Odd and Even Math Monsters

On Friday we combined our creative art skills with our math skills.  The class recently learned about what makes a number odd or even and what odd and even numbers end in.  Using these skills, the students each made a math monster including whatever body parts they wanted such as eyes, mouth, teeth, wings, horns, legs, etc.  The students recorded 4 odd body parts and 4 even.  I love how they all turned out so unique and colorful and put to use our math skills in a different way!

Doubles Rap!

We've been practicing the doubles facts the last few weeks through a catchy doubles rap.  We performed it in full gear this week.  We had a little technical difficulty halfway through with the smartboard, but the class did great and did not miss a beat!

School Picture Reminder

Just a reminder to all 2nd grade families that Monday, September 24th is school picture day!

Busy Birds Art Project

The Busy Birds art project was recently completed with feathers and hung up to share in the hallway.  These little birds turned out so cute!

The 2nd Graders are Chirping for a Burro Win!

What a fun day we had to celebrate Lanesboro school spirit and homecoming!  Our day started with cupcake decorating in the gym.  The 7th graders helped us frost and decorate our cupcakes.

A little later in our morning we went to the gym for face painting.

By afternoon it was finally time to hand out our masks and signs we worked so hard on for the parade!  The class has been waiting all week for the parade!

Finally... parade time!!

Go Burros!

A Special Place for our Writing

This week we worked on decorating our writing binders.  The students brought in special pictures, stickers, and magazine cutouts to personalize their binders.  This binder will hold all of their creative ideas, fiction stories, and personal narratives of school events, family traditions, play date recounts,  birthday party excitement, and so much more throughout the year!  Often, the students will also look at their binder to spark an idea of what to write.  Looking over the pictures of family and friends will remind them of something that has happened that could make a great story!

You're Finally Here! Books

This week we finished writing our first books as 2nd grade writers!  On the first day of school we read the book "You're Finally Here!" by Melanie Watt.  The students used a sticky note to write about 1 thing they had been doing in the summer that had kept them away from 2nd grade.

The next step in our writing process was for the students to brainstorm 2 more fun events that had kept them away from 2nd grade all summer.  The class then took their ideas and wrote them into sentences for each page of their books.  The final page telling the reader what they're looking forward to in 2nd grade.  After conferencing with me, the students worked in their little books on their words and illustrations.  Now our books are down on the rug for our classmates to enjoy during Daily 5 time!  I just love reading their books and seeing their sweet illustrations!

Our 5 Bee Promise

The 2nd graders just finished up being introduced to our 5 Bee Promise.  The 5 Bees represent how we work, play, and treat each other.  A specific book was read aloud to go with with each "Bee."  We then took time to discuss why each "Bee" is important at both home and school and what it looks like in our classroom. 

Once the entire Bee Promise was introduced, the students received their bee punch tickets.  Each day I recognize one student at the end of the day for being a hard worker, good listener, being kind, being responsible, or believing in him or herself.  I explain to the class what I noticed in this student throughout the day that ties into our 5 Bee Promise.   That student gets a punch on his or her ticket.  We discussed how we can handle it if our name isn't the one called on a particular day, and the class responded with, "Be happy for that student."  I loved this response!

Once a student has earned all 8 punches, he or she can look through our Best "Bee"havior Catalog.  They will also have a chance to earn a punch every Friday by bringing back their homework.

First Week of 2nd Grade!

We had a great first week in 2nd grade!  The beginning of the year includes a lot of learning about how we go through our day as 2nd graders from the moment we enter our classroom to the moment we leave!  That's a lot to learn, and this group has done a fantastic job!  I've been so proud of all of their hard work!

The students have learned about their morning routine of selecting their drink with their milk stick, making their snack choice, and then working on their wake up work.

After our wake up work and morning meeting we begin our Daily 5 reading block.  We start the year with building stamina for read-to-self.  It's important for the students to be able to maintain their focus on their independent reading so they can continue to get that essential practice even if they're not meeting with me in a small group during that round of Daily 5.

We learned how to shop for books in our classroom library.  The kids couldn't wait to get into our library and pick out their own books.   We also learned about read-to-someone and practiced!

At the end of our day we've been working on a watercolor art project that goes along with our theme of being "2nd Grade Busy Birds."  What a wonderful week!

We're Off to a Great Start!

We had a fantastic first day!  The students learned about our 2nd grade procedures and routines throughout the day.  We started building our stamina for read-to-self during Daily 5.  The students practiced our partner math station by playing a math game with a partner.  We also started working on our own books about where they've been all summer.  What hard workers this group is!