Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

Wow!  It’s the final day of the school year!  What an unusual year it’s been.  I’ve been so impressed with how you have risen to the challenge of remote learning.  It’s been three months since we’ve seen each other in person.  I’m sure you’ve grown, though I haven’t been with you each day to see it.  I’m also sure you’ve learned so much–whether you’ve been participating in our online learning and virtual class meetings or whether you’ve been focusing on your own projects and learning activities.  This summer, keep reading, keep thinking, keep experimenting, and keep engaging in the world in positive ways.  You are such a wonderful group of kids, and I can’t wait to see you in the fall!  The third grade classroom is just next door.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is P.E.  Check out Coach Sadie’s blog for some ideas to help you stay physically active: https://leverettpe.edublogs.org/category/second-grade/.

Reading:

1. Did you already set your personal reading goal for this summer?  Does your goal include reading a good fit text for at least 20 minutes a day?  I sure hope so.  What will you read today?
2. Go on Lexia for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Write a letter to your third grade teacher.  This will be your writing assignment for the week.  Include information about your interests outside of school, skills you feel confident with and skills you want to work on at school, your favorite subject at school, and one thing you’re excited about as a rising 3rd grader.  Be sure to start your letter with a greeting (e.g., Dear Ms. Regan,  ) and to end your letter with a closing (Sincerely,  ).  Also, make sure to use your best handwriting and to proofread your letter to fix any spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors.  When you’re done, send a scanned copy or photograph of your letter to Ms. Gray to pass along to Ms. Regan.

Math:

1. Go on Symphony Math for 20 minutes.  There is an end-of-year assessment that all students should complete before the end of the year.

Social Studies and Science:

1. Talk as a family about the systemic racism that’s driving the protests that are happening around the country and around the world.  Reading a book (or a magazine or newspaper article) together can serve as a jumping off point.  There are many recommended reading lists online for young children, but getting your hands on books might be hard right now.  However, Epic has a variety of books to get you started.  Here is a link to some of those books (https://www.getepic.com/app/user-collection/15583880).  You will need to login to access the books.  Our free class subscription lasts through the end of the month.

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

I can’t believe it!  Our final class meeting for the year is today.  Come prepared to celebrate the year and to say goodbye for the summer.  When we see each other again, you’ll be third graders!!!!  Specifically, be ready to share your favorite moment from second grade.  If you want, you can make a sign or wear a party hat to get into the spirit of celebration.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is P.E.  Check out Coach Sadie’s blog for some ideas to help you stay physically active: https://leverettpe.edublogs.org/category/second-grade/.

Reading:

1. Did you already set your personal reading goal for this summer?  Does your goal include reading a good fit book for at least 20 minutes a day?  I sure hope so.  Perhaps you could read a book today that is totally new to you.  Maybe you’ll find your new favorite book.
2. Go on Lexia for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Write a letter to your third grade teacher.  This will be your writing assignment for the week.  Include information about your interests outside of school, skills you feel confident with and skills you want to work on at school, your favorite subject at school, and one thing you’re excited about as a rising 3rd grader.  Be sure to start your letter with a greeting (e.g., Dear Ms. Regan,  ) and to end your letter with a closing (Sincerely,  ).  Also, make sure to use your best handwriting and to proofread your letter to fix any spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors.  When you’re done, send a scanned copy or photograph of your letter to Ms. Gray to pass along to Ms. Regan.

Math:

1. Go on Symphony Math for 20 minutes.  There is an end-of-year assessment that all students should complete before the end of the year.

Social Studies and Science:

1. Continue to have fun exploring some of the Science at Home activities posted on the Connecticut Science Center website:
   

   Science at Home

–OR–

1. You could do a virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour
2. Your could take a virtual trip to New York City to tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art (or the Met, as it’s known): https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/
3. You could check out the animal cam footage from the Monterey Bay Aquarium: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

Thank you for sharing your Maker Day creations yesterday.  Wow!  You are such creative kids!  Your creativity is just one of the many things I will miss about all of you.  Teaching you has been wonderful experience.  I think Ms. Regan is going to love having you as a class next year as much as I did.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is library.  Ms. River’s recommends that you spend some extra time today curled up reading a good book.  You could also read a book online, read a magazine or newspaper article, or read some poems.  I am reading a thought-provoking book right now about teaching students about race and racism in the United States.

