Hello ~ Long time, no see! Our play has taken control of us! We hit the floor running in the morning and sing Stone Soup songs all day long!
We hope to do a better job of keeping reflecting at the end of the day AFTER Stone Soup is over!
It's hectic in Munchkinland - more soon, Mrs. S. and the Munchers
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans Day
Dear Parents,
Today we made our American flag pencil toppers and read about Veterans Day. We drew pictures and wrote little notes of thanks and appreciation to our soldiers. I will send them off this weekend. The children did a very nice job and I know the servicemen and women will love getting these beautiful creations.
Tomorrow we have guidance and lots of spelling to catch up on from today.
Happy Veterans Day, Mrs. S., Mrs. J. and the Munchers
Today we made our American flag pencil toppers and read about Veterans Day. We drew pictures and wrote little notes of thanks and appreciation to our soldiers. I will send them off this weekend. The children did a very nice job and I know the servicemen and women will love getting these beautiful creations.
Tomorrow we have guidance and lots of spelling to catch up on from today.
Happy Veterans Day, Mrs. S., Mrs. J. and the Munchers
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 10
We have been so busy using every spare moment to practice our Stone Soup play or give our Native American project presentations, that we have given up reflecting for this week.
We have 3 presentations left to give as of this writing! All of them have been very nice - you can surely tell the hard work the children and families have put in to make these happen! Thank you very much for your support.
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. We will learn just a little about the day and color and create American flag pencil toppers. With the sad events last week, I felt compelled to at least honor the day in a small way.
Your child may wear Red/White/Blue tomorrow if he/she would like.
Friday will be our surprise reward party! Your child could wear blue jeans and a hat to go with our surprise theme if they would like. Floppy hats would be the most fun, but any hat will do!
More soon, Mrs. S. and the Munchies
We have 3 presentations left to give as of this writing! All of them have been very nice - you can surely tell the hard work the children and families have put in to make these happen! Thank you very much for your support.
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. We will learn just a little about the day and color and create American flag pencil toppers. With the sad events last week, I felt compelled to at least honor the day in a small way.
Your child may wear Red/White/Blue tomorrow if he/she would like.
Friday will be our surprise reward party! Your child could wear blue jeans and a hat to go with our surprise theme if they would like. Floppy hats would be the most fun, but any hat will do!
More soon, Mrs. S. and the Munchies
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday, Nov. 5
Each group of desks (children) chose a name for their tribe. We have the Pups, Teddy Bears and Snack Eyes! It was wonderful to watch the children work this out on their own.
Today we practiced counting by 25s and making change.
We had library and gym and Spanish today. Tomorrow is our spelling test.
Today we practiced counting by 25s and making change.
We had library and gym and Spanish today. Tomorrow is our spelling test.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
This is a little late - bus duty is cramping Mrs. Swenson's style! :)
On Wednesday, Mrs. Johnson was gone, so we had Mrs. Swenson all day. We learned about "2 rule" frames and arrows and did a very hard bar graph activity.
We moved our desks into 3 groups instead of 2 and are sitting by friends. Each group needs to come up with a "tribe" name. So far we have Snake Eyes and 2 other groups that are talking it over.
We had technology. We drew pictures of native americans and typed a sentence to go with it in Kid Pix. Next time we'll add our voices reading the sentences to make a short movie. Hopefully, you will be able to view it somewhere online.
A great day. Mrs. S. and kids
On Wednesday, Mrs. Johnson was gone, so we had Mrs. Swenson all day. We learned about "2 rule" frames and arrows and did a very hard bar graph activity.
We moved our desks into 3 groups instead of 2 and are sitting by friends. Each group needs to come up with a "tribe" name. So far we have Snake Eyes and 2 other groups that are talking it over.
We had technology. We drew pictures of native americans and typed a sentence to go with it in Kid Pix. Next time we'll add our voices reading the sentences to make a short movie. Hopefully, you will be able to view it somewhere online.
A great day. Mrs. S. and kids
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday Afternoon
Today we got our Stone Soup Scripts - we found out how many lines we have and when we will sing. We're very excited!!
Today we also had gym and played Dollar Rummy in math!
