Week of 10/21/13

Reading:  This week in reading we will be starting a new unit called “Good Talkers are Good Listeners Too.” In this unit, students are learning how to have a discussion with a partner about a book.  They learn the difference between a thin and think question, how to respond to a person when they have a question or comment, how to problem solve when reading, and how to retell a story.  We have also just started switching reading groups.  So, your child may be in another second grade classroom during our reading block.  The kids seem very excited about this new change! 


Writing:  In writing, we are using our senses to add details to our writing.  Over the course of a couple weeks students will have had the opportunity to write with all 5 senses; sense of touch, taste, smell, hear, and see.                                                                                  

Math:   Students started a topic on repeated addition.  This topic is the foundation for multiplication in years to come.  It                         demonstrates how multiplication is simply repeated addition.                               

Home School Connections:  

1.  Try having a discussion with you child while reading a book together.  Practice asking thick questions (questions that are not just one word answers; questions that require some thinking.  
2.   Choose a topic to write about with your child.  Model how to use your senses when writing.  You might say "I couldn't help but notice...", "The scent of ___ reminded me of ___", WHen I touched the ___, it felt ___", or "As I listened closely I could hear ___."  

3.  Practice addition sentences with repeated addition.  For example, 2 + 2 + 2 = ___.  Talk about strategies to help solve a problem like this.  They may have to draw a picture, count by two's, or use                                                                                                    

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