Numbers to 1000

Second graders have been working so hard on composing and decomposing numbers with in 1000.  They have been bundling 10s and 100s, writing numbers in expanded, standard, and word forms, and skip counting forward and backwards within 1000.  Last week, the second graders had to put all the skills they were practicing to the test and solve the Web of Ten.



The reading garden had string stretched all across, in every direction.  Attached to each point was a clue that had the students adding and subtracting groups of ten.  For instance, one clue might be add 20 tens, and the students would add 200 to the number.  Students had a start number and followed the clues in the web to try and get a number at the end....a number that if correct would be the combination to unlock a reward.  Students moved up and down through the web, they followed a binder clip along the string so they could follow the clues in order.  The second graders worked as a team to figure out the math and discover the combination.




They worked so hard.  The second graders were ecstatic to hear the click sound of the combination 1205 working.  In the locked box, they found a game of Giant Jenga.  The entire class joined the game of Jenga.  But, of course, we didn't just play...we used the game the review math concepts.  Every Jenga block had a color.  Students had to solve the math problem that coordinated with that color of the block in order for the block to be placed on the top of the tower!  The second graders and first graders had different problems to solve but everyone was having fun doing the math!
 
 

Alpha-School

As part of our Alphabet book study, we read this amazing Caldecott winner, Alphabet City.  The Caldecott medal is given to children's books for illustrations.  The book is full of city photos that have all the letters of the alphabet made from city scenes. The students loved the book.  We talked about how the author really had to concentrate on details to find the letters hidden in around the city.  We decided to be letter detectives as well.  We searched the playground to see if we could find the letters in the details.  We all worked together on the detail search.

 

The letter detectives did end up finding all 26 letters....although we had to get a bit creative on a few.  View the slideshow below and see if you can see the letters we found.

Alphabet Books

Earlier this month we spent time reading and writing alphabet books. Here are some of our favorite books. There are so many fun and interesting stories organized as abc books!  When we read the book A my name is Alice, the first graders did their own version of a rewrite.  The students had to use the first letter of their name and find something they liked that started with that letter.  Then, they made a self portrait.  The pages turned out darling!  The children love looking at them hanging up in our classroom.

We also wrote a class alphabet chart and individual alphabet books. During these writing projects the students learned how to navigate their way through a dictionary...the ultimate ABC book!  First graders used the letters in their names to make their own abc book. Second graders had to use their name to write alphabet riddles like the book Q is for Duck.  For example, one student wrote "E is for book.  Why?  Because all books come to an end."  Clever!  They are dictionary experts!

 

There are some great apps that work on identifying letters and sounds and writing letters.  Also, the app Endless Alphabet is a great vocabulary builder set up as an alphabet book.  The kids LOVE it!  Click on the app name to be taken to more information. Letter School, Starfall, Writing Wizard, Sound Sorting, ABC Magic, Endless Alphabet

Fall Y'all

It's fall y'all!  Fall means lots of learning in first and second grades!  We had the opportunity to write some fall poetry last week.  First, the students brainstormed a list of adjectives for leaves.  Then, we talked about verbs.  What can leaves do?  Leaves fall, dance, twirl, pile, crumble....the students had wonderful word choice. When our lists of adjectives and verbs were made, the students went back to their desks to create poems.  First graders wrote three sentences in the adjective, noun, verb pattern.  Second graders used a more complicated pattern of adjectives and verbs to create poetry.  The students also created a watercolor painting to compliment their writing.  Listen to a couple great examples.







In addition to fall poetry, we have read books about fall.  Our science center is packed with interesting signs of fall.  Thank you parents for helping with our wonderful collection!

And, what could be more fall than apples!  We did several activities with apples but a favorite was science.  The scientists used a balance to determine if certain objects were lighter or heavier than their apples.  As you can see by their faces, their were a few surprises! 

Pumpkin Play Treats

 
We can't wait to see you Monday, October 31st at 1:30 for the pumpkin play! Please feel free to call me with any questions or if you need help with preparations. Continue to practice with your child this month on their rhymes and their lines. It will be a wonderful event.
      We will be having a dress rehearsal on Monday morning so it is important that the children come to school that Monday morning with their nursery rhyme costumes. Further, if your child is a pumpkin in the play, please dress them in orange if possible.
      I could use some help with treats for the play. After the performance, we will enjoy some treats together. Click on the Pumpkin Play Treats  and you will be taken to a shared document. Sign up for what you want to bring, for example "Spider Cookies" and put your name. If you have any trouble with the document, give me a call and I will get you signed up. Thank you!

Nursery Rhyme Fun!

The Connected Combo is excited about their upcoming performance on October 31st.  On Tuesday, students chose the nursery rhyme to perform. A copy will come home in Wednesday's envelope.  On the day of the performance, students will come dressed as their character and recite their rhyme at the show.  Remember, the costumes can be simple. This performance is to celebrate reading , it is not meant to cause stress.  The photo to the left is from a few years ago, just to give you an idea of how easy a costume can be.  My son was "Little Boy Blue."  We dressed him in blue and borrowed a horn. Simple!

Here are some great resources to read and enjoy a variety of different nursery rhymes.  There is a great site at http://www.speakaboos.com/ that will read nursery rhymes and other stories aloud.  Also, if you click "nursery rhymes" on the top button bar of the blog you will be taken to a Symbaloo filled with links to nursery rhyme videos.

Our subscription to RazKids includes a nursery rhyme section!  To get to the rhymes, log in to RazKids.  Our username is "connectedones."  Then, go to the Book Room.

Once in the Book Room, on the left change "leveled books" to "nursery rhymes"...then enjoy!  I can't wait to show the kids this feature at school.  They will be so excited!