MILE RUN
Thanks to parents who joined the children for the mile run, either to watch or to cheer on the kids. This wasn't a race. Instead the children worked to beat their personal record from the fall. Bravo! They all did a wonderful job.
VISIT TO THIRD GRADE
Tomorrow we will walk over the the Historic Campus to enjoy lunch with Ms. Wortinger's third grade class. Please do not send heat ups as we will be eating lunch outside on the playground. After lunch, the third graders will lead us on a tour of the third grade hallway and children will have an opportunity to get their questions answered. Prior to our visit, we will watch the video that was shown at the Transitions Meeting for parents. The children are beginning to wonder about third grade and it is natural for them to experience some worry. You may notice some changes in behavior and your child may not be able to fully articulate his/her feelings. We definitely notice changes in the classroom - there is a different level of energy in the room, there seems to be more social disagreements and it can be harder for some children to stay attentive to the rules and expectations of the classroom. The end of the year can be difficult as we prepare to say goodbye. We hope our visit to third will alleviate some worries and help the children begin to feel excited about the upcoming year.
POTLUCK ON TUESDAY
We look forward to seeing many of you at our end-of-year potluck on Tuesday. The potluck will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:30-7:00 on the rooftop playground (or Learning Lab in case of bad weather). Please click here to RSVP and let us know how many adults and children will be coming. Families will be conveniently billed through FACTS.
$12 per adult
$10 per child
Includes: hot dogs, grilled chicken breast, veggie burgers/veggie dogs, garden salad, corn on the cob, bbq baked beans, and cookies.
Although the main dishes of the potluck will be catered by CafeLab, families are welcome to bring a favorite dessert, chips, or beverage to share.
High heels are not allowed on the rooftop because of the ground surface so please plan accordingly. There are some benches to sit on or you are welcome to bring a picnic blanket. It's been awhile since we had a potluck and we haven't had one outside. Please carefully supervise younger siblings as the equipment (especially the climbing wall) was designed for first and second grader bodies in mind. Also, children and families should remain on the roof for the duration of the potluck. The other playgrounds in the building will be closed. Children should also be reminded to not run around in the hallways. We have the same expectations for them at the Potluck as we do during the school day. We want to safely celebrate the end of the year together. Thanks for your cooperation in making this a special event for all of us!
INSECTS
For our final science unit this spring, we are learning all about insects and metamorphosis. In our classroom, we are observing harvester ants, painted lady caterpillars, ladybugs and moths. As entomologists, the children will observe and research these insects and learn the about what makes insects unique. As a part of the study, we will also learn about the differences between moths and butterflies.
All of our painted lady caterpillars have transformed into the pupal stage and are hanging as chrysalids. Our ladybug larvae are also in the pupal stage and should emerge as adults soon. The harvester ants have been busy digging tunnels in their bright blue gel habitat. This gel was created by NASA so they could observe ant behavior in space without the dirt tunnels collapsing due to the lack of gravity. The gel contains all the food and water the ants need to survive. One moth has emerged from its leaf wrapped cocoon but has already died. These moths have a short life span and do not even have mouths. Once they emerge as adults, the look for a mate and die shortly after. Be sure to ask your second grader what amazing insect facts he/she has learned!
Thanks to parents who joined the children for the mile run, either to watch or to cheer on the kids. This wasn't a race. Instead the children worked to beat their personal record from the fall. Bravo! They all did a wonderful job.
VISIT TO THIRD GRADE
Tomorrow we will walk over the the Historic Campus to enjoy lunch with Ms. Wortinger's third grade class. Please do not send heat ups as we will be eating lunch outside on the playground. After lunch, the third graders will lead us on a tour of the third grade hallway and children will have an opportunity to get their questions answered. Prior to our visit, we will watch the video that was shown at the Transitions Meeting for parents. The children are beginning to wonder about third grade and it is natural for them to experience some worry. You may notice some changes in behavior and your child may not be able to fully articulate his/her feelings. We definitely notice changes in the classroom - there is a different level of energy in the room, there seems to be more social disagreements and it can be harder for some children to stay attentive to the rules and expectations of the classroom. The end of the year can be difficult as we prepare to say goodbye. We hope our visit to third will alleviate some worries and help the children begin to feel excited about the upcoming year.
POTLUCK ON TUESDAY
We look forward to seeing many of you at our end-of-year potluck on Tuesday. The potluck will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:30-7:00 on the rooftop playground (or Learning Lab in case of bad weather). Please click here to RSVP and let us know how many adults and children will be coming. Families will be conveniently billed through FACTS.
$12 per adult
$10 per child
Includes: hot dogs, grilled chicken breast, veggie burgers/veggie dogs, garden salad, corn on the cob, bbq baked beans, and cookies.
Although the main dishes of the potluck will be catered by CafeLab, families are welcome to bring a favorite dessert, chips, or beverage to share.
