210 Updates

     We have been really busy in our classroom these past few months.  In science we concluded our study of trees and learned about the relationship of the earth, moon, and sun.  The students observed the moon's phases and documented what they observed.  They learned about the four main phases of the moon ~ new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter.  Now we are on to learning about the water cycle, clouds, and weather.  The children learned a song about the water cycle and should be able to explain what evaporation, condensation, and precipitation mean.  Each child is illustrating their own cloud book and today they had to illustrate cirrus clouds.  Over the next few weeks they will also be illustrating cumulus, stratus, and cumulonimbus clouds.  Today we also began observing and recording the weather in Burlington.  The children are keeping track of outside temperature, precipitation, cloud cover (type), and wind.  After our data collection is complete we will be creating charts in the computer lab.
     The students have been busy writers also!  They created their own versions of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  We are hoping to publish these stories into a class book.  I will update you as soon as all of the details are ironed out.  In addition to these stories children have written a variety of other independent/partner stories as well as an adaptation of the poem "If I Were in Charge of the World" by Judith Viorst.  They had a blast with this creative writing and are excited to share it with their families.
     In math we concluded our unit on measurement.  The children were introduced to metric measurement (centimeters and meters) as well as the US customary measurement (inches, feet, and yards).  We had a blast measuring objects around the room using various units.  Our next math unit is called How Many Floors? How Many Rooms?  The focus of this unit is to recognize growing patterns, repeating patterns, and number sequences.  Students will be reading, completing, and creating charts in this unit.  In addition to our Investigations Math program the students have also been logging into Xtra Math to practice math facts and have also started a new program called Ten Marks.  This program focuses on various mathematical common core standards.  We are still in the "trial run" phase since we just began last week but so far the children seem to enjoy it! 

**Reminder**
Next Tuesday, February 14 we have a field trip to the Discovery Museum in Acton.  The buses will be leaving at approximately 8:30 that morning so please be sure your child arrives to school on time.  Each child should have a "brown bag" lunch and snack since we will not be returning until after lunch.  You may want to provide two disposable drinks, one for lunch and one for snack.  I would like to thank everyone who volunteered to come on this trip with us.  Unfortunately we are only allowed 3 chaperones per trip this year.  Our chaperones for this trip are Mr. Bibbo, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Durkin. 

   

210 Happenings

  Over the past month the students have been settling in to our classroom routines. They are comfortable with their surroundings and have adjusted to our new schedules. We have been really busy learning lots of new things. In science we have been studying trees. The students have learned about the parts of the tree and their functions. We've integrated science and technology with Mr. Callahan using the i-Pads to take pictures of deciduous and coniferous trees. What a blast! They also learned about the different tree layers and made their very own tree necklaces, illustrated tree books, made leaf and bark rubbings, re-created the rings of a tree, and did an experiment with a pine cone. Check out some of the pictures below! We are finishing up our unit on trees in the next week or so and will be moving on to studying weather.

     In math we have been reviewing concepts that were covered in first grade and have learned some new second grade math games that are great to reinforce math fact knowledge.  Ask your child to explain some of the games to you.  We played Tens Go Fish (similar to Go Fish), Collect 25 Cents, Make 10 (similar to Memory), and Plus 1 or 2 Bingo.  This week we are working on addition and subtraction story problems.  The children are learning to read and interpret story problems, write an equation to match the story, solve the problem while showing their mathematical thinking with words, numbers, and/or pictures, and labeling their answer.  Below you will find some pictures of the kids playing the various math games.

         Last but not least, we began our writing program called Being a Writer this month.  The children seem to really enjoy it.  Many of the lessons use trade books to motivate the students to create their own writing pieces.  They are enthusiastic about writing and sharing their writing.  Many students have asked if they can write "a lot of pages"  I can't wait to hear their stories while they share their writing with their classmates.