Week Wrap Up for September 3-7th

We began the week with a holiday.  Happy Labor Day!  We then had a short week jammed packed with fun! Our class read Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night in reading.  We talked about the different characteristics of realistic fiction and how to identify setting.  We also completed a story map and analyzed the story. 

We capped off our week with a real camp-out at school!  On Friday, Mr. Willett helped build our campfires. Then the entire second grade enjoyed roasting marhmallows and eating s'mores.  Many of the students told us that it was their first one ever! As you can see, we had a blast!!! The whole afternoon was great and the kids loved their s'mores!!! Many had already eaten all of their s'mores before I could even take their pictures!!!

 

Next week we will be writing about our great Camp Out experience!  I will share pictures soon!!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Willett

Week Wrap-Up for August 27-31st

We have had another fun-filled week!  We read Exploring Space with an Astronaut and learned all about life in space.  We learned about what  astronauts   "Have", "Are", and "Can".  Check-out our cool chart!  We also took our newly learned information and created astronaut webs (below).

On Friday, we tried freeze-dried ice cream and ate like astronauts.  It was a hit!  Sorry no pictures were taken.  We were too busy eating to snap photos!


Have a great week!!

Mrs. Willett

Week Wrap-Up for August 20-24th

Welcome to a great first week of school!!  We have had a wonderful time learning about each other and our new classroom.  We started out our week by writing and illustrating a class book.  Each child contributed a short biography and self-portrait.  It turned out great!  We continued learning about each other during our classroom scavenger hunt.  You would be surprised by who in our class is taller, has a big smile, has brothers and sisters, has been camping, and has played a musical instrument!  We are a talented and interesting bunch of second graders!

 

We also read lots of great stories!  Our favorite was Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola.  We found Italy on the map, graphed pasta, completed a character analysis, sequenced the story with a buddy, and made wishes with our pasta pots!  Grazie, Tomie, for writing such a great book!

We also had a great time in math this week!  There isn't a better way to combine snacking and learning than graphing M&Ms!  We sorted our candy by color and placed them on our graphs. After we colored a section of the graph, we got to eat the candy!   We analyzed our information and found out just how different each pack of M&Ms can be! What yummy math! As you can see, we loved this perfect afternoon pick-me-up!

Can't wait for next week's fun!!

Mrs. Willett

Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year!!!

What a wonderful week had by all!  Special thanks to all of the parents that have helped make the transition into second grade so successful by promptly sending in school supplies and signed forms. Wow!

A Special Note About Parent Communication
I believe teacher/parent communication to be a top priority in my classroom.  When we all work together, we are sure to foster success in our children!  Therefore, I use several forms of communication in my teaching practice.  Most importantly, your child will receive a weekly newsletter that can be found in his/her Bee Book.  The newsletter will keep you informed of all of the latest classroom activities, what we are studying, and the school's upcoming events.  I will also keep my web page updated with current information.  Check it often!  The school site is also a great resource!  My blog will also be a fun way for you to check-in on our classroom activities. Since I have received photo permissions from every child, I will be posting lots and lots of photos!  Through blogging, I will be able to provide even more information on the exciting things that are happening in our class.  Please also know that I check my email everyday and will try to respond before the end of the school day if at all possible.  You can also schedule a conference, when necessary, to learn more about your child's progress and/or discuss any problems or concerns. 


Thank you for sharing your child with me this year! We are sure to have a great time together!  I can't wait to get started! 

Mrs. Willett

Happy May and Mother's Day!!

Wow!  What a busy week!  We have completed our DIBELS testing for the year, finished preparations for our Blue Ribbon visit, created Mother's Day gifts, and of course, taken care of our sweet caterpillars!  Wait a minute! Did I just say caterpillars???  I almost forgot!  Upon our return to school Monday, we were surprised to find several J-shapes (ask a second grader if you are unsure of what that is) and yes, a chrysalis or two!  We will observe them one more time at our desks and then it will be time to move them into their new home- the flight cage!!  Each day we journal about our caterpillars and their exciting life cycle!  You can read our observations on our Life Cycle calendar in our room.

We have also completed models of our caterpillars and labeled all of their many parts.  Come by the room and check them out!  It's pretty creepy-crawly in our hallway!  While there check-out our life cycles that we created.  We loved using the science room for that project!  We even used our time-order words to describe the life cycle and made predictions!

As if we couldn't be busier, it is also Teacher Appreciation Week.  Our students chose a teacher or staff member to write a thank you letter to.  They turned out beautifully!  You can find them on the second grade bulletin board in the lunchroom or in the hall by our room.  I'm so proud of their kindness and gratitude!  Stop by and look!  You might just find a letter addressed to you from a grateful second grader!

 

A few reminders:
1.  Our trip to the Huntsville Botanical Garden is Tuesday, May 15th.  Please return permission slips ASAP.
2.  The library will be closing on Wednesday, May 16th.  Keep working toward your AR Goal!
3.  Second Grade Field Day will be on Thursday, May 17th.
4.  Indian Ed Field Trip will be on Friday, May 18th.
5.  Second Grade Awards Program will be Friday, May 25th @8:30am.

 Have a wonderful rest of the week and Mother's Day weekend!!

Mrs. Willett

March-April 2012 Update

     As you know, we have been super busy with Blue Ribbon preparations, DIBELS testing, etc.  Therefore, I am just now getting an opportunity to update my blog.  I have so much to share.  I am going to begin with St. Patrick's Day.  We so enjoyed learning about St. Patrick and the traditions that surround his holiday.  We read books, watched a United Streaming video about the Irish (including Irish dancers and other neat Irish customs), and created a great St. Patrick's Day craft. 

     We thought about all the ways that we are lucky.  We then wrote our top ten reasons that make us "The Luckiest of Them All".  Check-out our great leprechauns!  Did I mention that I love pinterest!!!

Now that the weather is warmer, the kids can venture outside to the outdoor music classroom.  WE LOVE IT!  I have posted some great pictures of all the fun below.  Thanks, Ms. Marla for teaching us how to play all of the instruments!

Take Your Child to Work Day

After Spring Break, we had Kite Day, Take Your Child to Work Day, planted the butterfly garden, and most exciting, received our caterpillars in the mail!!   We are doing a great job as caterpillar moms and dads!  We have provided all the necessities for survival, including food, water (from the mallow), air (from the holes in the lid of their "homes"), and a safe shelter. 

 Here you see us using our hand lenses to observe our tiny additions to our classroom!

The Butterfly Garden

Way more to come!  Check back often!

Hugs!!

Mrs. Willett