Making Ten and Lego Math

During our math classes, we have been exploring ways to Make 10 with 2 or more addends. We have been using Cuisenaire rods, cluster cards, and math games to help us become more fluent with these facts.

We have learned how our Make 10 sight facts can help us solve more complicated addition problems efficiently.  For example, if we know that 6+4=10, how can we use that fact to solve problems, such as 16+4 and 6+24.  We also practiced solving "number strings" with three or more addends and using Make 10 facts to help us.  Ask your child how he or she would solve 6+7+8+4+2.

Over the past two weeks, we started using the Lego "More to Math" kits.  Ms. Arlyn introduced these kits to us and started us off with some exciting lessons involving Lego snakes.  We learned about length and practiced counting efficiently.  Students described their snakes using equations and then used Make 10 facts to find efficient ways to add up the total lengths of our snakes.

ECO: Herons, Fish, Mosquitoes and Map Making!

This week at ECO, we had a great time playing Herons, Fish, Mosquitoes, an exciting tag game about predators and prey.  Ask your child about the other animals that made surprise appearances during the game.  Next, we listened to Angie tell an Abenaki tale about Gluskabe and the Wind Eagle.

For our main lesson, we focused on making maps of the ECO woods using natural objects, such as sticks and leaves.  Partners created a map of an area of the woods and marked a location with a piece of red yarn.  Another group had to read their map and find the location of the hiding spot to find a red piece of paper. 

We all greatly enjoyed Forest Choice time!  Students built forts, made music, ground up natural objects, wore a leaf crown, and found mushrooms and lots of slugs.

Thank you to family members who were able to join us for this ECO lesson!

Guest Reader!

We were very excited to welcome another guest reader to our classroom on Friday!  Mrs. Zeilenga visited and read aloud We Are Growing, which is one of the new Elephant and Piggie Like Reading books.  Afterwards, she gave the book to us for our classroom, along with The Cookie Fiasco.  Thank you so much, Mrs. Zeilenga!

Read Aloud with Ms. Lyford!

On Thursday, Ms. Lyford visited our classroom and read aloud The Invisible Boy, a fictional story about kindness and friendship.  Afterwards, Ms. Lyford gave the book to our class.  As you can see, students have already been busy rereading this wonderful book.  Ask your child what about important lessons that he or she learned from this story.  Thank you, Ms. Lyford!

Technology Integration: East Montpelier Mapping Project

During our technology integration times, the second and third grade students have been working with their classroom teachers and Ms. Arlyn on an East Montpelier Mapping Unit.  The East Montpelier Planning Commission has asked for student input about what kids would like to see as part of the future of the East Montpelier village.  This unit is a way for students to share their ideas with the Planning Commission, our families, and the entire community.  Our "big idea" for this unit is that a community changes, but stays meaningful to the people who live there.

We started this unit by learning about assets, examining maps of the Little River Campground in Waterbury and listing out various assets that we noticed.  Then, each student and teacher chose a campsite that we would want to stay in and explained our reasons about why we thought it would be a good choice for us.

Next, we looked at the EMES playground to determine the current assets in different areas of the playground.  Students worked in pairs to create a lists of assets for their area on an iPad.  Groups shared their ideas with the class.  We also looked at photos of the EMES playground in the past to see how it had changed over time.

Using Google Earth, we looked at the area of East Montpelier village from the East Montpelier Home Center to the Town Clerk's office.  Students created maps showing Route 2, the Winooski River, and several important places.

This past week, we started writing about our ideas of what we would like to see in the East Montpelier village in the future.  Next, we will create illustrations and then record ourselves reading our writing.

Students will share their projects at the Open House on Thursday, October, 20th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.  We hope to see you there!

Important Dates and Classroom Information

Birthday Treats

We love to celebrate birthdays in second grade and you are welcome to send in birthday treats.  

One of our classmates has a gluten-free diet. Please let me know a few days in advance if you will be sending in a birthday treat for your child to share with the class.  That way, I can make sure that we have a similar treat for this student.  If you would like to send in a gluten-free treat, some ideas are:  fruit kebabs, popsicles, and fruit with chocolate dip.  Thanks!  

Important Dates:

Friday, September 23:  All School Hike (rain date September 30)  Please help your child come prepared with a lunch, plastic/metal water bottle, snacks, and appropriate footwear and clothing for walking/hiking all day.

Friday, October 7th:  Teacher In-service:  No school for students

Monday, October 10th:  Columbus Day:  No school

Wednesday, October 19th:  Jigsaw Jones Performance at the Barre Opera House (2nd/3rd grade field trip) Permission slips will be coming home today!

October 20th:  Picture Retake Day  Please let the office know if your child will need a picture taken on this day.

