The start of 2012 has been a busy one, but students quickly dove into their learning following a well needed and deserved winter break.
In reading, students' guided reading groups have been adjusted as needed. While the focus is on reading to learn (versus learning to read), students will continue to practice the skills of predicting, making connections, inferencing, generating questions, and summarizing.
Students will have a great opportunity to practice reading to learn and writing as they select animals on which to research and write a report AT SCHOOL. However, an accompanying at home assignment will require students to make a 3-D model of their animals as part of their final product. (More information will be sent home later after students select their animals the week of January 23.)
As always, math keeps us movin'! Currently, students are learning to count back change to $5.00. Yes, you read correctly and yes, this is a tough skill for 7 and 8-year-olds to comprehend and master. However, here is a helpful trick to help them visualize as they solve:
Pretend as though you purchase an ALABAMA pen for $ 2.45 and pay the cashier with $5.00.
- Draw 5 rectangles to represent the 5 dollars you pay the cashier.
- Cross out the first two dollars b/c you spent those on the pen.
- Divide the next dollar into half and write $.45 on the left.
- Then, count up and draw the coins from 45 cents to 1 dollar.
- Write that amount in the last half of the dollar.
- Finally, count up the dollars that are left and add it to the cents, and you've got your change!!!!!
We'd appreciate it if you can help us be consistent by supporting your child with their homework by using this strategy. The subtraction method for many 2nd graders is too difficult to comprehend.
In social studies, students have enjoyed watching a movie and completing a Martin and Me journal of connections to help learn about MLK Jr.'s contributions.
A unit on the sun, moon, and stars quickly approaches us, but first we must complete our Hi Touch, Hi Tech in school field trip on Wednesday, January 25 to gain some basic knowledge about space.
Phew...not to mention...it's the 100th day of school on Friday! WOO WOO!
