Can it really be November 13th? Wow, time sure flies when you're having fun!
In Math:
We have been reviewing and extending the math skills that we learning in first grade, including our fact fluency, addition and subtraction within 100, data and graphing, shapes, and place value. These skills may seem easy, but they are truly the building blocks for the more advanced math that we will be doing this year and that your child will be doing through high school and college!
In the next few weeks, we will be focusing on addition and subtraction to 20, including adding and subtracting 2 digit numbers and adding up to four 2 digit numbers. We will be applying the strategies that we've learned to these greater numbers, focusing on the relationship between place value and addition. We will be story problems by identifying the question, the important information, and the operation required.
In Science:
We completed our first unit, Animals of Long Ago. Students studied fossils from plants and animals that were native to Calvert County. We discussed how fossils were made and where they've been found. Students completed a research project about an animal of long ago and they created their own pressed "fossils."
Next, we'll be studying life cycles, including the life cycles of the frog, butterfly, chicken, and plant.
In Social Studies:
We've been studying citizenship and communities. Students learned about the qualities of a good citizen, and they learned about different types of communities, such as rural, urban, and suburban. Students became city planners on our field trip to the National Building Museum, thinking about all of the ways we arrange our buildings to function for our citizens.
Next, we will be studying geography and culture while learning about winter holidays around the world.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Three Weeks In...
Wow! I can't believe we're already starting our third week of school, how time flies!
I wanted to take a second to thank everyone for the kind words, concern, and prayers for my daughter, Lily. As I'm sure your child told you, I was out of school last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to Lily having eye surgery on Wednesday. She had surgery on both eyes to correct an alignment issue called exotropic strabismus. She is recovering well and the doctor is very happy with her progress so far. Mrs. Brumley, our substitute, tells me that the kids did a great job in my absence and I greatly appreciate that! I think we've got a really good group in our room this year.
So, now, back to business! Here is what we've been up to and where we're heading in the coming days:
In Social Studies, we started the year learning a bit about the qualities of super heroes and heroes, and how those qualities can apply to a "hero" student as well. We talked about a few real life heroes, people who have worked hard and persevered to help make life better for others, through enacting social or legal change, through inventing and discovering, for being willing to break barriers and make our world a better place. We will be adding to our Wall of Heroes throughout the year as we discuss people related to different topics that we're covering.
We also completed a small CCPS Health unit on life skills such as communication, goal setting, and making good decisions.
In Science, we are introducing our first unit of the year, "Animals of Long Ago." This unit focuses on animals of the ice age, especially those whose fossils we can find here in Calvert County. We discuss that scientists use clues, including animals of today, to figure out what an animal of long ago was like.
In Math, we are reviewing addition and subtraction strategies learned in kindergarten and first grade. As part of this review, student have had the opportunity to play a chutes and ladders style game featuring the focus strategy each day. These games will be coming home in students' binders (my homeroom) or in their home folders (Mrs. Seibert's homeroom.) When they come home, please play these together! They can be played independently, but, as with any game, are much more fun when played with friends and family. Students should write the equations they solve, with answers, on a recording sheet. When they turn in a completed recording sheet they will earn a Beach Bravo. This is an unlimited offer! The more practice, the better!
We are also taking a fact fluency test each day as a pretest. If students pass these tests with a ten out of ten, fantastic! This tells me that they've already mastered this strategy and will not have to retake the test or spend class time studying this strategy. However, if your student does not pass the test on the pretest, no worries! When we finish our reviews in the next week or so, we will return to the strategies that we need to work on. Students will have many opportunities to pass their fact fluency timed tests throughout the year. Practice at home is essential! Board games, flash cards, pick up sticks, and XtraMath are all great practices!
Our first math homework came home today! Please remember that each week you will receive something from me at the beginning of the week, either the weekly homework or a letter explaining why there is no homework!
I hope you've enjoyed our first few weeks. Over the course of our year, if you ever have any questions or concerns, please let me know. My email address is grenierc@calvertnet.k12.md.us. Our school phone number is 410-257-1512.
I wanted to take a second to thank everyone for the kind words, concern, and prayers for my daughter, Lily. As I'm sure your child told you, I was out of school last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to Lily having eye surgery on Wednesday. She had surgery on both eyes to correct an alignment issue called exotropic strabismus. She is recovering well and the doctor is very happy with her progress so far. Mrs. Brumley, our substitute, tells me that the kids did a great job in my absence and I greatly appreciate that! I think we've got a really good group in our room this year.
So, now, back to business! Here is what we've been up to and where we're heading in the coming days:
In Social Studies, we started the year learning a bit about the qualities of super heroes and heroes, and how those qualities can apply to a "hero" student as well. We talked about a few real life heroes, people who have worked hard and persevered to help make life better for others, through enacting social or legal change, through inventing and discovering, for being willing to break barriers and make our world a better place. We will be adding to our Wall of Heroes throughout the year as we discuss people related to different topics that we're covering.
