Animal Fantasy

During the past few weeks the students have been involved in a genre study of Animal Fantasy. Through this study they have leaned that Animal Fantasy is a story created in an author's imagination. The characters are animals that talk and often act like humans. The setting of the story is either a human dwelling, an animal home with human furnishings, or an animals natural home. The problem in the story is one that humans might have and it is solved in a way that humans might solve the problem. Upon completion of the unit the students put their knowledge to the test. Each student chose a book from the Animal Fantasy basket. After reading the book, the students created a diorama to demonstrate their understanding of the genre.

Finally, each student presented their diorama to the class and their classmates asked questions related to the characters, setting, problem, and solution. The students did a wonderful job and were very proud of their dioramas.
Essential Question: How do you know the story you chose is Animal Fantasy?
Common Core:  RL.2.1  Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. SL.2.4  Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.

Valentine's Day and Presidents Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a great time celebrating Valentine's Day on Friday. The students had fun rotating between 4 centers. 

A huge thank you to Mrs. Guthrie and Mrs. Hunter for organizing the crafts and for helping during the party. It wouldn't have run as smoothly without you!

President's Day

In addition to celebrating Valentine's Day, many of the students completed an optional President's Day project. For this project, the students researched information about either George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Each student presented their research to their group. It was interesting to hear the different facts they found.

Common Core:

RI. 2.1  Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

SL. 2.4 Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences

SL. 2.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

Happy 100th Day!

Happy 100th Day! We had an exciting day celebrating our 100th day of second grade. During math the students rotated through several centers that put their creativity to the test. At each center the students were asked to work together with their team to create something using 100 pieces or in the case of the money center, to come up with as many ways as possible to make 100 cents. Check out their amazing creations!

Essential Questions: 

What can you create using 100 cups, Legos, pattern blocks, or popsicle sticks?

How many different ways can you make 100 cents?

After completing each station the students completed a page in their mini book where they stated which station they were at, what materials they used, and what they made. After they drew a picture of their creation. After completing all 4 stations each student reflected on the activities and wrote which was their favorite and why, which was the most challenging and why, and which station was the easiest and why. 

In addition to these fun activities, Christian shared a 100 Day project he created at home. Great job Christian!

It was a great 100th Day! SL.2.1  Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. L 2.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.