A Wonderful Last Wednesday!

We had a wonderful last Wednesday together today!  I cannot believe that tomorrow is our last day of school and today was our last full day of school.  This year has gone by so fast!!!

Nutrition Class
This morning we started off with our last Nutrition Class with Ms. Zapata.  She talked with us about the importance of protein and exercise to keep our muscles strong.  We did some jumping jacks and ran in place for one minute.  Afterwards, we worked on our arm and ab muscles by doing push ups and held a plank.  Then we enjoyed hummus that Ms. Zapata made with pita bread and cracker.  Several of the students really liked the hummus (even trying to lick their plate clean), so she shared the recipe. :)

Last Writing Sample
I had the students write one last personal narrative today about anything that they wanted.  After they finished writing, I shared with each student their writing sample from August - they were amazed as how much they have grown as a writer!!!  This is coming home with your child today - so take a look at it tonight!!

Lunch Bunch
We had a wonderful End of the Year Lunch Bunch today at the pavilion!  The weather was a little cool when the sun went away and the wind came out, but even that couldn't dampen our lunch together.  Check out the pictures from lunch here.

Memory Book/Yearbook Signing
After lunch, all of the 2nd grade enjoyed time together signing yearbooks and memory books.  I know that they have many different memories from this year with their friends - so they can look back at these books and remember their 2nd grade year!

Celebration
Ian brought in birthday treats today that we enjoyed after specials.  Your child is probably bringing home a cool emoji ring today! :)  Our 2 days left of 2nd grade celebration was being able to walk the track.  It was a great way to end the day!

Early Dismissal
Please remember that tomorrow is the last day of school and it is early dismissal.  School will dismiss at 12:10 tomorrow.  If you are wanting your child to go home a different way please call the office or send a note to school with your child.  The last day is always a little hectic & I do not promise that I will have an opportunity to look at emails during the day tomorrow.

Have a wonderful evening!

A Terrific Last Tuesday

What a terrific last Tuesday that we had together!

Assembly
We started the morning off with an assembly.  First, the fifth graders shared their graduation song with us.  Then, we said goodbye to Ms. Archer, Ms. Benson, and Mr. Jim who is retiring.  All of the students had learned a song to sing to Mr. Jim.  Mrs. Nichols also presented him with a certificate of appreciation.

Singing to Mr. Jim. :)

Movie Celebration
The students enjoyed watching the movie "Matilda" and then we compared it to our read aloud book.  You can check out pictures here.

Stuff Coming Home
We did a little cleaning this afternoon. Your child is bringing home a lot of belongings from their cubby today.  Please make sure that your child's backpack is cleaned completely out so that additional items can be sent home tomorrow.

Yearbook
If your child has a yearbook (sent home on Friday) and your child would like to have an opportunity for it to be signed tomorrow - please send it to school tomorrow.  All of second grade will have an opportunity to sign each other's Memory Books and Yearbook tomorrow.

Lunch Bunch
As a reminder, tomorrow is our End of the Year Lunch Bunch (11:00-12:00).  Please remember that there is not a huge number of picnic tables outside in the pavilion - if you would like to bring a blanket to sit on that would be great! :)  We are hopeful that the weather holds out, but if it's raining we will eat inside.

Magnificent Last Monday!

We had a magnificent last Monday together of 2nd Grade!  I am so glad that the weather held out all day and we had for the most part sunshine & warmth today.

This morning, we went on a hike to Rock Bridge State Park.  You can check out the pictures on Count Down to 3rd Grade Page.  For lunch, the kiddos were excited about getting to eat lunch outside with Ms. Peggy and Ms. Julie.  Then, this afternoon, they had a BLAST at Field Day.  You can look at pictures here & also view the video that Mrs. McKinzie put together.

Our celebration tomorrow is a movie.  We are going to watch "Matilda" and then compare the movie to the book.  If your child would like to bring a beverage to enjoy with their snack tomorrow s/he can.  Please remember no glass & smaller than 20 ounces.  Also, they asked about bringing a blanket and/or a pillow and we said yes. :)  Please make sure whatever items that your child brings fits into their regular size backpack.

I hope that you have a wonderful and peaceful evening - I know that I am going to crash when I get home!

4 Days of 2nd Grade Left

I cannot believe that this is my last blog that I will post on a Friday afternoon updating you on what we have done and what we will be doing next week!!  Our third trimester together has flown by!!

