Room 101 News
Important Highlights, Reminders, and Exciting News
Week of March 14th
We are so very proud of our Spectacular Second Graders! Each day, they strive to demonstrate our school's Core Values of Mind, Heart, and Effort each school day and in multiple ways. We celebrate and appreciate all of the growth and progress that has been made, to date. We are very excited about our future and educational journey as it unfolds ahead!
Both classrooms 101 and 102 are working hand and hand to ensure that our content, experiences, and resources are parallel. As educators, this is our heartfelt and dedicated commitment to the students and families we are serving this school year and beyond.
Thank you so much Edgebrook School Friends for bringing in our wonderful STEM activities last week!!! The students had tons of fun constructing their gumdrop bridges while working on our balance and weighing study with Mr. Hutchinson on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we got to engage in a High Touch-High Tech “Get Buggy” activity previewing our upcoming insects unit. During the activity, we explored and learned about the many creepy crawlies that were brought in by our scientist visitor, Ms. Amy.
Magical History Tour Updates and Important Information...
On Wednesday, March 2nd, students received their Magical History Tour Information Packet which contained very important information, guidelines and deadlines to guide their journeys back in time. We have confirmed their historical person choice and distributed research materials to our students to assist their research and their completion of their Biography Report. The First Draft of their Biography Report Outline is to be completed using their research and returned to school by Friday, March 18th.
Upon return, students will receive a special portrait paper to illustrate their historical person. After receiving a teacher edit on their First Draft of the Biography Report, students will publish their Final Draft onto special border paper that we will supply that corresponds with their person's historical group. Please take care of and a watchful eye over the loaned research materials. They have been helping our students for many years and reflect a great deal of effort and coordination to locate these topics. PLEASE DO NOT LOSE THEM! We are requiring the students to store them in the Ziploc Bags as they contain their names as well as the quantity of items loaned to them. They should be kept until May 11th the day the Dioramas are due.
Important Deadlines...
March 18th-Students will receive a Biography Portrait Sheet. They will be asked to illustrate their person and this portrait will be projected in a PowerPoint behind them as their present their speeches during our presentation on Friday, May 13th.
First Drafts will be proofread and returned to students as soon as possible so that Final Drafts can be published and returned to school by April 1st.
Wednesday, May 11th-Loaned materials should be returned to school as well as your diorama.
Friday, May 13th-9:00AM 101 will present their speeches. 10:00AM 102 will present their speeches. Students will be dressed and each other’s backup singers when their class is not presenting. We will fit and loan the students costumes prior to the week of the shows.
Third Quarter Progress Reports
Progress Reports for Third Quarter were sent home on Friday, March 11th. Please sign and return by Tuesday, March 15th as confirmation of receipt and review.
Math Chapter Nine
In Math, our emphasis is Data Analysis. We will be extending and enriching our understanding of Measurement and Data. Our Essential Question is "How can I record and analyze data?" We will be utilizing hands-on manipulatives and IXL to enhance our knowledge and understanding mathematical problem-solving strategies!
We will be administering a 7 Minute Addition Timed Test Wednesday, March 16th and an 8 Minute Subtraction Timed Test on Thursday, March 17th.
Science
In Science, we are exploring Force, Balance, and Motion this Third Quarter!!
Social Studies
We are journeying back in time to the Early Explorers and the Native Americans. Using a supplemental and informative Social Studies Weekly Publication, the students were able to apply a close reading strategy entitled Three Reads to enhance and enrich of key vocabulary, main ideas and supporting details related to this unit. On Wednesday, March 16th, an Explorers Study Guide will be completed in class and sent home and will serve as a guide for review for Wednesday, March 23rd's Test.
Language Arts
Reading Response Journal (RRJ)
On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, your child will be assigned a Reading Response Journal entry on a book of their choice. Please use the classroom modeled example to guide you. They will be collected on Thursdays and credit will be given for their effort. This week's entries for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are due on Thursday, March 17th.
Please refer to the copy of the Reading Response Journal Prompts stapled to the inside cover of your child's Interactive Language Arts Journal (red spiral notebook). An additional copy is also contained in the Parent Night Information Packet for Reference. We recognize that Active Readers use Thinking Stems. These will deepen our students' interaction and response to their given texts and reading selections.
Spelling
A Pretest was administered on Monday, March 14th. A Test will be administered this Friday, March 18th.
Our week's words emphasize the long e sound spelled ee, ea, e, e_e as well as our next reading selection's vocabulary words.
peach, cheese, between, eagle, chain fossil, trace, outstretched, print, rock
Spelling City accounts have been created! We have recently created second grade Spelling City accounts for those that would like to utilize the website for practicing the weekly spelling words. Simply follow the link below and search for Clyde or Vena and click on the teacher’s name. The spelling lists will be updated weekly.
https://www.spellingcity.com/spelling-list-search.html
Reading
Our reading selection is If You Find a Rock written by Peggy Christian. Vocabulary cards will be submitted on the day of the test for credit at a future date.
Genre
Nonfiction is based on facts. It contains facts about real people, things, or events.
