Our Week in Review 1.25 - 1.29

Rikki Tikki Tavi

Last week our class began reading the book Rikki Tikki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling.  The first time we read the book we focused on the following vocabulary words: cunning, scornful, restless, immense, restless, scuttle and cower. The second time we read the book we focused on all the reasons why Rikki Tikki Tavi had a right to be proud of himself. 

After reading the book a second time we matched pictures to sentence strips which described why Rikki Tikki Tavi had a right to be proud.  We also matched vocabulary definitions to pictures depicting vocabulary words.  After the matching of pictures as a class we wrote a 5 finger paragraph with the focus being, “Why does Rikki Tikki Tavi have a right to be proud of himself?” We used evidence from the text when backing up all the reasons. 

After we completed a class response to text, students wrote their own five finger paragraph on why they believe Rikki Tikki Tavi had a right to be proud of himself.  Students’ response to texts can be viewed during Parent Teacher Conferences (posted outside our classroom).  The video below shows our great thinking throughout this activity.

"Big Idea" in Biographies

In Reading Workshop we are continuing to learn about Important Americans.  Last week we read,​​ Mr. Ferris and His Wheel, and learned about George Ferris' significant contribution which was the creation of the Ferris wheel.  This contribution or "big idea" created entertainment for people.  Martin Luther King’s "big idea" was to started the Civil Rights Movement with the belief that all of mankind can live in peace with nonviolence.  ​Today we are reading about America's Champion Swimmer, Gertrude Ederle.  Be sure to ask your child what Gertude's "big idea” was.

Arrays!

Last week in math we learned all about arrays! We learned how to read an array and make an equation which matches an array.  We have also learned how to make our very own arrays!  Some of us are choosing to make an array using counters, while others are using graph paper and some students are using geoboards!  What makes arrays so exciting is that they are an introduction to multiplication (a 3^rd grade skill)! Ask your child about how they can make an array by rolling two dice! 

Transition Words in Opinion Writing

In Writing Workshop we have been learning the difference between a fact and an opinion.  We have learned that a fact is something that can be proven and an opinion tells how someone feels or thinks.  A fact that all of us knew about is that Porters Point School is located in Colchester, Vermont.  For our opinion writing we wrote what we thought was the best food at Thanksgiving.  After stating their opinion students then had to support it with reasons why. 

This week students are learning how to use linking words in their writing.  Some spicy linking words that can be used at the beginning of an opinion piece are: “I think”, “I feel”, “I believe”, “In my opinion....”.  Transition words that can be used throughout our writing pieces are: “First”, “To start”, “Secondly”, “Another”, “In addition”, “In conclusion”.  Look for us to start using transition words in our KidBlog posts!

100th Day Food Drive

The 100^th day of school is approaching! Right now it looks like it will be on February 4^th. We would like to celebrate this day in a special way that will help our community.   Our goal is for our second grade classrooms to collect 100 food items for the Colchester Food Shelf by the 100^th day of school. Please help us meet this challenge.  Please check expiration dates before donating.

Some suggestions are:

·        Spaghetti Sauce

·        Peanut Butter

·        Jelly

·        Juice  (non-refrigerated, 2 qt. size )

·        Mac and Cheese

·        Hearty Soups                                                       

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Second Grade Teachers

Squirm:Whole School Musical

A Note from Ms. Mutz

It's that time of year when Porters Point School students prepare for their whole-school musical.  This year we will be doing "Squirm!" by John Jacobson and John Higgins.  These two men really know how to write an age-appropriate (and fun) mini musical!  We have done several musicals written by them, including "How Does Your Garden Grow?", "Three of a Kind", "Hats", and "The Cheese Stands Alone", just to name a few.

During music classes, the story and songs have been introduced to students.  We draw on past experiences of performing in a different space from our own building -- Colchester High School.  We are fortunate to have that space, otherwise our school is just too small to take on a project like this.  Students practice and practice at our home school, then take a bus to the High School for a dress rehearsal.  The same evening as the dress rehearsal is when we perform for parents, friends and the community.  It really is an event not to miss!

