March 29th

Thursday, April 1st concludes our fun-packed reading month.  Our classroom will celebrate with a read-in in the afternoon.  Students may bring a blanket, pillow, and books from home.  Students may also bring an extra snack to munch on while reading.     

Homework

We are going to adjust how we do homework for the remainder of the year to better align our classroom practice with the recent shift here at SJPS.  Homework has always been optional, but now it will be online.  I will put suggested activities that will support what we are learning into Google Classroom as well as list them here on the blog.  That way students will be able to access the information independently.  I still expect students to continue to read each day for 30 minutes.  Students who read are less likely to struggle in other academic areas.    

Math: IXL, section T: Two-Dimensional Shapes

Reading: read 30 minutes each day, notice text features, Moby Max Reading Skills Informational Text

Science

Our class will finish up our science unit this week, Material Magic.  In this lesson, students examine how large structures like houses are built from smaller pieces.  In the activity, Paper Towers, they design their own structures using an unconventional building material: paper!  Students build towers using 3" x 5" index cards and paper clips.  First, they build tall towers, then they are challenged to build towers strong enough to support a hardcover book.

Students also tried some sap from a maple tree.  Many found that they were not fans.  They also tried hard maple candy.  This was enjoyed a bit more.   There will be more taste testing next week; maple syrup and soft maple candy.  As before, if you do not want your child to take a taste of these samples please let me know.  This is not mandatory.  

Technology

I am so impressed with how fast our kids learn to use technology.  Last week it took only one hour for your students to learn how to take a screenshot, find the image file, paste it into a document, and trim it.  Students also learned how to collaborate on a shared document.  Next step- put these skills to work to create a slide show to demonstrate knowledge and present ideas.  So exciting!    

Students as teachers.  Some classmates were struggling with a computer assignment so some of our students plugged in and proceeded to share their knowledge and coach their classmates.

     

March 22

Please have students come to school with their computer charged.  I've noticed that many computers are getting a crusty film on them and are gross... if you have computer cleaner at home it would be great if you are able to give it a little attention.

Winter attire has been sent home.  Let me know if you are missing anything and we will look around our classroom.  That being said, students may want to keep a sweatshirt or sweater at school.  The temperature varies greatly throughout the day. 

Please send your student with an extra mask or two.  Masks get pretty gross by the afternoon.  Many students are making comments about how they are crusty, smelly, and wet.  We have almost used up all of our disposable masks.  If anyone would like to send in a box that would be mush appreciated. 

Virtual Field Trip

Visiting Sarett Nature Center has always been a favorite field trip for second graders.  This year we will be bringing the contents of the trip to students virtually.  2nd graders will learn about making maple syrup and incorporating states of matter into the lesson to support our science curriculum.  Students will have the opportunity to sample maple sap, maple syrup, and maple candy.  If you do NOT want your student to sample those items please let me know via email.    

March 15

Please have students come to school with their computer charged.  I've noticed that many computers are getting a crusty film on them and are gross... if you have computer cleaner at home it would be great if you are able to give it a little attention.

Winter attire has been sent home.  Let me know if you are missing anything and we will look around our classroom.  That being said, students may want to keep a sweatshirt or sweater at school.  The temperature varies greatly throughout the day. 

Please send your student with an extra mask or two.  Masks get pretty gross by the afternoon.  Many students are making comments about how they are crusty, smelly, and wet.  We have almost used up all of our disposable masks.  If anyone would like to send in a box that would be mush appreciated. 

March 8

 We welcome a new student into our classroom this week.  Welcome, Rhea! 

Please continue to have your student practice basic math facts to and from twenty.  IXL is a nice resource.  If they practice sections E, F, G, and H for a five minutes each day it will make a big difference.  As we move forward to working with double and triple digits it is important to keep basic facts fluent and automatic.  

Reading month is in full swing.  Students are having a good time checking out all the great picture books.  We are examining the illustrations and text thoroughly and determining which ones we think are the best and why.  Please keep reading at home.  Read picture books.  Read chapter books.  Read to your second grader and have them read aloud to you.  Keep reading!    

Report cards come home this week.  Reach out if you have any questions.