Together we learn, together we succeed, and together we will
make a positive difference!
Second Grade News​
​
Friday, January 8, 2016
Jan.13 - Photographers in building to take pictures for yearbook!
Jan. 15 - No School - Teacher Professional Development day
Jan. 18 - No School - MLK Day
2nd Graders will be taking the Math MAP test next week!
Reading/Writing Workshop​As we welcomed in 2016, students wrote New Year’s Resolutions.
We discussed positive thoughts, words, and habits. We have referred to our “Pocket Posters” all week.
The children were also introduced to the world of Ezra Jack Keats. Students were involved with several activities
corresponding to ​
The Snowy Day​
. We had comprehension questions (Thin and Thick) and made a Cause and Effect flip book.
2nd Graders also practiced helpful before, during and after reading strategies using Keats’ story ​
Peter’s Chair​
. We are also
implementing the writing process with a fantasy story about being trapped in a snow globe. Students have been brainstorming
and writing first drafts this week with completion of editing and publishing next week.
Math:​
This week the students spiraled back to money. We focused this trimester on making different combinations of coins to
get the same total. Students learned that 60 cents can be made in a variety of ways. We also started doing addition and
subtraction story problems involving money and will continue this concept into next week. We will have a test over money on
Wednesday, January 13th.
Word Study:​
This week in Word Study, second graders reviewed all spelling words that they have been tested over. We
reviewed the following spelling patterns:
● Digraphs and blends- sh, wh, mp, fl, tr, dr, ch
● Long vowel patterns- oa, ai, a/e, i/e, igh
● Other vowel patterns- oi, er, ew, ar, ow, or
● Suffixes- ing, ed, ies, er
Students then completed their mid-year Developmental Spelling Inventory (DSI). It is great to see all the spelling pattern
growth that students have made so far this year.
Science:​
This week we began our new unit on Atmosphere. We began by learning that the
atmosphere is made up of air, and then we explored if air has volume. We also learned that air
has speed and talked about wind. We created a windsock with a paper plate and crate paper to
experiment with how a windsock can help measure the direction of wind. We ended the unit by
learning if air has mass by experimenting with two balloons and a yardstick. We observed that
the blown up balloon was “heavier” then the balloon that had no air. We ended the week with
the students completing a test with a partner. Please check Progress Book for grades.
Specials:
Monday: D (Art)
Tuesday: A (Library)
Wednesday: B (PE)
Thursday: C (Music)
We, the students of Thomas Elementary, proudly practice the 7 Habits of Happy Kids. 1. Be Proactive
4.​
Think Win WIn ​
7.​
Synergize 2. Begin with the End in Mind ​
5.​
Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood 3. Put First Things First ​
6.​
Synergize