Last Day Fun!

Thanks for a great year 2nd graders!  I hope you have a wonderful summer!

We finally got to explode those volcanoes today!

We always clean our desks with shaving cream on the last day!

The last day tradition with Mason and Ellie- ice cream from the pink ice cream shop!

Final Balloon: Treasure Hunt!

Our final balloon activity sent us on a treasure hunt with clues around the school.  These clues lead us to the library where we found our treasure: a new book!  There's no greater treasure than a new book!  The book was "Dragons Love Tacos 2."  We read both books today, and the students voted on their favorite.  Majority said that the sequel was their favorite!

Balloon #5: Lunch and Dance Party in the Classroom

Balloon number 5 was lunch and a dance party in the classroom.  I think more dancing than eating goes on during this lunch break!

We also celebrated the end of the year by visiting the slushy stand!

Bike Rodeo, Class Play, Track and Field Day

What a great day Friday was!  One of my favorite days of the year!

We started the day with Bike Rodeo.  Mr. Semmen checks over the students' bikes to make sure they are ready for summer.  Then the students ride their bikes through an obstacle course.

Next up was our class play: "The Weatherman on Trial."  The students worked hard and were excited to share it with their families.

Our afternoon is spent at the football field for Track and Field Day.  Unfortunately, I have no pictures of track and field because I'm so busy taking down scores and team placements.  I'm so thankful that we had a beautiful afternoon to enjoy the activities!

Balloon #4: Daily 5 Outside!

This is one of my favorite balloons.  I love taking the students outside to read and write around the ponds.  It's so calm and peaceful, and what a beautiful afternoon it was for a round of Daily 5 outside!

Balloon #3: Bumper Seats for the Whole Class!

It's always a treat to be able to pick your own spot in the classroom for the day!

Balloon #2 + Ag Day!

Balloon number 2 was share a story and a treat with kindergarten.  It's so nice for the 2nd graders to have the chance to spend time with those students we see across the hall every day!  We also got to visit Ag Day on Tuesday.  Fortunately, the rain cleared up just in time for us to see the animals.

Mystery Reader #13: One Funny Dad!

"I love to ride bike on the trail.  My favorite thing in the summer is gardening.  I used to live in Wisconsin."

These clues threw off the class.  They had 3 moms guessed, but not this dad.  He was one entertaining dad!  His choice of books and character voices had us laughing the entire time!  As a teacher himself, Jeff was so interactive with the students and tied in many teaching moments during his time with the class.  I'm sure all the students would agree that it's too bad there are so few days left to invite you back to read to us more often! Thanks so much Jeff!

Balloon Countdown! Balloon #1

We started our end of the year balloon countdown today.  We will be counting down our final days of school by popping a balloon and doing the fun activity that we find in that balloon within the day.  Our first balloon activity was to write a letter to a senior.  This morning we wrote our letters and hand delivered them.  We want to congratulate the seniors and wish them well!

Mystery Reader #12: A Very Special Visitor

"I have 3 kids that all attend Lanesboro Schools.  I love to READ.  I grew up on a farm in North Dakota."

Our Mystery Reader was an extra special guest to our classroom today: Mrs. Schultz.  Back when we were working on our cookbook, we picked up a gift card to Pedal Pushers for someone we wanted to help.  This person was Mrs. Schultz who had been undergoing cancer treatment.

She asked if she could visit the class to say thank you for the gift and meet the students.  I asked her if she'd also like to be a Mystery Reader.  Mrs. Schultz is also a teacher, and I knew she would enjoy reading to the students.

Mrs. Schultz did so much more than read a story to us.  She helped us get to know her and her family, and she shared her story with us about finding out about having cancer and the books she read to her kids to help them understand that her hair may change, but her smile never would.  That couldn't be more true.  Mrs. Schultz is never without her beautiful smile!  Thank you so much for visiting with us today!

2nd Grade Field Trip Day!

We started our day at the Winona Historical Museum.  We learn about the Native Americans in our social studies standards, and at the museum we are able to see some actual Native American items and learn more about their history.

 Lunch in the park was a big hit with the students.  It's always fun to explore new play equipment!

I'm so thankful it didn't rain this afternoon so we could enjoy being out on the boats for Paddle for Life.  Thank you to all of our chaperones!

