Second Grade Schoolwork

We're done with the first 4 weeks of second grade and slowly getting the hang of schoolwork and scheduling.  Neil did not have homework for the first 2 weeks so he had more unstructured time. The last 2 weeks though, we got busy making sure he gets everything done. There's a lot more this year compared to first grade. His regular schoolwork includes:
  • Reading journal. They're required to read at least 20 minutes per day and log the book title, author, number of pages and their opinion. We don't have a problem with asking Neil to read. He exceeds the time minimum easily logging is another story.
  • Spelling words. They get 10 spelling words per week that need to be incorporated into 3 activities. For example, using clay to spell the words or write them in alphabetical order, etc. It's easy but they also take time.
  • Vocabulary journal. More words. They copy the given definition and write sample sentences. Words may be added everyday.
  • Supplemental exercises on IXL.com and reflexmath.com.
They're also required to complete special projects every so often. Last week was a life timeline, i.e. identifying 8 activities with pictures and descriptions. Neil and I worked on this during the weekend and he submitted 4 days before the deadline. I actually enjoyed putting this together with him. Another special project is to monitor a specific tree and record observations once a month.

Timeline project. Richard took this photo at school during curriculum night.

Neil gets home from school at 2:30PM and theoretically there's enough time to complete all his schoolwork. Except that he gets distracted. Rich can't fully attend to him when Ela is awake, which is most of the day now. So while I'm still in the office, he just reads and does the math exercises on the iPad. Considering karate, dinner, and shower, there's really not much time before his target 8:30PM bedtime. I am the designated homework parent and I want him to enjoy the process but sometimes I have to turn into this un-fun taskmaster who badgers him to just get it done. We're still adjusting and I know we'll get better in the coming weeks.=)

We created a new study space for him by the dining area. He has outgrown his old Cars table and chair and deserved a more 'grown up' space.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Around the Internet 12.09.11

Image
This week's notable links are related to world population.  I tend to be interested in a subject, read about it and discover these links. 7 Billion on National Geographic .  Special series on the world's 7B population, with stories and discussions.  They have a counter of world population as well. 7 Billion Actions .  A site where anyone can upload a story, highlighting positive action.  I was checking through the site and was encouraged by all the good work that people do.  Really, we can be hopeful.  It's just a pity that only the sensational negative stories get highlighted in the media.  Positive stories are found right here.  And thanks to the internet for making this possible. What's Your Number?   7 billion is an overwhelming number.  This site let's you enter your birthday and plots you on the population chart and identifies your specific number (datapoint).  Of course this is not perfect and employs some algorithm to estimate where you are on the cha
Read more

It's Not Complicated: Samson and Delilah, Ruth and Boaz

Image
The last two topics for the preaching series on love entitled 'It's Not Complicated' were on Samson and Delilah, and Ruth and Boaz. ( Podcast here ) Samson and Delilah .  The story of Samson and Delilah can be found in Judges 13.  Before Samson was born, his mother was visited by an angel who said to her, "You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razorbecause the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”  Samson was destined to lead and deliver Israel from its enemies.  But we know that his life was far from simple.  He made personal decisions that changed the course of his life, including marrying Delilah, which eventually led to his death.  It's a tragic story and Pastor Joe explained why it happened to Samson - wrong place, wrong standard, wrong person. Samson, although he was set apart as a Nazirite, spent time in Philistin
Read more

Filipino Friday 3: Reading Habits and Book Formats

Image
Reading Habits and Book Formats . Where and how do you read? Can you read anywhere and everywhere, or do you need a certain place/mood/state of mind to get reading? Do you read more in the morning or at night or any minute that you can? Where and how do you usually read? Are you exclusively for print, or do you go for ebooks more than print? Have you ever tried audiobooks? I am old school.  Even as most books now have digital versions, I still prefer the physical, ink-on-paper variety.  I like holding a real book, flipping the pages and being able to see my progress based on the thickness of read/unread pages.  Somehow, I feel more engaged and focused reading a physical book vs. from a gadget. I very rarely reread books so most of my collection just sit on the shelf after I'm done with them.  I feel it's a waste of precious trees if they are not shared with others.  So I started a Google doc at work where the team can list down their collections and anybody interested in
Read more