Mrs. Hoff and Mrs. Roon's
Second Grade Classroom
Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year!
Our names are Bree Roon and Meghan Hoff and we are so excited to be on this second grade journey with your children this year! You can read more about each of us on the "Meet Mrs. Roon" and "Meet Mrs. Hoff" tabs on this class webpage!
In many ways, second grade is "the sweet spot," as students grow by leaps and bounds in their independence, while continuing to bring passion and joy to the classroom everyday! We are looking forward to fostering a community of kind, resilient, and inquisitive life-long learners. We look forward to your partnership this year!
Learning Happening In Our Classroom
Happy May!
Upcoming Important Dates:
May 2-6: Last Week For Library (please return all books)
Friday, May 13th: Festival on the Field 5:30pm-9:30pm-Join us on the GRE Field for a movie, lawn games, food trucks and music! Students must have supervision.
Thursday, May 19: Field day 8:40-10:00
Monday, May 23: Camp Day- students may bring a flashlight for cozy campfire reading. Please send your child with a pillowcase or large bag to take home classroom belongings.
Tuesday, May 24: Beach Day- students may bring a towel or blanket to sit on. Parents are invited for a Popsicle Party and Chalk Talk at 2:45 pm on the back playground
Wednesday, May 25 - Last day of school! Student may bring a favorite board game to play
Friday, May 27: EPRs released
LIBRARY BOOKS
Please make sure all library books are returned to school. The week of May 2-6 will be our last week of library. Any fines can be paid through MySchoolBucks.
CURRICULUM UPDATE:
MATH:
We are wrapping up the year developing our understanding of shapes and graphing. These are some of our focus points:
Recognize and describe 2D and 3D shapes using their attributes (angles, vertices, faces, etc)
Partition shapes into equal parts
Divide shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths
Use line plots, bar graphs, and pictographs to organize data
Draw conclusions from graphs
READING:
To wrap up the school year, we will finish practicing our plays based on fairy tales and then perform them.
After we finish our performances, we will move on to researching habitats. Students will first read about the different habitats and then choose a favorite one to research further. They will then work with a group to create a presentation for their shared habitat.
Finally, we will explore poetry.
WRITING:
In writing, we will wrap up our fairy tales and then move on to writing about our research on habitats.
Along with reading poetry, we will notice the writing craft of poetry. Students will explore the difference between ordinary and “poets’ eyes” to see the world and write poetry. As students explore this genre they with be learning:
To choose topics which elicit strong emotion
To make intentional choices with word choice
To write poems that look and sound different than stories
To use whitespace to get the reader to pause between sections
To use repetitive language
To use figurative language
To use rhyme
To experiment with line breaks
I am always amazed at how second graders are natural poets and love the creative challenge of writing poems about the things they love!
Science
In our unit on habitats, we will explore how plants and animals use the resources in their habitats to survive. We will discuss the various adaptations plants and animals possess in each habitat. Students will work with their group to present and teach their peers about their habitat. Be sure to keep your eye out on Seesaw to see their presentation!
April
IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday, April 22nd: No School
Monday, April 25: No School (Professional Development)
READING:
Reading has been a very exciting time in our classroom. We have had the opportunity to become part of a book series club where we had time to read several books within a series. As readers we have been doing the following:
Collect information about the main characters
Look closely at how characters respond to problems
Noticing similarities in characters across the series
Use what we know about our characters to make predictions
Understand the relationships with other characters
Looking at the author’s craft of writing
How author’s use precise words
How author’s use literary language to make ordinary extraordinary
Understanding how the whole series will go
We will also explore fables, fairy tales, and folk tales! In this Unit, we will
Compare and contrast the same stories as retold by different authors
Identify and explain story elements (setting, characters, problem, solution)
Determine the lesson and/or themes
During our Mini Unit focusing on fables, fairy tales and folk tales, students will pretend they are characters to become character experts. Students will perform readers theater and work on bringing their characters and story to life for their peers. We look forward to presenting our Fables, Fairy tales and folk tales Readers Theater and sharing with you on Seesaw!
