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Ho`okele 2nd graders learn what it takes to be good citizens

4/27/2019

The second graders worked extra hard the last two weeks designing and painting a work of art showcasing pristine Hawaii's beaches and shorelines. Students learned about the devastating effects of beach erosion and possible solutions to this major problem. While there is no one right solution for erosion, students are learning that non-profit organizations such as Malama Maunalua help restore and conserve our marine environment. This was the same organization that visited our classrooms and taught the keiki about rain water erosion and how invasive algae is affecting our beautiful shorelines. Be sure to check out the order form that went home yesterday and purchase a set of notecards to support our PBL project!

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

This past week's essential question was What do good citizens do? Students read A Difficult Decision, a text from Wonders. This story was about two boys who found a GameMaster left at a park. Wyatt initially wanted to keep the GameMaster, while Paul tried to convince Wyatt it's not the right thing to do. Using this story, students learned how to identify different characters' point of view. The focus standard addressed this week was 2.RL.6 Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.

Continuing from last week, the essential question was What do good citizens do? Students read Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio. This story was about a girl named Grace who learns that there has never been a girl president. So she is determined to the the first girl president. Using this story, students continued to learn how to identify different characters' point of view.

Later we read an original version of the classic fairytale The Three Little Pig and the Big Bad Wolf. Together we created a bubble map to describe the Wolf from the point of view of the Pigs. Later we read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. Students created a bubble map to describe Wolf from the point of view of himself. If you've never read that story check it out here

In writing students published their opinion writing on whether Alex should get an iguana or not. Now students are working on an opinion writing about what pet is the best pet for them. Here is a list of some of D103 students' best pets: rabbit, puppy, chicken, snake, hamster, fish, and cat. Wow, I love the variety!

In Math...

In Stepping Stones, students first reviewed skip counting by 2s and 5s. This practice prepared them for repeated addition or multiplication concepts.
Then students learned to describe equal groups using addition sentences. Students learned that all multiplication is, is adding equal groups. Students drew matching pictures to represent different multiplication problems.
We continued to learn about multiplication, by adding equal groups. But also students learned to describe arrays as equal groups as well. Students learned the difference between a row and a column and learned how to describe the array using a addition sentence and a multiplication sentence. Students understand that the multiplication symbol means 'groups of'. So depending on the multiplication story, it makes a huge difference where the numbers are placed. For example, three baskets with 5 apples in each basket, should be writing only as 3 x 5 = 15 not 5 x 3 = 15.

After a quick review of polygons, students were introduced to polyhedrons. Students learned that, unlike polygons, polyhedrons are 3D. They only have straight edges and only have flat faces. Students learned that pyramids are a type of polyhedron and they identified various pyramids.
Using their knowledge of faces, edges and vertices, students analyzed and recorded information about various 3D objects.

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A short but busy week

4/14/2019

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Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

Students were introduced to poetry. They learned the difference between prose: words in their best order (follows grammar rules, ordinary written language) and poetry: (best words in their best order (carefully chosen words to express feelings or ideas). They learned different characteristics of poetry. Using the following tree map, students categorize different elements of poetry:

The students had a ton of fun learning about alliteration with Jack Prelutsky's Bleezer's Ice Cream poem, then they came up with their own ice cream flavor creations to show their understanding of alliteration. Check them out below. Yummy!

In Math...

Students continue to practiced subtraction using numbers lines and base-ten drawing. They are now subtracting a three-digit numbers from a three-digit number with regrouping. Some problems may involve regrouping in both the ones and the tens place.
Students practiced both the count back strategy and the count on when subtracting a three-digit number from a three-digit number. Students learned that when the numbers are close together, for example 428 - 385 = ? , the count-on strategy is more efficient than the count back strategy.

When the numbers are not close together, such as 425 - 129 = ? , the count-back would be more efficient to use.

Announcements and Reminders

Monday- Spring Day! Wear pastel colors, like pink, light blue, lavender, lemon
Tuesday- Animated Character Day
Wednesday- Friendship Day
Thursday- Culture Day
Friday- No school Good Friday

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Kicking off 4th quarter!

4/7/2019

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Students had two busy first weeks of fourth quarter. They spent last week reflecting on their progress made in 3rd quarter in reading and math. Critical reflecting and goal setting is the highest level of reflection and an important part of the learning process. I hope you and your child enjoyed some time reviewing student work in their evidence binder and progress on report card together.

In Language Arts...

Students are learning that authors write to teach important lessons that we can apply to our own lives. Many authors will often have a lesson in mind to teach even before the story is developed. As good readers, it is our job to determine the central message and common theme. We read many stories this week and last that taught us valuable lesson about teamwork, acceptance, courage, open-mindedness, and perseverance.

In addition, we continue to practice with author's message and retelling a story using great children's literature while addressing following standard: 2.RL.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

Students are learning about opinion writing. We read the story I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff, which depicts a little boy named Alex's strong desire to adopt his friend's pet iguana but first he has to convince his mother. After reading the story, students took a stance on whether they felt Alex should get the iguana or whether he shouldn't. Students used an O.R.E.O. (opinion, reasons, examples, opinion) format to help them organize their opinion writing. Using the O.R.E.O. brace map, students can more easily elaborate on their ideas all while keeping their writing organized.

In Math...

In Stepping Stones Module 10 thus far, students have reviewed subtraction strategies using base-ten strategies and number lines. Some of the strategies were reviewed such as counting on, counting back, jumping to the nearest 10 or 100, and decomposing.
This week students also practiced decomposing three-digit numbers to represent them using different combinations of base-ten pieces.
Students then practiced how to trade and borrow when using a base-ten strategy or bridge when using a number line.

Announcements and Reminders...

If you have not done so yet, please return signed report card envelopes. Keep enclosed report card at home.
Return evidence binders this week with all assessments back in pockets. Thank you!
No school on Monday 4/8 due to Teachers' Professional Development day

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Ho`okele 2nd graders learn what it takes to be good citizens

A short but busy week

Kicking off 4th quarter!

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