Wednesday December 4

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”  Albert Einstein

 Boy, it was cold today...keep bringing layers of clothes because lunch recess is always on unless it is pouring down rain!

Today we continued literature responses then looked for and shared strategies for "shortcuts" when solving addition and subtraction facts.

In the afternoon, we listened to the story of Little Red Riding Hood and wrote a retell of the story.  We discussed the features of a Fairy Tale and decided if this one met the description.  We also decided of Red Riding Hood learned a lesson or not.

If you are ordering books with a check, please return the order TOMORROW!  Online orders have until Saturday.

Thanks!  See you tomorrow!

Tuesday December 3

Hi everyone!

Today we walked the neighborhood for 40 minutes practicing pedestrian safety.  It was chilly, but we survived!  Thanks for dressing up so warmly!

Here is what the students said about today:

"I enjoyed hearing the story of King Midas and the Golden Touch." Beckett
"I made a cat face from the Magna Forms!" Miles
"I liked making my own book during choice time and Matthew was nice when he helped me spell words for my book." Alex
"We liked the pedestrian safety practice...it was a nice walk!" Lola, Thomas, and others...

Most of you returned your field trip forms- thanks!  We still need at least one more car with 3 or more available seats in order to transport everyone.  Let me know ASAP!

Please turn in book orders soon.

See you tomorrow!
(and happy 61st birthday to my wonderful mom!)

Monday December 2

I hope everyone had a nice break with family and friends!

We began our day interacting with an informational text called "Animals in Winter" which discussed how different animals survive the cold.  This week, the student will be writing what they know about animal survival during winter.

During math we learned a new game called "Cross the Pond" ...ask them what the game is about.

For art, we folded and cut snowflakes and learned more about how Wilson Bentley discovered how to photograph snowflakes.

We had day one of pedestrian safety course this afternoon.  Tomorrow we will go on a safety walk in the neighborhood....DRESS WARMLY!!!  :)

See you tomorrow!

Friday November 22

The second graders in room 13 are thankful....



For my family and my pet dog Sophie- Thomas
For my family and my pet dog Gyp- Jasper
For my family & my friends & house and food - Lola
My family my grandma because is really encourages me-Norah
My family and two pet cats- Kali
My food, water and family-Layton
My family and friends- Dah
My mommy daddy- Isabella
Animals and my family- Anders
My family and brother- Matthew
My family and my giant teddy bear because he is comfortable when I sleep- Miles
Food, water and and world because without the world we wouldn't be alive-Lauren
My mom and dad and my sister- Beckett
For God and what he made for us-Drew
For my dog Maxine because she is soft- Ezra
For my family and dog that died named Marvin- Copper
For my family and my dog- Sam
My family and food and water- Parker
My family and my hamster and two dogs that died- Ryder
My family and dogs because tell me when someone tries to break in my house- Cassidy
For Turkey my uncle's dog because he licks me!- Hensley
My family and my blanket because my blanket smells good to me!- Evalyn
My family and my two cats- Sophia

Your children are precious- enjoy your time together being thankful for every minute we have with them.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday November 21- Many Pictures of ant projects

Hi everyone!  Thank you for visiting today- there was a wonderful energy in the class today as the students put the finishing touches on their ant projects and readied the room for your visits. 
First, we practiced our presenting with Mrs, Neff's third graders....

I took a few pictures of their projects so we could all see...

 Then, all of the guests arrived and we began to present our projects and our books....

Wow!  I sensed that there was much sharing and learning going on!  The students are so excited to have you visit and we appreciate the time it takes to visit.  Keep learning about ants, you budding entomologists!  See you tomorrow!

Tuesday November 19

We had another busy day working on our own designs for ant projects.  There is a nice energy in the room as the students exchange ideas and develop them together into a "final project."  It is amazing the creativity that I witness watching them work.  Really amazing!

Ideas from the kids:

"I liked making a model of an anthill with Lauren." Cassidy
"It was nice that Ryder used his choice time to help with our project." Kali
"I enjoyed playing basketball with Beckett, Anders, Drew, and Sam because they all play fair." Jasper
"I really enjoyed designing my own ant projects." Beckett
"I liked playing 2 square with Layton because he is my friend and because he plays fair." Miles
"It was nice making a new friend Evalyn while we worked on an ant project together." Lola
"It was really nice of Matthew to help me with my project idea because it was was a really big project that needed more than one person to help!" Sam

Everyone was friendly and helpful as they worked on projects...
see you all tomorrow!

Monday November 18

Hi everyone.  Sorry I was gone on Friday, but it turns out I had strep throat...I'm on antibiotics and back on my feet, but just barely...I will have a very quiet voice for a few days.

We had a busy day...here is what the students had to say about their day:

"We really enjoyed creating the ant book!"  Beckett, Lola, Anders, Miles, Olivia, Evalyn & many others!
"Making the tissue paper turkeys was very fun because they really look like feathers on the turkey!"
Jasper, Anders, Cassidy & many others...

"It was great to play wall ball with Layton because he is so nice!"  Miles

Here are a few pictures of their ant book making:

Alex continues to have fun in Australia!  Here a picture of an interesting meal he had...

 

Yum?

And another from today!

Ok...see you tomorrow!