March 9 – 20, 2020
In math, we will continue finish our focus on word problems in math class (CUBES=Circle the numbers, Underline the question, Box the key words, Evaluate what steps to take, Solve the problem) then move on to arrays and repeated addition, which is the foundation that will be multiplication next year! In ELA, we are focusing on comprehending non-fiction passages about Martin Luther King Jr, Jackie Robinson, Juliette Gordon Low, and Jimmy Carter. In writing, we are still practicing writing our five sentence paragraphs that have an opening sentence, 3 detail/supporting sentences, and a closing sentence. In PYP, we are still learning about the four people mentioned earlier and how their values shaped their actions which, in turn, have had and still continue to have a positive effect on our lives.
February 24 – March 6, 2020
We have had a very exciting week! We started and will continue next week working hard to learn how to solve word problems in math class (CUBES=Circle the numbers, Underline the question, Box the key words, Evaluate what steps to take, Solve the problem). In ELA, we are comparing and contrasting non-fiction articles. In writing, we are really refining our paragraph writing skills and making sure that our paragraphs have an opening sentence, 3 detail/supporting sentences, and a closing sentence. We are also paying close attention to our punctuation and capital letters. In phonics, we are finishing up with double vowel blends and will begin ou and ow next week.
In PYP, we began this week and will continue over the next several weeks discussing historical figures that showed positive character traits. Specifically, we will study Martin Luther King Jr, Jackie Robinson, Jimmy Carter, and Juliette Gordon Lowe. This week, we talked about some difficult topics including equality, segregation, and civil rights. I tried very hard to highlight how Martin Luther King Jr. was an incredible man who acted upon his beliefs and values as he fought for what was right. Your kiddos asked some really great questions, and I encourage you guys to continue these conversations at home. We will continue discussing MLK Jr and begin discussing Jackie Robinson next week. The book fair begins next week! Today, we watched a ‘virtual book fair preview’ put together by our librarian, and the students wrote their book fair wish list as they watched. Please look for it in their book bags! The book fair hours are as follows (all at the upper campus, so no during-school shopping this time):Monday 3:00-4:30 PM, Tuesday, 3:00-4:30 PM, Wednesday 2:00-4:00 PM, Thursday 3:00-6:30 PM, Friday, 3:00-4:30 PM
Lastly, next week is Read Across America week (one of my favorite weeks of the year!). We will celebrate reading all week, including a DRESS UP DAY on Monday! Students may com dressed either in their pjs (please make sure they are ‘out of uniform’ appropriate) OR as their FAVORITE DR. SEUSS CHARACTER. I cannot wait to see all of the wonderful outfits! 🙂
Thank you all for your support with the 2nd Grade PYP Parent Event this week. It was a wonderful success!
January 21 – 31, 2020
We are learning and growing in the New Year! Students are continuing to learn about the states of matter including how matter can move between the states (through heating and cooling). You students have also ventured into the world of fractions! They are learning numerator, denominator, and part over whole. We are continuing to work with prefixes and pronouns as well as how to write a wonderful paragraph (opening sentence, details with explanations, and a closing sentence).
January 6 – January 17, 2020
Happy New Year! I cannot wait to begin teaching our students all about the states of matter. We will have tons of fun as we experiment, brainstorm, and research solids, liquids, and gases. In math, we are entering the world of geometry as we learn all about 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes, and we will even introduce fractions as we partition our 2-dimensional shapes into equal parts. In ELA, we will focus on prefixes (un-, re-, dis-, and pre-), pronouns (he, she, it, him, her, we you, them, they, etc), and informative/explanatory writing (we will research then write about the states of matter). It will prove to be an exciting two weeks! 🙂
November 18 – December 6, 2019
We are having tons of fun learning about Mary Musgrove, James Oglethorpe, and Tomochichi and how they helped colonial Georgia. In math, we are focusing on subtracting with regrouping and measurement (inches, feet, centimeters, and meters). In English/Language Arts, we are practicing proofreading and diving into non-fiction as we learn about timelines, charts, key words, maps, headings, glossaries, diagrams, photographs, indexes, bullet points, captions, and tables of contents.
