Unit 2 Work with equal Groups

On Wednesday will will begin to work on Unit 2. This unit introduces students to the foundational concepts of multiplication through equal groups and arrays. While students aren’t expected to master multiplication yet, they begin to explore how repeated addition connects to multiplication.

What Students Will Practice

Even and Odd Numbers: Identifying and explaining the difference using models and number patterns
Making Equal Groups: Grouping objects to show repeated addition (e.g., 3 groups of 4 apples)
Using Arrays: Arranging items in rows and columns to visualize multiplication (e.g., 2 rows of 5 = 10)
Modeling with Math: Drawing pictures, writing number sentences, and explaining their thinking
Recognizing Patterns: Seeing how equal groups relate to skip counting and repeated addition

How Families Can Support

Use everyday objects (coins, snacks, toys) to make equal groups and talk about totals
Practice identifying even and odd numbers in real life (house numbers, page numbers, etc.)
Encourage your child to draw arrays (e.g., 3 rows of 4 stars) and write matching equations
Play games that involve grouping or counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s

Why It Matters

Understanding equal groups sets the stage for multiplication and division later in the year. It helps students develop number sense, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills.

We will also be starting topic 3 during the middle of September, which is adding within 100 using different strategies. We will be using different strategies like adding on a 100 chart, adding by using an open number line, the break-apart model, and compensation. We will also be learning how to solve word problems by using a one- or two-step method. If you would like more information on this unit, click on the link below.

https://media.pk12ls.com/curriculum/math/family_engage/g02_t03_overview_en.html

Two spelling test will be graded and passed back to the class this week.

During phonics students will focus on the "Sound" all week long and learn how to recognize, read, and spell words with common spelling patterns. Through engaging phonics routines, word building, dictation, and reading practice, students will strengthen their decoding and encoding (spelling) skills while building reading fluency and confidence.

Students will learn to:

Identify words with the sound.
Blend, read, and spell words with spelling patterns.
Apply phonics skills to decode unfamiliar words in connected text.
Read and write high-frequency words
Build fluency and automaticity through daily practice with word reading, spelling, and sentence reading.

By strengthening these foundational skills, students will become more confident readers and writers who can apply their phonics knowledge to both reading and everyday writing.

September 7th

Identify words with long o.
Blend and spell words with long o.
Spelling Words: here, look, me, play, said, see, she, try, about, because, float, toe, roast, broke, globe, going, both, grow, bowl, throw.

September 14th

Identify words with long e.
Blend and spell words with long e.
Spelling words: after, before, call, do, earth, father, give, her, know, large, here, need,queen, clean, thief, leaf, happy, funny, key, piece.

September 21st

Identify words with long i.
Blend and spell words with long i.
Spelling words: good, many, near, off, people, right, that, two, under, very, pie, tie, child, kind, sky, dry, high, lime, light, bright.

September 28th

Identify words with long u.
Blend and spell words with long u.
Spelling words: again, below, carry, does, eight, find, house, laugh, mother, school, music, menu, January, few, rescue, cue, use, cute, huge, cube.

SRSD and narrative writing

Students have finished the pre-writing stage using the SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) approach for our informative writing prompt: "Describe how an octopus can protect itself."

What Students Practiced

Analyzing the Prompt: Breaking down what the prompt is asking so they stay focused on how an octopus protects itself.
Brainstorming & Planning: Gathering facts (like camouflage, releasing ink, and squeezing into tight spaces) and organizing key details before writing.
Using Graphic Organizers: Structuring their main ideas, supporting details, and topic sentences so their thoughts flow logically.

Why Pre-Writing Matters Planning ahead helps 2nd graders organize their ideas, build confidence, and prepare to write strong, structured informative paragraphs!

This week we will move into writing personal narratives using the SRSD model.

Benchmark unit 2 Characters learn and grow

Unit 2, titled "Characters Learn and Grow," students explore how characters face challenges, make choices, and develop throughout a story. Through engaging fiction and folktales—such as Yeh-Shen, The Baker’s Dilemma, and Angel Fish—students learn to analyze character traits, describe settings and plot elements, and practice retelling key story events. Throughout the unit, children build reading comprehension by creating mental images, using context clues to understand new vocabulary and idioms, comparing characters across different versions of tales, and exploring elements of poetry such as rhyme and repetition.

How communities changed over time

We will finish Habitats and move into Social Studies.

Long ago, our neighborhood was mostly farmland with a few quiet streets. Over time, as new families moved in from different parts of the world, the neighborhood began to change:

In the Past: Many years ago, there was only one small general store and a single schoolhouse. Most people spoke one language and shared similar daily routines.
Cultural Arrival: As families from diverse cultures moved into the neighborhood, they opened new local businesses, like ethnic grocery stores, bakery shops, and unique restaurants.
Present Day: Today, walking down the main street shows murals painted on public walls, signs written in multiple languages, and annual cultural street festivals where neighbors gather to share food, music, and traditions.

Through these contributions, the neighborhood grew into a rich, welcoming community shaped by the unique cultures of all the people who have lived there over time.

Run for Funds

FUN Run

September 9th- Run for Funds Assembly at 9:00 am in the gym (Students Only)
September 18th- Run for funds in the baseball field (Parents are invited)
September 30th- Prize Day

Candy Drive

Come feed the Candy Monster in the lobby! Each bag of candy will be used for our SLT team in the Legend Homecoming Parade and split amongst the cars at the Trunk or Treat at the Fall Festival. Please donate between September 7-25th.

Next PTO Meeting

Join us for our next PTO meeting on September 16th in the cafeteria at 8:30 am! We would love to see you there!

We have two board positions open for the 2026-2027 school year!

- Secretary

- Communications

Save the Date Fall festival October 23 from 5 to 7

Mrs. Leech's Newsletter

September

What's Buzzing in Mrs. Leech's Class

Math

Unit 1 Fluently Add and Subtract within 20

Unit 2 Work with equal Groups

Phonics and Spelling Word Lists

Writing

SRSD and narrative writing

Reading

Benchmark unit 2 Characters learn and grow

Social Studies

How communities changed over time

Special Announcement

NO School

A Peek at What's Ahead

Run for Funds

Specials Calendar

Where to find things

What's Buzzing in Mrs. Leech's Class What's Buzzing in Mrs. Leech's Class

Math Math

Unit 1 Fluently Add and Subtract within 20

Unit 2 Work with equal Groups

Phonics and Spelling Word Lists Phonics and Spelling Word Lists

Writing Writing

SRSD and narrative writing

Reading Reading

Benchmark unit 2 Characters learn and grow

Social Studies Social Studies

How communities changed over time

Special Announcement Special Announcement

NO School

A Peek at What's Ahead A Peek at What's Ahead

Run for Funds

Specials Calendar Specials Calendar

Where to find things

What's Buzzing in Mrs. Leech's Class

Math

Phonics and Spelling Word Lists

Writing

Reading

Social Studies

Special Announcement

A Peek at What's Ahead

Specials Calendar