LOOK WHAT WE'RE UP TO in Ms. Burrill's Room 23, 2022 - 2023
My teaching team:
THIRD Grade teachers:
Mrs. Carrie Pesavento
Ms. Erin Gsoell
Mrs. Jeannie Krepelka
Ms. Megan Carrick
SECOND Grade teachers:
Mrs. Gaylene McGowan
Mrs. Dawn Ullmark
Mrs. Samantha Acton
Ms. Sarah Growitz
THIRD Grade teachers:
Mrs. Carrie Pesavento
Ms. Erin Gsoell
Mrs. Jeannie Krepelka
Ms. Megan Carrick
SECOND Grade teachers:
Mrs. Gaylene McGowan
Mrs. Dawn Ullmark
Mrs. Samantha Acton
Ms. Sarah Growitz
Last updated: August 24, 2022 A Bit About My Teaching Goals: I have found that primary students (K-3) still love coming to school and engage well in the process of learning. ...Brain Gym is something I enjoy implementing in our classroom as it keeps my students relaxed, for the most part. I will be striving to instill problem-solving skills in my students; they will get used to my response to their challenges, "How can you find a solution for that? ...I am here to help if you cannot come up with any ideas." Naturally, teaching Social Emotional Learning (SEL) will be another overarching goal throughout our school year together. No matter how intellectually capable an elementary student is, they need support in self-regulating strong emotions as well as understanding their feelings and using them wisely. The UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT relies on Common Sense Media and Second Step, both digital programs to support SEL learning. Homework: Second graders are expected to read for 20 minutes at home daily. No other homework is expected from them... at this time. I've explained that doing the Eureka math pages from the Succeed book counts as extra credit in my gradebook. Of course doing the Succeed math pages will help 2nd graders score higher on tests. Third grade homework consists of 20 minutes of nightly reading, math facts practice and one page of Eureka every day. The Eureka math page is a math review of concepts recently taught in class. It is important that students internalize all math facts in multiplication (within 100) by the end of the year, so regular practice is essential. |
person ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA):
READING Your second & third graders should be reading 20 minutes at home daily. Some picture books are quite sophisticated and worthwhile for 8-9 year olds. Given their maturity levels, it is still wonderful to share reading with your child; you can read one page and s/he can read the next. Take turns and enjoy the bonding experience. You will be modeling the love and importance of reading! Otherwise, I am encouraging my students to read chapter books this year in third grade. Not only will your children be reading a variety of fictional stories, but we will do 50% of our reading in non-fiction sources. Both grade levels will be Flex reading this year once we analyze reading comprehension scores. This means that they will be placed in a reading group at their comprehension level. These groups are fluid, meaning students will join other groups based on the results of reading assessments administered every 8 weeks. Look for Scholastic News coming home at least every other Wednesday. WRITING Writer's Workshop: Our First trimester will teach the elements of writing a good personal narratives, with a proper beginning, middle and ending. Much of our writing will be based on students' true life stories. Second trimester writing focuses on the writing of informational pieces. The big writing project for 2nd graders will be an animal report. For 3rd, a biography report. Lastly, during the third trimester we will present aspects of opinion writing to both grade levels. |
MATH: Union School District's Common Core Math Instruction is Eureka Math. In second grade, we learn about 3 digit addition and subtraction, money values, telling time on an analog clock, basic goemetry, and logical problem solving. ** Sometimes the first module can be challenging as we get comfortable with the language of Eureka Math: Read, Draw, Write. In third grade the year begins with an in depth study of multiplication, presented as repeated addition. Math facts in second grade are addition and subtraction to 100. **Please work with your child in the memorization of multiplication and division facts from 1 - 10s. In 3rd grade the second trimester continues with multiplication and division facts. After January moves on to concepts of area and perimeter. **Every Friday is Fun Friday Math for 20 - 30 minutes ... The fabulous, fun websites (and apps) we use include: Blooket, mathplayground.com. toytheatre.com ... + Happy Numbers - new on the Classlink page Of course there are a myriad more. ... It is as easy as Googling it! Major Skills Areas -Develop close reading /comprehension skills (Guided Reading) Explore map skills, government, ancestors, people in history, producers/consumers - |
SOCIAL STUDIES:
3rd graders study the four regions of California; California Native American Tribes; California's early explorers as well as our local economy and government. 2nd graders explore map skills, government, ancestors, renowned people in history. SCIENCE - In 2nd grade students watch Mystery Doug videos and perform some hands-on experiments, "Material Magic" in Mystery Science. We also cover these science units: Observing our World, Plant Adventures, Animal Adventures , Works of Water. 3rd grade studies consist of 3 units: physical, life and earth sciences. In the fall, students explore concepts of magnetism and forces, followed by an earth science unit on weather. Our last unit of the year is devoted to studying animals and plants. Both grade levels will learn about the scientific method. FUN PLACES IN THE BAY AREA: ***I recommend the Lawrence Hall of Science, in Berkeley, as a great weekend destination. It has great instructors and hands-on experiences! Oakland & San Francisco Zoo Monterey Bay Aquarium Cool Science Websites: PBS for kids Kids Astronomy Planet for Kids NASA for kids Animal website National Geographic - Pigs A-Z Animals VIRTUAL: San Diego Zoo (With many zoos, a virtual tour is available) Pigs - Animal Corner Types of Pigs Spiders - Animal Corner ** All the pig recommendations are to get children ready for reading , Charlotte's Web, at the end of third grade. Black Holes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pAnRKD4raY The Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8I25H3bnNw Our Spinning Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0-GxoJ_Pcg |