Spiders

     We started learning about spiders this week.

     Today we read spider fact cards about nine different types of spiders.  We then broke into small groups to make a Venn Diagram comparing two different types.  Some students started sorting fact and opinion cards about spiders.  We will be working on that all week.  By the middle of next week, each student will have completed a paragraph full of information they've gathered on a specific type of spider and "play" lots of different spider learning centers.  FUN!

     Junie B. had to be returned to the library but not before we finished one more story.  In it, Junie B. thought her brother was a REAL monkey!  We started reading a new spooky story this week. 

We've finished two chapters and I'm excited to see what happens next.  

     Here are some other pictures I have to share. 

place value

syllable sort

even/odd

more place value

synonym matching

creepy spider spotted on board

Photos

     Ever feel like a hamster running on the wheel?  That's how I've been feeling lately.  I'm finally posting some pictures I've been promising.  I apologize for the wait.  Be sure to check out our edline site for some more pictures.

All the students took this pledge

find the missing addends

Is the answer even or odd?

adding three numbers

Our super cool Walking Wednesday trophy

witches fingers to follow along

more missing addends

cool place value dice

Walking Wednesday

     This Wednesday is walking Wednesday.  Children are encouraged to walk or carpool to school.  The class with the highest percentage of walkers get a super cool trophy.  My class didn't win the trophy once last year BOO HOO.  I hope we do this year.

     We have so many things going on in class.  We've been reading lots of stories.  We are currently reading a book titled Second Grade Rules.  Freddy made a new friend and they plan on trick or treating together.  They even thought of cool costumes.  I wonder what will happen next?

     We are also listening to a Junie B Jones story on CD.  Her books are a bit tricky to read because Junie uses baby talk but they are super fun to listen to.  I love Junie's voice.  She is currently hiding so she doesn't have to get on the stupid, smelly bus.

     We've been learning and reading about Christopher Columbus too.  Remember, no school on Monday.  I'm not sure if I'll ever use my pull down map again.  Ask your child to tell that story.  It's funny.

     We finished up our science unit on matter.  We did a few experiments along with it.  Today we placed rocks in water and watched the water rise.  It did this because each form of matter takes up space.  We also had a lot of fun last week trying to see which group could melt an ice cube faster.

     By now we should be experts on using proper punctuation at the end of sentences.  This week we will be writing about a friend.  Let's hope the students punctuate properly.

     If you aren't following the Wyman School on twitter you may be missing out.  Check out @wymanwoburn for the latest happenings.

   

Reading Challenge

     Monday kicked off our Reading Challenge fundraiser.  Mrs. Maloney had an assembly and read the whole school a wonderful story about characters in a book that come to life.  It was called Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook.  Children are asked to read every night and collect sponsor $ to donate to the school.  There are all sorts of activities this week to keep us motivated.  Today was READ ME DAY and students were encouraged to wear words on their clothing.  Wednesday is BRING IN A BOOK FOR SOCIAL CONCERN DAY.  Thursday is PJ DAY and Friday is PATRIOT or RED, WHITE AND BLUE DAY.

     Students have been loving science.  We are experts on solid, liquids and gasses.  We used a balance scale because all matter has mass.  We did an experiment where we put a paper towel into a bucket of water but it didn't get wet.  You can ask your child more about that.

     We did a little Horrible Harry writing.  I forgot the pictures so stay tuned.  We are also going to write a little Horrible Harry adventure of our own this week.

      You child need to know their addition and subtraction facts up to twenty off the top of their head. So while driving in their car ask what's 9+7.  Be sure they are doing extramath as well.  Math will be so much easier if they master those facts.

Horrible Harry

     This week we've been reading Horrible Harry in 2B by Suzy Kline.  We finished it today.  The children really seemed to enjoy it and were begging me to read each day.  Harry does some pretty horrible things but he does one or two good things as well.  Ask your child to tell you all about him.  We have other Horrible Harry books in our classroom library and I was pleased to see some students check them out of the school library today.  We are working on a little Harry writing project now so stay tuned.
     We've also been reading Poppleton stories.  I thought two of them were especially funny.  I liked the one when he was buying a new bed and the grapefruit story.  Poppleton has a funny problem when he eats grapefruit.  Has your child ever tried grapefruit before?  If not consider picking one up.  A taste would certainly explain what happened to Poppleton's lips.  
     We had an official fire drill this week.  The children executed it perfectly.  We were so very quiet, which is important because we need to be able to hear the firemen in case they have special instruction for us.
  On Monday, to kick off of our school reading fundraiser, the Wyman School will be having hat day.  Remind your child to wear his favorite hat to school.

Back to School Night

     This Thursday is Back to School Night for parents, 6-8.  This year is especially important for you to attend because elementary schools are getting an ALL NEW standards based report card.  It's totally different than what you are used to.  Want to learn more about it?  Then be sure to attend this Thursday.

     Student council applications are due Thursday.  One (or two) students from each class is chosen to meet during lunch, a few times throughout the year, and talk about improving our school.  Last year's student council decided to help an animal shelter and started collecting donations for animals.  I explained council to the children and invited anyone interested to take an application.  Mrs. Maloney and Mrs. C will be choosing representatives from each grade on Monday.

     Today we discussed the stages in the writing process and then read The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant.  We admired all the details she used when telling us about her relatives from Virginia.  Boy, did that family like to hug.  We decided to write about a time we may have visited with relatives or friends.  Children met with partners to talk about their experience (prewriting) then started writing (draft) on their own. Cynthia Rylant is also the author of Henry and Mudge books, which we have been reading and Poppleton books which we will be reading.

 
       A student wore this shirt today and I just LOVED it.  I HAD to snap a picture.  Did you know smiles are contagious!  Test that theory out and see.

 
 Mark your calendars.  Tuesday, Sept. 23 is picture day and next Wednesday is a half day.  Dismissal will be at 12:30.

Pete The Cat

     We have been having lots of fun with Pete the Cat stories.  Pete is a groovy cat that likes to sing.  I love to sing too so I really enjoy reading his books.  We found a website with some Pete songs, videos and activities.  Click here to check that out.

     Monday we used IXL in the computer room.  Clearly the children used IXL in first grade because they all knew exactly what to do.  We are scheduled to use the computer room Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 2-2:30.

     Today we read Daddy, Can I Have an Elephant?.   The main character asks for some crazy pets. The students brainstormed other ridiculous pet choices and wrote about one of them.

     The students got into groups to play two different games this week.  In one game, they had to work with a partner to find rhyming words.  In another, they had to put school related words into sentences.  I had to remind almost every one of them that sentences need to begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation.   They shouldn't need reminders much longer.

     I super excited to tell you about our two fabulous new helpers.  Miss Fahey will be in our room 45 minutes a day to help out with reading.......whoo hoo!  Miss Nicole (Wackrow) is a high school senior who will come for an hour before lunch to help our class as well.  I feel so lucky to have them both on our team.