It was a good day, but went by fast! We're trying to sneak in some Sharing time!
All for today~
Today we also had gym and played Dollar Rummy in math!
It was a good day, but went by fast! We're trying to sneak in some Sharing time!
All for today~
Monday, November 2, 2009
Today we used the Smart Board to play a new math game with basic addition facts. We also played a game called "build a number." Both were lots of fun.
We learned some of the songs to Stone Soup and talked about the play. Tomorrow or Wednesday we might get our parts to begin practice.
We learned that the Woodland Indians would talk around their campfires and could only talk if they were holding the "talking stick!" :) (Maybe 2nd grade needs one of those?)
Good night from Munchkinland
We learned some of the songs to Stone Soup and talked about the play. Tomorrow or Wednesday we might get our parts to begin practice.
We learned that the Woodland Indians would talk around their campfires and could only talk if they were holding the "talking stick!" :) (Maybe 2nd grade needs one of those?)
Good night from Munchkinland
Monday, October 26, 2009
Native American Projects Letter home today
We learned that we can do a native american project on any tribe or group that we learned about. The project letter is coming home tonight and the project is due in 2 weeks, on Monday, November 9th.
We will be having a fall celebration on Wednesday afternoon. We need toilet paper tubes for an art project we will be creating at our celebration.
We are tired of rain - indoor recess is getting BORING! If you have extra board games or card games you are readying for Goodwill - please consider donating them to our room!
Conferences tomorrow night for some of you ~ lots of illness here. Please feel free to reschedule your conference time if you are not feeling well.
Mrs. S. and the Munchkins
We will be having a fall celebration on Wednesday afternoon. We need toilet paper tubes for an art project we will be creating at our celebration.
We are tired of rain - indoor recess is getting BORING! If you have extra board games or card games you are readying for Goodwill - please consider donating them to our room!
Conferences tomorrow night for some of you ~ lots of illness here. Please feel free to reschedule your conference time if you are not feeling well.
Mrs. S. and the Munchkins
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wear Red Tomorrow
Tomorrow we are being encouraged to wear red to support the high school's program on safe behaviors. The HS students came today at lunchtime and handed out stickers to the children. The slogan is "Keep your head, wear RED," meaning to think before we act in an unsafe manner.
We studied spelling and had library today. We went to Mrs. Jordan's room for more on the Northwest Indians and have made our Totem Poles! We have a great display outside our room on the bulletin board.
It was a gloomy, but fun day!
Love, Munchkinland Peoples
We studied spelling and had library today. We went to Mrs. Jordan's room for more on the Northwest Indians and have made our Totem Poles! We have a great display outside our room on the bulletin board.
It was a gloomy, but fun day!
Love, Munchkinland Peoples
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday/Wednesday
On Tuesday we created acrostic poems about LEAVES!
Lovely lacey multi-color tidbits
Ever blowing in the wind
Always crunching beneath us as they drop,
Verify that fall is upon us.
Excitement builds as
Snow approaches.
by Mrs. Swenson
On Wednesday we typed our poems in the computer lab. Mrs. Holmes let us print them on transparencies! We will display them on top of some of our fall drawings!
to be continued...
Lovely lacey multi-color tidbits
Ever blowing in the wind
Always crunching beneath us as they drop,
Verify that fall is upon us.
Excitement builds as
Snow approaches.
by Mrs. Swenson
On Wednesday we typed our poems in the computer lab. Mrs. Holmes let us print them on transparencies! We will display them on top of some of our fall drawings!
to be continued...
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, Monday
Dear Parents,
Today we went to Mrs. Jordan's room for Social Studies and began learning about the Northwest Indian tribes. They were the only ones who made totem poles. They also lived in plank houses.
We are nearly up to 50 marbles earned! That means a little over 50 more and we'll be having a special party. We'd better start thinking about it. The children have been very well behaved!
Mrs. S., Mrs. J. and the Munchkins
Today we went to Mrs. Jordan's room for Social Studies and began learning about the Northwest Indian tribes. They were the only ones who made totem poles. They also lived in plank houses.
We are nearly up to 50 marbles earned! That means a little over 50 more and we'll be having a special party. We'd better start thinking about it. The children have been very well behaved!