Reading:

1. Did you already set your personal reading goal for this summer?  Does your goal include reading a good fit book for at least 20 minutes a day?  I sure hope so.  Perhaps today, you could reread your favorite books.  I find that I love revisiting the characters in stories I enjoy.  It’s like visiting old friends.
2. Go on Lexia for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Write a letter to your third grade teacher.  This will be your writing assignment for the week.  Include information about your interests outside of school, skills you feel confident with and skills you want to work on at school, your favorite subject at school, and one thing you’re excited about as a rising 3rd grader.  Be sure to start your letter with a greeting (e.g., Dear Ms. Regan,  ) and to end your letter with a closing (Sincerely,  ).  Also, make sure to use your best handwriting and to proofread your letter to fix any spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors.  When you’re done, send a scanned copy or photograph of your letter to Ms. Gray to pass along to Ms. Regan.

Math:

1. Go on Symphony Math for 20 minutes.  There is an end-of-year assessment that all students should complete before the end of the year.

Social Studies and Science:

1. Have fun exploring some of the Science at Home activities posted on the Connecticut Science Center website:
   

   Science at Home

    

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

I hope you had an amazing time during yesterday’s Virtual Field Day.  I look forward to seeing you today for our 3:00 class meeting.  Be sure to bring the Maker Day creation you made last Friday.  You will have a chance to show what you made and to tell about your creation.  Here are some questions that might help to guide your share.  What did you make?  What materials did you use?  What is the purpose of your creation?  Did anyone help you?  Did you encounter challenges while making your creation?  Did you have fun?

Specials:

1. Today’s special is art.  Be sure to check out Ms. Neal’s blog to find great ideas for art activities you can do at home.  Here’s the link: https://lesartroom.edublogs.org/.

Reading:

1. Set a personal goal for daily reading this summer.  At a minimum, try to read a good fit book each day on your own for at least 20 minutes.  Start today.  In addition, you might enjoy listening to audiobooks or read-alouds with your family.
2. Go on Lexia for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Plan a letter to next year’s teacher.  Include the following details:

–Information about your interests outside of school

–Skills you feel confident with

–Skills you want to work on

–Your favorite subject(s) at school

–One thing you are excited about in 3rd grade

Math:

1. Go on Symphony Math for 20 minutes.  There is an end-of-year assessment that all students should complete before the end of the year.  **Edit: The assessment is not set to start yet, and I’m trying to figure that out.  Go ahead and do the regular Symphony Math activities for today.

Social Studies and Science:

1. Finish your maker project from last Friday or make something new.  Let your creativity run wild!

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

I hope you enjoyed a relaxing and fun-filled weekend.  I had the pleasure of joining my older son for his drive-up graduation celebration on Saturday morning.  I’m such a proud mama!

Today is your Virtual Field Day.  The weather’s warm but not too hot, and there’s no rain in the forecast.  It’s an ideal day to have fun outdoors with your family.  Coach Sadie put together an amazing array of  activities, and she even made videos to show you how to do each one.  Here’s the link: Virtual Field Day.  Have a great time!  Don’t worry, if today’s not the best day for your family to enjoy some fun and games outside, you can use this link anytime.

Tomorrow, during our 3:00 virtual class meeting, you’ll get the chance to share your creations from last Friday’s Maker Day.  I can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

Today is a Maker Day.  Your only assignment is to make something…and to hopefully have fun making it.  Be safe and be sure to check in with your adult(s) before you use any items that you are not usually allowed to use or play with.

You can make something that serves a purpose, or you can make something just for fun.  Here are some project ideas, but there are so many other things you could make.  Be creative!

