Today your child brought home his/her insect file folder, the Insect book from our science kit, and a science review. Just in case he/she loses the review before the test on Wednesday, October 24, I've uploaded the review below. Also, the Insect book needs to be returned by next Wednesday. Happy studying!
Science Insect Review
Friday, October 19, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Weekly Word
Reader's Workshop
We added more reading strategies to our CAFE board. There are several decoding strategies on our board now. We talked about how readers have a toolbox full of strategies which they can use while reading when they come to a tricky word. These strategies will help them read more accurately.
We also talked about a couple of comprehension strategies good readers use. We learned that readers get their minds ready to read before reading by looking at the cover (title and picture) and by taking a picture walk through the book. We also learned that readers need to check for understanding. If a reader is not understanding the text he/she is reading, then the reader should reread the text.
Writer's Workshop
This week students have learned to use a revision checklist. The checklist consists of various items which writers can try to revise in his/her writing piece. Some revision decisions include:
Math Workshop
This week we focused on subtraction number stories and fact families. Students learned two different types of subtraction number stories--change number stories and comparison number stories. Students wrote several fact families and practiced addition and subtraction facts using fact triangles. Yesterday students were exposed to multiplication through an exploration. Students rolled a die to determine the number of pumpkins they needed to lay out and again to determine the number of candy corn pieces to lay on each pumpkin. A student may have ended up with 5 pumpkins laying in front of him/her and 3 candies on each pumpkin (5x3=15).
Science & Social Studies
Two new types of insects arrived in our classroom! We now have milkweed bugs and waxworms. The milkweed bugs are sharing a habitat. They have hatched from their tiny eggs and are crawling around the habitat. We have given them food (sunflower seeds) and water. Each table has a cup of waxworms. Students need to be more careful handling the waxworms than the mealworms. The waxworms are softer and squishier. Students also learned the waxworms produce silk. We are waiting for the waxworms to pupate and then turn into moths.
We wrapped up chapter two in social studies this week and took our first social studies test. For the first test, I walked your child through answering an essay question. I would like for students to learn to use part of the question to begin their answer and write a complete sentence. Your child will bring his/her test home Monday.
We added more reading strategies to our CAFE board. There are several decoding strategies on our board now. We talked about how readers have a toolbox full of strategies which they can use while reading when they come to a tricky word. These strategies will help them read more accurately.
We also talked about a couple of comprehension strategies good readers use. We learned that readers get their minds ready to read before reading by looking at the cover (title and picture) and by taking a picture walk through the book. We also learned that readers need to check for understanding. If a reader is not understanding the text he/she is reading, then the reader should reread the text.
This week students have learned to use a revision checklist. The checklist consists of various items which writers can try to revise in his/her writing piece. Some revision decisions include:
- Reread and ask yourself, "Does it make sense?"
- Reread, revise or try different leads.
- Reread, revise or try different endings.
- Reread and add to the picture plan.
- Reread and ask yourself, "Did I try my best to spell words correctly?"
- Reread and ask yourself, "Did I write complete sentences?"
Math Workshop
This week we focused on subtraction number stories and fact families. Students learned two different types of subtraction number stories--change number stories and comparison number stories. Students wrote several fact families and practiced addition and subtraction facts using fact triangles. Yesterday students were exposed to multiplication through an exploration. Students rolled a die to determine the number of pumpkins they needed to lay out and again to determine the number of candy corn pieces to lay on each pumpkin. A student may have ended up with 5 pumpkins laying in front of him/her and 3 candies on each pumpkin (5x3=15).
Science & Social Studies
Two new types of insects arrived in our classroom! We now have milkweed bugs and waxworms. The milkweed bugs are sharing a habitat. They have hatched from their tiny eggs and are crawling around the habitat. We have given them food (sunflower seeds) and water. Each table has a cup of waxworms. Students need to be more careful handling the waxworms than the mealworms. The waxworms are softer and squishier. Students also learned the waxworms produce silk. We are waiting for the waxworms to pupate and then turn into moths.
