Welcome to Mrs. LaPoff's Web Page!

Reading to Learn

Last month our students were reading non-fiction and discovering the world ofreading to learn. They learned the features of informational text as well as the enjoyment of exploring topics of interest. This month the second graders continue by reading about people and why people write about these people. As they become familiar with the techniques that authors use, they will begin writing about people that are important and influential in their lives. This is an interesting and exciting unit of study and one in which they very much grow as readers and writers. When reading through newspapers or magazines, look for appropriate articles on people writing about people to share.

Have Fun With Math

Give children opportunities to practice their number facts in real life situations as well as through games. There are many ways to read and apply math in everyday situations through the newspaper. Use the sports pages to compare scores, the shopping pages to estimate the cost of purchases, or cut out recipes to make together. And continue to practice previously learned skills so they can be mastered. We will continue to review these areas while working on fractions and measurement.

Telling Time is one area essential in everyday life. Have your children tell time to five minute intervals and figure out elapsed time. For example, ask your child to tell you the current time and the time it will be in 15 minutes. If it takes 15 minutes to get to your destination, what time will you arrive.

Money is another lifetime skill. Have your child count the coins in your change purse (quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies). Add dollar bills as a challenge. Practice making change. Purchase an item e.g. for 37cents and pay with two quarters. Count up from 37 to 50 to determine your change.

Number Facts are important to know. Math is an exact science. A problem needs to be thought out correctly and solved accurately. So practicing number facts makes solving math problems easier.

Pocket Change Toss is a way to practice addition and subtraction using money. Each player starts with 25 points. They take turns tossing their four coins (penny, nickel, dime, quarter) at the saucer. Coins that land on the saucer are added to a player's score. If any coins miss the saucer, players subtract the coin with the largest value from their scores. Whoever has the highest score after three rounds wins.

Fractions--both fractional parts of an object or fractions of a collection (e.g. 1/3 of 12 pennies) are being studied and reviewed. Sharing equally among family members (cookies, pennies, cards, etc.) gives chidren practice in determining the fraction of a group of things or a collection. Sharing pizza, sandwiches, cakes,etc. equally, gives children practice in determining the fractional parts of objects.

Kaboose is a website for math games at every grade level.

Rainforest Maths (http://www.rainforestmaths.com/) a wonderful website for math games and practice.

Reynolds Enrichment

The primary enrichment program at Reynolds School is an integrated program in which the enrichment teacher works in collaboration with the classroom teachers within the classroom setting to provide enrichment opportunities for students. The focus of enrichment this year will be primarily in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Our programs include Reading and Writing Workshops and Everyday Mathematics. They provide for differentiation and lend themselves to enrichment and extension activities. We also use Math Exemplars for math enrichment through problem solving. Children are given real world problems to solve. They need to analyze the situation in mathematical terms, achieve the correct solution, and communicate their thinking. In addition, teachers receive monthly articles to assist with enrichment activities in the classroom.

Share your questions or comments. My E-mail address is: slapoff@usrschoolsk8.com