October 16

Persistence

This week we will continue our focus on growth mindset.  We will be focusing on Persistence this week. We will read Elephants Cannot Dance and discuss how we can use persistence in our classroom.

Math

This week in our place value unit we will focus on expanded notation and comparing numbers.  We will learn to play the base ten exchange game and solve place value riddles.

Reading and Writing

We will wrap up our first writing unit this week with a celebration of the small moment stories we wrote.  In both reading and writing we will launch our next units, Becoming Experts and Non-fiction writing. 

October 9

Optimism

On Friday, we began talking about growth mindset.  We are focusing on Optimism this week.   We read Lily the Unicorn and discussed what optimism looks and sounds like.  Students shared their own experiences with optimism.

Math

This week in our place value unit we will focus on counting patterns to 1,000.  We will learn about the value of the digit zero in each place.

Reading

In reading, we will think about how the whole story clicks together. Students will ask themselves “How does the author make the whole story click?” 

October 3

Students sorting emojis in Math

 




Students working on our Crayola Colorcycle display

 

October 2

Writing

This week, students will add action and images to their small moment stories to make their readers wonder what will happen next. We will continue to study Jane Yolen’s craft in Owl Moon by looking closely at her word choice.

Math

We will begin our place value unit this week.  We will define the words place, value, and digit. Students will count collections, build numbers, and play Roll it, build it, draw it.

Reading

In reading, students will learn that readers don't wait for someone else to catch their mistakes they check it themselves. They stop as soon as something doesn't make sense. 

September 25

Writing

Students have been working on setting goals in their writing and adding details to their small moment stories. Ask your student to tell you the beginning, middle, and end of their story.

Math

This week, we will wrap up our math facts unit. Students will learn to use double facts to help them solve doubles +1 and doubles – 1 facts.

Reading

In reading, students will be working to solve tricky words in their books.  Students will be learning about the prefixes pre- and un-, as well as endings –s, -es, and –er.  

September 18

Math

This week, we will continue to work on adding and subtracting ten more/less and using 10 to help solve +9 and +8 facts.  Students will also be adding and subtracting with doubles facts. A doubles memory game will be coming home with your child for additional practice.

Writing

Students have begun to create small moment stories. We are studying Jane Yolen’s craft in Owl Moon.  Students will be focusing on writing with detail, attending to punctuation, and creating powerful endings.

Reading

Students have been working hard to pick books that interest them and are at a just right level, this is helping students to build their stamina.  As a class we have a reading stamina goal of 30 minutes!  This week, as we continue to build our reading stamina, we are going to learn to keep tabs on our comprehension as well.  

Enjoy some photos from the week!

Students showing and sharing their mathematical thinking.

Students sharing their grown-up second grade sneak peeks with partners.

September 11

Math

Students brought home their first two weeks of our daily math reviews on Friday.  I will be discussing how this tool is used during open house.  Please don’t be surprised by the pen, smiley faces, and stars. J This week, we will continue to work on our Math Facts unit.  Students will be adding and subtracting ten more/less and using 10 to help them solve +9 and +8 facts. 

Writing

Students will begin their first narrative writing unit of the year.  We will be focusing on stretching our small moment stories and using master authors as our mentors.

Reading

We have finished learning and practicing strategies to help grow our reading engagement.  This week we will begin our first unit of study, Second Grade Reading Growth Spurts. 

Students completed their Hopes and Dreams for the school year.