Grade 2 News - March 2017
READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
We continue to explore many topics, teaching points, and genres in reading! Most recently we have focused on short biographies of some famous people in history and we have learned about their important contributions.
This week we will read about Balto, a real dog and hero immortalized in the book The True Story of Balto. This account will provide us with interesting background information about the famous dog sled relay and serum run across snow-covered Alaska in 1925 that stopped a deadly diphtheria epidemic in the isolated frontier town of Nome. It will also expose us to the incredible strengths, instincts, and talents of real sled dogs. Furthermore, we will explore how these historical events inspired the current-day Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race run from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska each March.
Throughout March, we will focus our attention on “Non-fiction and Reading About Science to Become Experts” in small book clubs formed to reflect students’ interest in particular topics. Some Science-related topics and offerings will include Habitats, Geography and Earth Science, Disasters, Birds, Dinosaurs, Rain Forests, Weather, The Solar System, Insects and Spiders, and Machines and Inventions.
Additional book club topics and resources will put together by students. Some of the strategies we will use in our non-fiction book clubs are: identifying and using non-fiction features; explaining and discussing topics, information, and main ideas in non-fiction texts; identifying whole book topic(s) and sub-topics; comparing and contrasting information; recording information; and sharing knowledge with others.
Although we have read and discussed non-fiction books and articles in the past, this time our focus will be more in-depth.
As we become “experts” in our book clubs, we will record, organize, and share our research, knowledge, and observations with others in a variety of ways.
Reading orally to increase fluency, using expression, applying decoding strategies, thinking carefully about what we are reading, and actively participating in group discussions, partnered activities, guided groups, and literacy centers are just some of the ways we routinely reinforce, strengthen and extend our skills as readers and communicators.
When choosing books for independent reading times, students are always reminded to select “good fit” books that are interesting, engaging, and just right for them. Please continue to encourage reading for pleasure at home. (Do not be alarmed if your child chooses books and stories that seem too simple, or insists on re-reading old favorites!) It is most important to foster a love of reading, both in school and at home.
As the school year continues, written responses to literature now will require more careful thought, well-organized ideas, and detailed evidence to support students’ thinking and opinions. Students must strive to write legibly, expand their ideas, check for errors, and revise or correct their work.
While many second graders continue to improve these challenging but essential skills, others compromise quality by working too quickly or carelessly. When discussing or responding to literature with peers, students must speak clearly using complete sentences and appropriate rate and volume, and must listen thoughtfully and respectfully when others are sharing their ideas!
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
In Science we recently explored “The Solar System.” After an interesting and informative visit to the P.C.I.S. Planetarium last month, we learned more about the sun and stars, Earth and its moon, the planets in our solar system, and the scientific causes of shadows and seasonal changes. We also discovered that scientists are constantly challenging theories and learning new things about space and our solar system. In addition, the Science Center books, posters, games, and puzzles stimulated students’ curiosity and extended their learning.
Next, we will take a brief look at the Next Generation Science Standards related to “Friction” and we will explore this topic with problem-solving activities, hands-on projects in class with peers, books, and online resources. After that, we will immerse ourselves in “Matter.”
On Tuesday, March 14, all second grade students will enjoy an up-close and informative visit from Jim Parks of Wingmasters as he presents his "Birds of Prey" program. Mr. Parks is a licensed raptor rehabilitator who visits Federal Furnace each year to show and tell students about birds of prey commonly found in the Plymouth area. In the past, some of these birds have included a Peregrine Falcon, a Red-tailed Hawk, a Great Horned Owl, a Screech Owl, and a Northern Saw-Whet Owl. We look forward to his visit and hope to see some birds that we have researched and read about in class!
Before February vacation, students chose biographies from the school and classroom libraries to use as part of an exciting "Biography in a Bag" project due into class by Wednesday, March 8. Specific information about this project was sent home last month, and students are expected to be working on this project according to the checklist of important due dates provided in their "Biography in a Bag" folders.
The "Biography in a Bag" project is very popular with second graders who take great pride and excitement in reading challenging non-fiction, and sharing their new-found knowledge with others. Please join us in Pod 4, Room 17 on Friday, March 10 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, and 2:15 to 3:00 PM as we display and share our projects with families, classmates, and Federal Furnace peers.
In March we will be using our timeline and mapping skills, knowledge of geography, understanding of weather, and acquired math skills to research and track individual mushers online as they steadily make their way across approximately 1,049 miles of Alaskan wilderness in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. We are currently learning about the historical events that inspired this annual race from Anchorage to Nome. This year’s Iditarod starts on Saturday, March 4, 2017 and can be tracked on www.iditarod.com.
MATH
In math we have been concentrating on using money. We have been calculating coin amounts, making coin and dollar exchanges, and counting up with money. We also explored geometry concepts with tangrams and created and solved problems and number stories using “comparison diagrams” and “parts-to-total” organizers. We will continue to practice and apply mental math strategies, read and write number stories, add and subtract multi-digit numbers, and reinforce these skills with games, hands-on activities, and books.
Please continue to practice addition and subtraction math facts to increase speed, efficiency, and automaticity. Before February vacation, I sent home several math games and activities for students to keep and play to help reinforce skills. Other card, domino, and board games that you already have at home - as well as apps and online math websites - also make practicing math facts and concepts fun!
HEALTH
The Second Step program provides us with lessons to explore and strategies to help us with problem-solving, self-monitoring, impulse-control, making good choices, and getting along with others. We also apply the “Zones of Regulation” – an approach designed to help students identify feelings, strengthen self-awareness, and promote self-advocacy. We will continue to use the “zones” and Second Step strategies to promote personal responsibility and a cooperative spirit in our classroom.
Mrs. Chalas
“March is the month of expectation,
The things we do not know . . .”
