This time of year is always such a nice time to slow down and reflect on all that we have in our lives to be thankful for. I am thankful each and everyday to work with the amazing children and families of SMS!
*Global Read Aloud: The Global Read Aloud wrapped up this week, giving us time to reflect on this wonderful experience. Over the past six weeks, we have participated in the shared reading (sometimes reading via Google Hangout together!) of A Boy Called Bat, made new second grade friends all the way on the west coast, and were able to compare the similarities and difference between our two schools and each other. We had our final Skype connection on Friday and the Owls were THRILLED to be able to show the California kids our SNOW! They were so jealous! Many of them had never seen snow before and none of them had ever seen snow at their school! We are so fortunate for this connection we've made and hope to continue our friendship long after the Global Read Aloud. Check out some pictures of the final weeks of the GRA!
Creating Worry Monsters: some made scary monsters to scare worries away, while others created cute and cuddly monsters to provide comfort when they are feeling scared.
Our California friends made Worry Monsters too, so it was VERY fun sharing out monsters!
A favorite time was when we all curled up "together" to enjoy the next part of our story. Ms. Prestel would read a page, then I would read a page, and we would all enjoy the chapter in this fashion.
Many thanks to the Global Read Aloud Organization for making this opportunity possible. And of course, a huge thank you to Ms. Prestel's 2nd Grade Class in Irvine, California for being such an amazing connection!
*Writer's Workshop: With our Kevin Henkes stories wrapped up, it was time to switch gears and explore a new genre of writing: nonfiction! As these writers have spent the last several weeks reading nonfiction, they were more than ready to write nonfiction! Choosing a topic in which they are already an "expert" on (some chose football, kittens, or space, while others chose hockey, baseball, or elephants), students wrote a rough draft of a nonfiction book. Before embarking on the journey of writing published nonfiction books, each Owl took the time to evaluate their rough draft and set writing goals for their final piece. This is extremely complex, reflective work, but each Owl really rose to the occasion! It will be so fun watching these books take shape as we begin drafting the final copies.
*Reader's Workshop: The amazing readers in our classroom began organizing all the infomation the have collected on their nonfiction expert topics. Sifting through TONS of resources, including multiple books and Epic! (which I apoligize, does not look like can be used as a free resource at home), students made an elaborate plan of what information they would like to share at our upcoming "Expert Musuem". After listening to them practice with their reading partners, I have no doubt these readers will be able to share all their new found knowledge with museum visitors (we'll be inviting other second grade classes and our science buddies!).
*Science Buddies: Building off our individual outdoor learning space plans, during science buddies this week our task was to combine our thinking and create collaborative plans. Going from 60 to 8 plans is no easy task, but these buddies have shown they know how to communicate and be flexible when working with others! It will be fun closely examining these final plans over the next week and seeing which spaces could realistically become a possibility for construction! Stay tuned!
*Guest Reader: On Tuesday we had a VERY special guest reader! Mrs. Belanger joined us for a Thanksgiving story, but she did not come alone. Bringing her loveable pal, Ms. Peri (short for Periwinkle :)), the Owls got to meet, love, and enjoy Peri while also enjoying a silly story. Ms. Peri will be seen around SMS and will soon have "office hours" where kids can sign up to come and read to her! I'm certain we will have many takers :)
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Wishing all of the 2H families a very Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the extended break :)
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Questions to promote "School Talk":
-Who was our guest reader this week? Who was the loveable friend that they brought with them?
-What nonfiction book did you write this week? What is your writing goal for your final copy?
-What three facts will you share at our "Expert Museum" for your nonfiction reading topic?
-Which outdoor space did your group plan with science buddies?
-What is 49+83? Solve it using the "super speedy way"!
-What is happening in our read aloud Poppy & Rye?
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Important Dates:
-Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 21st-Nov. 23rd: No School (Thanksgiving Recess)
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