Happy Spring!

We've finally turned the corner and it feels like spring! I know students are looking forward to their spring vacation and I hope you get to spend some quality time with them. Here's a quick look at what we've been up to and/or where we're headed:

Math: We are finishing up place value and students are working on adding two 2-digit numbers, using the jump and split strategy. Students are becoming experts on solving these problems, both with and without an open/empty number line. Students will be wrapping up the unit and starting data collection and graphing when we return.

Reading and Writing: Students have been reviewing vowel teams and contractions. Here are some examples: is not--> isn't, could not--> couldn't, we are--> we're, will not--> won't, I have--> I've. Students understand that the ' takes the place of a letter or letters. Students have been building compound words, like rainbow and mailbox. In writing, students have wrapped up their realistic fiction and we have started to discuss poetry. The poetry unit will be in full-gear following the vacation.

Science: Students finished learning about shadows and have started to learn about opaque, transparent and translucent. Students will explore more about light and reflections following the vacation. Students have also done some planting in our CF community garden, but due to rain, students have planted inside and transported the plants outside. Students will also have the opporunity to plant with second grade teachers this spring, as to harvest the vegetables in the fall, when students are in 2nd. The 2nd grade is most involved with the planting and care of our garden as it ties in with their curriculum. In early May we will get our eggs and start to explore eggs, chicks and chickens.

Have a great spring break!