How Does a Book Want to be Read?
9/29/2017
The second graders have been working to build up their reading stamina during reading workshop. They have learned how to take sneak peeks of books while browsing and that they can also decide how each book wants to be read. During workshop time, the students practiced thinking about the text of the book and the mood or feeling the author was trying to portray in characters through their thoughts, actions and speech. They then partnered up to do a quick Reader's Theater with some pretty silly two person plays...practicing their newfound skills and reading with great expression. Then they performed in front of an audience...the third graders who remembered performing these plays from last year! Mrs. Orbase and her class gave each group feedback on how they could make their reading even better. This communication allowed for reflection from both grades as they thought about how to read fluently and with expression.
Scientists at Work!
9/22/2017
This week the second graders spent some time learning about the scientific method. They learned that there are several steps that need to happen in order to conduct a scientific experiment. First they continued to grow their skills in looking with a scientist's eye as they studied shells, rocks and even snake skin. They learned how to use tools such as magnifying glasses and microscopes to help them in their observations. Next they put their observation and critical thinking skills to good use as they conducted three different science experiments. The first experiment was about surface tension and how many drops of water could fit onto a penny. The second experiment asked the question "What happens when I add dish soap to milk?" The third experiment was about mass and velocity and involved some racing of cars down a ramp. Not only did they practice the scientific method, the students learned how to work in partnerships and work together to create successful outcomes to their experiments. And how did the second graders feel about all this experimenting?
How Egg-citing!
9/16/2017
If you were standing outside of the front door of PNA on Tuesday afternoon, you would have seen a group of engineers, nervously awaiting the fate of their eggs. You would have seen several other classes out there to watch the show. You would have heard cheering, consoling and a slight commotion as each egg contraption fell from above. You would have seen the community aspect that happens every year on egg drop day. But what you wouldn't have seen is the thought and energy and effort that went into building these contraptions. You wouldn't have seen the critical thinking that went into these designs...the collaboration as the students offered advice and help to their classmates...and the creative thinking that went into each and every creation. And in the end, when the dust had settled, some eggs survived and others did not. Armed with a growth mindset, those disappointed engineers whose designs needed some tweaking, decided that it was "an excellent first try" and have rebuilt their contraptions to be stronger than ever. They will test out their new designs next week when the weather clears.
A Scientist's Eye...
9/10/2017
This week the second graders learned how to look at the world around them with a scientist's eye. Their task was to create a technical drawing of this butterfly in their science notebooks...trying to get the details down as accurately as possible. They took their job very seriously and produced their first renditions of the butterfly. However, from our past conversations on mindset and knowing that there is always room for improvement, the students took turns critiquing each other's work. They learned how to give and receive helpful feedback, by giving specific suggestions and pointing out what they thought each of their classmates did well. The last step was to take the feedback they each received and try one more time to produce a technical drawing of the butterfly. This assignment not only provided practice at a skill that is needed when doing scientific observations, but also the opportunity for students to respectfully communicate and collaborate with each other as we continue to build our learning community for the year.
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Marcella HitchcockMs. Hitchcock teaches second grade, is a mom of two, an avid reader, lifelong learner, and a seeker of sunshine! Archives
March 2021
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