MRS. CONNORS’ CLASS NEWS

October 21—October 25

Monday- We worked on abc order to start the week. Then it was time to jump into week six of Storytown. We heard the story of The New Kite and then were introduced to the long I vowel sound when spelled ie and igh. We took our spelling pretest and then had some practice with our new list words. Gabby showed us her Star Student photos and a great swimming medal! Next was an introduction to this week’s focus skill, prediction. In math, we began adding two digit numbers where regrouping is needed. After hearing the personal narrative, Climb Your Mountain, we received our first four robust vocabulary words: techniques, specially, struggle, and traction. We learned in grammar that nouns are people, places, animals and things and then worked to identify nouns in sentences. Our science lesson had us planting seeds in test tubes of the three different soils so that we can watch the root structures. After another world knowledge lesson on numbers, we had our panther Power time.
Tuesday – After announcements, we answered the red ribbon week question of what are two healthy choices kids can make at lunch and recess. We then began the day with abc order practice, but used our spelling list words. Then we played the change-a-letter(s) spelling game to practice our spelling words. We were introduced to our new high frequency words: lose, learn, caught, straight, cheer and brother. In grammar, we continued our lessons on nouns by looking at the difference between singular and plural nouns. Our new reading selection this week is called, Winners Never Quit! , the true story of professional soccer player Mia Hamm. After reading it, we added our final four robust vocabulary words: agile, spectator, competitive and worthwhile. Today was our health screenings so math was held off until after lunch/recess, when we looked at the add all totals method of solving an addition problem that involves regrouping. World knowledge was next, followed by Panther Power time.
Wednesday- On this damp and cool day, we unscrambled our spelling words and then had fun making as many words as possible from the phonogram –ight. We had some more practice with our list words and then reviewed our high frequency words with a partner using word cards. We began a center rotation with the following centers: listening to the audio CD of Winners Never Quit! / completing a summary of the story, answering comprehension questions about the story and sequencing story events. In math, we moved on to the New Groups Below method, which is most similar to what most parents do to regroup. We read a short fable and a short folktale and compared/contrasted the two. After answering oral questions related to our robust vocabulary words, we had a table team contest to see which table could name the most people, places, animals and things (nouns) in four minutes. The Footsies Knee table won with a total of 35 correct words! Numbers was once again the focus of our World Knowledge lesson.
Thursday – After a math remembering worksheet, we began our morning of review. We reviewed our spelling words, high frequency words and nouns. We played Hollywood Squares to practice our robust vocabulary words. We completed our center rotation and learned how, in words ending in silent e, the e must be dropped before adding the inflections –ed or –ing. Our math lesson continued practicing the different methods of adding when a new group ten, hundred) is made. Mrs. Fikejs came after recess for another 2nd grade counseling session on what to do when you are feeling excluded. We had our final Spanish lesson on numbers before finishing our with Panther Power time.
Friday- There is never a dull moment at Sloan Elementary School! We were each given water bottles since the drinking water may be unsafe. So after a math remembering worksheet, we reviewed the –ed and –ing inflections when added to a word ending in silent e. Then we had our weekly spelling test. We also reviewed nouns and read our fluency phrases that contained long i vowel sounds when spelled –ie or –igh. Then we had our week 6 Storytown assessment. After computer class, we enjoyed Gabby’s cupcake Star Student snack and in math, we discussed all the different ways to solve addition problems and looked at Puzzled Penguins addition problems and discovered his mistakes. After recess, we had Olweus class meeting, followed by our fall party! Thanks to all who sent in treats for our goodie bags and special thanks to the parents who ran the party for us: Mrs. McCormick, Mrs. Masten, Mrs. Llewellyn, Mrs. Shawhan and Mrs. Pirollo.