2nd Grade MP3 Campus

School Data is open on the 1st for parent reviews. These are due by the 5th. We hope the cut and paste grade level newsletter will be helpful to supplement your remote learning plan reviews. Thank you for submitting in a timely manner and if you need help please reach out to your SLPC.

Topics: algebraic reasoning, place value, addition and subtraction of ones, tens, and hundreds, iReady winter assessment

Activities: We started the month off with some skill review to help wake our brains up from vacation and help figure out which skills still need more work. Then we completed the winter iReady assessment which provided another opportunity to pinpoint strengths, areas we grew in from the fall, and areas that need more attention. We spent several class sessions centered around place value and used base ten blocks to support our work. We played a game where we had to create a given three-digit number using a given number of blocks (for example make 612 out of 12 blocks). We weren't always successful but gained experience with thinking flexibly about using different sized units. We also explored the patterns of sums of squares of numbers on the hundreds chart such as 34+35+44+45 and had a rich class discussion about our wonderings such as why the sum is always even and if it was possible to create any given sum.

Teacher Tip: Give your student real world experience with coins and change. Ask them to count your change in your car/pocket/piggy bank for you, ask how much more it would take to make a dollar or how you could give a clerk an amount that would lead to only quarters as change.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Kurashige, skurashige@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: informational paragraphs, nonfiction topics, web plan, title, topic sentence, detail sentences, "wrap up" sentence, writing process, adding to and taking away from writing with adult support, spelling strategies, Author’s Chair

Activities: We are back working hard on our informational paragraph unit. Many students have already started taking their second informational paragraph through our Writing process (i.e., plan, draft, conference, publish, share). We are focusing on the paragraphs having a title, a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a wrap-up sentence. I am conferencing with individual students on their paragraphs. Our conferences focus on revising ideas and editing conventions (ex., end punctuation, spelling). We are using spelling strategies which include writing all the sounds you know, using your personal dictionary, and using our class Word Wall. We also took time this month to take the reading portion of the iReady and shared our paragraphs with each other during Author’s Chair.

Teacher Tip: Now that we have wrapped up the winter iReady, you will find fresh instructional activities in the iReady app. Doing the instructional activities for 15 - 20 minutes a day is a great way to fill in learning gaps.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Giesen, jgiesen@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Terrariums, needs of animals, insects

Activities: We continue to observe our terrariums. We planted our cuttings along with the three kinds of seeds we have worked with this year (rye grass, wheat and alfalfa).

We have introduced mealworms into our class. Students have observed them several times. They have made observations using the following criteria: the mealworms structure, activity level and color. We have observed our mealworms in their larva stage, and some students have been able to observe the pupa stage!

Teacher Info: Mrs DeWaard, hdewaard@meridian.wednet.edu

Teacher Comment: What fun we have had this semester in 2nd grade science. I loved seeing these kids walk into class as they were always excited and ready to learn! Thank you for being such engaged students. I look forward to seeing you next year as 3rd graders. 😊

Topics: Engineering and Design: Students create programmable models to demonstrate the knowledge and operation of digital tools and technological systems. Investigate balance and /or stability, effects of change in position on model’s movement, how force affects the motion of objects, modify an existing model or program to solve a problem. Observe and measure accurately to answer questions, Amusement Park rides, safety concerns for amusement park rides. Key Vocabulary: tilt sensor, motion sensor, crown gear, worm gear

Activities: Specific Builds: Ferris Wheel- Students build and program a mechanical Ferris wheel that rotates using gears and a motor and axle mechanism. Triggered by a motion sensor, the model rotates and stops for passengers. Modify design and programming to solve problems. Carousel- Students build and program a mechanical carousel that rotates on its base using a crown gear configuration. Triggered by a tilt sensor, the model will rotate at different speeds and in different directions.

Challenge Project: Roller Coaster continued- Student teams continue to redesign their roller coasters to include more complex travel lines such as 180-degree revolutions, corkscrews, free fall drops. Student teams collaborated to problem solve issues and create the most creative and successful roller coasters. STEM projects provide hands-on learning. Curiosity is piqued and students investigate many workable solutions using critical thinking skills and explore by manipulating materials to design or solve a problem. STEM projects present opportunities to develop a mindset and a lifelong set of practices for asking questions, designing solutions, and communicating results. The roller coaster challenge is a multiple day activity.

Teacher Tip: Include Robotics, Engineering and Design Topics and activities in your independent Science Class review.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Brannen - lbrannen@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: reading fluency, informational reading, finding key details, comprehension

Activities: Second graders finished strong. Through the reading of informational text about owls, students worked on finding key details within a written piece. The second graders had the opportunity to practice and then read two of the Owl at Home stories to a small group of kindergarteners. Reading partners used 24 "poke" cards to read and answer comprehension questions about the stories. Students wrapped up the semester by watching a Brainpop Jr. video about Martin Luther King, Jr. The second graders also listened to A Picture Book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler and Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. To review information, the second graders completed a MLK Scoot activity in which 12 comprehension questions were scattered on cards around the room. In pairs, they "scooted" from card to card to read and respond to the multiple choice questions. I am proud of all the hard work this class has done! It has been a joy to work with them this semester.

Teacher Tip: Keep reading second graders! Research has proven how reading 20 minutes a day will help in building your skills. This 20 minutes is time well spent!

Teacher Info: Mrs. Elgersma, gelgersma@meridian.wednet.edu