Measuring on a curve!

We have moved from measuring with meters (m) to measuring centimeters (cm) and inches (in). We have also discussed the uses of using a measuring tape to measure such things as a round ball or a persons head. Alternatively a string can be used, and a ruler or measuring tape can then be used to measure the length of the string. We practiced this exercise by measuring different curves assigned. Students took a longer piece of string to wind around different curves to then line up on a ruler to get an exact measurement. We were able to also estimate what we thought the lengths would be before measuring, then compare lengths of the actual. It was interesting to hear the variety of assumptions before using the string. However, it also added to a very purposeful closing conversation on measuring different lengths with different shapes and sizes. 

Spelling is back!

Spelling

At this point, students have learned one way to write every sound in English except for the very rare /zh/ as in treasure. They also know a number of spelling alternatives for both vowel and consonant sounds. 

Spelling achievement will generally trail reading achievement, First, students need to be introduced to the spelling alternatives and learn to decode them while reading. Then, after many exposures to the spellings in written words, students will begin to write the correct spelling independently. Some students move fairly rapidly from seeing spelling alternatives to print. Others take longer to master conventional spelling. It is not unusual for this to take a long time and it is not surprising given the complicated nature of the sounds-spelling correspondence system of the English language.  

While mastery is developing, plausible spelling in work is acceptable, however correcting during revisions is also encouraged, particularly when the word is made up of spellings we have already learned in the classroom.
Here is our spelling list for this week! Please help to remind your child to practice their words each night for a short period. We will test on Friday!

McNitt Updates

Carnival

Please remember our carnival basket is going to be collected this week. If you have any donations you would like to add to our FAMILY FUN themed basket please get those into your child's classroom teacher as soon as you can. We have only one item in our basket at the moment, so any and all donations related to FAMILY FUN are welcome! Thank you for your continued support!

Silent Auction

Go to 'view auction' to see the lots.  Then register an account and place bids at http://westwoodspto2016.eflea.ca/view. 

Payment can be made by cash or check at the Westwoods office. 

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Conferences are approaching quickly! I am very excited to meet with you all once again to discuss your child's experience and growth in second grade! Sign up is available for you to choose an available time and date that works best. As we get closer to conferences, I will have to put you in one of my open slots if you have not signed up yet. I want to make sure I am able to see everyone and also give your adequate time to plan and attend your scheduled conference time and date. Slots fill up fast! Childcare will also be provided. 

Here is the link

https://ptcfast.com/schools/Westwoods_Elementary

Box Tops Contest

Please look for Box Top labels on some of your household items and food and clip them to send into our classroom. There will be a school wide contest Feb. 8 - Feb. 12. Thank you!

Chapter 7: Metric Measurement of Length

We are moving away from multiplication and division for the meantime (still using during math review) and moving into the Metric System! In this chapter students will learn to estimate and measure medium and short lengths using the standard metric units of meters (m) and centimeters (cm). Students are also going to see that standard units of measure provide a basis for the comparison of lengths (finding the difference). To further reinforce their understanding of length, children will be taught to draw lines of specific lengths, while also applying what they learned through addition and subtraction to solve real-world problems involving metric length.

Students are looking forward to trying a new chapter and learning more about measuring!

New Unit in CKLA!

Last week we began our next unit in CKLA! Unit 4 is devoted to introducing more spelling alternatives for vowel sounds and tricky spellings. Vowel sounds and their spellings are the most challenging part of the English writing system! Different areas we will be covering include:

Tricky Spelling

'e' can be pronounced /e/ (pet) or /ee/ (me)

'i' can be pronounced /i/ (it) or /ie/ (biting)

'y' can be pronounced /ee/ (funny), /i/ (myth), /ie/ (try), or /y/ (yes)

Tricky Words

Words like people, walk, grownup, building and statue are introduced and pre-taught during lessons before seeing them in their reader. These are words that are not necessarily challenging, but do not follow the rules of English.

Multi-Syllable Words & Chunking

Decoding words

Syllable division

Reader

The Job Hunt: This is a fictional book.
Kim, a college student, hunts for a job. Her younger brother, Kurt, follows along as she goes from place to place in search. Kim and Kurt will visit many places in New York City as they ride the subway and walk to each location. 

