Mrs. Wong's 2nd Grade Class D-103 website - Weekly Blog

Health Day Take Two!

5/19/2018

This week, students took part in the second round of our health-day event. Students went to different 2nd grade classes to learn about dental health, physical health, germs & cleanliness, healthy eating, stress, and physical exercise. Students got to explore the benefits of living a healthy life and got to describe the barriers preventing healthy living.

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

This week in Unit 5, Week 4 students are learning how characters respond to major events are challenges. Addressing standard 2.RL.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges, students identified the problem in a story and determined the steps to the solution that characters took. After having a better understanding of how characters respond to problems, students had to list character traits to best describe a character's personality. We read a story called The Art Project by Wonders and completed the following flow map.

Our essential question this week was How can we protect the Earth? Students read about a woodcutter and his gift to the townspeople after a storm knocks down a huge mesquite tree in the middle of the main road.

In Writing...

Students have begun a second opinion writing on 'What animal makes the best pet?' Using a flow map to help organize their ideas, students came up with three reasons and supporting details on which pet makes the best pet for them.

In Math...

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.

Announcements:

I hope all our Mothers had a wonderful Mother's day. I hope you are enjoying your personalized notecard set. I wanted to thank Chloe Glatt (Arius' Mom) for working so hard on assembling the cards and wrapping them. They came out beautiful!
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.

Let's Be Everyday Heroes!

5/12/2018

Connecting our pervious unit about citizenship with our heroes unit, we talked about how being a good citizen can also mean being a hero. We also discussed what an "everyday hero" is and how doing something small can be big. Sometimes the most insignificant thing - saying hi to someone, asking someone with no friends to play, helping a friend carry something, picking up trash that's not yours, picking up a pencil that's on the floor instead of stepping over it so someone doesn't slip, can make some of the biggest differences. Students talked about all these little things that seems so small, but leave lasting impressions and make us "everyday heroes!"

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 learned about Ruby Bridges and her impact on Civil Rights and American History. We read The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles and learned about what her life was like everyday going to school in an empty classroom with a crowd of angry white men, women and children shouting at her, but how she remained brave, courageous and hopeful through it all.

In Writing...

Students are publishing their final drafts on a google doc where they can make any last revisions.
Students have began a second opinion writing on 'What animal makes the best pet?'

In Math...

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.

Announcements:

iReady diagnostic will be on Monday and Tuesday. Please make sure your child gets a good night's rest and a well-balanced breakfast. Also, please have your child arrive on time to school on both days.
Thank you to all of my lovely students and parents of D103 for making Teacher's Appreciation Week so special. It was a week to remember always. Thank you for all the goodies and I love my T-shirt from the entire class! Thank you!

Farewell to Ms. Gonzales and best wishes!

5/5/2018

With a heavy heart we bid farewell to Ms. Bianca Gonzales, our Chaminade O & P student (student teacher) who was with us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday since the beginning of March. We will miss her very much and wish her all the best as she continues the next chapter in her journey to becoming a teacher!

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

Before doing any reading, we used a circle map to brainstorm what we know about heroes. It was very interesting to see the responses. We listed everything from heroes are strong and professional at fighting to heroes can be normal everyday people. Wow! How insightful. Everyone had different ideas about who our heroes are and what they do. Many of our ideas are jotted down on the following circle map: The ones highlighted are items we added to the chart after completing some reading assignments.

We read a biography about Cesar Chaves and learned that he was a hero to many migrant farm workers. Not because he was physically strong or fought bad guys, but because he worked hard to change the lives of many people and made a huge positive impact on his community by leading people to peacefully solve problems.

The essential question this week was What do heroes do? Students also read a biography about Bessie Coleman called Brave Bessie by Eric Velasquez. Using this biography, students continued to learn how to sequence major events using time-order words. The following standard was addressed: 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 learned that Bessie Coleman inspired many people and in doing so, she is a hero to many.

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. He had to learn how to use artificial legs. He worked hard everyday to get better and soon discovered his love for swimming. He started racing in swimming competitions and beat people with legs. His determination did not stop there. He went on to competing in the paralympics, triathlon and ironman competitions. 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"

In Writing...

Students are publishing their final drafts on a google doc where they can make any last revisions.

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.

In Social Studies...

