We continued the theme of friendship in our Scholastic News issue. We learned that elephant friends comfort and help each other. The issue provides ideas on how kids can be a good friend to others just by saying hello, sharing, and showing care for each other. It also tells some things that ravens, dogs, and chimpanzees do to show care.
In math we continued to study measurement. Students measured a variety of lengths to help them internalize mental rulers for centimeters and meters. We learned that 1 meter is the same as 100 centimeters (cm). We compared lengths such as 1 meter and 81 (cm) or 1 meter and 108 cm. This lesson helped students mentally iterate units relative to measuring length and determine which tool is appropriate for certain measurements. Ask your child which measuring tool would be best for measuring a spoon, cereal box, and refrigerator.
This week we learned how to use quotation marks. We practiced putting quotation marks around the words actually spoken. Also, we reviewed contractions by pulling contractions apart to make two words and putting words together into contractions. You can reinforce this skill at home by asking your child for the contraction for words such as could not, they are, and I am. Then try taking apart contractions such as doesn’t, you’re, I’ll, and the tricky contraction won’t.
We reviewed the six simple machines we have been studying in science. We also tried out a homemade archimedes screw. Students will be doing a second grade project on simple machines. Look for the description in Monday’s homework packet. You can go to my pinterest page and look at some ideas for simple machines projects.