News from Mrs. Drudy's Class
"We exist so children can excel."
September 13, 2019
Next Week's Reading Focus
Weekly Concept: Animals and Nature
Essential Question: How do animals survive?
Next week our class will be focusing on the ways in which animals survive. Some animals live in hot places; others live in cold places. Wherever they live, animals need to adapt to their environment. Our focus addresses the following Indiana Academic Science Standard:
- "Classify living organisms according to variations in specific physical features (i.e. body coverings, appendages) and describe how those features may provide an advantage for survival in different environments."
The students will be so excited to learn that the story in their reading book, Sled Dogs Run!, was illustrated by the official artist of the Iditarod, Jon Van Zyle, and I've been to his Anchorage, Alaska home! A retired Iditarod (1,049-mile sled dog race in Alaska) competitor himself, Mr. Van Zyle's home is also his art studio and is home to a working dog kennel.
Spelling List
Phonics Words: Short o and Long o
box
fox
dog
lock
pot
cone
home
nose
poke
rope
side
line
have
off
took
Challenge Words
long
globe
Rome
close
wrote
Don't forget that Spelling City Grade 2 Unit 2 Week 1 can offer great help with this list.
Clouds, Clouds, Clouds!
What meteorologists we're becoming! These kiddos know their clouds. While driving along in the car, why not ask your child about the types of clouds (s)he can identify in the sky? We have had a great time conducting science labs in the classroom. First, we were able to model a cloud's capacity to hold water droplets until it begins to rain. Next, we made our own cloud in a jar. Both of these activities can be easily replicated at home (with adult supervision, of course). Click here for video directions for the first activity and here for the second. Be sure to check out the action shots below.
COSI
We had an excellent day of ecology today with COSI. At huge shout out to those parents who kindly assisted with this exciting day of learning. We simply could not have done it without you.
Math: Two-Digit Addition
We have been examining strategies for adding two-digit numbers. We've been using math talks to discuss a smorgasbord of ways for doing this. Regrouping, or "carrying" as you might remember it, is a very difficult concept for students to grasp...at first. For this reason, we've been using many hands-on manipulatives to better understand. As a result, you'll see very few worksheets. Students are having fun as they engage in these mathematical centers with their peers. As we do this, we are addressing the following standard:
- "Add and subtract within 1000, using models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; describe the strategy and explain the reasoning used. Understand that in adding or subtracting three-digit numbers, one adds or subtracts hundreds and hundreds, tens and tens, ones and ones, and that sometimes it is necessary to compose or decompose tens or hundreds."
Brain Pop, Jr.
So far this year, we've enjoyed a few educational video clips that conclude with fun quizzes. The second graders have really been enjoying them...so much so that they've requested the login and password for at-home use. I am pleased to share that with you.
login: ucoin
password: brainpop
Has your child had the opportunity to practice on www.ixl.com, yet? It brings me joy to see the names of students who've seized this opportunity at home. If Internet usage is difficult--if not impossible--at your home, don't forget that the Union County Public Library offers this service for free!
Speaking of Union County Public Library...if you've not already done so, don't forget to send in information for a library card for your child.
Next Week's Share Topic:
My Favorite Movie: What is your favorite movie? Is it one that you saw in a theater or one that you watched at home? Briefly tell us what it was about. Who were the main characters? Was there a problem in the movie? If so, how was it solved?
Students are doing a fantastic job with their oral share topics. You should see the ease by which they present to their fellow classmates!
Coming Up
School Picture Day Sept. 19
Our Weekly Related Arts Schedule
Monday Art
Tuesday Music
Wednesday Art & Library
Thursday P.E. & Computer
Friday P.E.
**Remember...your child must wear gym shoes on the days we have P.E.