Friday, October 26th

It’s been another fun-filled week in Second Grade! You can feel a definite buzz in the air as anticipation builds for Halloween next week! Mix that with these summer-like temperatures and the energy is high amongst our kiddoes.

Reader’s Workshop

In Workshop this week our Readers’ learned about noise levels that are good for all readers. We talked about and modeled “library” voices emphasizing that different times in Reader’s Workshop call for different noise levels (independent reading vs. partner reading vs. whole group share vs. reading groups! Then we spent time talking about ways to give kind reminders for noisy or distracting behaviors. Next we moved onto learning about Reading Conferences. Similar to the conferences we have been having in Writer’s Workshop, students learned about my expectations for Conference Time when I am working with them as well as what they need to do when I am not working with them.

Writer’s Workshop

In our Poetry Unit this week we continued looking at different literary elements of poetry by learning about onomatopoeia’s (ask your writer what that means). Then we reviewed using sensory features to add detail to our poetry. It’s been great to see all of the progress our writers’ have made with their poetry. Share Time is a hot-ticket time in our classroom as they ALL want to share their work. There’s nothing better than seeing enthusiasm and pride in a child’s eye!

Math Workshop

This week in Math Workshop we have done a multitude of things! Each child made their own clock and we have spent a lot of time reviewing the different between the minute and the hour hand, practiced making specific times and then practiced figuring out the times on our clocks. Having a handheld clock that each child can use helps tremendously as they can use the clock to manipulate and count the minutes! We also did a fun data project this week counting the number of pockets on our clothing. We counted our pockets and then found the median (middle value) of our set of data. For our class, the median number was 4 pockets. While some students had no pockets, one in our class had eight pockets! We used the end of the week to review for our upcoming Math Benchmark on Monday! Please make sure you are reviewing the Study Guide packet WITH your child!!

We spent a lot of time this week reviewing for our upcoming Benchmark Assessment up on the big screen, on white boards, at the easel... You name the resource, we used it!

Word Study

In  Word Study this week we began the week by making connections between familiar words and new words by using the beginning of a word. For instance, if you know the word stop, you can take the “st” from stop and figure out many other words that start with “st”. Students completed “word ladders” using different similar beginning consonants and consonant clusters. Next we did a sort using consonants and consonant clusters. We talked about how as a reader, you should hear/pronounce every letter in a consonant cluster. Last we played a “Lotto” game using words with a “vowel + r” pattern.

We also continued working on Word Wall work stations this week, practicing our "No-Excuse" words in fun and exciting ways!

 

 Social Studies

Maps, maps and more maps!! Our students have been introduced to SEVERAL different types and uses for maps this week. We did map stations where our students got to explore with a variety of different types of maps from several locations across the country. We explored globes and noticed when they showed “relief” (also known as land elevation). We talked about the features of a map (compass rose, key, symbols, colors, labels) and we wrote about the many different uses of maps. We also watched a short video that helped to show different uses of maps in real life. Everyone is VERY excited about the new map station in our classroom and the option to “read” maps during extra time that they may have.

 Our Special Guest...
If you didn't hear, we had a special guest in 204 this week... Spike the Praying Mantis came all the way from Mrs. Weckstein's house in Novi to spend the day in our classroom. We made him a habitat, learned facts about the praying mantis and even got to name him! He was very well behaved except for a minor incident with Mrs. W's finger! (Good news, no blood!) This is a picture the following morning after he was released... he seems to like Mrs. Weckstein's house!

  
Technology!!
This week we started rotations for our 2 iPads and 4 iPod Touch! The Weckies were eager to explore new math, reading and writing games on the equipment with a partner or independently!

Important Dates/Reminders:

-Monday, October 29^th-  Quarter 1 Math Benchmark

-Wednesday, October 31^st – Halloween Parade @ 2:30pm followed by our classroom party at approximately 3:00pm.

Have a fantastic, fall-like weekend! After the mild weather this past week, I think we’re all going to be bundled up this weekend!  :-) Mrs. Weckstein