Fall Expedition Kick Off!

We had an exciting morning in second grade! Today we kicked off our Fall Expedition! The students began the morning by creating our guiding question. Each student worked in a group to write one word of our guiding question. After, our crew collaborated together and formed our guiding question: How do organisms interact with their habitat to survive and thrive? Throughout this expedition, our young scientists will learn how organisms survive by interacting with their habitat. This expedition reaches our second-grade life science and language arts standards.

Our expert, Ranger Beth, joined our crew to teach us how animals survive using physical features. Ranger Beth shared this by modeling with the beaver. We learned many interesting adaptations beavers have to survive. A few of the student's favorites include:

• Webbed feet to swim
• Orange enamel made of iron to chew trees
• A tail to stand, swim, store fat, and warn of danger
• A clear eyelid to see underwater
• Ear and nose muscles to block water while swimming

Ranger Beth also showed us some real beaver artifacts! The students had a blast learning of all the different adaptions that help beavers survive and thrive in the pond. We will be working on solving this guiding question over the next few months. Our learning has only just begun! 

     

Picking a "Just Right" Book

As readers, our crew has been using the Five Finger Rule to find a "just right" book. Choosing a book that is just right for our readers is challenging, yet all students have a tool they can always use....their fingers!

This week, our crew has been reading books and determining if the book is just right for them by counting the number of words on each page they cannot decipher.  If a student cannot figure out more than five words on a page,  the book is too challenging. If a student knows every word in the book, it is too easy. If a student is trying to decode two to four words on each page, the book is just right! Students have brought home a bookmark explaining the Five Finger Rule. This is a great strategy to use when reading at home, as well as when visiting the library or bookstore.

 We will use this strategy throughout the year to gain independence and confidence as readers.

First week!

A new school year means a whole new crew! This week we have spent time learning about the members of our crew, building confidence, and practicing routines. I have included some photographs of lessons we have completed throughout the week. I hope to see you at Back to School night tomorrow to share all the fun we have planned this year!