A few updates -

First Grade Math - We started a new unit on Monday.  We've been working with data.  We are looking at picture graphs to find out how many more and how many fewer.  We are using stair steps to compare.  We are sorting things by characteristics.

First grade phonics - Tomorrow we will have a test on unit 7.  This unit we focused on more glued sounds.  In unit 8 we are going to be learning about blends and digraph blends.

Science - Our caterpillars have arrived!  I will be putting them into the individual cups today and then we can start our caterpillar observations.

Reading - This week in daily five our focus is compound words.  This week I started another round of running records.

STREAM - We started our Lego robotics unit.  Miss Angela came on Monday.  We built a helicopter. We learned how to program it and make it move.  It was really awesome!  The kids loved it!

Writing - We wrote stories.  Now we are taking our stories and putting them into ZooBurst.  :)  ZooBurst is a website.  The students can type their stories and make pop-up illustrations.  It is amazing!  ZooBurst is a lot of work!  They have to type their stories, find images, change backgrounds, colors, etc.

Religion - This week our Promise Paper is about Jesus and his friends.
***First Communion - Second grade families - You need to sign up for First Communion.  Please go to the parish website (www.gbres.org) and sign up.  Classes begin on February 25th.

Art -
Grades 1 and 2 are currently working on a winter sky, multimedia painting. Several concepts are included in this art project. Students are developing an awareness that color can help set the mood of a painting. They are learning the difference between warm and cool colors.  Cool colors ( blues, greens, purples) will help give the feel of a cold winter sky. Another concept is radial design. This is a type of balance radiating the same image from the center outward in all directions. We are practicing this by making a variety of snowflakes with many different radial designs. Variety of size, color and design is encouraged, as we know no two snowflakes are the same. Adding variety of details to their snowflakes helps develop their creativity. How they place these snowflakes on the page is also important. Artists need to think about balance in their designs. We are talking about asymmetrical balance. I have students think about a sea saw. For example, If I place 2 snowflakes on one side of my page, I will have to think about adding snowflakes on the opposite side to balance my piece. This could be one great big snowflake on one side and then a few smaller snowflakes on the other. It is not symmetrical balance. And lastly, we will use lines to create the feel of movement.....the wind blowing. Burrrrr.... 

Gym-

K-2:  We are working on Basketball skills.  Specifically, the focus is on dribbling using fingertips with their heads up and eyes forward so they can see defense and their own team mates.  when the student is comfortable, they will be allowed to work on the dribbling skills with movement and defense.  They can move at their own pace.

Second grade math - Since Christmas break, second grade has been busy counting money up to one dollar with coins.  They are using half-dollars, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies to explore the many possibilities to make a dollar.  They are getting GOOD!!

Also, your child has been given a math fact sheet to practice.  This sheet is based on a timed pretests.  They can come to me and have me check them for speed and accuracy on Thursdays and Fridays.  If they pass, they will get a more difficult sheet.  I am asking that you quiz them on these facts when you can.  

Coming up is subtraction with regrouping.  Thanks for all you do!!