Pajama/Movie Day and More

Last week, students had a strong week of learning in our classroom community, and this week, we got to celebrate that community that we've worked so hard to create. Students greatly enjoyed our pajama and movie day on Wednesday, and will get to enjoy another Spirit Day of comfy clothes/pajama day next Tuesday as well, on the last day of January.

This week, we also got the chance to celebrate our letter writing by reading our letters in front of the class (for those who want to), and we moved on in social studies by starting to create our own communities. Each student has a job in their community and is in charge of creating places to live, work, and play. Next week, they will put together all of their buildings to create a community.

Here's to another wonderful week of celebrating our learning!

Working on our Communities

"J" The Jaguar and "Medium J" from our class

Movie Day!

Celebrating our Letter Writing

Community

Reading Together!

Working on Word Families in groups

This week, in social studies, and in everything, we focused a lot on being a positive and supportive community. We started out the week with a bang, or a boom, as we enjoyed having Ghanaian Sawah Mensah and his drumming ensemble from Macalester College come to our school and perform for us. We learned lots of new things about drumming and how the drums are made, and what dances are performed with the songs. What a phenomenal exhibition of art in the form of music and dance! The students were enthralled; there wasn't a dull moment. I would love to have taken pictures for the blog; however only the official photographer and videographer for our PCS weekly newscast were allowed to take pictures and videos. As the week continued, we learned more about measuring in both inches and in centimeters and meters. It was a hands-on experience, and the students really seemed to enjoy it. Probably our favorite part of the week, however, was our time learning about communities. Students partner-read a portion in their social studies books about communities, and then were challenged to come up with a rap, poem, or song that represented community. I videod the students and was hoping to put up the videos on this blog; however the files are too big. I hope to show you at conferences! I do have one example of pictures and a short poem about community from one pair of students. Finally, we learned more about Inauguration Day in Washington D.C. Students learned about the solemn oath that both the President and Vice-President Elect have to take, and learned about what their schedule on Inauguration Day looks like. We spent lots of work on flip books that contain lots of information about these important political positions. Hopefully we will have time to finish them next week! Well, we sure packed in a lot of learning for a short, 4-day week! Next week will be another 4-day week, as there is a Teacher Workshop on Friday, January 27th. Looking forward to another week filled with days of strong learning! Have a great weekend!

Math

A poem about community

Learning about the special swearing-in ceremony that takes place for the President and Vice-President Elect

Entering information about Inauguration Day

More Cooperation at Work!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and more!

In working with these second graders, I can feel a profound sense of hope for the future. The students in the class have a real interest in the world around them, and a care of others and the environment that surrounds them. We spent a lot of time this week exploring themes of peace, conflict, and our hopes and dreams for the future of our country. Students came up with lots of ideas, some of which you'll see in pictures below. We created writing pieces and art to go along with it in celebration of the work that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did on behalf of the Civil Rights movement. 

Our Dreams

Students also explored the idea of what a community is: Somewhere that we live, work, play, and solve problems. We made connections to the communities that we live in, as well as to our own classroom. In math, we spent lots of time exploring rulers, yardsticks, and measuring tools. On Friday, we celebrated more of Dr. King's work with a wonderful and beautiful PEACE Assembly that highlighted the importance of valuing everyone, and recognizing that every life is important. It was a wonderful end to our week! Until next time!

Writing Letters

Measuring fun!

MLKJ Art

PEACE Assembly performance by Hearts and Harmony

Back to Business

We were all a little sleepy on Tuesday, but by Friday, we all pretty much felt back in the groove of things! We started off the week by working on subtraction and picking up where we left off in reading. There was also plenty of time to review all of our Jaguar Pride expectations and re-learn many of our procedures and routines in class for reading, math and writing. Despite the frigid temperatures that kept us indoors for most of the week during recess times, the students kept a positive attitude, which is always wonderful to see. They showed lots of cooperation, responsibility and empathy for one another. Students enjoyed an author visit from Emily Jenkins, the author of Toys Meet Snow and the Toys Go Out series. We are excited for warmer temperatures and hopefully getting outside next week!