This week we baked delicious Apple Pandowdy, learned about the lunar eclipse, celebrated Bernie's birthday, enjoyed bubble gum as we worked on writing, examined the parts of a flower, and were introduced to Operation Migration and the whooping crane project.
APPLE STUDY
We wrapped up our study of the apple tree by baking delicious Apple Pandowdy (inspired by the song Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pandowdy taught in Music class) and reviewed the importance of the apple blossom in the tree's life cycle. To do this, we used lilies to examine the parts of a flower. Using these large flowers, children were able to clearly see the stamen (the male parts). The stamen produce the pollen and children were able to touch and feel the pollen grains up close. We also looked for the pistils (the female parts) with the sticky tops. Bees are important pollinators for apple trees. When they fly from flower to flower, tiny pollen grains stick to their legs and fall off onto the sticky pistils of other flowers. When the pollen travels down to the ovary, the seeds become feritilized and an apple begins to grow. Ask your favorite second grader some facts he/she remembers about the apple blossom. See the Gallery for our baking photos!
Thanks to our baking helpers Jeff Schmidt, Mairead Reidy and Tareta Adams and everyone else who sent in ingredients and supplies.
WHOOPING CRANES
On Friday, we introduced the story of the amazing mission to save the endangered whooping cranes by establishing a new eastern flock. Our second graders will track Class of 2014 birds as they begin their first migration south to Florida. The current Class of 2014 (learning to migrate following ultralight aircraft) is a small one with only seven chicks. We will also follow their progress as we receive updates from Operation Migration and Journey North daily and weekly.
The migration is underway. The cranes flew 5 miles on Friday and we are awaiting an update about today's flight. Stay tuned and if you get a chance, check out the live crane cam early in the mornings after sunrise. You might catch a glimpse of take off! Below is a video introducing the cranes and Operation Migration's mission.
On the brink of extinction, a flock of only 15 wild migratory whooping cranes remained in the early 1940s. Since 2001, with ultralight aircraft leading the way, a new wild flock of migratory whooping cranes is being reintroduced to the eastern U.S., once part of their historic range. The goal is 25 breeding pairs from 125 birds in Wisconsin by 2020. The new flock has had limited success in nesting, and the fragile migratory population still has a rocky road ahead. Thanks to the efforts of Operation Migration there are now just 101 wild adult Whooping cranes in the new flock migrating in eastern North America. Each year, new crane chicks are raised in captivity, trained to migrate with the ultra lights, and added to the new eastern flock. This year's new flock members are called the "Hatch Year 2014" birds, or the Class of 2014. These birds hatched in the spring of 2014 and have been training in White River Marsh, Wisconsin all summer.
APPLE STUDY
We wrapped up our study of the apple tree by baking delicious Apple Pandowdy (inspired by the song Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pandowdy taught in Music class) and reviewed the importance of the apple blossom in the tree's life cycle. To do this, we used lilies to examine the parts of a flower. Using these large flowers, children were able to clearly see the stamen (the male parts). The stamen produce the pollen and children were able to touch and feel the pollen grains up close. We also looked for the pistils (the female parts) with the sticky tops. Bees are important pollinators for apple trees. When they fly from flower to flower, tiny pollen grains stick to their legs and fall off onto the sticky pistils of other flowers. When the pollen travels down to the ovary, the seeds become feritilized and an apple begins to grow. Ask your favorite second grader some facts he/she remembers about the apple blossom. See the Gallery for our baking photos!
Thanks to our baking helpers Jeff Schmidt, Mairead Reidy and Tareta Adams and everyone else who sent in ingredients and supplies.
WHOOPING CRANES
On Friday, we introduced the story of the amazing mission to save the endangered whooping cranes by establishing a new eastern flock. Our second graders will track Class of 2014 birds as they begin their first migration south to Florida. The current Class of 2014 (learning to migrate following ultralight aircraft) is a small one with only seven chicks. We will also follow their progress as we receive updates from Operation Migration and Journey North daily and weekly.
The migration is underway. The cranes flew 5 miles on Friday and we are awaiting an update about today's flight. Stay tuned and if you get a chance, check out the live crane cam early in the mornings after sunrise. You might catch a glimpse of take off! Below is a video introducing the cranes and Operation Migration's mission.
