Plant Adaptations

     Good afternoon! Today was a most interesting day at school. This afternoon we learned how to play new game in math. The game is called Capture 5. The materials needed for the game were a deck of change cards, 12 markers of one color, a game piece for each player, recording sheet and a 100's chart. The game can be played by two people or two teams. The object of the game is to collect 5 markers.

     You begin the game by placing the 12 markers on the 100's chart so that each number is on a different number.  You then deal 5 Change Cards to each player or team while the remaining cards are placed face down.  The players are to then put their game pieces anywhere on the board.  We used teddy bear counters as our game pieces.

     Using any combination of your change cards (you can use 1, 2, 3, 4, or even 5), you must then move your game piece.  Remember that the goal is to land on a marker so you can capture it (take it off the board).  You must then record your moves as an equation.  For example, if I started on 27 and I drew three cards; +4, +10, +3, my equation would be 27 + 4 + 10 + 3 = 44.  My piece would have landed on 44.  If there were a marker on that spot, I would have captured it.

    Once you have recorded your move, you place the cards in the discard pile and draw replacement cards.  If the deck of change cards is used up, shuffle the discard pile for use.  The first player or team to capture 5 markers wins.  The students had an awesome time playing the game.  We started playing the game on Friday and finished it on Monday.  Below are some pictures for your enjoyment.

     After Math, the students were treated to fun art project with Mrs. Robinson.  It was actually a science lesson.  After learning about the ways a plant can adapt to various environments, the students were to create their own plant using a variety of items.  The items included pipe cleaners, cups, tissue paper, foil, pom poms, towel rolls and many other goodies.  The students were divided into teams and given a bag of these objects.  They then spent 10 minutes creating their plant.  Afterwards, the students had to name their plant, describe it, and explain the adaptations.  It was very interesting to watch the groups work together to perform this task.  Below are some pictures of their plants. 

    

     Well, I must be going.  Look for further updates coming soon.  

The Jacksonville Zoo

Well, we had a FABULOUS day at the Jacksonville Zoo today. The class was able to see and pet many wonderful animals. I would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to Mrs. Davison, Mrs. Mead, Ms. Gilley, Mr. and Mrs. Cleves, Mr. and Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Siu, and Mrs. Francisco for chaperoning this trip. Your help was GREATLY appreciated and the students enjoyed having you there.

We were very lucky to have nice weather for the trip today. I have to admit, I was nervous since I had heard it was supposed to rain. However, we were VERY fortunate that it only drizzled very briefly. We arrived at the Jacksonville Zoo at 9:30 for the educational program. During the program, the students were able to see and pet several different animals. They were able to pet a box turtle, a pine snake, a opossum, and even an alligator. They were also able to see a screech owl. Below are some pictures of the animals and the program.

After that, we were able to have a nice picnic lunch at the picnic area. The zoo was not busy at all so we had this area to ourselves. The students were even able to play on the playground briefly. We then had 2 FULL hours to tour the zoo. The children had a wonderful time. Several even had the opportunity to take some pictures. Below is some of their handiwork. Feel free to click on the pictures for a closer view of the animals in them.

Well, I hope you enjoy our class trip. Again, thank you to all of the parents for their help. Have a great evening!

Functional Writing

     Good evening all!  Well, we have now moved on to the 3rd Nine Weeks.  Wow, time really does fly when you are having fun.  We have begun our genre study in writing on procedural/functional writing.  In other words, the students are learning to write "how to's."  

     In class we have been focusing on the standards of functional writing and methods that can be used to meet the standards.  The students even have a copy of the teaching and learning rubric in their sourcebook which they can refer to to help them meet the standards.   I am also posting the teaching and learning rubric here for parents to refer to when helping their children.

     By the end of the year, we expect 2nd graders to produce a narrative procedure that:

• establishes a context for the piece
  
• identify the topic 
• show the steps in an action in enough detail to follow them
• include relevant information
• use language that is straightforward and clear; and
• frequently use pictures to illustrate the steps in the procedure. 

Now that I have outlined the standards for functional writing, I will outline the strategies we will use in class to write pieces that meet or exceed the standards.  

     First of all, in establishing the context, the students will think about the audience they are writing the piece for.  Your audience makes a difference in how you present a set of instructions.  To establish a context, the students will also need to give a "because" or a reason for writing the piece.  Finally, to establish the context, students will need to write engaging beginnings as they did in narratives.   They can do this by asking questions, using alliteration, using similes, using metaphors, and other literary techniques.

     Next, the students will need to establish a topic for the functional writing.  To do this, we will focus on selecting a topic of interest.  We will also focus on making sure the title matches the topic.  One of the biggest reasons a student does not do well on the FCAT Writes is because they go off-topic.  We will be focused on remaining on topic.

