The Big Balloon Blow Up

We have been learning about chemical reactions and states of matter in science class!

Last week we did an experiment to see if we could blow up a balloon without using our breath.

It turned out - we could! 

We added sodium bicarbonate to acetic acid and caused a chemical reaction. That reaction produced Carbon Dioxide which escaped out of the plastic bottle and into the balloon.

The students really enjoyed this experiment and learned quite a bit about chemical reactions, chemical symbols and gasses.

October Book Orders

October Scholastic book orders were sent home today. Here is a reminder regarding the online ordering instructions:

Go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and log in using your user name and password.

If it’s your first time ordering online, use the Class Activation Code: GK9BF

• SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Register” button in the “First Time Here?” section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This code ensures that your order is sent to me.
• SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.
• SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

If you are interested in ordering, please submit your order by October 1. Please let me know if you have any questions! 

Thank You!

Wow, thank you for my amazing birthday gift! The gift certificate is the best and I can't wait to use it. You are all far too generous!

The ice-cream sandwiches were delicious!

Thanks again for the wonderful birthday surprise! You made my day very special. 

Be A Famous Writer Contest

We have been working hard writing short stories for Mrs. P's "Be-A-Famous-Writer Contest". We've learned about brainstorming, thinking maps and story-boarding through the process.

Skype With Mrs. P!

Students are writing their stories using Google shared docs through their pvLearners accounts. Permission slips were sent home today. If you need an additional copy, it can be found here.

Journey to Discovery

We participated in a very exciting in-school field trip this week, taking a journey through Sonoran Sky all the way to the Sonoran Sky Pond!

Students worked with a small team and had a variety of tasks they needed to complete during our journey. The first step was to create a map from our classroom to the pond using non-standard units of measure. Maps requirements included a key, a legend and a compass rose. 

Each Student Had A Compass To Help Guide Their Way

Next, students continued their journey outside and explored the flora and fauna of the school grounds. 

Documenting The Journey With in iPod

Each student wrote their observations in a journal and each team had an official "illustrator" who took photographs using an iPod touch and also illustrated their team's findings.

While visiting the pond, students continued observing and recorded their discoveries in journals. There was a lot of excitement and intrigue as students discovered dragonflies, lily pads, ants, birds, flowers, minnows and koi. 

After returning to the classroom students worked individually to edit their journal entries, add details and put the final touches on their maps. 

The next day, the teams worked together to create a presentation of their findings. Teams were graded on: cooperation/teamwork, presentation participation, neatness, content knowledge and individual contributions. 

September 11th

With such young students, 9-11 is one of those sensitive topics that is better discussed in depth at home. However, with such a globally aware, bright group of students, it is hard to let the day pass unnoticed. 

We read the book shown above, which is the best book I have found to use as a discussion piece regarding 9-11 for primary students. When we finished, we had a nice discussion about patriotism and then we created an American flag craft. Students used their best handwriting to write the Pledge of Allegiance on the back. 

Friendly Friday

We Love To Read!

My class will be holding Friendly Friday on the dates below. Each child is welcome to invite a parent or adult friend to the class to read with him or her. Guest readers should wait in the lobby until 9:00am and at that time they are welcome to join us in the classroom. At 9:30am we will say goodbye to our guests and continue with our school day. I would like to stress that this is a time for reading. The children often want to pull out a game or do something else, but the expectation is students will read at his or her desk, on the floor, or in the hallway with an adult or other students. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions!

Friendly Fridays:
 .
September 14
October 5
November 9
December 7
January 11
February 8
March 1
April 5

Writing

Our primary focus in Language Arts so far has been writing! These 2nd grade students are becoming amazing writers! 

If you haven't heard much at home about what we have been learning at school be sure to ask about Cornell Notes, FRED Paragraphs, indenting, 7-Up Sentences and the "Adjective Graveyard."