Classroom Update

Here's what we've been up to over the past couple of weeks:

In math, we have been working on graphing.  Students have learned about picture graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs and also about coordinate grids and ordered pairs.  We've also spent a lot of time analyzing and comparing data from different kinds of graphs.

The students had lots of fun doing an Author Study project during Reader's Workshop!  Each group had a different author and spent time reading their books and taking notes about similarities, observations, characters and illustrations.  They made some fabulous posters that are on display in the hallway outside of our classroom.  This week, we began a unit on visualizing.  Students are learning to pay attention to the mental pictures they are making in their heads as they read. 

We finished up our "Telling More" unit in Writer's Workshop and students chose one piece to edit and publish.  Now, we've begun our poetry unit, which the kids are having a lot of fun with.  They are learning what poems can be about and how to narrow down a topic for a poem.  We have also read many poems as a class.  Reading poetry is the best way to learn how to write poetry.  Next week, students will begin writing their very own poems!

In science, we've been exploring and experimenting with magnets.  Students have learned about how magnets work, about their poles and how to make magnets attract and repel.

During Power 1/2 Hour time, students have been in a reader's theater group!  There are three different groups and each is a different version of The Three Little Pigs.  Reader's theater helps build fluency and students do a lot of rereading and also learn to read clearly, smoothly and with a lot of expression.  They'll be performing their reader's theater next week for the rest of the Power 1/2 Hour students.   

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is coming soon!  On Thursday, February 14^th we will be having our Valentine celebration in our classroom. We will be opening valentines, having ice cream sundaes, and playing a game or two.  This is typically a more low-key party than the previous two parties.  We don’t need any parent volunteers, but if you would like to come join us for the party on the 14^th, you are welcome to do that.  The party time will be 2:00-3:00.  I am asking students to make some kind of valentine box or bag at home.  Cereal boxes, oatmeal containers and shoe boxes make really good valentine boxes.  Students can decorate their box however they would like.  Please make sure their name is on their box nice and big so that students can easily pass out valentines.  Below you will find a list of all the students in our classroom if your child would like to make valentines for the class. 

Thank you!  Y

Mrs. Manders

Adriana	Parker	Makenzie	Payton	Lily
Emma	Griffin	Abby	Victoria	Steven
Abdi	Gabbie	Lucas	Neva	Lillian
Luka	Anahi	James	Paris	Maddie
Bruce	Renee	Leah	Rachel	LaKynzee

Math Facts

All year, students have been taking weekly timed math fact tests.  The focus has been addition.  Some students passed on to subtraction already by completing 95 or more of the 100 addition facts in five minutes or less.  Now, as third quarter begins, all students will be tested on subtraction only.  Students took their first subtraction timed test this week.  It will be coming home next week.  The expectation for third quarter is that students are able to complete 95 or more of the 100 subtraction problems in ten minutes or less.  Subtraction is often more difficult for students than addition, so please help your child by practicing at home.  We do practice at school some, but it is crucial that students are spending time at home pracitcing their math facts.  You can support your child by practicing flashcards with them each night and by using websites or apps to help.  Here are a few good websites:

Printable flashcards: http://www.helpingwithmath.com/resources/oth_flashcards.htm

Printable fact sheets: http://www.mathfactcafe.com/

More great math sites:
http://www.coolmath-games.com/
http://www.thatquiz.org/

I Love to Read Month

Today marks the beginning of February and the beginning of I Love to Read Month!  Yesterday, your child should have brought home a yellow note explaining the events of the month and reading expectations.  Stapled to the yellow sheet was a blue sheet, where they can record their minutes.  The expectation is for each second grader to read 100 minutes each week.  The theme for I Love to Read Month this year is "Kick it Up and Read!"  The students will be earning wristbands (to signify different belts like in karate) each week when they turn in their blue reading slip.  The kids seem very excited about this! 

Because it is I Love to Read Month and there are a number of extra reading activities taking place, I will not be sending home a February reading calendar.  The blue reading slips will act as your reading calendar for the month.  Your child will receive a reading calendar, as usual, in March.

Please let me know if you have any questions and HAPPY READING!