Noetic Math Contest

National Winners!!!!!!!

The Prime Pumpkin Prediction

Do you know what "Prime Pumpkin Prediction" is an example of? Your child does - ask!

Today we wrapped up this fun autumn project. Students estimated how many seeds were in their pumpkin, then they dug in and counted. We compared seed count to pumpkin size and figured out the difference between our estimates and the actual count.

Students also "planted" a few seeds in a wet paper towel which was sent home in a plastic baggie. I urged them to tape the baggie to a sunny window and observe. If the water dries up they should add a bit more. We would do it in the classroom but we have no windows!

Circumference

What better way to learn about circumference than with a pumpkin? We kicked off our geometry unit today learning about circumference. 

Week of October 25

Monday - full day, evening parent conferences

Tuesday - full day

Wednesday - early release day

Thursday - early release day

Friday - No school!

A "spooky spelling list" was sent home this week and is due Thursday. If students choose the "super bonus challenge", that is the only assignment that needs to be completed.

Lego Math

Is it possible to incorporate Legos into our curriculum without just having the day turn into free time? Absolutely! We have been working on graphing in math class and students were assigned data regarding colored t-shirts or Silly Bands. They were required to graph the information. Each student had a specific rubric and created a bar graph according to their assigned data.

Cross Country Read Aloud

A teacher from a 2nd grade class in Rhode Island, read us a story via Skype this week. At the end of the book, the students had a chance to ask questions. We learned about the time difference between Rhode Island and Arizona, why Rhode Island is called "the ocean state" and compared current temperatures.

Play the video clip to see a little of our Skype call in action!

Skeletons!

Each student had a fabulous time today creating a skeleton of him or herself (complete with organs). As one student put it, we created "a custom replica of ourself that would be like creating the perfect sibling."

It was a fun, hands on learning experience. 

First, everyone was assigned a partner.

Then...

...everyone got traced! 

Then we watched a brief Keynote on the skeletal system. Students also went to several websites to research where certain bones and organs were located in the human body.

Learning about the brain was FUN!

Roald Dahl Book Reports

Our first book report of the year was due yesterday and students did a fabulous job! All the posters are on display in our hallway if parents want to stop by and take a look.

We learned a lot about Roald Dahl and almost every student went on to read more books by this unique author. Any student that read three or more filled out a reading log and I mailed it in to the Dahlathon so we could win some "dahlicious" prizes!

Origami Frogs

In preparation to see the play last Friday, we learned a little about frogs and toads. We also made origami frogs, and then did a writing activity based on our new pal.

Frog & Toad

Our field trip to see "Frog & Toad" was a huge hit! The kids had a great time and the overall consensus seemed to be that the play was pretty funny. We weren't allowed to take photos in the theater, but below are a few from the bus ride (nearly as exciting as the play, really!) and the lobby.

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Special Area Change

Starting tomorrow we have the wonderful opportunity of having an additional certified teacher to work with my class once or twice per week in the library. As a result, our special area schedule will change a little bit. We will move to a four day rotation rather than the five day rotation which is our current schedule. My students will be divided among the other four 2nd grade classes for special areas. I am sure after a few days the special area transition will be fairly seamless. I am excited about this opportunity because it will give my students a chance to meet new friends. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! 

Plenty o' Pumpkins

Thanks for the generous pumpkin donations!

Thank you so much to everyone who donated a pumpkin! Just having them in the classroom is building lots of anticipation for pumpkin math and science projects to come.

Thanks again!

Happy Columbus Day!

Welcome to another wild week! Here is what is on our agenda:

Language Arts - We have been learning about Arnold Lobel in preparation for the field trip this Friday. More field trip information to follow later in the week.  Also, I told the students they may add one more option to the "A" spelling list this week and that is to email me their words using their pvlearners account. They may choose any of the three options on the "A" list.

We've been having fun playing geography games on an iPad! 

Math - The first Noetic Math competition of the week is here and we are excited! A study guide (with answers) was sent home tonight. Students opted to work on their math study guide in lieu of CML homework this Thursday. Noetic study guides do not need to be returned and are based on questions used in a previous competition. The competition will be held this Thursday, and there will be no homework this Thursday night.

Social Studies - Today we started learning about Christopher Columbus and we will continue studying his history throughout the week.

Picture retakes are this Wednesday, October 13. Students who were absent the original day will be photographed, along with anyone who was not satisfied with their original photo.

Next Tuesday, October 19 is an early release day.

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns!

Pumpkins!

 
I am hoping to get five pumpkins donated to the classroom for some pumpkin math and science projects. The pumpkins can be delivered anytime in the next two weeks.

Our pumpkin math and science unit includes concepts like circumference, estimation, weights and measurement and the life cycle of a pumpkin.

If you would like to donate a pumpkin to our class for this activity please leave a comment indicating so.

Thank you!

Weekly Update - October 4

  In Language Arts this week we will be doing a "Frog and Toad" webquest in preparation for our upcoming field trip. Incidentally, if you have not yet sent in field trip money, please do so within the next few days.

We have a class of math maniacs! Over a fourth of the class has already tested out of the addition challenge, answering 100 problems correctly in under three minutes. We will continue with the challenge this week and students who have already tested out will start a more difficult challenge (at their request!) We are not only doing math drills in math class. That is merely one small part of our day. Math is differentiated to meet the current academic needs of each student.

In Science we will be finishing the osmosis experiment we began last week and will also start learning about life cycles, nutrition and the human body. Social Studies will be integrated into this unit.

On Wednesday The School Store will be open during lunch.

This Friday is another "Friendly Friday"! Parents and other guests are welcome to join us in the classroom from 9:15am to 9:45am.

Grades are up to date and accessible in Infinite Campus. Please email me if you are unsure how to log in or do not know your child's user name or password. 

Finally, if you have not yet indicated your preference for conference date and time, please let me know before Tuesday. We are having a staff meeting this week to coordinate sibling conferences. 

Have a super week!