Week 3

Dear Parents,

         In math we have been busy with doing intentional problem solving (learning that there are many ways to solve a problem) and number talks (talking about our thinking as we solve problems). We have been learning about place value in many interactive learning activities. We are continuing on with our fast facts. We want our second graders to work hard each week learning these flash cards that go home in their reading / math logs. It should only take a couple of seconds for your child to come up with the answer to the addition fact on a flash card. If they work hard all week the quiz on Friday should be easy. If your child goes past the two minute time, it will be noted on the quiz. If your child receives a smiley face their quiz was completed within the two minute window. Your child will be able to complete the test. They will get to sign our number board when they can complete the quiz with at least 80% accuracy. This will be a great help when we start three digit addition with regrouping. Thank you for partnering with me to help your child learn these facts.No grade will be taken.

        In language we wrote an acrostic poem about peace as we remembered the brave first responders and 9/11. We also learned that writing can start with words or pictures, but both have details. We know that when we think we are done we can add to our pictures, label our pictures, write more words, reread our writing, or start a new piece.

        In reading we read a nonfiction story called My Family   in that story we looked at the nonfiction text features and their purpose: photograph, title, illustration, and a diagram. We focused on our thinking as we read the story on sticky notes that we call thinking tracks.

         In science we learned about the many science tools that scientists use and explored tubs full of them. We had an investigation where we used our five senses to observe a gummy worm and used three of our science tools in the exploration. The last sense we used was taste. Those gummies tasted sweet and fruity!

         In social studies we talked about how our physical environment and  how we carry our own weather can have an affect on our learning. We also wrote our class mission statement which will help us have a great year of learning together.