November 30

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break.  Snow is just around the corner.  Please make sure your student has boots, gloves, a hat... everything they need to stay warm and dry outside at recess.  I suggest that students bring an extra pair of socks to change into.  It's hard to focus with soggy socks on your feet:)    

Science

This week students investigate which kinds of birds are likely to visit a bird feeder based on what they eat. In the activity, students will design a bird feeder. Students first draw their own bird feeder design to attract a specific type of bird. Then they build a prototype of their bird feeder using available materials.

Social Studies

This week we will learn about the five themes of geography: Location, Place, Human-environment interaction, Movement, and Region.

Math

We are half way through unit 3, which focuses on subtraction strategies.  This week we will specifically practice finding missing numbers in a subtraction equation in any location.  

Word Study

Words to practice spelling: friend, it, be, where, get, at, who, about, an, yes

Words to practice reading: long i digraphs (bright, pie, sigh)

Reading

This week we will discuss character traits and feelings.  We will continue to practice comprehension strategies, specifically being able to ask and answer questions.  

Writing

We will begin to look at and write opinion papers.  This will be a main focus throughout the trimester.  

November 16

School Computers

If you still have a school computer at home please return it to school.   

Scholastic Book Fair

Here is the link for our Virtual Scholastic Book Fair! There are videos of staff reading books, there is a sign in where students can enter to win a prize and videos of some of the books available through Scholastic!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l9jYvQ3UyJJpwv2k78Hn7AfB8lp_rnwnuSEfo6XEJ2M/present


Here is the link directly to the website:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=brownelementaryschool22

Conference

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student please reach out to me.  I am happy to conference throughout the year. 

Reading

Our class is still focusing on analyzing characters and making a picture in our mind to visualize what we are reading.    

Writing

We will look at revising our writing.  Changing words or exploding a moment, deleting a scene, reworking the beginning or the end of a writing piece, are all examples of revising.    

Word Study

Students will be learning to read and write long e digraphs.  Examples: feet, heat, shield 

They will practice writing these sight words fluently: or, too, your, when, that, say, look, go, hot, put   

Math

We will continue unit 3, focusing on subtraction strategies.  I recommend students practice addition and subtraction IXL, grade 2, sections E and F if they are needed extra practice.  5 minutes a day makes a big difference.  Here is a link to the symbaloo where you will find IXL, click HERE.  

No Social Studies or Science this week, Computer Camp instead

Students will begin to use their new computers here at school.  We will learn how to take care of them, basic functions, etiquette and expectations.  Students will refrain from taking computers home while we are learning the ropes of these new devices.     

Thanksgiving Break

Please have your student read over Thanksgiving Break, 20-30 minutes each day.  If you need books let me know.  I am happy to send a few home.  

November 9

Thursday and Friday are half days this week.  Make sure your student has a snack if you think they will be hungry before dismissal.  We usually have a snack and eat lunch before then so I anticipate that your student will be hungry.  

If you would like to conference again please email me to schedule a day and time.  I am happy to meet with anyone who would like to check-in.  

Virtual Book Fair is happening right now.  An informational packet came home on Friday with information on how to browse books and how to place an order.  You are welcome to click on the link below if you wish to purchase a book for our classroom.  

Book Fair

Reading

Our comprehension strategy is analyzing characters through their actions, words, thoughts, and feelings.  We will examine what others say and think about a character to help us make inferences about a character.  Visualizing characters will help us get a good picture in our minds to deepen our understanding.  

           

Writing

A writing paper came home in homework.  Students may write about anything- a book they are reading, something they did or would like to do, a made-up story, tell me how to make pancakes.  They need to practice writing.  It is not important to try to correct every grammar mistake so please don't overly focus on that if your student asks you for help.  Perhaps, just find one thing for students to fix, like spaces between words, or one word that they could spell correctly (like the sight words we have been practicing).        

Word Study

The words that we will focus on being able to decode are long O syllable patterns.  Examples: boast, rainbow, floe, robe

Our students will continue to work on using a dictionary.    

Math

We will begin unit 3, focusing on subtraction strategies.  I recommend students practice addition and subtraction IXL, grade 2, sections E and F if they are needed extra practice.  5 minutes a day makes a big difference.  Here is a link to the symbaloo where you will find IXL, click HERE. 

Science 

We have just begun a new unit called Animal Adventures, focusing on biodiversity.   

This unit helps students develop a sense of wonder for biodiversity: the sheer range and variety of animals found on earth. Students gain practical experience in identifying animals and sorting them into scientific groups and apply their knowledge in an engineering design challenge. This unit introduces two critically important concepts in biology: “habitat” and “species”.

Social Studies

We will continue learning about maps and geography. 

November 2

 Social Studies

We will begin to study geography. 

Math

Chapter 1 math tests will be coming home.  We have been working on mastering any areas that needed further practice.      

Currently, we are working on multiple strategies for addition and subtraction.  

Reading

Last week we began talking about the four elements of reading: accuracy, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.  In order to say that we are "reading," we must incorporate all of these elements into our reading simultaneously.      

Writing

Author Chair began last week.  Throughout the week students will be invited to the author's chair.  Our class will celebrate each other's writing and what we are doing well.  Student writing focuses on three main areas this school year: narrative, informational, and opinion.