October 20th, 6:00-7:00 pm:  Open House with students:  Families are invited to join us for this special event.

E.C.O.

We had perfect weather for our first E.C.O. lesson on Tuesday morning!  We reviewed the 3 Cares and our E.C.O. mammal names.  We also shared something that we are thankful for in nature.

Next, we played Four Corners in the field before heading into the woods.  After snack, we had Forest Choice time.  Our choices were making rope with string, grinding natural objects with a mortar and pestle, building forts, and using hammers.  It was wonderful to see everyone working well together and sharing materials safely.  Thanks to Angie for a great E.C.O. lesson!

Louisiana Schools Need Our Help!

Louisiana Schools Need Our Help!

EMES is a collection site for books to be sent to St. Amant School in Louisiana.  They are looking for NEW or LIKE-NEW Books. 

This effort is being organized by Bear Pond Books.  Families who wish to purchase books, can get a discount if they use the Bear Pond online ordering system.  For details see www.bearpondbooks.com. 

The 4th grade teacher has requested the following books in particular:

• Scientific method 

• Scientific inquiry

•Stem activities 

•Forms of energy 

•volume weight and mass

 •Plants 

•animals

•Circulatory  and respiratory body function 

•habitat

•rocks 

•landforms

• weather 

•phases of the moon 

•solar and lunar eclipse 

•food web

“Our rooms are bare- not even everyone has a white/chalk board. We’re having to bring in items from home to improvise an environment as normal as possible. Students don’t have any reading materials for when they finish their work or when they come into class. We also do not have a library at this location, so reading books is considered a luxury as of now.”   ~Lindsey Kelley, 4th grade teacher at St. Amant Primary School in St. Amant, Louisiana

See the EMES newsletter for more information.

Sharing

Sharing

Sharing is an important part of our daily classroom morning meeting.  Through our sharing time, students develop a deeper sense of community as we learn more about the people, events, special talents, and objects that are important to members of our class.  It is also a wonderful way for students to practice speaking and listening skills in a meaningful way.

I encourage students to think carefully about what they bring and to be prepared to talk for about 3 to 5 minutes about their share.  They will also have time to answer a few questions from their classmates.  It is often helpful for students to practice their “share” at home with family members so they feel ready to speak about it in front of the group.

Some ideas for sharing are:

• Describe special moment or event
• Tell about an important person or pet
• Share about playing a sport or instrument or about another special talent
• Share or describe something found in nature (ex: finding a nest)
• Tell about a favorite book
• Share about a special toy or stuffed animal

E.C.O. Dates

Educating Children Outdoors (E.C.O.)

Our class will have E.C.O. on Tuesday mornings from 9:05 to 11:05 am.  We would love to have parent volunteers join us for lessons.  If you are interested in joining us, please let me know and see Karin in the office for the volunteer paperwork.  

Our E.C.O. dates:

September 13 and 27

October 11 and 25

November 8 and 22

December 6 and 20

February 7 and 21

March 21

April 4 and 25

May 9 and 23

These dates may change due to scheduling conflicts. Also, one of the spring dates will most likely include a field trip to a local pond, bog, or stream.  

Classroom News

We had another busy and productive week in second grade.  Students have been doing a great job staying focused on learning, even when it has been really warm.

It was wonderful to see everyone at the Parent Orientation Night.  I know that many of you were unable to attend, so I am including the key information in other blog posts.  I am also sending home a copy of our Sharing Calendar for September.  Please note that Sharing starts on Monday.

On Tuesday, we have our first E.C.O. lesson.  Please help your child come prepared to spend the morning outdoors.  Everyone should have sneakers or other footwear that is appropriate for running and being in the woods. 

If you have not completed and returned your E.C.O. and school hike forms, please return them on Monday. Thanks!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Classroom News

I have really enjoyed getting to know your children this week.  We have been busy practicing routines, discussing expectations, working on our All About Me books, and playing math games.  We filled our first classroom tree today and are celebrating with extra recess at the end of the day.  I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

Important Events and Reminders:

We do not have school on Labor Day, which is Monday, September 5th.

Tuesday, September 6th is Picture Day! Please remember to send in your picture orders and payment or pay online and send in your order confirmation number.

We are having a Parent Orientation Night on Tuesday, September 6th beginning at 6:00 pm.  We are asking that this is a parent-only event.  We will have a regular open house on Thursday, October 20th.  Teachers will be holding 20 minute information sessions starting at 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm.  At 7:00, there will be a school board presentation in the gym.  I hope you can join us for this event.

Our first ECO lesson will be on Tuesday, September 13th.  Please return the ECO forms by next Friday, September 9th.

The EMES School Hike will be on Friday, September 23rd.  (The raindate is September 30th.)  Hike forms are coming home today.  Please return the form by Friday, September 9th.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!