Mystery Reader #11: A Sweet Grandpa

"I have a beard.  I'm 6'1.  I like to go fishing."  These clues had several students thinking it was their dads.  No one could have guessed that it was the grandfather to the brothers in our room.  They were so excited to see him walk through the door!  Going along with one of the clues, I picked out "Mustache Baby Meets his Match" for him to read.  You can tell from their picture how much fun these boys have with their grandpa!

Mrs. Stocker's Legendary Mt. St. Helens Story!

Each year during our volcano study Mrs. Stocker visits 2nd grade to share her story on how she "survived the eruption of Mt. St. Helens!"  It's so fun for the students to hear from someone with first hand experience about an eruption that happened 300 miles away from her.  It goes to show just how powerful a volcanic eruption can be!  Mrs. Stocker is also a great story teller who completely pulls the kids in with her details.  Thank you so much Mrs. Stocker!  We love your visits!

We also got our volcanoes painted yesterday with our base color.  The students have really been enjoying volcano construction!

Area Robots

In math, the 2nd graders have been learning about area and perimeter.  Yesterday we made area robots.  The students created a robot on grid paper and then counted up the area for each body part.  I love how they all end up so unique to the student who created it!

Mystery Reader #10: A 3rd Grade Friend

"I know a lot of people.  I wear dresses.  I am goofy."  The students guessed without a doubt that this described their 3rd grade friend Ayla.

Ayla chose to read the book "Frederick" by Leo Lionni.  Thanks for being a Mystery Reader Ayla!

Mystery Reader #9: Aunt Shaune

"I help save lives and drive an ambulance as a paramedic. Liam's dad is my brother.  I have four kids but only two that are still in school at Lanesboro.  Hannah and Andrew are their names."

This student was thrilled to have his Aunt Shaune stop by 2nd grade to read a book to us.  Aunt Shaune has been a Mystery Reader many times in 2nd grade because she has been so kind to come in for her nephews and her children.  It's always great to have you back in 2nd grade.  No matter the group of kids, they all seem to know her!  Thanks again Shaune!

Comfy Cozy Day

Friday was Comfy Cozy Day that we earned on our Banana Bingo Board.  Here was a shot before heading home for the weekend.  Everyone enjoyed cuddling up in their blankets with their pillows and stuffed animals throughout the day!

Poetry Booklets

During the month of April we wrote and illustrated 4 different poems: acrostic, portrait, haiku, and    2 words on a line poem.  The students also completed an "About the Author Page."  These booklets turned out so beautiful with their artwork.  They were finally down on the rug on Friday for the students to enjoy!

Mystery Reader #8: A Big Brother and a Former Student

"I'm in 4th grade.  I'm 10 years old.  I like to ride my gator."

Little brother knew right away that all these clues fit his brother!  He was all smiles when his brother came walking in the door.  So nice to have a former 2nd grader come back to be a Mystery Reader!

Happy Administrative Professionals' Week

This week we celebrated our wonderful secretaries at Lanesboro.  Today the 2nd graders brought in a card and treats for them.  In our classroom we brainstormed all the ways that the secretaries help us all year long.  These were some of their ideas...

"When we don't feel good, they help us by calling home."
"If we get hurt, they get ice for us."
"If the way that we go home changes, they talk to the bus driver and call us to the office."
"Ms. Drew helps us in library and at lunch and breakfast."
"Sometimes they help make a copy for us."
"They keep the school organized and running."

All of these things are true and so much more!  A big thank you to Diane, Denise, Sally, and Julie!  You really are the best!

Mystery Reader #7: A Trike Rider?

"My mom loves to take me 'out' for lunch.  I love to observe kindness and generosity in people.  This summer, I will ride my trike every chance I get!"

These clues left the 2nd graders completely confused.  They eventually came up with three guesses.  They were trying to decide between two first graders and a third grader.

They could have never guessed that Mrs. Abrahamson would have come walking through the door.  I love when Mrs. A. is able to visit our classroom for any reason because she is so kind, observant, and thoughtful.  She shared an old favorite of hers about a girl who thought the moon was following her home.  Many students echoed that they've had similar experiences.

Thank you so much Mrs. A.  We also enjoyed the pictures of you on your "trike"!

Taste Testers #12

Today Beau's Mega Burger was on the menu.  As we were walking to lunch one of the students said, "It even smells like a burger place!" The class said the burger was great!

Taste Testers #11!

