Spring has (finally) sprung!

Happy Friday!  I want to thank all of you for your patience, kindness, and understanding as I have adjusted to being back at school these past few weeks.  It is difficult leaving Teddy each morning, but I have really enjoyed getting back into the swing of things and working with your 2nd graders again!  I'm lucky to be working with such a great group of families this year!  I'm sorry that our class blog hasn't been updated since I've been back.  I'm still playing catch-up, but think I am almost there! 

Mr. Koerner did an amazing job taking over while I was out in January and February.  It was fun seeing all the work your students did with weather, poetry, presidents, Kansas symbols, and many other subject areas in my absence.  We are now finishing up our trip around the world in Social Studies.  Students are "visiting" the seven continents.  At each stop we are investigating the land, culture, animals, location, and fun facts of that area.  This afternoon we will visit South America, and will return home to North America on Monday and Tuesday.  On Wednesday and Thursday we will do some review activities, and students will be tested on this unit on Friday, April 12.  For the test, students will be asked to label a blank map with the 7 continents and 4 oceans (there will be a word bank).   They will also need to write down 2 or 3 facts they know about each continent and tell me a little about the landforms we have studied.  Instead of a study guide, your child will be bringing home his or her "suitcase" early next week.  Please take time to sit with your child and allow him or her to tell you all about our trip. 

Our next major unit of study will be our study of amphibians and reptiles in science.  To prepare for this unit, we had a special guest from Prairie Park Nature Center visit our pod this morning with some animal friends.  During this unit, we will compare various amphibians and reptiles, look at the differences between species, and learn about animal adaptations.

In writing, students have been working on some small research projects to prepare for our next major writing project.  2nd graders will be working with partners to write a book about an assigned animal.  We will be focusing on the writing process, taking notes, using text features, and the traits of good writing.

Our current author study is Mem Fox, who has tied in well with our Social Studies unit as she is from Australia.  We also continue to read "SuperFudge".  Our next big read-aloud will be "Judy Moody Saves the World".   

In math, students are working on place value, adding 3-digit numbers with regrouping, and reading and writing numbers to to 1,000 and beyond.  Thank you for your continued support with homework.

As always, thanks for all that you do to support our classroom.  Please add the dates below to your calendar.

April 6 - Family Fun Run at YSI
April 16 - 2nd Grade Music Program
April 23 - Family Fitness Fair
April 25 - Kansas City Zoo
May 10 - Lied Center trip, Field Day
May 23 - Last day of school