We also completed a small CCPS Health unit on life skills such as communication, goal setting, and making good decisions.
In Science, we are introducing our first unit of the year, "Animals of Long Ago." This unit focuses on animals of the ice age, especially those whose fossils we can find here in Calvert County. We discuss that scientists use clues, including animals of today, to figure out what an animal of long ago was like.
In Math, we are reviewing addition and subtraction strategies learned in kindergarten and first grade. As part of this review, student have had the opportunity to play a chutes and ladders style game featuring the focus strategy each day. These games will be coming home in students' binders (my homeroom) or in their home folders (Mrs. Seibert's homeroom.) When they come home, please play these together! They can be played independently, but, as with any game, are much more fun when played with friends and family. Students should write the equations they solve, with answers, on a recording sheet. When they turn in a completed recording sheet they will earn a Beach Bravo. This is an unlimited offer! The more practice, the better!
We are also taking a fact fluency test each day as a pretest. If students pass these tests with a ten out of ten, fantastic! This tells me that they've already mastered this strategy and will not have to retake the test or spend class time studying this strategy. However, if your student does not pass the test on the pretest, no worries! When we finish our reviews in the next week or so, we will return to the strategies that we need to work on. Students will have many opportunities to pass their fact fluency timed tests throughout the year. Practice at home is essential! Board games, flash cards, pick up sticks, and XtraMath are all great practices!
Our first math homework came home today! Please remember that each week you will receive something from me at the beginning of the week, either the weekly homework or a letter explaining why there is no homework!
I hope you've enjoyed our first few weeks. Over the course of our year, if you ever have any questions or concerns, please let me know. My email address is grenierc@calvertnet.k12.md.us. Our school phone number is 410-257-1512.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Schedule
Our daily schedule, on a regularly scheduled day, will go as follows:
8:40-8:55 Arrival
8:55-9:15 Morning Work and WBES
9:15-10:00 Resource
10:00-12:00 Integrated Literacy (Reading & Language Arts)
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:00 Recess
1:00-1:30 Flex Time (Will begin at a later date)
1:30-2:15 Science or Social Studies
2:15-3:30 Calendar Math & Math
3:30-3:40 Pack Up and Check Out
3:40-4:05 Dismissal
Our Resource Schedule
Today we started with an A day. The schedule will follow A-E, skipping over planned days off. In the event of an unplanned day off, we will miss that resource day as the rotation will stay the same.
A: Media
B: P.E.
C: Art
D: Music
E: P.E.
8:40-8:55 Arrival
8:55-9:15 Morning Work and WBES
9:15-10:00 Resource
10:00-12:00 Integrated Literacy (Reading & Language Arts)
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:00 Recess
1:00-1:30 Flex Time (Will begin at a later date)
1:30-2:15 Science or Social Studies
2:15-3:30 Calendar Math & Math
3:30-3:40 Pack Up and Check Out
3:40-4:05 Dismissal
Our Resource Schedule
Today we started with an A day. The schedule will follow A-E, skipping over planned days off. In the event of an unplanned day off, we will miss that resource day as the rotation will stay the same.
A: Media
B: P.E.
C: Art
D: Music
E: P.E.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!
It's that time again, the beginning of a brand new school year! This is a wonderful time of the year, full of potential, kids hoping to make new friends and great first impressions, and a full schedule of things to learn and discover. I am so excited to meet our new students and to get started on all of the important work we have in store for 2nd grade.
Throughout the year I'll be posting updates here on our website, and you'll also find links to many of the sites we use for math enrichment.
Take some time to explore the site! If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please let me know! Email me at grenierc@calvertnet.k12.md.us, call me at 410-257-1512, or get in touch through our Bloomz app!
Throughout the year I'll be posting updates here on our website, and you'll also find links to many of the sites we use for math enrichment.
Take some time to explore the site! If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please let me know! Email me at grenierc@calvertnet.k12.md.us, call me at 410-257-1512, or get in touch through our Bloomz app!
Monday, April 13, 2015
Stop the Clock!
We're learning to tell time! Practice at home using these fun games:
Stop the Clock: Half Hour
http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec1.html
Stop the Clock: Quarter Hour
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec2.html
Stop the Clock: Five Minutes
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec3.html
Stop the Clock: To The Minute
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec4.html
Have fun!
Stop the Clock: Half Hour
http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec1.html
Stop the Clock: Quarter Hour
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec2.html
Stop the Clock: Five Minutes
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec3.html
Stop the Clock: To The Minute
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/StopTheClock/sthec4.html
Have fun!
Rubberband Racers
Today we learned about potential and kinetic energy by making and racing Rubberband racers! Make these at home using the following supply list and directions:
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Flat Stanley Project
Hello families!
