Weekly Bulletin
Room 203 Bulletin
Week of January 23, 2012
Hello Families,
The class has been doing amazing work in math. I'm very proud of them. We are enjoying being "internationally-minded". Last week we learned or practiced using chopsticks, and using our forks as the English do (upside down!). I have a list of all the people about whom the students will be writing their biographical book reports. It is a list of amazing people, and I know the class will be learning a great deal from each other.
Our celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year was fun for the kids (and adults). We are looking forward to the lucky Year of the Dragon!
The second grade teachers have a planning day this Wednesday, so we will have a substitute that day.
ELA:
January Literature Contract: Due Tuesday, January 31.
Benchmark test: This Tuesday we will have our second benchmark test. It is not a test students can really study for...it is just another measure by which we can see what we need to focus on before STAR testing.
Comprehension: Our text story for this week is a really fun one: Big Bushy Mustache. We will work on the comprehension strategy of predict/infer, and problem solving. Predict: You can ask your student what they think will happen in the story before they begin reading, or what they think will happen next in the story. Try to get them to tell you why they predict this...is it an "educated guess"? Infer: Ask your child what the author is saying without saying it...what clues does the author give?
Vocabulary: This is a very difficult list. It is all academic vocabulary (things we are currently studying in math, science, and social studies). If you can, drop some of these words into your conversation so the students can hear how they are used. A copy of the vocabulary matrix is on the homework page. Test this Friday.
Grammar: One and more than one (singular and plural...these words will probably be on our next vocabulary test...week of Feb 14).
Information and Study Skills: Understanding a calendar
Writing: We wrote our narratives last week. This week we will have a descriptive writing of construction paper "coats" we made in class.
Math: Chapter 11 begins a new unit on subtraction. We will be repeating all the same concepts where we learned to add...just using the inverse operation. Our test is scheduled for Thursday, February 2.
Note: for the leveled problem solving on the homework, items 5 and 6 are advanced and are always optional.
Science: We are studying rocks for science. Your child will be learning about the properties of rocks, their luster and hardness, weathering, and soil.
Social Studies: Our new Unit of Inquiry, is "Sharing the Planet...Access to Equal Opportunity". We are looking at how individuals have created opportunities for themselves and others. Your child will be researching one famous person who meets these criteria. We will explore the following lines of inquiry:
1. What are the needs and rights of people?
2. How can individual actions create opportunities for others?
3. What motivates people to want to make changes?
4. Do all people have the same rights?
5. What are the challenges people overcome?
Week of January 23, 2012
Hello Families,
The class has been doing amazing work in math. I'm very proud of them. We are enjoying being "internationally-minded". Last week we learned or practiced using chopsticks, and using our forks as the English do (upside down!). I have a list of all the people about whom the students will be writing their biographical book reports. It is a list of amazing people, and I know the class will be learning a great deal from each other.
Our celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year was fun for the kids (and adults). We are looking forward to the lucky Year of the Dragon!
The second grade teachers have a planning day this Wednesday, so we will have a substitute that day.
ELA:
January Literature Contract: Due Tuesday, January 31.
Benchmark test: This Tuesday we will have our second benchmark test. It is not a test students can really study for...it is just another measure by which we can see what we need to focus on before STAR testing.
Comprehension: Our text story for this week is a really fun one: Big Bushy Mustache. We will work on the comprehension strategy of predict/infer, and problem solving. Predict: You can ask your student what they think will happen in the story before they begin reading, or what they think will happen next in the story. Try to get them to tell you why they predict this...is it an "educated guess"? Infer: Ask your child what the author is saying without saying it...what clues does the author give?
Information and Study Skills: Understanding a calendar
Writing: We wrote our narratives last week. This week we will have a descriptive writing of construction paper "coats" we made in class.
Math: Chapter 11 begins a new unit on subtraction. We will be repeating all the same concepts where we learned to add...just using the inverse operation. Our test is scheduled for Thursday, February 2.
Note: for the leveled problem solving on the homework, items 5 and 6 are advanced and are always optional.
Science: We are studying rocks for science. Your child will be learning about the properties of rocks, their luster and hardness, weathering, and soil.
Social Studies: Our new Unit of Inquiry, is "Sharing the Planet...Access to Equal Opportunity". We are looking at how individuals have created opportunities for themselves and others. Your child will be researching one famous person who meets these criteria. We will explore the following lines of inquiry:
