Expanding Our Research Skills

The second grade students have been learning important research skills the past few weeks.  We have learned to locate information in print sources such as encyclopedias, atlases and informational (non-fiction) texts.  They have learned to use an index, table of contents and glossary to locate information.

This month, we began a group study on endangered animals.  The boys and girls took a KWL pretest to show what they know about endangered animals and to make a list of questions they would like to learn.

Last week, we continued to practice how to take research notes.  The students learned to use bullets for their notes and to capture important phrases that will remind them of the information they were hearing. The students have taken notes during the oral reading of a book and then while watching a video on endangered animals.  We combined the notes the students made and I typed them up for the class.  This week, they will work with a partner to record notes from an online encyclopedia article.  They will be using a highlighter to focus in on key facts.

In the computer lab, we have continued learning more about Power Point.  Once everyone had a slide presentation open, we reviewed/learned how to insert a text box, move it on the slide and how to save our work.  The students also reviewed how to format a text box for font style, size, color, bold, underline and italics.  Next, they learned to insert shapes and format them for fill color, size and position on the page. 

Understanding the basic tools and functions of this program will transfer in the application of other Microsoft products and web based slide show applications.  Power Point is a good slide show program, but it is also great for digital story telling, book reports, posters, and even holiday cards.  Primary students soak up the functions with minimal instruction.  When my own children lost their "computer gaming privileges" for one offense or another, they would always say, "But can we still do Power Point?"

If you have Power Point available on a home computer, consider allowing your child to practice.

In Spanish, Señora Gates is working with the students on greetings and numbers through twenty.  This week they played a game on the Smart Board and had to translate words form Soanish to English and from English to Spanish.

We ended our day working at our Exploratory areas.  Several students have finished their first center and have chosen a second.  Ask your child about his/her current Exploratory task.

Have a great week!