Week of 12/16

We just have a few more days of school until Winter Break.  Winter break begins on Dec. 23 and goes until Jan. 3.  The only homework students have over break is to read.  They are welcome to turn in their reading log this Friday if they are afraid they will forget.  I also sent home the Roaring Reader form.  This is a great time to begin to fill that out to get the Roaring Springs tickets.

We have been studying Christmas traditions in other countries.  Each country has an art project that goes with it so our room is looking quite festive with all the Christmas decorations.  Students will be bringing all their Christmas art home on Friday so you can add them to your own decorations before Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Students will be performing this twice on Friday, December 20th: 9:00 am and 10:00 am.  Students may wear their pajamas on Friday. They are doing well and are excited for the performance.

Thank you for all the wonderful props.  I believe the only thing we don't have is a sort of Santa coat (red coat).

I hope you all enjoy the Christmas holiday.  I am thankful to be able to teach your second grader.

Week of 12/9

I will begin with the most exciting news . . .

Performance
On Friday, December 20th, Students will be performing a Reader's Theater version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."  They will be performing twice. Once at 9:00 am and then again at 10:00 am.  Students get to dress up in pajamas that day. You are invited to come watch one or both performances.  I wanted to let you know early so you can mark your calendars.

Christmas Gifts
Mrs. Osgood's second grade class is selling ornaments for $1.  If your child wants to buy any, they are available all week to purchase.

Homework
This week normal homework came home.  Next week I will only be sending home a reading log.  Roaring Reader reading log came home last week.  It must be completed and turned in by March 20th in order to receive the Roaring Springs tickets.  Christmas break is a great time to get some of that extra reading in.

Props
This week we need to begin collecting props.  Anything that resembles the item on the list works.  We love homemade things.  If you have anything that would help, please send it in with your second grader.

Christmas tree
stocking
wrapped presents (empty)
stuffed dog
horns (antlers)
read thread
fire place
chimney
log (for the fire)
cans of food
bags or sacks (that Santa would stuff everything into)
cup
sleigh
Santa suit or something like it

Week of 11/18

This is our final week of November.  Thanksgiving week is next week so there will be no school from November 25th - 29th. 


We finished our unit on the diversity of animals.  We learned how scientists classify animals.  We learned how to calculate how many different species of frogs are in one place.  We learned about different types of birds and their needs.  We also got to learn about animals that live in cavities in our area.  We ended our unit by building a prototype of a bird feeder and presenting it to class.
Here are a couple images of our experience:

Cavities in the Cottonwoods Presentation

Students' bird feeder prototypes

Spirit Wear
The school is selling spirit wear.  Order forms are due December 6th.  Proceeds go to Mr. Boothby's STEM program.

Spirit Wear Order Form

Week of 10/28

October 31st: Book Celebration Day
On Thursday students may dress up all day in a character from Peter Pan.  We will watch Peter Pan and do Peter Pan activities throughout the day.

PJ Day/Marble Party
On Friday, November 1st students may wear pajamas to school.  Also, students earned another marble party and voted for a game day on Friday.  Students may bring card games or board games (no electronics) that they would like to play with classmates during our special game time.  We will be playing an assortment of games throughout the day. 

Conferences
Next Friday, November 8th, will be parent teacher conferences.  I sent a link to the conference sign up form yesterday.  I will attach a link here as well in case you didn't get that form.  I've received requests from 13 parents so far.

Conference Form

Science

Your 2nd grader is becoming a scientist in how they observe, ask questions and investigate to find answers.  They have been practicing these skills for a couple of months.  The past few weeks they have been learning about the diversity of animals.  They learned to categorize animals like scientists and they practiced identifying different types of frogs by the sound they make.  The next step is for students to become engineers and build something for an animal while considering the needs and characteristics of that animal.

Next week, we will begin working on engineering bird feeders.  The students will research local birds and their needs then build a model of a feeder that will meet those needs.  This is our first research activity so I will give students a lot of support.  If you would be willing to donate items for our feeders I have provided a list of items that we could use.  You don't need to go buy anything, but I know sometimes these items are already laying around the house.

If you would like to guide your 2nd grader in research, you could find information on birds that live in our area.  Discover what they eat, their size, how they eat, what kind of habitat they like (nearby plants and other animals).  Students can bring that information to class to share.  We will also be doing this research in class so the home research is only if you would like to learn more with your child.

Science Supplies (not required)
aluminum foil
8 oz paper cups
pipe cleaners
skewers
clothes pins

Week of 10/14

This is a short week.  Students don't have school on Friday, the 18th.  The following week is fall break, there is no school from October 25th - October 29th.

