Photo Update

Here are some photos that I've been meaning to post for quite some time.  Enjoy!

Following are several of the pictures I took of our field trip to the Museum School.  You can see the students modeling clothing of the day (1953), playing games from that time, learning and presenting about the presidents who served in office up until that time, and participating in lessons for the day.

Here you can see the class working together to put together a large foam map of the United States.  This was a great activity, generously supplied by our friend, Evan Girdharry!

This was an activity from Friday.  Students created beaded bracelets with equal groups of like colors to practice their multiplication.  They did such a great job of working quietly and working together to share their bracelets to create multiplication sentences!

News & Notes {& Pick-A-Coin}

Good afternoon!

I hope you've been able to enjoy the beautiful weather, sunshine, and spring scenery.  Tomorrow is a big day in second grade!  Following are a few details to keep in mind.

--- Field Trip:  We are traveling to the museum school at Carter and MacRae Elementary School.  The bus will leave the school at 9:40 so that we can arrive in time for the 10:00 start of the "school day" at the museum school.  Please remember to pack a lunch for your child if you indicated on their permission form that they would be packing.  There will not be extra lunches available.  The museum school teacher will dismiss students at 1:30 to meet our bus and return to the present day at New Danville.  :)  We will arrive back at New Danville at approximately 1:45, in time to practice for the Spring Concert with the rest of the school.

--- Spring Concert:  The Spring Concert Schowcase begins at 7pm.  Please note that the doors to the school open at 6:30.  Students should report to their seats in the gym no later than 6:50.  Students are encouraged to dress up for this exciting spring event.

One other item to keep in mind at we begin the month of May is the Nickels for New Danville fundraiser.  This fundraiser runs throughout the month of May and proceeds are designated for sprucing up our gym.  Send in spare change as you have opportunity!

A Peek At Our Week:

- Language Arts --- Students are reviewing theirs skills in comparing and contrasting as well as identifying proper nouns.  They will continue to plan and draft their "All About" books during Writer's Workshop.

- Math --- Our focus is still on money, though this week we will dive into making change.  This concept can be difficult for students to grasp so we will move slowly.  Please encourage your child and have patience as their understanding develops.

- Bible ---  Students will continue to develop their understanding of how following Jesus means to care for those around them.

- Social Studies --- We will continue to focus on map skills, this time specifically looking at the 7 continents and where we are located in relation to others areas of the earth.

Last week we started playing a math game called "Pick-A-Coin" which provides students with practice writing dollars-and-cents notation and develops their understanding of the values of coins.  Here are a few pictures of our money activities.

News & Notes (& Measurement Olympics)

Good evening!

The last two weeks have gone by in a blur!  We've moved from a measurement unit on to a money unit in math, begun preparing for our class field trip, and started the final unit of Language Arts for the year.  Can you believe that there is only about a month left of school?!  Another year will have come and gone before you know it.

Please keep in mind the following two events, both on Monday, May 4 (yes, it will be a busy day!):

- The class field trip to the Museum School will be from approximately 9:40-1:45.  Parents who have volunteered to chaperone will receive a more detailed email from me.

- The Spring Program will begin at 7pm.  Students should report to their seats no later than 6:50 that evening.

--- Also please note that this Friday students will be dismissed at 12:30 due to an afternoon staff development meeting.

A Peek At Our Week:

- Bible --- Students will be completing their skits of the miracles of Jesus and begin learning about following Jesus and His call on our lives to care for others.

- Language Arts --- We will be analyzing an author's purpose for writing a given text, identifying and using adjectives to enhance our writing, and tying it all together using a desert themed week.  Students will begin writing "All About Books" during Writer's Workshop.

- Math --- Students will use calculators to add money amounts together and study dollars and cents notation for writing money amounts.

- Social Studies --- We will learn about the various regions of the United States and learn the basic parts of a map.

Here are a few photos of the Measurement Olympics we held as a culminating activity to our measurement unit for math.  Enjoy!

News & Notes {and our food packing event!}

While it was a short week last week, it sure was packed with events of both fun and learning!  The highlights for the students (and teachers) were the food-packing and spirit activities, no doubt.  :)  It was a great experience for the students to work with their peers to pack food after having learned about the importance of food around the world.  Thank you to our volunteers for making the packing event possible!

