Classroom Act of Kindness

As you know, this month, we are focusing on Acts of Kindness. On Friday, the students did a class "act of kindness" by making Valentine's Day cards for children down in a Children's Home in Juarez, Mexico. Tonight, I boxed up the cards, along with several new chapter books, in Spanish, for the children down at the home. Your children are kind, sweet, kids who wrote some thoughtful notes! Way to spread the kindness all over the world, 2nd graders!

Continent and Ocean Test on Thursday

We have been studying the names of the seven continents and four major oceans pf the world in class over the last week. The kids thought this video song was helpful in remembering the continents: Continent Song. I also found this interactive website to help them practice at home: Continent and Ocean Practice. Remember the test is on Thursday and students should be reviewing at home!

Flat Stanley is in the mail!

Today, we sent our Flat Stanleys off in an envelope to a relative or friend. The kids helped stuff and lick the envelopes! While we got them ready to go, we watched a fun Flat Stanley adventure when someone sent their Stanley to Hollywood!The kids wanted to be able to watch it again!

Here is the link:
Flat Stanley's Hollywood Adventure

Unwrapping the Globe

This week, we started our Geography Unit. It is a fun unit where we learn the key elements on a map or globe and identify the continents and oceans. Today, we looked at a fun website where children can "unwrap" the globe into a map. Here is the link: Unwrap the Globe

Jokes for the Holidays!

Every morning, for the last few weeks, I told a holiday joke during our morning meeting. The kids were hoping to spread the laughter over break, so here are a few ones to share:

Q. How is the Christmas alphabet different than the ordinary alphabet?
A. The Christmas alphabet has NO EL.

Q. What goes red, white, red, white, red, white?
A. Santa rolling down a hill.

Q. Where does Santa go to work out?
A. A chimnasium.

Q. What goes Oh! Oh! Oh!
A. Santa walking backwards.

Q. What do you call an old snowman?
A. Water!

Q. What do you call Santa Claus when he doesn't move?
A. Santa Pause.

Q. Name a child's favorite Christmas king.
A. A stocking.

I hope you all have a wonderful break with your family! I will see you back on Jan. 5th, 2015!

We Are Thankful!

Today the students wrote about what they are thankful for and hopefully the papers made it home! The kids have so much to be thankful for during this holiday season. Here are some snippets of their writing:

I am thankful for...

- My grandpa because he helps me with my homework.
- My dollhouse because when I get bored, I can play with it.
- My mom because she hugs my all the time.
- My sister because she is funny and kind.
- Mrs. Taylor because she is awesome. (bonus points for that one!)
- The power to imagine.
- My mom because she hangs my clothes.
- My house because it keeps me warm.
- My grandma, she is a good worker.
- My parents because when I wanted Pokémon cards at Walmart, they bought them for me!
- My mom because she is kind.
- My dog and my brother.
- My dog because he sleeps on my pillow every night.
- A blanket because it keeps me warm at night.
- Sunnyside School because they give us recess and lunch everyday.
- My Grandma because she is 53 and she is slow and when I am behind her I have to be patient.
- My sister because she reads to me.
- My family because they love me.
- My friends because they are nice to me.
- My food, house, bed, school, and aunt. If I didn't have these things I wouldn't be here or come out right or be smart. I am thankful for having life!

I am so thankful for all of your children! What an amazing group of kids and what a fun glimpse into their lives and what they value. Happy Thanksgiving!

Classroom Elections

This week, in our social studies unit time, we discussed elections and voting procedures. We read three stories in class:

Duck for President
by Dorin Cronin

Grace for President
by Kelly DiPucchio

My Teacher for President
by Kay Winters

Then the kids voted for who they think would make the best president: Duck, Grace, or their teacher. We had a voting station set up in the back of the room where they turned in their voter registration card and cast their ballot.

 

 

Then we tallied the results as a class to see who the winner would be! The winner was..... THEIR TEACHER!

 

 

After we tallied the results, the kids graphed the results of the election.