WRITING:
We will spend some time writing summaries where our focus is not only on determining the importance of a fiction story but also:
knowing exactly when to use punctuation and capitals and being consistent
spelling is matching our letter sound pattern knowledge
writing is neat and thorough
We will also begin our unit on Poetry. Students will not only read poetry but notice the writing craft of poetry. We will explore the difference between ordinary and “poets’ eyes” to see the world and write poetry. As students explore this genre they with be learning:
To choose topics which elicit strong emotion
To make intentional choices with word choice
To write poems that look and sound different than stories
To use whitespace to get the reader to pause between sections
To use repetitive language
To use figurative language
To use rhyme
To experiment with line breaks
I am always amazed at how second graders are natural poets and love the creative challenge of writing poems about the things they love! I look forward to diving into our poetry unit with your child!
Students will also write their own fairy tales! This is a wonderful chance for them to be creative while continuing to work on second grade spelling and conventions.
MATH:
We will begin our Envision topic on measurement. In Topic 12, students will estimate, measuring precisely with inches, centimeters, yards, and meters, and compare units.
We will wrap up the year developing our understanding of shapes and graphing. These are some of our focus points:
Recognize and describe 2D and 3D shapes using their attributes (angles, vertices, faces, etc)
Partition shapes into equal parts
Divide shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths
Use line plots, bar graphs, and pictographs to organize data
Draw conclusions from graphs
WORD WORK/ SPELLING:
In Fundations Unit 7, we will learn about the open syllable. The open syllable has only one vowel and it does not have a consonant after it. Some examples are: go, flu, we and I.
They are marked:
Open syllables can be combined with closed and v-e syllables to form longer words such as: pretend and provide.
We will learn about y as a vowel. Y has 2 vowel sounds in an open syllable. In a one-syllable word, y has the long i sound like in cry and in multisyllabic words it usually has the long e sound like in baby.
Our trick words in unit 7 are:
Large
Night
Change
Eight
City
Carry
Family
Every
Something
In Fundations Unit 8, students will learn about the r-controlled syllable. When a vowel is directly followed by the letter r, the r changes the sound of the vowel. For example, in the word bark, the vowel a has neither the short or the long vowel sound.
SCIENCE:
In science, we will be learning about Habitats. In our studies, we will explore how plants and animals use the resources in their habitats to survive. We will discuss the various adaptations plants and animals possess in each habitat. Students will work with their group to present and teach their peers about their habitat. Be sure to keep your eye out on Seesaw to see their presentation!
March
IMPORTANT DATES:
Week of March 7th: Parent Teacher Conferences
March 14 - 18: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
CURRICULUM UPDATE
READING:
We are continuing to focus on reading fluency as students encounter longer texts. Students will focus on reading in phrases with appropriate expression, at a just right pace. Students will also pay attention to literary language in texts. They will notice when an author plays with words or uses comparisons. We will explore some poetry as we dig into literary language. As students encounter longer texts, it is important that they “hold onto” the different parts of the text so they are able to understand the book as a whole. Continuing to jot thoughts down on sticky notes, sharing ideas with a partner, and rereading are critical reading behaviors. Students will continue to set goals and monitor those goals.
We will begin Unit 4 where students will be reading Books in a Series.
Our main learning is...
Studying characters in a series
Making sound predictions
Talking about and showing proof in the story
Author’s craft
Figurative language
Sharing opinions of books and learning about debate
Building stamina as a reader
WRITING:
We will wrap up our Opinion Writing Unit this month. Students have written several letters stating an opinion with reasons and examples. They have enjoyed choosing their favorite books and characters to write reviews and even send a letter to their favorite author!
In our opinion writing unit students have focused on:
Collaborating with a partner to plan writing
Writing to convince our readers
Using evidence to support our opinions
Using precise words to describe a character
Using transition and linking words to strengthen our writing
Writing conventions including punctuation, capitalization and spelling
Editing and revising using a checklist
MATH:
Topic 10: Add Within 1,000 Using Models & Strategies
Topic 10 focuses on expanding students’ understanding of addition to 3 digit numbers using models and strategies. Students explain why addition strategies work using place value and properties of operations.
