Super 2nd Graders

Important Dates & Reminders

 *May 27th Memorial Day Holiday- Schools closed

Language Arts

 What are we learning?

• In this unit, students continue their study of morphology. Morphology refers to the Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes, and roots that form a majority of words students encounter in academic texts. The focus of this unit is on commonly occurring prefixes and suffixes that attach to known root words. Prefixes are word parts that have meaning. They attach to the beginning of root words and change the meaning.
• Suffixes attach to the end of root words. There are two types of suffixes: derivational and inflectional. Derivational suffixes impact both meaning and grammatical function. For example, the adjective quick is changed to the adverb quickly with the addition of the -ly suffix. The -ly suffix means “in a ___way.” When -ly is added to the root word quick, the meaning changes to “in a quick way.” Inflectional suffixes change the meaning of a word, but do not change the grammatical function. For example, adding the inflectional ending s to the root word girl changes it to girls. While the meaning changes from one girl to more than one, both girl and girls remain nouns. 
•  Research Reading and Writing- This unit supports students in using their current knowledge and curiosity to inspire their research. Students learn that researchers approach research with questions in mind. As students narrow in on a topic they are curious about, they carefully think about what their readers might want to know and what important information they want to share. As students sort through all of the information they gather, they start to analyze it with a critical lens. They ask themselves, “What information is important? What information should I leave out? What information is accurate and what do I need to change?” Students are empowered to use the learned information purposefully in order to share it and teach others. 

 Math

 What are we learning?

• Students have been studying time and money throughout the year and this unit is intended to help students solidify their understanding of these topics. Students tell time to the nearest 5-minutes. They will  count collections of coins up to $2.00.

Science

What are we learning?

This is the second of a two-part Monarch, Milkweed, and Mexico Unit, which engages students in investigations and observations that will provide them with a basic understanding of life cycles, how living things interact, how weather affects living things and their surroundings, and how important plants are as natural resources. Science process skills are utilized throughout the units to strengthen the students’ development of how to think scientifically. The lessons allow animals in their schoolyard. Students plant a seed and observe the life cycle of a flowering plant, comparing students to observe seasonal changes over time and the effects of these changes on the living things in their schoolyard. Students explore other influences that can affect the plants and it to insect and mammal life cycles already explored. Lastly, students investigate the importance of plants to humans and other living things.

Specials:

• Library: 
  • 2nd grade students will use their questioning and database-searching skills  to research animals to create their own Pokemon cards based on real-life animals and their characteristics.
• PE: 
  • Families,
    The final quarter in PE includes learning units called “Fitness and Nutrition” and “Outdoor Pursuits & Recreational Activities.” We will also conduct a biking unit for students in grades 3-6. Athletes will participate in many relays soon (to prepare for Field Day), as well as stations (to keep their various skills practiced).
  • Forestdale students are invited to Lewis HS this Friday, 4/26 for FREE admission to the boys’ soccer game! Students can get a FREE shirt, too. Please see Talking Points for more information.
  • Family volunteers will eventually be contacted for Field Day. Adults will find that information in Thursday folders and Talking Points when the time comes.

  Thank you and talk soon!
Ms. Brod (@email)

Mr. Bergin (@email)

• Music:
  • Ms. Shaw’s 2^nd graders are working on Orff xylophone pieces, creating ensemble, and learning how to read the notes on the musical staff.
  • Mr. Sawasky’s Music Classes in May:
• All students will know how to create their own rhythms and work on creating melodies.
• We will practice singing our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” All students will express themselves through playing xylophones, frame drums and percussion instruments.
• K – 2^nd grade will be exploring rhythms through frame drumming and creating their own rhythm. We will also be learning the instruments of the orchestra

• Art: 
  • The BIG ART news is the Pyramid Art Exhibit that was held at Key Middle school! 46 Forestdale students were represented in this huge annual event that included Lewis High School, Key Middle School and eight elementary schools, including Forestdale Elementary! The artwork from Forestdale was admired by hundreds of people, and the event was attended by over 50 Forestdale students and their families! Thanks to Ms. Judy Kelleher, Ms. Kenan Brod, Ms. Stacy Booth, and Ms. Annie Ormsby for their help in putting up this exhibit.
  • In the Forestdale art program, the primary goal is to create an environment in which every student feels confident, safe, and supported by Ms. Barrett and by the other students. The goal is that each student will reach a level of technical mastery and self-confidence that allows them to take risks with their own artwork and create work that they value. In May,  all students will be finishing clay art projects! 
  • 2nd graders will create clay "Texture Houses."
  •  All clay projects will last at least a hundred years if cared for carefully.
  • All students’ ceramic pieces are delightful.
  • Thank you to all families for returning the Parent Interview Forms for each art unit! Students in grades 1st - 6th continue to use their Art Planning and Reflection Books, increasing their literacy skill practice during art classes!
  • As always, Ms. Barrett ([email protected]) is here for any questions or concerns regarding the art program.

• CCT:
  • Students did a great job practicing their critical thinking skills by coming up with positives, negatives, and interesting ideas about a topic before forming an opinion.
  • This month students will be creating mindmaps about a topic.  Mindmaps are a creative way to organize thinking in a visual way. A mindmap always has a main topic. Then students use symbols and words and color to demonstrate their learning about a topic. Students will be able to choose a topic they know a lot about for their own mindmap.

AAP Corner

In May we screen all students for new levels of advanced services for the following school year. You will be notified through a letter in May if your student was found eligible for AAP services. Please sign and return all forms as soon as possible. 

ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages 

During the month of May, we are highlighting the language of cause and effect. Here are some questions you can ask your students and sentences you can use to help them practice identifying cause and effect relationships.

• What happened?
• What caused it to happen?
• Why do you think that happened?
• If __________, then __________.
• The effect of __________ is __________.
• One reason that __________ happened is __________.