11/16-11/20

This week, 2B was kept very busy! We learned about matter in science, and started to focus in on the specific types of matter- solids, liquids, and gases. We ended our solids unit on Friday by learning about Simon Rodia, a self taught engineer who built the Watts Towers. These towers were built entirely out of salvaged materials. The kids learned about how a triangular base can help make a structure strong. We tested this through a STEM project: design a tower made entirely of toothpicks and marshmallows, that can withstand the blast of a fan. They did a great job!

In writing, the kids wrote from the perspective of a turkey. Imagining themselves and their families as turkeys was a lot of fun...until they realized Thanksgiving was just around the corner. Their goal was to persuade the reader to eat something, ANYTHING, besides turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. I was impressed with a lot of their persuasive arguments, and I've gotta say, I may be rethinking what I eat for Thanksgiving dinner this year...

Have a blessed, safe, and enjoyable Thanksgiving break!

Flip flops, sunglasses, a towel, and sunscreen...what's the main idea?

Baking sheet, spoon, bowl, and chocolate chips...what's the main idea?

Floss, Glass, toothpaste, toothbrush...what's the main idea?

Comparing and Contrasting Matter

Comparing and Contrasting Matter

An engineering challenge

Testing out their structures

Testing out their structures

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:4
Spelling:ing/ink: bring, sing, wing, fling, string, link, drink, pink, think, shrink
Grammar: Past tense verbs/irregular past tense verbs
Phonics: ending consonant clusters
Reading: Main Idea Review
Math: TEST Friday
Science: Chapter 9 Lesson 3: Liquids and Gases, Date of Test will be announced next week

Writing: How to's 

Important Information:

• STAR reports were sent home in Friday folders. If your child's zpd has lowered, please continue to help them find books from their higher zpd range from previous tests. Remember, it's a long test, and results are extremely dependable on student's mindset at the time, as well as various other factors. 
• Information about the Read to Succeed Program was sent home in Friday folders. If your child reads 6 or more hours by the end of February (which should be easy to do if they are reading 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week), then they will earn a free ticket to Six Flags! 
• Thanksgiving Services at Zion will be taking place at: 7:00pm Wednesday Nov. 25th and 9:00am on Thanksgiving Day. 

November 9-13

This week we learned about context clues and how we have to be detectives to figure out the meaning of unknown words. To demonstrate this, we read a book called Bologna, Henry P. This book was about an alien who is late for school. His teacher is not very happy with him, and the alien blames it on the fact that he lost his zimulus (his pencil). The alien continues to elaborate on his story of how exactly he lost his pencil, and it is quite the story...much better than the typical "my dog ate my homework excuse." :) We had to use a lot of context clues to figure out the alien's language, and the kids did a great job!
In science, we finished up our unit on pollution. On Monday, the kids watched as poor Freddy, the sponge fish, suffered as his habitat became more and more polluted. On Tuesday, the kids chose supplies and attempted to clean up Freddy's water. They found that water pollution is very hard to undo.

Freddy the Fish was having a bad day:(

Look at how polluted his water is!

Cleaning up the water

In honor of Veteran's Day, the kids wrote letters to veterans. We mailed them and they should arrive to the veterans soon!

40 letters are on their way to veterans!

 In Religion, we learned about the story of Gideon in religion. It was such a cool story about trusting God, and how great, strong, and mighty he is. Check out Judges Chapter 7 for the full story:)

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Spelling: Chunk -oo
Grammar: Synonyms and Antonyms
Phonics: Sounds of Y
Reading: Main Idea
Math: TEST THURSDAY
Science: Matter- Solids, Liquids, and Gases. We will have a short test over Lesson 1 on Wednesday. A study guide will be sent home on Monday. We will have a short test over Lesson 2 on Friday. A study guide will be sent home on Wednesday. 
Writing: Save a Turkey, Eat More________ Persuasive Writing 

Important News:
-The thanksgiving food drive for seminary families is this coming Wednesday. 2nd grade has been asked to bring boxed potatoes.
-Book Order Flyers went home in folders on Friday. These are due Wed. Nov. 18th. You can place orders through the link on the blog's sidebar.

Cup Stacking Day in PE on Thursday

Nov. 2nd-6th

This week we began to talk about pollution in science and social studies. Many of the kids stepped up to the challenge of pollution and spent their recess time picking up trash from our playground. They were so proud to show off all of the trash they had collected. 

In reading and writing this week, we learned about a protagonist and antagonist in a story. We learned that oftentimes, the protagonist and antagonist of the story depends on who is telling the story. We read The Three Little Pigs (the classic tale), then read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (a tale told from the wolf's perspective). We compared and contrasted the two versions of the story and picked out the protagonist and antagonist in each. Then, in writing, the kids had to choose who was telling the truth: the pigs or the wolf. We had a lot of fun debating in class which character was right and which character was lying. Next, the kids had to write a persuasive paper as to which character is telling the truth and why. Be sure to ask your kids which character they believe!

We finished off the week on Friday with a successful compound word day! Thank you so much for your help in prepping the kids' outfits. 

Taste Testing Apples: I cut them into fractions, then we taste tested them and created a bar graph

Picking Up Their Playground at Recess

Compound Word Day

Looking Ahead to Next Week:
Memory: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Spelling: oke/ell: broke, choke, yoke, stroke, awoke, tell, yell, shell, smell, yellow

Phonics: vowels and r

Grammar: Action Verbs

Reading: Context Clues

Math: TEST Thursday

Social Studies: Pollution

Writing: Letters to Veterans 

Important News and Information:
-2nd grade is collecting boxed potatoes for the Seminary Food Drive which will take place Wed. 11/18 during chapel
-Zion has church services this weekend at 6pm on Saturday, and 8 and 10:30 am on Sunday. With Sunday School for both adults and kids in between Sunday services. They even have donuts!
Hope to see you there:)