Exciting Research, Chinchillas, "Just So" Stories, and Mental Math

Inquiry Research
We have just completed six very exciting days of Inquiry research. Through mini-lessons incorporating the SmartBoard, the children have learned how to write research questions; locate information about their animals or habitats in books, magazines, and encyclopedias, and on the Internet; write that information in their own words; and record their resources on a bibliography or website list. For the 1st Graders this was a new experience, but with the help of our experienced 2nd Graders and many supportive parents, they have become excellent researchers who run to me as I arrive in the morning asking, “Can I do research during Free Choice?” or begging to keep going at the end of a research session. I continue to be amazed by the enthusiasm of children who are given opportunities for independent, meaningful learning.  Mahalo to all the parents who made this learning experience such a success both at school and at home.

MAHALO, Parent Helpers!!
Mrs. Saruwatari
Mr. Meyer
Ms. Pang
Mrs. Scott
Mrs. Inchinose
Mrs. Mukai
Mrs. Montes
Mr. and Mrs. Ohashi
Ms. Ching
Ms. Graves

Inquiry Presentations
Our Inquiry Presentations will be the week of December 3rd. I will let you know the exact day and time next week. Your children will be taking home their parts to study. Please help them practice in a very positive, supportive way.

Chinchilla Visit
The children were delighted when Mr. Mukai brought in Batman and Shakespeare, two adorable chinchillas, for a visit last week. We learned that chinchillas come from the arid mountains of Chile, that they are nocturnal rodents who take a bath by flipping their bodies around in fine dust called pumice, and that they are very endangered because people make coats with their beautiful, soft fur. It was more fun getting to know those cuddly, warm-blooded chinchillas than it was all the invertebrates we’ve had in class, even if the chinchillas did sleep all day!  Thank you, Mukai family, for sharing!!

“Just So” Stories
Mrs. Trowbridge returned to talk with the children about “Just So” stories and to get them started on writing their own. She talked about the elements of a “Just So” story, and the children drew imaginary animals, which they named, and brainstormed stories to explain how the animals got one or more body parts.  Should be interesting!

Mental Math vs. the Calculator
All of the 2nd Grade Mathematicians enjoyed the Geometry unit. We are now back to “Number and Operations” with Unit 3. Yesterday the children played a great game called “Beat the Calculator.” One child added a string of three to eight numbers mentally, while another added on a calculator. The mental math beat out the calculator almost every round. That’s because the children have learned to combine numbers that equal 10, are doubles, or are near doubles to add a string of numbers very quickly. Those who didn’t know their doubles and addition facts to 10 struggled a little. Be sure to remind your child to keep practicing so he or she can play these games and do other math activities quickly and efficiently. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Posted on November 21, 2007 11:09 AM | Permalink