Mrs. Braun's 2nd Grade Class

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We have been learning about the 12 math problem solving situations.  These are the take apart/ put together problem situations.  The new Common Core Standards state that we need to be able to solve problems with the unknown value in all positions of the equation.  We're getting good at it!

The last three are the compare situations.  After conceptualizing these situations with smaller numbers, we were able to solve similar problems with bigger numbers.

This quarter in math we have really dug into measurement.  We read the book Twelve Snails to One Lizard by Susan Hightower.  In that story, animals are related to units of measurement.  We frequently refer back to these animals to remember that there are 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a yard.

In reading we have been thinking about the author's purpose for writing.  We know that not all text is written the same way and we will understand more of what we read if we know what to look for.  We have looked at examples of persuasive text to get ideas for our own persuasive writing.  Our understandings about reading and writing go hand-in-hand!



In social studies we are studying the features of maps.  We learned about how to use compass roses and designed our own out of interesting magazine pages.

In art we sculpted numbers in the style of Robert Indiana.  We practiced rearranging them to change their place value and used them to create equations.



Please visit my new blog, The Classroom Key, for more great anchor charts, ideas, and freebies!

We recently started a new unit in social studies about maps.  We have learned that maps show things from a "birds-eye" view.  We will also be learning to use coordinates, cardinal directions, legends/keys, and map scales.




We are learning to write persuasive pieces.  We know that two places persuasive writing can be found is in opinion articles in the newspaper or in brochures that try to convince people to visit a place.  We have gotten the chance to publish our own work in the style of an article and a brochure.



In math we've been using a new tool called a rekenrek (a Dutch invention).  These are simple ones made out of cereal boxes, beads, and pipe stem cleaners.   Rekenrek's can be used in a variety of ways but we've been using them to understand problems involving comparison.  The top rekenrek is in "start position."  The one on the bottom is showing the problem:

Dan had 4 books.  Jessie had 4 more books than Dan.  How many books does Jessie have?
or
Dan had 4 books.  Jessie had 8 books.  How many more books did Jessie have?

These Rekenreks can only model problems with small numbers, but they have helped us build a foundation for solving similar problems with bigger numbers.