October 17th is our field trip to Linder Farms.  We are going to a farm so students need to dress appropriately.  They should wear closed toed shoes and have a jacket that is just right for the weather.  Gloves can be helpful since they have to pick up a pumpkin.  Students will go on a hay ride, go through the maze, pet some animals and select a pumpkin to bring home.

Because of the field trip there will be no Thursday math test this week.  We will resume after fall break.

Homework:  Homework came home on Monday and will be due October 28th.  If you are going to be busy over fall break and are concerned about forgetting about or losing homework, students are welcome to turn it in Friday and I will keep it safe.

Book celebration:  Students are welcome to dress up as a character from Peter Pan on October 31st.  We will celebrate the book.  We began reading it and students have been making a list of characters.  There are quite a few to choose from.  I will send you the list they made by the end of the week.

Science: If you would like to see some of the things students are learning in science there is a video under the links on the side of this post called Frog Mystery.

Week of 10/7

Upcoming Events

Field Trip to Linder Farms
We will leave the school at 10:15 on Thursday, October 17th.  We will arrive at Linder Farms around 10:45.  Students will go on a hayride, pet the animals, eat lunch and choose a pumpkin to bring home.  Make sure students wear closed toed shoes good for walking in fields, long pants and jackets appropriate for the weather.  It is a good idea to bring gloves to carry the pumpkins.

Fall Break
Fall break begins Friday, October 18th and ends October 25th.  There will be no school.

Conferences
Mark your calendar, conferences are November 8th.  I will send out a form for you to select times as the time gets closer.

Book Celebration - Peter Pan
On Thursday, October 31st we will have out book celebration.  This year, students may dress up as a character from Peter Pan for the entire day.  We will watch the movie and do Peter Pan activities throughout the day.

Week of 9/30

If you come into my classroom, you will see a few things you may have never seen before.

    I have learned that movement is essential to keeping or brains healthy and working well.  When we get tired, movement can actually renew our energy.  My classroom is outfitted with places that encourage students to move.  The colorful box in the second photo is a landing location for standing movements as are the colorful shapes in the third photo.  Students especially enjoy jumping on the hopscotch squares and the red lines.

If you come to visit and you see a 2nd grader hopping, doing jumping jacks, lunges or some other movement they are either doing it because it is one of the steps on their list of tasks: complete the facts, do 5 jumping jacks. . .  or, they know that movement will help them focus so they are getting their brain ready to work again.

I have posted a video below to demonstrate.  Some students are sitting at their desks completing the assignment.  Some are on the floor correcting their own work, the jumping students are moving between those steps while they are on their way to the next.

We all need to move and stretch our muscles in addition to our brain.  I've decided to build it into each 2nd grader's day.

Week of 9/23

 










Reading and Writing
These past couple of weeks we have been learning about tall tales and fairy tales.  This week we are writing our own fairy tale.  Students have to include a setting, characters, a problem and solution in addition to royalty, magic and a happy ending. 

Today, they drew a picture of their setting.  Tomorrow they will write about it.

Science
We are also learning about the diversity of life.  Students have been trying to figure out how to know if something is alive.  They are learning how scientists categorize different living things.

Groups
I am starting to create learning groups.  Learning groups are based primarily on the topics students need to learn and the amount of time a student needs to learn something.  Some students need more time than others.  I don't want to rush anyone through a concept and I don't want to hold anyone back who already understands.  Students are learning to work independently when it is time for me to work with a different group.  I am pleased with how responsible they are.

Week of 9/16

Yesterday, the first reading practice homework went home.  It should have been stapled to the reading log.  It is due on Monday along with the reading log.  The practice homework will periodically look different.  Sometimes it will be a fluency practice (practice reading like we talk), sometimes it will be reading and comprehension and sometimes it will be both. Almost every second grader turned in their homework the first week.  Great job!

Each Thursday students have a math test on skills.  We practice the skills together and I send home the practice paper on Tuesday each week.  You and your second grader can go over the practice page and make sure he or she understands everything before the test on Thursday.  The first completed test came home yesterday.  Students graphed their scores and looked at why they missed and what they did so they don't make the same mistake next time.

Because everyone learns at different rates and it is very important to me that students learn spelling patterns and not simply memorize words for a test, students are often on different lists.  Because of this fact, I don't send lists home.  Right now I have 3 lists in the class.  The class is practicing spelling words that have the "a" phonogram.  This phonogram has 3 sounds, but is always spelled with an "a."  Some words you will find on their lists are: pass, carry, capture, walk, almost, lake and black.  Students are encouraged to find more words that fit into the spelling patterns.  By finding patterns and noticing rhyming words, students are more likely to remember how to spell these words for a test, and more importantly, spell them in their writing.

