Travel Huzarsky's Airways....
Watch Your Child's Learning Soar!
Dear Parents, October 10th, 2013
Welcome to our first class blog! So far second grade has been off to an amazing start. We have been learning so many new and interesting things and getting to know each other in the process. Read on to find out what has been happening in Ms. Huzarsky's classroom!
We completed our first two mathematical units on Place Value and Addition so far. The kids did a fantastic job navigating through both units. We learned how to read and write numbers to 1,000, use the three different forms of place value, and we learned how to compare and order numbers. In our Addition unit we learned how to add with and without regrouping, realized the importance of showing our work, and figured out how to solve challenging addition problems by reading and underlining important key words. Next up is our Subtraction Unit! We're Math Maniacs in Room 29!!!
Our Reading Workshop lessons have been full of skills and strategies to help us become better readers. We are currently focusing on making Text to Text connections both in school and at home. Ask your child to explain how to make a connection at home as you are reading with them. You will be impressed with how well they are able to apply this skill! Reading Rocks!!!
We're working hard in our Writing Workshop! As you know, the writing process consists of collecting entries, drafting, revising, editing and finally publishing. We just finished drafting our first pieces and are starting to revise this week! We're so excited to learn how to revise for leads, endings, and titles. Look out for your child's published piece in the next few weeks! Writing Rules!!!
We just kicked off an exciting Social-Studies unit on Communities in Room 29! We are going to be learning about what makes up urban, suburban, and rural communities. We will be learning about the three different types of communities through books, power points, Brain pop videos and more. Stay tuned for an important letter regarding our Community unit in the upcoming week.
In the Science Lab we are currently learning about Nutrition/Measurement. We also kicked off our Scientist of the Week project in our classroom in which every child will be assigned a date to bring in a science experiment of their choice to perform for the class. We're Savvy Scientists in Second Grade!!!
This week we started to highlight our first Pilot of the Week! The Pilot of the Week gets to sit at their own special desk, run errands for the teacher, and bring in their favorite book to read to the class on Friday. Our first Pilot is Shivani!!! Look out for your child to be spotlighted as the Pilot of the Week some time this year.
We also kicked off our first Scientist of the Week experiment on Wednesday! Every week one child will be given one weeks notice to find and practice an experiment at home. The experiment will always be done in class on a Wednesday. This week Dylan was our first scientist and he performed an amazing experiment in which he exploded a volcano! Great job Dylan!!!
Thank you for your continued support! Please feel free to contact me any time with any questions you might have. We're Superstars in Second Grade!!!
Sincerely,
Ms. Huzarsky
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Huzarsky’s Happenings
Dear Parents, 01/30/13
So many new and interesting things have been happening in Room 19 and I’m so excited to share them with you today! Read on to learn about what your child has been doing across the curriculum.
We began a writing unit on Persuasive Essays in our writing workshop last week. Wait until you see your child’s final essays…they are amazing! The kids are choosing various topics of interest to them and I must say they are very convincing! They are learning the structure of a persuasive essay by using a graphic organizer, writing a rough draft, revising and editing and finally word processing them using Microsoft Word in the Computer Lab. Look out for the published pieces which will be going home next week…I am looking forward to reading your responses! Next up is our Poetry unit!!! Stay tuned for more information regarding our upcoming unit of study in our writing workshop. Writing Rules!!!
In our Reading Workshop we are focusing on the skill of inferencing. We are currently reading various types of texts to make inferences. We are learning to infer by using the clues the author is giving up combined with our prior knowledge. If you put the two together…voila…you made an inference! In conjunction with our upcoming writing unit of study we will be focusing on Poetry in our Reading Workshop. Look out for more information regarding fun poetry activities in the upcoming few weeks! Reading Rocks!!!
Fractions have taken us over in Room 19! We’ve learned how to compare them, find equivalent fractions, and find fractions of a group and more. We will be having a few quizzes throughout this unit and I will let the kids know in advance so they can study. In addition to our regular unit of study, some of the kids are challenging themselves with our new weekly Challenge Your Mind math packets. The kids are being encouraged to work on it when they are finished with their class work and homework. Math Mania!!!
Science has been sensational!!! We are learning all about simple machines in both the Science Lab with Mrs. Otto and in our classroom. In the lab we have been doing hands-on experiments by going to different stations and utilizing the six different types of simple machines to notice how they make work easier. We went on a simple machine scavenger hunt in our classroom yesterday. The kids had a blast while searching for everyday items in our classroom that help make work easier. You can challenge your child by having them search through the different rooms of your home for items that contain the following simple machines: wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley and wedges. We’re Science Sleuths in Room 19!!!
We’ve been exploring Explorers over the past few weeks. We are currently working in cooperative learning groups to research a famous European explorer and create unique and colorful posters based on different aspects of their lives.
