May Newsletter

Geometry and games

This week 2H students got to play partner games with one another using their color coded geo-shapes. The objective of the game was to use different geo-shapes to fill a template/pattern using the fewest amount of shapes possible. This helped students understand that bigger shapes are often composed of smaller shapes.

Military Visitors

2H had 2 military visitors visit our class during our Tuesday morning meeting. This was such a fun treat for the kids and they seemed very engaged while our visitors shared their experiences with us. We had a chance to learn about their military lives, discuss what a day in the life of a solider looks like, what it means to be a team player, and more. The visitors even left us with some coins and badges. 

Trick Word Practice

In an attempt to make learning fun and engaging, the students benefit from practicing their trick words in a variety of ways. This week, we enjoyed using shaving cream on our desks and writing our words with our fingers. This was a win for Mrs. Humphreys too since it also cleaned the desks!

Harriett Tubman Poster

After finishing reading about Harriett Tubman, students in one of Mrs. Humphrey's reading groups decided to demonstrate their knowledge on the topic in the form of a poster. The poster was a combined effort of their many ideas, and all kids in the group got to participate in planning, creating, and presenting the poster. They then moved on to 2C and presented their poster to the other 2nd grade class during snack time.

Student Feedback through Survey

I decided to assess the kids' preference on what is enjoyable to read and learn about this week in reading group. I also wanted their feedback on how I could improve reading groups. I did this by creating a Google survey. This included multiple choice options, check boxes and open ended questions. The kids seemed to enjoy taking the survey and providing feedback. It was also very informative for me as well! They have come so far in their technology skills!

 

Money, money, money!

2H has been working in Bridges Unit 5 with a heavy focus on money. This includes coin identification, writing money symbols, and counting various quantities of money. The students have seemed to enjoy this unit and love working with play money. They are very resourceful! Try working with your kid at home to count money and discuss exchanges adults make every day using money.

Sled dogs come to OQS

On Tuesday, February 28th OQS 2nd and 5th graders welcomed Braeburn Siberians. We got to listen to an hour-long presentation that covered many dog sledding facts. After the presentation, we got to go outside for an hour and interact with the dogs. We even got to see a sled dog demonstration around the soccer field. This was a super enjoyable and unforgettable learning experience.

March Newsletter

  

Valentine's Day

The 2nd graders worked very hard on decorating a shoebox to collect their Valentine's treats. We partnered with our 5th grade "buddy class". The 5th graders got to judge and award all of the boxes for their many different attributes. This was so fun!

100 Days Smarter

2H celebrated the 100th day of school with classroom activities, completing 100 math equations, making crowns with 100 items on them, and completing 100 piece puzzles in the library with 2C. 2nd graders are officially 100 days smarter!

Ski Fridays

OQS students got to ski and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate with their teachers on the last ski Friday of the school year. This was such a memorable experience for students and teachers alike! Throughout the ski school, students learned how to slow down, ski faster, and to have complete control of their body while doing a fun winter sport!

Fundations Games

2H students practice their base word + suffix skills with a timed group game. The objective of the game was to create as many new words with suffixes after being given a list of base words. Each group got the chance to present their work when their time was up. 

February Newsletter

Twice as Tall

We have been working with various forms of standard and nonstandard measurement lately. In a recent activity, students were asked to measure one another in yards, feet, and inches. Then we doubled the length of each person and recorded the new data. We had to regroup the feet to yards and inches to feet. This was a fun way for the kids to practice their measuring skills, work with one another, and solve problems.

Nonsense in Fundations

This week in class, 2H students learned about a new syllable type- the open syllable. We discussed how we can combine open syllables with other syllables types to make multi-syllabic words. We then created some "nonsense words" to apply our word attacking skills. If the concept of dissecting syllables is truly understood, the words we apply these skills can be nonsense words. This was a fun and silly way to get kiddos engaged in phonics.

Field Trip to the Montshire Museum

2H and 2C took a wonderful field trip to the Montshire Museum on Tuesday, January 3rd. We got to solve mysteries, discover mammal skulls, learn about music, observe bee and ant colonies, and much more! My hope is that the kids will always remember this field trip and the fun that we had!