Paper Crane

This week, one of our Wonder's stories was about a group of students making paper cranes for an art show. We watched a fun YouTube video on making paper cranes. I thought it looked really cool, and doable, but not with one teacher and 17 kiddos. So.... I told them I'd post the video and they could try it with parent help. If you brave it, send your paper cranes to school for us to see!

Pronouns

This past week we talked about pronouns and how they replace a noun. As an, at home, challenge, have your child write a sentence first using a pronoun and then replace it with a noun. Have he/she bring it to school to share. Example: They ran, like the wind, through the neighborhood looking for adventure. Our three dogs ran, like the wind, through the neighborhood looking for adventure.

Project Lead the Way

We have been learning about pollination and seed dispersal. Here, the kids are moving the pollen(flour) from one plant to another. We have learned about the parts of the plant that aid in this process. Here is a video we watched that does a great job of explaining seed dispersement. The song has a great, catchy tune that the kiddos loved!

Telling Time

In math, we have begun working on telling time. During an activity, the kids started talking about what time they were born and then that led into a whole A.M./P.M. discussion! I actually love when they begin applying a skill we are learning to real life moments. So... I told them I'd send them each home with a clock face to fill in with the time they were born. Please help your kiddo fill it out and then return it to school.

Directed Drawing

Kids love doing "directed drawings".  I love them...it's the only time I fell like I have some artistic ability. In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday I have attached a video for the kids to draw The Cat in the Hat, at home. Have them draw it and bring it in to share with their classmates.

Valentine's Day

Double Digit Addition

The kids have been working hard on strategies that help then solve double digit addition problems. We get to the traditional algorithm but before that the focus is really digging into what is happening when the numbers are added together. Some of the strategies that the kids use are: open number line, break-apart strategy and hundreds chart. Break apart strategy seems to be the preferred method for solving and really allows them to see regrouping. Give your kiddo some of the following number sentences and ask them to solve them using the various methods. It's really interesting to hear them talk about how they are solving it!!! 56+23   47+29   75+15

We are on an "off" week of Wonders so rather than skipping another week of spelling, I chose to work on some high-frequency words. That is why there are only 10 this week. As a fun activity, have your child "scan" the newspaper for the spelling words and see how often they come up. They can use a hilighter to mark them as they find them.

Valentine's Day

The kids brought a note home, this week, about Valentine's Day. Here is the letter in case you didn't get it!
 Dear Parents,
      On February 14th, we will be having a Valentine’s Day celebration. We will exchange cards and have treats. The kids voted for ice cream sundaes. I have included a list of items at the bottom. If you are able, please mark what you can bring and return to school. I am requesting that all items be brought to school by the 9th, so that I can get anything that still might be needed, over the break. We will decorate a card bag here and pass out the valentines on the 14th but you may send them earlier if you choose. I have also attached a name list for cards. Thanks, in advance, for helping with treats! Yes, I can bring:

 ____ ½ gallon vanilla ice cream
____ chocolate syrup
 ____ caramel syrup
 ____ sprinkles
 ____ whipped cream
____ gummi bears
 ____ maraschino cherries

Easton

Piper

Charlotte

Max

Ellie

Jayla

Brayden

Gradey

Adrionna

Chloe

Halle

Lucas

Kaylee

Gracey

Dallas

Tianna

Iliza

Synonyms

We have been learning about synonyms and here is a fun video you can watch at home!





After watching the video, work on a synonym book. Write at least six words and then write a synonym for that word. Bring it into school to share!

The kids are all in need of new crayons. Most are missing some important colors and they are in pretty rough shape. Nothing makes a kiddo happier than a box of fresh, new crayons!!!

The Ice Pop Challenge

     On Friday, we completed our PLTW unit on matter with "The Ice Pop Challenge". The kids were to use what they've learned to design and build something to keep their ice pop from melting. After working with a small group to finalize an idea, they began building. The pops were then placed in the design and put under the heat lamp for 30 minutes. We then took them out and measured how much of their pop had melted. We came to the conclusion that surrounding the pop with packing peanuts ( or nuts as second graders call them) worked pretty well. Here are some fun pictures of the process.


Working Hard on their designs!

 Final Projects:

 Taking the heat test!

Welcome Back

     Although it is hard to come back after Christmas Break, I think the New Year is exciting and full of new opportunities. It's a time to move forward and set goals. Helping my students set goals is a powerful way of motivating their learning. When students set goals for themselves, they work hard to achieve them. This provides a great conversation topic at home. Talk to your kiddo about what they hope to get better at. Maybe it's a spelling goal, math fact fluency, writing stories. I would love to hear from you about any special goals you or your child might have.