The month of May is always busy with so many fun activities at SJDS. Second grade recently visited the Colonial Fair and learned about life during the time of the thirteen original colonies. Middle school students presented on different types of jobs colonists had like candle maker, apothecary, and farmer. Second grade students were taught to make butter as they carried around a jar of heavy cream and shook it until all presentations were over. Then, they were able to taste their homemade butter on fresh sourdough bread.

Second grade also visited the zoo this year! This field trip is always anticipated and always delivers the most fun. The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX boasts 3,000 individual animals and over 200 species living at their zoo and we gave it our all to see each one. We explored the habitats and learned a great deal about each animal.

Lemonade for sale! Each year the second grade class helps a local non-profit: For the Sake of One. This non-profit serves the Texarkana area before, during, and after foster care. Second graders sold lemonade at school to raise money to donate on East Texas Giving Day and also to spruce up the front entry of the FSO building. The community service project teaches students about our community’s needs and helping others through service. Fundraising teaches our students about goods, services, consumers, money, customer service and public speaking. It is always such a joy to see the students work hard to reach a goal and also to see the SJDS community support our cause.

Recently, second graders experienced a solar eclipse and wrote about what they learned. Fourth graders presented their solar system research projects to the second grade students. They learned about various planets, black holes, and objects in the sky. Great job fourth grade!

Second graders are learning about democracy and have studied the symbolism of our flag and the meaning of behind the Pledge of Allegiance. Each student wrote a summary of the pledge and we created our own abstract version of our country’s flag. They learned the meanings of words like liberty, justice, united, and indivisible.

Students have learned to measure and estimate length using customary and metric units. Students are challenged to use what they know to solve problems posted around the classroom. This activity is completed during a small group rotation called “Workshop”. They also practice weekly spelling patterns using dry erase markers on their desks.

Recently, students began an in depth study of the foundations of multiplication and division. They began their studies with creating equal groups of various objects in our classroom and a few sweet items too! Creating equal groups lead to representing the groups with repeated addition equations and on to simple multiplication and division equations. Every year the students are so eager to learn multiplication. It is so rewarding to see their minds growing through this process.

Science has been all about plants! What are the main parts of a plant and what are the part’s jobs? We discovered the roots of a plant absorb nutrients from the soil and the plant stem acts like an elevator moving nutrients from the roots to the other plant parts. Students also learned the leaves are like the kitchen of the plant and make food using sunlight and nutrients from the roots.

Second grade also learned about many famous people that contributed to the world in some way. Our third grade students completed biography research and presented their findings to second grade students. St. James proudly teaches and models public speaking and second grade was happy to be the audience for this occasion. Great job third grade!

Second grade students also received several awards from the Daughters of The American Revolution for an art contest. This art project required students to collaborate and create a stamp, poster, or banner. Their art pieces competed with students from all over the state of Texas. Go second grade!

Aladdin the Musical was a total hit! Second graders have worked since January to memorize songs and choreography for this performance. Everyone was amazing! It was an incredible night for a very talented group of young performers.

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February was full of fun and lots of learning! Students completed their Westward Expansion projects and shared their finding about the pros and cons of traveling via covered wagon, steamboat or flatboat with the first grade class. Students were challenged to use household items and materials from our classroom to build our own models of transportation used in the early 1800s.

Second graders spread the love on Valentine’s Day by passing out treats to one another and each student received a Candy Gram to celebrate this special day of LOVE.

St. James students also celebrated grandparents and special friends during the month of February. These wonderful people were invited to our chapel service and then to classrooms for sweet gifts and a tour around the campus.

Second grade began the new year with an exciting Christmas Show and Tell. Each student brought something to share from their Christmas break and most brought a gift they received. Students practice their public speaking skills as they shared about their item and were challenged to look their peers in the eyes as they spoke. Everyone did a great job.

Second grade recently learned a new game to practice their spelling words. Two students race to the board to spell a word given by the teacher. Students earn points by spelling the fastest and also for correct spelling. Students then have an opportunity to earn their team an extra point by tossing a paper ball into a basket. This has quickly become their favorite way to spell! This games teacher gross and fine motor control, spelling rules, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Second graders have also been hard at work practicing for the upcoming Spring Musical. This is always the most anticipated event of spring semester. This year’s musical will be Aladdin. Students are learning their singing parts and the dance steps to go along with each act.