Marble Party

Students have been working really hard to earn their first marble party.  Today was an exceptionally good day and they got all their marbles! 

They voted to have a stuffed animal/blanket party.  That means on Friday, September 13, they may bring EITHER a stuffed animal or a blanket to school.  It needs to fit inside of their backpack. 

As long as it isn't a distraction, they get to keep that item with them throughout the school day.  We'll have a special time when they can cuddle up with it and their book.

We are working especially hard on being trustworthy and respectful. 

Homework

The first of this year's homework is coming home today.  It is a reading log.  Students are expected to read 100 minutes each week.  This can be divided up however you like throughout the week.  

I will send the reading logs home each Monday and they are due the following Monday.  Students get a homework grade for completing the homework each week.  

Next week I will be sending home a reading practice page in addition to the reading log.

Welcome Back to a New Year!

We have completed our first week of school. Things are going great!

Students are learning what it looks like to be 2nd graders.

BEHAVIOR IN CLASS

In my classroom students earn classroom money.  If you hear them talking about the money they earned, it is not real money.  They get to spend that money special privileges and items.  A few purchases they can make are: sitting in a bean bag chair, sitting with a stuffed animal, using a clipboard, taking the class for a walk, choosing their job, choosing from the treasure box or using a special pen for the day.  Students earn money by showing responsibility like returning their blue home folder each day and by meeting classroom expectations like being respectful, following the rules and working hard.  Students lose money when they make poor choices.

I have a chart in my room with magnets on it. Each day all 2nd graders start on the blue owl.  When I catch them being a role model and going above and beyond the expectations, I ask them to move their magnet up, that is a good thing.  They earn more money if they end the day on the purple owl which is the role model.

If students make poor choices, I ask them to move their magnet down.  The first time is a warning, it is a reminder to stop and think about what you are doing.  The second time they need to fill out a refocus form and write down what they did and what they will do differently next time.  When students end the day on the orange (warning) or red (refocus) owl they owe me money.  If a student isn't able to refocus and make good decisions, the next stop is a referral to the office. 

The good news is students can move their magnets up and down all day.  Even if they make a poor choice, if I catch them making good choices their magnet can go back up.

Today students are going to bring home a practice refocus form for you to see.  It isn't real so you don't need to worry.

I am so thrilled to have each of these 2nd graders in my class this year!

Field Trip

This past week students have learned about different ways seeds travel in order to find a good place to grow.  They also learned about pollination and pollinators. 

When we went to the Botanical Gardens on Tuesday they were able to see their knowledge at work.  They planted flowers.  They learned how flowers attract pollinators.  They saw pollination in action and dissected a flower to see all its parts.

The students were also able to view different animals and their habitats at the zoo.  The could see animals from all over the world in one place.

Here are some pictures from our field trip.  It was a great success!

   

Week of 4/23

I have a lot of news for you.  It seems surreal that there is less than 5 weeks left of school.  Many of these dates you should know from the school newsletter, but I will include them here also.

We are beginning a new unit in science covering plants.  It will go nicely with our field trip in May.

I try to align the reading homework with what we are learning in class so it is beneficial for students to complete their homework.

Music Concert
This Friday, April 26th is the 2nd and 3rd grade music concert at 10 am in the gym.

Field Trip
May 7 is the 2nd grade field trip to the Botanical Gardens and the Boise Zoo.  If you didn't receive a permission slip, let me know and I will send another one home.  We will leave the school for the Botanical Gardens at 8:30. 

IRI
Students will take their IRI test on May 8th.  This is a good day to make sure students have plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast so they can focus and do their best.

Science Night
May 16 at 5:30 students will display their hard work in the gym.  Each student is working on their project with their partner.  I saw some great information come to class yesterday.  Students did a great job on their investigations.

Field Day
The second graders will have their activities from 1:30 - 2:30 on May 22nd.

Awards Ceremony
May 23rd is the awards ceremony at 8:20 in the gym.  You will receive an email prior to that day if your child is receiving an award.

Last Day of School
May 24 is the last day of school.  School ends at 1:45.

Canyons in 2nd Grade

This week students investigated the question, "What makes a canyon?"

Students hypothesized that it could be earthquakes, asteroids, tornadoes, or erosion.

Here are some images from our investigation.  We created a hill out of some "land" and simulated rain pouring down on it to see the result.

        

Here is an example of  the final product after 4 rainstorms.

