Second has been hard at work learning the foundations of multiplication! We began learning all we could about equal groups and built upon our knowledge with columns and rows that make up arrays. We created an interactive bulletin board called “Array City”. Students can “drive” around the city and use repeated addition and multiplication sentences to describe the each building that was created.

Lower School students also participated in a community service project in which they provided a popcorn snack and drink for our local police officers to enjoy. It was a fantastic was to say thank to all those heroes that keep our school and community safe.

We also practiced how to write a friendly letter with proper punctuation. Students learned the parts of a letter: heading, greeting, body, closing and signature! We put our skills to work and wrote letters to our friend Wesley that recently moved and to our parents. We even got stamps and envelopes from Mrs. Charlene in the office and put them in the mailbox on campus.

Second graders recently read The Stranger and the Soup. This story was about a stranger passing through a village that was suffering through a famine. The stranger asked each villager for something to eat, and they all told him no. The stranger taught the villagers that when they take a moment to think of others and contribute something small, they ended up having a feast. Students learned what behaviors make a community strong and were able to demonstrate these behaviors by bringing one small contribution to class on Friday to make a pot of stone soup. Second graders were able to feast and fellowship together on a pot of soup and bread all made from their small contributions.

Second grade had the chance to celebrate grandparents the week before Winter Break with a special chapel service followed by performances from all SJDS students. First and second graders teamed up to perform “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang. We definitely celebrated good times!

How lucky we are to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. This week we said goodbye and good luck to Wesley, a valued part of our second grade classroom. We celebrated friendships with extra recess and said a SWEET goodbye in the afternoon with Wesley’s favorite treat: Ice Cream Floats!

Second grade began a new literacy unit this week all about communities and different groups of people that make up communities. Students were asked to think of jobs they considered to be “gross” and learned the purpose and importance these jobs provide. They began their learning with an informational article called “Gross Jobs” where they learned about four different jobs that keep our community clean and safe. Students learned how plumbers keep our pipes clean and help bring clean water into our home and school. They also learned about the importance of garbage collectors and where garbage trucks take waste when their trucks are full. As they continue to learn, they will begin to understand the idea of community and working toward a common goal. STEM FRIDAY was a perfect opportunity to introduce this idea. Students were challenged to work together in a group competition to build the tallest and sturdiest structure using gummy candies and uncooked spaghetti noodles. Check out their creations below!

Who was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Second graders spent time recently learning about who Dr. King was and why we celebrate him today. Lower School students were able to participate in a Scholastic event: MLK Scholastic Live Read Aloud of “You Are A Star, Martin Luther King JR.” with author Anastasia Magloire Williams. Students listened to the reading and were able to pose questions to the author afterwards. The live event ended with students across the nation collaborating to create a “Peace Poster” with the author. Students were challenged to think about where they want to see peace in their communities and how they can help achieve that peace.

Second graders were given the opportunity to Show & Tell about their Christmas Break! Each student brought an item to share with the class. We learned about Pokémon, Lego sets, skating, board games, Box Car Derby races and much more! Children are eager to share what they LOVE and we use this opportunity to practice public speaking, eye contact, and asking-answering questions.

Lower School loves an opportunity for Show & Tell. This week a 3rd grader earned enough “positive punches” to choose a reward and he chose to bring his dog to school. Our class was lucky enough to have the pup visit our classroom. After lots of snuggles and several puppy kisses the second grade class unanimously voted to have a campus dog. Maybe this will be our next persuasive writing opportunity.

The weather has been quite cold which means recess is indoors. While we are hopeful for warmer temperatures soon, we know how to make indoor play stimulating and fun! Marble Run and Lincoln Logs continue to be the favorite choices for recess but reading is also at the top of the list.

Students recently visited the Middle School to attend the Colonial Village. Mrs. Kimmel’s fifth grade history class hosted an interactive tour of a historic colonial village. Our class first visited an apothecary and learned about herbs and how they were used to treat different illnesses. Next, they went to the candle shop and watched the process of candle making from animal fat. Then, all second grade shoes were mended at the Cobbler Shop and students got to shine some shoes themselves. The General Store was next on the tour and students purchased small candies for one cent and learned the General Store was a place to purchase or trade for supplies and also a place colonists like to socialize. Students then visited a colonial kitchen and were able to make their own butter while learning about starting a fire and cooking over an open flame. The last two stops on the colonial tour were the farm where they heard about different crops and farm animals and the Blacksmith Shop where they watched a demonstration of repairing a horseshoe.