Miss DeVoldre, Mrs. Marianetti &
Miss Sementelli
Watch out—Amazing Animals are coming our way in our new reading theme this month! We are reading both fiction and non-fiction texts that have very interesting characters and facts! We revisit our determination of fantasy and realism in our story Officer Buckle and Gloria as we learn important safety tips from a unique dog. Ants and octopuses will dazzle us with their facts in two non-fiction selections and finally, we’ll hear a Just So story as we learn why the birds fly south each winter in The Great Ball Game.
In science this month, we have begun to discuss the terminology used by true scientists as we explore the properties of different objects and describe them scientifically. This will really help us to make accurate observations as we perform a series of experiments in our unit called Interactions. Be sure to ask your child about our Skittle and light bulb interactions!
Earlier this year, we learned about all of the aspects and attributes of different communities. As we focus in on geography and map skills this month, students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of community in creating their own community map. As we prepared to make our maps, we learned a fun song to remind us of cardinal directions. (http://www.songsforteaching.com/geography/cardinaldirectionsnortheastsouthwest.htm) Ask your second grader to sing it to you today.
We started out the month working as architects to build and draw three dimensional models. Students studied the dimensions of these buildings and learned a new way to find volume. Next up—Mass! Students will work on finding objects with equal mass and finding the exact mass of objects, in grams, using an equal arm balance. We continue to practice our adding and subtraction facts as we get ready to add and subtract double digit numbers over the next few months. Keep practicing those facts!
Report writing is a lot of fun! Second graders have investigated reports and now begun to write one of their own about guess who? Themselves! Our authors are writing factual reports about themselves, a friend, and eventually a topic of their choice. What a great way to learn more about our classmates as we continue to build and strengthen our classroom communities!
Writing tip: In writing workshop, we have learned that good writers pay attention to their favorite authors and the things they do to make their stories interesting and engaging. We call this author’s craft. We have been busy adding craft to our writing pieces all year! Be on the look out for some of these tricks good authors use as you read each night!
Webpages created by Bob
Schultz
updated 1/26/10 by K.. Vogler