Celebrate World Maths Day!

Congratulations on a new World Record!
1,133,246 students and 56,082 schools from 235 countries have united to set a new world record by correctly answering 479,732,613 questions.

Wow! Students are exhausted after 48 hours of pure Maths driven determination to succeed. After competing in World Maths Day 2010 students received certificates of participation and a feeling of satisfaction that they participated in a very cool world wide event.

IST Grade 2m World Maths Day 2010 results:

After reviewing our result, students reflected upon their experience:

World Maths Day was so much fun! We enjoyed competing against other students from other countries and sometimes we even competed against other students from our own class. We felt that we all learned more Maths and became a little better at solving Maths problems. We enjoyed playing the games both at school and at home. We worked together, we did our very best and even though we did not reach our goal of 20,000 correct answers, we came very close AND we had fun! We can’t wait until next year and until then we are going to continue practicing in order to get better at our Maths.

“World Maths Day was so much fun! We almost reached our goal, we were so close. I tried my best to help my class reach our goal.” – Said

“You can dress yourself up (your avatar) and play with other students from other countries. Our teacher was even playing with other teachers! In the beginning it sounded kind of boring but it was so so fun!” – Aliyah

“I want to do World Maths Day again because people can learn more and get better at Maths. I think the whole world should do World Maths Day!” – Koby

“World Maths Day was by far the best Maths I have done in my life! I am going to keep playing and practicing. I am so glad that we got to play and learn at school and at home. I can’t wait until next year!” – Talin

Thank you World Maths Day – for helping us learn!

World Maths Day – 3 March!

Students in Mr. McKillip’s class will be competing in this year’s World Maths Day Challenge!

What is World Maths Day?

“Students play at home and at school against other students around the world in live games of mental arithmetic. Each game lasts for 60 seconds and students can play up to 500 games, earning points for each correct answer. The students who answer the most questions appear in the Hall of Fame. Students cannot select their level but will move up as they progress.”

“This is a truly unique world event and a fantastic way to promote numeracy. Past results show that students will make significant improvements in their mental arithmetic skills and have fun in the process.”

Today during Maths students logged in to the official World Maths Day website to test out their login, password and do a bit of practice. Students are welcome to log in and practice solving Maths problems from home. Be sure to check your child’s Link Book for their individual login and password.

The World Maths Day Challenge will take place on 3 March, 2010. Learn more about World Maths Day at www.worldmathsday.com

Reduce, Reuse and Make 3D Objects

Over the last few weeks students have been studying about 2D and 3D objects. We started this current Maths unit looking at points. We discovered that we can label points with a letter from the alphabet and then we can connect these points using a straight edge to form line segments. Line segments can be parallel (meaning they never touch one another) or not parallel.

We then learned that if we connect line segments to create a closed figure we can create polygons! There are many kinds of polygons – some of our favorites are the hexagon, octagon and the always popular trapezoid and parallelogram. What is your favorite 2D object?

We have been using Innovations Learning’s Shape Facts application to help us learn more about 2D shapes and lines of symmetry:

“When you can fold a shape in half, and one half exactly covers the other half, we can say that the shape is symmetrical. And the fold line is the axis of symmetry.

Some shapes have lots of different axes of symmetry, some have only one, and lots of shapes are not symmetrical at all.“

After exploring 2D objects, we began focusing our attention on 3D objects. We learned that 3D objects have faces. Faces are flat surfaces, like the front or top of a cereal box. 3D objects also have edges that are the lines along which two faces come together. 3D objects also have what are called vertex or vertices which are “points” on a shape or corners where several faces (and edges) come together.

After learning about 2D and 3D shapes/objects, we decided to put our knowledge into action. We used our recycled paper to create 3D rectangular pyramids and cubes. We had a lot of fun making 2D shapes and then transforming them into really cool 3D shapes!

Update for Our Families

Dear Grade 2 Families,

Welcome back from what we hope has been an enjoyable and restful holiday. As we settle back into classroom routines, we would like to take a moment to update you on various aspects of the Grade 2 curriculum for this first part of Term 3.

As is the IST policy, all Grade 2 students will be receiving homework two times a week. These activities are meant to be a review of what has been done in class and your child should be able to complete the homework independently. The purpose of homework for Grade 2 is not only to give extra practice but also to instill a sense of responsibility in students and prepare them for upper grades.

Maths
Your child is beginning to explore 3-D and 2-D shapes. Studying geometry helps develop spatial sense and the ability to represent and describe the world. Students will consider five basic kinds of 3-dimensional shapes: prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres. To sort the shapes, students will explore similarities and differences among them. They will become familiar with both the names of shapes and the terms for parts of shapes.

Students will also explore line symmetry as they experiment with matching two halves of an object and, when given half of a shape, will draw the missing half.

I Like to Move It, Move It
As we begin our next PYP unit of inquiry, we investigate the realm of Simple Machines. Each PYP unit has a core or central idea. Our central idea for Simple Machines states: “Simple machines are used to move objects in different ways and influence our daily lives.” Key concepts are ideas and concepts to help students gain a better understanding of the central idea. Our key concepts are: FORM: What is a simple machine? FUNCTION: How do simple machines work? What happens when they work together? CONNECTION: How do simple machines affect our daily lives? REFLECTION: What evidence have we collected to support this idea?

On this website under ‘Students‘ there is a list of internet games and resources that allow your child to further explore Simple Machines.

