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!

Test Testers #9

Jack Riggott's Scalloped Potatoes and Ham recipe was on the lunch menu today!  We were so excited to see some of our 2nd grade recipes on the April menu.  A big thank you to the cooks for making this 2nd grade class feel very special!

Taste Tester #8

The Snow Day Pop Tart recipe from our Super 2nd Grade Recipes Cookbook got 5 thumbs up from this family that baked them up last night.  Thanks so much for sending your picture!  Your pop tarts look delicious!

Mystery Reader #3: A Creative Mom

This mystery reader loves summer, enjoys creating, and loves spending time with her family.  We enjoyed hearing a new story: "It Came in the Mail" by Ben Clanton.  Thanks so much Patty for spending time in 2nd grade and answering all of our questions!