STREAMS Wednesdays!

STREAMS stands for  Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math and Social. Here are some pictures of an engineering task from this Wednesday. Students were challenged to build a free-standing structure. We measured to see how tall they were, and took a "gallery walk" to see construction techniques others used.

Partner Poetry

During "Read Across America Week" we read Green Eggs and Ham as a group. The student writing response was to work with a partner to create a poem inspired by Dr. Seuss's rhymes. Pairs chose a type of food they would NOT want to eat if it were green, and made up some rhyming lines about where or with whom they would not eat it! In these photos, partners are sharing their funny rhymes.

Learning About Beavers

We have read a few texts about beavers this year, including a Scholastic News issue and a big book about animals' teeth. So before we began reading Busy Beavers, we started a class KWL chart. This is a chart where we brainstorm what we already know (K) and what we are wondering (W). The second graders displayed great prior knowledge and also asked some terrific questions.

We read the book and noticed that it answered some of our questions, but not all of them. So students split into groups of 4 with each person researching one of the unanswered questions.

After finding the answer and taking notes, each student shared what he or she learned within the small group. With Jigsaw style cooperative learning, everyone gets all the answers, but only has to research one question and then listen to peers teach them the rest!

 Ask your second grade beaver expert for some information on this hard working mammal!

 

A Special Visitor & Fun in the Snow!

 

A special visitor appeared on the roof of CES while we were out at recess, just before the holiday break. He tossed some candy canes which students collected with glee! 

Second graders really enjoyed the fresh snow as we played on the back playground.

Painting snow sculptures with watercolors in spray bottles was a fun way to be artistic at recess!

Sensational Storytellers in Second Grade

 Inspired by Storyteller Len Cabral, students in Mrs.Verespy's room did some storytelling of their own before the holiday break.

This group of students performed a Readers' Theater: How Monkey got his Long Tail.

Crow

Farmer

Rabbit

Monkey

This student was so inspired by Mr.Cabral he told a remarkable story to his classmates, and the lack of a rocking chair did not bother him one bit! Click the link below to hear a terrific story! 

(Safety note: His mask was down so we could hear the story clearly. All classmates were a minimum of 6 feet from the storyteller)

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipNrpK9BEeVjytRb7xgIbT5gKUUvokjFPfadDBGz

Gingerbread Babies

Mrs. O and Mrs.Verespy brought in treats for their students from the Heritage Deli in Chester. After reading The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett, students opened their very own gingerbread decorating kits and had fun making delicious gingerbread babies! Thanks to the Heritage Deli for the attention to detail in these sweet kits, and for giving us a little educator discount on the purchase!

Learning under Construction

 

Students get used to working hard at school while safely distancing from others and wearing masks.