Writing Workshop

Students have been working hard in writer's workshop in our classroom!  The past few weeks we have been working on building our writing stamina,  the ability to write for a longer periods of time.  Students are also working on developing strategies for generating ideas to write about.  We created heart maps, pictures and labels of things that we love, and NOT heart maps, pictures and labels of things we DON"T love!  Some of the things on my heart map included my family, my class, exercising, office supplies, and vacations.  My NOT heart map included snakes, spiders, dentists, and high places.  Now I have a source of things to write about during writer's workshop!  You can help your child add to their maps by discussing with them what they might want to add to either page! We will continue to brainstorm ideas for writing while we are building our writing skills through utilizing the writing process.

One of our favorite parts of writing workshop time is the opportunity to share our writing with others.  Sometimes we share with partners, as seen in our photos, and sometimes the author will share with the entire classroom.  The other students then serve as reviewers and give positive feedback and offer suggestions for improving the piece.  I enjoy seeing their respectful interactions with each other as they strive to become more accomplished writers!

Our M.V.P. Arthur

My name is Arthur.  I moved from England to America.  First we went on the Virgin Atlantic airplane.  It took eight hours.  I watched the telly.  I watched Mister Men and My Family Bought a Zoo.  It was a good film.  I listened to three brothers that sing really high sing songs, but I don't remember their name or the album.  Then I wrote a note to my friend Brody. We got off the airplane and the next plane was delayed for 12 hours.  It was almost midnight before we went on to Charlotte.  We had to wait for one more hour while daddy booked the hotel and I drifted off to sleep.  When we woke up in the hotel we had to fly to Omaha.  We stayed at the hotel until I moved into my new house.  Goodbye for now England!

Friday Journals

Every year I try to find something new and creative to add to my student's education.  This year I found the idea for Friday Journals on my favorite idea source -- Pinterest.  (Wow, is that site addictive or what???) I feel we had a very successful first week with our Friday Journals.  Today we had 16 out of 20 returned with notes from family.  (If yours didn't make it back, help us out and send it back tomorrow!!)  My goal is for you to have a special keepsake of your child's 2nd grade year.  Like I told the kiddos, these are not for me to grade, comment on, correct, or even to read (ok..yes, I peeked.  But not until today, you were to first ones to read them I promise!!)  but rather a method of communication between your child and you.  Is it also authentic writing practice for them?  You bet, which is what makes them doubly fun!  I'd like to encourage you to ask them questions in your responses.  This gives them a jumping off point for the next week's entry.  I am excited to see their entries grow and develop as the year progresses.  Thank you so much for being willing to be such an integral part of your child's education and learning.  I hope you are enjoying them as much as I am!

Love,
Mrs. Heath

What Makes the Teacher Happy

*warning...this is a totally useless post, but I thought, "hey someone might like to know what a nerd this teacher is." so I decided to post it!* :)

My favorite new teaching toy supply!

What does it take to make the teacher happy?  Other than having a fantastic group of 2nd graders (check), who listen and follow directions (check) and work their hardest everyday (double check)..all it takes is office supplies.  Yep, you heard that right.  Office supplies.  That's it.  Just office supplies.  A bit nerdy I suppose, but office supplies really make me happy.  Especially really cool ones like the ones I have gotten this year.  For example, I got a new pair of teacher scissors (thanks Mya!).  And these are not just ANY scissors my friends, they are NON-STICK scissors.  And when you are a teacher you cut a LOT of sticky things - tape, magnets with sticky stuff on the back, stickers, etc.  Having a NEW pair of scissors that won't get all gunky...pretty much HEAVEN!  And then there is my new tape dispenser, shaped like a high heel.  Pretty stylish don't you think?  What teacher wouldn't want a high heel to dispense their tape from?  Because goodness knows you can't actually WEAR high heels and teach.  Unless you are my friend Miss Scheppers who does rock high heels every single day, but that is because she is simply amazing!  Of course I can't forget my new electronic stapler.  It staples by itself.  An exceptionally amazing feat according to my class.  They love to watch their papers being magically stapled together.  And it saves my hand/wrist from that repetitive motion.  It is never too early to be worried about carpal tunnel!  All three of these are great office supplies.  But nothing has quite excited me as much as my weekend purchase.  Are you ready for it? Ok, you probably already know from the picture above, but I got my very own LAMINATOR!!  Do you know how exciting that is?  Teachers LOVE to laminate.  It makes things durable and reusable.  Plus, it is really just kinda fun!  So, should you have an incredible urge to cut out laminating, I could probably hook you up with some. Or if you find yourself in an office supply store with an unstoppable urge to by laminating pouches, we could probably take them off your hands.  :)
All nerdiness aside, I hope you have enjoyed our Sunday night foray into the exciting office supply habit addiction story of this 2nd grade teacher.  I promise to be back later in the week with more kid relevant posts and pictures.  Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Mrs. Heath

Our Family Trees

In social studies we are studying about families, cultures, and traditions.  As part of this study the students completed family trees at home and talked about where their ancestors have come from.  We then mapped the countries where our ancestors came from on a world map.  Some interesting observations:  1) We have many ancestors from Eastern Europe - especially Germany and Ireland.  2) One student's ancestor traveled to America aboard the Mayflower. 3) All of the students did a FANTASTIC job learning about their ancestors and origins!

Also as part of this unit, we have been learning about traditions and how our backgrounds and culture sometime effect the traditions we have.  Holiday traditions aboud in our classrom, and this teacher thinks she'll be visiting a lot of student's homes from special meals!! (ok, not really!)  Birthday traditions were a fun conversation and a focus of a writing piece for us.  Common birthday traditions in our classroom include the "dreaded" birthday spankings, cake and ice cream, presents, and parties.  For my family, our tradition is that the birthday person gets to pick anywhere they want to go out for dinner.  We have enjoyed learning more about our classmates, their histories, and the special family traditions and customs they enjoy.

