Coming to a Close

Please check out our new photos! Our school year is rapidly coming to a close. We've enjoyed so many great learning experiences together this year! We look forward to the exciting lessons and activities we have planned for the remainder of the year. Ms. Wells suggested we have a Student Appreciation Week so next week we will honor our students' hard work and good attitudes with special activities.
We were sorry to see that after we had to reschedule our field trip to the movie Earth because Illinois Theater e-mailed that they would be unable to get it, that they indeed DID get it and played it on the day we were to have been there. We were not very happy with them!
Students in second grade are currently in "Mexico". Not, really, but it certainly looks like it. We are learning about their culture, language, and geography. Next Tuesday, we'll learn about their food as we celebrate with a Fiesta complete with Mexican Hat dancing.
We are also going to start a stamp collection next week. After I introduced stamp collecting, sent home information, asked Mr. Butler to speak and share about his hobby, and finally got all the supplies, we are now ready to begin our very own stamp books.
I hope that all our plants that we brought home are doing well and will bring you beautiful flowers and tomatoes this summer. Thank you for reading our blog throughout the year. I enjoyed sharing about our special activities and showing you photos. Thanks for your cooperation as we spent a year of learning in second grade.
Happy Summer!
Mrs. Kathie Little

In science, we are learning about heat. The students conducted an experiment outdoors with chocolate, butter, and an ice cube. As scientists, we drew pictures of the experiment, observed the changes, and drew more pictures. While we were waiting for the heat to change our items, we toured the butterfly garden observing signs of Spring and new plant growth. Violets and Johnny Jump Ups were blooming. We used our sense of smell and touch to observe the flowers.
In math, we are working on place value. We played a game with partners as we learned to read and make different multi-digits numbers using our place value flip chart.
In reading, we read about music from the Stone Age. Did you know that 9,000 year old flutes were found in China and one could even still be played? One of our stories mentioned that two elephants painted a picture. We thought it would be a "scribble" painting but when we looked up "Elephants that paint" it took us to a site where we could watch the elephants paint! It was amazing! I will try to put in on the blog for you to see.
Today we tried the art of basket weaving. We'll let you know how it goes!

April 2-Stamp collecting

I ordered 23 stamps for each of my students and asked Mr. Butler if he would share his knowledge of stamp collecting with us. He talked to us for 30 minutes about stamp collecting last Thursday. He suggested we start out by collecting and sorting our stamps into these topics: sports, flags, people, and famous places. We are going to save them in little baggies until I can come up with a way for us to display/save them. I am researching that now to find the least expensive means for us to have our collection. He reminded us to ask the following people to save stamps for us: parents at work, grandparents, uncles/aunts, cousins, neighbors, and friends. If we find others that will save them for us that will really help us get started. Ask them to just cut around the stamp/envelope. We are excited about our new hobby.

Earth Day Coming Up April 22

Earth Day is a global holiday that celebrates our planet’s environment. Every year on April 22, people host different events to remember the Earth. But Earth Day is not just about appreciating the environment—it’s about preserving it as well.

Environmental activists use Earth Day to increase awareness about issues like global warming and oil spills. They also use the day to urge politicians to pass laws that will help save the environment.

The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin started the holiday. Nelson was worried that industrialized countries, like the United States, were too careless with the environment.

After an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969, Nelson proposed several reforms or changes.One reform was to hold a national Earth Day every April 22.

Denis Hayes organized the first Earth Day. Hayes went on to lead the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. John McConnell designed the unofficial flag of the event, the Earth Flag.

More than 20 million Americans celebrated the first Earth Day. Schools and universities around the nation joined in. Students spent the day learning about the environment and discussing ways to cut down pollution. Concerts in major cities honored the day.

Weeks after the event, Congress passed three laws: the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. These laws protect drinking water, wild lands, and animals from people or companies.

Today more than 500 million people in 175 countries celebrate Earth Day! Students spend the day learning about environmental issues, while activists use the day to rally for new environmental policies.

If you want to get involved in Earth Day and see what you can do to help, check out www.earthday.org

The second grade classes participated in Earth Hour from 8:30-9:30 Saturday, March 28by turning off our lights. We joined others from all over the world in showing our concern about our climate and Earth!

We plan on observing Earth Day in several ways. We'll keep you posted!

Mr. Hauk's Music Program

Students enjoyed dressing up for the music program. Please check out their photos!