What's the big idea?

In reading we're focused on identifying the main idea and finding details that support it. This coincides with our writing focus of constructing paragraphs with topic and supporting sentences.

A great way to highlight main idea is with nonfiction text. We're fortunate to have many high interest titles to choose from.

 

This week the kids took a break from their usual reading groups and paired based on common interest. After reading a book of their choosing, they worked together to represent the main idea and key points on a poster.

 

The end results are both creative and informative! Well done second graders!

Watch for my next post about our lesson on animal adaptations in winter. You'll have to see it to believe it!

 

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Writing paragraphs

We have a lot to say.....

Now we're learning how to organize our thoughts and words into paragraphs. We're using the traffic light method.

We started by creating class paragraphs. Different students contributed each part. They held colored circles representing their part. It was easy to physically move them if the class felt the paragraph needed revising.

Next we wrote our own paragraphs.

 

We're working on varying sentence beginnings. Soon, I'll introduce transition words and phrases such as "however, since, because of this." Use of those will help the detail sentences flow.

Stay tuned for my next post about our awesome project on main idea and details. Your kids are VERY talented.

 

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Happy New Year

We have big plans for 2015....

Every class is making a resolution. Stop by to see the posters in the main lobby!

Our class is working on respecting personal space and not disturbing others as we walk

through the hallways.

We started the new year by reading Squirrel's New Year's Resolution. Afterwards we thought about what we could do this year to improve our lives or the lives of others. We were sure to make our resolutions realistic and measurable.

Everyone formed their thoughts into statements. We took a picture

for prosperity!!

What are your plans for the new year?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A BIG THANK YOU!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday and a fun-filled vacation! I wanted to thank you all for the very generous class gift, it was so incredibly thoughtful! I was very excited when I opened my card because I knew just what I was going to do with it. I had been researching fitness trackers and had my eye on one called the Jawbone Up Move and now, thanks you all of you, I'll be using it starting next week (when it is due to be delivered)! I am very excited and can't wait to start tracking my steps, exercise and sleep habits! Thank you, again for thinking of me and for helping me get off to a very healthy 2015!

Love,

Mrs. Sturtz

To my wonderful students and their families,

Thank you for the generous gift cards! What a treat it has been to check off items from our classroom wishlist. So far the extended arm stapler, roll of 2000 raffle tickets, 3 books, glue dots, and air freshner plug ins have arrived from Amazon!! With the portion designated to me, I treated myself to a laptop cover and carrying case. I'm thrilled! We're saving some of the balance for special Spring projects. We couldn't do what we do without your generosity. Thanks so much!

Love,

Mrs. Holm

Speaking of class projects.....

Our last day before vacation was a lot of fun. Thank you to all the parents who sent in supplies and treats for our party. Thank you to Mrs. Pletcher for organizing and to Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Lopes for helping out.

The kids did a great job with their Secret Snowflake cards. They really showed how much they cared about each other.

Be on the lookout for my next post about our New Year's Resolutions!

 

 

 

 

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The Polar Express

 

Mrs. Abrusezze treats The Second Graders to a special experience each year at this time. They are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal to the library to watch The Polar Express.

Thank you to our parents for donating the popcorn and drinks!

We enjoyed having our little friends in the classroom with us after the movie!

Bells were waiting for everyone when we returned to the classroom.

The kids put their buddies to work!

 

 

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Monkey Business

December has been a little bananas in room 205! A week ago we welcomed a visitor.

He arrived with a note.....

 

He's been pretty busy since he got here.

Today was HAT DAY at Shaker Lane. We collected a lot of food for Loaves and Fishes!!

We ran into George, our awesome custodian, when we were delivering our cans.

 

Hopefully you saw the last post about the worldwide initiate we took part in called "HOUR OF CODE". Here we are in the Computer Lab with our certificates!

 

Click on the link to the Shaker Lane Website under "Helpful Websites" on this blog, then access the Computer Science tab. Mrs. Lord has posted links to coding programs and apps for kids.

 

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Hour of Code

Shaker Lane is participating in a world wide movement called Hour of Code.

Mrs. Lord started us last week for our first 30 minutes.

We learned to write basic code.

This week we returned to the lab to complete our hour of code.

President Obama cheered us on!

 

 

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