December 14th and 21st Posts

 

Please return your field trip permission slip and money as soon as possible. Also, bring in Your Gift of Reading book tomorrow. It will mean a lot more if the book comes from YOU than fro me tomorrow for your child!

Parents please check in at the office before going to a classroom or anywhere in the building. Please remember that if you come after 9:00am you will need to call the office to be let into the building. (248)956-3800. Thank you for your support during this time, as you know, your children's safety is our main priority!

 The weather has gotten cold in a short amount of time. Please make sure that your child is dressed for the weather as they will be going outside daily for recess.

 Word Study:

This past week the students noticed parts of a word, which makes it easier for them to break apart the word. We used the word part – -ink and –ing to brainstorm words with these endings. Then the students practiced these words when they played Lotto. We learned that some word patterns have a double consonant at the end and the sound of the vowel is short – bell, yell, sell and sniff, stiff, and cliff. We ended the week by playing Follow the path with our phonics groups. This game taught the children the double vowel rule- when words have a double vowel (like ee) followed by a consonant, the vowel may sound like its name, for example- see, seed, and feet.

This week our students will be talking about seeing and using high frequency words. These words are important because they help us read and write. We’ll finish out the week by learning about antonyms and synonyms. The students will read two poems- Pease Porridge and Jack Sprat, these are excellent examples of antonyms and synonyms. They’ll play Lotto to practice antonyms and synonyms.

 Reader’s Workshop:

Our second grade readers continued learning about the different types of dialogue. We talked more about “continuing dialogue” this is where the author tells you who is talking in the middle of the character words. During reader’s workshop the students had the opportunity to find more dialogue to share with the class. After hearing about a certain book, many children get excited about finding and reading the book the following week, it spiked their interest. The readers are also filling out their reading log, ask your child what has been their favorite book this week. i have also been continuing individual reading assessments. This is a long process, but is showing such tremendous growth by our students! As a result, Reading Groups have met sporatically and for some kids, will be changing after break to show the growth that they have made! If I can urge you to CONTINUE having your child read daily for 15-20 minutes over break, that would be awesome!

 

Writer’s Workshop:

Our Summary unit is still going strong. The Students had the chance to try out their own summary. Before they began we talked about what makes a great summary… not telling too much for each section. The writers could also use “The heart of the author’s message” to complete a summary. It always amazes me the skills of these second grade writers.This week the writers are continuing to write summaries or even edit to make one better. 

Math Workshop:

The mathematicians had the opportunity to identify the names and characteristics of quadrangles- they have 4 sides, 4 corners, and 4 verticals. Working in groups the students used squares and triangles to form various shapes- square, triangle, trapezoid, just to name a few. We used 3-D shapes to find the differences and similarities with the cone and cylinder, and the cone and pyramid. Students discovered that some shapes have a curved surface, a flat surface, a vertex (where 3 edges meet), and an edge. Then we made a class chart comparing the different kinds of pyramids. We followed up this day with a marshmallow and toothpick activity- the kids made a cube, pyramid, and triangular prism. It was easier for the students to count the edges, corners, and sides of each 3-D shape. The week ended by learning about symmetry by using the shapes of a football, leaf, square, and rectangle. Students also had to use their pattern template to complete each shape in their math journal.

This week we started by having our Unit 5 math test. They also had another open response question to try out. We’ll continue to guide the students in answering these questions, as it is very difficult to explain their thinking in the written form.

Moving onto Unit 6- Whole Number Operations and Number Stories

The mathematicians are learning to add three or more numbers together. Students can use the number chart, draw tally marks, mental math, number line, or parts-and-total diagram. Students practiced this skill by playing Three Addends with their math partner. We are also reviewing ballpark and partial sums algorithm, this will continue throughout the year. Students will finish off the week by learning about Comparison number stories involving the difference between two quantities.

Social Studies:

We continued our look into the holidays this past week and week to come in Second Grade! We spent time learning about Hanukkah and even had a chance to play the dreidel game. The kids learned about Kwanzaa and the different meaning behind each of the seven days of the holiday. Lastly we spent time learning about Christmas and worked on our Gingerbread Houses with our Reading Buddies from Mrs. Barry's 4th grade classroom. Thank you to EVERYONE who sent in such generous donations - the room smelled like a candy factory on Thursday, as our students worked and sang along to Christmas Carols with their teachers and a few anonymous parents!

 

Here's the recipe we used last week to make latkes in 204 with Mrs. Weckstein's Mom, Mrs. Phillips:

• 1 package Simply Potatoes® Shredded Hash Browns
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Applesauce or Sour Cream, if desired

1. In large bowl stir together Simply Potatoes, flour and salt. Stir in beaten eggs.

2. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Drop four generous 1/4 cup pancakes of potato mixture into skillet; flatten slightly. Cook each pancake 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown, turning once. Cook remaining pancakes, adding additional oil to skillet if needed. Drain pancakes on paper towel. Serve with applesauce or sour cream if desired

Science:

The botanists continue to observe their grass, brassica, wheat, potato, and garlic. The scientists are always amazed at the growth our plants are making. These young minds are always ready to learn. They noticed the garlic is beginning to have white roots coming from the bottom of the garlic clove. The potato has many roots and continues to grow each day. Students are now being challenged to make a new plant from the stem cutting of a mature plant. We’ll continue to observe these over time. A big thank you to the parents who sent in the plant cuttings!

Making Meaning:

We read the story Chester’s Way. Students are making many inferences to understand characters and their actions. Students talked to their partner how Chester and Wilson changed their opinions toward Lilly. They had to explain their thinking and make inferences from the story.

Mr. Belinsky’s Bagels is this week’s book. Students continue to discuss characters and make inferences about them. They will also continue to explain their thinking in partner and whole class discussions. Students are beginning to understand characters more as they reveal themselves in stories through the things they say, do, and think. We’ll continue to work on this through Reader’s Workshop.

 Important Dates/Reminders:

· Friday, December 21: Holiday Sing Along (2:30-3:00 PM) Cafeteria

· Friday, December 21: Classroom Holiday Parties (3:00-3:45 PM)

· Thursday, January 3: School Resumes

· Friday, January 4: Second Grade field trip to the Walled Lake Outdoor Center- please dress appropriately