2H Class Blog!: Second Grade is Underway!

What a super, jam packed week we had! It's hard to believe it was only a four day week (WITH an early dismissal involved!)---we did SO much! Thank you to all who were able to make it out to Curriculum Night. If you were unable to make it and would like a copy of the grade 2 presentation emailed to you, just let me know! Check out some of the phenomenal work your second graders had on display!

Honoring and respecting all the wonderful and diverse ideas we will have this year!

Celebrating all the amazing things we may be just "ok" and all the things we are "better than ok" at!

*We have our Readers Workshop up and running and students have been eager to read! This week, students were reminded of strategies of finding just right books (and why it's so important that their books are just right!), had a chance to "shop" for their book bins, and continued to build their independent reading stamina!

*After reading the book Chrysanthemum, we also talked about the importance of being kind and using kind words. After the story, we completed a "wrinkled heart" activity which sent a powerful message:

*Since we'll be working hard as scientists all year, we completed some activities to help understand just what are scientists. What do they do? What tools do they use? How are YOU like a scientist? They're thinking like scientists already!!

Later in the week, we completed our first Mystery Science activity, which had us asking "How do scientists know so much?" The answer? They are curious, make careful observations, and ask lots and lots of questions! During this activity, we looked carefully at our hand and made some initial wonderings. Next week, students will choose a different object to observe.

*On Friday morning, we had a BLAST decorating our writing folders! Thank you for your help in sending in pictures to help personalize their folder. Between photographs, magazine clippings, and handmade illustrations, these folders are truly a unique work of art! As mentioned, these decorated folders will serve as inspiration for their writing for the remainder of our year.

*New this year, 2H has the opportunity to collaborate with KMM and 2D for some exciting, cooperative work! We've met with our "Science Buddies" three times already this year, and the teamwork and flexibility we've seen has been OUTSTANDING! Working in groups towards a common goal, these scholars are learning a lot about what it means to be a member of a team! Be sure to ask your child about this exciting adventure.

A collaborative drawing of a village!

A collaborative drawing of a universe!

These superstars created an entire city in just 10 minuntes!

*Early last week, our first Scholastic Book Club order form was senthome. There are a lot of exciting, new books in the catalogs to chose from as well as from the Scholastic Book Club website. You can place orders online using our classroom code: HXF8D or you can send a paper order into school. Book orders are wonderful because not only do they allow families to order books to have a home at a special low price, but every order also earns points for teachers to use on books for the classroom! Our first order will need to be entered online, or returned to class, by Monday, Sept. 10th. Once all orders are placed, it will take about one week to have the books delivered.