    Students will also be expected to show the steps in an action in enough detail to follow them.  We will accomplish this by sequencing the steps.  We will also chart descriptive words and vivid verbs.  The students have also practiced this aspect of the standard with our ice cream activity.  Transitional words and writing appropriate endings will also be addresses.  

     Including relevant information will be taught by discussing what is relevant versus irrelevant.  Examples will be provided as an example for the students.  The students will also be reminded to stay on the topic.  As I said earlier, students going off-topic on the FCAT Writes result in a much lower score.

     In functional writing, the language must be straightforward and clear in order to meet the standard.  Examples of clear language will be demonstrated through whole class writings.  Concrete language as well as specific language will also be shown to the students to help them to meet this standard.

     Finally, the students must use pictures to illustrate steps in the procedure.  Teaching this point will include lessons on show and tell, using charts, using graphs, using arrows, using bullets and labeling.  As with all writing, examples of pieces that meet and/or exceed the standard will be shown to the students.  

     Well, that is all for now.  Have a nice weekend!

         

Predicting and Inferring

     Here is a PowerPoint presentation that I presented to the class to help with prediction and inference.

Babushka's Doll

     Our class has been busily learning about Patricia Polacco this past week.  We have readand discussed  several of her books.  One thing we have discovered is that she tends to write autobiographical stories.  On Friday, I began reading a story called Babushka's Doll.

The students made a prediction that the story will be an autobiographical tale about Patricia Polacco's childhood.  I did not finish reading the story to allow the students to try something on their own this weekend.  

     I  instructed them to check the blog this weekend for an assignment if they had the opportunity.   I would like them to take a moment to write their own version of the story.  It does not need to be long.  The story can be a shortened summary of what they think will happen.  There will be a prize for those that participate.  I look forward to reading the stories.

Thanks and I'll be posting more soon.

Latest Happenings

     Well, it has certainly been a busy few days. I have not posted nearly as much as I would have liked but life keeps us quite busy at times. I have so much to share on currentevents in our classroom. So much has been happening and we have been working very hard to say the least.

     First of all, we were lucky enough to have Mr. Gaskin, a St. Augustine fireman, visit us on Friday.

He was visiting us because our story next week in the basal is all about visiting the firehouse. He told the students what is what like to be a fireman, how to keep safe in a fire, and so much more. He even brought in some of his gear to share with the students. The second graders were enthralled! They all sat quietly and listened to every word he had to share. They were very well behaved and Mr. Gaskin did a FABULOUS JOB keeping the students interested. Here are just a few snapshots of his visit.

     The students have also begun using Voicethread. They saw what it can do and are very interested in using it in the classroom. Since we are doing questioning in class as our strategy of the week, I put together this presentation for the students. If you have a moment, feel free to check it out.

     There are so many possibilities with this technology. The students can write a story and then add their own voice as the narrator. Presentations like the one above can be made. The students can create their own Power Point presentations and share them as well. The possibilities are limitless! However, as with all things "wired" so to speak, one must be careful when surfing the net. Our class will be very selective in what we post for the world to view.

Club Einstein questions have also been posted for the final time this nine weeks. Give them a try if you have a chance. I have even provided a hint for one of the questions.

     Don't forget that our next field trip is to the Jacksonville Zoo on January 24. Details will be sent home tomorrow. We are planning to ride the train and have a picnic lunch while there. The cost will be $4.50 per student and $8.00 per adult (paid in advance). If chaperones pay at the gate, the cost will be $12.00. The trip should be a blast. I will be bringing my camera to capture our adventures.

     At the end of the year, you will each get a DVD filled with all of the photos I have snapped over the course of the year. Thinnk of it as a "virtual yearbook" so to speak. As a parent, I know we would love to spend the day with our children every single day. However, realistically that is not possible. So, to give you an inside peek into your child's school day, I have been taking many pictures.

     Well, that should do it for now. Have a great evening!

Welcome Back!

     Greetings one and all!  Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a nice and relaxing winter break.  As you can tell from the class blog, I did.  I did not have the opportunity to update the web page like I wanted to but I will be working on it soon.  There will be no newsletter or homework folder this week.  Those will resume next week.  

     Justin and Jasper were the first students to post on the blog today.  The address for the students' blog is http://cowanspanthers.blogspot.com.   Feel free to check it out.  The students will be responsible for updating and changing its content.  They did an excellent job today with their blog entry.  We need to continue to work on adding details to their narratives but they accurately summed up most of the activities for today.

     As a side-note, I look forward to using Voicethread in the classroom.  The students will enjoy using it and it will provide parents with a window into our classroom so to speak.  Well, it is off to grading papers.  Have a good evening!