I hope you had a fantastic week. It's hard to believe we only have two weeks left until winter break. Below are some of the things happening in our classroom...
During our reading blocks, the kids enjoyed reading Non-fiction texts. We continued to discuss the non-fiction text features (glossary, index, captions, labels, diagrams, heading, etc.) The kids also had the opportunity to begin thinking about main idea and supporting details. This is a concept that is ongoing for second graders and will be discussed several times throughout the year during reading groups with both fiction and non-fiction texts.
We began a VERY exciting writing project as well this week. We received a package from Santa with a "Help Wanted Ad" asking for kids to write a letter as to why they would be a perfect Elf to go help Santa in his toy making workshop. The excitement in the classroom was thrilling! We discussed character traits and the students had time to explore a list of traits and to pick the ones that they felt best described them and would be appealing to Santa. After picking their character traits, the students spent time working on a graphic organizer to support their chosen character traits. Next, the students began to write their letters to Santa!
In math this week we worked with place value and expanded form to compare 3-digit numbers. The children also had the opportunity to do another practice Open Response where they had to make sense of a 3-digit number represented by base-10 blocks by making trades or counting. Then as a class we analyzed explanations and drawing, and children revised their work.
Our Science unit "Materials and their Uses" is going very well! The kids are really starting to ask scientific questions and conduct investigations to "solve" their questions. One lesson explored liquids. Groups were given various containers and they were asked to predict and then test which container could hold the most water. They did a great job working together to determine how much each could hold. We had some really rich conversations of how to be sure we were measuring accurately and the importance of repeating tasks to ensure accuracy.
This week also had the children designing bridges that were both strong and waterproof using various materials. The children did a "strength" test and a "waterproof" test and then created their bridges based upon what they learned during the testing lesson. Some bridges are still in process, but all groups will have an opportunity to share their designs this week in front of the class.
As I prepare my home and celebrate the season with my family, I am really enjoying reading all the wonderful Holiday Tradition stories the children worked on at home with you last week!! It’s neat to hear how different families celebrate.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
Upcoming Dates:
December 16th- Report Cards Available for Viewing at 4:00pm
December 22nd- Winter Holiday Party
December 23rd- Early Release (12:20)- beginning of Winter Vacation
January 3rd- School Resumes
December 16th- Report Cards Available for Viewing at 4:00pm
December 22nd- Winter Holiday Party
December 23rd- Early Release (12:20)- beginning of Winter Vacation
January 3rd- School Resumes
