2nd Grade Blog

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We appreciate all your support in the second quarter and look forward to the continued collaborative efforts between school and home.

Please keep in mind that the information below is pertinent to the entire school year:
· Chicago Public Schools (CPS) uniform grading scale A = 93 – 100%, B = 85 – 92%,
C = 75 – 84%, D = 74 – 65%, F = 64% and below
· Homework: Monday through Friday, 30 minutes of assignments and 30 minutes of reading. Students are expected to complete missed assignment because of absence within two days.
· Accelerated Reader (AR): Second grade students are required to take 6 AR tests per quarter with a minimum of 80% average.
· Murray Language Academy follows the CPS Code of Conduct. Please read and discuss with your child our behavioral expectations in school.
· Families are expected to view our 2nd Grade Murray blog at the beginning of each week. Families without access to the internet can visit Murray’s library. Also, a copy of the blog is always displayed outside of rooms 103 and 106 for your convenience.
· There are numerous opportunities to be active participants in your child’s class. Share a talent, assist in class or chaperone a field trip. Please consider yourself of member of your child’s teaching team.

Language Arts: Students will engage in meaningful interactive read alouds and discussions as a foundation for listening and reading comprehension. Analysis of the texts will provide themes and writing styles of various children’s authors and illustrators. Students will use notes from these discussions to support their writing.
Through the Balanced Literacy Framework, we will explore:
- Readers’ theater
- Reader’s response
- Note taking
- Illustrations as a means to communicate
- Students as authors/illustrators
- Expanding genre study to include fairy tales, folk tales, mythologies, tall tales
- Plays
- Research and analyze works of authors, their writing style, and careers

Mathematics: For the third quarter, we will continue to utilize The University of Chicago Everyday Mathematics program, which develops the students’ mathematical thinking and problem solving. Please check skills listed weekly on the Second Grade Blog to support your child’s learning:

§ Model 2-digit numbers using base-ten blocks.
§ Count dots in an array.
§ Count the total number of objects in several groups.
§ Count objects in an array.
§ Skip count on a calculator.
§ Count by 1s to find differences.
§ Develop counting up and back strategies for subtraction.
§ Use and explain strategies for solving 2-digit-by-2-digit subtraction problem.
§ Create equal size groupings.
§ Use geoboards to create arrays.
§ Make arrays to represent equal groups.
§ Use various strategies to solve equal-group number stories.
§ Solve multiplication number stories using rectangular arrays.
§ Create multiplication number stories using rectangular arrays.
§ Create rectangular arrays using concrete objects.
§ Explore the concept of equal sharing and equal grouping.
§ Solve division number stories using concrete objects.
§ Use the number grid and calculator to find the difference between 2-digit numbers and multiples of 10.
§ Find the compliment of multiples of 10.
§ Create compliments of $1.00 using nickels, dimes, and quarter.
§ Write a number model that represents a rectangular array.
§ Record and discuss skip-counting patterns on a number grid.
§ Compare numbers.
§ Find halves of even numbers.
§ Read numbers on a bath scale.
§ Order and compare numbers.
§ Use manipulatives to model ½, ¼, and 1/8.
§ Divide shapes into equal parts.
§ Write fractions to name equal parts.
§ Count by 1s, 10s, and 100s.
§ Compare fractional parts using pattern blocks.
§ Describe and name fractional parts of a collection of objects.
§ Use manipulatives to model fractions as equal parts of a collection of things.
§ Count equal parts of a circle.
§ Label fractional parts of a circle
§ Identify and write equivalent fractions.
§ Use fraction cards to find equivalencies.
§ Read and record equivalent fractions.
§ Compare fractions.
§ Solve addition problems with 3 or more numbers.
§ Calculate dollar and coin amounts
§ Solve and record solution strategies for equal sharing problem in the context of money.
§ Make reasonable estimates for the total amount.
§ Make array on geoboards to model multiplication.
§ Collect, record and organize data.
§ Find the median of a data set using concrete materials.
§ Collect data and create frequency tables, line plots, and bar graph.
§ Use graphs to answer questions and draw conclusions.
§ Compare inches and centimeters.
§ Measure length and distances to the nearest inch and centimeter.
§ Use Associative Property of Addition to solve addition facts.
§ Find and record patterns for doubling and halving.
§ Create and record visual patterns using pattern blocks.
§ Find equivalent fractions.
§ Discuss strategies for comparing fractions.
§ Identify and compare fractions using shaded fraction cards.
§ Make up and solve number stories involving fractions of collections.
§ Use manipulatives to represent fractions of collections.
§ Share strategies for comparing fractions.
§ Explore fractional parts of units of measurement.
§ Compare U.S customary and metric units.
§ Find fractional parts of and inch and centimeter.
§ Compare lengths.
§ Compare measures.
§ Count square centimeter.
§ Explore equivalent measures.
§ Compare numbers and weights.
§ Use addition to find the perimeter of polygons
§ Solve number stories.
§ Estimate and measure using nonstandard measurement units.
§ Develop an understanding of and explore the importance of standard units.
§ Measuring using a yardstick.
§ Measure objects to the nearest inch, foot, centimeter, and decimeter.
§ Estimate to the nearest inch.
§ Count unit squares to find area of polygons.
§ Estimate weights.
§ Identify and create models of cylinders.
§ Make rectangles.
§ Solve measurement equivalency problems involving a rule.
§ Use simple numerical patterns.

