We have continued to explore both 2D and 3D shapes this week, along with symmetry. We used rubber band boards, tangrams and other shape pieces when combining to form other shapes. We looked at similarities and differences in 2D shapes, and the relationship with 3D shapes. Students worked with partners to become an 'expert' on a particular 3D shape and will be sharing their knowledge with the class next week. Mathletics has also had some fantastic games and learning experiences to help consolidate their understanding. Next week, we will move onto a math unit which focuses on pattern and function.
During Daily 5, students have worked on predicting. We've been reading a novel about Pee Wee the guinea pig. He started out as Robbie's pet, but ended up in the park. We have been working to find evidence within the story to support our prediction. Some students noticed we could use text and others noticed pictures are also useful. We will continue predicting next week, as well as inferring. Our writing focus will shift toward story writing as we begin to explore setting and character development before the holiday. We began our firth unit of inquiry this week: How We Express Ourselves. Students started the unit by exploring different symbols. They identified what they thought these symbols meant and we watched a short video discussing the specific use of colour and shape for certain international symbols. Students have been working to create their own symbol and will be predicting the meaning of the other Grade 2 symbols next week. Individually, students worked to unpack the central idea. They highlighted important words and unknown words, and then worked together to look up definitions in the dictionary. Our central idea is: Images express meaning. A letter was sent home today (Friday) about next Wednesday, 2 March. During Mandarin class, students will be participating in a paper cutting workshop. Students will explore another form of image: symbols in Chinese culture. Instructors from One Event Company will be demonstrating and then students will have the chance to create their own symbols using the paper cutting technique. The cost is $11 per student, and we ask that payment comes to school by next Tuesday, 1 March. Have a fantastic weekend and we look forward to another fun week, Ms. Luttrell
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This week was full of excitement, even though we only were in school for two days. Thursday morning started with the Lion Dance on the playground. It was a very exciting dance to watch, and was a nice. way to welcome everyone back after the long weekend. Over the last few weeks, we've recorded our observations about different buildings and their features. This week we worked together to categorise buildings based on their features, thinking about what culture they might represent. We are starting to be able to look at a structure and identify where it could possibly be from, based on the features. On our field trip last week, we noticed there were several buildings that looked British, and we found out more information about Raffles and why these buildings are here in Singapore. We will begin to wrap up this unit of inquiry with a field trip to The National Museum of Singapore next week on Tuesday, 16 February. The cost is S$6.60 per child, and the permission slip has gone home with each child on Friday.
A few new word games were introduced during Daily 5's Word Work, and students read, wrote, and listened to reading very independently. This week we were working on asking questions before, during and after reading. New words will go home next week. The book character dress up parade was a fun way to start Friday. We also used the Chromebooks to add pictures to our online portfolios. Students added pictures from our shared folders and wrote captions to accompany each picture. We will continue to add more pictures and reflections to our ePortfolios in the next few weeks. Author week is next week. On Wednesday, we will be having a visit from the Australian author, Catherine Carvell. More pictures to come next week. Have a wonderful weekend, Ms. Luttrell The highlight of the week was our field trip on Friday. We spent a few hours in the morning down in the city, near Marina Bay Sands, looking, observing and noticing different features of different structures. We saw old buildings but many noticed that the older, 'less shiny' buildings were being overshadowed by the taller, shinier metal and glass skyscrapers - the more modern buildings. We've started to realise that there are many structures from all over the world in Singapore. We can tell some of these structures apart based on their characteristics. However, many modern buildings are hard to place, as they could be anywhere! In math, we spent a few days exploring maps. We looked at what maps are, what maps can help us to and the features of maps. We also explored the concept of change in relation to our unit of inquiry. As structures and land change, certain types of maps must change as well. I had sent parents three links to some mapping games, which can be played at home as well. We have moved onto exploring different types of 2D shapes and will continue with shape for the next few weeks. Tangrams proved to be challenging for some students, especially when using the tans to create a design using only a silhouette. Students have had their word sort for two weeks, a we feel this allows them to have more time to work with their words, understand the meaning and work on the spelling patterns in different ways. There will be no new words or homework next week, as we only have two days of school. The last few weeks, we have spent exploring opinion writing. We have read and examined important features in different books and have written our own opinion pieces based on the book Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Students did a fantastic job or working through the writing process - drafting, revising, editing and publishing - very independently. Well done! During Daily 5, we are paying more attention to our personal goals, and selecting a specific reading strategy to practice during read to self. We are also becoming more independent with Daily 5 and keeping track of our choices throughout the week, to help us become even more balanced. On Thursday and Friday, we selected a few pieces to add to our paper portfolios. We will add more to our online portfolios in the next few weeks hopefully. Mr. Gallagher worked with Grade 2.1 students on Tuesday to create a maze for a beebot. Students worked with their table groups to measure the distance a beebot traveled. They then worked as a team to draft their maze, and then transferred their ideas to a larger maze. They tested their first few squares of the maze and made adjustments before moving on. Students worked on using their cooperation, problem solving and communication skills during this measurement activity. A few notes about upcoming events: 8-10 February: No school for students 11 February: Students can wear red as we will be having a Lion Dance that day. 12 February: Book fair and book character dress up day. Students can come dressed as their favorite book (not movie) character. 15-20 February: Author week - more information to come. I wish you all a wonderful and relaxing Chinese New Year weekend. Ms. Luttrell |
AuthorWe are 7 and 8 year old students who live in Singapore. Our teacher, Ms. Luttrell, will be helping us write blog posts throughout the year! Archives
June 2016
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