Students took part in our health-day event.  Students went to different 2nd grade classes to learn about dental health, healthy eating, and having healthy relationships with peers and family.  Students got to explore the benefits of living a healthy life and got to describe the barriers preventing healthy habits.  We also had Mrs. Olsen, who was our Junior Achievement volunteer come to teach us all about economics.   

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:
​
​In Langauge Arts... 

• To supplement our unit from last week, we read about another very important hero named Malala Yousafzai, a female educational activist who stood up to the Taliban and survived an assassination attempt, and at only 17 years old became the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Peace Prize.  To address standard 2.RL.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, students sequenced events in Malala's life using time-order words. ​
• Students also learned about many other heroes that inspire others and change many lives.  

• Students read about another hero named Rudy Garcia-Tolson.  We learned that he overcame many adversities in his life, the first being that he was born with physical challenges that crippled his legs, then when he was 5-years-old he had his legs removed.  The following quote is a testament to his courage and positive attitude: "I have a responsibility to show the world that having no legs is nothing, the real disability is having a bad attitude."  Check out this inspirational video.  The children loved it.  They watched it twice!  

In Writing... 

• Students are publishing their second opinion writing on 'What animal makes the best pet?'   

​In Math... 

• Students learned how to draw 3D prisms, which helps students with spatial awareness and visualization.  Students can more easily identify the shape's attributes.  
• Using play money students identified the names of each coin and their values.  Students also got to compare their sizes and determined how many coins can be traded for $1.00 or less.  
• Students learned how to calculate different amounts of coins and make various combinations of coins.  Students learned that there are so many combinations of coins to make a $1.00.  Students applied these skills to solving money word problems.  ​
• Students used the partitioning (sharing) model to determining the number of objects in each share.  Students noticed a relationship between division and multiplication.  Using counters, students arranged quantities into equal groups.   

• Students explored different representation of one-half, one-third, and one-fourth by folding paper shapes into equal parts, shading one part, and writing a fraction to represent that shaded part.  
• Students focused on recognizing that the same fraction can be represented in a number of object, lengths, or shapes that differ.  This helped students to see that the size of the fraction is proportionate to the size of the whole.  ​For example, one-half of a personal pan pizza will be a different size than one-half of an extra large pizza.  

• Students used grid paper to count unit squares to determine the area of various polygons.  Students learned that not all objects or polygons will have straight sides or fall nicely lined-up on the grid paper.  Therefore, they may have to combine halved unit squares with others that are halved to complete one unit.  Students practiced this by drawing their shoe on grid paper and counting the unit squares.
• Students were introduced to the customary unit of measure, the pound.  Using a balance, they compared one pound with other objects.  The children saw that equal masses do not necessary take up the same amount of space.  We made predictions whether various objects would be less than or more than a pound, then we used the balance to validate.   

In Social Studies:

• With Mrs. Olsen, the students learned all out goods and services. They learned how to run a doughnut shop and got to make doughnuts (sticker doughnuts).  They learned about cost, supply and demand, product defect, taxes, and how a community works and functions together.  Click for more photo​s

Announcements:

• We will be having a pizza party on the last day of school which will be in lieu of school lunch on that day.  A flyer will be going home and other information is forthcoming. 
• Songfest is coming up on 5/30.  Please be advised if your child is late to school on that day, after a certain time (once we leave), they will not be able to participate in Songfest.  This is because we are walking to the high school.  No student drop offs to high school will be allowed.  
• You will only be allowed to sign your child out from the high school if you indicated that on the form you filled out previously.  If you checked "no I will not be signing my child out from the high school," or if you did not check anything, you will NOT be able to sign your child out from the high school.  Your child will need to walk back with his/her class and you can sign your child out from Ho`okele office upon our return.  ​
• No School on Monday 5/27 in observance of Memorial Day
• Whole school rehearsal at Kapolei High School.  Please have children wear shoes as we will be walking there.  
• On Wednesday, 5/29 dismissal will be at 2:07
• Last day of school is on Friday, 5/31.  Dismissal 12:52 

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.  

​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

Reminders and announcements:

• No school from March 18-22 for Spring Break
• No school on March 26, in observance of Prince Kuhio Day
• On March 29th, students will be attending our first ever Spring Book Fair preview event in our school library.  They will be making a wishlist at that time. Usually our school only hosts one book fair a year.  This year our school is having a 2nd book fair in which 100% of proceeds will be going to teachers' classroom libraries.  
• No spring break homework was assigned besides reading log.  Please encourage life-long readers.  Provide quiet time and a variety of reading materials for your child to read during the break.  The public library is a great resource and usually has a spring reading program.  I encourage you and your child to check it out!  

