The Final Stretch

Dear Parents,

-The final stretch of 2nd grade is upon us! We're busy compiling artifacts for our States Day on June 7. I'm amazed at the growth I've seen in the students. Now they're writing long paragraphs, synthesizing information from websites, atlases and other media and really showing their creativity! 

-Yesterday, we released our butterflies. The children wrote farewell poems and letters to their tiny creatures. They were all very heartfelt. The students understood that although they were sad to let them go, butterflies really do belong in nature. Thanks to Mrs. Hudson for taking wonderful pictures of the kids with the butterflies.

-Just a reminder that our class’s PTA Spring Fair Basket items are due as soon as possible because the PTA will be raffling off the baskets on Saturday, June 11. Our class theme is Beauty Products. You can donate lotion, body wash, perfume or any other beauty product. Thanks so much for your support for the PTA.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Ms. Howard

States Day

States Day is coming! Thursday, June 9 from about 1-3pm. More details to follow!

I hope you will be able to join us!

It was great to see so many of you at the Book Festival yesterday. Wow! The weather couldn't have been more perfect. I got to meet several children's authors as I was escorting them from speaking tent to signing table.

This week, no TFK homework (the magazine is taking a publishing break!) The reading homework is just regular reading comprehension homework.

In math, we're learning capacity of solids (how to calculate it).

Social Studies is to continue our States Day research. States Day is tentatively scheduled for June 6 in the afternoon. However, I might need to change it to June 8. I'll send out a firm date once I know it.

Just a few updates from Room 9...

Science-Butterflies are about ready to hatch. Children have been observing the chrysalises and noticed the body parts of the butterfly, even though it is still forming. They've also been making detailed observations and practicing drawing these details.

Insect Field Trip-It was wonderful! Your children got to explore three habitats (pond, meadow, forest) and made observations about what insects live where and why! What a fantastic way to learn science by hands on experiences. We were very lucky with the weather too!

Math-Capacity. We've been doing hands on activities to reinforce concepts of capacity. For example, children were able to use droppers to fill a liter bottle. We realized that it takes 1,000 drops (roughly a milliliter) to fill a liter bottle.

Writing/Geography Project-Children have chosen one US state they want to research. We'll be working on this project for the next several weeks. Students will be honing their research skills both on-line and using book resources. At the end, students will present their findings.

Spring Fair Baskets-Beauty Supplies. These are due the beginning of June. If you'd like to participate, please send in a beauty product with your child. Then the PTA will raffle them off. Thanks for your support!

materials needed for measurement math unit

Hi Parents,
We are starting our last math unit of the year, capacity, weight, measurement.

I'd like for my students to get hands on experience with different capacity units, so if you have any clean, empty bottles, please send them in. I want the units of measurements to be on the bottles. Examples would be:
shampoo bottles, water bottles, lotion bottles, empty cereal boxes (with weight). Just send them in with your children.

Thanks so much!
Ms. Howard

International Night was a Success!

Thank you for all who came out for International Night! Your children did a wonderful job presenting their Country Reports. I had several comments like, "Wow, they are just 2nd graders?" I said, yes, when the teacher's expectations are HIGH, kids can do amazing things!

Remember, tomorrow (Monday, May 16) we go to the Smith Center for our insect field trip. Rain or Shine! The kids are very excited to be insect detectives. And they earned a class ice cream party, so I'm sure they will tell you all about that too :-)

This week in reading/language arts, we're reading a novel all together called "The Chalk Box Kid." We'll be analyzing the characters and how the setting affects their actions.

In Math, we're continuing our unit of study on measurement, capacity, weight, mass, temperature. Please send in any empty containers you have (see last post) so your kids can get hands on experiences with capacity.

In Science, the caterpillars are progressing right along! It's been so interesting to hear your children asking so many great questions. They are learning about life cycles right in front of their eyes. In a few days the caterpillars will begin to make a chrysalis and begin their final transformations. We're planning a butterfly release ceremony, but will let you know of the exact date when the time approaches.

If you'd like to attend, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is coming up this coming Saturday, May 21. It should be a great day of books, literacy, learning and fun!

Lots going on this time of year! Thanks for all your support!

Ms. Howard

May is in Full Swing

Poetry Afternoon
This afternoon (Friday, May 6) from 1:30-2:30. Hope to see you then!

Zoo Trip
It was a huge success! The kids got to see the animals, very active. The weather was beautiful and the kids experienced all they wanted to see. We plotted out their strategy before we went, so they got to use their map skills, too!

Insect Field Trip
We will go on May 16 to the Smith Center. Please send in your child's $6.00 as soon as possible. This ties in directly with our Life Cycle of the Butterfly Unit, which brings me to...

Science Updates
The caterpillars have arrived! We will start our unit on Monday, May 9. The kids will get to have their own caterpillar to observe as it morphs into a new creature. This is a very exciting time of year.

International Night-May 12 6-8pm

Thanks to those who have agreed to present their country day reports. This will be happening in the Media Center during International Night. Even if your child doesn't want to present, please come out for it! It will be a wonderful event celebrating all our diversity at GES.

Thanks for all your help and support!

Ms. Howard

Happy May

Happy May!

Just a few quick updates.

Math-We are computing 3 digit numbers using multiplication and division

Reading/Language Arts-Poetry

Science-Life Cycle of the Butterfly

Social Studies-Important Leaders both past and present

Many important dates are coming up...

May 3 is Science/College Night.

May 5 is our all day Zoo trip to DC

May 6 from 1:30-3:00 is our Poetry Afternoon. If you are able, please come out and hear your children read original poems.

May 12 is International Night

May 16 is our Insect Field Trip to the Smith Center (more info to follow)

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks as always for your home support!

Ms. Howard