Click on this link for Squirm-PPSParent Notice #1. 
Please stay tuned for more details and look for notes going home with your children from the "Porters Point Music Department"

Addition/Subtraction Spin

Today in math students learned the game Addition/Subtraction Spin.  Below are the instructions to the game.  If you would like to play the game please let me know and I can send your child home with the instructions.

  

Mr. Shpaner's Lesson

On Wednesday Mr. Shpaner joined us for a lessons.  Below is an explanation written by Mr. Shpaner regarding what our lesson included. Thank you Mr. Shpaner for another wonderful lesson!

Today the class considered whether people could trade goods without money (for example, by bartering), and how using money makes it more efficient.  We discussed whether things other than paper bills and metal coins could be used as money and learned that, in order to be useful, money must meet three requirements: (1) have some value; (2) be usable now or later; and (3) be easy to count.  As examples, we evaluated the following as “currencies”: (a) friendship (valuable, but impossible to count); (b) apples (valuable, can be counted, but can only be saved for a short time); and (c) rocks (easy to count and save, but not valuable; however, precious stones, like emeralds, could work).  A student insightfully pointed out that an object too valuable and unique would notwork, because not enough people would have access for it to truly circulate as money.  We then discussed that another country, like Canada, would have its own bills and coins that are not “money” accepted in the US, and vice versa.  Each student then traced with a pencil and compared a US quarter and a Canadian quarter.

DARE with Office Fountaine

Today Officer Fontaine came in for our first D.A.R.E. session. Officer Fontaine is from the Colchester Police Department and is teaching these lessons. D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Today’s lesson was about the importance of rules and why we have rules and laws all around us. Students had a lot of great and relevant points to add to the conversation. For more information, please visit the D.A.R.E. website (click here).

Our Week in Review -- December

Wonder of the Week -- 1.4.16

Why Do People Make New Year’s Resolutions?

Wonder # 90

• Why Do People Make New Year’s Resolutions?
• What is a New Year’s Resolution?
• What is Your New Year’s Resolution?

What is a New Year’s Resolution?

I think a New Year’s Resolution is a promise a person makes at the start of the year.  (Chloe)

I think a New Year’s Resolution is a promise someone makes to themselves to make the year better.  (Ariana)

I think a New Year’s Resolution is a promise to the world to make everyone's life better.  (Jayda)

I think a New Year’s Resolution is a goal that you make and before the year ends you try to achieve the goal.  (Naomi)

I think a New Year’s Resolution is to be surrounded with family.  (Jackson)

Why Do People Make New Year’s Resolutions?

I think a person would want to make a New Year’s resolution because it could make the year better and life better. (Liam)

I think a person would want to make a New Year’s resolution because you can be with your family.  (Elsie)

I think a person would want to make a New Year’s resolution because if someone doesn’t celebrate New Year’s you could celebrate for them.  (Emily)

I think a person would want to make a New Year’s resolution because it would help them complete a goal.  (Jayden)

What is Your New Year’s Resolution?

My New Year’s resolution is to party more.  (Kaleb)

My New Year’s resolution is I want to become a better musician. (Kallie)

My New Year’s resolution is to be a better friend. (Trinity)

My New Year’s resolution is to get through school so I can go and help other people.  (Jayda)

My New Year’s resolution is not to have as much candy because last year I had a lot of candy and got sick, also candy is not healthy for you.  (Ariana)

My New Year’s resolution is to finish the 3rd grade math level on DreamBox. (Naomi)

My New Year’s resolution is not to eat a lot of unhealthy food because it makes you sick.  (Alaina)

My New Year’s resolution is to become a writer.  (Gunnar)

My New Year’s resolution is to have fun with my family and be myself.  (Zach)

My New Year’s resolution is to read more because it is good for your brain.  (Chloe)

My New Year’s resolution is to be better at things like eating healthy.  (Jackson)

My New Year’s resolution is to sing better.  (Elsie)

My New Year’s resolution is I want to become an artist.  (Emily)