Happy Blizzard Bag Day!

I hope you and your second grader enjoy today's snow and Blizzard Bag Day!  I am available through email if you have any questions or concerns. :)

This week our class has been thrilled to use a new iPad app called Popplet!  Students have chosen a topic to research (bobsledding, dolphins, computers, the earth, etc.) and they are using Popplet to create a "mind-map" of the information they learn.  See an example from Popplet's website below.  Students will then use this visual to write a non-fiction book about their topic.  In the future we'll also being making mind-maps about different types of maps during social studies!  Popplet is a free app if you're interested in checking it out with your child at home!

We will celebrate Valentine's Day on our next day back at school by exchanging cards and making more cards with craft materials.  We'll also read some Valentine's Day books and do math activities related to the holiday!  

In other learning this week, we've been focusing on how to use map symbols, keys, and legends in social studies.  Ask your child to share about their map book they made by matching map keys with the appropriate map!  

In math, I've started to assess skills using coins and dollars to prepare for an upcoming unit on money.  In small math groups, your child will be working on money skills based on their individual needs.  Some students will begin by reviewing coin names and values, other may be adding like coins (all dimes or all nickels for example), and some will be adding mixed coins and dollar bills.  I'll post some fun money practice ideas for home once we begin the unit!