Week of January 9th – 12th, 2017
Science
ELA ~ Reading
This
week
we
used
two
different
informational texts about the same topic to
explore how authors communicate their
viewpoints through word choice, facts, and
pictures. The books we read were Surprising
Sharks and Shark Attack! We didn’t really
even have to open them up to see how they
were different. The students did a wonderful
job comparing and contrasting these two
books. After we read both texts the
students formed their own opinions about
sharks and completed a graphic organizer
including reasons and facts from the books to
support their feelings.
Word Sort Focus: vowel team for long u
In
ELA ~ Writing
writing
this
week
we
worked
constructing complete sentences.
on
First we
read the book I Lost My Tooth in Africa as
an example of how an author uses complete
sentences to help form a clear picture in the
reader's head. Then we practiced this by
writing captions for photographs of sharks
and octopuses. Each student had to caption it
by writing a few complete sentences—short,
medium, and long. We had a great time using
some vivid verbs in our photo captions!
Science was quite exciting this week as
students balanced arch and triangle shapes on
a small, flat craft stick that was taped to the
table. They made an important discovery
about where the clothespin counterweights
needed to be placed so the shapes would
balance in a stable position. Next, we applied
these discoveries to successfully balance a
sharp pencil on its point with the help of a
very flexible wire.
We even made a
prediction about short vs. long pencils and
which would balance more easily. Ask your
child to share about these explorations.
Math
Grouping, ungrouping, whatever should we do?
This week second graders continued to
practice their subtraction skills using
different methods or strategies. We began
with the proof drawing so that students
would see that we are exchanging a ten for
ten singles/ones. Then we looked at the
Expanded Method to remind kids that a
number such as 78 is really 70 + 8. Then we
began to focus on the traditional method of
regrouping, often called borrowing or trading.
We even discussed the advantages of this
method; it is faster and uses less space. We
will continue to reinforce this method,
pointing out which digits are hundreds, tens,
and ones.
REMINDER: CONTINUE TO PRACTICE
BASIC ADDITION & SUBTRACTION
FACTS AT HOME.