Hello! We are two weeks into the start of second grade and I'm just now getting around to my first blog post! It's been a whirlwind of a start, and I hope each week can start calming down a bit so we can make time for updates! I feel it's extremely important to keep you in the know of what we are learning and working on every day. Here it goes:
-We Spent the first week learning routines, procedures, etc. After a long summer break, we all need to learn how to be at school again! This takes a lot of repetition and practice:)
-Math: Our new curriculum is ALL about learning different strategies to help students understand basic math concepts. A few we've been using for addition and subtraction include Counting on or back, Making a 10, Using doubles facts, Using a number line to count on or back, and switching the order of addends. IF YOUR CHILD STILL DOESN'T KNOW THEIR DOUBLES FACTS THROUGH 10, PLEASE PRACTICE THESE AT HOME! (1+1, 2+2, 3+3, 4+4, 5+5...)Knowing doubles facts has been a strategy that keeps popping up and is extremely useful in solving math problems quickly.
-Reading and Writing: We are launching elements of the Daily 5, so we've been learning and practicing Read to Self, building Stamina, and Work on Writing. These activities take place in the afternoon and I will eventually start working with all of my Guided Reading groups during this time. We started working in our journals on a daily basis. Right now our focus is staying on topic, and not forgetting basic punctuation and capitalization.
-Word Work/Spelling: only a couple more weeks for your child to study their spelling lists! It should be the first thing they see in their STAR binder. We've talked about picking out a few each day to practice and memorize. Strategies can include writing 10 times in a row, flash cards, tracing then writing, and anything else that helps them remember! Car rides are great times for practicing things like spelling and math facts.
-NON Academics: These things come up every day, and mean a great deal to me. We talk about listening and respect, and how to be a good friend to everyone. We are also focusing on habit 1, being Proactive. Only you can decide what kind of a day you will have, and our choices are all our own. The one thing I want MOST for all of my students is for them to be happy, learn to be leaders and good examples, and to always know how important and special they are!
***As always, come to me with questions or concerns! If you haven't joined Remind yet, do so today! I have a note in your child's binder if you need sign up directions:)
-We Spent the first week learning routines, procedures, etc. After a long summer break, we all need to learn how to be at school again! This takes a lot of repetition and practice:)
-Math: Our new curriculum is ALL about learning different strategies to help students understand basic math concepts. A few we've been using for addition and subtraction include Counting on or back, Making a 10, Using doubles facts, Using a number line to count on or back, and switching the order of addends. IF YOUR CHILD STILL DOESN'T KNOW THEIR DOUBLES FACTS THROUGH 10, PLEASE PRACTICE THESE AT HOME! (1+1, 2+2, 3+3, 4+4, 5+5...)Knowing doubles facts has been a strategy that keeps popping up and is extremely useful in solving math problems quickly.
-Reading and Writing: We are launching elements of the Daily 5, so we've been learning and practicing Read to Self, building Stamina, and Work on Writing. These activities take place in the afternoon and I will eventually start working with all of my Guided Reading groups during this time. We started working in our journals on a daily basis. Right now our focus is staying on topic, and not forgetting basic punctuation and capitalization.
-Word Work/Spelling: only a couple more weeks for your child to study their spelling lists! It should be the first thing they see in their STAR binder. We've talked about picking out a few each day to practice and memorize. Strategies can include writing 10 times in a row, flash cards, tracing then writing, and anything else that helps them remember! Car rides are great times for practicing things like spelling and math facts.
-NON Academics: These things come up every day, and mean a great deal to me. We talk about listening and respect, and how to be a good friend to everyone. We are also focusing on habit 1, being Proactive. Only you can decide what kind of a day you will have, and our choices are all our own. The one thing I want MOST for all of my students is for them to be happy, learn to be leaders and good examples, and to always know how important and special they are!
***As always, come to me with questions or concerns! If you haven't joined Remind yet, do so today! I have a note in your child's binder if you need sign up directions:)