Vocabulary cards
Vocabulary cards will be completed and submitted for credit on the day of the test. Please help your child to make sure these are completed and can be used as a study tool in anticipation of the upcoming test. Vocabulary cards will be attached at the time of test collection for credit.
Comprehension Skill- Compare and Contrast
As you read, compare and contrast the rocks. How are they alike? How are they different?
Vocabulary -
A vocabulary study card will be completed for each of these key vocabulary words. Our procedure will be modeled and time will be given in class to complete these. They will be submitted for credit on the day of the assessment.
chain, fossil, outstretched, print, trace
Vocabulary Strategy-Context Clues
Context Clues in the text help you find the meanings of words.
Grammar Focus and Emphasis~Types of Sentences
There are different kinds of sentences.
A declarative sentence makes a statement. It always ends with a period.
Example: Mars is a planet.
An interrogative sentence asks a question. It always ends in a question mark.
Example: Can you please bring me the book?
An imperative sentence gives you directions or a command. It always ends with a period.
Example: Begin the countdown now.
An exclamatory sentence shows strong feelings. It always ends in an exclamation mark.
Example: What a perfect day!
Ongoing Information
Our Inquiry Project and Investigation Log Journals!!
"Ideas come from curiosity." ~Walt Disney
This school year our students are so very fortunate to have a dedicated journal to record their observations, research as they create inquiry projects as a source for enrichment! The students are very excited and have already been researching student-selected and student-centered topics of their choice. Extra credit will be awarded for mind, heart and effort invested in their special work!
In the past, many Second Grade students have enjoyed preparing an Inquiry Project of their own selection for enrichment and extra credit. They have worked individually or in small groups. Please know that as sources of enrichment, these projects are student-selected and are optional. They will have a chance to share their project with the class, when finished.
In addition, some students have used poster board to showcase their work, and others have opted to purchase the tri-fold version or create dioramas, or models to illustrate their knowledge and understanding. Again, that is purely option. Throughout the school year, we will dedicate some classroom time to collaborate with their peers to aid their research efforts. Upon completion, students will be able to share, and present their projects to the class.
Parents' Daily Assignment Book Check
Please remember to sign your child's Assignment Book each night as confirmation of review and receipt of these important deadlines as well as dialogue with your child regarding their Sticker Chart for all of the school days they stay at Green or Higher.
If they have not done so, then their day will indicate the descending color they received. Our progressive behavior incentive system begins each day with all students on Green or "Ready to Learn." The colors are arranged as follows from the top down. Pink "Super Student," Purple "Great Job," Blue “Good Choices”, Green, "Ready to Learn," Yellow, "Think About it," Orange, "Teacher’s Choice, and Red, "Parent Contact." The last move would result in a Student Behavior Form being completed in school and signed by the teacher as well as the parent at home. This progress informs our citizenship awards as well as our classroom climate and teamwork.
We have a Hall of Fame for those students who collect five days on Pink and earn special gems symbolizing their amazing progress on their clip. The students are very motivated to try to reach Pink each day. Please join us in celebrating encouraging this progress! Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
Daily Five Update
We are enjoying immensely our Daily Five Literacy Task Learning Cycles. The students have latched onto the routines and are immersing themselves in these literacy tasks! Throughout the past few weeks, we have been reinforcing and practicing our routines and expectations for Word Work, Work on Writing, Read to Self, iPads, and teacher-guided group expectations.
Differentiated Math Centers
Our Math Centers have been an exciting addition to our math lessons!
In addition to IXL practice and enrichment, we have been working on MARS Tasks, Problems of the Month, Hands-On Math Games to build our Math Fluency and Scavenger Hunts and Scoot Games. The students love these opportunities to extend and enrich their learning!
RAZ-KIDS
Please encourage your child to practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays at least each school week. Keep in mind the desired benchmarks and your child's progress to guide the time that will be needed to keep progressing in this content area.
Our year end goal is for each child to be reading at the End of Second Grade Level-P or higher. Please remember that you will be able to access your accounts throughout the summer and should utilize that time to make sure you have attained the goal.
Language Arts Reading-
Students should read for at least 15 Minutes a day or longer this week. We are suggesting that the students Read Out Loud to an Adult for at least fifteen minutes for homework on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, complete at least one Raz-Kids reading selection and test.
In Second Grade, they will have daily Read to Self opportunities as part of our Daily Five Literacy Tasks. They each have an individualized book bin with "Good Fit" books. They may check out a classroom library book to assist with these journal entries.
Signed Tests
Thank you for taking time to sign your child's assessments and return them to school. As shared at Parent Night and in our Second Grade Informational Packets distributed at the beginning of our school year, these returned assessments are compiled into Student Portfolios and will be returned to you and your child at the end of our school year. They serve as a confirmation of your receipt of this important feedback and reinforce the Home-School Correspondence. This practice is part of your child's daily assignments. Thank you for your continued support!
Please remember...
The Classroom/Homework page will be updated weekly or as needed to inform our students and families of upcoming important reminders, announcements and our anticipated homework for the week.
Visit our school's website at and select this Classes/Homework page regularly in order to facilitate our Home-School partnership as well as your child's progress this school year. Please also note that you child has a personal Assignment Book that will contain "Real Time" updates regarding daily Homework