We wrapped up chapter two in social studies this week and took our first social studies test. For the first test, I walked your child through answering an essay question. I would like for students to learn to use part of the question to begin their answer and write a complete sentence. Your child will bring his/her test home Monday.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Raz-Kids & Spelling City
Please read the Raz-Kids letter by clicking on the "reading" tab above. As soon as I finish up reading assessments I will have each student's reading level updated (some have been updated already). If you have an iPad, you can download the free Raz-Kids app! You'll just need to type in my username: kwoodaap. Then click on your name and type in your password to get started. I will send home your password next week if you've forgotten it from last year. The great thing about the iPad version is that students can switch back and forth between the quiz and the text if they need to go back and reread a part to answer a quiz question (students are taught to go back to the text to find the answer). The website version does not allow students to do that.
Last week in computer lab your child visited the website Spelling City. This site is a great place for students to practice his/her spelling words. They can choose to play a game or take a quiz to help them prepare for their spelling test. To get started your child can either type in his/her spelling words or he/she can search for Miss Pronovich...she types all of the spelling words in for the students ; -)
You can easily get to both Raz-Kids and Spelling City by clicking on the website name on the right hand side of the blog.
Last week in computer lab your child visited the website Spelling City. This site is a great place for students to practice his/her spelling words. They can choose to play a game or take a quiz to help them prepare for their spelling test. To get started your child can either type in his/her spelling words or he/she can search for Miss Pronovich...she types all of the spelling words in for the students ; -)
You can easily get to both Raz-Kids and Spelling City by clicking on the website name on the right hand side of the blog.
Weekly Word
Reader's Workshop
Every Monday morning your child shops for books in the classroom. He/she is able to keep about 10-12 picture books and 1-2 chapter books in his/her book box. If at anytime throughout the week your child has finished reading his/her books, he/she may shop for more another morning. Students have learned how to fill out a reading log, which is kept in his/her book box. The reading log is an important tool for your child and I. During an individual conference, I can look over the reading log to make sure your child is reading just right books and a variety of genres.
Students were also introduced to the CAFE board this week. We discussed various strategies good readers use to figure out a tricky word. We added these strategies to our CAFE board.
Writer's Workshop
This week we focused on practicing our "storyteller's voice" using picture plans. Students drew sketches across a film strip to tell their story. Then they practiced rehearsing their story using their "storyteller's voice." Students also wrote their first draft of a small moment, which is called a discovery draft. We also brainstormed ideas to stay productive during Writer's Workshop time.
Math Workshop
Please be sure to read the previous blog post regarding Math Magician. We have been working on our basic addition facts this week. Students were introduced to the facts table, and we discussed shortcuts for +0, +1, and +9. We also learned about turn around facts (8+2=10, 2+8=10) and our doubles facts 0-9. I showed students Touch Math points to help them quickly add basic addition facts rather than using their fingers. Our goal is for students to have basic facts memorized, but Touch Math is a great strategy to use to help students quickly answer basic facts. Ask your child to show you how to add using these touch points...
Science & Social Studies
This week we finished the mealworm/beetle section of our insect packet. Some students took home their darkling beetle. Some students are still patiently waiting for their mealworm to become a beetle. Students learned that some insects, such as the butterfly, have a complete life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult), and some insects, such as the milkweed bug, have an incomplete or simple life cycle (egg, nymph, adult).
In social studies we have been learning about the differences between three types of communities: urban, rural, and suburban. We will finish up our second social studies chapter and take our first social studies test by the end of next week. Your child will take home his/her social studies text book next week to reread chapters 1 and 2 to someone at home to review for his/her test.
Every Monday morning your child shops for books in the classroom. He/she is able to keep about 10-12 picture books and 1-2 chapter books in his/her book box. If at anytime throughout the week your child has finished reading his/her books, he/she may shop for more another morning. Students have learned how to fill out a reading log, which is kept in his/her book box. The reading log is an important tool for your child and I. During an individual conference, I can look over the reading log to make sure your child is reading just right books and a variety of genres.
Students were also introduced to the CAFE board this week. We discussed various strategies good readers use to figure out a tricky word. We added these strategies to our CAFE board.
Writer's Workshop
This week we focused on practicing our "storyteller's voice" using picture plans. Students drew sketches across a film strip to tell their story. Then they practiced rehearsing their story using their "storyteller's voice." Students also wrote their first draft of a small moment, which is called a discovery draft. We also brainstormed ideas to stay productive during Writer's Workshop time.
