Weekly Update for March 27th-31st

Hi Families,
Another great week! We began our country research using iPads, exploring online resources from the Reading Public Library and the online literature collection from Epic. Students are not only learning about the geography and culture of their countries, but also about how to navigate through an online world. I’m keeping their explorations limited (no Google searches!) but they are getting some useful experience and interesting information. We’re also learning how to take notes. All good stuff!

We have 1.5 more weeks of the Read-a-thon. Keep logging those reading minutes! We logged a number of sessions this week during in-class reading.

Community Building
During morning meeting this week, we played a class favorite game -Silent Ball. I used to play this game with my former 5th grade classes (only in those versions we stood on chairs!), but the 2nd graders are playing it in their own exciting way. As students play (and get out) we have been having conversations about “losing gracefully.” No one likes to lose, but we all have to learn how to cope with disappointment and the occasional outrage of perceived unfairness. 

Literacy 
We studied another type of folktale this week: Tall Tales. Highlights:

• Read aloud 4 tall tales about some legendary characters: Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Casey Jones;
• Analyzed each story for its tall tale characteristics: exaggeration, humor, an amazing childhood, unbelievable adventures, creations or inventions, and taking place on the American frontier;
• Compared and contrasted different versions of the same tall tale;
• Practiced fluency with a decodable story, reading to self, and reading with a partner.

Writing
This week we focused on note-taking for our country research project and our tall tales exploration. Highlights:

• Took note on a graphic organizer about the different characteristics of each tall tale;
• Took notes based on informational reading about geographic, political, and cultural features of a country.

Phonics
We launched Unit 10 of Fundations on double vowel sounds and spellings. Highlights:

• Practiced reading and spelling words that have “ai” or “ay” in them;
• Learned new trick words and compared their sounds to their unexpected spellings: great, country, away, America, school, and thought;
• Learned about homophones (words that sound the same but have different spellings, such as plain/plane, main/mane, and tail/tale;
• Practiced spelling multisyllabic words with the “long a” sound. 

For at-home Phonics information and practice:

• Current: Fundations Home Support Packet for Unit 10
• Review: Fundations Home Support Packet for Unit 9

Math
We wrapped up Unit 5 on Numbers to 1,000. Highlights:

• Compared three-digit numbers using a numberline, base-10 block models, and place value understanding;
• Ordered three-digit numbers using place value understanding and the relative position of numbers on a number line;
• Practiced our unit skills and math fluency with some fun games, such as “Hundreds War” and “Get Your Numbers in Order;”
• Took our Unit 5 Math Assessment. 

For at-home Math information and practice:

• Review:  Illustrative Math Family Support Materials for Unit 5
• Next: Illustrative Math Family Support Materials for Unit 6

Social Studies
We launched our country research project! I assigned students one of the countries on their list and walked them through multiple online resources that the school pays for and that the Reading Public Library offers. Students took notes and learned many interesting facts about their countries! Some students even did independent research outside of school (totally not necessary though). Next week we’ll wrap up our research and begin turning our facts into informative, interesting research reports.

​​Thank you for taking the time to read the entire update! Please reach out with any questions, or to connect to discuss your child’s progress. Have a great weekend!

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