Solving Math Stories Using Bar Modeling

We absolutely L-O-V-E bar modeling because we can show how we solve math stories, or word problems in an engaging and challenging way!
The children have been working hard to solve each math story by answering these four questions:
1.  What do we already know?
2.  What type of bar model would work best to solve this math story?
3.  What question(s) are we trying to answer?
4.  Are there any "hidden" questions to answer? (may require multiple steps)

Here are several examples of students writing their own math stories using the app Educreations on our iPads, and then demonstrating their mathematical thinking and problem solving skills using bar models.

After creating and solving our own math stories, we swapped iPads and solved another classmate's math story.

Cole has written a part-part-whole math story and solved it using bar models.

We've used several different strategies to help us solve math stories, and your children really love the challenge of solving more complex math stories, so take a peek at some of the addition and subtraction word stories we have solved in class.  Please click below to practice your bar modeling skills using Thinking Blocks.

Erin uses technology to help demonstrate her mathematical thinking.

The answer is 127... what is the problem?  Trey demonstrates solid mathematical thinking by working backwards!

Bea proudly displays her math story using solid problem solving skills!

Common Core Standard 2.NBT.B.7 

Number & Operations in Base Ten

Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and subtract.

 Add and subtract within 1000, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method. Understand that in adding or subtracting three-digit numbers, one adds or subtracts hundreds and hundreds, tens and tens, ones and ones; and sometimes it is necessary to compose or decompose tens or hundreds.

Author Matt Tavares Visits

We were so excited to meet a real published author, Matt Tavares author of Zachary's Ball. He spoke to us about how he comes up with ideas, the writing process, publishing a book and demonstrating how he creates his illustrations. We learned so many helpful tips to become better writers and illustrators ourselves. It was reassuring to hear that Matt begins writing just as we do with our own writing! He often takes real experiences from his life (personal narratives) and adds in details from his imagination to make an interesting story. Thank you TESPTO for bringing us such an inspirational author! Many of Matt Tavares' books are available for purchase through TESPTO, please look in your child's backpack for an order form if you are interested.

Click on the author's name to learn more about the journey Matt Tavares has traveled to become an author.

Matt demonstrated the importance each illustration plays in "telling his story in pictures."

Matt Tavares has been drawing since he was in 2nd grade. WOW...can you imagine with practice what you can accomplish!

Family Traditions

Happy Thanksgiving Second Graders!

Please read the question below and double-click on the wall.  Fill in your name (first name ONLY) and then answer the question.  Remember to write in complete sentences, use capital letters and correct punctuation.

Created with Padlet

Common Core Standard Addressed: W.2.6

Writing Production and Distribution of Writing
With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.

Inferring Character Traits

The children have uncovered character traits as they're read several favorite realistic fiction titles. Take a peek at our hard work below.  Amazing Grace has fast become one of our class favorites, the children learned  and through inferring character traits we have learned more about

Your Voice, Your Vote, Gives YOU Power!

The children have been studying the similarities and differences between our local and state governments, how they work and the children experienced first hand the responsibilities of being an informed voter!  We invited the Steward School second graders to participate in voting with us for a new Massachusetts governor.  Take a peek at some of the future leaders of our community and state.

"Name please, you're all set."  Nice job Alex!

Someday when we're 18 years old, we will be able to vote!

Every vote counts!

Our "mock election" was so close. The winner is....  Martha Coakley 34 votes & Charlie Baker 33 votes.

The children wrote first drafts of their governor speeches and are ready to hit the campaign trail. Students were required to choose one idea to make our state better for its citizens and build on how they would achieve their goal.  I think we have an amazing group of civic minded citizens who I know will make a positive difference in the world!

Connor has some wonderful ideas if he becomes governor.

Bea, you are such a wonderful environmentalist!

What a great game plan Bea, watch out Charlie Baker!

Once the results were tallied it was clear that it was going to be a close race to determine our new governor.  Here are the results we used to create our bar models during math.  Once we calculated that there were 67 second grade voters, the children were told that the winner won the election by one single vote and they were asked to calculate the missing data.  Here are several examples of students demonstrating their thinking using bar modeling. W-O-W... very impressive!

Cole created two part-part-whole bar models to demonstrate the number of students who voted for Coakley & Baker.

Lincoln invited his grandfather to our classroom recently and we learned how the town budget helps to support our school and other projects and services in our town.  The Selectman discussed the importance of voting when we turn 18 years old, and the students learned the importance of their voice in local, state and national governments.

Topsfield Selectman, Lincoln's grandfather visited our class recently to discuss the town's budget.

H-A-P-P-Y H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N

The children enjoyed making chenille & beaded spiders, writing their names in cursive and decorating them into spooky and interesting creatures, playing pumpkin bingo and finally wrapping one another up like mummies using toilet tissue.  We all had a blast, and would like to send a special thank you to all the family members who joined us.  The children's costumes made me smile....some were "scary," sweet and funny... but all were creative!  A special thank you to our room mother, Mia's mom for her strong organization and for planning a memorable Halloween event.