud of, worked hard on, learned something from, enjoyed, etc.) in writing which is in the portfolio as well.
In writing today, we began a weekly assignment called Weekend News. I asked your child to pick one thing that he/she did this weekend about which to write. We planned our writing today on a 5 Finger Planner. We will turn this brainstorm sheet into sentences tomorrow.
For word work, we are focusing on 5 words: don't, her, here, how, mother. This afternoon, we learned about the third way to read a book which is by retelling it.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Friday
Happy Friday! We made it through a 5 day week! In math, we did the workbook pages that go with the lesson that I did yesterday about standard form, expanded form and word form. We also made numbers by having digits and standing up in front of the class.
After PE and snack, we went outside for a movement break. We had morning meeting where we counted by 10's starting at 11. We made it all the way to 201! In writing, I read a book about a famous author who had struggles with writing in her early years. We talked about how writing is hard work but very rewarding at the same time. In word work we read/sang "I Went to the Animal Fair" and identified rhyming words.
This afternoon, we began our unit on trees! We read a very informative book and talked a lot about trees and what they give us and how good they are! Students made a flip book with the parts of a tree: the crown, the trunk and the roots. Mrs. Crouch came to read us a book about math too.
One very important paper went home today about the Artist in Residence program. To go with the program, students are being offered T-shirts to wear for the actual photograph. The order forms for these shirts are due by Tuesday so there is bit of a rush order on that. Let me know if you have any questions. Mr. Chamberlin sent an email out about this sometime during the week.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
After PE and snack, we went outside for a movement break. We had morning meeting where we counted by 10's starting at 11. We made it all the way to 201! In writing, I read a book about a famous author who had struggles with writing in her early years. We talked about how writing is hard work but very rewarding at the same time. In word work we read/sang "I Went to the Animal Fair" and identified rhyming words.
This afternoon, we began our unit on trees! We read a very informative book and talked a lot about trees and what they give us and how good they are! Students made a flip book with the parts of a tree: the crown, the trunk and the roots. Mrs. Crouch came to read us a book about math too.
One very important paper went home today about the Artist in Residence program. To go with the program, students are being offered T-shirts to wear for the actual photograph. The order forms for these shirts are due by Tuesday so there is bit of a rush order on that. Let me know if you have any questions. Mr. Chamberlin sent an email out about this sometime during the week.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Thursday
It was so nice to see so many of you at Open House last night! Most of you signed up for a parent conference but if you didn't get a chance, please let me know.
In math, we learned how to write numbers in standard form, word form and expanded form. Expanded form is the one we are most proud of! If the number has 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 4 ones, the standard form is 324; the word form is three hundred twenty four; and the expanded form is 300 + 20 + 4.
We did not go outside this morning for a movement break because it was raining. Instead, we had choice time inside. Then, Mrs. Kleiner did a lesson for Second Step. After that, in word work, we worked on syllables with word wall words. Some friends shared during writing workshop.
After lunch and recess, we read aloud and did a reading lesson. We worked on 2 ways to read a book. One way is by reading pictures and the other way is by reading words. I modeled this with Lily's Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes and students practiced with their own stories.
At closing circle, we talked about what we were most proud of for today. It was a great day!
In math, we learned how to write numbers in standard form, word form and expanded form. Expanded form is the one we are most proud of! If the number has 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 4 ones, the standard form is 324; the word form is three hundred twenty four; and the expanded form is 300 + 20 + 4.
We did not go outside this morning for a movement break because it was raining. Instead, we had choice time inside. Then, Mrs. Kleiner did a lesson for Second Step. After that, in word work, we worked on syllables with word wall words. Some friends shared during writing workshop.
After lunch and recess, we read aloud and did a reading lesson. We worked on 2 ways to read a book. One way is by reading pictures and the other way is by reading words. I modeled this with Lily's Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes and students practiced with their own stories.
At closing circle, we talked about what we were most proud of for today. It was a great day!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Wednesday
Tonight is Open House! See you at 6:30. The children have worked hard getting ready to show you our classroom. They are very excited. I will have a conference sheet on my table for you to sign for a time in October.
In math, we finished the workbook pages from yesterday. These were a bit tricky! In writing we did a sheet called Writing Bingo... ask your child!
For word work, we are working with those review words. Finally, for reading we read aloud, did a lesson about conflict and characters' responses to conflict and we did some stations as well.
In math, we finished the workbook pages from yesterday. These were a bit tricky! In writing we did a sheet called Writing Bingo... ask your child!
For word work, we are working with those review words. Finally, for reading we read aloud, did a lesson about conflict and characters' responses to conflict and we did some stations as well.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Tuesday
First thing today, we had math where we talked about place value. Students are learning how to count by 10's and 100's with numbers like 398 and 402 etc. We build with blocks to show that as soon as we have 10 of one kind of block, we need to trade for the next size block. This is the beginning of regrouping! It's very exciting to see those light bulbs going off as they show understanding!
After PE, snack and a movement break we signed our class rules which we came up with yesterday. You will see them tomorrow night at Open House. We read 2 picture books today: Officer Buckle and Gloria and The Best Story. The second book was a springboard for conversation about what we can write about. Then we launched our writing workshop where students wrote about topics of their choice! I modeled by giving them ideas of what I would write. They had time to talk before writing and then we took out our writer's notebooks. We had time for a few shares before lunch.
