Caramel Apples

We compared a caramel apple to the layers of the Earth. How you ask? Well, this week we read a book about the Earth's crust. We learned the the Earth's crust is made of dirt and rocks. We also learned that lava helped to form the crust. The skin of our apple, the caramel and crushed cookies covering is like the crust. The fleshy inside of the apple is like the hot mantle layer of the Earth. Lastly, the core of the apple is like the core of the Earth.

Mental Math

In our first unit of our new math curriculum we have been focusing on different mental math strategies.  These strategies are designed to help students solve math problems more quickly in their head.  However, these are strategies.  Your child might choose to use one that I have shared, or they might not.  It is my goal to give as many strategies as possible and then let your child choose the one(s) that make the most sense to them.

Here are some YouTube clips that will show you these strategies.

Fun First Day

The first day was full of fun.  It was FINALLY great to see everyone again after a long summer. We welcomed our new friend George!

Welcome George!

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Food: Strawberries

Favorite TV Show: Sponge Bob

Favorite Subject: Science

My hobby is fishing

My favorite toys to play with are G.I. Joes.

I have two older brothers. He loves to go fishing with his family.

I want my classmates to know that I am nice. I am respectful.  I respect humans.

Hi Ho Hi Ho...it's back to school we go!

Can you believe how fast the summer flew by?!  I can't, but I sure am excited to see everyone.  I can't wait to surprise everyone with our "new" old room. I felt it was only fair, since we are still upstairs in our old room to make it new.  I have one more surprise for everyone, but you will have to wait until the first day of school.

I will see everyone for our second year together in second grade on August 20th!  I will send out a Remind 101 text to everyone when I know the date and time to drop off supplies and "meet" your teacher. ;)

Our Old NEW Room

I sure hope all the Wonderful Whales have had a great summer!  I sure have! 

We have been swimming!  It was AWESOME to see Ashley get over her fear of jumping in the water.  I'd say that she is good to go!

We are having lots of fun with Mr. Peeps.  He is getting very big!

We have logged lots of hours on the swing this summer.  This is one of Ashley's favorite activities. We are still learning how to pump.

We are currently switching Ashley's room to a BIG girl room.  It is still a work in progress, but it is coming along nicely.

I would love to hear how everyone has been spending their summer!

Now, let's talk school!  I have been working on our old NEW room.  Old, you ask?  Well, our room is back upstairs.  However, it will not look the same as it did last year!  Here is the panoramic view so far....

It is a BIG work in progress, but it is coming along nicely!  I can't wait for everyone to see it!

2nd Grade Supply List

Here is the 2nd Grade Supply list, for OUR class.  This list will be in your child's communicator on Thursday.  I also created a tab at the top of our website, so you can easily find it over the summer, if the copy gets misplaced.

1        box of crayons
1        4 pack of dry erase markers
6        glue sticks
1        Elmer's washable, 4oz white glue
1        box tissues
1        pack Prang or Crayola markers fine tip
1        Prang  or Crayola watercolor paints
1        package pencils
1        ruler (inches and centimeters)
1        box gallon Ziplock bags
2        containers Clorox wipes
1        blue spiral notebook
1        scissors (only if your child lost his/hers)
1        pencil box (only if your child's needs replacing)

Amazing Animal Projects!

Today day we showcased all of our hard work for the past few weeks.  When I started this project with my firsties, I had a list of expectations....

1. Log-in to Google Drive

2. Locate answers to the questions from the Google Doc

3. Type answers into the document

4. Have 4th graders help students edit, locate pictures, and customize presentation.

5. Share animal projects

Well, my Wonderful Whales SHATTERED these expectations.  Here is what they ACTUALLY did...

1. Learned to log-in to Google Drive independently

2. Located answers to questions from the Google Doc from multiple resources

3. Typed answers into the document with capitalization and punctuation

4. Located pictures independently and pasted into presentation

5. Edited and revised their presentation with minor suggestions from Mrs. Wanke

6. Customized their presentation with 4th graders

7. Practiced presenting animal projects to the class

8. Peer edited each others presentations

9.  Presented to class and parents with confidence.

Needless to say, I am one proud teacher!  I can't wait to do more of this next year.

Using the Chrome books to log-in, research, and edit our presentations.

Check out our presentations!

We survived our presentation!

Check back tomorrow for more pictures and videos!