In math this week, the students used their knowledge of linear measurement to learn how to calculate the distance around things or perimeter of objects. By starting and ending at the same place, students measured around object and recorded the length of the sides and then added the measurements together, using standard and non-standard units. The grade 2 students had a chance to measure the width of the school using metres. Since we measured the length of the school last week, we could estimate the shape of the school as a long rectangle and then calculate the perimeter of the school.
We even had time to write a letter to Ms. Farrelly and Ms. Schneider to tell them how we figured out the perimeter of our school! (By the way, the students calculated the perimeter of the school to be width + length + width + length = 265 metres and 88 cm.)
In science, the class began to discuss the states of matter, solids, liquids and gases. The children did an experiment to find out how solids and liquids interact. They mixed room temperature water with powdered borax crystals (borax is sold as a laundry "booster" for laundry detergent). Some of the crystals dissolved or disappeared. Where did it go? Well, the class learned that solids have only a small amount of space between molecules, liquids have more space between the molecules. So, some of the borax went in between the molecules of water. Next, the students stirred lots of borax powder into boiling water and it all disappeared! That's because the space between molecules in boiling water are a lot bigger so there is more space for the borax to go! Overnight, the water cooled and the borax came out of solution and created clear cube-like crystals (on a pipe cleaner left in the cup overnight). The students wrote up the experiment following the general steps of the classic experimental method in their writing journals.
The class practiced reading comprehension strategies by reading a non-fiction story about using Pygmy horses as guide dogs for people who are blind. Then they answered multiple choice questions and completed a Venn diagram to show their understanding of the text.
The class continued to learn one cursive letter a day. This week they practised writing the cursive lowercase letters d, c, g, q and i.
The children began the poetry unit this week. Poems are a break from typical school writing since its one of the few times that the rules of writing can be broken. Did you know that poems don't have to rhyme? Actually that's the most difficult type of poem to write. The students first read and wrote concrete poems (shape poems) where the words make the shape of what the poem is about, combining words as art. We also read together the Shel Silverstein poem, Twistable Turnable Man and while reading it the students felt the "beat" of the words and started to clap the rhythm of the words as they said them.
In our four guided reading groups, each group began a novel study by reading the first chapter in different chapter books and discussing the stories to improve reading comprehension strategies.
Finally, the students used aluminum foil to experiment with making 3D art. After experimenting and learning some strategies to work with foil (since foil cannot be glued or taped together well since it is a metal). The children learned how to make the figure of a human ("foil guy") and experimented with ways to make spiders, dogs and other figures. The children will use these for a writing activity next week.
Books read aloud this week:
Stone Fox by James Reynolds Gardiner (chapter book)
Life Size Zoo by Teruyuki Komiya
More Life Size Zoo by Teruyuki Komiya
Life Size Farm by Teruyuki Komiya
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