Week of December 13,2010

Just a week before Christmas, and we are busy as usual around here in second grade. We are still working on reading and math skills, but we did find time for GINGERBREAD HOUSES! What fun we had!

We had parents (that even included a couple dads!) and other relatives donate their time to help the kids make their beautiful creations. We want to thank Mrs. Kleinbeck, Mrs. C., and Mrs. West for taking time out from math skills to help us. we also want to thank Mrs. Jensen's student teacher, and even one my former students, now in college, for stopping in! Thank you to all the parents who donated materials to our houses. We couldn't have done it without you. Check out our website for a link to more pictures (murraycsd.org - click on 2nd grade, scroll down to find gingerbread houses).

While we are speaking of websites, I want to remind the kids about a new link on the second grade site called Fun and Games. It has a link to Dance Mat typing and some fun math learning games. If the kids find themselves bored over the holidays, have them get on there and have fun practicing their math and typing skills. If you run across any other learning links, please email them to me, and I will add them to our list.

With all the fun we have had, we did take time the last couple weeks to help others. The kids did chores around the house to earn money to buy back packs for kids in Uganda, Africa. These kids' lives have all been touched by AIDS, war, or both, and are in great need. The kids walk to school every day and many do not have anything to carry their books in. Carol Adams, the director of Youth Encouragement Services, said she would be able to purchase about ten backpacks with the money the kids earned and sent over. We were so glad to be able to help kids who do not have the things we do in the United States. To learn more about her mission, find her link on our website.

With the holiday season here, we want to take time to be thankful for all the many blessings we have!

Week of December 4th

Christmas is just around the corner, but it hasn't slowed us down in second grade! We have been learning what to do when we do not know a word, and we have continued to practice regrouping in math. We made pancakes Friday afternoon after "reading" Pancakes for Breakfast (this is a wordless book) by Tommie dePaola. It was kind of funny, because that is what was served for breakfast at school that morning. Our Flat Stanleys have been writing back to us and one even has a facebook account. If you would like to see all the wonderful things Crystal's Stanley has been doing and you have a facebook account, do a search for Flat Stanley Flat from Murray and you should be able to find him.
We continue to have our store every other week, and we could sure use any donations to our classroom store. Items do not have to be new - they could be toys in good shape that your child does not play with anymore. You know the old saying - one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Next week will be a busy one as we will be making gingerbread houses - oh what fun we have that day!!!

Week of November 29. 2010

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is gone and Christmas is just around the corner. We have begun decorating our tree in Second Grade (we call it a Charlie Brown Christmas tree because he is not much to look at - until he is decorated). We have our beads on and will begin our ornaments soon.

In math, we are working hard on regrouping with addition and are doing very well with it. In reading, we are working on strategies to do when we don't know a word. We have finished our Flat Me's and our reports. They are out in the hall so stop by if you are in the neighborhood and take a look. We are anxious to see the return of our Stanleys and learn of his many adventures.

We switch "gears" next week and begin our study on simple machines and magnets. Needless to say, we continue to stay busy.