On the brink of extinction, a flock of only 15 wild migratory whooping cranes remained in the early 1940s. Since 2001, with ultralight aircraft leading the way, a new wild flock of migratory whooping cranes is being reintroduced to the eastern U.S., once part of their historic range. The goal is 25 breeding pairs from 125 birds in Wisconsin by 2020. The new flock has had limited success in nesting, and the fragile migratory population still has a rocky road ahead. Thanks to the efforts of Operation Migration there are now just 101 wild adult Whooping cranes in the new flock migrating in eastern North America. Each year, new crane chicks are raised in captivity, trained to migrate with the ultra lights, and added to the new eastern flock. This year's new flock members are called the "Hatch Year 2014" birds, or the Class of 2014. These birds hatched in the spring of 2014 and have been training in White River Marsh, Wisconsin all summer.
G.U.M.
As the children begin Work on Writing during our literacy block, we want them to focus on their ideas and not worry about spelling words correctly. To help keep kids writing, we introduced GUM (Guess, Underline and Move On). If children get stuck on a word, we encourage them to give it their best try, sound it out and guess. If they are still unsure and want to check it later, they underline the word and keep writing. When the children went off to begin writing, we gave them each a piece of pink bubble gum. See our twitter feed for the bubbles we blew afterward! This week, we will introduce a spelling dictionary. Children will have their own dictionaries to use as a reference and as a place to record their own frequently used words.
WET DRY TRY AND WRITE ABOUT APP
We also introduced two new iPad apps to use during Work on Writing. Wet Dry Try is a handwriting app that helps children build automaticity in their letter and number formation. Some children continue to experience reversals while writing or begin their letters/numbers in the wrong direction (all should start at the top of a line and go to the left). This app was developed by Handwriting Without Tears Program and gives children instant feedback. It doesn't allow them to writer letters/numbers incorrectly.
The Write About This App is another way for us to encourage writing. We have only introduced this app and right now, children choose from a collection of photo prompts to write about. Eventually, we will have author profiles and children will be able to customize their writing topics to connect it to reading and science.
When possible, we encourage parents to give children access to these apps (as well as the other apps we use for math, art, etc.) at home. This helps build their comfort level and skill with the apps and it also supports our academic program.
MATH
This week, we practiced writing number stories and learned that each number story must have at least two facts and a questions (i.e. Seven ducks were swimming in the pond. Five ducks were sitting on the grass. How many ducks in all?). When solving number stories, the children are also learning to identify important clue words that help them determine the operation (addition or subtraction). These words include how many in all/altogether, how many more/less, and how many are left.
We also worked on the number grid (hundred grid) to identify counting counting by 10s and 1s. The number grid is a tool that helps children add/subtract and it is especially helpful when children need to count by ten from any number. We use the number grid to help children recognize how place value changes when we add/subtract 10. When children have grasped this concept, they can begin to find the patterns for adding/subtracting 9 or 11. See what other patterns your child notices!
As the children begin Work on Writing during our literacy block, we want them to focus on their ideas and not worry about spelling words correctly. To help keep kids writing, we introduced GUM (Guess, Underline and Move On). If children get stuck on a word, we encourage them to give it their best try, sound it out and guess. If they are still unsure and want to check it later, they underline the word and keep writing. When the children went off to begin writing, we gave them each a piece of pink bubble gum. See our twitter feed for the bubbles we blew afterward! This week, we will introduce a spelling dictionary. Children will have their own dictionaries to use as a reference and as a place to record their own frequently used words.
WET DRY TRY AND WRITE ABOUT APP
We also introduced two new iPad apps to use during Work on Writing. Wet Dry Try is a handwriting app that helps children build automaticity in their letter and number formation. Some children continue to experience reversals while writing or begin their letters/numbers in the wrong direction (all should start at the top of a line and go to the left). This app was developed by Handwriting Without Tears Program and gives children instant feedback. It doesn't allow them to writer letters/numbers incorrectly.
The Write About This App is another way for us to encourage writing. We have only introduced this app and right now, children choose from a collection of photo prompts to write about. Eventually, we will have author profiles and children will be able to customize their writing topics to connect it to reading and science.
When possible, we encourage parents to give children access to these apps (as well as the other apps we use for math, art, etc.) at home. This helps build their comfort level and skill with the apps and it also supports our academic program.
MATH
This week, we practiced writing number stories and learned that each number story must have at least two facts and a questions (i.e. Seven ducks were swimming in the pond. Five ducks were sitting on the grass. How many ducks in all?). When solving number stories, the children are also learning to identify important clue words that help them determine the operation (addition or subtraction). These words include how many in all/altogether, how many more/less, and how many are left.
We also worked on the number grid (hundred grid) to identify counting counting by 10s and 1s. The number grid is a tool that helps children add/subtract and it is especially helpful when children need to count by ten from any number. We use the number grid to help children recognize how place value changes when we add/subtract 10. When children have grasped this concept, they can begin to find the patterns for adding/subtracting 9 or 11. See what other patterns your child notices!
FLASHLIGHTS NEEDED
We are planning a special classroom activity that we will introduce on Halloween. Each child needs his/her own flashlight to keep at school for the remainder of the year. The flashlights need to be easy to operate and small enough for your child to be able to hold while reading and keep in his/her book box. Book lights and headlamps are also ok. We would also appreciate some spare batteries to keep on hand. Please send in flashlights (labeled with name) by Monday, October 27th. Thank you!
READ ALOUD
Ms. Atiya finished the first book in the Heidi Hecklebeck series by Wanda Coven. In Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret, Heidi is a 2nd grader who starts school for the first time (she was previously home-schooled) and meets a mean little girl in her class named, Melanie Maplethorpe. Melanie turns Heidi's first day of school into a nightmare and makes Heidi not ever want to come to school again. Then she remembers she has a very special secret - she is a witch! Heidi is thinking of using her special powers to get back at meanie Melanie.
We have eagerly started the second book Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell. Heidi has decided once and for all that she will cast a spell to make Melanie Manlethorpe forget her lines in the school play! Heidi is now working hard to get all the ingredients for this spell. We will find out this week if the spell worked! When we finish this second book, Ms. Atiya will put other books from the series in our classroom library for children to enjoy during their independent reading time.
iPAD APPS
We have been using several iPad apps in the classroom and wanted to share the list with you in case your child wants to continue the learning and exploration at home:
Math Bingo (free computer version, http://www.abcya.com/math_bingo.htm)
Math Doodles
Jungle Coin
Cash Cow
Math Tappers: Find Sums (great for addition facts up to 100)
Drawing Pad
Wet Dry Try (read more below)
Write About This (read more below)
UIC PRACTICUM STUDENT
Please welcome Ms. Cindy to our classroom. She has been observing in our classroom for her graduate school practicum at University of Illinois at Chicago for the last two weeks and will be with us through the end of November. Please see the classroom blog to read her lovely introduction.
HALLOWEEN
The ESH Halloween Parade will begin at 9:30 on Friday, October 31st. All 1st and 2nd Grade classes will participate along with some N/K classes. Parents are welcome to come by the classroom at 9:00 a.m. to help children get into their costumes. Once the parade begins, parents are invited to watch the parade at designated spots. Please let us know if your child will not be participating in the Halloween activities or marching in the parade. More details will be available in upcoming newsletters.
We are planning a low-key Halloween party after the parade. Look for an email from our room parents for how you can help.
As your are planning your child's costume, please remember that children need to manage their costumes with relative independence. They will only wear their costumes during the parade and party and will need to change back into school clothes before we go continue with the rest of our day. Elaborate face make-up is discouraged, as are weapons. If a sword, light-saber, etc. is a vital part of your child’s costume, he/she may carry it but may not use it as a weapon. Please be mindful of the younger children in our school who may be frightened by scary costumes.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES REMINDER
We look forward to meeting with many of you on Monday. Please wait outside of the classroom until we come to the door. Our time is limited and we have a full day. Please be on-time. Thank you.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th
7:30 Chloe 12:45 Marcus
8:10 Lucy 1:25 Bridget
8:50 Leila 2:05 Antonio
10:00 Uma 2:45 Jayden
10:40 Gaurav
11:20 Caden
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15th
3:45 Paola
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17th
7:30 am Katie (Elizabeth)
SAVE THE DATE
We will have our Fall Breakfast Potluck on Wednesday, November 12th, 7:30-9:00 a.m. Details coming soon!
