Matter Monday

Finally getting a chance to update the blog tonight. We have been super busy in the classroom. One of their favorite parts of the day is Science. We started the year off learning all about matter. When they first heard the word, they stared at me blankly like "what is the matter?" After many experiments I think they are starting to grasp that matter makes up space in the form of solids, liquids, and gases. Yes, I know what you are thinking...that is some deep 2nd grade thinking! One of their favorite experiments was the GAS EXPLOSION!

Morgan was the videographer! She did a great job capturing the explosion. We have also done a balloon pop, explored dancing raisins, and had student models demonstrate the molecules in each state of matter. Needless to say, the kids are LOVING science and it makes it so much more fun to teach.

In other news, the students are really getting the hang of Daily 5. We have only one more left to learn...Work with technology. That will be a hit! I love to see the kids engaged in reading and writing. It definitely makes a difference when they have choice and love when Mrs. K says it's time for Daily 5.

More pictures to post at the end of the week. My camera died last week and I wasn't able to capture all the teachable moments! Until then...live, laugh learn!

What we are learning

I can't believe how fast the first few weeks of school are going. We are getting into our routines and the kids are really becoming independent and building their stamina. A big part of our reading block is the Daily 5. The Daily 5 is a structure that helps students develop the daily habits of reading, writing, and working independently that will lead to a lifetime of literacy independence.The students learned Read to Self last week and this week we started Work on Writing. The students are doing absolutely amazing during this time.

Building Stamina during read to self

 Also during our reading instruction, we are working on strategies that good readers do. We use the CAFE menu to keep track of what we are learning. CAFE is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary. I explain that it is similar to a menu at a fast food restaurant. We have choices and have to make decisions based on what we want to eat. In the classroom we do the same thing based on what we are reading.

I was impressed by all the books the students read this summer. We spent time reading the Miss Nelson is Missing series. The students worked in small groups to analyze a character. They created a life size poster of their character and described what the character sees, does, thinks, and feels. After this lesson, the kids choose a character from a book they read this summer. They drew their character and added character traits as well as thoughts, actions, and feelings around their character. These are now on display in the classroom!

One of our CAFE strategies is Tune into interesting words. Expanding our vocabulary by paying attention to new and interesting words is very important. Each student was given a really cool mini notebook to keep track of their words. We also added words to our classroom chart titled "Words that Impress."

Adding a new word

Math time! In math, we explored graphing and patterns with our names the first week. This week we are building number sense and making sure we have a solid foundation in making 10. Check out this video we watched to help us remember Make 10. The kids LOVED it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpoFxwKBwE8

SOAR - Problem Solving Strategy 

 Last but not least, our Jobs chart completed with actual students!

Wordless Wednesday

Wow! We are off to an amazing start. Here are a few of our favorite activities from the first full week of school. 

Minute to Win It!

Explore math tools

We LOVE the reading corner!

Finally put together our classroom puzzle.  

Decorating writing journals