Wow! It has been way too long since my last post. I do apologize! The school year is busy right now, and it is hard to believe that it will be coming to an end soon!
Second graders have been super busy! In math over the last several weeks, we have learned about comparing fractions with unlike denominators (but same numerators), probability, and we've also started a packet of fun critical thinking problems from a book called Balanced Math.
To compare fractions with unlike denominators, we started by reading a fun book called, Gator Pie. In this story, two gators find a delicious pie and go to split the pie so that each of them gets a fair share. But, before they could split the pie, more gators show up wanting some. This happens over and over again, until they are forced to share the pie evenly between 100 gators! Through this story we were to visually see what happens to the parts when the denominator of a fraction increases (the pieces get smaller). Next we talked about how we compare fractions with unlike denominators but like numerators and did some guided practice. Students then worked in teams of three to create, compare, and order fractions! Finally, students complete a fun "Pick-A-Path" worksheet where the answer to a comparing fraction problem pointed them in the right direction through a maze of problems.
When working with probability, students started by creating a probability vocabulary flip book equipped with definitions and examples for each of the probability words they have to know. Next, students practice making sample sets that displayed a given probability. So if given a set of crayons, students had to make a sample set where it was unlikely you would pull a red. Finally, students were given some erasers that Mrs. Duke had in the classroom and had to create a sample set and a question to match a certain probability. These were then given back to Mrs. Duke to use later on in math class stations!
Finally, we have started a little more work with algebra by working on some Balance Math Problems. In these problems, students have to think critically about the information they have been given in order to determine the value of various shapes. They are having to write the equations that help them think through the problems. Here is an example:
Second graders have been super busy! In math over the last several weeks, we have learned about comparing fractions with unlike denominators (but same numerators), probability, and we've also started a packet of fun critical thinking problems from a book called Balanced Math.
To compare fractions with unlike denominators, we started by reading a fun book called, Gator Pie. In this story, two gators find a delicious pie and go to split the pie so that each of them gets a fair share. But, before they could split the pie, more gators show up wanting some. This happens over and over again, until they are forced to share the pie evenly between 100 gators! Through this story we were to visually see what happens to the parts when the denominator of a fraction increases (the pieces get smaller). Next we talked about how we compare fractions with unlike denominators but like numerators and did some guided practice. Students then worked in teams of three to create, compare, and order fractions! Finally, students complete a fun "Pick-A-Path" worksheet where the answer to a comparing fraction problem pointed them in the right direction through a maze of problems.
When working with probability, students started by creating a probability vocabulary flip book equipped with definitions and examples for each of the probability words they have to know. Next, students practice making sample sets that displayed a given probability. So if given a set of crayons, students had to make a sample set where it was unlikely you would pull a red. Finally, students were given some erasers that Mrs. Duke had in the classroom and had to create a sample set and a question to match a certain probability. These were then given back to Mrs. Duke to use later on in math class stations!
Finally, we have started a little more work with algebra by working on some Balance Math Problems. In these problems, students have to think critically about the information they have been given in order to determine the value of various shapes. They are having to write the equations that help them think through the problems. Here is an example:
In reading / language arts, students are continuing to work on programming their Ozobots to move through the playground they created to tell the fairy tale they wrote in class. While we have been working on this project for a while, it has not been wasted time. Students are REALLY having to problem solve and code the Ozobots carefully in order to make the movements of the Ozobots on the playground match the action of their story. We will continue to work on this project until it is complete :-) Let the problem solving and coding continue!
Last week in reading / language arts we also started a book club. In book club, students will be reading the book, There's An Owl In The Shower. To get us hooked on the topic, we took a little pretest to see what we already knew about owls and then did some owl research. We learned about where owls live, what sounds they may, how far they can turn their heads, and about special body parts adapted to help them survive in their environments! We will begin reading the book this week!