Last week the 2nd graders were excited to try out Jeweleanna's Grilled Cheese which was on the lunch menu!  The special ingredient in this grilled cheese is bacon!  Thanks again to the cooks for including a 2nd grade recipe on your menu.

Mystery Reader # 6: A Smiley Book Lover!

"I wear reading glasses.  I smile a lot!  I have a dog."  The students had many guesses for this one, but one student guessed Ms. Drew, and then everyone thought... Yeah!  It could be Ms. Drew!  She shared with us a book she wrote for her son's friend many years ago.  The book took us around the town of Fountain detailing his adventures.  Her book has inspired some 2nd graders to write a similar story!  Thanks so much Ms. Drew for sharing your story with us!

Rainbow in a Jar

Our most recent science unit focused on matter.  We learned about the states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.  This experiment focuses on density, which is a hard concept for young students to understand.  We talked about it as the amount of atoms that are packed into a given volume.  The more atoms packed in, the more dense.

To experiment with this concept we attempted a rainbow in a jar.  We layered liquids based on their density.  This is a tricky experiment because the least dense layer, rubbing alcohol, is very touchy!
We tried our best!  The students also brought home the directions, and this would be a fun experiment to try at home!

Final Engineering Project: Egg Drop

In our engineering unit, we've learned that engineers need to use creative ideas to build or take things apart.  They also need to be great problem solvers who are willing to try things in a new way if they don't work the first time.

In order to put these skills to use, the students built an egg drop box with a few limited supplies.  Each group was given a shoe box filled with 1 toilet paper tube, 5 cotton balls, 1 styrofoam cup, 2 paper towels, 2 popsicle sticks, 2 straws, 2 pipe cleaners, and a roll of masking tape. 

On day 1 the students made their box without the egg.  They had to make some assumptions on how the egg would fit into their design. On day 2, the students were given the egg and many groups had to problem solve a new design based on whether or not the egg fit into their original design.

This project also gave the students another chance to collaborate within a partnership or group, which at times can be challenging.

The goal was to keep the egg safe for 3 different heights of dropping.  We dropped off a desk, off the shelves in the library, and outside on the stairs by the little park.

 The students then reflected on why they think their eggs survived the fall or didn't.  We focused on the fact that if our eggs didn't survive, it's not a failure, but rather it's just one idea that would need further work.  This was a fun project!

Mystery Reader #5: A Favorite Classroom Visitor!

"When I was a kid, I had a dog named Humphrey.  As a grown-up, I had a golden retriever named Wilbur.  He was the best dog ever.  Mrs. Howard and I have the same birthday."

When this Mystery Reader sent me her clues I thought they would really stump the 2nd graders!  I was shocked when a few boys read the clues and said, "Mrs. Stocker!"  How could they have known? They were right!  Mrs. Stocker is one of our favorite weekly visitors!

She read the funniest book about a dog named Bonaparte!  Thanks so much Mrs. Stocker.  We loved the story!

Bunny Measurements

We just created the cutest bunnies to help us practice our measurement skills.  The students drew and used water colors to paint a bunny.  Then they had to find the measurements in centimeters for the body, stomach, ears, eyes, nose, whiskers, and teeth.  This math project has certainly made our room feel ready for spring!

"The Best Part of Me" Opinion Writing

Our recent writing unit focused on opinion writing, and the students completed these beautiful projects detailing what they most like about themselves.  This was a step by step process.  The students brainstormed their ideas in a web.  They began their writing with a topic sentence, put their brainstormed ideas into complete sentences, and added details to each idea.  The 2nd paragraph was to include a conclusion sentence.  We completed the project with a black and white photo.

Their photos and writing have brought in a variety of readers.  Parents, high school students, elementary students, staff members have all stopped in the hallway to read their writing and admire their photos.  It's so rewarding for the kids to see people reading their writing!

Mystery Reader #4: A Baking Grandma

This sweet grandma does not live in Lanesboro, but bakes desserts for a restaurant in town.  Her grandson knew that it was his grandma immediately!  Grandma Peggy was so fun to listen to as she gathered the students close so they could better see the pictures.  So nice to have you visit!

Taste Tester #10

This little baker made Trygg's Brownies out of the Super 2nd Grade Recipes cookbook.  She brought in one for both Ms. Pam and me.  How sweet!  Thanks for the yummy treat!