Mrs. S., Mrs. J. and the Munchkins
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday
Dear Parents - Even though it was a gloomy day outside, it was fun and cheerful inside our room! We had indoor recess for both lunchtime and afternoon recess. That's hard, because we need time to RUN and JUMP and PLAY hard! Instead we had to choose indoor games, arts and crafts or legos!
Today we learned another Native American legend about a pot, a girl and a snake! Ask us when we get home today! Did you know that Southwest Indian Pueblos did NOT have doors? YIKES!
We reviewed frames and arrows in math! Math homework is due tomorrow.
DONT FORGET that we go to the Oregon Manor Nursing Home tomorrow. We'll leave by 8:55 if you want to join us. We'll be reading to the residents. Send umbrellas, hats, hoods, etc. if it's supposed to rain!
Early release tomorrow - 1:00. Love from Munchkinland
Today we learned another Native American legend about a pot, a girl and a snake! Ask us when we get home today! Did you know that Southwest Indian Pueblos did NOT have doors? YIKES!
We reviewed frames and arrows in math! Math homework is due tomorrow.
DONT FORGET that we go to the Oregon Manor Nursing Home tomorrow. We'll leave by 8:55 if you want to join us. We'll be reading to the residents. Send umbrellas, hats, hoods, etc. if it's supposed to rain!
Early release tomorrow - 1:00. Love from Munchkinland
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday
Dear Parents,
Today we learned that we will be practicing reading our picture books so we can read to the residents at Oregon Manor on Friday morning @ 9:00. We will use a LOT of EXPRESSION! We'll introduce ourselves by our first names and ask if we may read to them. We'll be in partners for this.
We will be sandpainting in Ms. Lucas' class tomorrow. We learned about kivas today in Native Americans.
In Math we learned how to play Birds Nests which actually will be the beginning of multiplication! We also played Math Around the World!
Fun, fast day - XXOO, Mrs. S., Mrs. J. and the Munchkins
Today we learned that we will be practicing reading our picture books so we can read to the residents at Oregon Manor on Friday morning @ 9:00. We will use a LOT of EXPRESSION! We'll introduce ourselves by our first names and ask if we may read to them. We'll be in partners for this.
We will be sandpainting in Ms. Lucas' class tomorrow. We learned about kivas today in Native Americans.
In Math we learned how to play Birds Nests which actually will be the beginning of multiplication! We also played Math Around the World!
Fun, fast day - XXOO, Mrs. S., Mrs. J. and the Munchkins
Monday, October 12, 2009
Everyone's tired today!
Dear Parents,
Today we went to Ms. Lucas' room to learn about Southwestern Native American Tribes! We learned they lived in Pueblos. They were made out of water, mud and sticks or hay. They used ladders to get the top. And then they could pull the ladders up if some bad people were coming.
We worked with fact triangles in math and played 2 math games. We earned all our marbles today and were extremely well behaved!
Happy Monday ~ Mrs. S and Mrs. J and Munchkins
Today we went to Ms. Lucas' room to learn about Southwestern Native American Tribes! We learned they lived in Pueblos. They were made out of water, mud and sticks or hay. They used ladders to get the top. And then they could pull the ladders up if some bad people were coming.
We worked with fact triangles in math and played 2 math games. We earned all our marbles today and were extremely well behaved!
Happy Monday ~ Mrs. S and Mrs. J and Munchkins
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Today We Learned...
Today we learned how to decorate warrior shields. Indians told their stories by mouth or with symbols. We decorated the shields with our "stories" done in symbols!
Sitting Bull was a Plains Indian Chief. We studied the timeline of his life. He was about 60 yrs. old when he died. He traveled in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He was known for promoting peace between the Indians and White Man.
We learned about "turn around" facts in math.
We had Guidance at the end of the day and practiced different strategies for stopping bullying.
We learned that we will be presenting a play called, "Stone Soup," on Thursday, December 10th @ approx. 10:45 a.m. There's a possibility of a little luncheon to follow in our room - Stay tuned for details, but mark the date on your calendars!
Monday your child will be moving to Ms. Lucas' room during the social studies block of 1:45-2:45 to learn about the Southwestern Indians!