October 21 – November 1, 2019
We are learning all about the parts of a fictional story: characters, plot, setting (where AND when), problem, and solution. We read some books that were great hits with the class including Walter the Farting Dog, Stuck, and Jabari Jumps. In math, we are focusing on time (reading the clock in 5-minute intervals as well as quarter part, half past, and quarter til) and money (coins and dollars). In POI, we are focusing on shadows and how they change throughout the day. We are also learning about day and night.
October 7 – October 18, 2019
We are continuing to learn all about the leaders of our city, state, and country. Also, the students are really impressing me with their writing skills! We have been utilizing the writing process (planning and drafting) to write persuasive letters, and I am pretty sure that your kiddos may have actually persuaded the pigeon to go to bed! (Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late) Now, we are working on trying to persuade Mrs. LaRue to take us back! (Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School) In math, students are continuing to practice their 2-digit addition skills, and in phonics, students will learn more about open and closed syllables.
September 16-October 4, 2019
Your children did a FABULOUS job presenting their dioramas. They learned so much about the Creek and Cherokee as well as Georgia’s Regions and Rivers, and how the two effect one another. Yesterday, we started our new unit on systems including their structure, function, and impact on our lives. English classes will focus on the system of government, including local, state, and national governments while L2 classes will focus on elements of our solar system, especially stars. We will also introduce and discuss the systematic process of addition as well as our systems of time and money. For these two weeks, we will focus on what exactly a system is, as well as inquire into what is a government and our local (Roswell, since the school is in Roswell) government.
In math, the students are excited to start “real” addition, as they call it. Students are adding 2 digit-numbers first without then with regrouping. We are focusing on adding numbers in columns (always ones first) while remembering and recognizing that the digits in each number represent a different value depending on their column (So, a 2 in the ones place has a different value than a 2 in the tens place even though the digits are the same).
In ELA, we are reading Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late and using it to discuss facts, opinions, and persuasive letter writing. Students will write about times that they tried to persuade their parents to let them stay up late as well as write a persuasive letter to the Pigeon trying to convince him to go to bed. Their letters will consist of planning, a rough draft, self and peer editing, and a final draft.
In both math and ELA, we are continuing with our centers (independent and guided).
At home, PLEASE work with your students on addition fact fluency. You guys can practice in the fluency section of MobyMax as well as by playing ‘Addition War’ using a deck of playing cards (ask your child to teach you how!).
September 3-13, 2019
We will complete our unit on Georgia’s rivers and regions as well as the Creek and Cherokee these two weeks! Our classes are very excited to create their dioramas in L2 and put together everything they have learned in L1! Students will work in groups and write a paper answering who, what, when, where, why, and how as it relates to the Creek and Cherokee and the rivers and regions of Georgia. They will research, collaborate, and write multiple drafts. Students will also have the exciting opportunity to make their plastic bag bracelets!
In math, students will take their assessment on place value then dive into even and odd numbers!
In ELA, students will review nouns and verbs then practice with adjectives and adverbs. In phonics, we are learning how to fingertap (and spell!) 2-syllable words. Students will take an assessment over phonics rules Thursday and Friday, 9/12 and 9/13.
In both math and ELA, we are continuing with our centers (independent and guided).
August 19-30,2019
These two weeks are all about the Creek and Cherokee! We are studying how they lived, where they lived, and how their lives have changed over time.
In math, students are working on skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and 100s. We are also comparing numbers (greater than, less than, or equal to), and we are continuing with place value (expanded, standard, and word forms).
In ELA, we are discussing Native American legends and the lessons that they teach. We are also working on verbs, open syllables, and the FLOSS rule and will have a quiz over them both Thusday 8/29 or Friday 8/30. We are continuing to read aloud the BFG as well as review nouns.
In both math and ELA, we are continuing with our centers (independent and guided).
August 5-16, 2019:
We are excited to a fun and exciting 2 weeks as we study the rivers and regions in Georgia in POI (Point of Inquiry AKA PYP)!
In math, students will review and learn place value to 1000, expanded form, standard form, and word form. We will also review clocks, money, and more!
In ELA, I will read aloud Roald Dahl’s BFG as we understand the who, what, why, where, and how of a story as well as the beginning, middle, and end. Students will also study collective and irregular nouns.
In both math and ELA, students will begin centers, which they will LOVE! 🙂 Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!
Open House Information:
Welcome! Please find my Open House documents below:
Open House PowerPoint: RamoOpenHouse
Open House Brochure: RamoOpenHouseBrochure