Joanna’s Second Grade News

Greetings for the New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 A Snowflake Fell…by J.Prelutsky

(photo from The Story of Snow)

A snowflake fell into my hand

a tiny fragile gem,

a frosty crystal flowerlet

with petals, but no stem.

I wondered at the beauty

of its intricate design,

I breathed, the snowflake vanished,

but for moments, it was mine.

Dear Parents,

As we usher in the New Year, 2017, it is a compelling time to re-assess and reflect on both our teaching goals and our learning goals. With the start of the second portion of second grade, it seems timely to ask the children to express their renewed interests in learning and topics and ideas that might be of particular interest to them.

The children seem to be heralding in a renewed excitement and enthusiasm for their learning. With the school schedule now being a predictable part of their regular school routine, they are able to turn their focus from learning transitions to increasing their engagement in learning content. Using well-rehearsed writing, math, and social science skills, they are now able to more readily accept the challenge of more complex and in-depth learning.


Science

The Next Generation Science Standards help to guide our weather study as we focus on the observable changes in the environment, weather, and solar system. In the beginning of December we began our study of weather, becoming familiar with the data content that meteorologists collect. With an eye on the sky, our daily observations of different cloud formations; daily temperature fluctuations; type of precipitation, and wind speeds, have enabled us to collect data that we can then graph and categorize. The children’s daily weather journals provide them with content that they can then examine, looking for weather changes and patterns that are observable and measurable.

 

The Night Sky Journals……..

provide a venue in which the children can record the changes in the stars and moon phases during the course of a month. The data that they collect will become a record of sky and weather patterns over time. Winter skies provide incredible star gazing opportunities.(photo: earthsky.org)

 

 

 

 

Wetland Animal Research Reports

We are continuing our Wetland research reports, responding to the overarching question: What structures and skills do fox; raccoons; black bear; and white tailed deer have, that help them to survive in the Winter in the Wetlands? The children have become increasingly independent in their research as they learn how to specify the information that they are seeking related to the animal’s shelter; predators; food; and body parts; and how these components ensure the animal’s winter survival.

 

 

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

In honor of Martin Luther King’s Birthday and his vital contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in our country, we are reading about his life and his humanitarian efforts to promote peace and equality for all. As we read about his profound accomplishments, we are discussing how each of us can contribute to making the world a more peaceful place in which to live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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