Students learned about scarcity and its effects on daily life. We read a story called A New Coat for Anna, which was about a girl living in the Netherlands. The town is enduring hardship due to the devastating effects of the war. The town's shops remain empty. Despite this scarcity, Anna still needs a new coat for winter. Her mother decides to trade many of her valuables to get the materials for a coat. For example she trades a gold pocket watch with the farmer for his sheep's wool. After gathering all the materials needed she finally trades a porcelain tea pot with the tailor who sews a beautiful coat for Anna. This book taught many economic concepts such as scarcity, trading and limited resources and choice (capital, human and natural resources).
Students wrote down ways they can be good citizens in speech bubbles and are now on display in front of our classroom. Students votes many things from picking up trash even when it's not mine, donating food to people in need, to voting when I'm 18 years old.

Erosion Explosion!!!

4/29/2018

As a erosion culminating activity, students are creating and publishing their very own ebooks. Students are working in teams to answer the following questions: What is erosion? What are the types of natural forces that cause erosion? What are the processes of erosion (fast and slow)? How is erosion effecting Hawaii's beaches and local people? and what are possible solutions to solve the erosion problem? One member from each team answers a different question. Each of the 2nd grade teachers took on one focus question and students from various classes assigned to particular questions, went to the respective teacher. In this way, students got to work with new 2nd graders and had a different teacher for the duration of this activity! Teams will come back together with the new information to complete their ebook using Book Creator. Using this jigsaw strategy, students learn that they have to rely on their peers, engage and interact in order to be successful. Students see that in this situation, working together is important and necessary.

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

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. Her teacher decides to hold a class election. The following day Grace finds out Thomas Cobb, the spelling B champ, science fair winner, and captain of the soccer team, is also running for president. Using this story, students continued to learn 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.

Later, we started the next week's unit. The essential question was How do people get along? Using the story Soccer Friends by Wonders, students determined different points of view of the characters and discussed how they changed from the beginning of the story to the end.

Students are on their draft 1 or 2 of their opinion writing. They're learning how to elaborate on their ideas and summarize their opinion to form a strong conclusion.

In Math...

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.

In Social Studies...

We read a story called The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood & Martin Link. In this story students learned how a Navajo weaver uses her traditional native methods to make a rug. She uses a number of resources, including her goat's wool, berries for dye, hammers, looms, and combs. Students learned the difference between natural, human and capital resources. Then students classified all the resources that were used in making the rug.

Safety Week

4/22/2018

With school-wide presentations and classroom activities about drop off and pick up safety, bike safety, car and seatbelt safety, pedestrian safety, and stranger danger safety, students were immersed in real-world problems while promoting safety and learning how to prevent unintentional injury. To earn various safety prizes provided by the school, students had to describe barriers and situations that are safe, risky, or harmful to self and others.

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.
Using this story, students practiced the comprehension skill: asking and answering questions. Students learned about the different levels of questioning, which helps us to ask deeper-level questions and think more critically about the text. Students also followed our Close-Reading-of-Complex-Text poster to help guide our close read.

In addition, we continue to practice with author's message and retelling a story using great children's literature. This week we read The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and students practiced addressing the following standard: 2.RL.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

In writing, students are using an O.R.E.O. (opinion, reasons, examples, opinion) format to help them organize their opinion writing. Using the O.R.E.O. organizer, students can more easily elaborate on their ideas all while keeping them well organized.

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.

In Science...

Mrs. Tanigawa, our STEM resource teacher came to assist us in our hands-on Changing Earth's Surface project. Students got to investigate land erosion using land models. First, students predicted which force would make the most impact. The land models were made of compacted sand on a plastic slope. Students then applied a "natural force" (water, wind, earthquake and ice) to determine which of the four had the most impact on the sand. The results were very obvious. Water made the most erosion!

Ice Wind

Earthquake Water

REMINDERS AND ANNOUCEMENTS

The can food drive has been extended to Wednesday. If you have any extra can goods, please help us with our drive. Can goods can either be brought to the classroom or delivered to the cafeteria stage.

Junior Achievement Day!

4/15/2018

On Thursday students got to be little business people, while learning economic principals with our Junior Achievement of Hawaii Leader. These volunteers graciously share their workforce experience with students. Students learned the basic ideas of economics by becoming "bakers", "making donuts" (paper donuts) and running their own donut shop. It was exciting and a very valuable learning experience.

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:

To further apply their understanding of alliteration, after reading Bleezer's Ice Cream by Jack Prelutsky, students made up their own ice cream flavors, such as pickled pumpkin peanut butter parfait and decorated their own ice cream cones.

