1st Grade Texas Performance Standards Project

It's research time!! We will be using our background knowledge on the seven continents to begin our yearly research assignment.  The Research on the continent will come first before the end product.

Each second grade student has a page protector in their binder with a research chart and at least three internet sources to use for research. The research chart needs to be completed AT HOME the Week of March 23, 2015 before they come to class. They have each chosen ONE of the seven continents to investigate further. When researching, I would like the students to use the sources I gave them first, THEN, I would like you to help your child find at least ONE, non-internet source - a book, a magazine article, an interview, brochure, etc. Students may NOT use WIKEPEDIA as a source.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

For your convenience, I have also included a link to a copy of the Research chart in case you should need another one. Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

Sincerely,

Lisa Pogue
poguel@rcisd.org

Copy of Research Chart

Second Grade Performance Standards Project

It's research time!! We will be using our background knowledge on the seven continents to begin our yearly research assignment.  The Research on the continent will come first before the end product.

Each second grade student has a page protector in their binder with a research chart and at least three internet sources to use for research. The research chart needs to be completed AT HOME the Week of March 23, 2015 before they come to class. They have each chosen ONE of the seven continents to investigate further. When researching, I would like the students to use the sources I gave them first, THEN, I would like you to help your child find at least ONE, non-internet source - a book, a magazine article, an interview, brochure, etc. Students may NOT use WIKEPEDIA as a source.

Second grade students have also copied links to their sources in digital form in our class google drive account. By having these links, your student can click on links, videos, pictures, etc from their internet source. I will send out the login and password via Remind as I don't want to publish it publicly. If you do not receive my Remind messages, please email me so we can get you signed up. Each student has a folder in the drive to share their work.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

I hope this is enough information for you to guide your child at home.  Remember this is not a dissertation or thesis paper.  It is an introduction to research and independent study and I expect 1st and 2nd grade quality work, so I don’t want you stressing about the final product or the research project.  I try not to put too much “at home” work on you so as to not conflict with other homework and/or outside school activities.  It is just impossible for me to help the kids with independent research when they are all doing a different topic.

For your convenience, I have also included a link to a copy of the Research chart in case you should need another one. Please let me now if you have any questions.  I am here to help.  Feel free to call or email me.

Sincerely,

Lisa Pogue
poguel@rcisd.org

Copy of Research Chart

2nd Grade Work for Week of March 2nd

Second Grade Schedule:

Garcia and Soto meet on Mondays
Jenkins and Richie meet on Wednesdays

Due when your student comes to class next week: Colored map of the Earth with Continents and Oceans labeled.  Students should also write one fact about each continent on the back of the map.  If your child is having trouble remembering a fact, you can direct them to the following link.  There is a link to each continent on this website.  Some students finished this assignment in class and do not have it for homework.  Students who bring the completed map to class next week will get to play a game.

Continents and Countries

In addition, students need to think of a continent that they would like to research for their Texas Performance Standards Project.  Please have them write their top three continents to research in their journal.

Let me know if you have any questions and/or concerns.

Have a great week!

Learning about Antarctica

Let's Read About Antarctica

Time For Kids

More About Australia

Today we will be learning more about special characteristics of Australia.  We will also be working on being independent learners.

Click on the link below to access Wonderopolis and learn about the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef

Please do the following when you get to the article:

1. Read or listen to the article about the Great Barrier Reef
2. Take the quick quiz on the article
3. Watch the video
4. Click on the Wonder Words to learn their meanings

After you finish the Wonderopolis Activity,  go to a computer to finish your Tagxedo Word cloud.

If a computer is full, then play the game that is at your table.  Once everyone is finished, we might switch activities.

Have fun and happy learning!

What is the Outback? Learning Extension for 1st and 2nd Grade

This World of Connections Learning Extension is for FAMILIES!  Have fun!

First grade students need to have this extension completed by Monday, February 2.
Second grade students need to have this extension completed by Thursday, February 5.

Next week in GT class, we will be learning about the continent of Australia.  To prepare the children with some background information, please have fun with the following critical thinking activity.

First you will need to learn some interesting facts about the outback in Australia.  You can find some information by clicking on this link:  The Outback in Australia.  As a family, read and discuss the Outback with your child.

Next, you will need to solve this dilemma using your critical thinking skills:

You are traveling in a desolate part of the outback in Australia.  You are on your way to an educational symposium when your plane crashes.  You are three days away from an airfield.  There is no chance of making the symposium on time.  Your best bet is to start walking as you won't survive staying where you are.  Take inventory of your items to determine what is important to take and what is not.  You may only take FIVE things with you.  Remember it is a three day trip!

Here are your supplies:

• 1 partial box of saltine crackers
• 2 cans of beef stew
• 4 bruised apples
• 6 litres of water
• 1 can pork and beans
• 2 ripe bananas
• 500 grams of coffee
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 first aid kit
• Map of Australia
• Candles
• 6 damp matches
• Rope
• Tents/sleeping bags
• Pots and Pans

Remember you may only take FIVE of your items with you.  In your journal, draw you five items and be prepared to explain why you chose those items.  

Have fun and have interesting problem-solving discussions.

Parents, please complete the following form so I have your feedback:  Parent Feedback

Enjoy and as usual, please let me know if you have any questions and/or concerns.  It was sooo good to be back in class this week!

