September 22-26

Cougar Reading- Good readers visualize pictures in their mind as they read. This week we will work on the strategy of visualization by listening to poetry and drawing pictures to match what we hear. Be sure to check out our visualization bulletin board in the hall when you come to parent teacher conferences next week.

ELA/Science-  This week we will embark on a 10 day unit on nutrition. With the help of an adorable dragon known as Little D and a host of royal characters such as Sir Henry the Egg, and Princess Pea Pod the 4 food groups will be taught through story telling and a variety of fun activities.

Writing- In writing we are working on our first formal piece. We are writing an Important poem that models the format of Margaret Wise Brown's Important Book.  We read the Important Book last week and wrote a class poem about the American flag. On Friday we wrote a first draft of our own Important poem which I will be editing for them this weekend. On Monday, the students will write a final copy of their poem.

Math-  In math this week we will complete Topic 3 Subtraction Strategies and take a math test on Wednesday. At conferences we will discuss your child's progress in math this quarter.

Content Objectives for September 15-19

Cougar Reading-  We will read The Story of The Statue in class as we learn about The Statue of Liberty. Students will partner read the book and participate in various cooperative learning activities and an exercise in visualization to promote a deeper understanding of the text.

Spelling-  We will continue to focus on long vowel patterns this week as we practice the /ai/ spelling pattern.

Math- Topic 3 Addition Strategies begins this week as we apply the doubles, near doubles and make 10 strategy to solve subtraction facts. For homework, students will begin to focus on subtraction as well as addition facts. Developing fact fluency is a goal for second graders. In math, each student has a math fact goal they are working towards. Currently, most students are working on solving 50 or 75 addition facts in five minutes. A few students have even advanced to subtraction!!

ELA/Social Studies-  Your students have learned so much about citizenship and the history of how our country was formed. This week we will conclude our Civics & Government Unit with a study of The Constitution. We will learn the history of The Constitution and it's purpose.  We will also identify American symbols such as the liberty bell, the flag, and The Star Spangled Banner.

Content Objectives September 8-12

Cougar Reading- This week we will touch on the characteristics of courage and bravery as we compare and contrast three short stories: Mirrette On The High Wire, The Man Who Walked Between The Towers, and Heroes of 9/11.

ELA/ Social Studies- We will dive into our third week of our Civics & Government unit by examining how the United States became a country. We will learn about the Declaration of Independence and read about the revolutionary war by reading The Magic Tree House novel Revolutionary War on Wednesday . The students will reflect on story events using their learning logs in class to complete given activities.

Spelling-  long vowel words will practiced in class this week

Math- We will continue to practice apply addition strategies in class. This week we will examine how "making tens" is a different way solve addition problems.