Curriculum Update

In reading, while still reviewing, we are starting to move away from phonics. We are now reading stories in our anthologies that follow a theme. The theme that we just finished is “Keep Trying”. In that unit, we read Frog and Toad stories along with some shorter stories and poems. We are working on answering comprehension questions in complete sentences and writing summaries. Right now, the big push is in reading fluency (reading in a fluid voice while using intonation for quotations and punctuation).

In addition, we are working hard on finding books that are “just right” for the reader. If in doubt, don’t push the book with the higher reading level. Reading books that are too challenging really stalls the comprehension process when kids have to sound words out (more than 5 on a page).
In math, we have been working on coin recognition (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters only) as well as counting coins. We have practiced adding a group of coins together starting with the coin that has the highest value. This is sometimes tricky for kids to do and is a great thing for you to do at home. Also, we have been taking timed math fact tests almost every day and the kids are getting very good! They have now realized that they are not going to correctly complete all of the facts within 2 minutes if they are not memorized. That’s the goal! In second grade, they will be taking timed tests from the same program, but with only 1 minute to complete them.

In science, we have transitioned from weather to The Water Cycle and
then to states of matter. The kids are discovering properties of solids and liquids in various investigations. We had our first Science Club (instead of Book Club) with parent helpers on Tuesday and the kids LOVED it! Thanks helpers!