All second grade classes have participated in our Thanksgiving Rotation.  In each classroom, a Thanksgiving related activity was completed.  Students learned about natural resources and how Native Americans used clay to make pottery in Mrs. Maragliano's class.  In Mrs. Ford's class, students learned Native American games that the children would play.  Then, students traveled to Mrs. Vissicchio's room where they compared and contrasted their life to that of a Pilgrim boy or Pilgrim girl.  They used the books Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy and Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl.  Next in Mr. Gervais' room, the students learned about different Native American groups.  Each small group read a book about a Native American tribe, searched for facts, and then compared their tribe to another one.  Finally in Mrs. Raines' class, students were asked to complete a persuasive writing activity after reading the story 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.  In this Thanksgiving take, eight boys and girls take a field trip to a turkey farm. They have fun playing with the turkeys but are shocked to learn that they will be used for Thanksgiving dinners.  So, they devise a plan to save the Turkeys and become vegetarians this year.  Students wrote a paragraph to persuade their parents to substitute something instead of the turkey.  

Alex chose to be the photographer for a day for a prize from the prize box.  Here are the images he captured!

Writing-  Students have been working hard on writing a personal narrative story the past week.  This week they will learn that writing is a process in which a writer has to go back and edit many times.  They will go back into their writing to add details using their senses and edit for capitals, punctuation, and spelling.  Then each student will have a chance to publish their writing.

Reading -   Students have been working on retelling a story.  In reading groups, we have focused on the retelling hand.  See the picture to the right to get an idea of what the retelling hand is.  Students are asked to retell the characters, setting, beginning, middle (problem), and end (solution).  This is a very important skill when taking the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA).  Students can not progress to the level without mastering the skill of retelling at the previous level.  Check out our Reading Website page for resources:  http://raines.weebly.com/reading-websites.html.  In addition, click on the hand to download a worksheet to practice retelling at home.

Math -  Last week we finished up place value to 100.  This week we will be starting our money unit.  Experience with money is key to success in this unit.  Please talk about money, count money, and play games that involve money with your child at home.  This will help their knowledge about money and reinforce skills that will be taught here at school.  Our math websites page has many web-based resources to practice money skills:  http://raines.weebly.com/math-websites.html.  

Here are some book recommendations based on your child's current reading level.  These titles are part of a series of books.    

Level 12/14/16:
Biscuit Books by Anne Rockwell
Spot Books by Eric Hill
Danny & the Dinosaur Books by Syd Hoff
Little Critter Books by Mercer Mayer
The Dragon Tales Books by Dav Pilkey

Next week, your child will be tested in reading again.  This test is called the Developmental Reading Assessment, or DRA for short.  This reading test has two parts.  The first is to test for students fluency (how fast your child reads) and accuracy.  The second part tests reading comprehension.  At this point in the year, the second grade teachers are looking for your child to be at a level 20.  A half slip of paper will come home next Tuesday or Wednesday informing you of your child's progress!  Please keep a look out for it.  Thanks!