Since this week is an assessment week in Wonders, there are no new spelling words.  We will be practicing how to take a Unit Assessment.  I would like to take this opportunity to practice some pretty important skills.  By the end of the week, I would like the children to all know, and be able to write their full name, address, phone number and birthday.

 

I had the children take a pretest today to determine what parts of the above they will need to practice this week.  I have corrected their pretests with the information that I had, and have sent them home.  If any of that information is incorrect, please send it back to school, corrected.  I have asked the children to talk with someone at home to determine what phone number is the most important for them to know.  This is the number that they should practice throughout the week.

 

I have included four practice pages, for the children to practice this information throughout the week.  If you have an alternative method of practice, you are more than welcome to have them practice a different way.  These pages can stay at home.  They do not have to be returned, but please monitor to make sure the children are practicing the correct information.  I will reassess the children at the end of the week to see if we will need to take some additional time to practice this information.

 

Thank you all for your support with this!  I know this is a break from routine, but it is my belief that this is important information for the children to know.  We will have some conversations throughout the week, to discuss some foreign concepts to the children, like geographical regions, zip codes and area codes, etc.

Where: We will walk from New Boston Central School to the Historical Society and the Whipple Free Library.

When:  Monday, October 29, 2018 (*rain date11/5/18)

Who:    Second Grade Classes

What:  We will depart from New Boston Central School at approximately 8:15. Combining both science and social studies curriculum, we will take part in a walking tour of our beautiful town.  For the first part, volunteers from the Historical Society will lead a short presentation at the Historical Society, then guide us on a walking tour of several sites; including the Historical Society, Nan’s House, The Northeast Café, Parker Mill, the site of the old Ice House, and the town library.  Students will learn the rich history of these sites, and compare that to life in our town, now.  Another component of our tour will be exploring the woodland habitat along the Mill Pond trail, across the new footbridge, and ending at the Whipple Free Library.  At the library, the children will receive a tour, and hear about its history, and how the library operates.  Along the trail, children will explore and observe the rich plant and animal life, as well as the changes that have occurred due to weather and man.    Children will also enjoy a brief snack, either at the library or in Parker’s field.

We will then return to New Boston Central School, on foot, in time for lunch by 11:20.

 

*Students will need to bring a snack to carry and consume on the field trip.

*Students will need to wear proper footwear to walk downtown, and along the trail.

*Students will have to dress for the weather, as we will be outside for an extended period of time.

 

*Please return permission slips by:  October 19, 2018

 

What a crazy week of weather we had!  One day we were freezing, and the next we were sweating with the fans on…  Fall weather has definitely arrived!  We had another great week!  The children have really fallen into some great routines.  I am proud of the children for their kindness and compassion for one another.  I love how willing they are to help one another.  We have very quickly become like a little family!  Well, we were up to 14 purchased lunches on Friday!  I had my second ever purchased lunch on Friday, with another group of kiddos that was having their “first” or “second” ever lunch at school.  It has been so fun, having lunch with the kiddos!  Speaking of, we are starting a cafeteria challenge.  The children are trying to earn a golden tray, by showing bobcat behavior!  I know that they can do it!

 

Last week was a great week in Wonders!  We talked a lot about families, and how families can work together.  We read several stories, and brainstormed lots of great ideas around this topic.  We started a piece of writing around this topic, as well.  Most children started a reading group, and have been very patient while I found a “just right” place for them.  I could not be more excited about this room of readers!  There should be a big box of books coming our way, soon!  I can’t wait to share them with the children!  I know it is challenging, with crazy soccer, field hockey and so many other wonderful enrichment opportunities for the children, however, if they have a few minutes to read, each night, it will have a huge impact on their reading.

 

In math, we have finished up with Unit 1!  Wahoo!  We have worked on building foundational skills, and will continue to do that, throughout Unit 2.  The children may be talking about working with me, individually, as well.  I have been working on getting some more information on some of the kiddos.  This will just help me to focus small group instruction.

 

Friday brought another STEAM challenge!  Wowza, was this fun!  We worked more on the engineering process for this challenge.  The children watched a short movie, explaining what a catapult was, and then I showed them a short video of a young boy creating a catapult.  I only showed the video to them once, so I was incredibly impressed with how well the children were able to successfully create a catapult, without a step-by-step tutorial.  It was so much fun watching them launch their catapults!  I hope some of them completed some of their challenges over the weekend.

  

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Last year, as a school, and in our classroom, we participated in the National Cardboard Challenge.  This challenge was started by a young boy named Caine, who created an arcade, solely out of cardboard.  Last week, we watched a clip of what has happened since.

Soooo…bring on the cardboard!  Last year, as a class, we participated in the whole school build.  Then, we came back to our classroom, and worked on our own individual builds, in the classroom.  The children had so much fun with this!  This year, we are going to do the same.  We will participate in the whole school build on Tuesday afternoon, during our usual library time.  However, we will be working on creating our own “games” in class, on Wednesday.  What does this mean?!!  SAVE YOUR CARDBOARD! The children are going to work on their designs on Tuesday, and then have a chance to create their game on Wednesday.  I am asking the children to bring in the materials they will need, for their game.  This will include, recycled cardboard. (i.e. cereal boxes, shoe boxes, pasta boxes, amazon boxes, egg cartons, toilet paper or paper towel tubes, and any other paper/cardboard recyclable they can think of.). I will have extras, to share with the children.  We will also have tape, and glue for the children to use, for the challenge.