Mrs. Nichols' Class

Story Problems and Collecting Data

2012-01-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

Story Problems
We continue to practice using efficient strategies to solve various story problems. To help stay organized, students are first recording the equation, showing their work, and recording the solution. We like to call this "EWS." By keeping track of each step, students are able to be more accurate in their problem solving.

Students had fun writing their own story problems which were then posted around the classroom for others to solve. Check out some pictures in the slideshow below!

Collecting Data
During our latest math unit, students have been gathering and organizing data. We spent time exploring our "favorites." We found out about favorite fruits, pets, numbers, sports, etc. Working in groups, students displayed the data collected and showed it in different representations like a bar graph or tally chart. Check out some pictures in the slideshow below!

Inclusive Schools Week

2011-12-09T09:07:00.001-05:00

In the spirit of Inclusive Schools Week, we participated in a whole school assembly, listened to the book Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose, discussed ways to include others, and wrote a class book.

After our conversations together, students came up with their own advice on how to include others in different places.

Here is some of their advice:

-At Choice, take turns sharing Legos.

-At a play date, let the brother or sister play too.

-In Library, if two people want the same book be kind and let the other person have it.

-At home when you are watching T.V., look for a show that everyone will like.

-At hockey, if you want to be goalie let your friend go first.

At home, you can continue our conversations from this week. Talk about how to include others and give examples of what it would look like. Also, ask your child to tell you about the story, Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose.

Making Connections

2011-11-16T09:42:00.001-05:00

During reading, we have been discussing how books can remind us of things or events in our own lives. Students are able to deepen their comprehension of what they read by making personal connections.

After reading Not Norman by Kelly Bennett, we identified the big idea of the story. In this story, the main character isn't very happy with something he has but over time his feelings change and then he likes it!

Our goal as readers was to make a personal connection to that big idea. Here are a few of our responses:

- At first I didn't like my elephant stuffed animal but then I got used to it and I slept with it every night.

- Santa gave me a snow globe. First I didn't really like it. Then I started to like it because it made music.

- First I hated coffee ice cream but then I got used to it and I loved it. I got used to it because it was the only kind I had.

- I have a fish that I didn't like at first. Then his tank was really cool and my brother taught me all about fish.

- My first Mario game I did not like Mario or Toad or the game. Racing was not really my type. Now I can use the controllers better so I can play it.

At home, students should try to identify the big idea of the books they are reading and if possible make a personal connection. Have your child try this on Leave Tracks of Your Thinking homework assignments!

Poetry Readings

2011-11-14T10:06:00.001-05:00

Students have been working on reading with fluency and expression. In small groups, students practiced reading a familiar poem. As a team, they worked on emphasizing words and reading together at an appropriate pace. After several practices, Ms. Silverstein met with each group to record them. Please enjoy their poetry readings!

Halloween Fun!

2011-11-04T13:24:00.000-04:00

We had a blast on Monday afternoon working on an adorable craft and enjoying a healthy snack. Dana's mom and Mia O's mom helped 2N students make a "mummy pumpkin." Check out the slideshow to see the fun we had!

Help Needed!

2011-10-26T11:29:00.003-04:00

When: Oct.31^st 11-12 and Nov. 1^st 9:15-10

Where: Room 9

What: Meetingwith students and typing their stories

Pleaselet me know if you can help!

lnichols@westwood.k12.ma.us

Writer's Workshop

2011-10-19T13:36:00.000-04:00

Students have been working on writing stories about events from their lives. Students have written about topics like special trips, playing sports, and backyard adventures. We keep track of our ideas and our finished writing:

While we write, we have goals we are working on. Take a peek at some of our current writing goals:

Soon, students will be selecting their favorite piece and "fancying" it up for publishing!

Worms and Soil

2011-10-05T14:58:00.001-04:00

We have been learning about soil and worms in our classroom. Students collected facts about worms while reading books and magazines and examining a soil sample in our classroom. After collecting facts, they worked in groups to create a web that displays what they've learned. Check out some of their fact pages and all of their Kidspiration webs in the slideshow below!

Leave Tracks of Your Thinking

2011-09-19T11:50:00.000-04:00

This year, second grade students will be working on responding to their reading in writing. In our classroom, we call this Leave Tracks of Your Thinking. Just as an animal will leave their footprints behind, we are leaving behind our thoughts after reading. A few ways we will Leave Tracks is on sticky notes, on chart paper together, or on paper. Here is an example of what our paper looks like:

Students will Leave Tracks in class and at home. This reading response can look different from book to book. While reading fiction books, sometimes the events in a book remind you of something or you might have a strong reaction or opinion to something that happened. Maybe, as the book unfolds you learn more about a character or you realize the author is trying to send a message. While reading non-fiction, you may be surprised to learn a new fact or realize you had misinformation about an idea or topic. These are the kinds of discoveries that should be recorded on the Leave Tracks of Your Thinking assignment.

During Reading, we have been discovering how characters have feelings and their feelings can change throughout a story. Since this has been practiced at school, this is a great starting point for the Leave Tracks of Your Thinking assignment at home.

Since this is new for second graders, you can support your child by discussing the books they are reading, sharing your thoughts and opinions, and questioning their thinking and ideas.

You will be amazed to see how your child's responses will grow and evolve throughout the school year!

Homework Highlights

2011-09-15T12:45:00.000-04:00

This week students are getting used to our homework routine. Homework includes a weekly packet with written assignments, reading, and practicing math facts. Both reading and math fact practice needs to be recorded in the planner.

Please check the cover page of the weekly packet to see nightly assignments. Assignments are due the following day. For example, written homework completed Tuesday night is due Wednesday.

Reading and math fact practice needs to be recorded in the planner throughout the week. The planner is due on Mondays.

Wondering ways math facts could be practiced?

Here are some suggestions: flashcards, oral quizzes, games (directions to games played in class will come home throughout the year), worksheets/workbooks, and websites. In the sidebar on this site, there is a section called Pages. The Links for Learning link will bring you to a list of links that students could visit for both fact practice and skill practice.

Ultimately, homework is a means of promoting independent study habits and responsibility. Please let me know if the assignments are causing difficulty at home.

What a Week!

2011-09-08T20:59:00.000-04:00

As our bulletin board says outside of our classroom, we are making a splash in second grade!

This week has been filled with getting to know each other and our classroom. For those of you who haven't been in room 9- here's a sneak peek!

We have spent time listening to some great books, playing Crayon Box Fill Up in small groups or with a partner, and brainstorming important rules to follow.

We begin our day by gathering together for our Class Meeting. During Meeting, we greet each other, talk about the events of the day, and share and discuss our answers to an important question. For example, we've discussed how many letters are in our names, what we like to read, and what the school listening look sounds like and looks like.

In addition to working hard in our classroom, we have also been working hard at specials. Here's our special schedule for this year:

Mondays: Music
Tuesdays: Art
Wednesdays: Art
Thursdays: Library
Fridays: Phys. Ed.

Around the 90th day of school, we will switch from having Art to having Phys. Ed. on Wednesdays.

Those are just a few highlights... Check in with your child to find out more!

All About Us

2011-09-01T21:41:00.000-04:00

The first homework assignment this year is a poster ALL ABOUT YOU! Please follow the detailed directions that were given and return your poster to school on Friday, September 9th.

Here's a picture of my poster. I must say, my printing looks great and my poster is quite colorful. Hope that yours is too!

We will spend time in class sharing our posters just like how I shared mine today. Now that you know more about me... I can't wait to learn more about each of you!

Welcome!

2011-07-26T13:13:00.004-04:00

At this site, you will find out about what we are learning, understand general classroom information, and see us in action!