Thanks to Jasper and his family for the "wonder-full" book, Animals Up Close. It's been a big hit in the classroom!
Have a lovely weekend!
We are planning a special classroom activity that we will introduce on Halloween. Each child needs his/her own flashlight to keep at school for the remainder of the year. The flashlights need to be easy to operate and small enough for your child to be able to hold while reading and keep in his/her book box. Book lights and headlamps are also ok. We would also appreciate some spare batteries to keep on hand. Please send in flashlights (labeled with name) by Monday, October 27th. Thank you!
READ ALOUD
Ms. Atiya finished the first book in the Heidi Hecklebeck series by Wanda Coven. In Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret, Heidi is a 2nd grader who starts school for the first time (she was previously home-schooled) and meets a mean little girl in her class named, Melanie Maplethorpe. Melanie turns Heidi's first day of school into a nightmare and makes Heidi not ever want to come to school again. Then she remembers she has a very special secret - she is a witch! Heidi is thinking of using her special powers to get back at meanie Melanie.
We have eagerly started the second book Heidi Heckelbeck Casts a Spell. Heidi has decided once and for all that she will cast a spell to make Melanie Manlethorpe forget her lines in the school play! Heidi is now working hard to get all the ingredients for this spell. We will find out this week if the spell worked! When we finish this second book, Ms. Atiya will put other books from the series in our classroom library for children to enjoy during their independent reading time.
iPAD APPS
We have been using several iPad apps in the classroom and wanted to share the list with you in case your child wants to continue the learning and exploration at home:
Math Bingo (free computer version, http://www.abcya.com/math_bingo.htm)
Math Doodles
Jungle Coin
Cash Cow
Math Tappers: Find Sums (great for addition facts up to 100)
Drawing Pad
Wet Dry Try (read more below)
Write About This (read more below)
UIC PRACTICUM STUDENT
Please welcome Ms. Cindy to our classroom. She has been observing in our classroom for her graduate school practicum at University of Illinois at Chicago for the last two weeks and will be with us through the end of November. Please see the classroom blog to read her lovely introduction.
HALLOWEEN
The ESH Halloween Parade will begin at 9:30 on Friday, October 31st. All 1st and 2nd Grade classes will participate along with some N/K classes. Parents are welcome to come by the classroom at 9:00 a.m. to help children get into their costumes. Once the parade begins, parents are invited to watch the parade at designated spots. Please let us know if your child will not be participating in the Halloween activities or marching in the parade. More details will be available in upcoming newsletters.
We are planning a low-key Halloween party after the parade. Look for an email from our room parents for how you can help.
As your are planning your child's costume, please remember that children need to manage their costumes with relative independence. They will only wear their costumes during the parade and party and will need to change back into school clothes before we go continue with the rest of our day. Elaborate face make-up is discouraged, as are weapons. If a sword, light-saber, etc. is a vital part of your child’s costume, he/she may carry it but may not use it as a weapon. Please be mindful of the younger children in our school who may be frightened by scary costumes.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES REMINDER
We look forward to meeting with many of you on Monday. Please wait outside of the classroom until we come to the door. Our time is limited and we have a full day. Please be on-time. Thank you.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th
7:30 Chloe 12:45 Marcus
8:10 Lucy 1:25 Bridget
8:50 Leila 2:05 Antonio
10:00 Uma 2:45 Jayden
10:40 Gaurav
11:20 Caden
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15th
3:45 Paola
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17th
7:30 am Katie (Elizabeth)
SAVE THE DATE
We will have our Fall Breakfast Potluck on Wednesday, November 12th, 7:30-9:00 a.m. Details coming soon!
Thanks to Jasper and his family for the "wonder-full" book, Animals Up Close. It's been a big hit in the classroom!
Have a lovely weekend!