Talent Tuesday’s has been a big hit so far in our classroom! We have watched kids sing, dance, and show you tube clips of them playing a sport or playing a musical instrument. Please encourage your child to share their special and unique talent with us at Tuesday’s from 2:30-2:50 . Any talent is welcome and appreciated!!!
Thank you all so much for your dedication and participation in your child’s learning process. This has been an amazing year so far and it only keeps getting better and better! Have a fabulous weekend! J
Sincerely,
Ms. Huzarsky
Friday, January 4, 2013
Happy New Year!
Huzarsky's Happenings
Dear Parents, 01/03/13
Happy New Year!!! 2013 is going to be an amazing year and I am so grateful that I am able to share it with your wonderful children. It is so important for children to learn the importance of goal setting... so why not start early on?! On Wednesday morning we wrote academic and personal resolutions...ask your child about their goals for the new year. You can help your child achieve his/her goals by discussing them in length at home, and helping them to come up with a realistic plan to achieve their goals.
This month we are beginning some interesting new units of study! In social-studies we are starting to learn about Explorers. We are going to focus on famous explorers such as Verrazano, Cartier, Champlain, and Hudson. In science we just kicked off a unit on Work and Energy! We are going to learn all about simple machines, friction, inertia and more! Ask your child about the awesome hands-on activities they did in the Science Lab yesterday with Mrs. Otto! We are still learning about Division in math both with Mr. Prinzevalli and in the classroom. Ask your child to tell you the D.M.S.B. long division process that we learned about. Room 19 is filled with mathematical wizards!!! We are continuing our Fiction focus in our Reading Workshop. We are going to be learning about the climax and plot twists of a story next week as well as reviewing the other story elements. Our Feature Article unit of study is moving along nicely in our Writing Workshop. We have gathered all our information and are ready to revise next week!
I am very excited to begin Talent Tuesdays next week!!! This will take place at the end of every Tuesday. It will be an opportunity for every child to share a special talent or ability with the class if they want to. It can range from singing, dancing, a magic trick, reading a poem or story out loud. Students are also welcome to bring in a photo of themselves displaying their talent or to share a YouTube clip or video. The purpose of Talent Tuesdays is for children to feel good about themselves and to understand that EVERY child is special and talented in their own way. This is OPTIONAL! I'm looking forward to seeing your child's passion come to life!
I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend filled with laughter, relaxation, and reading!
Sincerely,
Ms. Huzarsky
Friday, December 7, 2012
12-7-12
Huzarsky’s Happenings
Dear Parents, 12/07/12
I hope everyone had a wonderful week! We have been so busy learning so many new and interesting things in Room 19 and I’m excited to share them with all of you. Read on to fill yourself in on all of the exciting things happening in our fourth grade class.
In our Reading
Our Writing Workshop focus for the next month is Feature Articles. We are in the process of researching our topics and organizing our information in our notebooks. Next week we will begin adding in our own knowledge and putting our information into paragraphs. Ask your child about their topic and angle. I am so excited for them to share the final product with you soon! Write On!
We wrapped up our math unit on multiplication today. Next week we will begin learning about division! This is an awesome unit filled with facts, fun games, problem solving and more! Please encourage your child to study their division facts nightly! I am attaching links to fun web sites that your child can access on the computer. Dare to Divide!!!
Our science unit on Weather is going very well! I look forward to the daily weather reporters filling us in on the weather for the day. In the science lab we have been doing some interesting hands-on experiments related to humidity and clouds. Ask your child about their experience in the lab this week. You will be impressed by what they have to say! We’re Wild about Weather!!!
In social-studies we are continuing to learn about Native Americans next week. We will start learning about the Algonquians and Iroquois next week and learn about their similarities and differences. Ask your child to tell you all about the homes they lived in. Ask them specific details about wigwams and longhouses. Native Americans are Nifty!!!
I hope you enjoyed reading all about what’s happening in Room 19. I hope you have a relaxing weekend filled with fun, family, and friends. J
Sincerely,
Ms. Huzarsky
Friday, November 16, 2012
Huzarsky's Happenings Newsletter - 11-16-12
Dear Parents,
After all that happened with Hurricane Sandy, I sincerely hope that all of your families are safe, sound, and with power. I missed your children so much during our time off and was excited to get back to work. Seeing your children's smiling faces on the day we returned was priceless! Since our return we have been extremely productive in Room 19. Read on to learn about what's been taking place in our class.
In our Reading Workshop we have been learning the importance of Questioning while reading non-fiction. During our mini-lessons, we have been reading short articles and discussing things we are wondering or questioning about the topic. Ask your child what they can do if one of their questions isn't answered in the text...you will be impressed with their answers! We completed our read aloud, "The Kid Who Ran For President" by Dan Gutman. It correlated with the election and the children were able to learn some important facts about the process through this fun and informative chapter book. We started our new read aloud called, "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary today. Over the weekend ask your child to tell you about the main character in the book.