Math Workshop
Please be sure to read the previous blog post regarding Math Magician. We have been working on our basic addition facts this week. Students were introduced to the facts table, and we discussed shortcuts for +0, +1, and +9. We also learned about turn around facts (8+2=10, 2+8=10) and our doubles facts 0-9. I showed students Touch Math points to help them quickly add basic addition facts rather than using their fingers. Our goal is for students to have basic facts memorized, but Touch Math is a great strategy to use to help students quickly answer basic facts. Ask your child to show you how to add using these touch points...
This week we finished the mealworm/beetle section of our insect packet. Some students took home their darkling beetle. Some students are still patiently waiting for their mealworm to become a beetle. Students learned that some insects, such as the butterfly, have a complete life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult), and some insects, such as the milkweed bug, have an incomplete or simple life cycle (egg, nymph, adult).
In social studies we have been learning about the differences between three types of communities: urban, rural, and suburban. We will finish up our second social studies chapter and take our first social studies test by the end of next week. Your child will take home his/her social studies text book next week to reread chapters 1 and 2 to someone at home to review for his/her test.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Math Magician
Dear Parents,
In computer lab this week I introduced the students to a website called Math Magician. This website is another great tool to help your child practice his/her basic addition and subtraction facts at home. It is timed practice, which gives continued work with recalling these facts quickly. Please encourage your child to visit this website regularly. His/her knowledge of these facts builds the foundation for other second grade math concepts. If you click on the "Math" tab you will find a record sheet that will help your child keep track of his/her Math Magician level at home. As always, I appreciate all the work you do to help your second grader grow.
Have fun, and enjoy building FACT POWER! Check out this website now by clicking on it on the right side of the blog under "Our Favorite Sites."
Thank you!
Mrs. Wood
In computer lab this week I introduced the students to a website called Math Magician. This website is another great tool to help your child practice his/her basic addition and subtraction facts at home. It is timed practice, which gives continued work with recalling these facts quickly. Please encourage your child to visit this website regularly. His/her knowledge of these facts builds the foundation for other second grade math concepts. If you click on the "Math" tab you will find a record sheet that will help your child keep track of his/her Math Magician level at home. As always, I appreciate all the work you do to help your second grader grow.
Have fun, and enjoy building FACT POWER! Check out this website now by clicking on it on the right side of the blog under "Our Favorite Sites."
Thank you!
Mrs. Wood
Sunday, September 30, 2012
A Few Updates...
Students took their first unit math test. These were graded and sent home on Friday. You do not need to return the test, but please sign and return the half sheet of paper which explained my grading method.
Your child will come home with his/her unit 2 spelling list and sort Monday, October 1. I will also upload the sorts this time to the "Word Study" tab. This will be done by tomorrow evening. The test for unit 2 words will be Friday, October 12.
I have uploaded the October lunch menu and the "Unit 2 Family Letter" for math. Click on the "Math" tab to read the letter.
Don't forget to sign up for a conference! My conferences will be held about a month earlier than the rest of Wass teachers. My conference dates are Wednesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 18. Once you're on Wass Elementary's website, you can click on "Sign Up for Conferences" on the left hand side. See you soon!
Mrs. Wood
Your child will come home with his/her unit 2 spelling list and sort Monday, October 1. I will also upload the sorts this time to the "Word Study" tab. This will be done by tomorrow evening. The test for unit 2 words will be Friday, October 12.
I have uploaded the October lunch menu and the "Unit 2 Family Letter" for math. Click on the "Math" tab to read the letter.
Don't forget to sign up for a conference! My conferences will be held about a month earlier than the rest of Wass teachers. My conference dates are Wednesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 18. Once you're on Wass Elementary's website, you can click on "Sign Up for Conferences" on the left hand side. See you soon!
Mrs. Wood
Class Picture?
A typical class picture may have been the better choice since you can only see about 2/3 of the class in this one...next time! The students loved this part of the playground though and wanted to pose for their picture on it. After lunch, students enjoyed a short time playing. I overheard one student say, "this is playground heaven!" I think they liked it ;-)
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