Step-Up Day and Other Information

The end of the school year is flying by, I can’t believe tomorrow is Step-Up day. Students will be leaving for MBS tomorrow morning at 8:45. Students will have time to eat a quick snack at 8:30, however, I encouraged students to eat a large breakfast before they come to school tomorrow. Students will learn who their 3rd grade teacher is tomorrow morning before they get on the bus. Students will be back at PPS around 10:45. Tomorrow your child will be bringing home a formal letter informing you of who their 3rd grade teacher is.

Tomorrow afternoon we have our last PBIS all-school celebration. I told students we saved the best celebration for last. The last celebration is a surprise (and a good one!) Parents are more than welcome to attend; the celebration begins at 2:00 outside.

This week in math we have been practicing for the NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program). The NECAP is the assessment students will take at the start of 3rd grade. We have been working on test taking strategies along with practicing the following math skills: charts and graphs, fractions, counting money (making change) and place value. Students’ packets from math this week will be coming home on Friday.

In Project Block we have started to create our Lake Champlain presentations. Students have been researching and discussing the many ways the community hurts and helps Lake Champlain, along with solutions to the problems that are created.

Please have your child return their book bags and their blue Math Resource Book.

I look forward to seeing everyone Monday morning at 8:30 for our Closing Ceremonies.

Our Week in Review 5.20 - 5.24

We had a week packed full of activities! This week’s Animoto Video includes photographs from the following events:

- 4-Winds
- Memorial Day Assembly
- Birthday Celebration
- Stephanie from the Lake Champlain Basin
- Beach Day

Mystery Skype - Texas

On Friday we had our second Skype session with Mrs. Kue's 2nd grade class. In our first Skype session Mrs. Kue's class answered all of our questions. We then used the answers they provided us to determind the location of their classroom. Based on our research we think the class is located in Texas. For our second Skype we formulated "We think" sentences (below). We then had the opportunity to ask the class questions.

The "We think" statements we told Mrs. Kue's class were:
- We think you are in Texas because the Dallas Cowboys play football in Texas.
- We think you are in Texas because the state flag is red, white and blue.
- We think you are in Texas because the Rangers play baseball in Texas.
- We think you are in Texas because Texas is famous for having rodeos.
- We think you are in Texas because the former president (George Bush) lives in Texas.

Based on our questions we also learned many interesting facts about Texas and Mrs. Kue's class.
- 2 members of Mrs.Kue's class have been to VT.
- Snow never accumulates in Texas.
- Mrs. Kue's class explained why you need clowns at a rodeo.
- The temperature can get up to 120 degrees during the summer in Texas.

Mystery Skype - Country

On Tuesday we Mystery Skyped with Mr. Root's class.  Mr. Root's class is located in a foreign country.  On Monday we are going to use the answers from the questions we asked Mr.Root's class to help us determine the country their class is located in.

Mr. Root's Class

Poetry!

We have begun our last unit of study in Reading and Writing Workshop.  Click here to read about our Poetry unit of study!

ECHO Field Trip Notices

Just a reminder that I need ECHO permission slips by Friday, May 24th. If you need another copy of the permission slip please let me know.  You can also download a copy of the permission slip by clicking here.

End of Homework!

For the past three days I have had the pleasure of spending time with my 2-year-old god child who is carefree and full of life. We have spent the afternoons outdoors running around playing tag, going down the "big" slide for the first time and having dinner at various relative’s homes. He has a 6-week-old sister who is content with someone holding her and talking to her.

This week has reminded me how important it is to spend quality time with friends and family. With all this said, formal homework for the year will conclude this week (Friday, 5.17). Students’ assignment for the remainder of the year is to spend time with their family and friends, take in fresh air and enjoy the remainder of their 2nd grade year.

ECHO Field Trip Notice

(This below notice will be sent home with children on Monday 5.13)  You can also print the entire notice by clicking here.

