Jungle Animals Everywhere

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.