2nd Grade Nurturing
Quarter 3, Week of February 11th
ELA: Students continued to work on describing relationships as well as building vocabulary this week. Students were challenged to do a series of puzzles, where they had to find the relationship between a set of pictures. We then had lots of great discussion as a group to decide what additional pictures could fit with the set. Students had to justify their solutions by providing evidence. Later in the week, students worked on a series of riddles, in which they had to apply vocabulary or advanced thinking to find the solution.
Math: Second graders were introduced to coins this week. Students read the story Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and looked at different coin values in this book. Students then acted out the book with their own set of coins, keeping track of different amounts Alexander spent and also calculating how much of his original money was left at certain points in the story. Students also participated in one of Graham Fletcher's "3-Act Tasks." After being shown a snippet of a video, they were asked to predict what coins were put in the bank. Over the course of the lesson, more clues were introduced, which helped students to refine their thinking and also think flexibly about other coin amounts.
ELA: Students continued to work on describing relationships as well as building vocabulary this week. Students were challenged to do a series of puzzles, where they had to find the relationship between a set of pictures. We then had lots of great discussion as a group to decide what additional pictures could fit with the set. Students had to justify their solutions by providing evidence. Later in the week, students worked on a series of riddles, in which they had to apply vocabulary or advanced thinking to find the solution.
Math: Second graders were introduced to coins this week. Students read the story Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and looked at different coin values in this book. Students then acted out the book with their own set of coins, keeping track of different amounts Alexander spent and also calculating how much of his original money was left at certain points in the story. Students also participated in one of Graham Fletcher's "3-Act Tasks." After being shown a snippet of a video, they were asked to predict what coins were put in the bank. Over the course of the lesson, more clues were introduced, which helped students to refine their thinking and also think flexibly about other coin amounts.
Quarter 3, Week of February 4th
ELA: Second graders worked on identifying and describing relationships this week. After doing a complex sorting activity, we concluded that things can be related in many different ways, including spatial relationships, similarities in appearance, and size. We then applied what we knew about relationships to working on Figure Classification. We played a game called "Scoot" to identify relationships and record our strategies.
Math: Second graders worked on different strategies for comparing length this week. We considered the question: "how do we accurately measure objects that are curved or non-linear?" Students developed and discussed their own strategies as they measured the distance around wrists, heads, and necks. Students also participated in an Escape Room. They had to solve various measurement related problems in order to advance through the challenges and make it back to a time machine in only 45 minutes.
ELA: Second graders worked on identifying and describing relationships this week. After doing a complex sorting activity, we concluded that things can be related in many different ways, including spatial relationships, similarities in appearance, and size. We then applied what we knew about relationships to working on Figure Classification. We played a game called "Scoot" to identify relationships and record our strategies.
Math: Second graders worked on different strategies for comparing length this week. We considered the question: "how do we accurately measure objects that are curved or non-linear?" Students developed and discussed their own strategies as they measured the distance around wrists, heads, and necks. Students also participated in an Escape Room. They had to solve various measurement related problems in order to advance through the challenges and make it back to a time machine in only 45 minutes.
Quarter 3, Week of January 28th
ELA: This week, second graders worked on visualizing strategies to build spatial awareness. Students learned the strategy of tumbling, where they looked at a series of shapes to notice similarities and differences in rotation. Students then worked in rotating centers to apply these strategies to paper folding and figure matrices.
Math: Second graders focused on estimation and measurement this week, looking at how both of these skills can tie to real world situations. We looked at how estimation relates to designing an outfit and estimated ribbon choices for a sash. We also estimated the lengths of unusual animals around the world. We read the book Actual Size to compare lengths of different animals and assess the accuracy of our estimates.
ELA: This week, second graders worked on visualizing strategies to build spatial awareness. Students learned the strategy of tumbling, where they looked at a series of shapes to notice similarities and differences in rotation. Students then worked in rotating centers to apply these strategies to paper folding and figure matrices.
Math: Second graders focused on estimation and measurement this week, looking at how both of these skills can tie to real world situations. We looked at how estimation relates to designing an outfit and estimated ribbon choices for a sash. We also estimated the lengths of unusual animals around the world. We read the book Actual Size to compare lengths of different animals and assess the accuracy of our estimates.
Quarter 3, Week of January 21st
ELA: Super Second Graders worked on visualizing and paper folding strategies this week! We discussed the vocabulary words symmetry, reflection, and form through a reading of the story Snowflake Bentley, which told about the extraordinary life of the first man to photograph snowflakes. We then created our own snowflakes, using simple paper folding techniques. Before students unfolded their snowflakes, they were asked to predict what it would look like when it was unfolded and explain their reasoning. We saw how our snowflake creations can tie to other designs. Students advanced their spatial reasoning as they learned to visualize what various papers would look like when they were unfolded.
Math: This week, students began to explore measurement. They examined different units of measurement and applied what they already knew to measure one of their favorite stuffed animals. Students had to choose a tool to measure their animal with precision, justify why their tool was the best, and consider how the unit of measurement effects the total obtained. Once Second Graders measured their objects and processed their generalizations, they graphed their results to compare class data. We also established procedures for solving two-step word problems.
