Bats, Bats, Bats!

I am so proud of our second graders hard work on our study of these interesting creatures of the night.  We closely read informational text all about bats to gather facts and key information.  Then each student made a bat fact book.  This cute little book then became their graphic organizer to help them write an informative paragraph about bats.  To top it off each student drew a scientific diagram and labeled key parts.  Our kiddos are certainly growing as writers and I couldn't be happier.  They are gaining independence and confidence in their abilities. So proud!

I can't believe this is the only picture I snapped.  I thought I got the students in action.
I guess I need to be sure to snap more action shots!

Our Golden State

Well we officially wrapped up our California facts and symbols project today.  It was a BIG one! I  am so proud of the students' hard work.  It was our first attempt at writing a paragraph and they did so well!

To start out we did some close reading of an informational text passage all about California.  Then the students went back and reread in order to answer questions about our state.  Our goal was to answer each question with a complete sentence.  Those little finger muscles got quite a work out that's for sure!

Next we used QR codes to lead us to internet resources on California's state symbols.  The students conducted their researched in pairs.

Later, we took all the information we gathered to create these spectacular posters about California.

Once the kiddos became experts on California we took all the information they knew and wrote our very first paragraph!  Let me just say, this was no easy feat!  I put my game face on, and strapped on my roller skates to zoom around the room, and with each sentence things got smoother and smoother.  Today we started our second paragraph all about the pumpkin patch and praise the Lord and pass the mashed potatoes because our writing time was like 100 times easier.  They are getting it!!!! #happyteacher Here we are doing some peer editing, because there needs to be like 22 of me during writing time. #justsayin

The dot stickers are a visual (and fun) way to mark each part of the paragraph: hook, topic sentence, detail sentences, and conclusion.

To wrap everything up, and make our writing purposeful, our sweet second graders got to share their projects with a 4th grade student today.  They were all kinds of nervous, but felt so proud and happy after they did it.  Growth happens when we step out of our comfort zone my friends!

Way to go my little writers!  I'm so proud of you!  WRITE ON!

What We've Been Up to This Week

Hello friends!  Our All About Me Unit is coming along beautifully!  Since I last shared the kiddos have created precious family trees and family banners.

We have been having a grand old time with end punctuation as well. :)  Each student created an interactive flip book telling all about the three different types of sentences.  Then, to make our learning authentic, our second graders got to be the teachers and teach their first grade buddies all about end punctuation.  They even helped them think of, and write an example sentence for each.  After we were experts, students had a chance to play a fun game where they figured out the correct end punctuation for each sentence and sorted them accordingly.  Way to go second grade stars!  I am so proud of your hard work!

We have started reading centers, and the students are really starting to get the routine.  Thank you Mrs. Madison for being my right hand gal during center time.  This learning could not happen with out you!  You are so appreciated!  I'm a big believer that centers should be independent learning time, which frees me up to meet with small reading groups.  Research shows that students need to practice reading, writing, and working with words every day...so our centers are based around just that!  Students read independently, or with a buddy, they listen to books being read on the computer, they visit the writing center, and they work with words.  Here are our little readers in action!

Buddy Reading

Serious cuteness overload here!  Taking an AR with a buddy.

Sharing writing

Our Writing Center

Working With Words

Readers Gonna Read!

A quick peek at what's going on in math... We are nearing the end of our first chapter of study; addition and subtraction strategies.  Here are our mathematicians working during centers.  I love center time because it allows time to review and practice key concepts.  I think the kids are having so much fun, they don't even realize they are working! Ha!

Odd and Even Marshmallow Roast

Playing Headbands to review vocab.

Finding the missing addends

Making standard form, expanded form, base-ten block s'mores. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely day!  Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

Flat Stanley Unit Has Begun!

Woohoo!  We have officially started our Flat Stanly unit!  So far we have read the book and done several reading, writing, and vocabulary activities to deepen our understandings.

Then the students got busy creating their "flatselves" and wrote a letter to me telling how they got flat.  Such silliness and creativity!

Next each student wrote a letter to a friend, family member, or the president of the United States asking them to host their flat person for a week.  Accompanying the letter is instructions and a travel book.  We are going to learn so much about our beautiful country throughout this unit.

We walked on down to the mailbox and carefully placed each letter in the mail.  I am anticipating several good mail days in the coming weeks! Our trip to the mailbox Flipagram!