Love, Mrs. Heath

All About Me!

One of our first writing assignments this year was to write an "All About Me" book.  Students wrote about their homes, families, and things that they like to do.  Writers always write for an audience, and part of the writing process is sharing your writing with others.  The students enjoyed sharing their "All About Me" books with their classmates this week and they are looking forward to having YOU see them at Curriculum Night on August 30th!  Our first session will be from 6 - 6:30 p.m. and the second session will be from 6:45 - 7:15.   

Today's News by Dannika

*Students have the option to write "news" stories during Work on Writing time at Daily 5.  I will occasionally post their news stories for your viewing pleasure!

Mrs. Nichols reads to our class!

This is Channel News 7. Today we have some reports about second grade.  Today for lunch is cheesy breadsticks.  Today's weather is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit and slightly windy.  We will finish up our writing stories and we already read a new book.  An unexpected surprise was Mrs. Nichols read us our shared reading story.  This will be a great year.  Recently on the first day of school, Jonas had a birthday.  2nd grade has been a blast.  Thank you for tuning in on Channel 7. 

Our M.V.P. Kelsey!!



Kelsey shares her special items with the class.



Kelsey and Mrs. Heath on the 1st day of school!



My name is Kelsey.  I am 7 years old.  I am a 2nd grader in Mrs. Heath's class.  I like school.  School is going very well. I  enjoy recess and love reading.  I like recess because I play with my friends.  I like reading chapter books.  I like math also.  I like school because I get to learn.  Lunchtime is fun because I get to talk to my friends.  I like Mrs. Heath because she is a good teacher.  She is very funny.  I can't wait to learn something new!

Learning the Routines

A big part of a new school year is getting to know one another and learning the routines of the classroom and school.  Much of our time this week has been spent working on both of those areas.  Second grade students are responsible enough to learn to care for materials, return them to their proper place, and use them correctly.  As you know, we also began our homework routine this week!  Thank you for your help in creating responsible second graders.

Our amazing class!

Learning how to use our math manipulatives.

More math learning!

Mrs. Hergott teaches us the right way to use the restroom and get a drink!  We must be safe, respectful, responsible, and active learners.

A Little Science Learning...

We are 2nd grade scientists!  We are learning about how to be a scientist, and one of the main things that we have discovered is that scientists ask a LOT of questions and they conduct experiments to try to find the answers to those questions.  Earlier this week we conducted an investigation activity with our friend Freddy the Worm.  See Freddy doesn't know how to swim.  And his life preserver was stuck underneath the cup!  Our scientist friends were tasked with figuring out how to get his life preserver out from under the cup and onto Freddy WITHOUT touching anything with their hands.  They each had a paperclip that they could use to touch / move things. 

They each had a paperclip that they could use to touch / move things.  Most groups were able to successfully put Freddy's life preserver one and safe his life.  What a great bunch of problem solving scientist we have in our class!

Meet the Teacher

I loved seeing all of your bright shining faces tonight at Meet the Teacher.  We are going to have an awesome 2nd grade year.  Be sure to get a good nights sleep and I will see you tomorrow morning at 8:00 or so...  :)

Love,
Mrs. Heath

Our Sports Classroom

Our Word Wall

We will be looking for lots of interesting new words to add to our wall this year!

Calendar Math

Go Team!  Boise State is in the center because it is the best.... :)

Our reading strategies

Literacy Center Rotations

He's a bit big for 2nd grade, by my son Colt was happy to model our frame for us!

Library

More library pictures and our writing tubs

Library and our science focus wall / whiteboard

Meeting area

Guided reading table / Mrs. Heath's desk.

Take home bags, writing table, and our reading incentive keychains

Mailboxes

All Star Work Board

Attendance / Lunch Count Recording

Our classroom is decorated and ready to go...we just need some students! The pennants hanging up are either local teams or teams that my family follows.  Feel free to bring in "your" teams pennant and we'll hang it as well.  Enjoy a sneak peak of what it looks like and I'll see you on Monday at Meet the Teacher!

Vote for Hickory Hill on Give with Target!

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Voting continues until September 8th and our school can earn up to $10,000.  We are at $50 now!  Thank you for your support everyone!

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Back to School Time is Here!!

I can always tell when it is back to school time because my debit card gets well used at office supply stores, teacher stores, dollar stores, Target, and Wal-Mart.  There are just so many FUN things to buy!  I have a bit of a school supply obsession (or so my husband claims).  My BIGGEST school supply weakness is Sharpies.  Oh, how I LOVE my Sharpies.  They have such bright bold colors and different pen widths too!!  This year I found a new type of Sharpie and I ADORE them!

There are many other things that a busy teacher needs.  This year my back to school list includes:  hot glue gun, blue Solo cups, Popsicle sticks, orange material, beads, magnets, pencils, erasers, name tags, books, 3 hole punch, Post it Notes (my other obsession),  lots of new sport-themed classroom decorations, stuffed sports balls,  six different sports pennants, plastic book bags, stickers, self sticking labels, and of course a new outfit for the first day! 

Of course the best part of back to school isn't all of the supplies...it is the anticipation of getting a great new group of students to teach.  This year I am extra excited because I will get to have some of my 1st graders from last year in my new 2nd grade class.  What a lucky teacher I am!!  Stop back by in the next day or two to check out pictures of our new classroom.  We are going to ROCK a sports/teamwork theme this year.  I can't wait!

Love,

Mrs. Heath