Star of the North Picture Book Award and Bengal Blankets

Today we learned about the Star of the North Picture Book Award.  It is a special award given to picture books and students are the only people who get to vote for the winner.  There are 10 books that have been selected as nominees to win the award this year.  Here is a link to learn more about the Star of the North Book Award. 

In Library today, Ms. Zbacnik read us one of of the nominees.  We listened to  Bear has a Story to Tell by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead.  Ask your child what is special about the author and illustrator.  Ms. Zbacnik talked to us about circle stories and we were able to remember another circle story we read this year, Asha in the Attic. 

Today if students were doing a great job during Read to Self, they were invited to use a Bengal Blanket.  They were reading quietly and really focused on reading.  Keep up the Great work!

How to and Asking Questions

We have been thinking about writing a How to piece.  Last week we practiced by writing directions for Mrs. Anderson to go down the slide.  It was a lot harder than we thought.  We learned we have to be very specific and clear in our directions.

 Today we made a fleece tied blanket together.  Mrs. Anderson told us the supplies we needed and then the steps in how to do it.  We actually made two small blankets that we will sue during Read to Self time as mats.  See if your child can tell you how to make one!  It's pretty easy!









We have been talking about things that good readers do.  One of these things is to ask questions before, during and after they read to set a purpose for reading and check their understanding.  Today we used the book This is Not my Hat by John Klassen to practice this strategy.  Ask you child about the book and some questions we had as we read and when we were done.

Ask your child about Science today!  It was an experiment involving air and water!

Writing Directions and Air Underwater

Today we talked more about writing directions or how to do something.  I asked the students to write directions for how to go down a slide.  They laughed, thinking it was too easy, and got right to work.  After each student gave me their directions, we headed outside to put the directions to the test.  I followed their directions just as they were written and needless to say I never did make it down the slide.  We had some good laughs over the whole thing while learning an important lesson.  We headed back inside and talked about how when we write directions, we need to be very specific.  We then wrote directions as a class.  

How to go Down the Slide

This afternoon, we learned about how to trap air in water using a vial.  We also tried to keep a paper towel dry by putting it in a vial and submerging the vial in water.  Ask your child if they can explain how this worked.

High Five for Wednesday!

Here are the top five things we did today:

5.  We selected books for our Literacy Book Bags.  The students picked "good fit" books to read during literacy workshop.  They were very excited to find good books!

4.  We learned more about Small Moment stories.  There are 4 characteristics of Small Moment stories. See if your child can tell you about them!

3.  We made and flew our parachutes.  We had to assemble the parachutes using napkins, sticky dots, string and a paperclip.  We then got to fly them in the classroom.  We talked about gravity and air resistance.  Students brought them home to continue to experiment.

2.  We met our fifth grade buddies!  Our buddies read a book to us and we taught them how to play "Word Snake."   See if your child can teach you the game.  We had a great time with our new friends.

1.  We don't have school Thursday or Friday!   Have a wonderful weekend!

Parachutes!

Books and a game with our buddies!

Today we . . .

Today we
     - Learned about clouds from Miss Olson and balloon rockets from Mrs. Briden who was the substitute for Ms. Kath.  It was lots of fun and we were very excited!

     - Went to the Library and read Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett.   It was funny!

     - Used iPads during math time.  We had six and worked in pairs to play some games.  We played Sushi Monster, Slide 1,000 and Banana Math.  If we did not get to use the iPad we did puzzles.  It was a great afternoon.

     - Played Battleship in Phy. Ed.  We love that game!

Taking turns and sharing!

Working together to learn!

Charlotte's Web

Last Thursday we went to see Charlotte's Web at the Children's Theater in Minneapolis.  It was a fabulous play!  We enjoyed seeing how the theater made Charlotte come alive.  We also loved the other farm animals.  Here are a few entires from our Special Times in Second grade: