Mrs. Alden's Second Grade Class: March 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

March 30-April 2

Reading:

This week we will be reading legends and myths in our small groups. Students will be able to identify the setting, characters, character traits, plot, and theme as we read together.

Writing:

This week week we are really zoning in on the main character from the legend or myth that we are reading in our small groups. Students will be writing a description of the character including some of their traits and how they change at the end of the story.

Math

This week in math we will continue with problem solving. We will solve addition and subtraction word problems where unknowns will be in the problem and students will have to figure out the missing information. Students will apply mathematics to problem solving in everyday life. We will have a variety of problem-solving strategies to use that incorporate analyzing given information, formulating a plan, determining a solution and evaluating the problem-solving process. Students will challenge their problem solving skills by solving multi-step word problems involving addition, subtraction and place value. At the end of the week, we will review with a fun “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” game and assess on Thursday.

Science:

We are learning about insects and insect life cycles next week. We will look at live meal worms next week! We will explore their life cycle and then we will look at the life cycle of butterflies and ladybugs. It’s going to be a fun week with some bugs to touch and learn about!

At-Home Enrichment (optional homework):

Research: research the “question of the week” and bring what you find out to school. It can be any type of presentation such as a poster, powerpoint, game, etc.

Question of the week: Research the peacock! What are the characteristics, life cycle, adaptations and fun facts about this beautiful animal?

Math Enrichment:

Who wants to challenge their multi-step problems solving skills?

Play Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Science Enrichment:

Build a bug on this website:

http://justkidsgames.com/play.php?BuildABug

Try these fun websites that have riddles, quizzes and crafts about insects!

http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/ythfacts/oldentyouth.htm

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/fun-games/insect-world

http://www.butterflyschool.org/student/insectgame.html

Reminders

March 31- Caraway Chess Tournament; 6:00

April 2- Science Night; 6:00-8:00

April 3- No School- Good Friday

April 7- PTA Meeting & 2nd Grade Performance

April 10- Family Fun Night

April 16- Coffee & Conversations; 7:45

April 18- Celebration of Families; 7:30-1:30

Friday, March 13, 2015

March 23-27

March 23rd--27th

Reading:

This week we will be identifying moral lessons as themes in well-known fables, legends and folktales. We will also be comparing different versions of the same story. We will be looking at the characters, setting, plot, and theme in each story to identify how the versions are alike and different.

Writing:

We will work on using descriptive language to “show and not tell”. We’ll use a variety of emotions to practice this skill and then at the end of the week we will practice writing a paragraph to explain and describe one. Our senses and sensory language will come back into play this week while we explore this type of writing.

Math

Problem solving gets harder this week as we begin working on problems with multiple steps. We’ll review our problem solving strategies and learn how they apply to multiple-step problems. The majority of the week will be spent practicing problems. By the end of the week, we’ll be pros!

Science:

We will continue learning about different types of animals this after spring break. We will talk about the bodies of the animals (physical characteristics) and how they help them meet their basic needs. We will also be discussing how behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs. We will look at animal adaptations and how the adaptations help them meet their needs.

At-Home Enrichment (optional homework):

Research: research the “question of the week” and bring what you find out to school. It can be any type of presentation such as a poster, powerpoint, game, etc.

Question of the week: What is the legend of the leprechaun?

Science Enrichment:

Have your child pick a plant that they want to learn about. They can write about the needs of the plant, life cycle, habitat and important facts. Have them make a poster and bring in to share with the class.

Learn about animals and plants on these websites:

http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/curriculum/quicktip/science/plants/plants.htm

http://www.neok12.com/Plants.htm

http://easyscienceforkids.com/plants/

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_main.html

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/plants.html

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/plants.htmlhttp://www.kidsbiology.com/biology_basics/needs_living_things/living_things_have_needs1.php

http://www.kidsplanet.org/

http://www.e-learningforkids.org/science/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids

http://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/plants-and-animals/

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/foodchain/foodchain.htm

https://jr.brainpop.com/

Reminders

March 16-20- Spring Break

March 18- Family Skate Night

March 26- Second Grade Field Trip to Laguna Gloria (details to come)

March 27- Shamrock’n Roll Run at Specials time

April 2- Science Night; 6:00-8:00

Friday, March 6, 2015

March 9-13

Reading: This week students will be independently thinking and responding to fiction and nonfiction texts that they read. While reading they will respond to what the big idea is in their book, making inferences, comparing two books, retelling the story, and understanding the 5 W’s (Who?, What?, When?, Where?, Why?)

Writing:

This week we will work through a writing menu. This will consist of a variety of questions for us to write about. We will pick one each day and then write about it using complete sentences, correct spelling/punctuation, and a clear beginning/middle/end. We will focus on addressing the prompt and revising as we go also.

Math

We are finishing up our multiplication and division unit with a review on Monday and an assessment on Tuesday. The rest of the week will be spent reviewing everything we’ve learned so far with some spring-themed math centers. We will review measurement, addition and subtraction with regrouping, telling time, and money. It will be a great review before Spring Break!

Science:

We will be learning about different types of animals this week. We will talk about the bodies of the animals (physical characteristics) and how they help them meet their basic needs. We will also be discussing how behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs.

At-Home Enrichment (optional homework):

Research: research the “question of the week” and bring what you find out to school. It can be any type of presentation such as a poster, powerpoint, game, etc.

Question of the week: Who was Miles Davis?

Math enrichment:

Remember Figure Me Out with addition and subtraction? Come up with new numbers about yourself and see if you can make a matching multiplication or division sentence!

Also try this fun game: Race to create an equation in this game will help your child and his opponents get creative with addition, subtraction and multiplication. Math skills will be in full force while everyone tries to outsmart the competition!

What You Need:

Deck of playing cards with the face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) removed
Scratch paper
Pencil
2 or more players

What You Do:

Have your child remove the face cards from the deck and set them aside.
Ask him to shuffle the deck and deal out four cards to each player. Make sure he deals them face down, so nobody can see the hand they were dealt. No peeking!
Place the remaining deck face down in the center of the table.
Have one of the players flip over the top card and place it face up on the table. This is the target number.
Announce that aces = 1.
Count to three and have all players turn their cards over at the same time.
Encourage players to add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers in any combination to try to reach the target number. Make sure that players use all four of their cards. Have players use scratch paper to verify their math.
Whoever can create a equation that hits the target number first gets one point.
The player to reach 3 points first wins!
When four cards become too easy, try playing with five cards instead.