Hope you have a nice weekend in spite of the chilly forecast! I will be going to a 60th anniversary/reunion at my former grade school, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Madison. Should be fun to see old classmates and maybe their parents!
Mrs. S. and Mrs. J. and the Munchkins
Sitting Bull was a Plains Indian Chief. We studied the timeline of his life. He was about 60 yrs. old when he died. He traveled in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. He was known for promoting peace between the Indians and White Man.
We learned about "turn around" facts in math.
We had Guidance at the end of the day and practiced different strategies for stopping bullying.
We learned that we will be presenting a play called, "Stone Soup," on Thursday, December 10th @ approx. 10:45 a.m. There's a possibility of a little luncheon to follow in our room - Stay tuned for details, but mark the date on your calendars!
Monday your child will be moving to Ms. Lucas' room during the social studies block of 1:45-2:45 to learn about the Southwestern Indians!
Hope you have a nice weekend in spite of the chilly forecast! I will be going to a 60th anniversary/reunion at my former grade school, Our Lady Queen of Peace in Madison. Should be fun to see old classmates and maybe their parents!
Mrs. S. and Mrs. J. and the Munchkins
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Legends
Dear Parents,
Today we learned that Native Americans tell legends. We read the story of the Indian Paintbrush. Ask your child about it!
We had a hearing screening today!
We learned a new math game called Domino Top-It!
We had computer lab at the end of the day ~ Happy Wednesday,
Mrs. S. (and Mrs. J.) and the Munchkins
Today we learned that Native Americans tell legends. We read the story of the Indian Paintbrush. Ask your child about it!
We had a hearing screening today!
We learned a new math game called Domino Top-It!
We had computer lab at the end of the day ~ Happy Wednesday,
Mrs. S. (and Mrs. J.) and the Munchkins
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Mo Willems/Buffalo Jump
Today we were lucky to join 200 other schools across America including a school in Hawaii, to watch Mo Willems do a simulcast. He is the author of books like, Piggy and Elephant and Frog Can't Fit. He has 2 new books that came out today!
He was very entertaining and funny. We sat in the Little Theatre with 7 other classes to watch. It was a fun hour!
Also, today we read the book Buffalo Jump by Peter Roop. It tells a story of 2 native american boys who earn new names by being brave in helping with the Buffalo Hunt.
The sun is out as we write this! Rain, rain, stay away! Mrs. S. and the Munchkins
He was very entertaining and funny. We sat in the Little Theatre with 7 other classes to watch. It was a fun hour!
Also, today we read the book Buffalo Jump by Peter Roop. It tells a story of 2 native american boys who earn new names by being brave in helping with the Buffalo Hunt.
The sun is out as we write this! Rain, rain, stay away! Mrs. S. and the Munchkins
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bloggin...bloggin...bloggin...
I apologize for not attending to our blog last week - I guess I am packing a lot of material into our newsletters and wonder if you all still are finding the blog helpful?
In any event...Today we had a lovely kick-off to our Native American Unit. We watched a video in the Little Theatre with all 4 second grade classrooms. The video gave a very nice introduction to the 4 different regions of Native American Indians. Eastern Woodlands, Northwestern, Southwestern and Plains...
We are already deep into buffalo/bison...trading posts, tipees and geography of the Plains! The children are already beginning to develop ideas that could potentially turn into projects. Let me emphasize that the project may be collaborative with parents - most of the children do need some help with research, buying or finding materials, putting it altogether, BUT, the main focus will be the PRESENTATION of the project in the classroom. I will be videotaping the children and will try to share these with you. The letters regarding the project will not come home for several weeks because we want the children to learn about the different regions before they decide on a project. I just know there will be some very excited kiddies tonight - hopefully, they'll be talking about the Unit with you.
I was gone this afternoon, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Kurtz ( a new sub) did a good job. After a very long stint at cosmetology school, my daughter PASSED her final exam this afternoon by cutting my hair! Now, it will be onto the State Boards!
If you are interested in the game, I hope you get to watch it. If not, I hope you don't have to!
More soon - Mrs. S.