Addition Strategies:
Mental Math: Students learn to add 10 or 100 mentally. Place value blocks and place value understanding support the work
Add on an Open Number Line
Use Place Value Models to Add
Add using Partial Sums
Topic 11: Subtract Within 1,000 Using Models & Strategies
Topic 11 focuses on expanding students’ understanding of subtraction to 3 digit numbers using models and strategies. Students explain why subtraction strategies work using place value and properties of operations.
Subtraction Strategies:
Mental Math: Students learn to subtract 10 or 100 mentally. Place value blocks and place value understanding support the work
Subtract on an Open Number Line
Use Place Value Models to Subtract
Subtract using Partial Sums
We will continue to focus on the mathematical practices of precision, making sense of problems, and persevering to solve them and constructing viable arguments to explain our mathematical thinking.
WORD WORK/ SPELLING:
In Fundations Unit 6, students will learn about vowel - consonant - e syllables.
We will explore how we go from a closed syllable such as cap to a v-e syllable such as cape. It is the vowel e at the end of the word that is silent but makes the first vowel say it’s names. We mark these words:
We will discuss how the letter v never comes at the end of a word. Therefore some words have an e at the end but the vowel is short. We call this a v-e exception such as give.
We will also learn that the s may have the /z/ sound like in rose or wise.
SCIENCE:
We are wrapping up our Quick Changes to Land and Slow Changes to Land. Throughout this unit students explored the various landforms that make up the Earth’s surface, and understood how constructive and destructive forces can change the land.
We will begin our next science unit where students will learn all about Habitats!
February
IMPORTANT DATES:
February 14: Class Valentine’s Party
February 18: NO SCHOOL - Teacher professional development
February 21: NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
VALENTINE PARTY:
We will have our class Valentine party on Monday, February 14th. Children are welcome to create a Valentine’s Day Box to collect Valentines in. Please send these in on the day of the party. Please make sure that the opening on the box will fit a card with candy attached (if families choose to do that). If your child chooses to make a Valentine for students in our class, please make sure that you bring one valentine for every student in the class. A class list was sent home. Let me know if you need another copy!
CURRICULUM UPDATE
READING:
In this next reading unit, a major focus is on reading fluency as they encounter longer texts. Students will focus on reading in phrases with appropriate expression, at a just right pace. Students will also pay attention to literary language in texts. They will notice when an author plays with words or uses comparisons. We will explore some poetry as we dig into literary language. As students encounter longer texts, it is important that they “hold onto” the different parts of the text so they are able to understand the book as a whole. Continuing to jot thoughts down on sticky notes, sharing ideas with a partner, and rereading are critical reading behaviors. Students will continue to set goals and monitor those goals.
WRITING:
Our next writing unit is Opinion Writing. During this unit students will be writing reviews to give their recommendations on books, places, products and more! By the end of the unit students will be able to:
Write about an opinion (likes or dislikes) and give reasons why
Have a good beginning in which you state your opinion and set the reader up to expect the writing to convince them
Make Comparisons
Connect parts
Have different parts, a lot of lines about each part
Have at least two reasons
Have an ending that reminds our reader of your opinion
Chose words that would make your reader agree with your opinion
Conventions are a big emphasis in second grade as well:
Capital at the beginning of each sentence
Punctuation at the end of each sentence
MATH:
We will continue Topic 8.
Students will…
Solve problems with coins and dollar bills
Using different coins to find equivalent values
Finding combinations of coins that equal $1.00
Tell and write time to the 5 minutes
Say time in different ways
Determining if an event is happening in the am or pm
As we move into topic 9, our studies will focus on place value this month as students decompose, compare, add, and subtract 3 digit numbers. Students are also refining their addition and subtraction strategies, including solving story problems, and working towards accurate and efficient strategies that can be generalized to greater numbers.
These are some of our focus points:
Identifying the value of each number in a 3 digit number - in 354, the 3=300, 5=50, 4=4 ones
Representing 3 digit numbers in expanded form - 354 is written as 300+50+4
Comparing 3 digit numbers (>, <, =)
Adding 10 or 100 and subtracting 10 or 100 from a given number and noticing the pattern / changes
Noticing how the digit in the tens place changes when the addends in the ones place sum to greater than 10
Relating single digit combinations (8+2=10) to multiple digit combinations (80+20=100)
Solving 1 and 2 step story problems by visualizing and representing the problem
WORD WORK/SPELLING:
In Fundations Unit 5, where students will continue to review and learn:
Closed syllables
Multisyllabic words (such as bathtub)
Divide words based off three letter blends
Identify suffixes and base words
-ful
-ment
-ish
-ness
-less
-able
-en
Identify & explore new sounds:
au says /o/ as in August
aw says /o/ as in saw
SCIENCE:
Students will explore the various landforms that make up the Earth’s surface, and how constructive and destructive forces can change the land. They will learn about how these changes can happen quickly, over a few days or so, or can happen slowly.