• structure (e.g., tower, bridge, house)
• vehicle (e.g., car, truck, rocket ship)
• accessory (e.g., bracelet, belt, bag)
• science project (e.g., working volcano, potato lamp, slime)
• something for outside (e.g., bird feeder, garden plot, wind chime)
• something to play with (e.g., board game, robot, stuffed animal)
• something artistic (e.g., musical instrument, drawing, painting)
• something to eat (e.g., cookies, cake, dinner)

You can use any kinds of materials found around your house or in your recycling bin.  Here are some material ideas, but if you don’t have these things, use what you do have.  You should not buy anything new for this project.  Be creative!

• paper, cardboard boxes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls
• craft (popsicle) sticks
• empty cans and bottles
• cloth or old cloth items that could be repurposed, yarn, thread
• glue, tape, rubber bands, twist ties
• markers, crayons, colored pencils, finger paint, watercolor paint, pastels
• Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, dominoes
• model kits
• kitchen items

Once you’re finished, have an adult take a picture of you with what you made.  Send it to Ms. Gray, so she can include it in a Maker Day gallery on the 2nd grade blog.  Be sure to bring what you’ve made to share during our virtual class meeting on Tuesday, June 9.

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

Today is an important day!  Ms. Regan will join our 3:00 virtual meeting to share with you more about what to expect in 3rd grade.  Are you excited?  Come prepared to show Ms. Regan what a respectful, curious, participatory group of students you are.

Also, keep in mind that tomorrow’s work will be different from our usual routine.  Your focus will be making something from items you can find around your house.  I can’t wait to see what you make.  I will post more about it on tomorrow’s blog.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is P.E.  Check out Coach Sadie’s blog for some ideas to help you stay physically active: https://leverettpe.edublogs.org/category/second-grade/.

Reading:

1. Choose 4-5 pages of Hermit Crabs to read aloud to someone else (RazPlus–Hermit Crabs–book).  Then complete the comprehension quiz (RazPlus–Hermit Crabs–comprehension quiz).
2. Go on Lexia for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Across the week, you will write about your learning this year.  Each day, you will write 4-5 sentences about a given topic (End-of-Year Thoughts).  TODAY: Write about something you feel proud of (in terms of your behavior, participation, and interactions with others) and something you’re still working on (in terms of your behavior, participation, and interaction with others).

Math:

1. We will use the same packet all week (TPT–Fractions and Partitioning).  You do not need to print all of the pages.  The packet will allow you to practice recognizing fractions and partitioning shapes to make fractions–specifically halves (1/2), thirds (1/3), and fourths (1/4).  TODAY: Complete page 26 (Partitioning Shapes), page 27 (Grouping into Half), page 28 (Writing Fractions), and page 31 (Reading Fractions).

Social Studies and Science:

1. Optional: Talk with a family friend or relative who moved to the United States from another country.  Why did they move?  What parts of their culture did they bring with them?  How did they feel about leaving their home and moving to the U.S.? (Human Migration Questions).

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

Wednesdays are busy days for me.  Today, I have meetings at 11:00, 12:00, and 1:00.  No matter how busy I am though, I’m always happy to make time for the amazing 2nd graders.  If you’d like to set up a one-on-one time to check in before the year ends, please let me know.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is library.  Ms. River’s recommends that you spend some extra time today curled up reading a good book.  You could also read a book online, read a magazine or newspaper article, or read some poems.  I often start and end my day by reading the news.

Reading:

1. Reread Hermit Crabs (RazPlus–Hermit Crabs–book).  Discuss these discussion questions with an adult (RazPlus–Hermit Crabs–discussion questions).  It helps to have the book ready when you’re answering questions, so you can go back and find information to make sure your answers are as thorough as possible.
2. Read a good fit book for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Across the week, you will write about your learning this year.  Each day, you will write 4-5 sentences about a given topic (End-of-Year Thoughts).  TODAY: Write about your favorite assignment this year in reading, writing, math, science, or social studies.

Math:

1. We will use the same packet all week (TPT–Fractions and Partitioning).  You do not need to print all of the pages.  The packet will allow you to practice recognizing fractions and partitioning shapes to make fractions–specifically halves (1/2), thirds (1/3), and fourths (1/4).  TODAY: Complete pages 16-17 (Fraction Parts), page 19 (Equal Shares), and page 21 (Coloring Shares).
2. Go on Symphony Math for 20 minutes.

