Second and Third Grade: December 2-6, 2024
Hello, Second and Third Grade Families,
This week, we began a new Math Block which covers expanded notation and the times tables. The children reviewed the 2, 4, 6, and 8 times tables, and we practiced the 3s and 7s. It is remarkable how much more fluent they are in multiplication after a short break. In the last Math Block, the children would do ten warm-up problems using their counting gems as assistance. On Thursday, we completed 20 warm-up problems in just 10 minutes without the assistance of their gems. The children were proud to remark that “math is getting easier.”
On Thursday and Friday, the Second Grade accompanied the Third Grade to the farm. The Third Grade students taught their peers how to feed the animals, clean their enclosures, and maintain the farm. The children loved teaching and learning from each other. The Second Graders loved the additional sense of responsibility, and the Third Grade felt pride in their ability to lead. The farm offers so many wonderful opportunities for teamwork, problem-solving, and developing both confidence and self-esteem.
On Friday, we had three celebrations. In the morning, the children found oranges waiting for them as a special treat from Saint Nicholas Day. Our class then heard the story of Saint Nicholas and wrote about him in our Noble People book. In the afternoon, we celebrated both Snow and Rémy’s eighth birthday. The children wrote notes about their friends and then put them in a special treasure chest. Happy Birthday to Rémy and Snow!
Announcements and Reminders for Second and Third:
12/11: Winter Spiral - Second/Third Grade walks at 10:00 a.m. Students will be carrying a lit candle. Please ensure that long hair is tied back.
12/15 at 1:30: Baking for Saint Lucia’s Feast - The class is invited to bake bread at my home for Saint Lucia’s Feast. The children will celebrate Saint Lucia’s Feast the following day at school.
12/19: Pajama Day and Silly Sock Exchange: The class is welcome to come to school in pajamas! Please send a wrapped pair of silly socks for a gift exchange game. Children are also invited to bring a stuffed animal on this day.
12/20: Grades Assembly - 11:15 a.m. (All families are welcome to attend)
12/20: Last Day of Fall Semester (Half Day dismissal)
12/23 - 01/06: Winter Break (No School)
01/07: Spring semester begins
Warm regards,
Ki Meredith
