Dear Second-Grade Parents,
In celebration of Black History Month, the students listened to African animal tales last week. In a Tanzanian story, a magical bird enchants a whole village. In a South African tale, a group of monkeys gets led astray by words sweeter than honey. The second-graders also read a story about a country mouse and a city mouse. This time, the students looked out for specific sight words used repeatedly throughout the story.
We changed our morning circle to include working more with bean bags. The students practice handing beanbags to each other in a rhythmical pattern. The goal is to pass the beanbags in a synchronized manner just by watching and listening to the movements of their neighbors. We also practiced rhythmic hand-clapping that became increasingly difficult, forward and backward. Both exercises develop attention over a sustained period, increased body awareness and awareness of others, balance, and gross motor skills.
On Monday, February 14, we will celebrate Valentine’s Day. As is our custom, we will keep this celebration low-key and ask the students to refrain from bringing Valentines for the whole class. Instead, each student will make a Valentine card at school to take home for the family.
Reminders:
Make sure that your child comes to school well-rested every day.
Sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences from Wednesday 2/16 through Friday 2/18 here. We will hold the conferences in person. If you need to set up a virtual meeting, please contact me via email.
Mid-winter break is 2/21-2/25. There will be no school during this week.
Warm Regards,
Gaby Farrokhi
