Monday, February 14th: Valentines Day Card Exchange
The Puffins will show appreciation for our classroom community and friendships with a card exchange at the end of the day on February 14th.
Bringing in valentines is optional, but if your Puffin would like to give cards to their classmates, they MUST bring one for every student.
There are 26 students in the Puffin Nest.
It actually works best if they do NOT write out individual names on cards- it makes it much easier to pass around!
Due to food allergies and parent preferences for limiting sugar, we ask that students do not attach candy treats to their valentines.
Friday, February 18th: School Spirit Day!
Show your school spirit by dressing up! Our theme is YOUR FAVORITE DECADE
Dressing up is fun and optional:)
Monday, February 21st: NO SCHOOL President's day
2021-22 School Year Calendar
A message from Art Teacher Stephanie:
Yearbook is on sale now for $20.
To purchase a yearbook please go to www.treering.com/validate and enter the number 1016052158063632. Students are now creating the cover of the yearbook. A yearbook is a great way to remember their time this year. If you have any questions please email Stephanie at [email protected]. Thanks for all your support!
What’s happening in the Puffin Nest?We are excited to begin our second StoryPath unit!
The Oregon Trail: Our Unit Overview
Using a strategy called Storypath, our students will form family groups and join a wagon train, which will help them build an understanding of the journey across the U.S. in the 1840s.
Students will learn why emigrants formed wagon trains and moved west. They will confront difficulties such as illness, food shortages, and broken wagons. Encounters with Native Americans will set the scene for examining the views of the period as well as the ethical issues surrounding westward expansion.
The culminating activities will involve a celebration and presenting plans for their new life in Oregon.
Oregon Trail Introduction: Week 1
Together, we read about and discussed the conditions of the mid-1800’s to help us better understand the motivations of the emigrants. We considered the following questions:
- How did the United States grow in the early 1800’s?
- How might this growth have influenced people to move west?
- What is manifest destiny?
- Why might people sell their businesses and farms to travel to the Oregon Country?
- What was dangerous and difficult about traveling west on a wagon train?
- What types of jobs did people have in the 1840’s?
● Students discussed reasons behind westward movement in America in the 1840s.
● Students were grouped into families who will travel together along the Oregon Trail.
● Students began working to create a character which they will introduce to the other members of the wagon train.
Wrapping up Storytelling & Sound Wave Units:
This week during our In&About, we had special guest and music teacher Geneva Houx visit our class. Geneva taught students a couple of simple narrative songs, and we discussed that songs can tell different types of stories with lyrics, tempo, and style. Students learned how their bodies can create sound through their lungs, vocal cords, sinuses and mouths. By the end of our In&About, Geneva helped us write our own original song and we got to play lots of different instruments while we sang.
Class Read Aloud
Our latest novel-study class read-aloud:
The award winning Flora & Ulysses
Level 2 "Inclusive Community" Read-Aloud Series
We will continue to engage a weekly "Inclusive Community" read-aloud series. Through these read-alouds, we will learn about and celebrate diversity in our community.
February: Black History Month
This week our book is...
A Reminder about Level 2 Homework:
In Level 2, our homework is on the honor system. We ask families to develop and sustain this important practice at home in a way that works best for you. Having a regular routine (time/place/materials) will ensure that your child will be prepared to tackle their required homework in Level 3 more easily.
Math: at least 30 minutes (or more) of math practice each week.
Practicing multiplication math facts at home is a GREAT way to support your kiddo!
- 3rd graders should work on: 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's and 6's
- 4th graders should work on all multiplication facts for 2-12's.
We also recommend that students engage in 10-15 minutes of a math activity (math website or game) and then complete one page in their math workbook at least 2 days per week.
All level 2 kiddos brought home a math workbook (or packet) for homework practice in November. Let us know if they are ready for a new book!
For computer practice, take a moment to set up a free account for your child:
- Khan Academy: instructional videos and problem solving practice
- Prodigy: answer math questions, complete quests, earn rewards
- SumDog: solve math problems while playing video games
- Math Game Time: no account set-up required, select grade level & play!
- The public library is a great resource. Make sure your kiddo has access to lots of “good fit” books that they are excited to read. Check out our Level 2 Book Recommendations HERE.
- Read-alouds and audio books work too! Also, listen to your child read out loud, and ask them questions about their reading & thinking.