We had an interesting discussion about our futures. The students were then asked to write about what they would like to be when they grow up. They first listed their strengths and different occupations they would be interested in. Then using the strengths they listed, they were asked to pick an occupation that would be best for them. We had a few video game makers, a teacher, a fasion designer, a police officer and even a teacher. Then they wrote their story on a balloon which is now displayed in the classroom.
"How can we understand nature?" was our essential quesiton this week. We read several folktales that tried to explain why things in nature have happened. My favorite is the story of Mr. and Mrs. Bird and how they try to help Sun find a way to warn people about impending storms. In the end, Mrs. Bird lays her eggs so loudly that it creates a "thunder" sound. Mr. Bird tries to catch them before they fall out of the sky and flies so quickly that sparks, or lightning, come out of his tail feathers.
This week the students took a math test on the length unit. Overall, the students did very well. These will be sent home next week for your review and signature. We started our new unit; Three Digit Addition and Subtraction. We began rather simply by adding with no regrouping. Next week, we will begin regouping with addition and subtraction.
In social studies, Mrs. Taylor started a new unit about natural resources. The students were given a task of survival in a natural habitat. They had to figure out how to gather food, create a shelter and clothing with just the resources in the natural habitat.
The students were given different tasks in science as well. They were given three different scenerios: design a house, design a playground or create an animal. In each of the tasks, they needed to decide which materials would be best suited for the purpose. The animals that were created had body parts such as spikes, horns, turtle shells, and camouflage skin to protect them from predators. Some of the materials used for the playground and houses were brick, metal, plastic (for swing seats), glass (for windows) and wood. The designs and ideas were very creative. Good job, second grade!
