Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful, restful, holiday break with your children! It was wonderful to see them all ready to go, though some looked like they could sleep another wink. We picked up right where we left off with literature, writing workshop, and math. As of last week, they are officially pre-third graders! you can imagine how grown up this made them all feel! Along with this new title will come added responsibilities, expectations and,and best of all added privilegese to make their learning experiences personal! We will continue to develop new skills, wonder more, and most importantly refine skills already learned. It's sure to be a great half of second grade.
Writer's Workshop:
This month we will embark on a new writing venture following the cues from our friend Gooney Bird. They will continue to practice using "juicy" words, and keeping the reader in suspense, as they embark on their Small Moment piece. Best of all, they will work through the writing process from brainstorming, think maps, rough drafts, peer/teacher edit, and ending with publishing. Be sure to ask your child to share the process with you.
This month we will embark on a new writing venture following the cues from our friend Gooney Bird. They will continue to practice using "juicy" words, and keeping the reader in suspense, as they embark on their Small Moment piece. Best of all, they will work through the writing process from brainstorming, think maps, rough drafts, peer/teacher edit, and ending with publishing. Be sure to ask your child to share the process with you.
Math:
Thank you for supporting your child's math development by having them visit the Xtramath and Dreambox websites. Both serve as a tool to help your child work on math skills at your child's pace. While Xtramath focuses on automaticity of math facts, Dreambox allows your child to pick adventures while practicing various math concepts. In class, we continue to work on critical thinking and problem solving, using a variety of strategies. For the month of December, we explored math through geometry and origami. As the children folded, they discovered angles, shapes, parts of a whole, and symmetry. I hope you all loved their beautiful wreath and trees!
Thank you for supporting your child's math development by having them visit the Xtramath and Dreambox websites. Both serve as a tool to help your child work on math skills at your child's pace. While Xtramath focuses on automaticity of math facts, Dreambox allows your child to pick adventures while practicing various math concepts. In class, we continue to work on critical thinking and problem solving, using a variety of strategies. For the month of December, we explored math through geometry and origami. As the children folded, they discovered angles, shapes, parts of a whole, and symmetry. I hope you all loved their beautiful wreath and trees!
Ipads:
The ipads continue to serve as an integral tool for writing and recording reflections, capturing learning, demonstrating math understanding, and most importantly serves as a digital portfolio of your child's learning The children have become quite proficient, and teach me something new everyday!
The ipads continue to serve as an integral tool for writing and recording reflections, capturing learning, demonstrating math understanding, and most importantly serves as a digital portfolio of your child's learning The children have become quite proficient, and teach me something new everyday!
Love in a Baggie:
As part of the grade 2 service project, we will be collecting toiletries to donate to the Waikiki Health Center. This is an annual activity which helps promote the spirit of community service and teaching the children ways they can help those in need. Items can be sent in anytime from now until March 1st. Volunteers from Waikiki Health Center will come down for a Q&A with the children and talk about the mission of the center. I kindly ask for your support in our service project!
As part of the grade 2 service project, we will be collecting toiletries to donate to the Waikiki Health Center. This is an annual activity which helps promote the spirit of community service and teaching the children ways they can help those in need. Items can be sent in anytime from now until March 1st. Volunteers from Waikiki Health Center will come down for a Q&A with the children and talk about the mission of the center. I kindly ask for your support in our service project!
Mystery Readers!
If you are still interested in being a Mystery Reader please contact me via email! I know the children would love to have you be a surprise visitor! Please know that contrary to what your children may be reporting home....a special snack is not necessary. :) The purpose of Mystery Reader is to have you share your love for reading and literature with your child and his/her classmates!
If you are still interested in being a Mystery Reader please contact me via email! I know the children would love to have you be a surprise visitor! Please know that contrary to what your children may be reporting home....a special snack is not necessary. :) The purpose of Mystery Reader is to have you share your love for reading and literature with your child and his/her classmates!