ELA: Super Second Graders worked on visualizing and paper folding strategies this week! We discussed the vocabulary words symmetry, reflection, and form through a reading of the story Snowflake Bentley, which told about the extraordinary life of the first man to photograph snowflakes. We then created our own snowflakes, using simple paper folding techniques. Before students unfolded their snowflakes, they were asked to predict what it would look like when it was unfolded and explain their reasoning. We saw how our snowflake creations can tie to other designs. Students advanced their spatial reasoning as they learned to visualize what various papers would look like when they were unfolded.
Math: This week, students began to explore measurement. They examined different units of measurement and applied what they already knew to measure one of their favorite stuffed animals. Students had to choose a tool to measure their animal with precision, justify why their tool was the best, and consider how the unit of measurement effects the total obtained. Once Second Graders measured their objects and processed their generalizations, they graphed their results to compare class data. We also established procedures for solving two-step word problems.
Weeks of November 19th and 26th
Second graders continue to explore interdependence, this time looking at interdependence between people in our communities. We read the story A Chair for My Mother, which tells about a girl and her family saving for a chair to do something kind for their hardworking mother after a house fire. After reading this story, we found examples of interdependence within the family and community. We then talked about how these examples relate to caring. Students also thought about how interdependence and caring play out in their own lives, making a plan to save for someone in their family and justifying why their choice of item would be a good choice for their recipient.
Math- Students have been applying their knowledge to real world projects these past two weeks, relating their skills to various Thanksgiving topics. We first explored the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After watching a video about this parade, we brainstormed various mathematical questions we have about the parade. We then worked in groups to answer one of our questions: How long is the parade route? It was interesting to see the various strategies we came up with to measure and calculate the total parade route in city blocks. Afterwards, we thought about how many more blocks we would need if we extended the route to various other landmarks in the city.
Second graders continue to explore interdependence, this time looking at interdependence between people in our communities. We read the story A Chair for My Mother, which tells about a girl and her family saving for a chair to do something kind for their hardworking mother after a house fire. After reading this story, we found examples of interdependence within the family and community. We then talked about how these examples relate to caring. Students also thought about how interdependence and caring play out in their own lives, making a plan to save for someone in their family and justifying why their choice of item would be a good choice for their recipient.
Math- Students have been applying their knowledge to real world projects these past two weeks, relating their skills to various Thanksgiving topics. We first explored the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After watching a video about this parade, we brainstormed various mathematical questions we have about the parade. We then worked in groups to answer one of our questions: How long is the parade route? It was interesting to see the various strategies we came up with to measure and calculate the total parade route in city blocks. Afterwards, we thought about how many more blocks we would need if we extended the route to various other landmarks in the city.
We also can't thank you enough for all of the nutrition labels that you sent in! Our students really enjoyed using these labels to think about addition and subtraction in different ways. We calculated how many calories we would eat over 7 days with various products, then looked at how far we were from our goal of 1,000 calories of snacking for the week. We also talked about grams as a unit of measurement. After calculating the total number of grams in our different packages, we worked to compare the weights of different products.
Week of November 12th
Our second graders traveled around the country this week, reading Native American legends! We examined the myth of day and night, as written by many tribes and nations around the country. After reading the legend as written by nations such as Sioux, Navajo, Cherokee, Blackfoot, and Apache, we were shocked to find how many similarities there were in this myth, despite the physical distance or cultural distinctions between these tribes. Students created posters comparing and contrasting two myths, which they presented to the class.
Math- Students dove into subtraction this week through the story El Bisabuelo Gregorio. The story tells about an eight year old boy who is trying to figure out how old his grandfather was when he was born. Students saw how numberlines can be a valuable strategy for subtraction as we found the distance between different ages on our "timeline." By the end of the week, students were even pondering bigger questions and looking at the distance between years. For example, if Ms. Antol's brother was born in 1991, and her other friend was born in 2006, how many years apart were they born? What are the different ways we can use a number line to think through the distance between these two numbers?
Our second graders traveled around the country this week, reading Native American legends! We examined the myth of day and night, as written by many tribes and nations around the country. After reading the legend as written by nations such as Sioux, Navajo, Cherokee, Blackfoot, and Apache, we were shocked to find how many similarities there were in this myth, despite the physical distance or cultural distinctions between these tribes. Students created posters comparing and contrasting two myths, which they presented to the class.
Math- Students dove into subtraction this week through the story El Bisabuelo Gregorio. The story tells about an eight year old boy who is trying to figure out how old his grandfather was when he was born. Students saw how numberlines can be a valuable strategy for subtraction as we found the distance between different ages on our "timeline." By the end of the week, students were even pondering bigger questions and looking at the distance between years. For example, if Ms. Antol's brother was born in 1991, and her other friend was born in 2006, how many years apart were they born? What are the different ways we can use a number line to think through the distance between these two numbers?
