Second Grade SUPER News
January 29, 2016
Highlights from Second Grade
We continued our AR celebration with the picnic with the teachers on Wednesday. The students were happy to eat with us in the teacher's lounge. It was fun for those who were able to come - Jason, Jayden, Connor, and Megha in our room. Next quarter we want more students with us! LETS GO READERS!
After lunch the students had an opportunity to go outside for recess or go into the gym for a game of 'Hungry, Hungry, Caterpillar'. The students got in teams of 4 and rotated through each position. One student was the caterpillar and laid down on a scooter. Two of the students each took a leg and pushed and pulled the caterpillar while he collected soft balls under a pail. The last student was the collector and gathered the balls together. THEY LOVED IT! The second graders played with the other class and some third and fourth graders as well. It was fun to be with other grades and have a GREAT time!
New Behavior Chart
Literacy
We began our second semester of Superkids, 'The Superkids Take Off'. We, as teachers, continue to appreciate the program, and the students continue to love it. The stories are fun and they can sure relate to them. We love how comprehensive it is in terms of word work, decoding, spelling, comprehension, and now cursive handwriting! This week's focus in phonics was doubling the final consonant in a short vowel word using ff, ll, and ss; and the suffixes -ful which means full of, and -able which means can be. We reviewed nouns and verbs, complete sentences, and the use of because in the middle of a sentence to connect the two parts.
In Writing we continue composing opinion letters about a favorite book that we are reading. We are encouraging the students to write longer and stronger opinions about a character or a favorite part; and use evidence from the text to explain their opinion.
In Cursive Handwriting we have demonstrated and practiced the letters i and t. Please do not have your child practice more than this. They are quite excited about cursive, but we would like to demonstrate each letter before they begin writing it. Thank you!
Don't forget that we are encouraging the students to read the list of Monarch books which can be found by clicking on the link below.
Math
In math we have finished adding 2-digit numbers to 2-digit numbers using the various addition strategies. The students seem to favor decomposing, the open number line strategy, and the standard algorithm. We used the iPads and the App 'Explain Everything' to work out several addition problems. Students recorded themselves as they wrote the problem and then solved it. This reinforced their learning in a FUN way!
Next, we will be working on subtraction strategies using 2-digit numbers. Like addition, we will introduce different strategies and practice them so that your student will become more proficient in solving subtraction problems.
Star Student
Kenisha was our Star Student this week. Kenisha has one older brother, Kenan, who is in 6th grade here, and one older sister, Denise, who goes to high school. She wants to be a vet when she grows up. One of the students asked her if she would rather have a mansion or a dog. She picked a dog!
Our next Star Student is . . . Danna !
AR Winners
The two raffle prizes for AR were, however, handed out today. Connor won one of the Recycled Paper Beans kits and is pictured below. He had earned 10 raffle tickets by reaching over 500% of his goal! WOW!
Miscellaneous Items
- Report cards will be coming home next Friday, February 5th.
- After school programs started on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The option for 2nd grade is Study Hall. The pink slips should be brought in on the day that your child is staying.
- Your appointment time for Parent-Teacher Conferences came home in today's Friday Folder. Please confirm your appointment by signing and returning the form by next Friday, February 5th.
- Conferences are Thursday, February 11, from 3 to 8 PM, and Friday February 12, from 11 AM to 4 PM. There is a half day of school on Thursday, and NO SCHOOL on Friday.
- There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 15th, in observance of President's Day.
To access TumbleBooks:
Password: woodridgeschools
Our Mission
In partnership with family and community, Woodridge School District 68 will provide a comprehensive educational foundation for all children in a safe, caring environment, preparing them to be productive, responsible, and successful members of society.