 

May 10, 2013

Dear Parents,

The end of the year is coming quickly! We are planning a second grade field trip for Wednesday, June 5th to the science center, ECHO, located in Burlington.  This will be the culminating activity for our Lake Champlain unit. We will also have a picnic lunch on the waterfront.  Please be sure your child brings a bag lunch and a drink that does not have to stay cool in his/her backpack.

We will need chaperones for this trip.  We will be leaving school at 9:45 AM and returning to school by 1:45 PM.  Unfortunately younger siblings are not able to join us on this trip.   If you would like to join us, sign on the form below.  All permission slips and money need to be returned to school by Wednesday, May 24th.  Also, in order to chaperone you must fill out a volunteer form.  They are available on the CSD website if you have not already filled one out this year.

The children and teachers will be traveling by bus.  There will be room for chaperones, but you may choose to meet us at ECHO.

The cost of the trip for the children and chaperones is $5.00 per person because of a generous donation from the Porters Point PTO. This includes admission to ECHO, a workshop titled Wetland Wonders and bus transportation.  Please make checks payable to Porters Point School.

 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hooper

Ms. LaRose

Our Week in Review 5.6 - 5.10

Biography Lapbooks

Our Biography Lapbooks are complete! They can be found outside our classroom.

Project Inside Out

Please see the information below regarding Project Inside Out.

Biography Lapbook

Students have been working hard on their Biography Lapbook this week.  All students have one important American they are researching.  Most students are doing their research with a partner.  Each child has their own Biography Lapbook Notebook in which they are using to collect the following information on their important American:

-         Timeline of their important American’s life

-         Vocabulary words learned throughout their research

-         Character traits that describe their important American

-         Fun facts about their important American

-         Compare and Contrast Diagram

 

Once completed, student’s Lapbooks will be on display outside our classroom.

 

Sunscreen

As the weather gets nicer it is my hope to get students outside at least once a day.  This past week we had our math and reading workshops outside.  Daily  students go outside for recess and often students will be heading outside for P.E.  Since students will be exposed to the sun multiple times throughout the day it is important that they are protect from the sun. I am requesting that all parents put sunscreen on their child before they leave for school in the morning.  If students need to reapply sunscreen mid-day (before lunch) please send in sunscreen that they can keep in the classroom.  I will be available to help students apply sunscreen before they head outside.

Thank you!

Mystery Skype Country

Our Mystery Skype experience this week was different.  Instead of Mystery Skyping with a class, we Skype with only the teacher, Noah.  Based on the clues below can you guess what country Noah is from?

-         This country is going to have the 2022 Soccer World Cup

-         This country boarders only one other country (Saudi Arabia)

-         This country’s closest ocean is the Indian Ocean

-         This county’s population is 1,500,000 however only 200,000 of these people are from the country

Leave a comment if you believe you know the location of our Mystery Skype country.  We did some research to help us figure out where our Mystery Skype country was.

A big thank you to Mrs. Kaddish (our librarian) who helped arrange this Mystery Skype.

A Few Reminders

-          Make sure to check the classroom blog for upcoming special events/activities.

-          Anyone who plans on volunteering at Project Inside Out needs to complete a Volunteer Registration Form.  If you have already completed this form for  2012-2013 you do not need to fill out another form.  If you are unsure if you have completed this form please contact me and I will check for you.  The form can be found by clicking here.

-          As the weather gets nicer we will be moving our classroom outdoors.  It is important for students to stay hydrated throughout the day.  Please make sure your child brings in a water bottle each day.  I am also looking for blankets students can use outside to sit on.   If you have a blanket you would be willing to let our classroom borrow for the remainder of the school year please send it in with your child.

-          I am looking for parents to provide a healthy breakfast treat for our Closing Ceremonies event on Monday, June 3^rd.  If you are able to bring something in please let me know.

Taking our Classroom Outside

Below are pictures taken during our math class today.  We had a wonderful time learning outside.