September 27, 2019

The past two weeks we have really settled into many of our routines, and we are working nicely as a classroom community.  Below are some highlights I’d like to share…

Daily 5 is off and running great!  The children now have 4 choices to make during our language arts blocks.  Those choices include:  Listen to Reading, Work on Words, Work on Writing, and Read to Self.  We are doing 3 “rounds” each day, each lasting 15-20 minutes.  It’s neat to see kids working on a variety of tasks independently for such a lengthy amount of time.  Now that we have our Daily 5 routines down we are excited to begin reading with our reading groups!  This week I met with all students at least twice.  Our groups focused on making predictions in our reading.

At this time they have 2 choices for kids to make during Listen to Reading:  Raz- Kids and Epic.  Hopefully you all received your login information for Raz-Kids.  This is a great program to use at home because it is tailored to your child’s reading level.  Also, the kids can use their Raz-Kids time towards their 15 minutes of reading for their reading log. Epic is another wonderful program that offers a variety of books for the kids to listen to, but is not geared towards their individual levels.  You can also use this program at home, however it does require a monthly fee to sign up:  https://www.getepic.com/


We have been talking about Personal Narratives during our writing time.  We learned that these are true stories about things that have happened in our lives.  The students are currently writing a personal narrative of their choice as we learn about the structure of personal narrative stories.  They have learned how to "hook" the reader with an Opening, use transition words to tell the important events in order, write a Closing, and editing our stories.  It's always a good idea to talk to your child about what they could write about, as they sometimes forget all the fun things they do outside of school!

In Math we wrapped up Unit 1 and began Unit 2 this past week. We having been using our math rotations during most of the lessons. The kids are excited to have 3 different activities during the math block. The various activities are: Teachers Choice, Technology, At Your Seat, Hands-On, and Math Facts. "Teachers Choice" is when small groups of kids working on a similar skill level meet with me. For "Technology" the kids have the choice of Dreambox or Games on the Everyday Math website. "At Your Seat" is typically math journal pages that reinforce the day's lesson. Finally, "Hands-On" is usually a math game that is part of the Everyday Math program.

We are also currently working on the first science unit of the year, Plant and Animal Survival. We took a Nature Walk outside around the school to look for living things. We also worked in groups as engineers, creating a "Pollinator" tool that could pollinate flowers if bees were no longer able to do so.  Each group shared their design with the class and demonstrated how the tool picks up the pollen and carries it to another plant.  Every group had a successful design!  We are now discussing various habitats and why certain plants and animals live where they do.  We took a virtual "trek" through the rainforest this week.  It was fun to see some of the plants and animals that call the Rainforest its home.  The children will now be taking what they learned from this experience to write a travel BLOG of their adventure.  So fun!!


Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, October 1st- Grade 2 School Store
Wednesday, October 2nd- Picture Day
Monday, October 14th- No School, Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 15th- No School, Professional Development

September 15, 2019

We are off to a great start here in Second Grade! I am really enjoying getting to know each of the children! We have spent a lot of time talking about classroom expectations, routines, and establishing the culture of our classroom. Here is a glance into what has been happening in your child's second grade classroom these past two weeks. 

We spent most of our reading blocks reviewing the Daily Five structure. For those new to Robinson or those unfamiliar with Daily Five it is a literacy structure that allows for differentiation in the classroom and provides consistency. It is an integrated literacy instruction and classroom management system that is used during our literacy block. While I am working with small groups for Guided Reading, the other children have literacy “tasks” that include: Work on Words, Work on Writing, Read to Self, Read to Someone, and Listen to Reading. It takes a few weeks for me to assess all of the children and to determine their reading levels and while I am doing that, the children will build their stamina in each of the "task" areas. The children have been able to do 3 rounds this week consisting of "Read to Self, Work on Writing, and Listening to Reading." 

In math we have been working on Unit 1. This unit does a lot of review of concepts learned in first grade and allows time for us to establish math routines in the classroom. We've focused on number scrolls, number grids, and combinations of 10, and learning about equivalent names for numbers. 

During our writing blocks, we have begun to talk about Personal Narrative stories which is our first unit in second grade. The children have had the opportunity to brainstorm ideas for their stories and have completed their graphic organizers. Next week they will begin drafting their first personal narrative story. 

I also assessed the children on the 100-second grade high frequency words. This is done periodically throughout the year to see what words your child needs to practice. These words will become part of their weekly spelling words that they will practice at school and home.

We started "Star of the Week" today!  Each week one child will be chosen to be our "Star" for the week.  That child gets to bring in photos and other special items that tell about themselves.  We will display those items for the entire week, and the child will get to present their items to the class on Fridays.  Last week I got to be the 'Star"! It was a fun way to demonstrate what "Star of the Week" might look and sound like.  When it is your child's turn to be Star of the Week a notice will come home letting you know.  

**Second Grade Homework starts next week! Please check your child's folder daily for homework assignments, beginning Monday, September 16th. On Mondays, your child will bring home their weekly Spelling Words on the back of their "Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe" sheet. Your child will be expected to practice their spelling words at least two nights per week. The Spelling Tic-Tac-Toe sheet will have a variety of choices for your child to pick from in order to practice their words. 

Also, second graders are expected to read for at least 15 minutes per night. Your child will bring home a "Reading Log" on Mondays as well. We ask that they keep track of their weekly reading and return the "Log" on Fridays along with their "Spelling Tic Tac Toe" sheet. Both of these sheets should remain in your child's Take Home Folder all week and will be passed in on Fridays.We strongly encourage that your child read daily for enjoyment and/or extra practice.   

In addition to spelling and reading, your child will have math homework two nights per week. Most weeks this will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The math homework is due back the following day. Thank you for your help and support on homework.

**Just a reminder that Curriculum Night for 2nd Grade Parents will be on September 16th from 6:00-6:45pm. I look forward to seeing you then!