Folktales and Fractions!

Happy Friday!
This week we started a Folktale unit in Literacy.  We read a traditional version of Little Red Riding Hood and a Chinese version called Lon Po Po.  I started the week by introducing the student to the common elements of Folktales.

We then read each version and identified the elements that make them folktales.  At the end of the week we compared the two folktales.  The kids really enjoyed these stories.  They also had to recall the beginning, middle, and end of the stories in order to retell them.  I really enjoyed these lessons this week and I'm looking forward to next weeks stories.

This was a big week in writing.  We began to research Presidents.  The students are learning how to gather information and then use that information to write a report.  We chose our Presidents and began the research process.  Next week we'll write and then type up our reports.  This is not an easy task for Second graders but I'm pleased with their work so far.  You will enjoy reading them at Best of Heights Night this spring.

In Math this week we explored fractions.  The kids are doing well and were even given the chance to be very creative and create a 'Fraction Sundae', in which they made construction paper sundae's with scoops of ice cream.  On the bowl they had to write the fraction for the flavors of ice cream on their sundae.  They claimed that this project really made them want to eat ice cream.  So don't be surprised if the ask for some this weekend.

We finished up testing the properties of solids and began testing liquids this week.  We will be having lots of gooey fun with liquids in the next few weeks. 

Have fun in the snow this weekend!  I'm just glad it's over the weekend.  Be safe!!
Anne Taylor