The children partner up to read and edit one another's stories. They are encouraged to ask the questions: Does the story make sense? How have the author's ideas been translated in words and pictures? We are learning to use CHOPS, being particularly excited to use the new spelling rules in the Words Their Way program!
Projects/Literacy
Another way the children have been practicing their writing skills has been taking notes as they explore non fiction texts, about both wild and domestic animals. Ask your child: What are the animals you are most interested in learning more about? What interesting facts have you learned about these animals?
Collaborating and sharing ideas about the animals are challenging and extending ideas and discoveries about these animals expands their schema. In the coming weeks the children will be encouraged to focus on one animal that touches their heart and to identify problems this animal might encounter in the Portland area and possible solutions.
Math
Our math focus has been estimating and identifying place value. The children have worked in small table groups, making groups of tens and then hundreds to count objects.
Ask your child to show you how he/she has practiced estimating objects and then grouping them to find the total.
We explored several reading games today during literacy. We appreciated Zach's mom, Rebecca, and his grandmother for coming in to supervise one of the games about making inferences.
Homework
Due 11/13
- Reading Log (15 minutes per night and answering the questions)
- Math Journal pages 25-26
Due 11/20
- Reading Log (15 minutes per night and answering the questions)
- Math Journal pages 29-34
*No Homework Thanksgiving week (encouraging your child to read and explore numbers in their world would be appreciated)
Important Dates
Grandparents Day, Tuesday, November 21- 8:00 - 8:30 - Breakfast in Gym
- 8:30 - 9:30 - LS Classroom Visits
- 9:30 - Grandparents Choice
- Recess, snack and then over to Gym
- State of Lower School in LS Library
- Specialist visit
- 10:10 - 10:50 - Concert in Gym
Remember that all classes are asked to be in their classroom from 8:30 - 9:30 so grandparents can find their grandchildren with ease.
2nd Grade Learning Celebration: Using Our Power for Good to Help Animals in Portland . Wednesday, December 6th 8:30-9:15 parents are invited to join us in the classroom to circulate and learn about the projects that are close to each child's heart.
Science Requests for Take Apart Items
Your child will need a mechanical item to take apart in their Science class on Monday, November 27th. These items will be taken apart and will never work again, so keep that in mind when finding an item for take-apart. They may be sent to school in a sturdy bag marked with your child’s name Please do not send in items sooner than November 27th since we do not have adequate storage. If you need more specific information, please contact Mrs. Kenney-Norberg.
ATTENTION SECOND GRADE STUDENTS
Start hunting....
Start searching....
Start saving....
You will need a few items very, very soon.......
1. Each Second Grader will need a mechanical item to take apart immediately after Thanksgiving Break. It should have more gears, pulleys, belts, springs and moving parts than electronics. It will never work again.....! VCRs, drills, timers, tape recorders, older radios, boom-boxes, pre-digital clocks with the flipping numbers, old dial telephones, wind-up toys, remote control cars, and wind-up clocks are a good choice. NO TOASTERS, please (too sharp)! NO VACUUM CLEANERS (too many allergens). NO T.V.s (disposal issues). Newer land-line phones, cameras, and small battery operated clocks are a poor choice, as they lack good moving mechanical pieces. ALSO, it must have only regular or Phillips screw heads, or Allen head bolts. If it has any other type of fastening, you must provide the tools to open it. Bringing more than 1 item is a good idea, especially if the items are small. The class will spend 3 hours working on these machines. The Goodwill, garage sales and your attic are a great place to find these items.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Jane Kenney-Norberg
Lower School Science
ATTENTION SECOND GRADE STUDENTS
Start hunting....
Start searching....
Start saving....
You will need a few items very, very soon.......
1. Each Second Grader will need a mechanical item to take apart immediately after Thanksgiving Break. It should have more gears, pulleys, belts, springs and moving parts than electronics. It will never work again.....! VCRs, drills, timers, tape recorders, older radios, boom-boxes, pre-digital clocks with the flipping numbers, old dial telephones, wind-up toys, remote control cars, and wind-up clocks are a good choice. NO TOASTERS, please (too sharp)! NO VACUUM CLEANERS (too many allergens). NO T.V.s (disposal issues). Newer land-line phones, cameras, and small battery operated clocks are a poor choice, as they lack good moving mechanical pieces. ALSO, it must have only regular or Phillips screw heads, or Allen head bolts. If it has any other type of fastening, you must provide the tools to open it. Bringing more than 1 item is a good idea, especially if the items are small. The class will spend 3 hours working on these machines. The Goodwill, garage sales and your attic are a great place to find these items.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Jane Kenney-Norberg
Lower School Science
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