March 2011

I am thrilled to be teaching the Grade 2's and look forward to a great year ahead.  The class has adapted well to the change and we are really having lots of fun learning every day.

For Literacy we have been learning about Verbs and doing many exercises in our books to practice and consolidate verbs.  The children have been writing interesting sentences using their Phonics words and verbs.  We also do group reading every day.  We will be doing comprehensions and writing some creative interesting stories. 

In Maths we have been working on Doubling and Halving numbers and consolidating Subtraction.  Every day we do exercises on Number Names, Place Value, Counting, Bonds and Addition.  We play a game in the beginning of the lesson where each child has to work out every answer in case they have the next card.  They love this game and are very enthusiastic when we play it.  For Practical maths we are doing Measurement.  I am very proud of the class for their group work activity we did on Friday.  Tehy had to measure various objects in and around the classroom and record their answers.  Each group had metre stick.  They were all involved, taking turns to measure and helping count the metres.  They worked really well in their groups.  The last activity was to make a one metre long fish using pieces of cardboard, which they really enjoyed.       

I have started using the Literacy, Language and Numeracy Workbooks as text books instead of writing one word answers in the workbooks.  The children therefore write the whole sentence out in their classwork books.  It's as if they were copying from the board but they're copying from a book instead.  I feel they must practice writing the whole sentence out, which will help them revise and consolidate all the words for spelling and reading purposes as apposed to writing only the answer.

For Environment and Life Skills we are discussing "Looking after Myself" and "Homes".  We are looking at different types of homes, as well as safety in the home and the environment.

 We definitely  have some budding artists in the class!  I am very proud of the children's art!  We've done an Under the Sea scene and the children drew beautiful portraits of their Grannies and Grandpas.  Look out for their pictures on the wall!       

We have been practicing for Grandparents Day with much excitement and enthusiasm!  Most of the children know their poems off-by-heart, but they will have it in front of them in case they need it.  We hope all our Grannies and Grandpa's can make it on Friday.

I have a different kind of"star chart" up in the classroom.  It is a flower garden.  I see myself as the Teacher, planting seeds (the children) and watering the flowers every time I teach.  I help the children to blossom and bloom and reach their full potential.  Every time they deserve a "star" for listening well, working so quietly, improving nicely, or doing a kind deed, I give them a little piece of their flower.  Once they have grown into a tall, full flower, they will get a treat from me.  They are doing their best and are motivated.

More class news next month!

Yours in teaching,                                                                                                                   

Mrs Natalie Mildenhall