1st and 2nd Grade Week of 12/8 and 12/15

Just a reminder our GT Field Trip will be on Tuesday 12/9.  Please be sure your child arrives at school on time and is dressed appropriately for the weather.  Unless your child is getting a lunch at school, they will need to bring a sack lunch.  I do prefer sack lunches instead of lunch boxes so we can just throw away what isn't eaten.

If you are chaperoning, you will receive information about your groups, on Monday.

This week, we talked about holiday traditions in North America.  Of course we are most familiar with the customs of the U.S.A.  Over the next week, I'd like you and your family to learn of a custom from Canada in Mexico that might be different from ours here in the U.S.A.

Here are a couple of links that might help you out:

Christmas in Canada

Christmas in Mexico

Please have your child write about their two facts in their GT journals and bring to class on Thursday, December 11th.

Don't forget about the latest Khan Academy Challenge:

Lunch in the Classroom Challenge.  Students who reach the following goals on Khan Academy will get to eat lunch in the classroom and play games the week before Christmas Break.

1. First Grade - 50% of the Early Math Mission - 2 students have reached this goal and 2 are getting close!  Try 10-15 minutes each day to reach your goal!
2. Second Grade - 70% of the Early Math Mission - 4 students have reached this goal and 4 are getting close.  Just a few minutes each day will get you there!

Have fun and I'm looking forward to our field trip!

Second Grade Back Channel

We are going to have a group meeting today to discuss what we know about North America.  Join me here:  Today's Meet

Click here to create an animated Christmas Card using computer code.  Scratch

Learning About Asia

Click here to record what you've learned about Asia today

Our Google Document on Asia

Sharing More Student Work

Check out our second grade chatterpix videos.  They shared information about a famous landmark in Europe!  Enjoy!

2nd Grade Shares What They've Learned about Africa

I wanted to share some student work this week.  I think these 2nd graders did great on their Pic Collage Infographics.

1st Grade for 10/30

We've learned about Africa and this upcoming week we are going to learn about the continent that is above Africa, or North of Africa.  Look at the image below and write the answers to the following two questions in your GT journal.

Thinking Question:  Please write the answer in your journal.

1. What continent is above, or north of Africa?
2. What is one fact you can learn about this continent just by looking at the map?

Other choices for learning this week:

1. Write in your journal about a book that you like.
2. See if you can clear out your mastery challenges in Khan Academy one day.
3. Read a poem
4. Have a positive attitude.

I can't wait to see what you learn this week.

2nd Grade for 10/29

Use the following link to choose a landmark in Europe that you would like to visit.  Draw a picture of the landmark and write a few sentences about why you like to see it in person. Be sure to tell what country in Europe that you would travel to in order to see that landmark.

http://tips4eurotrips.com/2012/02/the-top-10-most-famous-landmarks-in-europe/

I look forward to hearing what you learn!

Exploring Europe In Class

Let's Explore Europe

Fact Monster Facts about Europe

More Interesting Facts about Europe

Ducksters Facts for Kids

National Geographic Travel information about Europe

Second Grade Learning Extensions for Wednesday 10/22

We've learned about Africa and this week we are going to learn about the continent that is above Africa, or North of Africa.  Look at the image below and write the answers to the following two questions in your GT journal.

Thinking Question:  Please write the answer in your journal.

1. What continent is above, or north of Africa?
2. What is one fact you can learn about this continent just by looking at the map?

Other choices for learning this week:

1. Write in your journal about a book that you like.
2. See if you can clear out your mastery challenges in Khan Academy one day.
3. Read a poem
4. Have a positive attitude.

I can't wait to see what you learn this week.

1st Grade Learning Extension for Thursday 10/23

This week, we enjoyed learning about Africa by reading A Country Far and Away.  Most of you decided that you didn't want to live on that continent. Before next week's class, I would like you to read and learn a little bit more about Africa.  After you read the article in the following link, I'd like you to answer the thinking question that follows.

Learn about Africa here

Thinking Question:  Please write the answer in your journal.

If you could visit Africa, what would you want to see?  Please explain in detail your choices.  I'd like you to write in complete sentences so I can understand what you want to see and why.

Other choices for learning this week:

1. Write in your journal about something fun that you did this week.  Draw a picture if you like.
2. Master some new skills on Khan Academy.
3. Read a good book
4. Think about something that you worked hard on this week.  It doesn't have to be at school.

Have a great week!

2nd Grade Legendary Learning Extensions for 10/15

This week, we enjoyed learning about Africa by reading A Country Far and Away.  Most of you decided that you didn't want to live on that continent. Before next week's class, I would like you to read and learn a little bit more about Africa.  After you read the article in the following link, I'd like you to answer the thinking question that follows.

Learn about Africa here

Thinking Question:  Please write the answer in your journal.

If you could visit Africa, what would you want to see?  Please explain in detail your choices.  I'd like you to write in complete sentences so I can understand what you want to see and why.

Other choices for learning this week:

1. Write in your journal about something fun that you did this week.  Draw a picture if you like.
2. Master some new skills on Khan Academy.
3. Read a good book
4. Think about something that you worked hard on this week.  It doesn't have to be at school.

Have a great week!