Class Story-Writing is Exciting and Fun!

Thunderbirds

We were working on our exciting hurricane and tornado stories in Writer's Workshop this morning, when, suddenly, we heard a deafening sound outside. We all rushed out to watch the Thunderbirds practicing for their air show right over MPI! Children and teachers alike were delighted!

Inquiry

I'm still trying to get on with the Animal Inquiry! However, someone brought in yet another fascinating book about weather and storms, and the children insisted that I read it. We have added troposphere, barometer, atmosphere, meteorologist, and carbon dioxide to our "Wonderful Word" list, and we have learned where weather is generated in our atmosphere, about a meteorologist's tools for forecasting weather, and how wind is created (ask your child). Hurricane Humberto added a little extra interest today.  We will, however, be doing mindmaps and transforming our classroom next week. I wonder what your amazing, curious, intelligent kids will come up with! Stay tuned!!

Writer's Workshop

We are having so much fun writing a class story about a tornado in Kansas.  The purpose of this project is to help give the children an idea of the parts (beginning, middle, and end) and elements of a story (setting, characters, problem, solution).  We are also exploring the use of descriptive language to make a story more exciting and learning to use details to enrich our writing.  The chidren are really enjoying this process and will bring home a copy to share with you soon. 

Yesterday, we familarized ourselves with the dictionary in our Writing folder. It already has many common words we use for writing, but it also has space to add words. Based on some recent research on the teaching of vocabulary, I have begun having the children put some of our "Wonderful Words," which are words that come up in our reading and discussions, in their writing dictionaries with a drawing to help them identify the words and remember their meaning.  Many of the words we put in yesterday -- debris, hurricane, tornado, lightning, typhoon, and storm surge -- will be used in their hurricane/tornado stories. 

2nd Grade Math Investigations

Enjoy playing some more fun math games with your child! The more you play, the more your child learns! Be sure to check out the Family Letter, too!  It has some great ideas for enriching your child's math experience. 

Kickball

The 1st and 2nd Grade children have been discussing and agreeing on rules for kickball.  They are also talking about problem-solving and good sportsmanship on the playing field.  If your child enjoys this game, please take time to talk with him or her about the game.  

Ukus

Yes, it is that time of year.  Hopefully, we have nipped the problem in the bud! Please be very diligent about checking your child at least once a day for a while.  If you need information about how to do that, let me know.  

Posted on September 13, 2007 11:55 AM | Permalink