There was a buzz of excitement in the classroom on Wednesday as the children received letters from their pen pals, who go to school at St. Pius X School in Indianapolis, IN. The letters included a picture of the pen pal and each was filled with information and plenty of queries. We spent time discussing the difference between "closed" and "open" questions as the children started to draft ideas for their replies. Ask your child: What did you learn about your pen pal? What questions are you interested in asking your pen pal?
What has been happening in:
Math
The children have been working with and categorizing math facts into helpful patterns. Ask your child: What are zero facts? What are count on facts? What are doubles facts? They enjoyed playing a game called "Race to 20", a number line game.We also explored attributes using black and white plates that were square and round. The children found some number patterns that at first appeared to be the same. However, when connected to the attributes the facts took on new meaning.
Reading
This week we dove into the spelling program "Words Their Way!" The children will be working on letter combinations that might make the same sound but are spelled differently. Ask your child: What were the rules you used to sort words this week?
Social Studies
What does it mean to use one's "power for good" at home, school, and on the playground? The children spent time brainstorming their ideas and writing them down to compile them together.
Home
- do the dishes or laundry
- feed my pets
- cleaning up
- help empty the dishwasher
- love each other
- helping your mom and dad
- be nice to brothers and sisters
School
- clean up
- if you see someone alone, you could play with them
- be respectful
- be kind
- share
- be safe
Playground/Field
- if someone falls and is hurt, get a teacher
- don't exclude
- don't betray people
- stand up for people
- if someone doesn't have anyone to play with....play with them!
- don't be a bully or exclude
- be helpful
- be nice
- if someone does not know how to play a game, teach them
- Doggy Dung Disaster-Japan
- Turtle Power-Illinois
- Dolphin Rescue
Homecoming
Today began in the gym with Aarty Aardvark and the entire OES student body. We had a pep rally to cheer with lots of school spirit for homecoming. It was wonderful to see so many of you at the event this evening. Thank you all for participating!
Homework
Homework due: 10/9:
- Reading log
- Math: pages 5-6
Next week’s homework, due 10/16:
- Read for at least 15 minutes each night Monday through Friday (weekends are bonus) and fill in the reading log nightly
- Conduct the reading interview questions throughout the week (parents may help with the writing at the beginning of the year)
- Math Journal: pages 7-18, play Thinking About Fives with a family member. You may remove and keep the game materials at home (pages 9-15). Complete pages 17-18 after playing. Please leave all completed pages in the math journal except for the ones needed to play the game.
Wednesday Express
Just a reminder that your child will bring home their Wednesday Express folder most Wednesdays with information for parents along with returned homework. Please empty your child’s folder and return it to school the following day.
Field Trip, Wednesday, October 11th
Next Wednesday, October 11th, the 2nd grade classes will be going on their first field trip to Smith and Bybee Natural Area. The children will conduct field research (observational sketches, note taking skills etc.) as they explore the wetlands and learn about the diversity of life in different habitats. As part of our service focus, students will be thinking about how they can be agents of change by brainstorming solutions to the needs they observe. Our bus will be leaving OES at 8:15 and return between 1:45-2:00. We will be walking outdoors for most of the day, rain or shine. Please help your child be prepared by:
- Packing the following items in their backpack:
- Warm water-resistant coat
- Comfortable walking shoes, that can get muddy
- Layers of clothes for added warmth, or sun protection, long pants are recommended
- Hat for warmth or sun protection and gloves if chilly
- Sunscreen for skin protection
- Full water bottle
- If your child has seasonal allergies, please make sure they take their medication that morning
- We will also pack journals, pencils, snacks and a sack lunch in students’ backpacks at school. Please make sure all extra items are left at home so there is plenty of room.
- Depending on weather, you may send a change of clothes for students to change into upon our return. Disregard if your child already has extra clothes in their cubby.
A Note From Chaplain Phillip
I had a wonderful time with all the 2nd grade students yesterday, as we explored the new EC3 Design Center.
Following our conversations about St. Francis in Chapel on Tuesday morning, we continued with a theme of love for animals. After a nature walk, I challenged them to think about an answer to this question:
"If you could be any animal in the world for just one day, what would you be?"
After some deep reflection, they were then invited to draw their animals.
Here is a LINK to a photo folder of the event. They had wonderful ideas, as you would imagine. Looking forward to my next visit with them.
The EC3 Center is a great space. We could spread out, listen to music while we worked, sit on the floor in a big circle, etc.
Thank you!
Phillip
Science Requests for Take Apart Items
Your child will need a mechanical item to take apart in their Science class on Monday, November 27th. These items will be taken apart and will never work again, so keep that in mind when finding an item for take-apart. They may be sent to school in a sturdy bag marked with your child’s name Please do not send in items sooner than November 27th since we do not have adequate storage. If you need more specific information, please contact Mrs. Kenney-Norberg.ATTENTION SECOND GRADE STUDENTS
Start hunting....
Start searching....
Start saving....
You will need a few items very, very soon.......
1. Each Second Grader will need a mechanical item to take apart immediately after Thanksgiving Break. It should have more gears, pulleys, belts, springs and moving parts than electronics. It will never work again.....! VCRs, drills, timers, tape recorders, older radios, boom-boxes, pre-digital clocks with the flipping numbers, old dial telephones, wind-up toys, remote control cars, and wind-up clocks are a good choice. NO TOASTERS, please (too sharp)! NO VACUUM CLEANERS (too many allergens). NO T.V.s (disposal issues). Newer land-line phones, cameras, and small battery operated clocks are a poor choice, as they lack good moving mechanical pieces. ALSO, it must have only regular or Phillips screw heads, or Allen head bolts. If it has any other type of fastening, you must provide the tools to open it. Bringing more than 1 item is a good idea, especially if the items are small. The class will spend 3 hours working on these machines. The Goodwill, garage sales and your attic are a great place to find these items.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Jane Kenney-Norberg
Lower School Science
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