Extending Units of Study for 2nd graders ?

[Tapnstitch]

I have been using Lucy Calkins' UOS for 3 years...this is my fourth. I LOVE it, but I need a way to extend some of the units for 2nd graders. I teach a multiage 1st-2nd class . Previously I taught Kg-1st multiage for 2 years. Consequently, my 2nd graders are in their third year with me, K then 1st and now 2nd. They have gone through UOS with great eagerness and success each year , but I need to find ways to extend their skills. Any suggestions? I have thought of doing some different units or trying to create ways to extend the existing ones. Several of my 2nd graders are quite skillful writers and I want to keep them moving along. I am looking for ways to teach paragraphs, for one thing. Thanks for any ideas you have!

 

[BookMuncher]

In looping with my class I've tried to extend them by doing different units. I was lucky that I never got around to Authors as Mentor last year. If I had, I'd have to do it again with a different author. Currently we're doing that unit with a focus on tiny topics and getting our zoomed pieces to be even more focused. We started the year with a reading/writing unit on storytelling that I made up.

I'm going to switch things up in December with a poetry unit. I think it will have a different feel in the winter and they are eager to build on what we did at the end of last year.

In the second half of the year, I'm going to do a two month unit on writing for change. Have you seen the AWESOME book, 2nd Grade Writers by Stephanie Parsons, of teacher's college?? It has maybe 4 units in it that are specially for 2nd grade and one of them is the writing for change one. I haven't bought it yet, but I'm ordering it. That might be something you could do. I think another unit might be writing about literature, which I don't know if I'll spend a whole unit on since I spend so much time at other times of the day doing it.

Also, since we looped and they are more independent, I'm going to do a unit tied in with nonfiction on indepednent research.

Pretty sketchy... but I'm excited!

 

[Jenny1st]

Me too!

I was just going to mention that we just bought the Stephanie Parson's book. It looks good, but we haven't done much with it. We've had it for just a week!

 

[Tapnstitch]

Thanks and request to Bookmuncher

I ordered the Stephanie Parson's book. Thanks! I also like Bookmuncher's idea about switching up the units and trying poetry in the winter. Poetry has been a particularly good unit for my students.. they have loved it. The first time I taught the unit I was a bit unsure, but children are natural poets!!! They loved it! Bookmuncher I would like to hear more about the unit that you began your year with. That sounds like a good one to do as well. Lots to think about!

 

[BookMuncher]

Hey Tapnstitch! Here's my blog where I wrote about that unit. Althought I tailored it for the beginning of the year, you could adapt it for storytelling language and story structure at this point of the year.

 

[Tapnstitch]

Thanks,

Bookmuncher! I appreciate you taking the time to respond. This new journey with 2nd graders is uncharted territory. I am enjoying the trip, though!