Mrs. Foux's Second Grade Class: Foux's Footprints

March 23rd--27th

Reading:

This week we will be identifying moral lessons as themes in well-known fables, legends and folktales. We will also be comparing different versions of the same story. We will be looking at the characters, setting, plot, and theme in each story to identify how the versions are alike and different.

Writing:

We will work on using descriptive language to "show and not tell". We'll use a variety of emotions to practice this skill and then at the end of the week we will practice writing a paragraph to explain and describe one. Our senses and sensory language will come back into play this week while we explore this type of writing.

Math

Problem solving gets harder this week as we begin working on problems with multiple steps. We'll review our problem solving strategies and learn how they apply to multiple-step problems. The majority of the week will be spent practicing problems. By the end of the week, we'll be pros!

Spelling

We will continue to practice the spelling rule of the week each day. On Fridays we will assess how well they know the spelling pattern. If you would like additional "at home" practice there are some links on the blog under "learning links". A great site to visit is Go-Noodle. There is a game called Body Spell that would be neat to use!

The spelling list will come home and we will assess their knowledge of the spelling pattern on Friday.

Science:

We will continue learning about different types of animals this after spring break. We will talk about the bodies of the animals (physical characteristics) and how they help them meet their basic needs. We will also be discussing how behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs. We will look at animal adaptations and how the adaptations help them meet their needs.

At-Home Enrichment (optional homework):

Research: research the "question of the week" and bring what you find out to school. It can be any type of presentation such as a poster, powerpoint, game, etc.

Question of the week: Can we drink sea water? Why? Or why not?

Math enrichment:

Remember Figure Me Out with addition and subtraction? Come up with new numbers about yourself and see if you can make a matching multiplication or division sentence!

Also try this fun game: Race to create an equation in this game will help your child and his opponents get creative with addition, subtraction and multiplication. Math skills will be in full force while everyone tries to outsmart the competition!

What You Need:

Deck of playing cards with the face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) removed
Scratch paper
Pencil
2 or more players

What You Do:

Have your child remove the face cards from the deck and set them aside.
Ask him to shuffle the deck and deal out four cards to each player. Make sure he deals them face down, so nobody can see the hand they were dealt. No peeking!
Place the remaining deck face down in the center of the table.
Have one of the players flip over the top card and place it face up on the table. This is the target number.
Announce that aces = 1.
Count to three and have all players turn their cards over at the same time.
Encourage players to add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers in any combination to try to reach the target number. Make sure that players use all four of their cards. Have players use scratch paper to verify their math.
Whoever can create a equation that hits the target number first gets one point.
The player to reach 3 points first wins!
When four cards become too easy, try playing with five cards instead.

Science Enrichment:

Have your child pick a plant that they want to learn about. They can write about the needs of the plant, life cycle, habitat and important facts. Have them make a poster and bring in to share with the class.

This week, the students learned about amphibians. We were intrigued by 2 particular ones, the Suriname toad and the Goliath toad. Students can research their interesting characteristics and bring back fun facts to share!

Learn about animals and plants on these websites:

http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/curriculum/quicktip/science/plants/plants.htm

http://www.neok12.com/Plants.htm

http://easyscienceforkids.com/plants/

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_main.html

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/plants.html

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/plants.htmlhttp://www.kidsbiology.com/biology_basics/needs_living_things/living_things_have_needs1.php

http://www.kidsplanet.org/

http://www.e-learningforkids.org/science/

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids

http://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/plants-and-animals/