This week we were treated with a special guest reader...Mrs. DeBaun (Isabella's mom).  She read to the children The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  Through this inspiring tale, children learned the power of encouragement and perseverance.  If you're stuck, change your perspective, amazing things can happen.  Just..."Make your mark and see where it takes you"

Very proud children got to show off their amazing work at the Student Showcase.  D103 students really helped to transform the cafeteria into a "forest" of colors and creatures with their work. This year our second graders met their first grade buddy class and viewed the showcase together.  Our second graders assisted the first graders in writing happy grams. ​

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

​​In Langauge Arts... 

• Continuing our essential question from last week How does the earth change?  we read a text called Into the Sea.  Using this text, students learned about cause and effect.  The following standard was addressed:  2.RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.  Students learned the causes of beach erosion and the effects beach erosion can have on the infrastructure of a community. Students learned how to use partial-flow maps and multi-flow maps to show cause and effects of erosion.  ​

• In writing, students learned about Word Choice.  We read a fiction story called Rainforest by Helen Cowcher to notice the words (specifically the verbs), the author uses which makes the story more interesting.  We noticed words like dwell instead of live, trooped instead of walked, and dart instead of run.  We made a list of overused verbs and came up with better alternatives.   

In math...

• Students learned about estimation with a curved number line to help them determine  which ten a number is closer to.  Then after estimating, students found the differences between 2 two-digit numbers.   The video below shows the idea of a curved number line, although the numbers in the video are larger than the numbers our students estimated, the concept still applies.  ​

• Students learned to subtract a two-digit number from a three-digit number when decomposing the ten.  For example in the problem, 162 - 28 = ?  students learned to trade a ten for 10-ones.  So instead of representing 162 as 1-hundred, 6-tens, and 2-ones, they draw the numbers as 1-hundred, 5-tens, and 12-ones.   
• Students then transferred this same concept of trading into the hundreds place.  For example in a problem like 126 - 41 = ? students learned to trade the hundred for 10-tens.  Instead of representing 126 as 1-hundred, 2-tens, and 6-ones, students represented it as 12-tens and 6-ones.  

In science...

• Our PLTW unit on The Changing Earth is in full swing.  This week, students learned all about maps.  They learned the purpose of maps and the different features, such as a map key, symbols, scale, cardinal direction.  They created a map of our classroom.  In addition, they read different types of maps, such as a weather, topographical and a classroom map.   

Announcements & Reminders

• Read Across America Week:
  • ​Tuesday: "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish"~ Wear red and/or blue
  • Wednesday: "Cat in the Hat Day"~ Hat Day
  • Thursday: "I'm Not Going to Get Up Today"~ Pajama Day
  • Friday: "Oh, The Places You'll Go"~ Favorite Place Day

Our class of 22 is now 23!  We are so excited to have Rikki as our newest friend in D103.  Having a new classmate this week gave all of us the opportunity to benefit from some Tribe activities.  Students shared things about themselves and important things that anyone should know about our school. These activities were great community builders that brought a sense of fellowship.  ​

​​In Langauge Arts... 

• The standard covered this week was 2.RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.  Students used informational text from Wonders to compare and contrast big ideas the author presents within the same text.  Students learned to use red and blue colored pencils to underline differences they found.  They used both the red and blue to underline similarities.  

Our little engineers got to put their designs to the test as they conducted a trial run of their seed dispersers this week.  It was quite an experience for them to explore and evaluate how they thought their models were going to work and actually seeing them in action.

In language arts...

• The standard covered this week was 2.RI.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.  Using a text called What's in Your Backpack: Exploring Our Forest, students learned how paper and pencils are made and how it all starts in our forests.  Students had to identify and describe the steps as well as sequence them in correct order.   ​

​In math...

• Students first learned how to use the count back strategy on a number line to subtract.  They practiced decomposing numbers to stop at "friendly" numbers.  
• Then, students learned how they can "think addition" on a number line to subtract.  If a subtraction problem is 85 - 64 = ? Students were taught to start at 64 and make a "jump of 10" to 74, then another "jump of 10" to 84 and finally a "jump of 1" to 85.  The answer is how many "jumps" were made. 
• Students applied these strategies when solving word problems. 
• The children sorted shapes into categories and by doing so they learned that polygons are closed shapes, have only straight sides, and are 2 dimensional.   

​In social studies...

• Students learned that natural resources are materials that come from nature that people use, such as rock, soil, minerals, air, water, plants, and animals.  Students also learned that some natural resources are renewable, such as plants and animals and others are nonrenewable, such as fossil fuels like coal and oil.  Once fossil fuels are burned they cannot be replaced.  Conservation efforts, such as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Refuse are ways students are learning that can help with problems concerning limited natural resources.  

​Reminders & Announcements

• No school 1/28 due to Teacher's Professional Development Day
• Student Showcase starts on 2/4 and end on 2/8.  During this time, come and check out student featured writing and art in the Cafeteria.  
• Our clothing drive is running until 2/1.  If you have anything you would like to donate, drop off is on the stage cafe.  Thank you for your donations!