We have a classroom full of detectives!!! Our second graders are learning how to solve word problems using strategies that encourage them to think through questions, draw pictures, write equations and check their answers. This will be our focus for the next few weeks :). We will investigate add to, take from, collective, missing/extra information, comparison and two step word problems. Below find the most recent parent letter.
Today we started a new unit in math that includes counting money using pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars. Each day our second graders will be handling money by playing coin war, scooping groups of coins and playing Race To A Dollar.
It would be great to practice counting money at home by identifying the coins, identifying the values, separating into groups of similar coins and counting the total amounts (less than $2.00). The more practice and handling of actual money will help children make a connection between coins and their values.
Here is a parent letter that describes our study of money:
Addition and subtraction strategies have been our main focus of instruction this week. We have learned how to use math mountains to solve for an unknown partner or total, practiced our doubles facts and learned the doubles +1, -1 strategy. Children also explored odd and even numbers through making pairs or equal groups. We even learned a few silly songs to help us along the way.
As children are introduced to strategies and new topics/instruction, they have an opportunity to practice using games, hands on activities, math journal work, partner practice and fact fluency through each of their work sites. Our learners visit all of the work sites each day and have done a FABULOUS job getting to work quickly and quietly. Look at these hard little workers!
Today we finished up our last math unit for the year (How did time go so fast?!). Over the next few weeks, we will be reviewing and extending trickier concepts including line plots, two step word problems, counting money and explaining our thinking. As always, keep practicing those math facts….. the kiddos have worked so hard this year!
This week we learned how to measure using a centimeter ruler. Today we also practiced naming and defining the attributes of 2D shapes ( circle, triangle, rectangle, quadrilaterals, pentagons and hexagons). Be on the lookout for shapes around your house. Here is the most recent math letter:
Our second grade mathematicians have been experimenting with three digit numbers…. writing number names, expanded form, proof drawings and also adding single digit numbers to a three digit number! All this hard work leads us into adding and subtracting three digit numbers later in the week. Check out the family letter below for more details of our three digit number study.
Today we started a new math unit.. YAY! We will be using new tools, rulers, to help us measure line segments, draw shapes and solve for perimeter ( distance around a shape). Our main focus will be describing shapes by their name, the numbers of angles and the number of sides that they have. We will also be investigating 3-Dimensional shapes and using BIG geometry terms such as, faces, prism and area. Here is a copy of the most recent parent letter:
We are extending our study of geometry and measurement to using a line plot to show data. Today we measured the height of our classmates and displayed the results in a line plot. In the next few days, we will be using many units of measurements including meters, inches, feet and yards. Below find the most recent parent letter ( click on the image below for a clearer picture) 🙂
As we begin our year in second grade, our main focus is becoming fluent with our addition and subtraction facts. We practice in the classroom each day through various games, activities and songs. We will be sending home flashcards to review at home in the upcoming weeks. There are also many GREAT apps that provide additional support to our little mathematicians, the best part is that they have fun doing it. Here are a few to check out and possibly download to your personal devices:
MATH -TASTIC SUBTRACTION (Free)
Today we used our math fact strategies to solve word problems. Below is a copy of the family letter that contains information regarding our unit of study.
Our second graders are embarking on a brand new adventure……. 2 digit addition with regrouping! Today we were introduced to this mighty math process. When we add two numbers, we are discovering the “mystery” of making a new ten or a new hundred. Below please find the strategies that we will be using in the classroom to solve 2 digit addition problems.
