Marie Wright Second Grade

Science Life Cycle

2012-02-06T08:10:00.001-08:00

Super Hard workers!

2012-02-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

Math creations

2012-02-06T07:58:00.001-08:00

Febuary Newsletter

2012-01-31T09:51:00.001-08:00

Dear Parents,
         Second grade is working very hardand learning many wonderful things. Ourblog website is up and running! When youhave a chance, please check it out and provide feedback. Here is a breakdown onwhat we are doing in class.
         Recently the children began a newunit in social studies. We are moving from studying about differentcultures around the world to studying about mapping skills including thecardinal directions and identifying the key on a map. The children will create a map and key tohelp them better understand the concept. As part of our social curriculum, we are learning about kindness and problemsolving. We are exploring how we can become involved in being peacemakers andmake a difference in our world. We will be reading the books “Have you filled a bucket today?” and “How full is your bucket?” to help usidentify different ways to be kind.
         In science, we just completed ourunit on body (human development). We aregoing to begin the study of sound, experimenting with various objects (rulers,rubber bands, musical triangles, nails, and their voice box), and making andrecording observations. We will be designing our own musical instruments intime. If you have any material that we could use to create these instruments itwould be great if you could send it in. The rules for creating the instrumentare that the instrument must be able to change pitch and volume. Please makesure that nothing sharp or breakable is sent in.
         Our math studies are now focusedon collecting data and taking surveys. We will be wrapping this up but the endof the week and starting our new unit (Patterns, Functions, and Change). I will be sending home a copy of the family letterthat details the mathematics in the unit once we begin. We will continue towork on building the children's confidence in problem solving as well as workon becoming more automatic with their number facts.
         In reading, students are workingon fluency using voice, pausing, and phrasing. Students are learning how to compare and contrast using key words. Soon we are going to begin working on factand opinion. They are also learning aboutthe different types of syllables (open, closed, and v-e) and multi-syllablewords in Fundations.
         Winter sports went off without ahitch. It was great! Thank you toeveryone who helped out! The childrencame to school very excited each Tuesday morning, and when they returned fromtheir sport there is a lot of conversation about how they are improving! Now itis time for the older grades to enjoy!
         Homework: Usually studentsreceive reading homework three days a week (Mon, Tues, and Thurs). Parents areasked to sign the reading log sheet. Math homework varies day to day according tothe program as well as other homework such as social studies and science. Pleasehelp your child establish good homework routines.
         Your child's report card was senthome last Friday. I must say as I reread the reports before sending them home Iwas struck by what a great class this is! Our room is filled with fun lovingand caring children, which makes second grade a pretty cool place to be.      :-)     Pleasedo not hesitate to contact me if you have any question or concerns!

Second Semester inSecond Grade
Soundis our new science unit
Everyone is still doing Fundations
Caring students fill the room
Our class is ready to publish our procedural writing
Now we’re listening to a chapter book in read aloud
Data is our focus in math

New Beginnings

2012-01-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

2012-01-10T12:56:00.001-08:00

January 3, 2012

Welcome back! I hopeeveryone had a great holiday and a Happy New Year! Winter sports have begun! Please note thatstudents in grades k-3 will be going first. The dates are as follows; Tuesday,January 3rd, 10^th, and the 24^th. On Tuesday, January 17^th we havean in-service day which means no school for students. Please remember to sendappropriate clothing and gear for whatever choice your child(s) has made forthis activity.

During our conferencesa unit of study was provided to you. Youcan follow along with our units of study which is an overview of each subject. Thereading strategies has been revised and updated. I have attached a copy for your records.

Here is a breakdown within each subject.
* In reading, we are working on comprehension; beginning comparing andcontrasting; this includes two characters, books and/orauthors. Students should continue to build their background knowledge by thinkingwhat do they know about the story based on the cover and continue to thinkabout the main idea and details.

* In writing, we are beginning to learn about procedural writing (howto) and continuing to identifying complete and incomplete sentences. Students should continue to use capitalletters and punctuation where appropriate.

* During phonics/ spelling, we follow the Fundations guide. We are currently up to unit 6. We are learning vowel-consonant-e syllablewords (i.e.: home, lake, pine with the exception ive), two u sounds u as inmule and u as in rule. The last we are working on is two syllable words (i.e.:invite, reptile).

*In math, we are wrapping up Unit 3 (Addition, Subtraction, and the Numbersystem) and beginning unit 4 (Data Analysis). We are continuing to learn how to use a variety of strategies to solveaddition and subtraction problems, explain those strategies and look for keywords. Students should be studying theiraddition and subtraction facts as well as their doubles for automaticity.

*In science, we are still working on the human body with the focus on themuscular system. Our next topic will beon things that are heritance such as eye and hair color.

Children arelearning many wonderful things. Thecuriosity is amazing and learning is really happening here. Please feel free tocontact me at marie_wright@wsesu.org or you can call the school at (802)254-3740 if you have any questions or concerns!

Thank you for yourcontinued support!!! Sincerely, Marie Wright

F.Y.I.

* Winter Sports:Winter sports last for three weeks. There is a break in between; January 17^t, is an in-serviceday which means no school for students.

* Report Cards: Gradesare being closed on Jan 13th. Report cardswill be going home on January 20^th, 2012.

* Reading Groups:Students have reading groups three days a week (mon, Tues and Thurs) where theyare grouped according to their ability. They are learning different reading strategies and growing in the process. We will be forming new reading groups as ofJan 23^rd. You may hear yourchild talk about this. If you have anyquestions and/or concerns, please feel free to discuss this with me.

Reading Strategies:

January: Compareand Contrast

February: factand opinion

March: causeand effect

April: Summarizing

May: Inferences

June: Review

Vocabulary is being taught throughout. This includes but is notlimited to synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.