Science Class

 

September 28, 2023

  LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed The Great Fuzz Frenzy and Water Rolls, Water Rises.  The Great Fuzz Frenzy is a fantasy, while Water Rolls, Water Rises is a poem.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with "e" at the end making the vowel long as in "pine," making singular nouns plural by adding "s" or "es" as in cat/cats or bench/benches, decoding words with the suffixes "er" and "est" as in "stronger" and "strongest," using story vocabulary in context, and learning ten new high-frequency words.

MATH:  We took the chapter 2 test and started a new chapter over adding within 100 using strategies.  So far students added within 100 using place value strategies and a hundred chart, and used an open number line to add tens and ones within 100.

RECONCILIATION:  For those students who are Catholic and making their First Reconciliation in December, please complete chapter one in the reconciliation book and have your child bring the book to school on Monday, October 2.  We will be discussing chapter one in class next week.  I will send the book home next Tuesday so you can begin to work on chapter two.  Just a reminder that all work is to be done at home.  I am just reinforcing the key concepts from each lesson at school.

ROSARY:  October is the month of the Rosary.  The Rosary is a summary of Christian faith in language and prayers inspired by the Bible.  The Rosary calls to mind the most important events in the lives of Jesus and Mary.  These events are called mysteries and are divided into four groups:  The Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, and the Luminous Mysteries.  St. Malachy students will be praying the Rosary during the month of October in religion class.  Second graders will pray one decade of the Rosary each day.  If your child has a Rosary from home that he/she would like to bring to school for this, he/she may do so.

SCIENCE:  We are wrapping up our unit over engineering design process.  Last week students worked in groups of three to design a tower that would hold a large marshmallow on top.  They were only given spaghetti noodles and tape to complete their tower.  Next, students tested their design to see if it would hold the marshmallow.  If it didn't, students redesigned and tried again.  Last, students communicated their thoughts and ideas with others.  We compared our towers and discussed strengths in the designs.  Everyone did a great job in building their tower.  

September 21, 2023

 LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed What's the Matter and Many Kinds of Matter.  Both are informational texts.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with long o, u, and e, using story vocabulary in context, identifying nouns, decoding words with the suffixes -er and -est, identifying synonyms (words that mean about the same, such as "big" and "large,") and learning ten new high-frequency words.

RELIGION:  This week we focused on ways we can praise and thanks to God.  We explored celebrations in which we give thanks and recognized prayers of praise and thanks.

MATH:  Students used different ways to tell if a group of objects shows an even or odd number, found the total number of objects in a set of rows and columns, made arrays with equal rows or equal columns to solve addition problems, and modeled problems using equations, drawings, and arrays.

SCIENCE:  Students learned what a mechanical engineer does.  They also used books, paper, and pencils to build a "bridge" design.  They analyzed and compared multiple design solutions.  Students realized that engineers plan and build many possible solutions, test each one to see how well it works, and find way to improve it.  

FIRST RECONCILIATION:  There will be a parent/student meeting in the church basement on Sunday, September 24 after the 9:00 A.M. Mass for those who are Catholic and have children making their First Reconciliation in December.

HOMECOMING: Tomorrow, September 22 is Creston's homecoming.  It is also a Spirit Day.  Students can pay $1.00 to wear sweatpants or a hat to school if they wish.  They can also show their support for the Creston Panthers by wearing red and/or black.  St. Malachy students will be riding the bus to the Creston high school stadium to kick off the homecoming festivities.  We will leave the school around 8:45 and will return around 10:15.  School will dismiss at 12:10.  School lunch will not be provided.  The homecoming parade will begin at 1:30.

September 14, 2023

LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed a realistic fiction selection called Picture Day Perfection.  We worked on skills such as identifying words with long vowels "a" and "i," using story vocabulary in context, identifying statements, questions, commands, and exclamations, identifying sounds for /c/  and /g/ as in "cent,"  "car," "goat," and "giant," decoding word with "ed" and "ing" endings, and learning ten new high-frequency words.

MATH:  We wrapped up our first chapter over fluently adding and subtracting within 20 and started a new chapter over working with equal groups.  So far students have determined if a group of objects is even or odd.

FIRST RECONCILIATION:  There will be a parent/student meeting in the church basement next Sunday, September 24 after the 9:00 A.M. Mass for those who are Catholic and have children making their First Reconciliation in December.

BOOK ORDERS:  Book orders are due tomorrow, September 15 if you are interested in ordering.  To order online,  our class code is LJWD4.

PTO MEETING:  There will be a PTO meeting next Thursday, September 21 at 6:00 P.M.  Parents who attend get a free sweatpants pass for their child!

HOMECOMING:  School will dismiss at 12:10 next Friday, September 22 for Creston's homecoming.  Due to the early out, school lunch will not be provided.  It is also a Spirit Day.  Students can pay $1.00 to wear sweatpants, hat, or sunglasses to school if they wish.  They can also show their support for the Creston Panthers by wearing red and/or black.  

September 7, 2023

 LANGUAGE ARTS:  This week we read and discussed Being a Good Citizen and Picture Day Perfection.  Being a Good Citizen is an informational text while Picture Day Perfection is a realistic fiction selection.  We worked on skills such as decoding words with short "o," "u," and "e," identifying adjectives in sentences, using story vocabulary in context, identifying complete sentences, putting words in sentences in the correct order (subject first--predicate last), identifying the consonant-vowel-consonant pattern in words, identifying run-on sentences, and learning ten new high-frequency words. 

RELIGION:  We have been discussing the sacrament of Baptism and the symbols used in Baptism (holy water, holy oil, Baptismal candle, and white clothing).

FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT/STUDENT MEETING:  There will be a parent/student meeting in the church basement on Sunday, September 24 after the 9:00 A.M. Mass for those who are Catholic and have children making their First Reconciliation in December.  

BOOK ORDERS:  I am enclosing book orders in today's take home folder.  Book orders are due next Friday, September 15 if you are interested in ordering.  If you don't see a book you're looking for in the flyers, there are many books for students at all reading levels online at scholastic.com/bookclubs.   You are not limited to ordering only the books in the flyers being sent home.  To order online, our class code is LJWD4.  

CHROMEBOOKS:  The second graders will be using their Chromebooks with a math program called "SuccessMaker."  SuccessMaker will be used to help increase overall understanding of grade level math concepts.  Students will also be using their Chromebooks with Code.  Code is a program that provides opportunities for students to learn computer science.  Students will also have the opportunity to practice keyboarding skills with a program we are using called "Typetastic," and will practice various language arts, science, and social studies skills with "Seesaw."  Throughout the school year students will be using their Chromebooks for many other different learning opportunities as well.

SPIRIT DAY:  Tomorrow, September 8 is a Spirit Day.  Students can pay $1.00 to wear a hat,  sweatpants, or sunglasses to school if they wish.  The money raised helps those in  need in our local community.  Students can also wear their Cyclone or Hawkeye shirt to support their favorite Iowa team for the upcoming Cy-Hawk game!!