2nd Grade Curriculum Update

Social Studies:  

We are wrapping up our first social studies unit. We had many discussions around the following questions:

1. How do friends behave?
2. How can we practice the Eagle Way in school?
3. What some positive characteristics of a friend?
4. How can we solve problems?

Math:  

We are diving into Unit 2 which explores making up and representing addition and subtraction number stories. Students will review and apply alternative strategies for addition and subtraction. In Everyday Mathmatics, the ability to recall basic facts instantly is called "fact power". Instant recall of addition and subtraction facts will become a powerful tool in computation of multi-digit numbers such as 19 + 92.

Literacy:  

Students have been working on reading fluency. Good readers not only choose good books to read, but they also choose HOW to read different kinds of books. Learning how to read and understand the meaning of tricky words is also an area students have been focusing on. In writing students are learning to write with our senses and using them to make their narrative stories more powerful.  

Portuguese:

For PLA: A semana de 03 a 06 de setembro será imperdível! Toda a escola comemorará a Semana da Pátria. Nossas aulas serão repletas de atividades interessantes:

• aprenderemos sobre o que é ser independente e o processo de Independência do Brasil. 
• cantaremos o Hino Nacional e trabalharemos sobre o mapa do Brasil e  a localização de cada um dos estados.  
• participaremos da Feira Cultural  que terá como tema: o estado de Minas Gerais e as contribuições de Drummond, Ziraldo e Guimarães Rosa.
• assistiremos, na quinta-feira, ao espetáculo teatral da Cia Truks.

Não esqueçam de vestir as cores da bandeira durante a semana e, juntos, celebrar essa importante data.

Mr. Maykut's Readers

Students have been learning that as readers, they get to decide HOW to read a book.  Everyone was given the book There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly to read.  First, good readers look through the book so they can decide how to they should read it and then they practice.  Reading with expression is something students have been working on for a while so this was their opportunity to shine.  Many students came up with funny voices and some added sound effects.  Today students were ready to show off their reading skills by sharing their books with a small group of kindergarten students.

There was an old lady...

... who swallowed a fly!

I don't know why she swallowed a fly!

Perhaps she'll die!

There was an old lady who swallowed a bird!

How absurd to swallow a bird!

She swallowed the bird to catch the fly!

I don't know why she swallowed the fly!

Perhaps she'll die!

I know an old lady who swallowed a cat...

2B Had a Big Day at the Eagle's Nest

2B Had a BIG Day at the Eagle's Nest

August 27, 2018

2B had a big, BIG day!  At the Eagle's Nest this morning, not only did we celebrate 3 of our classmates being recognized for participating in the Reading World Cup Challenge, we also had 2 classmates receive "shout outs!"  BUT THAT'S NOT ALL...

2B won the coveted GOLDEN G!

The Golden G is a coveted prize that classes can be nominated for each week.  Usually there is a lower school and upper school class representation.  The class that wins has shown the Eagle Way and the Core Values consistently the week before.  2B was recognized for being so welcoming to our visitors last week and also showing respect in the hallways.  Way to go 2B!

2B Class Photo.  See Raphael on the bottom row, center holding up the "Golden G."

 READING WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS and SHOUT OUTS:

These students represent the 1st and 2nd grade Reading World Cup Challenge. 
2B was represented by Felipe Toledo, Olivia Loureiro, and Yasmin Vartanian.  

2B students, Felipe Toledo (silver medal), Olivia Loureiro (bronze medal),
and Yasmin Vartanian  (bronze)-- Congrats!

 Ben Calheiros and Yasmin Vartanian each received a "shout out" at the Eagle's Nest this morning
for showing the Eagle Way by giving respect to their teachers and classmates.  Way to go, kiddos! 

MORE NOTES TO KNOW:

-MAP Testing: Sept 3, Sept 5, and Sept 11 (details in email)

-Open House on September 4 at 6pm
-Community B Assembly: Friday, September 14 at 8:15am

Hope to finally meet you all very soon!

2A Reading and Community Assembly

The 2A readers have been hard at work in Reader's Workshop.  We have focused on how second graders can grow by choosing how they read, reading a lot, and using post-it notes to show their thinking.  Part of our reading conversations have been about how to find a book that's just right for reading time.  Last week the second graders organized our classroom library by series, level, and genre to make it easier for them to find just right books.  You can see this process in the photos below!

Also, a reminder that this Friday our class will participate in the Community A Assembly in the auditorium from 8:15 - 8:50.  We will be singing a song about friendship that combines our study of verbs with our social studies unit on building community.  Students are asked to either wear Graded clothing, or Graded colors (red, white, and blue).  We hope to see you there!

