Second graders reviewed calculator functions, practiced skip count patterns and identified coins and their values during math workshop this week. While programming class calculators, mathematicians made several discoveries and were eager to share the various equivalent names they had come up with for given numbers. Number models, tally marks and visual representations such as coin and dominos clues were just a few symbols used to show their names for numbers. Students also practiced using math language to describe skip counting patterns as they participated in counting and transition games throughout the day. 

Second Graders are growing up in a lot of ways! In Reading Workshop, Second Graders are learning to become "grown-up" readers by building the foundational skills and habits that will support our reading growth and progress throughout the year. Students kicked off Reading Workshop by thinking about what Reading Workshop should "look and sound like" in order to create an environment that will support our growth. We also thought about how we can take care of our classroom library so that we are practicing our shared agreement to respect all classroom materials. Grown-up readers have favorite reading places where we can settle in and focus on our reading, both at home and in the classroom. Second Graders are also learning to develop grown-up reading habits by thinking about what a "Just Right" book is for them. Using the "five finger test," children can determine if a book is a little too easy, a little too hard, or a "Just Right" fit. Children are excited to begin bringing classroom library books home with them next week as we begin our daily reading homework.

During our first full week in second grade, students thought about their individual hopes and dreams for the new school year.  We discussed the question, "What do we hope to do or learn in our classroom this year?"  Students set goals by reflecting on these questions: "What do I hope to learn?  What do I want to get better at?"  Children then wrote and shared their own individualized hopes and dreams, which are displayed in our second grade classrooms.  Children's hopes and dreams are the basis for establishing classroom rules and norms, as children think about what they will need to do as a community in order to help each others' hopes and dreams come true.

Second graders returned to school excited to see old friends, meet new ones and explore their new classrooms spaces this week. Students are learning new activities that promote class community building and taking risks to try new routines. Students are starting their day with morning meetings and ending with closing circles which provide opportunities to practice listening and speaking skills. On Friday, second graders worked together to find answers for given clues on a Primary School scavenger hunt.  The activity was great fun and helped students in grades Pre-K through 3 work together. We are all looking forward to a great year in second grade!