Happy Spring, Explorer Families!
Hope you are keeping those allergies at bay and enjoying our Spring weather! It's been a busy couple weeks since I last posted. Thanks for your patience! Hope I can give you the proper lowdown; let's get to it!
First of all, I'd like to thank our wonderful chaperones who joined us yesterday on our Explorit Field Lesson. Hands-on science always brings out some extra energy and excitement from our 2nd grade scientists and your ability to harness and channel it in the right direction is commendable! I hope you were able to enjoy some joyful learning, too.
May is Bike Month: Monday, May 2nd, will be the official kick off of May is Bike Month! We are all encouraged to ride our bikes often this month. I will be recording trips (10 minutes = 1 trip) daily at Morning Meeting. I will turn in weekly recording sheets on Tuesdays and students who rode their bikes will receive a small prize the following week. I've talked to our class about honest reporting (I will model this as well); and that honesty is a greater reward than a small prize we did not truly earn. I'm hoping to get some good riding in, too!
Curriculum Highlights:
Science: We enjoyed rotating through: an Inquiry Lab--where we explored hands-on exhibits; a Discovery Lesson--where we made observations on substances that had solid and liquid properties; and a Nature Safari--where we searched for, caught, observed, and released insects. Many thanks to the Explorit staff for putting together a great combination of learning stations for 110 second graders--not an easy feat!
In our classroom lab, we conducted group experiments exploring questions we have regarding whether a seed will grow under certain conditions. We have been following the Scientific Method and are in the process of collecting our observational data.
Reading/Science/Language Arts: We continue our reading on endangered animals. We chose an endangered animal and researching specific facts about them. What you can do at home: help your researcher find more info through books and sites.
Writing: Besides our informational writing, we continue on with our persuasive writing using the acronym OREO (Opinion, Reason, Example/Elaboration, re-state Opinion), and we are also delving into poetry.
Social Studies: We spent last week reading and talking about Earth Day/Being a good steward to the earth. Students wrote acrostic poems using the word EARTH. They are sublime! We look forward to sharing them at Open House on May 25th.
Math: Students took their Measurement test on their Chrome books instead of paper (I'm getting techie!).
2nd Grade Quotes of the Week:
During Morning Meeting, we talk about how April is ending and May is next week already! Alexis shares, "Guess what? In Mexico, April 30th is Kids Day! It's when we celebrate kids!" Everyone cheers excitedly and Callie declares above the din, "Way to go, Mexico!"
And one more...
I am circulating during Chrome book time and Zaed says to me, "You smell good." I smile and say, "Thank you, Zaed." He continues, "You smell like an orange. I like it."
Happy Kids' Day!
Mrs. A