Fontaine Flier
November 15, 2013
Amazing Thinkers! Here are just a few examples...
1. An instructional resource teacher video taped our math class a couple weeks ago. She was so impressed with the students' thinking during our "number talks" that she presented it to Nancy Hughes, head of the district's math department. Nancy was so impressed that she used the video in one of her trainings last night!
I just found out that it was so well received last night that they are going to use a short clip of it for the district math website!
2. Today in writing someone discovered that it really isn't fair for us to copy down words from a book because those are someone else's words. We talked about plagiarism and how to reword information found in a book. The topic even came up about what to do if we really want to use someone's words because we just love the way the author put the words together. So I found myself teaching them how to site sources. Very impressive for second grade!
Coming Up Next Week...
Reading/Social Studies-In reading this week we will be using a variety of text, both fiction and informational, all having to do with our current social studies theme. We will be using one of my favorite books, Pop's Bridge by Eve Bunting. This is a historical fiction story about the challenges of building the Golden Gate Bridge. We will also be reading The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash. We will continue to work on retelling both fiction/informational, checking for understanding, and finding the main idea and supporting details. We will also be developing strategies for decoding multi-syllabic words.
Spelling-oo (ew sound) as in boot
Math-We are now working on Topic 7, Subtracting 2-digit numbers using mental math. In this unit, students will learn a variety of strategies for figuring out how to regroup tens and ones in order find the difference. One of the more trickier strategies is "making 100" where students are given a number (47) and have to figure out, mentally, what number would be added to make 100. There are several websites on our Symbaloo that provide a fun way to practice subtraction facts.
Writing-So far in writing this year we have focused on the writing process which includes: prewriting-(brainstorming, mapping out our thoughts before we write), first draft (getting our ideas down, revising (adding details, improving our words, etc), editing (spelling, capital letters, punctuation), and publishing (sharing our writing with an audience). We have also focused on 4 of the 6 traits-conventions, ideas, organization, and word choice. This week students will have the opportunity to show all they have learned by participating in the district writing assessment.
Social Studies-We will continue learning about rural, urban and suburban. Thank you so much for sending in all your urban and rural connections! I am so excited! We have the opportunity to talk to people all over the United States! Tanner's grandpa, who lives on a farm, will be coming in on Monday to share his experiences with us! Mr. Lowe will also be stopping by to talk to the kids about how to conduct a great interview.
I am still working on the details of using Skype in the classroom. I will let you know as soon as I figure it out. I should have an answer early next week.
Mid-term Progress Reports Coming Home Today
On your child's progress report, you will see a percentage score for reading, math, and spelling.
90%-100% = A
80%-89%= B
70%-79%=C
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Suckers for Soccer
Meadow Lane's student government will be hosting Suckers for Soccer on Nov 25-26. They are raising money so we can purchase two more soccer goals for the playground. Suckers will be sold before school on those two days. Each sucker is $1 and they can buy up to 5 suckers each day.
Come Explore our Projects!
I just wanted to remind everyone about our project website. If you go to www.fontaine2ml.weebly.com, you will be able to access a website that will contain our paper slide videos, frog and toad Animoto slideshows, our Symbaloo, and coming to you very soon (thanks to Mrs. Semrau and Mrs. Trachsel)...our bird podcasts! They are adorable!!! A huge thank you to all of you that took the time to leave a comment on our blog!
Thanksgiving Break FUN Math Activities!
I will be offering students (and parents) an optional Thanksgiving math packet full of math games, puzzles and brain teasers. I really think the kids will enjoy it, plus I am going to bribe them with Tickets to Ride if they complete it! If you are interested in the Thanksgiving math activities, just let me know and I will send one home with your child the week of Thanksgiving break.
Thank you!!!
Thank you so much to everyone that donated goodies for our marble jar party! I also would like to thank Mrs. Semrau and Mrs. Trachsel for all your help with our podcasts!
Congratulations to our Students of the Week-Kade Morris and Mac Braden
Specials Schedule
Monday-Art
Tuesday-P.E./Music
Wednesday-Computer/Spanish
Thursday-P.E./Music
Friday-Library/Spanish and Computer Lab
Spelling List 13-sounds of oo
smooth
roots
food
scooter
boot
broom
moon
cartoon
roof
spoon
springtime
ostrich
met
over
did
answer
paper
page
Vocabulary for the Week
Reading/Social Studies
suspension bridge
bay
skywalker
route
fuel
conservation
products
communication
urban
rural
suburban
Reminders
Friday...bright and early Spirit Squad 7:45 a.m.