Mrs. Bice's Second Grade

Readers Workshop

Our entire unit focuses on 2nd graders amping up their reading by reading longer and harder books! We have been learning how to become more fluent readers but have now transitioned into thinking about the comprehension piece of reading harder books. Readers learned that when they read something difficult they need to: notice, reread, remember and then think! These are really important tips for readers to remember when their books become more challenging! Another part of understanding literary language is figuring out what the language really means! One example might be “it’s a piece of cake.” Readers need to pause and really think what the author is trying to convey! Comprehension is such an important piece to the 2nd grade reading puzzle! When your child is reading to you at home, be sure to have them pause often to example the authors words!

Writer’s Workshop

We have loved building off of our narrative writing unit from the beginning of the year. Earlier this week, writers received a tiny topic notebook! This is a place where they can collect ideas as they go through their days. We learned how to take one of the tiny moments from their notebooks and plan the story across pages by using our fingers, sketches or keywords. We finished the week by writers zooming in on a small moment in their stories, magnifying it with details so that their reader can take it in with all their senses. They do this by paying attention to details, adding in precise words, a repeating line, and/or exact actions. Writer’s Workshop has gotten a lot more advanced in the last 2 weeks and I can’t wait to see the 2nd grade writers rise to the occasion!

Phonics

We have been busy learning about endangered species and interesting animals while learning more about PHONICS! To celebrate all of our learning, students will be decorating a toddler size t-shirt supporting their animal of choice. These shirts will fit nicely on a stuffed animal or doll! For example “Save the Whales”, “Greyhounds are the Best!”, or “Ask me about Rhinos” We are learning that words are powerful. A few simple words placed where a lot of people can see them, can raise awareness. I have already ordered the t-shirts The cost is $2.00 per t-shirt. If you are able to send in a little extra to help another student, that would be appreciated. (Extra funds will go towards our group cause). On the day of our Phonics Celebration (TBD), students will be invited to bring in one of their dolls, or stuffed animals to wear the 2T t-shirt.

To make the experience more tangible for our students, as a group we will be partnering with Paws With a Cause, and will be collecting supplies to donate. Paws With A Cause® enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally through custom-trained Assistance Dogs. PAWS® increases awareness of the rights and roles of Assistance Dog Teams through education and advocacy. A letter will go home soon and will list what supplies we will be asking you to donate.

Math

Math has also ramped up in chapter 6. We spent a lot of time working on story problems and reading them carefully to figure out how to solve them. Mathematicians used a few helpful diagrams to decide if it involved a comparison, parts and total or a change situation. This can be a difficult task for 2nd graders. I will continue to include word problems in homework because kids need a ton of practice using these skills!

Social Studies

We are culminating Black History Month with a collaborative research project. Groups had the task of researching a person on the computer and through books to become an expert on their person! Today they worked on creating a “cube” with different facts about their person. Next week, students will learn from their peers by rolling the cube and reading about each famous person! Be on the lookout for these to come home next week. This has been a wonderful experience for students to learn about some famous African Americans from our past who helped to shape our future.

Kindness Week Fun

The kids had a ton of fun dressing up for the themed days as well as celebrating kindness. During morning meeting we discussed a quote about kindness as well as read a book each day! It always amazes me how much kids can learn from picture books!