Today my homeroom class began working on math fact fluency. One of the goals in second grade is to use mental strategies to add and subtract fluently and efficiently. Math fact fluency is often defined as the ability to solve a fact problem in three seconds or less. Each day we will work on math fact fluency in homeroom before changing classes for math.

We are focusing first on our addition facts and will strive to learn them in groups (+2s, +3s, +4s, etc.).  Each day students take a one minute math fact quiz on a fact group known as a “Math Racer.”  The quiz has 20 problems and students need to complete all problems correctly in one minute to pass. Students who pass move on to the next fact group.  We track our progress to math fluency on a bulletin board where each student has a car that drives along a road past signs for each fact group.

Each student in my math class brings home a flashcard envelope each night.  This envelope should be kept in the back pocket of their red homework folder so it can be used at school and home each day.  In the envelope you will find flashcards for the fact group your child is working on.  Please practice this flashcard set each night…even on weekends.  The best way to memorize math facts is to have frequent exposure to them.  The flashcards from previous fact groups will also be kept in the envelope.  It would be a good idea to periodically review these facts as well.

If a student is “stuck” on a math fact group for a week I will begin to send home a Homework Racer that can be used as additional practice.  This homework should be completed and returned the next day. It might be best to warm up with flashcard practice first and then time your child for 1 minute using the Math Racer Homework Page.  The goal is to complete at least 20 facts in a minute without errors. (The page has 25 facts on it).  If you watch your child during the timing you may be able to see which facts he/she has to stop and really think about or count fingers to solve.  Try pulling those flashcards out of the pile and work on memorizing those by repeating them a few times.  Sometimes taping a fact to the bathroom mirror or front door to solve each time you pass it can be helpful.

Sometimes it takes a little while for students to learn a group of facts. Thank you in advance for doing your part in helping your second grader become fluent in math facts.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Check out our Math Racer bulletin board next time you visit our classroom.

Today second grade went to Language Arts class for the first time.  Some students go to Mrs. Swavely and Mrs. Henn’s classrooms during this time.  Other students come and join Mrs. Franks and I.  We co-teach a Language Arts class. Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Miller will also work with students in our room this year.

Language Arts is taught utilizing a Rotational teaching model.  Students rotate through stations while in Language Arts.   Mrs. Franks, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Miller and I will all be teaching Direct Stations where we work with small groups of students practicing reading, phonics, spelling, and writing skills.  Students will work at the Independent Station each day, often on their Chromebooks accessing technology resources to support and reinforce the skills we are working on.  Finally students will work with their peers at the Collaborative Station. 

Today we learned the expectations for these three stations. Here are some pictures of our students practicing their collaborating skills as they worked together to make as many words as possible using the letters in the phrase “AWESOME YEAR”. We know we are going to have an Awesome Year in Language Arts together!

Our class would like to celebrate Grandparents’ Day by inviting our grandparents to join us for a special “tea” in the classroom.

Where: Mrs. Muhr’s room 108

When: Friday, September 9th

Time: 9:30-10:30 am

Grandparents will be invited to tour the classroom, listen to a story, help their grandchild with a craft, and enjoy some light refreshments.  This is a great day to celebrate grandparents and all the wonderful things they do!

If your child does not have grandparents to invite, or any that live close by, they may invite another family member/friend from that generation.  Sorry parents! We’ll invite you in another time.

If your grandparents would like to attend, please return the RSVP form by September 7th or email Mrs. Muhr.

We had a great day today!  We learned about second grade routines, made a class rules craft, and listened to a story about First Day Jitters.  I hope your second grader had some good stories to tell.  I’m looking forward to getting to know each one of them more and learning with them as the year progresses.