Settling in

We completed our first full week of second grade. We're in full swing learning about each other and our subjects. Hopefully you've read some news in the Friday Letter from your child. There's lots of excitement Monday mornings as we read our mail.

To promote a positive learning environment, we've worked hard to create class rules. Our first Second Step lesson was all about RESPECT. We came up with 3 rules that cover everything we might say or do.

Underneath we wrote what each behavior looks and sounds like.

To help us learn about and respect others, we made lists of what bugs us and what we wish our classmates would do.

We shared words to describe us around these sunflowers.

We started our first RESEARCH PROJECT. In addition to our second grade studies, everyone has an opportunity to learn about subjects that interest them. As we explore books and sites, we're learning to read for information and organize our notes. This week we learned how to make a word web.

Our mornings begin with explorations. Here are some amazing projects made from pattern blocks. Ask your child what he/she explored today!

In honor of DOT DAY, we read the story The Dot by Peter Reynolds. It has a powerful message about having a growth mindset and persevering.

Afterwards we created posters relaying what we can't do ...YET and talked about the power of that three letter word.

 

Ask your child what is happening in these photos...

In math we're using a variety of tools for learning. Here we are comparing numbers and cleaning our coins so they are ready to be used.

Looking forward to another busy week!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Fabulous First Day!

Despite the heat, our new second graders worked hard and played hard on their first day. Before recess, we completed an activity called Who's in your Circles? This was a fun way to find friends with similar interests. Everyone made a recess plan and we headed outside for some fun in the sun!

Next, we practiced teamwork during the spaghetti tower challenge! One marshmallow, 20 sticks of spaghetti, and 36 inches of tape and string came together in a free standing tower. The tallest was 27 inches high...well done everyone!

The rest of our day was filled with reading, math, writing and a bit of free time.

We wrote letters to our families at the end of the day. It seems everyone had a successful first day. I think we're all excited to come back tomorrow! :)

How was your day?

 

Posted with Blogsy

Getting ready!

Back to school time is approaching! I'm still enjoying summer but am getting excited about starting a new school year too. My daughter already started school! We dropped her off at college yesterday.

The summer is a great time to explore, visit new places and try new things. These are two new experiences I had this summer...

Have you ever seen an alpaca give a hug?!

 

Have you ever seen an alpaca give a hug?!

 

 

On just one night in August every year, a community of 310 cottages on Martha's Vineyard, light up their porches with paper lanterns!

Does this remind you of any traditions in your neighborhood?

 

 

 

 

I can't wait to hear about your summer experiences!

Here's what our classroom looked like when I returned this summer, yikes! We're getting a shiny new floor this week so I'll be finishing up and getting it ready for fun and learning next week. Are you coming to our Sneak Peek Day on September 4? You can bring your parents, find your desk and check out our space. Come by between 2:30 and 3:00 pm.

I found these books about second grade at the library. Have you been to the library this summer? Here's a video I made reading one of them to you!

Click the link below to see the video!

https://youtu.be/km0Zlxa6q64

Our class pets, Ben and Jerry are a little nervous about meeting so many new friends. I told them how awesome you all are. I guess back to school makes everyone a little jittery.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation, I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

Smiles & Hugs,

Mrs. Holm

 

Posted with Blogsy

Wrapping up a great year

It's hard to believe ten months have gone by. We spent a lot of time reflecting on the year as we reread family letters in our Friday Notebooks, perused the pages of our memory books and realized our progress from the reader response journals and the portfolios from kindergarten and first grade!

It was a busy June!

After receiving letters back from our third grade buddies, we were excited to meet them. At Russell Street we toured the school, had lunch and recess with our buddies and hung out in the awesome outdoor classroom!

We had fun with math and science outside with our bottle flipping challenge and second grade scavenger hunt.

We said good-bye to our Kindergarten buddies by making a summer bucket list together then enjoying some Popsicles.

The second ice-cream social was a big hit!

Among all the fun and laughter there have been a few tears too as it can be hard to say good-bye. Henry and I have loved this class and we will miss each and every member. xoxo

Love, Mrs. Holm

 

Posted with Blogsy

Learning about our world

Culture and geography are part of our social studies curriculum but we explore these themes in other subject areas too.

Our reading series, Journeys, offers many cultural connections. This was a project tied in with a story titled, A Goat in the Rug.

Our world landmark research project is always a student favorite. This year's 3D models were very creative!

Our geometry lessons helped when it came time to construct the models.

 

The Dog Who Dug for Dinosaurs story led us into fossil research. Do you know where the best fossil hunting sites in the US are? These are some fossil imprints we made.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Learning inside and out

FIELD TRIPS

STEM FIELD TRIP to Roller Kingdom.

We learned about friction and the elements that impact its force and speed. We worked in groups to disassemble and reassemble part of a skate, then tried out the lessons about force and speed on the rink!

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM

This trip invited us into the underwater habitats of tide pools, coral reefs, rivers, lakes and oceans.

The penguin exhibit was one of our favorites. Earlier in the year we studied penguins and made our own rookery.

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM DAY

 

Posted with Blogsy

What's your superpower?

What makes a hero? Strength? A cape? X-ray vision?

We read Dex the Heart of a Hero and came up with our own list of heroic traits. Students made the powerful point that a hero helps everyone, not just his friends.

Our discussions, stories and activities helped us to define heroic traits as those you often can't see on the outside but rather what's on the inside that counts.

A touching video about spreading kindness inspired our superpowers.

https://youtu.be/nwAYpLVyeFU

We've just started writing stories about our heroic adventures.

Thanks to the generosity of the Cultural Council, the LEA and our PTA, we've enjoyed the talents of some amazing performers.

A magician shared the power of communication and how to connect with others without using words.

We welcomed back storyteller, Ms. Lovett to break down the elements of creating and telling stories. Ask your child about FRED!

We tried our hand (or fingers) at puppet shows after Ms. Lovett's visit.

Collecting and graphing data is the name of the game in math. Here we are surveying classmates.

We're excited to have Miss Lavallee, a senior at LHS, working with our class on Thursday afternoons.

Ask your child how to play KNOCK OFF THE CLOCK.

Our most recent COMMUNITY MEETING coincided with pajama day! As we sat comfortably listening to Mrs. Kane and Kid President talk about RESPECT, we learned of a fun project to support students at Russell Street School during MCAS testing.

The Power of Words.

In the story The Signmaker's Assistant, Norman saw how important signs were. He watched as people read them and followed their directives. We put in our very best effort to color these inspirational signs with the hopes that people will read them and feel inspired by their positive messages.

Make today a great day!

 

Posted with Blogsy