In any event...Today we had a lovely kick-off to our Native American Unit. We watched a video in the Little Theatre with all 4 second grade classrooms. The video gave a very nice introduction to the 4 different regions of Native American Indians. Eastern Woodlands, Northwestern, Southwestern and Plains...
We are already deep into buffalo/bison...trading posts, tipees and geography of the Plains! The children are already beginning to develop ideas that could potentially turn into projects. Let me emphasize that the project may be collaborative with parents - most of the children do need some help with research, buying or finding materials, putting it altogether, BUT, the main focus will be the PRESENTATION of the project in the classroom. I will be videotaping the children and will try to share these with you. The letters regarding the project will not come home for several weeks because we want the children to learn about the different regions before they decide on a project. I just know there will be some very excited kiddies tonight - hopefully, they'll be talking about the Unit with you.
I was gone this afternoon, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Kurtz ( a new sub) did a good job. After a very long stint at cosmetology school, my daughter PASSED her final exam this afternoon by cutting my hair! Now, it will be onto the State Boards!
If you are interested in the game, I hope you get to watch it. If not, I hope you don't have to!
More soon - Mrs. S.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
All RIght Packers!
I am working on some changes to our blog courtesy of a technology class I'm taking through the school district. I would love to put some of the homecoming parade pictures up. I'll be working to get approval from a few more parents before doing so.
I will be in an all-day team meeting tomorrow, Monday. Soon, I will be emailing you conference times. If you didn't get an opportunity to sign up at Open House, I will be contacting you soon to set a time.
I will be out of the classroom tomorrow, September 28th and at a math meeting on Wednesday a.m., Sept. 30th. I may not be able to get to my email during those times. If you have an urgent need, please call in instead...
Classroom: 835-4241 or office: 835-4291
Cooler weather - don't forget jackets - layer up, because I'm not sure how cool our room will be. It was pretty warm during most of the warmer weather, so maybe it will be cooler? I'll keep you posted.
Happy Monday ~ Mrs. S.
I will be in an all-day team meeting tomorrow, Monday. Soon, I will be emailing you conference times. If you didn't get an opportunity to sign up at Open House, I will be contacting you soon to set a time.
I will be out of the classroom tomorrow, September 28th and at a math meeting on Wednesday a.m., Sept. 30th. I may not be able to get to my email during those times. If you have an urgent need, please call in instead...
Classroom: 835-4241 or office: 835-4291
Cooler weather - don't forget jackets - layer up, because I'm not sure how cool our room will be. It was pretty warm during most of the warmer weather, so maybe it will be cooler? I'll keep you posted.
Happy Monday ~ Mrs. S.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Beautiful Rain
Today we were able to watch that beautiful rain come down outside from our window/door! Amazing how welcome it was to see that! NBC 15 blogged that we had 3.62 inches! WOW.
We have begun our reading groups - which I like to call Book Clubs. We are reading a wide variety and range of books - so far I have 5 groups! The children are doing really well practicing their reading - both to someone and to themselves! They spent an hour this morning reading while Mrs. J. and I took reading groups!
Reminder that Open House is on Thursday night. I will have sign-up sheets for volunteers for reading and parties. There may be more activities that I will need help with as the year progresses, so I promise to let you know and ask for more volunteers as needed.
The Homecoming Parade is on Friday @ about 2:00. Please let me know if you plan to join us and also if you are planning to take your child home with you directly from the parade.
Biggest Loser AND Dancing with the Stars AND Hell's Kitchen ---choices, choices!
Have a good evening - Mrs. S.
We have begun our reading groups - which I like to call Book Clubs. We are reading a wide variety and range of books - so far I have 5 groups! The children are doing really well practicing their reading - both to someone and to themselves! They spent an hour this morning reading while Mrs. J. and I took reading groups!
Reminder that Open House is on Thursday night. I will have sign-up sheets for volunteers for reading and parties. There may be more activities that I will need help with as the year progresses, so I promise to let you know and ask for more volunteers as needed.
The Homecoming Parade is on Friday @ about 2:00. Please let me know if you plan to join us and also if you are planning to take your child home with you directly from the parade.
Biggest Loser AND Dancing with the Stars AND Hell's Kitchen ---choices, choices!
Have a good evening - Mrs. S.
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