Lower School Update - August 27, 2018

Teacher Professional Development in the Lower School

This week all our teachers will have an opportunity to work with Erin Kent, our literacy consultant who has returned to Graded to assist us in further developing our literacy framework. In addition to examining research based best practices, groups of teachers will be visiting classrooms to observe and reflect on reading and writing instruction.

The Eagle Way

You may have heard your child mention The Eagle Way. The Eagle Way is one strategy that we are using across the entire Lower School this year to build a strong community and to practice skills that help each child develop Graded’s core values.  The Eagle Way represents the mission and common behavior expectations in the Lower School at Graded. Every day, our students are making a conscious effort to follow The Eagle Way and be their best self. Here is The Eagle Way mantra:

We are Graded Eagles
Eager to Inspire by
Acting Safely
Giving Respect
Living Responsibly
Embracing Challenges and
Soaring to Success!

The Eagle’s Nest
We gathered for the Nest this again this morning. Two classes were awarded the Golden G award for demonstrating respect. Congratulations to Ms. Wilker’s second grade class, and Mr. Ro’s third grade class!

Reading World Cup

Medals were presented this morning during The Eagles’ Nest. We’re so proud of the hard work these readers put in! See below for photos of the awards.

Lower School Open House

We invite you to join us to learn more about our programs and meet our teachers on September 4 starting at 6:00 pm. Please mark your calendars. Specific details will sent to families on Tuesday.

Upcoming Important Dates

August 31	LS Community A Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
September 4	Lower School Open House 6:00 pm
September 6	LS Brazilian Independence Day Assembly
September 7	No School - Brazil Independence Day Holiday
September 14	LS Community B Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
September 21	LS Community C Assembly 8:15 am (auditorium)
September 28	No School - Faculty Professional Development Day

Around the Lower School

2B Visitors and Writers!

2B Visitors and Writers!

August 27, 2018

Last week was extra special!  2B Writers had the chance to not only have a couple of teachers in the classroom, but close to 30 teachers were in our class on Wednesday during Writer's Workshop!    Graded was hosting teachers from all over South America for a Reader's and Writer's Workshop Conference with a renowned specialist on the subject, Erin Kent.  2B was chosen as a host for a second grade "lab site" for Ms. Kent to model the workshop components and for some of the conference attendees to observe and even practice some of what they were learning.  It was all very exciting!

The students did such an amazing job showing off their independent writing routines and talking about what they were doing as writers to make their narrative stories even better.  I was VERY proud of them.  Check them out!

Mrs. Kent introducing her mini lesson to 2B Writers

Mrs. Kent sharing a piece of her own writing to model a strategy.

Some of the teachers observing our 2B writers!

As 2B writers began working independently on the strategy Mrs. Kent taught,
 the teachers began observing and making notes for areas of growth.

Some students got to work with Mrs. Kent in a small group.

Some students got to share their writing with Mrs. Kent one on one!

It was a powerful day,
not only for the teachers...

but also for our 2B writers!

Ms. Wilker's 2B Crew are Enjoying Their Workshops!

   

Reader's and Writer's Workshop

Monday, August 20, 2018

We have been super busy in 2B these last two weeks.  Now that we have our schedule and routines down, we are enjoying learning together!  Here is some of our learning...


Writer's Workshop Collages!
Last week, students brought in pictures and objects to include on their "Writing Collage" to help inspire their ideas for Writer's Workshop.  Currently, our focus during writing is to write personal narratives.  You may hear your child refer to these types of stories as "Small Moments."  Students focus on a small event that was special or caused emotion for them. Then they stretch them into stories telling them "bit by bit" with lots of details.  So for example, instead of writing about a whole day or visit to Disney World, a student would "zoom" in on a lunch they had with Mickey or Cinderella!  

These collages will help students be ready to write and write more during our workshop time.  Also, for homework this week, students will be thinking of more ideas to add to their "Tiny Topics" book which is a little, yellow book to jot down ideas for more Small Moment stories to write.  We had a great time making these collages!  These will remain in their folders this year.

"Reader's Workshop Feels Fun and Focused!" -2B Student

During Reader's Workshop, students are learning to use their independent reading time wisely and apply lots of strategies to grow their reading stronger every day.  We have been setting daily goals for how many books we think we can read, building our reading stamina, and stopping regularly to make sure we understand what we are reading.  Also, reading partners are learning how to have valuable conversations about books.  Check them out!

Isabelle loves to read and share her ideas.

Vitor is getting "lost" in his book!

Rapha is focused on growing his reading independently.

Neko is getting comfy with her books.

Sakura and Felipe are enjoying an "Outdoor Book Nook."

Olivia is busy jotting ideas so she can remember to tell her partner.

Emilia and Ben are sharing some about their thinking!

Seunghyun and Jenna are noticing connections in a book!

Michel is a great Reading Partner to Pedro.  He always listens and asks questions.

Marcos and Yasmin are excellent reading partners who support each other!

Have a great week! :)