Literacy
In conjunction with this scientific, experiment-filled unit, we will be focusing on procedural writing. This includes making lists of materials and equipment, focusing directions in a chronological order of steps, numbering each step, using action words to start each short sentence, and using diagrams or illustrations for clarity.

Your child will continue to bring a book home from the classroom daily. Please ensure that your child has been written in the Link Book each day and reads for at least 15 minutes each night.

Spelling
Sitton Spelling proves to be a valuable resource to IST for several reasons. It gives additional structure and purpose to our ever developing language curriculum as well as, and more importantly, makes connections between spelling, writing and reading.

Occasionally we will send home Sitton Spelling letters to parents that explain a concept we are learning in class, followed by an activity to do with your child that allows for further practice. Unless otherwise noted, these activities are not required homework and do not need be returned to school, however, its completion is encouraged.

Grade 2 will have a great unit full of action and exploration. Please ask your child what is being done at school and read updates here on IST Grade 2.

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments. We are looking forward to another great term!

With Enthusiasm,
The Grade 2 Team

Maths Workshop for Parents

Parents you don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about Maths at IST Elementary!

Learn about Everyday Math and other curriculum tools used by our classroom teachers. Find out what you can do at home to support Maths learning – making connections between school and home.

We hope to see you there!!!

Data Handling – Handle With Care!

Over the last few weeks, students have been investigating different way of collecting, displaying, reading and interpreting data. Students have been learning how to create and compare sets of data using tally charts, bar graphs and pictographs. Below is a great game from BBC KS2 Bitesize to help students demonstrate and practice these data handling skills.

For more interactive games listed by subject, please visit our STUDENTS page.

What’s Happening in Maths

Dear Grade 2 Families,

As we begin the new term, we’d like to inform you of the Mathematics concepts and benchmarks we’ll be covering as we start Unit 3 using Everyday Math. We have included some ideas for you to try at home to help us reinforce the following Mathematics concepts.

Measurement: Time
Students will be continuing to read and record time using the hour and minute hands on an analog clock. You can reinforce this concept at home by drawing your child’s attention to the clock when talking about what time events in your schedule occur and asking them read the clock.

Data Handling: Grouping and Graphing
We will also be working on reading and representing data through the use of bar graphs. You could have your child take inventory of your pantry or possibly clean out the change jar sitting on your dresser. Have your child create a bar graph to represent the data they collect.

Number: Place Value and Money
Your child will be reading, writing, and comparing numbers from 0 to 999. We will begin by reviewing place value, or the meaning of each digit in a number. For example, in the number 352, the 3 represents 3 hundreds, the 5 represents 5 tens, and the 2 represents 2 ones. If you see a multi-digit number around the house or while you are out and about, you might try asking your child how many tens, hundreds, ones, etc.

Money concepts will continue to be developed. This includes finding the values of coins, identifying different coin combinations, and making change. Due to the international representation of our students, we do not focus solely on one type of currency. The focus is shifted from names of individual currencies to the skills behind all currency, which is addition and subtraction of various denominations. One exception is the Tanzanian Shilling.

We will be introducing the students to the name and symbol of the currency used here in Tanzania as well as mathematical practice using the local currency. To accomplish this we need your help! It’s time to search those drawers around the house and explore what is under your couch cushions. Each class is in need of T-Shilling coins and bills in the denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. We would be most appreciative if you could donate whatever loose change you have so that we can use as learning manipulative for the classroom. Please put it in a bag or envelope inside your child’s folder by Friday, October 30th. Thank you in advance for any contribution you make!

As a reminder, all of the aforementioned concepts can be practiced at home by visiting the Grade 2 website. Under the ‘students‘ link there are many games and resources available for your child to practice in order to build mastery. Working together, your child’s understanding of these concepts will flourish.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments.

Fondly,
The Grade 2 Team

Thinking About Numbers

Grade 2 students at IST have been busy working on finding different ways to represent numbers. Students used addition and subtraction number models, tallies, pictures, money, geometric figures and many other ways to demonstrate what a number could represent.

Over the last few days students in each of the grade 2 classes have been working in small groups to record various ways of illustrating numbers by creating posters. Students used these posters to present their ideas and thinking about numbers to the rest of their class.

The posters pictured here are from the Buzzing Bee’s in Ms. Nikitas’ Class.

Minibeast Maths Homework

Students have been assigned a homework task this week – Minibeast Number Story Homework. For this assignment, students are to draw a picture to illustrate their Minibeast Number Story. Students then write their Minibeast Number Story including a beginning, middle and end using complete sentences, correct spelling and punctuation.

Students may choose to create an addition or subtraction story. Students must conclude their story with a question. They are to write a number sentence including the answer to explain their story in numbers including the operation and label.

Minibeast Number Story Homework

The Minibeast Number Story must be completed on or before Tuesday, 13 October.

Everyday Addition Strategies

Grade 2 has been spending some extra time this past week focusing on different ways to do Addition. Students not only need to understand HOW to use a Maths algorithm to find an answer but also explain WHY they are doing so. Students have been introduced to a number of different addition strategies. The following is a brief explanation of those strategies taken from the Evan-Moor series, Building Math Fluency.

IST uses the Everyday Math series for daily Maths instruction. For more information and resources using Everyday Math – click on the Free Family Resources.

For additional Maths resources, strategies and extra help at home for Grade 2 students, try IXL Maths or other resources listed on the IST Grade 2 Website. If you have a site that you would like added to our list, please do not hesitate to add the site as a comment on this posting.