We are learning all about Place Value in math.  We are learning that numbers can be represented in different forms.

Standard form= 125

Written form= one hundred twenty-five

Expanded form= 100 + 20 + 5

Block form= drawing or showing 1 hundred block, 2 tens sticks, and 5 ones cubes

Today I introduced the concept of expanded form.  Check out this video that I showed in class.

The kids seemed to pick up quickly on the idea of stretching a number like a slinky and we even made our own folded paper examples.

Do you like reading information from this blog (or others) but find it hard to remember to check them all? Are you frustrated when you take the time to check a blog for a new post and find nothing new? Are you interested in getting updates sent to your email with information that is shared in this blog?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then RSS might be just what you are looking for. In a parent survey I utilized last year, I found that very few parents were aware of RSS. I myself was only introduced to it this last year by Mrs. Hilt. Check out this article about RSS and watch the video below for some more information about RSS and how it can make your life easier.

There is a lot of learning to accomplish in second grade and sometimes we just need a bit of a break before tackling the next assignment. This is where “Brain Breaks” come in to play.  I have a little jar with some popsicle sticks in it that have brief activities on them to get us up and out of our seats for a moment.  When we’ve been working hard for a while and need a quick break I pull out a stick and read our chosen activity. Some brain break options are 20 jumping jacks, rock/paper/scissors with a neighbor, head/shoulders/knees & toes, and Open Mic (a few students can share a story/tell a joke).  At the end of the day on Tues. we tried out a Brain Break known as “Ants in your Pants” that has already become a favorite. Check it out!