After reading Quiet as a Cricket by Audrey Wood, students chose some of their favorite similes and made a simile poster. In doing so, students learned that a simile is when two different things are being compared with the words 'like' or 'as'. Check out the photo page for the rest of the students' simile posters. They're all must sees! Simile Posters

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. Using Philosophical Chairs, students held a debate. This activity allowed students to respectfully agree, disagree, or ask clarifying questions amongst others, all while following important rules of Philosophical Chairs (not put downs, you can respectfully disagree, only one person can talk at a time, your must raise your hand). After listening to others and contributing their own ideas, students were allowed to either remain in their positions or they could change if they felt others were convincing enough.

In Math...

In Stepping Stones, students continue to learn strategies that reinforce their subtraction skills using a number line as well as base-ten blocks. They continue to practice decomposing three-digit numbers to help, which helps them when having to trade and borrow when using a base-ten strategy or bridge when using a number line.

In Science...

Mrs. Tanigawa, our STEM resource teacher came in on Friday to review erosion and prepare them for an experiment. Students learned different skills such as using a graduated cylinder, a beaker, and other science equipment they'll need for Monday's experiment.

REMINDERS AND ANNOUCEMENTS

If you have not done so yet, please keep the report card home and only return the signed report card envelope. Also, please return progress portfolio and evidence binder.
Monday 4/16 is Purple Up day- to show your support to military families, wear purple!
This week is Safety Week. Your child will participate in various safety assemblies and presentations. Flyers will go home with more information. Please take the time to discuss them at home with your child.

Kicking off fourth quarter!

4/6/2018

Students had two short but busy first weeks of fourth quarter. Students spent this week reflecting on their progress made in 3rd quarter in writing and math problem solving. There was no time for reflecting in reading. Critical reflecting is the highest level of reflection and an important part of the learning process. If you and your child have time, I highly recommend you sit down together and complete the reading reflection together. It is located in the reading section of the progress portfolio. There is a yellow checklist that can help your child determine reading strengths and set goals.

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

We started off the quarter with a review of author's purpose. We created a tree map to help us categorize different text into the following categories:

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 Horsefly and Honeybee by Randy Cecil that taught us all a valuable lesson about teamwork. The following flow map is from a guided activity done with the children. The red text represents student responses.

In addition to this story, other stories were read to teach author's message. We read Swimmy by Leo Lionni and various fables from Wonders. Students used this similar flow map to recount major events in order to determine the central message and theme.
To practice with word choice, students listens to Pete's a Pizza by William Stieg, created their own construction paper pizzas, then used "colorful and juicy" adjectives to describe their pizzas.

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.

REMINDERS AND ANNOUCEMENTS

Report cards, progress portfolios and evidence binders were sent home on Thursday. Please review them with your child and return binders to school when you are done. Please keep the report card home and only return the signed report card envelope.

A Jungle Book Performance

3/10/2018

This Friday the children got to see a spectacular performance, Jungle book, staring students of Ho`okele and our very own...Macy Nett performing as a gorgeous flower! She did an amazing job, as well as all the other children. It was an exciting story that captivated our attention with song, dance, and costume! Tickets are still available for tonights' shows. It's a must see!

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

In reading, we're still talking about cause and effect. Students read many different high-level text types this week. The following standard from last week was still 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 how to use partial-flow maps and multi-flow maps to show cause and effects of erosion. The following thinking maps were used with different text read this week. The red represents different student responses.

In writing, students are working on their tree maps from their health day event. Next week, their tree map will help them to create an on-demand writing assessment about how to live a healthy life. Students went to 3 of the 6 health sessions taught on Friday. Some of the topics students may have learned about during their health sessions were dental health, physical health, eating healthy, healthy relationships with friends & family, germs & colds and dealing with stress. Whichever session they did not attend this week, they'll get to attend in quarter 4.

In math...

Students learned how the number line can help them to add numbers that involve regrouping. First, students learned how to add a one-digit number to a three-digit number bridging a ten. For example, 146 + 7 = ? On the number line you would start at 146 then jump 4 to 150, then a jump of 3 to 153.
Next, students practiced adding two-digit numbers to three-digit numbers that also involved regrouping in the tens place. These problems involved two-digit numbers adding to a three-digit number bridging a hundred. For example, 162 + 82 = ? For problems like these, students were taught to use base-ten pieces along side when added. By using base-ten pieces, students could see a more concrete method to help them solidify their understanding of their jumps on the number line. Number lines will eventually lend itself to mental math strategies.
The week ended with an introduction to centimeters. Students discovered that a ones base-ten block is exactly 1 cubic centimeter. Students traced their hand and measured their hand span, their index finger, and the width of their thumb. They also measured various objects around the classroom using their rulers. They compared an inch to a centimeter as well.