What's Been Happening in 2nd Grade

• Math: We have focused this week on telling time on an analogue clock.  The kids are getting really pretty good at it!  We talked about that there are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in a hour, and 24 hours in a day.  Your child should be able to tell the time on an analogue clock.  I understand that many of the clocks in our households are digital, but try to find an analogue clock this weekend and have your child show off for you!  We also have been playing addition and subtraction checkers to review either basic facts or multi-digit regrouping problems.  These are great games to play to practice math during the summer!  You can go here to print off basic subtraction.  or here to print off 2-digit problems.
• Writing: Since we have finished up all of our writing units the kiddos have been enjoying having a chance to free write.  There are some excellent examples of what your child can do on his/her own coming home in Friday Folders today.  We have also been writing about our 2nd grade memories as we complete a Memory Book book for the year.  It has been fun to see the kids reflect on everything that they have done and learned during 2nd grade!
• Reading:We have talked about adverbs this week and reviewed what a noun, verb, and adjective are.  The students are doing really well with this.  We continued to work on increasing our reading stamina during these last few weeks of school.  

End of the Year Countdown

As the year comes to an end, we have been having some extra fun these last 10 days together.  Check out what has been happening for the End of the Year Countdown here - there are LOTS of pictures!! :)  

• Our celebration on Monday is a hike to Rock Bridge State Park - please make sure that your child is wearing comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
• Our celebration on Tuesday will be watching the movie "Matilda."  We haven't popped this balloon yet, so keep it a secret.  :)  If students would like to bring a beverage and snack to enjoy during the movie they can.  Please remember the drink should not be in a glass container and less than 20 ounces.

Lunch Bunch

As a reminder, we have our End of the Year Lunch Bunch on Wednesday, May 24.  Our plan if the weather is nice is to eat in the pavilion at the back of the school.  There are some picnic tables, but if you would like to bring a blanket to spread out on the grass to eat you may.  Please remember to check in at the office before when you get to school.  We will be walking to the pavilion at 11:00 a.m., so please meet us in the room a few minutes before 11:00.  If you or your student needs a lunch from the cafeteria, we will walk them down to get their lunch and then head out to the pavilion.  Recess is at 11:25, students will have an option to go to recess at 11:25 or hang out under the pavilion.  

Field Day

Field Day is on Monday.  (It will be a busy day!).  K-2 Field Day is in the afternoon.  We will have an early lunch and then go outside at 11:30.  Please make sure your student have a full change of clothes (shirt, pants/shorts, underwear, socks and shoes) as there are water games at field day and the school is not providing a change of clothes.  We don't want them to be uncomfortable on the way home.

Nutrition

Ms. Zapata came again this week for our nutrition class.  She taught the students about the importance of the dairy group and calcium.  She did an activity to show them the different amount of fats in different types of milk (whole milk, 2%, 1% and skim).  She also talked with them about hidden sugars in items in the dairy group such as ice cream, chocolate milk and strawberry milk.  She showed the students how the calcium and Vitamin D in dairy foods help to fill in holes in their bones (which are normal at their age), so they will be stronger as they get older.  They had yogurt as a snack this week.  Next week will be our last nutrition class.  The students have really enjoyed learning about the different food groups.

Friday Folders

Friday folders are coming home today.  The folders are full today - so make sure to check through them carefully  - your child's Which is Better Writing is coming home today (also if your child completed the Six Flags Read to Succeed program their ticket is in there).  They do not need to be returned on Monday as this is the last Friday Folder of the year.  Thank you very much for signing and returning the folder throughout the year!  It is a great form of communication between teachers and parents.

Yearbooks
Also, if you ordered a yearbook earlier this year, your child's yearbook is coming home today.  We will have an opportunity to sign Memory Books (we have been working on these in class) and yearbooks on Wednesday with all of second grade.  If your child would like to have his/her yearbook signed please send it back in on Wednesday.

Share Time

Lydia brought in a robin's nest to share.

Vivian shared a story that she wrote.

Olivia shared crystals that she "mined" for.

Avery shared some geos and gave each kid a rock.

Have a wonderful weekend and I am looking forward to enjoying next week with your child.

Only 9 Days Left of 2nd Grade!?!?

