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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.

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Xīnnián kuàilè (Happy New Year)

2/9/2018

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We were treated with some fortune cookies and Chinese good luck wishes from Panda Express this Wednesday. Students got to enjoy an educational video on Chinese culture and the history of the Zodiac Calendar. They learned that this year, the year of the dog will be celebrated. People who are born in the year of the dog are said to be loyal, honest and the truest of friends. Students also learned about the lantern festival, Chinese dragon and lion dances, and even hongbao (lucky red envelops).

Here is a summary of what happened in our classroom:

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 different scientific concepts the author presents within the same text.
Students read a text called Alaska: A Special Place, which describes different land features of Alaska as well as compares Northern and Southern Alaska regions and compares Alaska's seasons. Students used a double-bubble map to compare these scientific concepts within a text.

Our essential questions this week was What makes different parts of the world different? Students read another text called Rain Forest by Nancy Smiler Levinson. Within this text, the author compares a Tropical Rainforest and a Temperate Rainforest. Using a similar double-bubble map, students describe the connections by comparing and contrasting the two habitats. Some differences they found out were that tropical rainforests are hot all year around, are located near the equator, and sunlight cannot reach the forest floor. Whereas in a temperate rainforest, there are seasons (hot and cold), they're located in the Northern hemisphere, and sunlight does reach the forest floor. The similarities are that they both rain a lot (about 100 inches a year!), have lots of tress, have layers, and are homes for many animals.
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. Students went back to their rainforest animal drafts to see if they could change out any of their words.

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.

REMINDERS AND ANNOUCEMENTS

No school on Monday 2/12 for Teacher's Institute Day
Student Curriculum Showcase is on Tuesday 2/20 and Wednesday 2/21 in the Cafeteria. Students have been working very hard on their animal writing and mix-media art project that will be featured during this event. This is a school-wide event and parents are welcomed and encouraged to come. Viewing times for parents are still pending, but as soon as that becomes confirmed, more information will be sent home.

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Jungle Animals Everywhere

Xīnnián kuàilè (Happy New Year)

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