Mrs. Bice's Second Grade

Phonics

Readers worked hard this week to tackle multisyllabic words! They learned some great strategies for tackling long and tricky words. When tackling a word part by part it is helpful to look for digraphs and keep them together, break up a word between two consonants in the middle, and when you see a double consonant break it up! These are wonderful tips and tricks to help support your reader with at home! We looked closely at some words with double consonants and discovered that the first part usually has a short vowel sound! Example: din-ner, sup-per, tap-ping.

Readers Workshop

Last week we took a dive into text features and learning about nonfiction books and this week we began our unit on Becoming Experts: Reading Nonfiction. Readers have been learning how to navigate through nonfiction and really hone in on the comprehension piece. Sometimes students get caught up in the photographs in nonfiction and forget to think while they are reading. Please help to encourage your reader to stop and think “What is this part teaching me?” Don’t wait until the end of a book to think, but work at stopping and thinking after each part!

Math

This week we wrapped up unit 4 on measuring, telling time and place value. Our math curriculum (Everyday Math) spirals the curriculum so students see a little bit of a standard and then it spirals later in the year and they will build on the standard. Time and measuring are something that you can work on at home throughout the entire year! The following standards (regarding time and measurement) need to be met by the end of 2nd grade:

• Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to the nearest five minutes, using a.m. and p.m.
• Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
• Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different lengths for the two measurements; describe how the two measurements relate to the size of the unit chosen.
• Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.
• Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.

Your mathematician will bring their unit 4 test home today and their Volume 1 math book! Some pages will not be completed as we have done some lessons on printed paper. Please review their test with them! Yesterday I met with students in small groups to reteach and review their mistakes. Please have your child work on reading their math homework each week. It is a huge transition for 2nd graders to have to read directions on their own but the more we have them do it, the easier test taking will be in the future!

Science

Scientists began their study of the Earth and how it changes over time! Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on the earth, landforms, and the changes in the earths surface. We took a walk around the school looking for erosion and places where water has build up to change the earth’s surface. We played a game where tossed around an inflated globe and tallied up whether our finger landed on water or land. The 2nd graders discovered that a LOT of the earth is covered by water! This was a great way for the 2nd graders to visualize just how much water covers the earth!

MLK Jr.

We read several picture books about Martin Luther King Jr. The students learned so much about his life and legacy through read alouds and discussion. We had some incredible conversations about the impact he has had on the world. The students had lots of questions about skin color, race and how things have evolved. We ended the week writing letters to MLK Jr. and thanking him for all he has done. This was a great way for the students to showcase what they learned about his life and all he has done for us, even today! Check out Seesaw to see your child’s work!

Valentine’s Day

We will be able to celebrate V-Day! Yippppeee! Although we can’t have visitors we will still be able to pass out Valentines and have a fun day! I am asking that all Valentines be turned in on February 8th. We will celebrate and pass out Valentines on February 12. Students can write their friends names on Valentines or can just sign their name. Whichever your child is most comfortable with is great! Please reach out to me if you would like a class list! We have 23 students!