Mrs. Braun's 2nd Grade Class

These are some of the subtraction strategies we've been working on in class.

           

In math we've been learning about how to represent 3-digit numbers in many different ways.  We studied expanded form with these manipulatives.  They show us that numbers can be split into hundreds, tens, and ones.  For example, 376 written in expanded form is 300 + 70 + 6.  This skill will help us when we are adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers.  

We just finished up a science unit about rocks.  We used this rock sample kit to look for rock features such as crystals, layers, cement, and different sizes of grains.  We noticed common traits of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.  We learned that small rocks come from big rocks that have broken apart.  

We learned that almost all fiction stories have one or more characters, settings, problems, and solutions.  Look for these story elements when you are reading with your child.

We read Frog and Toad this week and made puppets to act out the story.

In math we have been learning to identify odd and even numbers.

This seems like unusual artwork but its actually a number arrangement activity.  Students were arranging 6 straws at a time and then writing an equation to match the arrangement.  For example, the arrangement in the upper left section shows 3 straws and 3 straws.  The student wrote 3+3=6.  Memorizing ways to put together or break apart a number help students with their addition and subtraction facts.

We are finding efficient ways to solve addition problems.

In reading we have worked a lot on finding the main idea of books.  When you read with your child, ask them, "What was that story mostly about?  What was the main idea?"

After reading The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle, we made our own mixed up animals in collage.  Notice the rabbit head, peacock tail, monkey face, and chameleon feet (and many more crazy animal parts) all mixed together.