Mental Math

Unit 6 is a unit on adding by teaching students to add double digits by using some different techniques (the math text calls it mental math)

for example: 34 + 20 =
step one add only the tens:
30 + 20 = 50 (correct now...:)
step two now add the ones
50 + 4 = 54

Eventually I will show student how to add using regrouping (carrying).
but mental math can help students get a very close estimate of the correct answer...

Poetry

This week our language lesson will include poem writing.
By Friday your child will recite an original poem that he
or she has composed...should be fun....

Thanksgiving Vacation

Parents and followers of our blog,

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, friends and relations.
Thansgiving is more than just food and football, it is a time to give thanks for all that we have.

I will post spelling words next Friday...Happy Thanksgiving....

Parents: A Big Thank You

Parents and followers of our blog:

Thank You from the bottom of my heart and the 22 other little hearts in my class for our very successful re-creation of the First Thanksgiving! I doubt that the Pilgrims really ate as well as we did...Thank You for the donations, help and support you gave our 2nd grade team and especially your children...we did place mats but instead of using them I elected to send them home...I couldn't bear to see them get stained...the kids really worked hard on them...the napkin rings are a nice addition to your child's own Thanksgiving dinner..Again parents thank you..

FFierros

Thanksgiving Celebration udate

Parents
So far we have:
1. 2 cooked turkeys
2. paper plates
3. forks
4. 2 gallons of hawaian punch
5. cups
6.green beans


We still need
sides:
mashed potatoes
stuffing
gravy
any other sides
pies
napkins
Volunteers
Time: Wednesday, 1:00 prepare, 1:30 serve in cafetorium
Parents thank you for making your child's year a resounding success.
Mr. Fierros

Lesson 12 spelling words

First Thanksgiving Celebration

Parents and Followers of our 2nd Grade Blog:

On Wednesday, November 17th the second grade will be having a Thanksgiving feast with Turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. This will be the culminating activity for Social Studies on the "first Thanlsgiving."
We will need the following things donated to make this a successful feast.

Dressing
Mashed Potatoes (ready to serve)
Yams
Gravy ( ready to serve)
Green Beans
Cranberry Sauce
Rolls (ready to serve)
Pies: Apple
Pumpkin
Whip Cream

Paper plates
forks
spoons
napkins
(please account for our 22 children that will be participating only, since the other classes are doing the same.)

We would like everything ready by 1:30 p.m. with volunteers and donations arriving before that time.

Parents: You have been wonderful and if possible join us!
Thank You

Mr. Fierros

Turkey: The Who? Me? Project

Today your student received a picture of a turkey along with instructions.
In a nutshell: Disguise the turkey so he won't be eaten this Thanksgiving!
I will put the disguised turkey on the hallway bulletin board for everyone to see

Veteran's Day Ceremony/Thanksgiving Volunteers

Veteran's Day

Our 2nd graders will be performing a short piece: I'm Proud to be an American, for Veteran's Day
Please let anyone who is a veteran to come by and enjoy their day with our children. Make sure your child is wearing their uniform on that day.

Thanksgiving Volunteers

If any parent is interested in volunteering to bring a covered side, dessert, decoration, or paper goods (plates, plastic forks, cups) please contact Mr. Fierros or any of the 2nd grade teachers. We also need volunteers to help setup, serve and clean up after our celebration.

when? Wednesday 17

where? Art room

Time 1:30 p.m.

Thank you parents

Spelling Words Unit 11

Spelling Words Unit 11
 hens grapes

 eggs  ducks
 bikes  boxes
 wishes  dresses
 names bells
 stamps dishes

Vocabulary Words:  (must be able to read and understand definitions) Find definitions at beginning of the story.I will create a study stack with words.
 understand

 gathered
 impatient
 impossible
 believe
 problem
 demand
 furious

Unit 19 Time:

Parents and followers of the Mr. Fierros 2nd Grade Class.
Unit 19 did not live up to our expectation of results, partly the short week, partly the test, and my own reason, the anachronism of time telling.
1. Short weeks really put a bind on lessons in math and reading.
2. The pacing requirement that our district has coupled with skipping over 15 chapters of math development really hurt our kids. ( The two step problems really stumped our kids including double digit subtraction)
3. Several questions particularly no. 4 and no. 8 really are tough.
    eg. no 4:  What time is shown on the clock?    (they show a digital clock)  4:45
           a.    half past 4
           b.   quarter past 5
           c.   quarter past 4
           d.   quarter to 5

First, I would have used an analog clock, so you can see the hands and positions.
Two, (personal opinion) We rarely use these terms anymore.  With the digital clock and watches being so common I honestly don't see how most folks even use these terms unless you are as old as I am...

I sending home the test. I am debating whether on how to curve this test.   If I do curve what I'll do is post the original grade, then post the curved grade, the average of the two should compensate quite nicely.
Please note I am taking homework in consideration and that should also maintain your child's grades.

Social Studies Election Project

In Social Studies we skipped over several chapters to cover  current events: the election.
We will have an election in our classroom with ballots, poster, and campaign speeches.

Students will create an election poster and post them around the classroom. (see below)
Then we will have a primary election. The first four top vote getters will campaign till next Tuesday, November 9th.
On that day we will have our election.