Week One Fun!

What a great start we had! Our first week is done and before you know it we wil be zooming right through the year! 

We began our first day with a a few nerves but calmed them right down by drinking some jitter juice! 

We practiced our new routines and celebrated the second day of second grade by making pencil toppers, writing about things in 2s and how we felt to be a second grader.

The next day we took an adventure around the school looking for the gingerbread man who was on the loose! And we did a scavenger hunt in the classroom looking for things that began with each letter in the alphabet! Some of them were very tricky!!

We have been enjoying the playground and the children were THRILLED to hear that I believe that recess is an essential part of the day! They cheered when I told them that I have it planned in our day for the entire school year. 

We have already started our grammar lessons, one of my favorites- I'm a grammar nerd!!! We  have been learning the parts of speech by completing Mad Libs together and they are a big hit! 

We have been reading a chapter book together (that we almost have finished because they keep asking for more) The Magic Tree House is a GREAT adventure series of books that is the perfect pick for early chapter book readers. Most are around a level M. And if your child isn't quite ready to read it on their own, it's a nice bedtime read aloud for you to read to them. 

We really have had a great week. Next week starts the "serious" learning buisness but I just know we are ready! 

Please make sure to read the Peek at the Week and practice the spelling words and have your child read over the sight words to make sure they know them. It is located in their take home binder on the back of the weekly news.  If you have any questions please let me know. And keep sending in those water bottles! It has been very hot upstairs! Also, I will begin posting more photos soon I'm  just waiting on a few more permission slips. 

Almost Ready 2016

It's almost time! I've been working on setting up the classroom and getting some exciting activities ready to go!

On the first day of school we will be trying Jitter Juice and reading First Day Jitters to help calm our nerves!

Then our big celebration day will be the second day of second grade! We will do everything in 2s to celebrate that we are second graders now! We will even get a special second day treat to bring home to eat!

I'm looking forward to a great school year! 

Don't forget open house is Thursday September 1st

What to Expect

Second Graders...

https://www.verywell.com/what-you-can-expect-in-2nd-grade-620859

August...deep breath...

August is always so busy for me. Family beach vacation, my sons birthday (and themed-of course-birthday party) and of course the thoughts of back to school, back to work. This year as my son begins  preschool at a "real school" I remember that this is something I tell myself leading into each school day...

And I promise to keep that in mind this upcoming year! Happy August 

Happy Summer!!

What an amazing school year! I thanked the kids for being my very first class of second graders and the last day was bittersweet! We had a great time together and I have to admit though I was nervous I LOVED second grade! I am so happy to be there again next year! And already have some great things planned. It's also exciting because I have the potential of some familiar faces on my list since this is a group I also taught as kindergartners. 

Here are a few pictures of our last few days together and a couple I found that I had never posted...

Each student was greeted with a small gift the last day. 

Loved this project, each child wrote an adjective for every friend. 

Field Day view from our class window!

Drawing upsidown like Michelangelo

 

Sharing some writing

Sorting money

Have a wonderful summer!!

Click the link below for the song I played on the last day of school

https://youtu.be/TZ0pXUb5jVU

Brag Tags

By FAR one of my student favorite things this year has been "brag tags." After seeing several interpretations of reward tag type activities I decided to create one that worked for me and my classroom. I wanted to share it here in hopes that others may be looking for something new. 

Over the summer I bought Velcro, name tag badges designed for kids (they were in the school aisle but also sold online)  

Then in the place where the name would go I wrote and decorated different phrases like: "I was a great helper today" or "Math Superstar"  "I have big news" 

 Great listener, great partner, great friend also made the list. 

When a student did something great they would be given a tag to wear. They wore it proudly all over the school and could also be the line leader that day too so that everyone could see their tag. 

At the end of the day they retuned the tag but would get a post-it note with their name on it. The name went into the  wall and was proudly hung there for the entire school year. 

On every end of the year survey and writing piece about second grade, I have seen over and over students talk about how they loved having a brag tag. This simple and inexpensive motivator was a huge hit and one I'm excited to continue for years to come! 

Earth Spirit!

We had an amazing visit from Earth spirit! We learned about the nature and animals in our own backyard! It was a hands on learning experience the entire day! We had an amazing time!