Downtown Field Trip

Recycling Center

Police Station (in the courtroom)

 Fire Hall with Sparky!

We completed this booklet when we returned:

Red Ribbon Week 2013

Last week we participated in "Red Ribbon Week" also known as "Drug Free Week". We take this week seriously in our community due to the fact that many children are exposed to drugs at such a young age. Although "Red Ribbon Week" is full off fun for the children, the important thing is teaching children the importance of having a drug free lifestyle. We are fortunate to have a school Resource Officer on campus 7 days a week. He took time our of his day to come visit with our class and share his experience with drug related crimes. He was straight forward and to the point about the seriousness of drug use and the negative affect it has on people. Check out some of our Red Ribbon Week fun:

McGruff the Crime Dog came for a visit

Happy,Happy,Happy to be Drug Free

 We Scare Away Drugs door...

On Thursday we had a few "Fall Fun" activities as well as a special snack. Thanks to all the parents who sent items. The kids LOVED them!

and I can't resist: Happy Halloween from my Pebbles and Bam Bam

What has eight legs, is NOT an insect, and......

is Creepy Crawly??? That's right, A SPIDER!!!! Although spiders are another one those creature that give me goosebumps, we had a awesome time doing our Spider Reports last week. First, students were split into 4 groups. They were given a few Non-fiction books about Spiders to read, this helped them build some knowledge about spiders. Next, each group leader was given an Ipad to begin their research and choose a type of spider for their project. I visited another 2nd grade teacher blog and found these free resources...stepintosecondgradewithmrslemons.blogpsot.com

We used the websites listed on the "Spider Research" handout. Each student also completed the graphic organizer above. After 2 days and research and filling out the graphic organizer, the student used their information/facts to begin their rough draft. I conferenced (met and discussed) with each group/students about their writing to be sure they were on the right track. Once they finished, they were given the "Publishing Paper" to complete their final Spider Report.Last but certainly not least, each group drew their spider. The students had a blast with this writing and I love seeing them get excited about learning.

OH YEA......Did I mention that one student brought in 2 LIVE SPIDERS!!!! Needless to say I was worried to death all day about those spiders. :) Once again the kids thought they were soooo interesting. They are still coming in with new information and facts about spiders!

Our "Short" Week

Last week we only had 3 instructional days because Monday and Tuesday were are systems Fall Break!!!!! The teachers and students NEEDED a break! I guess a 3 day week would be considered a "Short Week" but I feel like we crammed in a full weeks work of instruction. Take a Peek at our "Short Week"

Wednesday was our Christopher Columbus themed day. From morning work, to Reading, small groups, and writing were all in relation to Christopher Columbus.We were so busy that I did not have time to take any pictures on Wednesday....that's a good problem, right?

Thursday we continued our study of Bats. As creepy as this creature seems to me, they are so interesting to learn about. Bats are mammals just like we are....the kids LOVE that fact!Of course I did a few read alouds and we had a group discussion about Bats. We did not do a usual centers this week since it was only 3 days . We tried something new and I would say it was a huge success! The entire room was SILENT...that's right...without me even asking them!?!

Check out our "Bat Fact Find" activity: We all assembled our books just liked we do our Math Journals. Then they labeled each page Bat Fact # 1-Bat Fact # 10. This way they could keep track and be sure they recorded all of the facts. Then they each were given a CLIPBOARD (they were pumped) and traveled around the room to locate each of the 10 facts. Last they illustrated their books.

Friday or "Fun Friday"  because I checked out the Ipad cart for the morning portion of our day. That means Grammar, Math, and some of our Reading Block were completed using the Ipads! The Ipads are awesome and really get students excited and enjoying learning!

Farm Day & Homecoming 2013

Biker Day:

Roll over the Panthers

Thursday was Crazy Sock day....

but I was being Mom at the Pumpkin Patch. I hate not being with my 18 school children but it is important for me to take special time for my personal children too!

Aggie Day

"Football Reader"

APS presents the APS Faculty Cheerleaders

We Matched! :)

Farm Day

Let's Get to the Core

That is the common core of course. This is our 2nd year to be using the Go Math Common Core series. The first year is a lot of learning but now we are starting to really understand and have fun with this new series. This year in Math our class has started "Math Workshop". It is a form of centers but really targets Math skills that 2nd graders need to be learning. The word MATH  stands for the following centers: Math Facts, At Your Seat, Teacher Choice, and Hands On. We rotate every 10 minutes so there is no time to be off task. The students absolutely LOVE this! Take a peak at "Math Workshop" in action.....

Also, speaking of core....we took a few minutes out of our day and enjoyed some "Johnny Appleseed" fun. Thanks to all the parents who sent in apples! We were apple do a taste test as well as graph our favorite color apple. This was a treat for the kids but it was a chance for me to take at peak at a few of their Math skills such as; Tally Marks and Graphing. Check out our class graph below

Last but certainly not least..... Personal Narratives: Published!!! I am so proud of how hard the student's worked through the Writing Procress. This week we are moving further into writing with Narrative Nonfiction.

Writing,Writing,Writing

Yes! We have been super busy writing. This year 2nd grade has a  BIG focus on writing. The new common core standards have really challenged teachers. We  write a good deal in our class but I have failed to always take time to go through each and every step of the writing process. So, this year we have slowed down and take at least a week at a time to complete a writing skill. We are currently working on a "Personal Narrative". The topic is "my favorite memory with my best friend". Personal Narratives are meant to pin point a specific event and give details regarding that event.

First, we read this personal narrative written by Patricia Polacco.

Next, I introduced the topic and shared a personal narrative that I wrote. I wanted to model the correct words to use includes I, Me, and My. I also wanted the students to notice the sequence and details "that Mrs. Busha put in her story." See the example below:

My Best Friend Memory

A Personal Narrative

Be Sure to Include:

1. The name of your Best friend.

2. Why they are your best friend.

3. Topic sentence: Favorite Memory

4. Give details (exactly what happened)

5. Sequence the story: (Use words like: First ,Next ,Then,  Last, Finally)

6. Use the words I, Me, My, We, and Us

My example narrative:

My best friend’s name is Anna Leigh. Anna Leigh is the same age as me. We have been friend for 10 years. She is my best friend because we can talk about anything. She is always there when I need her. My favorite memory with Anna Leigh, is the time we went parasailing.

We went on vacation to the Beach with Anna Leigh’s dad. We saw people “flying” through the sky. It looked so fun but kind of scary, too. First ,we walked down the beach to the “Parasail Hut”. Next, we found out how much money it would cost to go and we both had just enough money. Then, we got permission from our parents, and we were ready to “fly”. Next, we swam in the ocean out to a special boat. We climbed on the boat. Then, the workers helped us put on all of our safety gear. Finally, the started the engine and the boat began to move. Pretty soon we were doing it, we were “flying”!  It was awesome! That is my favorite memory with my best friend Anna Leigh. I am so thankful to have such a great friend.

Then, came "Brainstorming"....we used a web style graphic organizer this time. In the center bubble we wrote "my Best Friend________". Then they though of 4 fun memories that they have with that friend.

 From here, we began the planning phase.....I am currently in the middle of conferencing with each student about their "Plan". So, I will be back to share then finished "Narratives" later in the week!

Our story last week was, A Walk in the Desert. We used this Desert Turtle Book  to help recall information from the story.

I am very excited to see how our class develops and grows as writers this year!