Classroom Update

One of the beauties of looping at our school is how quickly students reconnect with each other and how smoothly students who are just joining us adjust. Since we're already starting the year with some momentum, we're able to get into the good work we envision much quicker. We're in the middle of some really incredible learning experiences, so here's a quick update on what we're up to so you can keep an eye out at home for your own authentic learning experiences.

Ecosystems
Students have worked in table groups to research the natural features, plants, and animals that are present in different ecosystems. They used their research to collaborate on creating posters that demonstrate an understanding of those particular ecosystems. Then, they included captions to give it the look of a large nonfiction page. This week, we've been learning about food chains and food webs, how energy is passed between organisms. In their same table groups, they cut out cards of different producers and consumers and pieced them together on a poster, connecting them with arrows to show how the energy is passed.

Next week: Animals and plants have adaptations that assist in survival for specific ecosystems.

The Tiger Rising
Chris Hass, my fellow 2nd grade teacher, and I have been trying to make an effort to engage our classes in shared learning experiences more this year. Right now, we are in the midst of a shared literature study on Kate DiCamillo's book, The Tiger Rising. As we read the book, we are focusing on building on the thinking of others and we are noticing how authors describe characters through their actions and emotions. We are connecting this learning to our ELA workshop, seeking to develop stories that enhance our reader's experience and understanding.

Next week: We will begin to work on publishing our first fiction stories of the year.

Math
We are continuing to work on the properties of multiplication and division. I hope the math homework packets gives you an insight into the material we are covering. In the midst of math workshop, we always make time for students to share their strategies in front of their peers. This gives them the opportunity to "put their thinking into specifics" for an audience. If you can teach it, then you really know it. Also, we're looking at strategies for us attending to precision; getting an answer is one part of math, but checking an answer for its reasonableness is another and, I think, more important.

Next week: We will be learning about the distributive property.

Important Dates
Thursday, Sept. 15: Opening Picnic
Thursday, Sept. 22: Early Dismissal
Friday, Sept. 23: Ecosystems Unit Test
Friday, Sept. 30: Gathering @ 2:20
Thursday, Oct. 6: Curriculum Night