Dragonfly News October
It's so hard to believe we have already completed a quarter of second grade! How quickly time flies when you're having fun! The children have settled into their routines and have gained confidence with the new responsibilities and expectations of second grade. Most importantly they are learning how to work together to create a positive and successful learning environment for everyone.
Mathematicians: The Dragonflies are an eager group of mathematicians! So far we have looked at addition and subtraction in relation to parts and whole, learned a variety of strategies to problem solve, and are using math vocabulary on a daily basis. The next time you have a conversation with your mathematician, they should be able to go beyond just giving you the answer. Have them describe the number sentence using their new vocabulary. We will continue to explore numbers, practice operations and algebraic thinking, and build arrays. In addition, students use their iPads to build automaticity through Dreambox, Xtramath, and Problem of the Day. The Explain Everything app, provides students with the opportunity to not only solve problems, but also "explain" the process used to solve. The variety of tools enables students to draw and/or type their thought process.
Scientists: As scientists, we have practiced making observations using our five senses. We went on an observation walk, and the Dragonflies asked wondering questions about the wind. We researched wind facts, and then asked "Can wind move an object?". To test our question, we created puff mobiles using straws, candies, paper and tape. We realized we could build an object that could move using wind energy. We also tested the power of wind when we created our pumpkin/squash boats. We used hallowed out pumpkins, an acorn squash, a butternut squash and spaghetti squash, along with other materials, to build boats. We noticed that we could make our pumpkin/squash boat move using wind energy; that helped us to make connections to the Hokule`a and how they are able to travel across the world using wind and ocean currents.
Word Scientists & RAZ Kids: Four times a week the children break into their Word Scientist groups. At the beginning of the week, the children are introduced to a new rule/pattern for their spelling. They practice sorting the words and identify strategies to spell them. In addition, vocabulary development is also emphasized, as students learn how to look for words within words to help determine its meaning. While the word lists vary, each child has the same activity/assignment in their homework packets. To help foster development as readers, students work in small guided reading groups using RAZ Kids on their iPads. Here the children practice reading strategies, decoding skills, developing fluency, and most importantly comprehension.
Mystery Readers:
We have had two Mystery Readers come and visit the Dragonflies! To be a mystery reader, you simply need to email me with some specific dates/days and blocks of time you are available. Then pick a book/story you would like to share. It can be a childhood favorite, a new book, something that ties in to what we are studying, etc., The possibilities are endless! But shhhh...don't forget, it is supposed to be a surprise for your child too!
We have had two Mystery Readers come and visit the Dragonflies! To be a mystery reader, you simply need to email me with some specific dates/days and blocks of time you are available. Then pick a book/story you would like to share. It can be a childhood favorite, a new book, something that ties in to what we are studying, etc., The possibilities are endless! But shhhh...don't forget, it is supposed to be a surprise for your child too!
October Fun: Thank you to all the parents who so generously donated their time, talent, and energy to help the children celebrate Halloween! We had an amazing crew of pumpkin carvers, and an assortment of creative crafts! Thank you to Miki Saito for turning one of the craft stations (candy bar decorating) into a community service project. Extra candy bars decorated by the Dragonflies were delivered by Vincent to Shriners Hospital!
Mealworms and Butterflies:
The mealworms have arrived! As part of our life cycle unit, the students will be spending the next few week making observations, predictions, and conducting experiments with their mealworms. Each day, the students are responsible for documenting their observations, taking careful notes and paying close attention to detail, as their mealworm makes its way through the life cycle. Experiments will be determined and designed by the students based on their wonderings. Thanks to Cooper, the students were able to watch and observe how the caterpillar made its way through the life cycle, turning into a Monarch Butterfly. We had a terrarium full of them on Monday! The children will have the opportunity to compare the life cycles of the two and determine similarities/differences.
The mealworms have arrived! As part of our life cycle unit, the students will be spending the next few week making observations, predictions, and conducting experiments with their mealworms. Each day, the students are responsible for documenting their observations, taking careful notes and paying close attention to detail, as their mealworm makes its way through the life cycle. Experiments will be determined and designed by the students based on their wonderings. Thanks to Cooper, the students were able to watch and observe how the caterpillar made its way through the life cycle, turning into a Monarch Butterfly. We had a terrarium full of them on Monday! The children will have the opportunity to compare the life cycles of the two and determine similarities/differences.