March 18th, 2015

Math - Hundreds Place

The students have been doing an excellent job of adding 3 digit numbers.  This week we will begin subtracting 3 digit numbers.  They have the addition and subtraction skills to do the homework this week, but maybe not the planning and organizational skills to set up the problems.  This may be a family homework activity!

Science Lab Fridays

I hope by now you have been hearing about the fun labs we are doing each Friday.  The students are getting some hands on experience with physics and matter.  In second grade this week we will be learning more about different types of matter.  The big takeaways for the students should include; stuff is made of other stuff, matter can take different forms, matter is constantly rearranging to make new substances. 

The students are also doing various physics experiments.  In third grade students will learn more about how everything works.  Our big second grade goal is to start to understand forces and inertia. Though they may not be able to articulate their understanding, they should internalize the principles. 

Homework

Homework this week is just one math page and spelling.  The math page might be tough.  The students have all of the computation skills they will need, but not the setup and planning skills for some problems.  This might be a family assignment.

Field Trips

We have two upcoming field trips.  On April 22 (Earth Day) we are going to Chico to watch the new Disney Nature Movie - Monkey Kingdom.

I am also working to schedule a field trip to go on a Geology Hike in Upper Bidwell Park through Chico Creek Nature Center.  I will let you know as soon as this is scheduled.