REMINDERS AND ANNOUCEMENTS

Spring Break is on 3/19 - 3/23
No school on 3/26 Kuhio day
No school on 3/30 Good Friday

Read Across America Week

3/2/2018

In celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday, students enjoyed fun-filled events all week long. One of the highlights included our very special guest readers Mrs. Gigi (Estee's Grandma) and Mrs. Yakshi (Sunakshi's Mom). Mrs. Gigi read the children a book about the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, and their contributions as American engineers, inventors, and aviation pioneers. Students learned how to folder paper airplanes, which they later took to flight! We were then treated to a fun Clifford Puppy Days story about graduation. Mrs. Yakshi spoke to the children about how graduations are a thing to celebrate, whether you're graduating from college, high school, or even 2nd grade! Mrs. Yakshi then had the children make their very own puppy bookmark.

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.

Using another text called Volcanoes by Sandra Markle, students created their own cause and effect thinking maps to show how one scientific events leads to another.

In writing, students created bubble maps to show various word options for verbs and adjectives. Students came up with a list of "better" words to use instead of overused ones.

In math...

Module 9 started with adding one-digit numbers to three-digit numbers without regrouping. Students were reminded to use place value properly. For example, when we see 343 + 6 students were told to remember that it's 343 + 006. In this why they would add it in the correct place.
Next, students practiced adding two-digit numbers to three-digit numbers without regrouping using place value and number line strategies. Students were told to apply the same strategy as earlier. For example 562 + 25 should be thought of as 562 + 025. Even though we don't write 25 as 025, knowing that there is zero in the hundreds place helps us add properly.
Students then added three-digit numbers to three-digit numbers without regrouping using place value and a number line. Students practiced a lot with jumping on the number line and going from the hundreds place, to the tens place, and then the ones.
- I posted this video before, but it applies again except students used larger numbers this time.

Finally, students learned strategies for jumping to the nearest ten on the number line when adding numbers that involve regrouping. Students learned to decompose the addend so a new ten can be made. For example, for the problem 538 + 7 the 7 can be decomposed to 2 and 5 so that you would jump 2 to 540 then jump a five to 545.

In science...

Students had so much fun using the app Google Earth to help them discover Planet Earth. Students filled in a map of the continents and the oceans. Students learned why our planet is called the "Blue Planet" and where water can be found...in large bodies of water such as oceans, river and lakes, but also much of earth's water is found underground and in the form of ice.
Students then watched some videos about weathering and erosion. They are working on a flow map to show the process of erosion to a cliff over time.

Jungle Animals Everywhere

2/24/2018

Very proud children got to show off their amazing work at the Student Showcase. D103 students really helped to transform the cafeteria into a rainforest of colors and creatures with their work. Our second graders had the opportunity to meet their fourth grade buddy class and view the showcase together. The fourth graders helped the second graders write happy grams for their friends.

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

In Langauge Arts...

Our essential question this week was How does the earth change? We transitioned from comparing concepts within the same text to using two different text on the same topic. The standard covered this week was 2.RI.2.9 Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic. Students used two different Kidbiz articles about beach erosion. In one article students learned about how Hawaii's beaches are eroding and in another article students learned about how beaches in Japan also have a great deal of erosion as well. Using both articles, students compared and contrasted the different points the author made. For example, in Japan they created a very tall seawall to protect their cities from tsunami waves. However, in both articles the authors point out that seawalls are not the best solution.
During small reading groups, students also used other texts to compare and contrast the most important points. Students used a double-bubble map to compare the main ideas and contrast differences from two different texts about recycling. Check out these double-bubble maps

In math...

Students practiced solving two-step word problems. Students learned that with two-step word problems, something is needed to be solved first before the final answer can be determined. Reading closely is a critical component to solving word problems. Students practiced reading two-step word problems more than once to determine what information is known and unknown as well as what operation can be used. We even acted out problems to help with breaking down the steps and comprehension.
Using mini geared clocks, students practiced counting by five as the clock hands moves between the hours. Students learned that time can be said in different ways. For example, 3:30 can be said as three thirty, half-past three or thirty minutes past three. Students also practiced using the term "quarter past" when telling time 15 minutes past the hour.
Finally, students learned that there are 24 hours in a day and 2 of each hour. Students learned that different activities take place at different times of the day. To differentiate between activities that take place during the morning hours and night hours, a.m. and p.m. are used. Students learned that at 5 a.m. they're still sleeping, but at 5 p.m. they might be doing homework or getting ready for dinner.

In science...

We launched our new PLTW unit on The Changing Earth. 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. In addition, they read different types of maps, such as a weather, topographical and a classroom map.