Raz Kids!

Exciting news... we now have a subscription to a wonderful reading site called 'RAZ-Kids!'.  I am so grateful that we were able to purchase a subscription to this amazing site.  Once students know their passwords (I will provide them in the report cards today.  Everyone's will be a picture icon of some sort) they will be able to access online books and quizzes that are at their own reading level.  I will be attaching a link to the site on the left-hand side of my blog so that students can easily have access at school or at home!  If I can't get a link up and working please go to Razkids.com and use my username.  My hope is that they have an opportunity to explore this over February vacation.  Happy Reading!



"Go Fish" Musical - Feb. 21, 2012

It was so great to see our kids shine last night at the performance.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.  It was a delight to see the kids in "character".

Waiting to head on stage

Clown Fish

I was SO surprised to see her new haircut!  LOVE IT!



Musical Performance - Practice at the High School

Today we went to Colchester High School to practice our musical "Go Fish".  It was awesome!  Here is a  "sneak" peek.

Mrs. Davis' Fish

Our "Clown Fish"

My fish! :)



Comprehension Strategy- Making Inferences

This week in reading I introduced a comprehension strategy called "Making Inferences".  An inference is when you take clues and the information you already know to make a conclusion about something.  Good readers use inferencing while they read.  I began this lesson with a Brain Pop Jr. video on inferencing.  The next day I had students pull items out of my purse.  These "clues" or items helped the children make an inference about me.  The students really enjoyed it!



Valentine's Day Celebration

Sorry these are a bit late, but here are a few photos of our Valentine Math Activities and our celebration on Tuesday.

Candy Heart Math

Reading Valentine Cards

Yummy cupcake!

Math Homework and Reading Bags

Please take time to check your child's math homework before they return it to school each week.  It is a great way to reinforce your child's math skills at home.  :)
Also, remember to listen to your child read from their book bags, sign the sheet, and return it to school when complete.  Many students have books that they are "experts" at reading, but do not have their reading bag here to take it home.  To keep our reading workshop running effectively the bags need to be returned to school.  Thank you!



Ice Skating and Bowling

What a great Friday morning we had!  Some 2nd grade friends enjoyed bowling while other friends went ice skating.  If you didn't get to join us please enjoy some of our class photos!  Bowling pictures are added!

Here are the bowlers!

Looks like a great time was had by all! 

Happy 100th Day of School

Tuesday, February 7th marked the 100th day of 2nd grade!  We had a variety of activities around the 100th day of school.  Please enjoy the few shots I remembered to take!

Making our 100th Day hats!

100th Day Math Challenge



Picking Your Child Up Early - A message from the front office

Picking Your Child Up Early:  I want to remind you of something I shared in an earlier newsletter.  We understand, from time to time, parents need to pick their child up early from school.  Our procedure is for parents to stay at the front of the building and have the front office call the student down.  This helps us keep accurate records and reduces the number of distractions a classroom teacher has during learning times.  I appreciate your support in following this procedure.  I would also ask those of you with children in classrooms near the middle doors to refrain from knocking on the windows and/or peeking into the room.  It is proving to be disruptive.

Mental Images

During reading workshop we have been discussing and sharing our mental images.  A mental image is the "movie in your head" as you are reading.  It is the "pictures" in your mind.  Mrs. Lucier read Owl Moon to the class this week.  Each student is sharing their mental image and is doing an amazing art project to go along with it!

Stay tuned for the completed work...



Math Stations

Today in math we explored with tape measures.  We recorded our jumps in inches and in centimeteres.  We also measured our arm span.  Next, we will find our class median for arm span.

A jump in action!

Measuring in centimeters

Measuring arm span



Good-bye To Our Dear Friend...

We are so sad to be losing a member of our classroom community today.  Sami is moving  and will be attending a new school.  We celebrated this new journey with her today in class.  We enjoyed a treat, some tears, and some kind words!  She also is taking a UMS Bear with her.  BEST OF LUCK!  We will miss you!