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.