Student Council

     Yesterday, our student council, which has two representatives from our class, put on an assembly kicking off their fundraiser idea.  The Wyman is collecting change and goods to help support the Northeast Animal Shelter.  A volunteer from the shelter came and spoke all about the shelter.  I wouldn't be surprised if every student went home asking for a puppy.  The thought even crossed my mind (for about 10 seconds) and I am NOT an animal person.

     Second graders are ROCKING the announcements this week.  Everyone, so far, has come over that speaker loud and clear.

     We finished reading Flat Stanley today.  Poor little guy thought he was going to Africa to see a flat skull just like his.  Instead, it was just a fish skull.  Stanley was disappointed, but boy did the Lambchop boys have an adventure.  We wrote about three different story events in our journal today.

 

   

Morning Announcements

     Exciting news!  It's our turn to do the morning announcement.  The students are ecstatic.    Two students will head down to the office first thing in the AM to announce birthdays, lunch menu, recycling team and start the Pledge.  They've all been assigned days and can't wait.

      Every student presented their animal projects to the class.  I had planned to spread the presentations out over the week but they were too excited so we did them all in two days.  It's not easy to wait.  The children did an excellent job and were very knowledgeable about their animals.

hallway board

     We did some writing about spring.  The students did a fabulous job describing spring with zippy words.  Their sentences had sparkle and pizazz.  Ask them what a fantastic sentence should sound like if it's zippy.

     The student have been working hard on various St. Patrick games this week.  I shouldn't call them games.  Work stations would be a better choice.  I'll have to remember that for next year.  Here's a peek at a few of them.

missing addends

sentence sort

     Trivia night was a huge success and a lot of fun.  Mandy Sawicki did a fabulous job organizing.   If you haven't ever been, mark your calendar for next year.   You don't want to miss it.

   

Forgot

     I was soo wrapped up in the excitement of the day that I forgot to send homework home.  We finished writing our reports, worked on covers, started a little math workshop and fractions.  All that and St. Patrick's Day.  Homework was the farthest thing from my mind.  I'm sure the children (and parents) are all in tears this evening with out it.  Don't worry, I will double up for the rest of the week.

Report Writing

     We started writing our animal questions into a report today.  I wanted to start on Monday but I kept holding off until we had a day without absences.  I couldn't wait any longer.  We have completed our sloppy copy and will edit and neaten them up on Monday.  We will also start presenting our projects to the class next week.  The children are so proud of their dioramas.  They should be, they look fantastic.  Log into our class edline page to view a slide show of them all.

     We  have been learning about and identifying different text features (glossary, index, table of contents, maps, diagrams etc.).  Subtraction with regrouping is coming along nicely as well.  This is our rhyme to help us decide if we need to regroup "more on the floor, go next door" or "more on top, don't stop".  Practicing at home is never a bad idea.  Be sure to keep working on xtramath.  Another student completed addition today-YIPPEE.  All second grade math skills can be practiced at IXL math.  Your child should know their log in info.  Be sure they add @wyman to their user name.

Flat Stanley

     We had a very special guest in class today.  Mrs. White's nephew, from Kennebunk Maine, mailed her Flat Stanley.  She brought him into our class for a visit.  She took pictures of him on our bulletin board, playing a math game, and reading OUR Flat Stanley book.  We were so excited to have him visit that we decided to read about one of his adventures.  Flat Stanley is heading to Africa with his dad and brother to check out a flat skull that was discovered in an archaeological dig.  We can't wait to hear what happens.

     A Time magazine form came home today.  If the school gets lots of booklets back they will give us a Time (for kids) subscription for each class FREE and your child will receive a prize.  Booklets must be in by Friday.

     In math, we started subtraction with REGROUPING.  Pretty grown-up stuff.  The children seem to have caught right on.  We are still practicing telling time and reviewing money.

     Dioramas are coming in and they look GREAT.  If you have not signed and returned your field trip permission slip and progress report, please do so ASAP.

     Thursday is a half day.  Dismissal will be at 12:30.

Reminder

   1) Don't forget to work on your dioramas.  They are due on Friday.  You can send them in as soon as they are done.

     2)  If you child did not pass in their animal question sheets, be sure they do on Monday.  We will begin writing our reports and if your child doesn't have their answers done....WELL....that will be BAD.

     2) Log into xtramath and get addition completed. So many of you are VERY close.

     3) Follow the Wyman School on twitter  @WymanWoburn  Follow me too if you haven't already @kpotamis (or click the little bird in sidebar)

     4) Keep on practicing with money and time.  Friday the students did an excellent job telling time.  YIPPEE

   

Telling Time Brain Freeze

     It happened today.  Quite a few students suffered from major telling time brain freeze.  They ALL got it as we worked as a class, worked in small groups and EVERYONE could tell time one-on-one with me.  When they had to complete a worksheet on their own, brain freeze kicked in.  I told them not to freak out that we will practice lots more tomorrow.  I even sent quite a few of them home with paper clocks to practice (they didn't love that idea).  IXL has some telling time practice online, remember to type @wyman as part of your user name.  I'm sure the other sites do as well.  (See links in the sidebar).  Check them out.

     Remember gym, animal project questions and state test tomorrow. BUSY BUSY BUSY

Comfy fun

     Read Across America Day was a success in our class today.  Everyone looked comfy cozy with their stuffy's and pj's.  We had three different sprawled out reading sessions.  Around 9:00 we spread out and read to ourselves for about 20 minutes.  After computers, around 11:40, we got to read with friends of our choice for a bit.  Then after lunch we read with our second grade neighbors.  It was super fun!

     I have declared an XTRAMATH challenge and the other second grade is joining in.  By the end of March, every second grader will have competed XTRAMATH addition.  This is absolutely a reasonable goal for us (for first graders too).  Many have reached this months ago and others have a longggg way to go.  Your child must long on often, practice makes perfect.  If you cannot log on at home, please let me know and I will get you the set-up information again.  I will make time available in class for those who don't have computer access.  The link to XTRAMATH is located on the side of this page.

     Friday we will be having a state test.  A practice page was sent home today and we will be practicing (a lot) in class.  The children will have to locate CA, FL, TX, SC (for our pen pals) and each New England state on a blank map.  I'll give them the name of the state and they will mark it appropriately.  For example, I'll say "color Massachusetts blue, Maine green, put a T on Texas" etc.

     Save the date, April 3rd.  Kindergarten, first and second graders will be taking a field trip to see a production of Henry and Mudge.  Permission slips should be coming home soon so keep an eye open for them.

     Gym has been changed this week.  We are SUPPOSED to have gym on Wednesday BUT due to some conflicts, we will have it on Friday for this week.  It's just a one time change.

     Reminder, animal project question sheets are due on Friday.  Make sure your child understands what he/she writes. =)

Animal Projects

Click here (last year's post on animal projects) for some helpful hints on your research.

Read Across America

     Monday is Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Your child may wear their pj's, bring their favorite blanket, pillow or teddy and BOOK(S) for some comfy read time to celebrate.  Remember, their book doesn't have to be a Dr. Seuss.  It can be any book of their choice.

     What a great talent show Friday night!  Everyone did a bang up job, but undoubtedly the stars of the show were 2nd graders!!!!!!!  I'm not at all surprised, second graders ROCK.