2nd Grade MP3 Campus

School Data is open on the first of each month for parent reviews. These are due by the 5th. We hope the cut and paste grade level newsletter will be helpful to supplement your remote learning plan reviews. Thank you for submitting in a timely manner and if you need help, please reach out to your SLPC.

Topics: two-digit addition and subtraction, borrowing and regrouping with the standard algorithm, algebraic reasoning, hundreds chart as a math tool, place value to 1,000, subtraction fluency, using addition to double check subtraction

Activities: This month we spent time setting a benchmark for our single digit subtraction fluency and fit in a few practice sets as well. To be considered fluent a student should be able to answer any given fact in 3 seconds or less. We will check back in and celebrate our gains next month. This month we spent more time using the standard algorithm for both addition and subtraction and worked to cement when and how regrouping and borrowing work. We continued our daily pictorial algebra problems and creating fun equations that go with our number of the day.

Teacher Tip: Keep practicing addition and subtraction facts at home using timings, flashcards, games, and oral questions. The more your student is exposed and asked to retrieve the fact from the brain the faster they will get.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Kurashige, skurashige@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: nonfiction writing, informational paragraphs, circle map plan, title, topic sentence, detail sentences, wrap up sentence, writing process (i.e., plan, draft, conference, publish, share), adding to and taking away from writing with adult support, spelling strategies, Author’s Chair

Activities: In this review period, we jumped into nonfiction writing. Students generated lists of topics they know a lot about. Then they chose one and created a circle map plan. Using their circle map plans, students are writing their informational paragraphs. We are focusing on the paragraphs having a title, a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a wrap-up sentence. I am conferencing with individual students on their paragraphs. Our conferences focus on revising ideas and editing conventions. We are using spelling strategies which include writing all the sounds you know, using your personal dictionary, and using our Word Wall. Completed informational posters are starting to fill up our classroom walls and students are enjoying the posters during our Authors Chair time.

Teacher Tip: Ask your student to plan and write an informational paragraph based on a science or social studies topic that you have studied at home.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Giesen, jgiesen@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: our citizenship in a town/city, state and country, civics, economics including wants/needs, goods/services, producers/consumers and supply/demand

Activities: After comparing the duties of the president with those of a governor and a mayor, students worked diligently to expand their understanding of leadership at different levels of government by learning about the three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. While this concept goes beyond second-grade standards, exposure to the vocabulary and the idea that many people are involved in decision-making was​ beneficial.​ Following our reading of Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney, students gained a clearer understanding of how different places are connected. We discussed how our personal world begins small and gradually expands to include more space. Over the course of the month, students completed parts of a flip book, culminating in their own "Me on the Map" poster. Each one highlighted layers of their world—from their house and street to their town, state, country, and continent.​ In addition, students were introduced to the basics of economics. We began by sorting cards related to wants vs. needs and goods vs. services. Then, students explored the roles of producers and consumers. Through a variety of real-world scenarios, they practiced identifying how supply and demand affect prices. They quickly grasped that a greater supply typically lowers prices, while high demand can raise them. When presented with examples like hot chocolate sales in July, swimsuit sales in June, or flower sales after Valentine’s Day, the class scored an impressive 12 out of 12—demonstrating their solid understanding of these foundational concepts.

Additional learning: As fourth graders enter the classroom first hour (before attendance), they have been watching a live webcam from Big Bear Valley that features an eagle’s nest. Their enthusiasm has quickly spread—second graders have also become curious and asked to see what’s happening in the nest. I’ve been projecting the webcam for a few minutes at the start of class, and students have been captivated by watching the parent eagles, Jackie and Shadow, care for their eaglets. If you’d like to follow along at home, you can use the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

Teacher Info: Mrs. Elgersma, gelgersma@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Keyboard identification & speed, iReady Practice, Google Sheets

Activities: Our class has continued practicing keyboarding skills at the beginning of each period using Typing.com. This time is followed by 10 minutes of iReady math practice where everyone is able to practice math skills while using technology.

The main focus this month has been identifying cells in Google Sheets. This was a skill that was briefly introduced last year, however most of the class is now able to quickly find the correct cell based on row and column coordinates. Students have spent this month uncovering mystery pictures by changing the color of each cell. Some students have even accepted the challenge of creating their own pictures and now will begin to 'write' directions.

Additional Learning: All assignments are located in the Google Classroom and are available for students to work on (finish) at home for extra practice.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Montgomery, rmontgomery@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Elements of Art: Color, Value, Line, Shape, Texture, and Space; Principles of Design: Balance, Rhythm & Movement; Techniques: oil pastels, chalk pastels, & overlapping

Activities:After finishing our Alma Thomas-inspired rocket ships, we remained inspired by space. Students used oil pastels to create their own solar systems, blending colors to depict swirling gases, rings, and shadows. They even added spatter-painted stars for extra sparkle! As we transitioned from winter to spring, we read The Big Umbrella by Amy and Juniper Bates. Students drew their own oversized umbrellas, using lines to show their shape and overlapping to depict people gathered beneath them. They also applied their understanding of the color wheel to paint rainbows on the umbrellas. With paint and a piece of cardboard as a stamp, they added falling rain, and of course, the Glitter Fairy made an appearance to add a bit of sparkle to the raindrops! After a student requested “cat-themed art,” we read The Cat and the Bird: A Children's Book Inspired by Paul Klee by Géraldine Elschner and used chalk pastels to draw our own cats inspired by Paul Klee's artwork Cat and Bird. Students learned how to use chalk pastels without smudging or covering their hands with chalk — a tricky skill! They also practiced blending colors to show value. These cats were so beautiful (and so full of chalk) that they got laminated to help preserve the work. Next, we explored still-life paintings of tulips by Paul Cézanne and created our own tulip paintings — another stunning project! Finally, we are working on an abstract piece inspired by Piet Mondrian, using his signature primary colors and bold lines. (It’s still a work in progress!) These second graders are truly amazing artists!

Reflection Questions: Of all the artwork created this month, ask your student which their favorite was and why.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Warnock, swarnock@meridian.wednet.edu