It's been so long since I've posted--we have been too busy ROCKING IT OUT in second grade! :) Here's some of what we've been up to lately! We had a blast making 100-item creations on the 100th day of school! We love to write, revise, and share our work with peers! Some ambitious, aspiring career women on career day at GVES! Reading is simply the best. ...and Ms. Murrill wouldn't mind it! This made me laugh! :)
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We had a blast creating our own gingerbread characters and stories, based on the original story, but tailored to our own amazing settings and plot twists. We had everything from the "Baseball Bread Boy" to Star Wars gingerbread characters, to Pikachu, to Gingerbread soldier women. Students listened to several versions of the Gingerbread story and we discussed how the characters and events changed in relation to the setting. They then created their own character and applied what they learned by writing their own storybooks. We shared several of them, and they were so proud of their fantastic work! In other news...Our classroom Elf, Louie, has been up to some Christmas decorating mischief (and always watching to make sure we are being respectful, responsible, and ready! We wouldn't want him to give Santa a bad report!).
Last week was National Hour of Code Week, and our class participated in some fun activities related to this on Friday. We read a book about Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer. We added to our knowledge of computers by learning the basics of computer programming, which allows a person to communicate with a computer through code, giving it specific instructions to follow in order to carry out certain functions. Then, we practiced this skill by playing a game called "Kodable" (click the link below to play, and use your student's password which was sent home to access their saved progress). The students (and teacher!) had a great time trying out this new skill and learning more about computer science.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! We took some time yesterday and today to think about the things in our lives that we are grateful for. These sweet second graders are thankful for their friends, families, houses, pets, food, school, good health, and even their ancestors. Don't forget North America. (Ha!) We made a "thankful quilt" to represent these things that we appreciate and celebrate on this holiday!
After learning about light and shadows, we had fun creating a shadow puppet show on our smart board by blocking the light from the projector. Students are making connections between this simple, real-life concept and much bigger ideas--like how planets orbit the sun and why the moon goes through phase changes over time! We are learning lots of great science information about the moon and our solar system by reading nonfiction during reading, and then going more in-depth during science. We're starting a new writing unit on "writing like a scientist"--one student said today, "This classroom is our laboratory!"
Students had so much fun this morning writing their word study words in "big, small and fancy" fonts! They were so proud of their work!
The students and staff of Green Valley Elementary gathered around the flag pole together this morning to honor veterans in our community and to celebrate this wonderful national holiday. How beautiful it was to hear the sweet voices of the children singing our National Anthem in the dawn's early (and very bright!) light. Saying the pledge together as a school in front of our building gave it a special significance today. As a class, we plan on learning more about the flag and our country's symbols, and reflecting on the meaning of Veterans Day. Respect, pride and gratitude were in the air this morning at GVE. Thank you, Veterans, for making America the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween! Last week, I asked the students to write me persuasive letters about what my costume should be this year. I got lots of great suggestions, from princess to witch! Here are some gems I had to share: And, well...I made my decision! "Seatbelts, everyone!" Stay tuned for our November Newsletter!
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About Ms. MurrillI am a fifth-year teacher at Green Valley Elementary School. I taught Kindergarten for 3 years and this is my second year teaching 2nd grade. I love coffee, volleyball, and kids! Archives
February 2017
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