In the afternoon, we read our chapter book and then read a poem called "My Good Ol' Backpack". We picked out the rhyming words from this poem and talked about apostrophes. Finally, we did some stations today: fluency folders, multi-link cubes, and portfolio papers.
We ended our day with Cooseeki, a game we play where one student has to guess the secret leader.
Open House is tomorrow night: 6:30. I hope to see you!
After PE, snack and a movement break we signed our class rules which we came up with yesterday. You will see them tomorrow night at Open House. We read 2 picture books today: Officer Buckle and Gloria and The Best Story. The second book was a springboard for conversation about what we can write about. Then we launched our writing workshop where students wrote about topics of their choice! I modeled by giving them ideas of what I would write. They had time to talk before writing and then we took out our writer's notebooks. We had time for a few shares before lunch.
In the afternoon, we read our chapter book and then read a poem called "My Good Ol' Backpack". We picked out the rhyming words from this poem and talked about apostrophes. Finally, we did some stations today: fluency folders, multi-link cubes, and portfolio papers.
We ended our day with Cooseeki, a game we play where one student has to guess the secret leader.
Open House is tomorrow night: 6:30. I hope to see you!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Monday
We had a busy day in 2F! There are no specials on Mondays so we have a lot going on. Math is how we start the day. We are working with place value in chapter one of the Math in Focus program. Students are building numbers with base ten blocks and are working on counting by ones, tens and hundreds! We also count during Morning Meeting as well.
After our Morning Meeting and snack we went outside for a movement break. It was so gorgeous out! Next, we came in and finished our Hopes and Dreams for Second Grade on the iPads. Wait until you see them at Open House! Students then shared them and we created class rules based on these goals.
In word work, we cheered 5 words from the review list: after, are, because, before, could. Students wrote them as many times as they could fit on the line.
After lunch, we began a new chapter book by Kevin Henkes. Next we read a poem together about a lunchbox. Finally, during reading, we had "stations": pattern block building, a Wemberly Worried fun pack and Scholastic News. I was able to do a few reading benchmarks while children did this.
No time for closing circle today....maybe tomorrow! Homework went home today. Let me know if you have questions about this!
After our Morning Meeting and snack we went outside for a movement break. It was so gorgeous out! Next, we came in and finished our Hopes and Dreams for Second Grade on the iPads. Wait until you see them at Open House! Students then shared them and we created class rules based on these goals.
In word work, we cheered 5 words from the review list: after, are, because, before, could. Students wrote them as many times as they could fit on the line.
After lunch, we began a new chapter book by Kevin Henkes. Next we read a poem together about a lunchbox. Finally, during reading, we had "stations": pattern block building, a Wemberly Worried fun pack and Scholastic News. I was able to do a few reading benchmarks while children did this.
No time for closing circle today....maybe tomorrow! Homework went home today. Let me know if you have questions about this!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Thursday and Friday
Happy Weekend!
We've had a HOT day in our room today (Friday). The kiddos have been great through this heat wave! Mrs. Cannon came in today and yesterday to do a lesson while I was able to work with some students on the benchmarks for reading. Assessment is a big part of our opening and it's always tricky trying to balance getting them done with fun activities to build classroom community. I also gave students a pretest in math today to see what they remembered from first grade.
We took out the iPads today and used them to produce our Hopes and Dreams for second grade. Not all kiddos got to this, so we will finish on Monday. Yesterday, we had a fire drill. Mrs. Condon came in as well yesterday because I had to take my youngest daughter to the doctor.
Have a wonderful weekend. Homework is due on Monday.
We've had a HOT day in our room today (Friday). The kiddos have been great through this heat wave! Mrs. Cannon came in today and yesterday to do a lesson while I was able to work with some students on the benchmarks for reading. Assessment is a big part of our opening and it's always tricky trying to balance getting them done with fun activities to build classroom community. I also gave students a pretest in math today to see what they remembered from first grade.
We took out the iPads today and used them to produce our Hopes and Dreams for second grade. Not all kiddos got to this, so we will finish on Monday. Yesterday, we had a fire drill. Mrs. Condon came in as well yesterday because I had to take my youngest daughter to the doctor.
Have a wonderful weekend. Homework is due on Monday.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Wednesday
We are doing some great work with Cuisenaire Rods in our class! Students are tagging numbers to colored blocks and making number sentences. Our class is full of excellent mathematicians.... I can tell already!
In writing today, we did a writing benchmark pre-assessment. Students worked really hard! We had library orientation today too. We got to take out 3 books each. To end our day, we did a word work activity with our names.
In writing today, we did a writing benchmark pre-assessment. Students worked really hard! We had library orientation today too. We got to take out 3 books each. To end our day, we did a word work activity with our names.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Tuesday
Today in 2F, we worked with Cuisenaire Rods. We made a staircase and learned that each time you add a white block, it makes a block of a new color. In PE, we ran around and played tag. We stretched and we worked in groups and did a handshake. We went outside for snack recess (movement break). Some people played soccer. We had a mid-morning meeting. Ariana, Anika, Nolan and Morgan all shared today. In word work, we took a word wall pretest. Then we read Chrysanthemum. After lunch we finished the book and talked about where our names came from. We talked about fire drills, lock down drills and how to play at recess. We put together our classroom puzzle. It was so fun! Next, we read a poem called Let's Be Friends to the tune of Three Blind Mice. We had the chance to illustrate it. We ended with Closing Circle. It was a great day!
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