Second Grade News
From Mrs. Steele's class
Important dates
June 9
- Field Day 1:15-3:15
- Last day of school for students
Homework
IB Learner Profile: Risk-Taker
Curriculum Corner
Literacy
READING WORKSHOP
Second grade readers have been working on asking questions, and wondering during reading, and are also trying to answer the questions they ask.
This final reading unit of second grade is centered on fiction and traditional literature. We will also focus on the following concepts throughout the unit:
- Reading with expression that reflects characters' feelings
- Understanding predictable roles of characters: villain, hero, and everyone in between
- Recognizing the morals, lessons, and author's message in the stories they read
WRITING WORKSHOP
Second grade writers are working on organizing their research to write a structured piece of informational text. We are working on writing different sections that teach our readers different information about our topic. We will also continue to work on elaborating, and using language that shows we are experts on our topic.
We will focus on the following standards throughout the unit:
Write informational texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts, and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement/ section.
Participate in shared research and writing projects.
- Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Word Study
In word study, we are continuing to examine grammar and parts of speech.
Math Workshop
Second grade mathematicians have been working on unit 6, on 3-Digit addition and subtraction. Our summative assessment for Unit 6 will be on Monday, June 6. Unit 7 will focus on arrays, equal shares, and adding or subtracting lengths.
The standards we are focusing on in Unit 6 include:
Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Understand place value to 1,000
- Skip count by 10s and 100s to 1,000
- Read and write numbers to 1,000 using number names, numerals, and expanded form
- Compare two 3-Digit numbers
- Add and subtract within 1,000
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one-and two-step word problems
Mathematical Practices
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
Please help your child to practice their basic subtraction and addition facts. This may be done by making or purchasing flash cards, downloading an App (may free Apps are available), or having your child sign on to Xtramath. As the end of second grade is approaching, it is important for your child to be more fluent with their basic math facts. Fluency of basic facts will help your child solve three-digit addition and subtraction algorithms more efficiently and accurately, and will also help prepare them for third grade, when they will focus on multiplication and division.
End of the year expectations for fact fluency:
Addition
4: 95% and above
3: 80-94%
2: 70-79%
1: 69% and below
Subtraction
4: 85% and above
3: 70-84%
2: 60-69%
1: 59% and below
Unit of Inquiry - How we Express Ourselves and Sharing the Planet
Our current unit of inquiry, How We Express Ourselves, is closely tied to our Reading Unit. In this unit we will examine the central idea that "people around the world write and tell stories that reflect culture, teach values, and entertain others."
In this unit, we will:
- Explore the similarities of plot and characters found in fairy tales.
- Explore the basic characteristics of a fairy tale (magic, talking animals, royalty, etc.).
- Identify cultural elements presented in fairy tales.
- Identify lessons taught within fairy tales.
We have also been exploring concepts from our unit, Sharing the Planet. Our field trip to the Troy Nature Center tied closely to this unit.