High heels are not allowed on the rooftop because of the ground surface so please plan accordingly. There are some benches to sit on or you are welcome to bring a picnic blanket. It's been awhile since we had a potluck and we haven't had one outside. Please carefully supervise younger siblings as the equipment (especially the climbing wall) was designed for first and second grader bodies in mind. Also, children and families should remain on the roof for the duration of the potluck. The other playgrounds in the building will be closed. Children should also be reminded to not run around in the hallways. We have the same expectations for them at the Potluck as we do during the school day. We want to safely celebrate the end of the year together. Thanks for your cooperation in making this a special event for all of us!
INSECTS
For our final science unit this spring, we are learning all about insects and metamorphosis. In our classroom, we are observing harvester ants, painted lady caterpillars, ladybugs and moths. As entomologists, the children will observe and research these insects and learn the about what makes insects unique. As a part of the study, we will also learn about the differences between moths and butterflies.
All of our painted lady caterpillars have transformed into the pupal stage and are hanging as chrysalids. Our ladybug larvae are also in the pupal stage and should emerge as adults soon. The harvester ants have been busy digging tunnels in their bright blue gel habitat. This gel was created by NASA so they could observe ant behavior in space without the dirt tunnels collapsing due to the lack of gravity. The gel contains all the food and water the ants need to survive. One moth has emerged from its leaf wrapped cocoon but has already died. These moths have a short life span and do not even have mouths. Once they emerge as adults, the look for a mate and die shortly after. Be sure to ask your second grader what amazing insect facts he/she has learned!
MATH
This week, Mrs. Olander introduced multiplication using arrays. An array is an arrangement of objects into rows and columns as in the photo above. The cars above are arranged into an array - in 6 rows with 4 cars in each (or in 4 columns). From this we can say that 6 x 4 = 24 cars altogether. We introduce multiplication in second grade and much of it is conceptual, using manipulatives and numbers stories. For example, we may show the children an egg carton with 2 rows of 6 eggs each (2 x 6 = 12 eggs). In third grade, children will learn and practice multiplication facts to build automaticity just as they have been working on addition and subtraction facts in the first and second grades.
OREGON TRAIL
We have been learning a lot about the pioneers and decided on the supplies each family will bring and pack in their wagons. Each wagon can only carry 2.400 pounds so the children had to choose carefully for the 5 month trip! We are working on several entries in their pioneer journals (made by the children with the help of Zoey's grandma!). The children have created an imaginary pioneer family, chosen which family heirlooms to bring and are writing about meeting up with the wagon train in Independence, Missouri - a "jumping-off place." We hope to have our journals on display at the potluck for you to see.
PICNIC MONDAYS (JOIN US!)
Starting next Monday, May 23rd and June 6th, we will have Picnic Day during our lunch time 12:00-1:00 across the street in Jackson Park (weather permitting). On these days, please do not send heat ups. Children can still bring lunch boxes and will be able to pick up their milk. If your child does not receive milk from school, please send a beverage. Children are welcome to bring beach towels to sit on. They can store them in their cubbies until the end of the year. We invite you to join us as well!
If your child hasn't returned his/her Family Message Journal, please do so tomorrow. Thanks!
This week, Mrs. Olander introduced multiplication using arrays. An array is an arrangement of objects into rows and columns as in the photo above. The cars above are arranged into an array - in 6 rows with 4 cars in each (or in 4 columns). From this we can say that 6 x 4 = 24 cars altogether. We introduce multiplication in second grade and much of it is conceptual, using manipulatives and numbers stories. For example, we may show the children an egg carton with 2 rows of 6 eggs each (2 x 6 = 12 eggs). In third grade, children will learn and practice multiplication facts to build automaticity just as they have been working on addition and subtraction facts in the first and second grades.
OREGON TRAIL
We have been learning a lot about the pioneers and decided on the supplies each family will bring and pack in their wagons. Each wagon can only carry 2.400 pounds so the children had to choose carefully for the 5 month trip! We are working on several entries in their pioneer journals (made by the children with the help of Zoey's grandma!). The children have created an imaginary pioneer family, chosen which family heirlooms to bring and are writing about meeting up with the wagon train in Independence, Missouri - a "jumping-off place." We hope to have our journals on display at the potluck for you to see.
PICNIC MONDAYS (JOIN US!)
Starting next Monday, May 23rd and June 6th, we will have Picnic Day during our lunch time 12:00-1:00 across the street in Jackson Park (weather permitting). On these days, please do not send heat ups. Children can still bring lunch boxes and will be able to pick up their milk. If your child does not receive milk from school, please send a beverage. Children are welcome to bring beach towels to sit on. They can store them in their cubbies until the end of the year. We invite you to join us as well!
If your child hasn't returned his/her Family Message Journal, please do so tomorrow. Thanks!