March 28th- April 1st

Wow! I know spring break was only a week, but I swear the kids grew over that time. They seem older to me. I'm impressed in how much they've grown this year. They have so many great things to say. I know we have more learning to do, but I'm proud to send them off to third grade. 

Book fair is this week. Students may go at anytime to purchase books. 

Math

For the next two weeks we are diving into multiplication and division. It's going to be very easy so I can already hear the kids complaining they want a challenge which I'm happy to give. On Wednesday, students will have a math PSA focusing on one step and two step word problems. This test will be on the computer. Should on consist of 10-12 problems. I've been reviewing word problems in our daily math warm up to get the kids ready. 

Reading

We are going back into non fiction. Our focus will be main idea, text structure, and previewing the text. Students will be put in book clubs based on their interest. The next two weeks should be fun!

Writing

Students will get the opportunity to write about what they know. They will choose a topic to teach/write about. We will discuss different non fiction structures (Q and A, How to, etc.) Once students decide on a text structure, lessons will focus on how we can elaborate and make our writing interesting. 

Science

For science we will be talking about living organisms. 

February 21-25th

 What a busy week we have ahead of us. 

2/22 "Two's Day" Don't forget to dress up for tomorrows celebration. (Two stepping boots, tutu, ties, etc.) Totally optional. We have a couple of fun activities planned, including popsicles. 

2/24 Go Texan Day/ Library

2/25 Spelling test 

Math

We are moving on to graphing. We will analyze picture graphs, bar graphs, etc. and answers questions. Tomorrow's math activity will include fruit loops. Should be a fun week! 

Reading

The kids are excited about their new books clubs. The focus in reading is to pay attention to our main characters in our books. We will discuss character traits, how they react to certain situations, etc. The kids have been working on having discussions around books without raising their hands. I love the language the kids are using such as " I agree with you..... or I'm going to change the subject and add..." The kids would talk all day about books if I'd let them. 

Writing

Last week we reviewed how stories are structured. This week we will start to notice different craft elements and how authors use them to enhance their writing. 

Science/Social Studies

We will wrap up food chains and then move on to government for social studies. 

February 7-11

 Important dates: 

Early dismissal on 2/10 and 2/11

Valentines box/bag due on 2/14

Math

We will take our end of unit word problem test on Monday. I told the kids they are responsible for knowing what operation to use and to show their work. We will start our money unit on Tuesday. 

Reading 

Our focus this week is character traits. We will be using text evidence to support how characters are acting and feeling. 

Writing 

With our short week, we are working on a fun writing activity. 

Science

We will discuss basic needs of animals and plans. 

January 24-28th

Last week of January. This month flew on by! A BIG THANK YOU goes to the class. They worked so hard Wednesday and Thursday for MAP testing. Then I had to be out Thursday and Friday because Reese got COVID. She had one bad day, but was fine afterwards. If anything, I think she's dying of boredom. 

The kids are troopers and I thank them for their flexibility. I'm thankful this coming week is a normal one. 

MAP testing: The kids did awesome! I will share the results with the kids this week and then send home the results. 

Math

We are still working on word problems. Last week we worked on multi step addition problems. This week we will work on subtraction and mixed multi step word problems. We will have a math PSA (priority standard assessment) on the computer. This is a district test and will cover the material the kids have learned in the past month. 

Reading

We are currently on bend three of our reading unit. We are working on meeting the challenges of longer books. Students will continue to stop jot to share thinking, write down any confusions, etc. In small group, I'll review expectations for active discussion. 

Writing

The kids are working step by step on their persuasive letters. Last week the kids worked on writing their lead and events of the story. This week the kids will add text examples to support their claim. 

Social Studies

Natural disasters! 

January 18-21st

It's a short week with a lot going on. 

Tuesday- Garden day

Wednesday- Reading MAP test @ 8:15

Thursday- Math MAP test @ 8:15

Math 

This week we are getting into multi-step word problems. Students will see word problems where they have multiple numbers they need to work with or need to do multiple steps in order to solve the problem. We will have lots of practice with word problems this week. 

MAP- I will have a talk with the kids about math strategies. Please encourage them to work out the problems on scratch paper when needed. 

Reading

This is a fun week. The kids will work in their small groups to work on question stems to help hold their thinking when their books get longer. We will also work on active discussion skills to help us have meaningful discussions around books. 

Writing

The kids are slowly writing their opinion letters around a book. They are working on their letters bit by bit. This week they will work on the retelling of their letter without spoiling the ending. 

Science 

Let's talk about the weather! We are talking about weather tools and tracking the weather. 

January 10-14th

 Hi Parents, 

This week is a little bit wonky with the upper grades testing for MAP. Originally, second grade was scheduled to MAP test this week, but with all the logistics, we will test the week of the 17th. 

We have a schedule change this week, but that just means the kids will have specials in the morning instead of the afternoon. 

Remember we will have a half day on Thursday. 

Math

This week we will name different kinds of word problems. We will work on part/part/whole, comparing, start unknown, etc. The kids have been good so far identifying key words to help them identify the correct operation. My main goal is for the kids to match the correct bar model to the correct problem and understand what the question is asking. 

Reading 

This week our focus is on literary language. We will name and notice different types of literary language and discuss what the author really means. During reader's workshop, book clubs will be up and running again. 

Writing

We are writing about our reading. The kids are learning to form an opinion about their characters and supporting their opinion with examples from the text. Lessons will focus on writing to our audience, retelling important parts, and using a checklist to set goals. 

Snap words: Snap word test on Friday 

Social Studies

Maps! The kids will learn/or review parts of a map. 

January 4th-7th

 Welcome back!

Happy New Year! I'm wishing everyone the best for the 2022 year. I spent the first half of the break with COVID. I had mild symptoms but having to quarantine was not so fun. Luckily, my family and I tested negative right before Christmas so we could spend time with family. 

We will slowly ease into things this week. I haven't seen the kids in forever and want to spend some time just catching up and bonding. With that said, we do have curriculum we need to get to. 

Library- we do not have library this week, but I can send students in small groups to check out new books. 

MAP- Heads up, we will have MAP testing next week. Tuesday will be math and Wednesday will be reading.

Math

We are diving into mixed word problems. This week I will talk through my thinking when working on word problems. The kids now will have to figure out what operation to use by looking at key words and understanding what the problem is asking.  

Reading

We are starting a brand new unit called "Bigger Books Mean Amping Up Our Reading Power" We will review the importance of tracking our thinking, how to hold on to the story line as our books are getting longer, etc. I definitely want to spend some time reading and building our reading stamina. I'm sure there have been lots of fun things planned over the break so reading took a step aside. 

Writing

We are moving on to opinion writing. We will discuss the difference from fact and opinion and work on making claims. 

Science

This week is natural and man made resources.