We completed Topic 7- More Story Problems. We will continue to see and practice how to solve two step story problems and solving for the unknown. Topic 8 is a VERY important topic as it includes 2 life skills of money and time. We will take our time (no pun intended) as we work through this topic to ensure mastery of these skills. In this topic, your child is learning to write and tell time to the nearest 5 minutes using a.m. and p.m. He or she is also identifying the value of coins and bills and finding the total value of a collection of coins or bills.
Here are some example activities you can do at home to practice these skills:
* Have a collection of 10 different coins Ask your child to show a certain amount of money using a certain number of coins. For example, say: Show 27¢ using 3 coins. Your child should show 1 quarter and 2 pennies. Repeat with other money amounts and coin combinations.
* Have your child explain what the times 5:30, 8:30, and 10:30 have in common. He or she should notice that the number of minutes after the hour are the same. Your child will use repeated reasoning when telling and writing times on an analog or a digital clock face.
The biography reports are coming along. Most students are wrapping up their rough drafts and preparing for their final copy of their report and timeline. Here is important information you need to know for that evening: The Wax Museum is our academic night on Thursday, February 22nd from 6:30 to 7:15. We will complete all parts of the presentation in the classroom including a portrait, report, timeline and quote. However, we need your assistance in helping your child come to the Wax Museum dressed as their assigned person. We do not expect you to buy the costume but create it from items in your attic, basement, thrift store, grandma's attic, etc. There should be no face paint and wigs are allowed but not necessary. This is a fantastic night for our second graders to showcase their research and hard work. We hope to see family and friends!
We wrapped up Unit 3 of Wonders this week with the essential question How do you express yourself? The stories told us how you can experience music without hearing it! Students were impressed with a chair that will produce the rhythm and beat of music so you can feel it. We spent time learning about the P.S. 22 Chorus and listened to many of their songs on their YouTube channel. We also wrapped up Unit 3 grammar on verbs and their tenses. For writing, we are working on opinion writing and including details that strongly support our opinion. Also, students are learning how to self-edit their work and work of their classmates. Checklists are used to ensure that all needed parts are present in writing samples. Ms. Hamker, Avon Lake's Curriculum & Instructional Coach will be working with us for the next few weeks to become better writers. We are glad to have her.
Thanks,
Marissa Wilhelm
