Exciting things have happened in the last couple of weeks in class. We had some special animal visitors: Frank and Honey Bunny came to visit second grade at recess! The class loved getting to pet the bunnies and ask questions to Mrs. Jennifer.

Second grade is working hard to learn new spelling rules. We practice using dry erase boards during our dictation lessons. During workshop we have used place value file folder games to strengthen our knowledge of base ten numbers.

Last week we counted to 1,000! This is always an excellent hands-on experience that provides concrete, visual evidence of our base ten mathematical system. Students must problem solve the most effective and efficient way to count an enormous pile of straws. They decided to count by groups of ten which lead them to the understanding of units of 10. Then, they learned to group 10 tens together to make 100 and so on. We also learned a new game called “Roll for 50”. Students take turns rolling dice to be the first to reach 50. Each time they roll they must put place value blocks on a 100-flat and exchange ones for tens.

In PE each day this week students worked with a partner to learn the dynamics of Birdie. In this game students work on gross motor coordination and hand eye coordination to hit a small birdie back and forth.

Students are currently learning how to use different tools to measure and estimate. This week we used centimeter cubes and a strategy called “mark and move forward” to estimate and accurately measure various classroom objects.

We’re also learning about matter and changes from heat. Students observed the physical properties of frozen and melted popsicles and gummy worms and balloons with and without air. We observed color, texture, shape, temperature and flexibility. After all that hard work we all needed a sweet treat!

At SJDS every class gets to participate in PE every day of the week! We are so lucky to have this activity in our daily schedule. Coach Nicole has been teaching our class how to master tying their shoes as a warm up before the real exercise starts.

Second grade has music class twice a week with Mrs. Wright. She taught the class each different class of instrument like percussion, brass, string, then students tried their hand at classifying them with an interactive game.

Welcome to second grade at St. James Day School! We are starting our learning adventures every morning with tactile tubs. Students enter the classroom, unpack their things and are given 15 minutes of time to play with various manipulatives. This quickly becomes a highlight of the morning and is an excellent opportunity to move our bodies before sitting down to listen and learn.

Second grade has also attended Chapel twice this year. During our chapel service we sing and learn a lesson from the Bible and Mrs. Susannah shares campus news.

Workshop began in second grade as well. During workshop students move about the room to various stations and practicing skills taught throughout the week. Stations currently include:

Listening & Media: Students get to listen to our weekly story and watch interesting videos that cover topics discussed in class.

Writer’s Workshop: Students respond to literature, illustrate vocabulary words, and use graphic organizers to develop writing skills.

Library: Students read books covering various topics and reading levels to practice and reinforce reading strategies.

Teacher Table: Students meet with me in small groups and we practice spelling sounds, math strategies and comprehension, and build relationships with each other.

STEM Fridays are also a class favorite. Every Friday we take what we have read and learned throughout the week and complete various experiments. We are currently learning about the physical properties of matter and how to classify objects into groups using color, shape, flexibility, texture and temperature. We investigated different cookie types and groups them based on their different or similar physical properties.

Second grade kicked off the month of May with standardized testing the first week. The students worked so hard each morning showing what they have learned and we’re rewarded each afternoon with a sweet treat! For the morning tests, parents sent brain food, salty snacks and sweet treats for the kids each day. Thank you parents for your volunteering and making this hard week so special!

Testing week afternoons were spent playing outside and exploring the new creek made from recent heavy rains! We found crawfish, frogs, and many many worms!

The second week in May was the annual Lower School Tennis Tournament. Coach Rusty works with the tennis students all year teaching them the rules of the game and how to play tennis with proper form. The student adore Coach Rusty and look forward to this time every year. Thank you Coach Rusty for pouring into the students each week and teaching them to love tennis!

The third week in May our class got to visit the Roman Carnival at the middle school. Students participated in many fun events like archery, hair braiding, face painting, and a three legged race! We are proud of the middle schoolers and their efforts to put on such a fun event.

The last week in May, and our last week together as a class was spent experimenting with solar ovens we designed and created. The students learned about solar and heat energy. We cooked s’mores on the sidewalk and enjoyed them when they were roasted.

Finally, the class was together one last time before summer break at our end of year water party. Fun was had by all. This class has grown socially, emotionally, and academically into a group of students I am proud to say are ready for the third grade! Teaching them was a blessing and an honor. I am eager to see each of them soar into their futures. Third grade: HERE THEY COME!

The Lion King Spring Musical was a fantastic display of the talented St. James students. Students practiced very hard and really performed well!

Students designed and recorded their own movies in technology.

Solve the room is still a very fun and hands on activity for independent math practice.

Easter came and went in a flash! We celebrated with bunny masks and yummy Easter egg cookies. Thank you Mrs. Alix for the sweet treats!