~ Emily Dickinson
READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
We continue to explore many topics, teaching points, and genres in reading! Most recently we have focused on short biographies of some famous people in history and we have learned about their important contributions.
This week we will read about Balto, a real dog and hero immortalized in the book The True Story of Balto. This account will provide us with interesting background information about the famous dog sled relay and serum run across snow-covered Alaska in 1925 that stopped a deadly diphtheria epidemic in the isolated frontier town of Nome. It will also expose us to the incredible strengths, instincts, and talents of real sled dogs. Furthermore, we will explore how these historical events inspired the current-day Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race run from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska each March.
Throughout March, we will focus our attention on “Non-fiction and Reading About Science to Become Experts” in small book clubs formed to reflect students’ interest in particular topics. Some Science-related topics and offerings will include Habitats, Geography and Earth Science, Disasters, Birds, Dinosaurs, Rain Forests, Weather, The Solar System, Insects and Spiders, and Machines and Inventions.
Additional book club topics and resources will put together by students. Some of the strategies we will use in our non-fiction book clubs are: identifying and using non-fiction features; explaining and discussing topics, information, and main ideas in non-fiction texts; identifying whole book topic(s) and sub-topics; comparing and contrasting information; recording information; and sharing knowledge with others.
Although we have read and discussed non-fiction books and articles in the past, this time our focus will be more in-depth.
As we become “experts” in our book clubs, we will record, organize, and share our research, knowledge, and observations with others in a variety of ways.
Reading orally to increase fluency, using expression, applying decoding strategies, thinking carefully about what we are reading, and actively participating in group discussions, partnered activities, guided groups, and literacy centers are just some of the ways we routinely reinforce, strengthen and extend our skills as readers and communicators.
When choosing books for independent reading times, students are always reminded to select “good fit” books that are interesting, engaging, and just right for them. Please continue to encourage reading for pleasure at home. (Do not be alarmed if your child chooses books and stories that seem too simple, or insists on re-reading old favorites!) It is most important to foster a love of reading, both in school and at home.
As the school year continues, written responses to literature now will require more careful thought, well-organized ideas, and detailed evidence to support students’ thinking and opinions. Students must strive to write legibly, expand their ideas, check for errors, and revise or correct their work.
While many second graders continue to improve these challenging but essential skills, others compromise quality by working too quickly or carelessly. When discussing or responding to literature with peers, students must speak clearly using complete sentences and appropriate rate and volume, and must listen thoughtfully and respectfully when others are sharing their ideas!
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES
In Science we recently explored “The Solar System.” After an interesting and informative visit to the P.C.I.S. Planetarium last month, we learned more about the sun and stars, Earth and its moon, the planets in our solar system, and the scientific causes of shadows and seasonal changes. We also discovered that scientists are constantly challenging theories and learning new things about space and our solar system. In addition, the Science Center books, posters, games, and puzzles stimulated students’ curiosity and extended their learning.
Next, we will take a brief look at the Next Generation Science Standards related to “Friction” and we will explore this topic with problem-solving activities, hands-on projects in class with peers, books, and online resources. After that, we will immerse ourselves in “Matter.”
On Tuesday, March 14, all second grade students will enjoy an up-close and informative visit from Jim Parks of Wingmasters as he presents his "Birds of Prey" program. Mr. Parks is a licensed raptor rehabilitator who visits Federal Furnace each year to show and tell students about birds of prey commonly found in the Plymouth area. In the past, some of these birds have included a Peregrine Falcon, a Red-tailed Hawk, a Great Horned Owl, a Screech Owl, and a Northern Saw-Whet Owl. We look forward to his visit and hope to see some birds that we have researched and read about in class!
Before February vacation, students chose biographies from the school and classroom libraries to use as part of an exciting "Biography in a Bag" project due into class by Wednesday, March 8. Specific information about this project was sent home last month, and students are expected to be working on this project according to the checklist of important due dates provided in their "Biography in a Bag" folders.
The "Biography in a Bag" project is very popular with second graders who take great pride and excitement in reading challenging non-fiction, and sharing their new-found knowledge with others. Please join us in Pod 4, Room 17 on Friday, March 10 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, and 2:15 to 3:00 PM as we display and share our projects with families, classmates, and Federal Furnace peers.
In March we will be using our timeline and mapping skills, knowledge of geography, understanding of weather, and acquired math skills to research and track individual mushers online as they steadily make their way across approximately 1,049 miles of Alaskan wilderness in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. We are currently learning about the historical events that inspired this annual race from Anchorage to Nome. This year’s Iditarod starts on Saturday, March 4, 2017 and can be tracked on www.iditarod.com.
MATH
In math we have been concentrating on using money. We have been calculating coin amounts, making coin and dollar exchanges, and counting up with money. We also explored geometry concepts with tangrams and created and solved problems and number stories using “comparison diagrams” and “parts-to-total” organizers. We will continue to practice and apply mental math strategies, read and write number stories, add and subtract multi-digit numbers, and reinforce these skills with games, hands-on activities, and books.
Please continue to practice addition and subtraction math facts to increase speed, efficiency, and automaticity. Before February vacation, I sent home several math games and activities for students to keep and play to help reinforce skills. Other card, domino, and board games that you already have at home - as well as apps and online math websites - also make practicing math facts and concepts fun!
HEALTH
The Second Step program provides us with lessons to explore and strategies to help us with problem-solving, self-monitoring, impulse-control, making good choices, and getting along with others. We also apply the “Zones of Regulation” – an approach designed to help students identify feelings, strengthen self-awareness, and promote self-advocacy. We will continue to use the “zones” and Second Step strategies to promote personal responsibility and a cooperative spirit in our classroom.
Mrs. Chalas
“March is the month of expectation,
The things we do not know . . .”
~ Emily Dickinson