Science: We are excited to implement our science program with the highly respected curriculum from the Full Option Science System (FOSS) program. FOSS offers a variety of hands-on explorations that encourages scientific thinking. For the third quarter, we will continue investigating balancing and weighing. In addition, we will begin the insect unit, which will extend until the end of the school year.

Concepts

§ On a beam balance, balance is dependent on the amount of mass of an object, the relative lengths of the arms of the beam, and the location of the fulcrum.
§ Weighing is the process of balancing an object against a certain number of standard units.
§ The weight of an object is not determined by its size.
§ Equal volumes of different foods will not all have equal weights; equal weights of different foods will not all have equal volumes.
§ Living things and their environments
§ Insects need air, water, and space.
§ Insects have characteristic structures and behaviors.
§ The life cycle of the beetle is egg, larva, pupa, and adult, which produces eggs.

Skills

§ Performing simple experiments with balance.
§ Applying previous experiences with balancing to build mobiles.
§ Using equal-arm balance to compare and weigh.
§ Predicting the serial order for the weights of objects and foods.
§ Applying strategies for comparing and weighing to solve problems.
§ Recording results on record sheets, bar graphs, line plots, data tables, and Venn diagrams.
§ Communicating ideas, observations, and experiences through writing, drawing and discussion.
§ Reading to learn more about balancing and weighing.
§ Draw conclusions about why animals live in certain places.
§ Understand that there are many different kinds of animals living in different environments.
§ Understand that living things adapt to their environments in order to survive.
§ Understand that plants and animals are adapted to ranges of temperature and moisture.
§ Understand that the interdependency of plants and animals can be shown in the food web.
§ Understand that if living things do not get food, they will die.
§ Observe mealworm larvae, pupae, and adults over time.
§ Describe and record changes in mealworm structure and behavior over time.

Attitudes

§ Develop an interest in investigating balancing and weighing.
§ Appreciate the importance of balancing and weighing in the everyday world.
§ Accept that a range of results is valid.
§ Value the importance of simple scientific tools.
§ Experience some of the great diversity of forms in the animal kingdom.
§ Develop an interest in protecting the environment.
§ Value the importance of natural resources.
§ Become familiar with some of the life sequences that different types of insects exhibit (simple and complete metamorphosis).
§ Observe the similarities and differences in the larvae, pupae, and adults of insects that go through complete metamorphosis.
§ Observe the behaviors of insects at different stages of their life cycle.
§ Provide for the needs of insects (air, water, food, and space).
§ Acquire the vocabulary associated with insect life.

Social Science:

Understand the development of United States political ideas and traditions.
Research and analyze African-American culture through the arts.

Anh Tuan Hoang and LuAnn Lawson