Grammar

Singular & plural nouns

Common & proper nouns
Irregular plurals

Action Verbs & verb tenses

Reviewing: synonyms, antonyms, contractions, and quotations

Writing

We will begin to learn about persuasive writing, specifically how to incorporate persuasive writing as part of a friendly letter.

Spelling

Controlled vowels
'ow''
Four different ways we have learned to spell the sound /ee/

 

 

 

Homework

On Monday all students were sent home with one page of homework to do for Thursday. We did the other side in class, which has already been checked. We read the story How to Skip a Rock in class. Now they have a story to write of their own in connection to the informational text read. They need to fill in the "W" questions, that we have also discussed in class (used with our personal narratives). 

This is due by Thursday, January 21st 

Thank you!

MLK

With Monday being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we spent a bit of time this morning discussing MLK and the impact he had on our country. Students started their day off with a Scholastic News about the famous "I Have a Dream" speech. We read though the magazine together, watched a small video clip, and also had an awesome discussion that involved deeper thinking, questions to ponder, and reflections from what they had learned. Students were able to continue their work and curiosity by using timelines and partners to complete different comprehension activities to check their learning. Ask your child what they learned about MLK today to continue that conversation at home. 

Throughout this week and next week we are reading a nonfiction text about Martin Luther King, Jr. Who Was Marin Luther King, Jr. Students are very interested to learn more about his story and to hear more details to what life was like back during segregation and the impact MLK had on changing the laws and lives of people. 

Joshua Davis!!

We had an awesome concert this afternoon to conclude our day! All students were so excited to have a celebrity in the house and see Joshua Davis live and in action with his band! They performed a few different songs, while also giving a quick explanation about the instruments they use, with a why and a how. It was a great addition to our day and one I am sure all students are bringing home for continued conversation with a ton of excitement!!

McNitt Updates

Homework

Homework packets went home on Monday. Students have a math page, word ladder and a reading fluency/comprehension page to complete by Friday. Students do NOT have spelling again this week. We are continuing to wrap up Unit 3, finish our reader Excel, while also writing about (comprehension) the last few stories we are reading.

Due to our short week of school next week we will not be doing homework packets OR spelling. We will resume homework and spelling the following week on Monday, January 25th.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thank you!

Next Weeks Schedule

NO SCHOOL - Monday, January 18th (MLK Day)

1/2 Day of School - Thursday, January 21

NO SCHOOL - Friday, January 22

Scholastic Book Order

Please remember last week a Scholastic Book Order was sent home. If you are placing an order online you may do so whenever you like. However, if you are sending an order in for me to place please have this in by Friday, January 15th. If you need extra time to think about the books you would like to order please let me know. 

Thank you so much!

Carnival Baskets

Please remember our classroom carnival basket is FAMILY FUN! Any donations you can and are willing to make can be given to your child's classroom teacher. All donation need to be turned in by the end of January. Thank you for your support!!

BOXTOPS!

Please send in any boxtops you have. The Classroom boxtop contest is Feb. 8 - Feb. 12!

Greek Myths

We have recently begun a new domain in our listening portion of CKLA. We are reading about Greek Myths. This domain builds on The Ancient Greek Civilization domain and will introduce students to several well-known Greek myths and many well-known mythical characters. Students will learn that the ancient Greeks worshiped many gods and goddesses, and that the twelve they believed lived on Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, were the most powerful. Students will learn the definition of a myth: a fictional story, once thought to be true that tried to explain mysteries of nature and humankind. They will also learn about myths that include supernatural beings or events, and that myths give insight into the ancient Greek culture. Students will hear about Prometheus and Pandora, Demeter and Persephone, Arachne and Weaver, the Sphinx, and Hercules, among others. They are very engaged thus far in this particular domain, seeing the relation from the Greek myths to different aspects of our world.

Ask your child how Prometheus and Pandora connect to certain feelings humans have?

Ask your child how Demeter and Persephone connect to our seasons?