I cannot believe that  our final countdown for the end of our 2nd Grade year has officially began!  This year has flown by, and I am so proud of how much your child has grown this year.  I was looking through student files and found your child's first piece of writing that s/he wrote in 2nd grade and they have change SO much as a writer.  You should be SO proud of your child!! :)

End of the School Year Countdown
We started our End of the School Year Countdown today - today we only had 10 days of school left this year.  For our countdown, each day we will have a small celebration.  Today the kiddos received a Blow Pop as a special treat.

On day 4 (Monday, May 22), we will be going on a hike to Rock Bridge State Park from 8:30-10:30.  This will be a surprise to the students (we will pop this balloon next Friday).  If you are available to come and hike with us, or meet us at Rock Bridge State Park with either water bottles of popsicles, we would love to have you.  Please do not mention this to your kiddo, but email me if you are available to come or willing to donate a cooling off option either at the park or when we return to school.

On day 3 (Tuesday, May 23), we will be watching the movie "Matilda."  Today we finished reading the book Matilda and the kiddos have so enjoyed the book!  We thought the kiddos would enjoy watching the movie.  The movie is PG.  Again, please do not share this with your child, we are wanting this to be a surprise also.

School Year Lasts
Today, we had our final Maker Space of the school year.  The kiddos were able to choose from magnetic tiles, Zoob Builderz, K'nex, and Legos.  Lots of fun was had building today!! :)

This week was our last week of Word Study and homework.

Today was also our last "official" day of reading intervention.  Each group had been working on a different project and all the students had a chance to share their projects in small groups.  These projects are coming home with your child today.

Nutrition Class
We had our third Nutrition Class with Ms. Zappata.  This week, she focused on fruits and vegetables.  The kiddos learned about the importance of eating a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables, and then we had a tasting party!  Ms. Zappata brought in red peppers, dried cherries, raisins, mandarins, sugar snap peas, jicama, and kumquat.  I had never heard of jicama before and it was really good.  The students also tried kumquat, which can be sour - make sure to check out the video!

Gentry Middle School Choir Assembly
On Tuesday, Mrs. Lenz (RBE's music teacher for the past few years) brought her middle school choir over from Gentry Middle School.  They sang a variety of songs, including songs from Wizard of Ox, Wicked and Trolls.

Trolls song with fun hair!!

Tuesday was also Adam's birthday so Dr. Link had 2nd grade sing to him!! :)

Writing
The kiddos enjoyed being able to write a variety of different types of writing this week.  On Wednesday, we had a special, small, green visitor in our classroom.  We found a turtle trying to get into the school on the way to lunch, so we brought him into the room.  The students wrote about the turtle on Wednesday, and their stories were AMAZING!!!  You can check out pictures of our adventures with the turtle here.

Yesterday, each student started writing a book that they had been wanting to write but hadn't had a chance yet to start.  Some students wrote a personal narrative, others let their creative juices flow and wrote a fictional story, and one student even tried out a historical fictional story.  You know that they are hooked as writers when over half the class came in and wanted to continue to work on their stories during morning work time today!

Next week, we will continue to work on writing that we started this week and also including some different prompts that the students will be writing to.

Reading
This week, we worked on comparing informational resources.  The students researched an animal using two different resources (PebbleGo and an article).  We will be using an H Chart next week to show what they learned from PebbleGo, the article, and information that was learned in both.

We reviewed compound words again this week for grammar and the kiddos made compound word flowers.

Next week, the kiddos will be making a reading project on a book that they really loved reading this year.  Their project will be an advertisement to encourage other students to read the book!

Math
This week, we finished up our graphing unit.  The students made a new survey question and collected data.  This time when we collected data we kept Ms. Mottaz and Mrs. Ross's class data. We introduced a double bar graph, and the kiddos made a double bar from their data.  Then they used the totals of both classes to make a pictograph.  We also made a double line graph of the temperature highs and lows of last week.  We have been working extremely hard on making noticings and analyzing the graphs that we make.

Next week, we will be reviewing addition, subtraction, and telling time.

Lunch Bunch
As a reminder, we have scheduled an end of the year lunch bunch for Wednesday, May 24 at 11:00.  If you have not had a chance to return your child's RSVP please do so by Wednesday.  I need to let the cafeteria know how many lunches to plan for.

A Few Presentations
Addi brough in a geo for the students to look at and everyone got a rock.

Also, Wes presented on climate change today.

To All the Moms -
Your child is coming home with a special Mother's Day present for you.  Each child was so excited to be able to make something for you - so it is full of LOTS of love.  I wish you a happy Mother's Day!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!