Thinking as a Mathematician

Our mathematicians are working on feeling confident solving addition and subtraction problems using a variety of strategies. Over the past few weeks, the mathematicians have been experimenting with some new strategies that help with efficiency. Many of our mathematicians originally showed their thinking by drawing circles and taking away or adding circles. We are starting to realize we can represent our thinking in a variety of ways!

We also spend a lot of time following the thinking process of a mathematician which can be found below. I want our crew to realize that the job of a mathematician is not to memorize problems, but it is actually all about communication. We have been working on drawing clear models, explaining our thinking by talking with a partner and using our partners' suggestions to revise our thinking. It has been a true joy listening to the conversations our mathematicians have with one another. We are eager to continue this deep, thoughtful work!

Regulating our Emotions

For the past two weeks, our crew has been working on identifying and regulating our emotions. Last week, our crew worked on identifying our emotions by using the Zones of Regulation. The students were able to express if their emotions matched the blue, green, yellow or red zone. We learned it takes courage to share how you are feeling and to advocate for what you need as well.

This past week, we focused crew time to establish our "Calm Down Center." This a space the students can visit if they are feeling in the blue, yellow, or red zone to practice mindfulness and regulate their emotions. The students and I collaborated on strategies they can use when they visit the "Calm Down Center" which have been posted below. We also collaborated to include materials they could use at this center such as a calm down glitter jar, stress balls, Play-Doh, noise-canceling headphones, Zones of Regulation reflections, and a breathing stick. Each child has created their own breathing stick to use at home and has also brought home the Zones of Regulation chart to share with his/her family. It is my hope that the strategies the students learn in the classroom can be practiced in other aspects of their life. 

Fieldwork this week!

This week was filled with fieldwork for our second-grade scientists! We learned about scientific sketches and how scientists observe. We walked to Cheese Ranch and sketched all of the organisms in the pond habitat. When we returned to the classroom, the students gave each other feedback using our critique etiquette. This ettiquette asks students to give feedback that is kind, helpful, and specific. After receiving feedback, we returned to the Cheese Ranch pond habitat and revised our drawing for accuracy.

   

On Friday, we visited Carson Nature Center to compare the wetland and grassland habitats. We noticed that wetlands are wet, shady, calm, and include short and tall plants. We also reviewed some animals that use the wetlands as their habitat. When we observed the grasslands, the students noticed that the grasslands were sunny, dry, and home to different plants and animals. In the weeks to come, our young scientists will be learning what makes a grassland and how organisms are connected to the habitats around them. Thank you SO MUCH to the fabulous volunteers who joined us at fieldwork this week. Your help was truly invaluable.

Picking a "just right" book

As readers, our crew has been using the Five Finger Rule to find a "just right" book. Choosing a book that is just right for our readers is challenging, yet all students have a tool they can always use....their fingers!



This week, our crew has been reading books and determining if the book is just right for them by counting the number of words on each page they cannot decipher.  If a student cannot figure out more than five words on the first two or three pages,  the book is too challenging. If a student knows every word in the book, it is too easy. If a student is trying to decode two to four words on each page, the book is just right! This is a great strategy to use when reading at home, as well as when visiting the library or bookstore. We will use this strategy throughout the year to gain independence and confidence as readers.

We're going on an expedition!

Last week our crew as we kicked off our Fall expedition: Surviving and Thriving! In this expedition, the students will spend the semester answering the question "How are organisms connected to the habitat around them?" On Friday, our students were field scientists as they explored the organisms that live in a wetland community.


The students began fieldwork by learning the physical features of a beaver. Our expert, Ranger Beth, dressed one of our crew members as a beaver and explained all the physical features a beaver uses to survive. Our crew was fascinated by the fact that a beaver uses its tail as a kickstand while chewing wood, and also slaps its tail on the water to signal danger to their colony!

After, Ranger Beth asked the students to reflect on all the different organisms that live within the pond and created a mural with the student's ideas. Then, the students headed to Ladybug Lake to create a beaver lodge and discover the different organisms that live in the pond. The students had a blast catching nymphs, crayfish, and a special insect called the aquatic walking stick!

This kickoff allowed our students to truly believe in themselves as scientists. We are eager for our next fieldwork opportunity on Septemeber 13th!

We are Readers, Writers, and Mathematicans!

Over the past two weeks, our crew has been very busy! The first week of school we spent time getting to know one another and creating a classroom community. As we have gotten to know one another, we have created a set of norms that our crew has agreed to follow to ensure we have an environment that everyone feels welcomed. Here are the norms our crew has decided on:

1. I can say kind words and do kind actions.

2. I can treat people, our classroom, and materials with respect.

3. I can be safe.

4. I can be an active listener.

5. I can keep trying my best even when I make mistakes.

6. I can be helpful.

7. I can tell the truth.

Each of us has signed these norms and these norms will hang in our classroom to hold each other accountable.

In reading, we have reviewed the purpose of a Reader's Workshop and also discussed the behaviors of a reader. Our crew has voiced that readers:

• Read, read, read!
• Try to understand the book
• Focus on their own reading
• Show the behaviors of a reader.

Our readers also shared that when they observe readers in their life, they notice that readers look interested, comfortable, and have a hard time putting the book down! They also noticed readers sound quiet, silent, and may giggle or get emotional at times. 

As writers, the students have been persevering to do their best (high-quality) work. We noticed that writers write inside the lines, use capital letters and punctuation, include space between words, and write neatly. When writers include illustrations they noticed that the illustrations need to be neatly colored, use more than one color, have details, and need to be completely filled in. 

As mathematicians, the students have been learning the thinking process of a mathematician. They have been grappling with higher-order thinking problems and are asked to think, draw, talk, and revise their solution. Next week, the students will take this thinking process of a mathematician and apply it to the second-grade math curriculum. 

It was important for us to take these two weeks to make sure our crew feels they belong and views themselves as readers, writers, and mathematicians. We cannot wait for all the future learning in store!

Welcome to the Second Grade Crew!

Dear second-grade families,

Welcome to a new and exciting year at Fox Creek Elementary. We are honored to be working as a second-grade team to support learning while helping each child learn and thrive. We cannot wait to see students take on new challenges and stretch their thinking.

Every school year brings new teachers, new expectations, and new opportunities. Many students, not just second graders, are often nervous (and excited too) at the beginning of a school year. However, we are here to let you know that our second-grade year will be an extraordinary one to remember. In second grade, students can expect to work hard, think critically, act compassionately, become problem solvers, and use questions to probe new ideas while building upon others. We look forward to a year of learning and adventures. 

This year students will have many opportunities to read, write, solve problems, and work as scientists and historians to discover new ideas and concepts. Through collaboration and a safe and supportive learning environment, we will create a positive and productive learning community. We look forward to getting to know more about each family. 

Please join us with your school supplies and wonderful smiles on Tuesday, August 6th from 3:00-4:00pm for our open house. 

Warmly,

Brittany Blackman

Jimmi Frausto

Lindsey Moore