New Digital Homework: Reading Eggs!

We have a new addition to our digital homework: Reading Eggs!  Students received a login sheet today -- but their usernames and passwords are the same ones used for Study Island (Username: Student ID #, Password: First Name).  We have a trial period to use the site and it is a fun, engaging resource to help students strengthen their reading skills.  When your child logs in, they will be asked to complete a 40 question diagnostic test.  If your child gets all the questions right, please have them go to the ReadingEggspress website.  ReadingEggspress is for students who are on grade level or above.   There students can read online books and answer comprehension questions.  At both sites, students earn "eggs" that they can use to play games, buy items for their avatars or virtual apartments, and more.  It seems the trial period will end on May 15th, so please have your child login soon and try it out!

New Digital Homework!! Study Island is Here!!

We are trying a new program for homework for the second semester.  To help prepare students for the last MAP test in the spring and for third grade next year, we will be using the online site Study Island and the MAP practice sites.

Study Island provides a customized program that helps children master concepts taught in the second grade.  This allows students to have a meaningful homework experience that meets them where they truly are, instead of a "one shoe fits all" type approach.

Please review the letter that was sent home for more information on how to log on.  Most sessions should last about 20-30 minutes as students complete modules.  When students have mastered a concept with 70% or higher accuracy, they unlock games that they can play to further reinforce concepts.

Here is a suggested Digital Homwork schedule:
Day 1: Study Island - Reading (30 mins)
Day 2: Study Island - Math (30 mins)
Day 3: MAP Test Practice - Reading (30 mins)
Day 4: MAP Test Practice - Math (30 mins)
Day 5: Book It Reading (30 mins)

Estimation Jar Winners!

Last week, we had two Estimation Jar winners: Mariama and Jelani.  They both estimated 55 Smarties; the actual number was 50.  Congratulations!

Late Night Homework for Next Week!

This week, we read the story The Big Dipper.  We learned what the Big Dipper and Little Dipper constellations looked like.  We also saw pictures of Gemini, Leo, and Orion.  Next week, on one of the days we don't have school, please take a few minutes to go outside and look at the stars.  Help your child to find the Big Dipper and Little Dipper.  See if you can find the North Star, too!  If you have a smartphone there are some great apps that you can use to find constellations in the sky.  Try Sky Map for android phones -- and it's free!

Space Station Webcast!

Yesterday afternoon, our class was able to participate in an incredible experience!  We were able to join a live webcast from the International Space Station!  We were very excited to see the astronauts on our SmartBoard.  Here are a few things that we learned:

• The astronauts clean their urine through a closed filtration system and use it as drinking water.
• It takes the astronauts 8 1/2 minutes to get into outer space.
• We saw the microphone floating in space.
• The astronauts communicate with their families by videoconference.
• Their food is vaccuum packed or freeze dried.
• They use the sun's power or solar energy to power the space station.
• They get their emails every 2 hours.
• We saw the astronauts do flips and float in the air.
• We saw how the astronauts would perform CPR on another astronaut by doing a handstand to do compressions.

Flat Stanley

We have been reading our Flat Stanley books during our read aloud time.  The students LOVE Flat Stanley!  I was impressed to see a few students had checked out Flat Stanley books from the library and another had bought the boxed set!  We have been reading Flat Stanley and the Mount Rushmore Calamity.  We learned how Mount Rushmore was created and how long it took to carve the presidents' faces into the rock.  Do you know how long it took to create Mount Rushmore?  Leave your answer in the comments section.

For our homework last week, we were supposed to mail our Flat Stanleys and Flat Tammys to a friend.  So far, we have received one Flat Stanley back -- he belongs to Christian B.  If you have not done so, please mail your Flat Stanley soon, so he can return before the end of the month.

At the end of the month, we will be having a Flat Stanley Party!  More details to come...!

Estimation Jar Winners!

We had a tie with our Estimation Jar Challenge! Congrats to Christian B. and Nya M.! The class is doing a better job of coming up with reasonable estimates and putting their sticky notes in order.  Good estimating, everybody!