New Book Week

Today in Library we got to preview some of the new books that have been purchased for our library!  There were so many books to look at.  Ms. Zbacnik had them out on tables and we rotated to all the tables in about 20 minutes.  We did not get to read them but just preview or look at quickly.  We noticed some of them had beautiful illustrations.

It was so fun to look at the new books and think about which ones we would like to checkout.  They will be available next week for us to checkout. 

Bengal Pride With Buddies

In these first few weeks of January, the PBIS team has asked us to review Bengal Pride expectations at Brimhall.  We need to do four activities and report to the team. 

Today we met with our buddies to watch a video, discuss and create a TOP TEN list of ways to show Bengal Pride in different areas of the school. 

It was lots of fun and the students came up with very good ideas.  At the end, Mrs. B taught us a cheer and a song.  Thanks so much Buddies!

Balance

This week we started learning about balance.  We did two different experiments to explore balance, use counterweights and discover what makes a stable position.

In the first lesson we used trick crayfish and clothespins, or the scientific term - counterweights.  We discovered there were many ways to balance the crayfish.

Trick Crayfish!

Balanced!

Concentration!

In the second lesson we used a triangle and arch along with counterweights to explore what makes a stable position.  We discovered the counterweights need to be near or below the balance point. 

Stable!

Working together!

Next week we will experiment with mobiles and do a science rotation to learn from the other Second grade teachers! 

John Coy

We are so lucky to have another author coming to visit!  John Coy will be visiting Brimhall on January 30th to share his books with us and also share the process of writing books. 

Today in library, Ms. Z shared one of his books, Hoop Genius How a Desperate Teacher and Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball.  This is the true story of how basketball was invented! 

Yesterday students brought home an order form for some of John Coy's books.  This is an option for families.   If you would like to purchase a book, please complete the form and return it to school with money. 

These are some of his other books.

Ms. Z doing a quick book talk before reading.

Indoor Recess

Today was our third day of indoor recess.  We have various games and activities to keep the kids busy.  There is also a site called Go Noodle that has different brain breaks, movement activities and dances.  The kids love to do this so we usually work it in at some point.

Here are a few snapshots of what we do:

Building, building, building!

More construction!

Making a blanket to use during read to self time!

Making a looonng tower!

Playing Spot It!

Playing Uno!

Playing Tenzi to pass the time!

Go Noodle!

Class Timeline

We are working on our class timeline.  At the end of each month we look back on the highlights of the month and write a paragraph to add to the timeline.  I find a few pictures that represent the month.  It is steadily growing across the back of our classroom.  

Four months of learning!

Monday we . . .

Today was a very cold day, but we had lots of learning to keep us busy and warm!

First, Mrs. Bidne came in her pajamas and invited us to Pajama Rama Night!  This year, they will be hosting a pizza party combined with family literacy and math activities.  Please find the invitation sent home with your child.  Please let us know if you plan on attending.  It should be a fun night!

Mrs. Bidne in her tiger pajamas.

It was too cold for outdoor recess.  We had games and other activities to keep us busy.  A few students constructed this eagle from Nanoblocks.  It was more challenging that they initially thought but they were able to work together to get it done.

Nanoblock Eagle

Hard workers on the eagle.

In math we started talking about arrays which will lead into studying the concept of multiplication.