Mrs. Topolosky's Web Page - Winter Updates!!
Welcome to Basic Skills!
Basic Skills is a program in which we support the reading, writing and math instruction in the classroom. Repetition and extra practice encourage success.
The program is designed to support both the reading and math curriculums. Students work in small groups and lessons focus on skills and strategies.
In addition to reviewing and practicing concepts taught in the classroom, Basic Skills uses Recipe for Reading, a visual, auditory and kinesthetic program that teaches sound/letter correspondence and correct letter formation.
Students will build their sight vocabularies by the use of games and flashcards.
Students will learn how to blend words and use other reading strategies to figure out unknown words.
A reading web site you may visit for games and activities:
The second grade Basic Skills program in reading includes a review of phonics rules using the Open Court program and the development of strategies that good readers use. It also stresses the development of reading fluency, expression and comprehension skills.
A reading website you may visit for games and activites:
www.thekidzpage.com/learninggames/learningonline.htm
UPDATE: In Basic Skills, second graders are still working in guided reading groups.Students are assessed frequently, to ensure that they are reading from appropriately-leveled books. We are continuously focusing upon improving our ability to read with fluency and expression. Our discussions include answering reading comprehension questions at the end of each guided reading session.
In addition, instruction at this time includes daily practice to read and spell specific letter clusters, so that students become more proficient in decoding unknown words. The more letter patterns they know and are confident reading, the better they will become at unlocking unknown words!
We are building our sight word vocabulary using our very own flashcards and playing games like "Sight-Word BINGO" and "Roll-a-word"! Please ask your child to talk to you about what kinds of activities we do in class. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Thank you.
Math
The Basic Skills program is designed to support the Everyday Mathematics program which is used in your child's classroom. Students work on math skills and strategies within a small group setting.
The Everyday Mathematics program offers the students a broad background in mathematics. It offers a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations, a variety of formats for frequent practice of basic skills, an instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly and a curriculum that explores mathematical content beyond basic arithmetic.
FIRST & SECOND GRADE UPDATES:
UPDATE: Currently, in Basic Skills Math, first graders are provided with support in the areas of measurement, telling time, reading thermometers, counting coins and understanding place value and "More Than" and "Less Than" number models.
Basic skills students use many math manipulatives to help them with problem-solving. Base-ten blocks, plastic coins,JUDY clocks, number grids and dominoes are always on hand!
UPDATE: In Basic Skills math, second graders are still practicing using Everyday Math terms such as:number models, fact families, turn-around Facts, + 1 and + 0 facts, and doubles facts. Second graders are provided additional support in concepts being explored each day in their classrooms. Instruction supports the following areas of instruction: using estimation, use of the partial-sums algorithm, change-to-less/more number stories, and solving parts-and-total problems. Basic skills math frequently provides opportunities for students to practice playing Everyday Math games.
These games are especially helpful to reinforce E.M. concepts and improve problem-solving skills. Future instruction will include reviewing addition and subtraction strategies of two-digit numbers.
Some topics covered in first grade math include:
Number and numeration
Operations and Computation
Data and Chance
Geometry
Pattern, Functions and Algebra
One-to-one correspondence
Counting & tallies
Telling time to the hour & half-hour
Counting coins
Number stories & basic addition and subtraction facts
Some topics covered in second grade math include:
Counting coins
Calendars and clocks
Counting patterns
Review of addition and sutraction facts and strategies
Temperature
Geometry
Number stories
Place value
Kaboose is a web site for math games at every grade level.
Rainforest Maths (http://www.rainforestmaths.com/) a wonderful website for math games and practice.
I look forward to working with your child this year. Please revisit my site as it will be updated to reflect current skills being covered.
Thank you.
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