This Week: January 9-13

This week we have been working hard!  We have a lot to do before report cards come out in the beginning of February.  Here is a quick update of what we have been working on in the different subject areas.


Math: We are still practicing our math facts to 20.  The goal by the end of second grade is to master these facts with automaticity.  We are learning strategies during our lessons and applying them during Work Places.  Work Places are sets of math games created to reinforce the skills in our daily lessons.  They typically change every two weeks and the students love them! Many of the games that come home in homework are similar to games from Work Places.  


Reading:  We are almost to the halfway point in our reading program.  There are a total of six units and next week we will be finishing unit three.  So you ask, what do we have left to cover?  
Quite a bit actually.  
In unit four, we will be working on the following:
Phonics 

• Diphthongs: ou, ow, oi, oy
• Irregular vowel patterns
• Decoding multisyllabic words 

Fluency 

• Reading aloud with expression
• Attending to punctuation

Vocabulary

• Using word structure to figure out meaning
• Using context clues to figure out meaning of unfamiliar words
• Understanding antonyms and synonyms  
• Using dictionaries to learn definitions

Comprehension

• Using graphic organizers to focus on text structure
• Recognizing text structure: story or information
• Generating questions 
• Summarizing 
• Comparing and contrasting
• Fact and opinion 
• Plot and plot structure 
• Themes 

Writing:  This week we started working on personal narratives.  For our purposes, personal narratives are stories about our lives.  It could be a small everyday happening or a life changing event.  So far, each student has created a list of personal narrative ideas, planned their story with illustrations, and completed a graphic organizer.  Next week, we will be using our graphic organizers to write our personal narratives.  Ask your kiddo what they chose to write about! 


Art: Don't forget, the parent led art program starts next week! Art for our class will be on Tuesday afternoons from 1:45-2:45 in the art room.  There is a link on the sidebar to the Volunteer Spot website where you can sign up to help out.  


Next week, I'll have some updates including science, the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Awards and  hopefully some pictures from art.  


Have a great long weekend!


Lindsay Cornet