Winter Projects!

The last two weeks in class have been very exciting!  I didn't post last week because this week's curriculum and last week's ran into each other and we were able to create a culminating project at the end.  As part of our new ELA curriculum that is being piloted this year, at the end of every two units (which is after every 10 weeks) the students are able to participate in a student-led project.  We have been focusing on the story, "Poppleton in Winter" over the last two weeks.  This is such a fun story that explores the many things that can be done during the winter season.

In groups of three, the students had to choose a focus for their project that had something to do with winter.  After a class discussion, the groups were left with a few choices: winter weather, winter animals, winter clothing, indoor activities, and outdoor activities.  Each of the different groups ended up choosing 2 different focus areas and it was very interesting to see how their projects developed.  The main idea of the project was the group was to create a museum display about their "winter focus" that included intriguing questions, pictures, and non-fiction captions for each picture.  In the beginning of this whole process, there was a lot of discussion and organizing to figure out the best way to show their museum displays.

The next part of the project consisted of a lot of research and the use of the wonderful cloud printer in our classroom.  The students found a fact (which became their caption) that was related to their focus topic(s) and then found pictures that would match the facts.  The students worked incredibly hard on this whole project.  There was some compromising, some lessons in fairness, and a WHOLE LOT of teamwork involved.  

After working on the project for 2 full weeks, the class was ready to present their museum display.  So we spent some time working on what would be said and by which group member.  Then this morning, our class had the wonderful opportunity to present their museum displays to two other 2nd grade classes.  The kids were so great.... they ended up presenting their museum displays a total of 6 TIMES so that they could present to reasonably-sized audiences.  The two classes who came to see our museum display were very impressed with the hard work that the class put into their projects.

Group Presentations

A special scratch video created by Lincoln for Group #2's presentation.

Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Group Presentations

Over the last two weeks, we have been learning about money during our math time.  So, some of your kids may be showing a newfound interest in money, especially around the Christmas season.  Between coin sorting, identifying, and counting, we were very busy with learning all about money.  Some of them really enjoyed the money songs that we learned to help identify the coins.  Enjoy the songs!

Within the last two weeks, we also had the opportunity to have Baileigh read to us from "Junie B. Jones."

Looking back, I realize just how busy the last two weeks have been!  I think we are all looking forward to some fun Christmas activities in the coming week.

*As a reminder: The 2nd grade Christmas performances will be Thursday, December 15th at 9am and then again at 7pm.  For the evening performance, please make sure your child is in our classroom no later than 6:30pm*

Looking ahead: Friday, December 16th is a minimum day with students dismissed at 12:20pm

Focus on Family

This last week was an incredibly exciting one.  We spent most of the week preparing for our big event last Friday, Grandparent/Special Person Day.  Part of the second grade curriculum includes discussing family members and relatives.  Each student chose one special person in their life that they were to focus on for the past couple of weeks.  (Please note, actual Grandparent Day is in September, but this works so well around the curriculum and also, especially right around the start of the holiday season.)  The students wrote about their special person and even had some extra homework involving their special person.  The students wrote out 3-generation family trees and conducted a short interview with their special person.  (A special thank-you to the parents and family members who helped out with all of the components to this event and its coinciding projects.)  In their writing about their special person, each student made a book to give to their special person and focused on things that they do with their special person and what makes that person so special in the lives of the students.
Wednesday of last week, our science tied in perfectly with our special event.  We are just finishing up our unit in science on properties and matter and we made butter in the classroom.  Starting with just heavy whipping cream in a glass jar with a marble, the students were able to see the liquid form into a solid... after quite a bit of shaking.  One of the more important discoveries here was that once the liquid became solid, there was still some liquid in the jar.  The students learned the importance of skimming off the buttermilk and they were then left with a solid block of butter.

 

 

So the butter was to serve at our event on Friday.  But of course, we can't just have butter.  So on Thursday of last week, the class made homemade bread.  This also tied in with our science on properties and matter as we were able to revisit and discuss how things are changed with heat.  This bread recipe was done in gallon-size Ziploc bags and was mess-free!  Each student in the group had a job to measure out a specific item to go in the bread.  

Bread in a Bag

1 1/2 Cups Flour

1 Heaping teaspoon of salt

1 Heaping teaspoon of yeast

2/3 cup Water

Mix all dry ingredients in the bag together.  Make sure the bag is zipped tight.  Give it a couple of really good shakes.  Add in the water.  Close the bag tight.  Knead the dough in the bag for about 5-7 minutes.  Open the bag and leave in a warm, dry place to proof for 2 hours.  Put into mini loaf pans and bake at 475 for 25- 30 minutes.

 On Friday we were able to reap the benefits of all of our hard work.  We had a wonderful showing of special people arrive at the school.  We had a few special people who were not able to make it to the event, but we have such a wonderful class that some of the students shared their family members and special people with others.  This was really a touching day within the classroom.  (And, the students definitely saw me get emotionally worked up ---- just like I told the class they were happy tears, but it was an incredibly great moment in the classroom.)  Each student read their book and presented their special person to the class.  After the readings, all 4 second grade classes went outside and celebrated together by eating our bread and butter.  This was such a great event and couldn't have been successful without the help and support of parents and family members!

Here are a few photos I was able to catch during our celebration.

To the end the week last week, our class got to teach Mrs. Sonneville's class how to do some basic coding on kodable.com.  Everyone seemed to have a really great time!

Our whole school also was able to see the local Scotts Valley Pomo tribe do some native dances.  Friday was definitely an exciting day and the perfect end to the week.

This morning we managed to get in another character trait assembly.  Awards were given to two students from each class for being caring during the month of November.  I apologize for not getting a picture, but hopefully I will remember when we get back from break.  Awesome job to Lexxi and Mikaela for being so caring and considerate this last month!

A Quick Reminder:  Today parts for our class play for the 2nd grade December performance were sent home.  Please help your child work on their part over the next few weeks.  Dates for Performances: Thursday, Dec. 15th at 1pm and Thursday, Dec. 15th at 7pm.

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!