So much to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving, Owl Families!!!

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. These second graders quickly realized just how much they truly were thankful for!

Wonderful job to all on our family homework assignment. I can proudly say that all turkeys have been saved! I can't seem to find a single turkey in the bunch....job well done!

    

Since the start of the school year, I have realized just how lucky and thankful I am to be a member of the SMS community. Thank you all for sharing your amazing children with me each day and for your support and collaboration during this second grade year! I couldn't do it without you!! As if all this wasn't enough, I was surprised with the most thoughtful "thankful" bouquet on Wednesday! Thank YOU all for this wonderful gift (and an extra special thanks to Lisa Anderson for putting it all together!). It is something I will cherish forever! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Coming Up:

-SMS Book Fair Preview Date: Tuesday, Dec. 2nd

-SMS Book Fair Shopping Date: Wednesday, Dec. 3rd
-PTO Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, Dec. 6th, 8:00am-10:00am

*December Related ArtsSchedule:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
30	1 PE	2 STEM	3 Library	4 Music	5 PE	6
7	8 Art	9 PE	10 STEM	11 Library	12 Music	13
14	15 PE	16 Art	17 PE	18 STEM	19 Library	20
21	22 Music	23 PE	24 NO SCHOOL	25 NO SCHOOL	26 NO SCHOOL	27
28	29 NO SCHOOL	30 NO SCHOOL	31 NO SCHOOL	1 NO SCHOOL	2 NO SCHOOL	3

Owl Pellet Dissection!

On Friday, our scientists put their skills to the test by dissecting owl pellets (a HUGE hit among our owl class!)!

Each student received their very own owl pellet to dissect. They quickly got to work digging out the bones!

 The room sure was buzzing as each scientist discovered more and more bones in their owl pellets! Collaboration was at its finest :)

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After they finished their dissection, the real work began! They were challenged to identify the type of animal the owl had eaten based on the bones they uncovered. It was hard work, but these scientists drew some excellent conclusions!

Check out this AMAZING website, Kidwings-Virtual Pellet, to learn all about owl pellets and to complete a virtual dissection experience with your child!

We love science!!

                                       

Nov. 16th News

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Ms. Arnold’s Classroom News (11/16/14)

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What We've Been Up To:

It may have been short, but our week sure was productive!

*Publishing Party: On Friday we had a BLAST celebrating our Kevin Henkes-inspired stories! Students demonstrated their ability to learn from illustrator mentors in their animal diaries, and this time around they demonstrated their ability to write like our mentor author! Bravo, writers! Their amazing stories were sent home on Friday. I hope you enjoy reading them!

   

Check out a sample story, courtesy of Destiny!

 

 

The end of this fabulous writing unit lends itself nicely into our next unit: realistic fiction. Afterall, Kevin Henkes' stories are all realistic fiction (well, except for the whole mouse thing!). Students began exploring this genre this past week and will begin developing complex characters this upcoming week.

*Science: This week, the owl class was empowered to see themselves as scientists. 

 

  

After lots of discussion as to what is science, what is a scientist, and what do scientists do, they were ready to begin the work of scientists! On Thursday, Mr. Goldsmith came to observe them (and me!) in action. We looked closely at how scientists always begin with a question: something they want to understand or prove. First, we brainstormed a lot of questions. They quickly learned that some questions can be considered "research questions"--questions we could look up in a book, on the internet, or interview someone to find an answer; whereas other questions could be experimental. Next, they took the time to explore the question: What makes a ball bounce well? Working in table teams, each student received a different ball, and they went to town trying to answer that question! What they learned: they had a lot more questions! 

We will continue this great science work for the next several weeks---and then apply these skills for life!

*Report Card Envelopes: Report cards were sent home on Friday. Please return the envelopes, with your signature, on Monday, Nov. 17th. You should have received a copy of your child's progress notes when we met for parent conferences. If you need another copy of this document, or have any questions, please just let me know!

*Recess: Students go outside for recess everyday unless it is raining or dangerously cold. Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing to stay warm. As always, please make sure all clothing has your child’s name in it so we can help keep things from getting lost.

Have a great week!