Students discovered that erosion wears away at the rock and sand and creates new land forms like canyons, cliffs and landslides.

Here is a video after the final rainstorm for all projects:

Week of 3/18

This is the last week before spring break.

The students are discovering how rivers work, what erosion is and how the different bodies of water compare to one another.  They have conducted 2 investigations.  One helped them determine why rivers flow.  The other helped them understand where sand comes from.

Their curiosity has led them to ask questions about volcanoes and earthquakes so each day we learn a bit about those as well.  I love their inquisitive minds.

Roaring Readers
Roaring Readers papers are due no later than Friday, March 22nd.  They will be mailed out that evening so no late papers will be accepted.

Book Orders
I will also be sending in the book order on March 22nd after school.

Homework
Homework did go home today.  Everyone has a reading log and a reading passage about rivers.  Some students also have a fluency paper.  If you have a fluency paper it is okay if you practice it 3 times a night instead of 5 to make room for the article.

All homework is due April 2nd, but it is okay to turn it in Friday so you can forget about it over break.

Why do Rivers Flow?

This week we conducted an investigation to discover why rivers flow.  The class hypothesized that they flowed because the wind pushed them, the animals swimming underneath made them flow or other rivers pushed them. 

After our investigation, they learned that rivers flow because they begin at the tops of mountains and hills and flow down to the oceans.

Tomorrow we are going to look at the rivers in Idaho.  Feel free to do some research about Idaho rivers and which ocean they flow into at home so your second grader has even more to share tomorrow.

Here are some pictures of our models.  Ask you second grader to tell you about it.

 

Week of 3/4

I hope the surprise 3-day weekend helped everyone get some needed rest.  Our room got sanitized and is ready for another week.

Red Fish, Blue Fish day and our fish graphs

Monday, the 4th, is wear red for Caring day.

Friday, the 8th will be our PJ "Read In "day.  This is rescheduled from last Friday.  Students can wear their pajamas and bring one cozy item: a blanket, a pillow or a stuffed animal.

Math
Our goal is to be able to add and subtract up to 3-digit numbers by the end of the year.  Students are getting a lot of experience with equivalent numbers (23 tens = 1 hundred, 3 tens).  They are working on graphing, money, measurement and geometry.  Adding and subtracting numbers and understanding how we do that with regrouping is an essential skill, but they can't do that if they don't understand place value.  Some students are moving quickly through this process and are already experiencing more challenging math concepts.  Those that are struggling are getting more time to master the basic ideas so the more challenging ideas won't stump them.

Spelling
Currently, there are 12 different spelling lists in the classroom.  There is anywhere from 1 to 4 students on a list.  Students are learning to look for patterns in words and discover how spelling rules apply to new words.  I am pleased with the learning that is happening.  Students are spelling better in their writing because they are thinking about the patterns they are learning.  You can always ask your second grader what their pattern for the week is.  It might be fun to see if you can find more words together.

Reading
In addition to the reading we do together.  Each student has a book they are assigned to read.  When they are finished, they take an Accelerated Reader test on the book and they must pass to be able to stay at that difficulty level.  Students need to pass an AR test at least once a month.

Writing
Most students have succeeded in writing a complete paragraph.  The goal by the end of the year is to write 2 complete 4-5 sentence paragraphs.  Last week students wrote a report on the president they learned about.  It was good practice in writing 2 paragraphs.  This week they will finish writing their stories.  They are working on adding details in the form of adjectives to make their stories more interesting.  They should bring them home on Friday after they read them for the "Read in."

Science and Social Studies
In both science and social studies we will be studying water, erosion and the earth's surfaces.  Students will also be creating maps identifying where they are in the world.  This week we will be needing spray bottles to spray water.  If you have any we could borrow, you can send them to school with your second grader.

Week of 2/11

Fundraiser
The Pennies for Patients fundraiser ends on February 22nd.

Book Orders
I will be placing the book order on February 22nd.

We will be celebrating Read Across America from February 25 - March 1.
Here is a list of the special dress-up days for elementary students:

Monday - One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish day (wear red and blue)
Tuesday - Fox in Socks day (wear crazy socks)
Wednesday - Green Eggs & Ham day (wear green)
Thursday - "Read My Shirt" day (wear a shirt with school appropriate messages and writing that others can read)
Friday -" Cozy Up With a Good Book" day (wear PJs)

Roaring Reader
Roaring Reader forms are due on March 22nd.  They won't be accepted after that.

Boise Art Museum
Last Friday the Boise Art Museum came and taught the students about different types of masks from around the world.  The second graders then got to make their own mask.  Here are some pictures from Friday.