Science
Our scientists have been very busy this past week. We made the final observations on our plant cuttings. We harvested seeds from our brassica seed pods and talked about the life cycle of a plant. Next week we will be reviewing for our end of the unit assessment by completing a study guide together. Look for the study guide to come home with your child next week. Please use this to study for our New Plants test which will be Tuesday, January 31st.
Social Studies
This week in Social Studies we took our Unit 2 test. We reviewed map skills prior to this and then answered questions on the test about the uses of maps, the importance of using a map and human and natural features of land. I was very impressed with how well the second graders did on this assessment! They are wonderful cartographers! Please look for their test in next week’s Friday Packet.
Math Workshop
Math, math and more math! This week, our mathematicians were introduced to division. We had a division party and divided manipulatives equally to each party member. We also reviewed and took the Benchmark Assessment; the Benchmark Progress Report will come home with your child later next week. Most students did a super job! Our week ended with our Unit 6 assessment and we had a fun Friday filled with math games!
Reader’s Workshop
This week in Workshop, your child practiced their prereading strategies with the “just right” books that they shopped for earlier in the week. Students also reviewed and practiced the importance of being “Wow” readers during independent and partner reading. My time was spent continuing the reading assessments. I’m very impressed with the progress that they have made as readers this year. I will continue with the assessments next week.
Writer’s Workshop
Our writers spent most of the week selecting a seed idea (blowing out candles on their birthday cake) from their watermelon story ideas (my 6th birthday) and using a graphic organizer to s-t-r-e-t-c-h their seed idea into a personal narrative. Next, we used a storyboard to sketch a detailed drawing of the beginning, middle and end of their seed idea (making sure that they stuck to one moment). This concept proved to be difficult for some of our second graders. They needed to be reminded to stick to one small moment.
Word Study
This week in Word Study we did several things! First we took a look at contractions once more. We reviewed the rule for making contractions and then we played a concentration game where the kids had to match the two words with their contraction. Then we looked at similar patterns in words- the same beginnings or endings! Last we took a look at consonant digraphs and did a sort for words with -sh, -ch, -th and -wh.
Winter Month Expectations
The winter months are very important to academic growth, so please make sure that your child is getting to bed on time and reading every day. These are often the months when we see your child’s reading and writing skills really “take-off”!
Expectations are higher for second graders as we approach the second half of the year. For example, your child should be putting capitals at the beginning of sentences along with the correct punctuation at the end. Basic sight words should be spelled correctly and your child should be forming their letters correctly. Do they know their basic addition and subtraction facts?
My expectations for quality work and social skills have also increased. I know your child pretty well by know and know what they are capable of in order to produce their “personal best”. I also know that they are all capable of being respectful listeners.
I ask for your support in encouraging these higher expectations for your child and practicing with them at home.
Special News/Reminders:
· Friday, January 20th - End of 2nd marking period
· Thursday, February 2nd- Report cards available on line
· Friday, February 3rd- Milk carton prepped and returned to school
· Saturday, February 4th- Dublin PTA All Day Crop Fundraiser-10:00 am – 8:00 pm (Doors will open at 9:30 am)
· Tuesday, February 14th- Valentine’s Party from 2:30-3:30.
· February – Outdoor Center Fieldtrip money ($10) and permission slip due. Also don’t forget to bring in a fuzzy sock!
· February 20th- 24th- Mid-Winter Break: NO SCHOOL
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