Social Studies and Science:

1. Think about the stories you read last week (Welcome, Carlos! and Haiti Is My Home) and the story Ms. Gray is reading aloud during our class meetings (The New Soccer Ball).  Compare and contrast how Carlos, Marie, and David felt about leaving their homes and moving to the United States (Human Migration Questions).  How might you feel if you experienced similar moves?

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

I look forward to seeing you during today’s 3:00 class meeting.  Come prepared to share something you feel you learned a lot about this year in second grade AND something you’d like to work on getting better at in 3rd grade.  Also, make sure you have a sheet of paper and something to draw with.  We might have a guest join us to do a drawing activity.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is art.  Be sure to check out Ms. Neal’s blog to find great ideas for art activities you can do at home.  Here’s the link: https://lesartroom.edublogs.org/.

Reading:

1. Think about both Keb Needs a Home AND Hermit Crabs (RazPlus–Keb Needs a Home–book AND RazPlus–Hermit Crabs–book) when answering these questions.  *Keb was able to survive without a shell.  Could a real hermit crab survive without a shell?  **What information in the fiction story is shown to be true (or not true) in the nonfiction book?
2. Go on Lexia for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Across the week, you will write about your learning this year.  Each day, you will write 4-5 sentences about a given topic (End-of-Year Thoughts).  TODAY: Write about something you are still working on getting better at in reading, writing, math, science, or social studies.

Math:

1. We will use the same packet all week (TPT–Fractions and Partitioning).  You do not need to print all of the pages.  The packet will allow you to practice recognizing fractions and partitioning shapes to make fractions–specifically halves (1/2), thirds (1/3), and fourths (1/4).  TODAY: Complete page 9 (Tricky Halves), page 13 (Halves or Fourths), and page 14 (Fraction Match).

Social Studies and Science:

1. Think about the stories you read last week (Welcome, Carlos! and Haiti Is My Home) and the story Ms. Gray is reading aloud during our class meetings (The New Soccer Ball).  Language, religion, traditions, celebrations, clothing, food, music, and other things can all be part of a person’s culture.   Identify parts of their culture Carlos, Marie, and David brought with them when they moved to the United States (Human Migration Questions).  Share your ideas with an adult.  Ask your adult what they know about the cultural traditions people bring with them when they move from place to place.

Dear Second Grade Students and Families,

Happy birthday, Jack!  I hope you have a very special eighth birthday!

As a reminder, Ms. Regan will join us during our virtual class meeting on Thursday at 3:00.  She will share some information about 3rd grade and hopefully do an activity or game with the rising 3rd graders (that’s you!).  In addition, Friday will be a special Maker Day.  The 2nd graders will be tasked with making something out of materials around the house.

Specials:

1. Today’s special is music.  Be sure to check out Ms. Renauld’s blog to find great ideas for musical activities you can do at home.  Here’s the link: https://hrenauld.edublogs.org/.

Reading:

1. Read Hermit Crabs (RazPlus–Hermit Crabs–book).
2. Read another good fit book for 20 minutes.

Writing:

1. Across the week, you will write about your learning this year.  Each day, you will write 4-5 sentences about a given topic (End-of-Year Thoughts).  TODAY: Write about something you got better at this year in reading, writing, math, science, or social studies.

Math:

1. We will use the same packet all week (TPT–Fractions and Partitioning).  You do not need to print all of the pages.  The packet will allow you to practice recognizing fractions and partitioning shapes to make fractions–specifically halves (1/2), thirds (1/3), and fourths (1/4).  TODAY: Complete page 3 (Halves), page 5 (Thirds), and page 7 (Fourths).
2. Go on Symphony Math for 20 minutes.

Social Studies and Science:

1. Think about the stories you read last week (Welcome, Carlos! and Haiti Is My Home) and the story Ms. Gray is reading aloud during our class meetings (The New Soccer Ball).  Identify the reasons why the characters in those books–Carlos, Marie, and David–immigrated to the United States (Human Migration Questions).  Share your ideas with an adult.  Ask your adult what they know about the reasons for human migration.