November 16, 2012

Math: 
We are working on solving word problems using addition and subtraction.  Students will need to be able to read a problem and decide which operation to use to solve the problem.  I tried to make it memorable by telling them they were doctors trying to diagnose what their patient was missing and what operation they would need to save their patient.  The basic model is called Part, Part, Total (whole).  If you can picture a triangle with the total at the top and both parts in the lower corner you have the model.  So students can memorize this:

Part + Part = Total                          Total - Part = Part

If the patient is missing the total, then the doctor should use the addition operation.  If the patient is missing a part, then the doctor should use the subtraction operation.  

I think this really helped the students to visualize and understand the meaning of the problem.  We have much more work with vocabulary next week.  

Science

We are learning about the different landforms and sources of water on our Earth.  We did partner work today which included reading a book together and finding three facts.  We have been discussing the difference between fact and opinion as well.  Students really enjoyed this work today.

Reading:

We have been working on finding the root or base word to help us figure out words.  For example in the word unhappiness the root word is happy.  We learned that un is a prefix and ness is a suffix. Finding root/base words is fun.  You can have your child find them in their reading.

Writing:

We are talking about the use of transition words: First, next, then, last, finally.  As well as adding voice to our writing by choosing great feeling words.  We read a book called How Are You Peeling?  Which talked about many types of feelings using vegetables made into faces.  

Remember next week is a short week.  We are off for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday.  I will be sending home the permission slip for the November 28 field trip on Monday, please sign it and return it on Tuesday.

Thank you for sending your children to me ready to learn.  I love coming to work each day and look forward to seeing all the eagerness in their faces.  I truly enjoy working with your children.  Keep doing what you are doing, because from what I can see, your children can learn because they feel loved, safe and happy!

Enjoy the weekend!  Go Lions!

November 6, 2012

Did I really just type the word November?  Hard to believe, but we have just finished the first quarter of school.  I would like to talk about students writing in this post.  Writing is always considered one of the hardest thing to teach students because there is so much to teach when you really think about it.  Writing includes grammar, punctuation, constructing sentences, organizing thoughts, and choosing words that will interest the reader.  As I sat with the other second grade teachers and we were looking at the writing work of our students we really realized how much thought is required for one writing piece.  We also realize that our students are seven and eight years old, and what we expect of them now was what we did in sixth grade.  Writing standards for students today compared to when I was in grade school is dramatically different.  
     In order to help motivate my class, I showed them some "mini movies" that past students and I created with their writing.  The class was mesmorized when they watched these short stories on the big screen.  Students now have the choice during writing to work on their own or with a partner to create a fictional story or an informative writing piece that can be turned into a mini movie.  They must submit their writing to me for review before it can be made into a movie.  This project seems to bring out the best in student writing because they know the standard is high for me to make the writing into a movie.
     Writing instruction this week will be a review of great beginnings, transition words and how to add detail. We will look at books to see how real authors start stories and I will teach them how to start a piece with a question.  Some transition words include: first, next, then, and finally.  When I meet with students I tell them to tell me first what they want to write, then tell them to write what they said.  I then tell them to reread what they wrote.  Rereading is the most important part of writing, because it helps kids to make sure they did not leave out words and helps them organize their thoughts.
      I teach them to add detail by having them read the last sentence they wrote and then ask them what else they can say about that idea or topic.  For example, I wrote the following in class: One hot July day, my family and I went to Michigan Adventure.  (What else can I say about Michigan Adventure?) Michigan adventure is an amusement park and water park. (What else can I say about amusement or water park?) We decided to start our day in the water park. Each time I write a sentence I then reread it and decide how I can add a detail about the last topic.
     In Math we are nearly finished with Chapter 3 on subtraction.  The students are getting really proficient with borrowing across the tens and hundreds place.  We will hit subtracting across zeros again to reinforce this concept.  We started Math Journal as a choice during math time.  Students have a math writing journal where they copy a short problem. Students then have to solve the problem and explain how they came up with their answer.  This is a worthwhile activity because it includes reading, problem solving, and writing.  Their higher level thinking skills will be developed through this activity.  Students can use drawings to solve the problem if necessary.  The first problem students tried was: 16 paws. How many tigers?  There are many ways to solve this. Most students drew the tigers and counted.  They said they kept adding four until they came to 16.  This problem is using multiplication, repeated addition, skip counting or division, depending on how your child chose to solve it.  I look forward to the progress they make in this new area of mathematics.  Our upcoming chapters include:

• Chapter 4: Addition and Subtraction models to help with word problems
• Chapter 5: Multiplication & Division (How to)
• Chapter 6: Multiplication Tables, 2, 5, and 10s
• Chapter 7: Metric Measurement of Length

Halloween Party
Thank you all for all the help in making our Halloween Party a great success.  The kids had a great time. Mrs. Teer came in and took pictures for us.  I'm looking how to upload to a web based album that is an invite only space for you to view pictures.   I want you to be able to see the pictures of your children and be able to order prints if you want or simply download them to your computer/phone.  I'll let you know via email if I find something.  If you have suggestions, please shoot me an email.

Upcoming Dates:
November 8: Picture retake day. We will do our class picture this day.
                     Evening Conferences
November 9: No school
November 22-23 No school
December 22-January 6 Winter Break