We began our second Writer's Workshop unit of the year last week...Feature Articles!!! So far we have been immersing ourselves in interesting and thought provoking articles in order to understand the elements of a feature article. We analyzed several articles as a whole class, in groups, with parteners, and individually. Ask your child what makes up a feature article this weekend...I think you will be pleased with what you hear.
Our new Social-Studies unit was kicked off last week as well based on Native Americans. Yesterday we learned how to take notes while listening to information about the migration routes of the first Americans. Once we have our notes organized, we are going to learn how to write a comprehensive paragraph using our notes. Stay on the look
out for your child's final paragraph to come home with a parent comment sheet. After the Thanksgiving break we will delve into the lives of the Iroquois and Algonquian Native Americans.
In the Science-Lab we began learning about Weather! We will be completing fascinating experiments in the lab over the next few weeks as well as learning important facts about different kinds of weather in the classroom. You can further your child's learning experience by having them navigate throught the weather channel online and by looking at articles related to weather in newspapers and magazines.
Multiplication is in full effect in Room 19!!! We learned how to multiply two digit by one digit numbers this week and are moving on to two digit by two digit numbers next Monday. We are learning how to multiply using two different methods - the Partial Products method and the Traditional method. Once your child has learned both methods they will be able to choose the one that works best for them both in school and at home for their homwork assignments. Multiplication Mania!!!
I can't wait to view your child's Amazing Articles presentations!!! The kids seem to be motivated by the project and I am looking forward to their oral presentations.
Thank you for taking the time to read the Huzarsky's Happenings newsletter. Please feel free to comment down below. I just want you all to know how grateful I am to be working with all of your phenomenal children this year. Each and every one of them is special in their own way and I feel lucky to be part of their lives. Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Sincerely,
Ms. Huzarsky
Friday, October 19, 2012
Huzarsky's Happenings Newsletter October 2012
DREAM...BELIEVE...ACHIEVE
Welcome To Ms. Huzarsky's Fourth Grade Blog
Over the past few weeks we have been learning so many new and interesting topics in Room 19. Read on to find out what's been happening in Ms. Huzarsky's class.
We wrapped up our social-studies unit on Geography this week. We culminated the unit by creating New York State cookie maps in cooperative learning groups. Each group formed cookie dough in the shape of New York State and used candy and chocolate to form the waters, cities, and mountains. Check out the pictures below to see how much fun we had while learning! Go Geography!!!
In the Science Lab we are still learning about Geology. We have learned about the layers of the earth, erosion, weathering, and volcanoes. The lab is an exciting place to be as we are examining and analyzing different materials, taking scientific notes, and working in groups to conduct experiments. Take a look at our pictures below to see us in action!
We published our first pieces in our Writer's Workshop this week! After a month of hard work and effort, we took our pieces through the writing process...collecting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing. We revised for leads, endings and titles and edited for periods, capitals, question marks, exclamation points and spelling. We are bringing our published pieces home today for our families to read and comment on. Next Tuesday the 23rd, we are having a publishing party in our classroom and having other classes come in to read our pieces. Write On!!!
In our Reading Workshop we are currently studying non-fiction. Over the past few weeks we focused on summarizing articles. We used graphic organizers to understand the main idea and details of an article, as well as figuring out the 5 w's of an article. You can practice these skills and strategies with your child at home by having them read a short article from the newspaper or magazine with you. Ask them to tell you the main idea and three details about the article. We began our new read aloud last week entitled The Kid Who Ran For President by Dan Gutman. This is a very funny and informative chapter book that matches up perfectly with the upcoming Presidential election. Ask your child all about the main characters Judson Moon and Lane Brainard...hearing about these two will probably give you a good laugh! Reading Rules!!!
In the Computer Lab we are working on our New York State projects. Our first step was to research important facts about our state, and now we are currently in the process of creating Prezi's for our presentation. Mr. Sinanis even joined in and taugh us all about Prezi during one of our Computer Lab periods. Thanks Mr. Sinanis!!!
We're Marvelous Mathematicians in Room 19! We are currently learning all about addition and subtraction! Next week we will move onto multiplication...please make sure your child is practicing his/her facts at home nightly. Math Mania!!!
Thank you for stopping by Huzarsky's Happenings...please write a comment down below. I hope you have a fantastic weekend filled with laughter, relaxation, and reading. :-)
Sincerely,
Ms. Huzarsky
DREAM...BELIEVE...ACHIEVE
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Researching in the Computer Lab
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Enjoying our volcano experiment!
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Mr. Sinanis taught us how to use Prezi in the Computer Lab for our New York State presentations
Subtraction fun on the SmartBoard!
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