Language Arts: L.2.4e, L.3.4d

Dictionary Skills

Give each pair of students a dictionary and a slip of paper. Have the partners search the dictionary, looking for a word they do not know. Ask one student from each pair to write the word on the paper slip and place it in a container. When each pair has contributed a word, draw a slip from the container and write the word on the board. Instruct each twosome to find the word in its dictionary and silently read the definition. Then invite a child to share the definition aloud. Continue in the same manner for each remaining word.

Math: 2.MD.C.8

Counting Coins

This "cent-sational" idea is too sweet to pass up! Obtain a class supply of plain sugar cookies, frosting, and toppings. Prepare a grade-appropriate menu that includes prices and make student copies of it. Arrange the food items, plastic knives, and napkins on a table for student access. For easy management, arrange for a volunteer to monitor students when they visit the table.

To begin, give each student a price list, a piece of scrap paper, and a resealable plastic bag containing enough imitation coins to give the exact change for each food item. Ask each student to refer to her menu as she calculates how much a sugar cookie and desired decorations cost. Check her work, have her present you with the exact change, and then invite her to prepare her sugar cookie snack.

Print-and-Use Sentence Strips

Shake It Up

This quick-prep center gives students practice combining sentences.

Materials:

• set of the sentence strips, cut apart and placed in a bag
• paper

A student draws two strips from the bag. He reads the sentences and decides how to combine them. The child records the compound sentence on his paper and returns the strips to the bag. He then shakes the bag and repeats the process. He continues as time allows.