THE HOOT - News from Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade - 2/26/16
Hello Everyone,
It was so nice to connect with everyone after February vacation! We are off and running and busy as ever, getting so much learning in before the end of the second trimester. Here are some of our highlights:
Memoir Project- The first steps to working on our projects began this week. The children read their notes so they were fresh in their minds and then verbally told a partner what they thought the beginning, middle and end of their story might be. We then explored another memoir called Big Mamma’s by Donald Crews. We looked at how this author developed the setting in his book. The kiddos then worked on developing their own story settings by using the five senses. We also worked on producing a good lead for our stories.
Science - We met as a whole second grade again to revisit our experiment with the three different combinations of water when put in the freezer. One bottle was plain water, one was water mixed with salt, and the third was water mixed with oil. Students checked out each bottle carefully and then we compared our findings with our hypotheses. It was fun to see which were correct and which we were surprised by! We then learned that there is a fourth state of matter!!! It is plasma!! We saw a quick little informational video about what things fall into this category. Interesting!!!
Math - We continue to settle into our new math group and work on our second grade money standard. Everyone is showing what they know and working on new skills!
Reading- Our reading strategy this week has been on how to look for the main idea in a book as well as in individual paragraphs to help us better understand nonfiction text.
Calendar of Events
2/29- Mystery Liquid Homework due
3/18 - Workshop day! No School
3/25 - End Of Trimester
THE HOOT - News from Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade - 2/12/16
Hello Everyone,
Thanks to those of you who helped to make our Valentine’s Day party a huge success. It was nice to have a healthy snack in addition to the “Sweet” treats. 
Memoir Project- On Friday last week we all gathered together to talk about our Memoir Project. We watched “Too Many Tamales” a memoir so that our writers can get a clear understanding that they need to be interviewing an adult of their choice and focusing on a memorable event in their special person’s life. It is very important that the notes are turned in on the day we get back from vacation because our young authors will be using those notes to become a storyteller and write a memoir. The memoirs will be shared at our Trimester Tea.
Science - As a whole second grade group we are conducting an experiment on what we think will happen (hypothesis) to three different combinations of water when put in the freezer (during vacation). One bottle is plain water, one is water mixed with salt, and the third is water mixed with oil. We are also going to take this science opportunity to see what happens with the water level when frozen.
Math - The second math standard is “Solves word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, using $ and ¢ symbols appropriately”. Any practice at home during vacation on counting by 1, 5, 10, and 25, naming their coins and their values, and practicing counting money is greatly appreciated. Before we can begin working on our second grade standard, we need to ensure that our learners have that foundation previously taught in grade kindergarten and grade one. Thanks for your assistance.
Calendar of Events
2/22- Memoir Project Notes due
THE HOOT - News from Ms. Lavoie’s Second Grade - 2/5/16
Hello Everyone,
Welcome February! Second graders are continuing their study of solids, liquids, and gases. Students are enjoying working with all the second grade teachers as they rotate from lesson to lesson. Our rotation days are Wednesday and Friday afternoon until Rug Rats ends, and then we will revisit our schedule. Homeroom teachers teach their lesson with their class at a time that fits with our individual schedules.
*Tower Building - (The Challenge) Students will use marshmallows and toothpicks to construct a tower that meets the criteria of.... The tower must be 30 cm tall. The tower must stand on its own for at least 15 seconds. They may only use the provided materials.
*Engineering Design - Build a Valentine Holder - Students use their knowledge of physical properties to build a holder that fits the specific criteria.
*Mystery Balloons - Students explore unknown objects and substances inside balloons to list their physical properties and determine their state of matter.
Memoir Project- Along with this letter today you will find another letter explaining this project. It is a requirement for each student as they will be using the info they collect in writing during the weeks following February break. Everyone will be given two weeks to gather the information for this project. Next week which is a regular school week and the week of February vacation. Choose the week that will work best for your child to gather the information needed for this project. This can be a very meaningful experience for both students and the adult whose stories they record. We hope you find this so!
I am also still in need of a drink, cups, plates and napkins for our Valentine’s Party. Please let me know if you are able to contribute any of these things. Thank you!
Gina Lavoie
Calendar of Events
2/8 -Monday - Rug Rats PM - Pick up at 4:30
2/8 - Valentines can begin arriving
2/12 - Valentine Party
2/22- Memoire Project Notes due