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HELLO, GRADE 2

 Mrs. Hertel's Grade 2 class, Shutesbury Elementary

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  • Writer's pictureKatie Hertel

Oct. 2

Dear Grade 2 Families,

Happy October! It really feels like fall lately, which I am very excited about. It's fun to finally wear some sweaters. Here is a little bit about what has been happening in our class.

This week, we are having our first week of Word Study groups. Each week, each group will work on reading, sorting, and spelling a set of words to help them understands specific word features. They work closely with the teacher at the beginning of the week to read the words and understand the features, and then they work more independently with their words as the week progresses.

We are also starting to have our Reading Workshop rotations. After the day's mini-lesson, students will complete three rotations during which they will be reading independently, reading with partners, listening to reading or reading on ipads, or reading with a teacher. During our RW mini-lessons this week, we are starting a new "bend" in our first unit: "Authors Have Intentions, So Pay Attention!" We are working to recognize that books and stories are all made up of choices that an author made. As we read, we are trying to notice when we react in different ways and to ask "How did I react?", "Why did I react?" and "What did the author do to make me react?" 

In our Math Workshop, we have been working on various games, activities, and routines to build and practice a few concepts and skills. Some of the Big Questions that we've been working to answer have been

  • Does order matter when you add?  (no!)

  • Does order matter when you subtract?  (yes!)

  • How can we tell how many groups of ten are in a number?  (the "first" number tells how many tens, and the "second" number tells how many extras-- we will discuss the mathematical terms for these digits soon.)

  • How can we show how we solve problems? (with numbers, equations, pictures, words; we are learning new ways every day)

Some of the activities and games happening this week are

  • Collect 50¢- students play against one another to roll dice and count and collect coins until someone reaches 50¢.

  • Enough for the Class- students count cubes in various bags and determine whether there are "enough for the class," and how many extras there are (or how many more are needed).

  • Groups of 2, 5, and 10- students are given a number and work with a partner to find out how many groups of 2, 5, or 10 they can make with their number an how many will be left over.

Next week, we will begin our first science unit on the properties and phases of matter. I have most of the materials that we will need, but there are a few things we still need. 

  • Each student should bring in one pair of socks.  They can bring these any time.  I will have them store them in their cubbies until we need them.

  • Also, if anyone has any of the following things lying around at home, we will make use of them in science:  several empty plastic bottles, styrofoam plates (must be styrofoam).

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

  • Monday, 10/8:  Columbus Day

  • Friday, 10/19:  Curriculum Day

  • 10/31-11/1, 11/6-7: Conferences (please be on the look-out for more information about scheduling conferences)

Take care and have a great week!

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