As your students may have told you, were are beginning our annual Flat Stanley project, but with a few changes. First, this year's project is completely voluntary and will not be for a grade. The benefits of completing the project are amazing (connections with other cultures, curiosity about the world, understanding maps, etc.) but because of time constraints we will not be able to devote the necessary time in class to make the project as wonderful as it can be.
Part 1:
I will print and supply Flat Stanleys on Friday 12/5. Students can take them home and decorate them how they'd like, as long as they are flat and easily scannable. We are going to send our Stanleys by email due to some complications with having them returned last year.
Students will also need to complete our "About Me" Questionnaire to tell their Stanley pen pal about themselves. They may include one printed or drawn picture of themselves on the paper. This will be scanned as well. The Stanleys and questionnaires are due back by Friday 12/12. Once they are scanned I will return the Stanleys to you. Students have been warned that illegible questionnaires or sloppy Stanleys will not be sent! Some of the students that our Stanleys may visit are in classes where they are learning English as a second language.
Part 2:
After we send out our Stanleys, we will hopefully receive Stanleys in return. When they arrive, I will send them home with students who would like to host them. When a student asks to host a Stanley, they are agreeing to complete an "About My Visit" form and to take at least 3 pictures of the Stanley's adventures. These could be as simple as a picture of your family dinner, a picture of the Stanley with your pet dog, a picture of your student and Stanley doing their homework. They could be pictures of every day life or of special occasions and events, it's up to you! The pictures can be printed, emailed to me at grenierc@calvertnet.k12.md.us, or (preferably) posted to our Padlet pages, linked to the right.
What is PADLET???
Padlet is an interactive, online bulletin board, We have a padlet page for each continent, and you are welcome to upload your own Stanley pictures here simply by clicking and dragging them from your desktop onto the appropriate padlet page (most likely North America- unless your family is doing some exciting travel!) Other families will be able to see your pictures as soon as you upload them. I've asked students to be sure that any uploaded picture is captioned with ""Stanley name" posted by "student's first name" in "town or place"" so that I know who posted the picture. For example, "Stanley, posted by Casey in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland" or "Shelly, posted by Casey in Orlando, Florida." Create captions by clicking the pencil icon above your picture when you post.
Part 3: In the future, feel free to take your Stanley on vacations or visits with you and post your adventures on our padlets! Send them to your friends across the country or abroad for a visit. We'd love to see where you and your Stanleys go!
As your students may have told you, were are beginning our annual Flat Stanley project, but with a few changes. First, this year's project is completely voluntary and will not be for a grade. The benefits of completing the project are amazing (connections with other cultures, curiosity about the world, understanding maps, etc.) but because of time constraints we will not be able to devote the necessary time in class to make the project as wonderful as it can be.
Part 1:
I will print and supply Flat Stanleys on Friday 12/5. Students can take them home and decorate them how they'd like, as long as they are flat and easily scannable. We are going to send our Stanleys by email due to some complications with having them returned last year.
Students will also need to complete our "About Me" Questionnaire to tell their Stanley pen pal about themselves. They may include one printed or drawn picture of themselves on the paper. This will be scanned as well. The Stanleys and questionnaires are due back by Friday 12/12. Once they are scanned I will return the Stanleys to you. Students have been warned that illegible questionnaires or sloppy Stanleys will not be sent! Some of the students that our Stanleys may visit are in classes where they are learning English as a second language.
Part 2:
After we send out our Stanleys, we will hopefully receive Stanleys in return. When they arrive, I will send them home with students who would like to host them. When a student asks to host a Stanley, they are agreeing to complete an "About My Visit" form and to take at least 3 pictures of the Stanley's adventures. These could be as simple as a picture of your family dinner, a picture of the Stanley with your pet dog, a picture of your student and Stanley doing their homework. They could be pictures of every day life or of special occasions and events, it's up to you! The pictures can be printed, emailed to me at grenierc@calvertnet.k12.md.us, or (preferably) posted to our Padlet pages, linked to the right.
What is PADLET???
Padlet is an interactive, online bulletin board, We have a padlet page for each continent, and you are welcome to upload your own Stanley pictures here simply by clicking and dragging them from your desktop onto the appropriate padlet page (most likely North America- unless your family is doing some exciting travel!) Other families will be able to see your pictures as soon as you upload them. I've asked students to be sure that any uploaded picture is captioned with ""Stanley name" posted by "student's first name" in "town or place"" so that I know who posted the picture. For example, "Stanley, posted by Casey in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland" or "Shelly, posted by Casey in Orlando, Florida." Create captions by clicking the pencil icon above your picture when you post.
Part 3: In the future, feel free to take your Stanley on vacations or visits with you and post your adventures on our padlets! Send them to your friends across the country or abroad for a visit. We'd love to see where you and your Stanleys go!
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