We will begin with learning about fast changes to land, such as landslides and volcanoes. Next, students will learn about slow changes to land such as glaciers, winds, and moving water. Students will have hands-on learning opportunities through experiments throughout the unit.
DECEMBER
Upcoming Dates:
No School December 17 - Teacher Work Day
EPR’s Released on December 17
December 20-January 3: Winter Break
School resumes Tuesday, January 4th
Curriculum Update:
READING:
Students are continuing to grow knowledge as they read non-fiction text. The following are skills that students are learning and practicing in this unit of study:
Paying attention to details
Putting the parts of one text together
Asking questions
Thinking of what a section and a book are teaching
Reading several books on a topic to grow knowledge
Noticing parts of the texts that go together
Spotting differences between texts on the same topic
Retelling topics
Looking out for keywords and using the whole page to figure out what they mean
Looking for and using text features to support understanding
Rereading like an expert
WRITING:
We are continuing our Informational Writing Unit. Students have planned and wrote their own chapter books on topics they are experts on. Some of our teaching points have included:
Planning with a Table of Contents
Drafting and Revising With Feedback
Studying Mentor Texts
Using Comparison
Addressing an Audience with Strong Introductions and Conclusions
Editing with a Checklist
We will wrap up our Informational Writing Unit before Winter Break, and celebrate all of our hard work as informational writers!
MATH:
In topic 6, we are continuing to learn subtraction strategies, with an emphasis on developing fluency to 100. In addition to subtraction, we will continue to focus on the mathematical practices of precision, making sense of problems and persevering to solve them and constructing viable arguments to explain our mathematical thinking. Over the next few weeks, students will:
Subtract one and two digit numbers using models to help them visualize the regrouping concept.
Subtract using partial differences
Solve one and two-step subtraction problems.
Please continue to review your child’s daily math worksheets and practice fact fluency using the flash cards that were sent home last fall.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
When we return from Winter Break we will begin our unit on Famous Americans. Student’s will be choosing a Famous American to study in depth and write a report using the information they have gathered through reading texts, EPIC and many other online resources.
Word Work/Spelling
In Fundations Unit 4, students will continue to review:
Closed syllables
Digraphs/ Blends
Glued sounds
Sound-tapping strategy to help segment and blend sounds in words for both reading and spelling
Vowel teams
Students will learn how to:
Identify suffixes and base words: students will learn to isolate the base word when reading or spelling words with suffixes (and also review what a suffix and base word are).
They will read the base word of a word first.
Then, they will read the whole word with the suffix added. For example, for the word crunches, students will respond crunch-crunches.
For spelling, they will learn to isolate, say, and spell the base word of a word before adding a suffix. For example, when we dictate the word crunches, students will repeat the whole word, crunches, then isolate the base word saying crunch, and then after it is spelled, they will add the suffix -es.
Identify new vowel teams:
oa- as in boat and coat
oe- as in toe
ow- as in snow and tow
ow- as in plow and bow
ou- as in trout and bout
ou- as in soup
oo- as in school and cool
oo- as in book and cook
ue-as in blue
ue- as in rescue
ew- as in chew and blew
It is so exciting to see the progress students are making in their spelling. Please continue to practice our Fundations Spelling patterns by completing weekly homework along with practicing the spelling of trick words.Your child is expected to spell all of these words correctly in isolation and in their daily writing. The words your child isn’t able to spell automatically are words worth practicing at home. Please refer to the list you were given at Conferences for more grade level trick words.
You
Your
They
Was
One
Said
Shall
Pull
Full
Both
Talk
Walk
Done
Pretty
Goes
Again
Because
l
Where
There
What
Of
Do
When
Are
For