Here are a few things to keep in mind/on your radar:

1)  Please return the envelope regarding yearbooks whether or not you intend to order a yearbook this year.  The school will not be ordering extras as they have in the past, but rather an exact amount according to these envelopes.

2)  Our class field trip to the museum school at the Carter and MacRae Elementary school is scheduled for Monday, May 4.  The students will be leaving New Danville by bus at 9:40 and returning by 1:45.  I would appreciate having 3-5 chaperones for this field trip.  Due to the capacity limitations of the museum classroom, I cannot have more than 5 chaperones.  If you are interested in chaperoning, please contact me.  I will be sending home a permission slip with additional details.  Please return the permission slip no later than Monday, April 27.

3)  Monday, May 4th will be a busy day for the students.  The New Danville Spring Music Program is scheduled for that evening at 7pm.  This is a wonderful time to come and enjoy what your children have been learning in music!

And now... A Peek At Our Week!

- Bible --- Students will begin studying the many miracles of Jesus!  This is always an exciting unit for students.  They truly enjoy learning about these awe-inspiring events.

- Language Arts --- While students begin wrapping up their "How-To" writing, we will also begin to provide opportunity for students to demonstrate their procedures.  Our reading will take us on a review of synonyms and an introduction to contractions will begin.

- Math --- Students will continue to learn about measurement, though this week the focus is on area, capacity and weight.  As we near the end of our unit on Friday, we will celebrate with Measurement Olympics outside (weather permitting).

- Science --- We will wrap up our last science lessons with a few more moon activities this week before moving on to Social Studies next week in preparation for our trip to the museum school.

 Students measuring the distance around their wrists and thumbs as an introductory activity to learning about perimeter.

 There was a lot of excitement before starting to pack food (and perhaps a little uncertainty)!  Aren't they so cute in their hairnets?!

News & Notes {and measurement fun!}

Hello!

I trust your Easter break was refreshing!  As the lengthy weekend comes to an end, I am turning my attention to this upcoming short week of school and the last quarter of school before summer 

vacation.  

---The big event for this week is the food packing event on Friday.  Below are the details.  If you have volunteered to chaperone, please meet at the address below.  :)

As you may remember, our Christmas project this school year was collecting money for Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)   We are happy to report that we collected approximately $2,200!  The next step in this project is to partner with Willow Street Mennonite Church to actually pack the food bags for FMSC. 

On Friday, April 10, all students in grades K-5 will travel to the church for this project.  We also would like to have approx. 25 parent volunteers join us from 9-11 a.m.  If you are available to help, please contact me. 

Parents should plan to meet at the church no later than 8:45 a.m. on April 10.  The event will be finished by 11:00 a.m.

The church address is 399 East Penn Grant Rd. Willow Street PA 17584​

---Our class field trip is scheduled for May 4th.  We are planning to visit the Museum School.  More details to come next week.

A Peek At Our Week:

- Math --- We will continue our work with measuring, focusing on perimeter of shapes.  

- Bible --- Our focus will return to Jesus' call of the disciples.

- Language Arts --- Our short week will be spent reviewing last week's concepts, continuing with sharks to keep things interesting.  ;)

- Science --- We will begin to wrap up our science unit on the moon phases and weather.

Below are a few pictures from the past two weeks.  Enjoy!

 Playing the "Equal Fractions" game.  :)

 Using 2nd graders to measure the room, creating the opportunity to discuss the need for standard units of measurement.

 Practicing our measuring by getting some hands-on time with the meter sticks.

Practicing using the measuring tape to measure head size with cm.

 Talking about how pinwheels are like anemometers to measure wind speed.

News & Notes {and some fraction fun!}

Hello all!

I hope your weekend was pleasant and that you're enjoying some of the signs of spring (especially after that first day of spring snow we had)!  Here are a few items of note as well as the plans for our upcoming week.

- The New Danville auction, our biggest event of the year, is this Friday!  If you haven't signed up yet to volunteer, I know we could use some more help to make the evening run smoothly.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0544adac29a4f94-newdanville
If you have trouble with the sign-up, contact me and we will find a good fit for you.  :)  Please also note that there is a 12:30 dismissal on Friday so final preparations can be made for the big evening.

- We have 2 volunteers to help our class with the school trip to fill food packs on April 10, but need at least 3 more volunteers.  Below is additional information about this exciting opportunity for students to serve other around the world.

