My Father's Dragon

Before Spring Break we finished reading one of my very favorite read aloud novels, My Father's Dragon.  This is a adventure tale of a young boy who journeys to Wild Island with the mission of freeing a baby dragon that is being treated as a slave.  Before leaving Elmer Elevator, the main character, meets a cat who gives him a laundry list of items to take with him.  Elmer packs each of the items in his knapsack and stows away for the adventure of a lifetime.
To make this novel even more engaging and highly interactive, the students each created a knapsack and packed it just as Elmer did.  They then wrote predictions for how they thought each of the items would be used.  As we read, whenever Elmer would find himself in a predicament the students would reach into their knapsacks and pull out the item they thought he could use to help get him out of the current mess he was in.  These discussions were so rich!  After we read on students would determine what in fact was used and write down how it was used on their item card.  So engaging!  It was almost as if a was preforming an interactive play as I read this memorable novel to the class.

 

Math Art

We had a little more fun with area and perimeter last week.  Students created these fantastic math art projects.  

After I explained the project, students worked in pairs to make a mini model of their design on graph paper.  Next students used 2 by 2 inch squares to create their masterpieces.  Once the art was completed, the kiddos then found the area and perimeter of their project.  Last but not least students were able to visit other classmates' math art projects and try to find the area and perimeter.  Are we having a cool gallery walk or doing math?  I say BOTH!  What an amazing way to integrate math, art, and teamwork.

Wrapping Up Geology

We have had a total blast studying geology in room 8!  I haven't shared in a while, so this post is going to cover a lot of ground (and I hope I don't leave anything out).  Sit back and relax, and get ready to see our favorite geologists hard at work!

Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition, Oh My!  

To learn these three important vocabulary words we  did a few hands on experiments and activities.  First the students built landforms with unifix cubes.  Next they pulled apart a piece of the landform (weathering), brought it to a different location (erosion), then started building a new landform (deposition)!  Such a simple and concrete way to understand three big science words.  

Then students simulated weathering, erosion, and deposition with our very own Mrs. Denis. 

 We created super flap books to explain and illustrate weathering, erosion, and deposition.

And because nothing is complete without a little singing and dancing, here are our stars in action.  

Volcanoes!

After learning all about volcanoes students worked in pairs to create a paper mache volcano of their own.  Pairs selected one of the volcanoes that we researched and tried their best to make their volcano look like a shield, cinder cone, or composite volcano.  Then our awesome room mom helped me draw out a great big map of the world so the kiddos could plot their volcano in its actual location.  This was such a powerful way for students to see and understand the Ring of Fire.  Last but not least we made our volcanoes erupt!  So much fun!

Soil

We learned all about different types of soil and the parts of a plant.  I will never cease to be amazed by the life that comes from a little tiny seed!  

 Geology Rocks!

To end this awesome unit students presented a delightful play Geology Rocks!  I was so impressed by everyone's talent and dedication to learn all their lines, songs, cues, and moves so well.  Way to go second graders!  I am so proud to be your teacher!