Week of November 5th
Our second graders started examining a new concept this week: interdependence! In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we are examining interdependence through the lens of Native Americans. This week, we discussed how Native Americans live both in the past and today and looked at interdependence in their history, culture, and present life.
Math- This week in math, students dove into different representations of values. Students were challenged to organize and categorize cards displaying a variety of representations. Through sharing our thinking as a class, we established definitions for important vocabulary such as Expanded Form, value, and digit. Students also summarized their learning of various addition strategies. We worked together to create an art show, which highlighted our usage of various strategies to solve a single problem.
Our second graders started examining a new concept this week: interdependence! In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we are examining interdependence through the lens of Native Americans. This week, we discussed how Native Americans live both in the past and today and looked at interdependence in their history, culture, and present life.
Math- This week in math, students dove into different representations of values. Students were challenged to organize and categorize cards displaying a variety of representations. Through sharing our thinking as a class, we established definitions for important vocabulary such as Expanded Form, value, and digit. Students also summarized their learning of various addition strategies. We worked together to create an art show, which highlighted our usage of various strategies to solve a single problem.
Week of October 29th
This week, each one of our second grade students took on the role of scientists! Before starting, we brainstormed what scientists think about, where they work, and what tools they use. We then got to try out the scientific process with an experiment, predicting and then studying what happened to candy corn when it was placed in different liquids, such as baking soda mixed with water. We not only learned some things about the scientific process and scientists' work, we also saw directly how the process effects the outcome and connected our thoughts to bigger generalizations about processes.
This week, each one of our second grade students took on the role of scientists! Before starting, we brainstormed what scientists think about, where they work, and what tools they use. We then got to try out the scientific process with an experiment, predicting and then studying what happened to candy corn when it was placed in different liquids, such as baking soda mixed with water. We not only learned some things about the scientific process and scientists' work, we also saw directly how the process effects the outcome and connected our thoughts to bigger generalizations about processes.
Math: In math this week, we set up the pretend scenario of preparing for an art show in our classroom! We had to examine each of our pieces of artwork, looking at how the sum of the measurements would fit in our pretend gallery. Our examinations eventually led us to discuss and examine different strategies for showing addition on a number line.
Week of October 22nd
Our super second graders were excited to jump back into Enrichment this week! We reviewed what was learned last quarter about processes through a group activity, which asked us to sort and categorize a group of words into only four categories. We then had to sort the same words again, into completely different categories, showing flexibility and deep thinking about similarities and differences! As it turns out, all of these words were from an informational news article, which taught us about a scientist's work to define a completely new taste. Both of these activities revealed that processes are everywhere: not only did the scientist have to follow a process to make his discovery, but we also had to have a clear process in our group activity to successfully sort the words. Math: This week, we taught students the math game "Four Strikes and You're Out!" Students had to find strategies to guess all of the digits in a "mystery" equation before they earned four strikes from incorrect guesses. We again had to think about processes as we developed strategy and looked for patterns in addition. But with great teamwork and discussion we were often able to guess correctly before our strikes ran out! Week 9
This week with Team Howko, the super second graders continued their analysis of from their product surveys. Math: This week with Team Howko, the super second graders discussed how to measure with cubes and the reflected on the meaning of measuring with cubes. They also had a whole-class Math Congress to discuss the results of their measurements and strategies for measuring. They then rechecked their measurements, used new strategies to measure, and reached consensus to record a list of final measurements. Week 8
The super second graders took on the role of chemical engineers and analyzed the data from the product surveys for Sour Patch Kids. Week 7
With Team Howko, the super second graders discussed how product surveys are a part of the PROCESS for chemical engineers. Second graders completed a product survey for Sour Patch Kids! Math: With Team Howko, some super second graders read Measuring for the Art Show. Then, they used cubes to measure large pieces of paper! Stay tuned to figure out how this this task is laying the foundation for an addition strategy! Week 6
The super second graders researched chemical engineers. They then discussed how chemical engineers use PROCESSES in their career. Week 5
This week, with Team Howko, the super second graders brainstormed different processes using a Circle Map. Then, the students discussed the importance of processes. Week 4
The super second graders started a new unit this week; they are learning about PROCESSES. Students began the unit by making slime to see the value of a PROCESS: students made slime first with no directions; then with mixed-up directions; finally with the correct directions! Week 3
This week, second graders focused on teamwork, communication, and leadership skills by completing a STEM challenge (create an umbrella to keep a tissue dry). Week 2
Second grade students continued to learn the routines and procedures in Team Howko's room. Ms. Howell and Mrs. Krisko modeled reflection and problem-solving while establishing these routines and procedures with these super second graders! Students reflected upon and explained their learning preferences for independent or group work. Week 1
This week, the first week of school, 2nd grade students were introduced to the expectations of room 208s. Students reflected on what they need to be successful: from Mrs. Krisko and Ms. Howell; from themselves; and from their peers. Team Howko shared what they need to be successful: from themselves; from the students as individuals; and from the students as collaborative teams. We are looking forward to an spectacular year with second grade! |
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