As you may remember, our Christmas project this school year was collecting money for Feed My Starving Children  (FMSC)   We are happy to report that we collected approximately $2,200!  The next step in this project is to partner with Willow Street Mennonite Church to actually pack the food bags for FMSC. 

On Friday, April 10, all students in grades K-5 will travel to the church for this project.  We also would like to have approx. 25 parent volunteers join us from 9-11 a.m.  If you are available to help, please contact me. 

Parents should plan to meet at the church no later than 8:45 a.m. on April 10.  The event will be finished by11:00 a.m.  The church address is 399 East Penn Grant Rd. Willow Street PA 17584​

A Peek At Our Week:

- Math --- We will continue our study of fractions with a variety of hands-on activities.  The students are doing a great job with understanding equal parts and seem to have a great deal of enthusiasm for this unit.

- Bible --- As Easter approaches, we will turn our focus to the events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection.  We will compare and contrast the feelings surrounding these events and concentrate on the hope Jesus gave us.

- Science --- Students will use several meteorologist tools to study wind before we move on in our science unit to a focus on the phases of the moon.  

- Language Arts --- Last week, we introduced procedural writing (referred to as "how to" writing in class) in Writer's Workshop.  This type of writing is a breath of fresh air for all of us after focusing on personal narratives for so long.  We will continue with this type of writing for several more weeks.  Our reading skill this week is summarizing.  To keep things interesting, we will use plants a the thematic element to focus our reading.

Here are a few snapshots of the fun from last week.  Enjoy!

 Students practice naming fractions of a whole with graham crackers.  Yum!

 Each student also made a cookie booklet that shows equal parts (halves, thirds, fourths, etc.) inside.  We use these throughout the week to tell fraction stories.

 We played Fraction Bingo on Friday for some fun and additional practice.  The group discussion and repetition was great!

 Students used bubbles to observe the wind movement and make discoveries about where wind can go.

We took the opportunity to use a puddle in the parking lot to discuss evaporation and where water goes after it rains.

 During this activity, students watched a Schoolhouse Rock video to learn about and identify pronouns.  We're still working on it, but this was a fun way to add some excitement to grammar!

Here you can see the beginning stages of our "how-to" writing.  Students are very excited to continue their work on these pieces and share what they know how to do!

News & Notes {and upcoming conferences}

Hello all!

As an unexpectedly long weekend draws to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on a few things happening in 2nd grade.  :)

The biggest news is that student-led conferences are happening this week!  The students have been working hard to prepare for your time in our classroom, reflecting on their academic progress, goals, and behavior.  If you have not yet signed up, please do so.  Time slots are set at 40 minute intervals, with possibility for three families to be in the room at a time.  Students will guide you through a variety of learning stations to show their work and what they've been learning.  If you would like a one-on-one conference at a later date, there will be a request form available so we can set an appointment.  Here is the link if you need to sign up:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4fadad2da1f94-parentteacher2

Here are a few other items to note:

- Snow make-up days for the two days we missed have been set.  School will be in session on March 20 and April 8.

- We are in need of parent volunteers for the New Danville Feed My Starving Children shift from 9-11 AM on Friday, 4/10/2015. If you are available to help, please contact me. We need to have a minimum of 25 parent volunteers for the school, about 5 for the second grade class.

• Plan to meet at the church by 8:45 AM. 
• Willow Street Mennonite Church 399 East Penn Grant Road, Willow Street, PA 17584. 
• We will then be done by 11:00 AM

- The New Danville Auction is coming up on March 27th!  This is a great time that you don't want to miss!  Please note that there is an early dismissal on this day to provide time for set-up and preparations.  If you are willing to volunteer your time, please sign up via the sign-up genius that was emailed home last week or contact Mrs. Hess.

A Peek At Our Week:

- Bible --- Students will be learning about the calling of the 12 disciples and how they can help build God's kingdom by aiding those in need.

- Language Arts --- You may have heard that the students are working through a mystery unit!  Since we had late starts, many absences due to illness, and snow days, we didn't get very far.  I'm looking forward to guiding students through the remainder of the unit this week.  

- Math --- Last week was a data week.  The students always look forward to a data day or week, but again, we didn't get very far.  We will be finishing the data week as well as Unit 7.

- Science --- Students have been learning about clouds.  This week, we will extend that theme out to precipitation and the water cycle.