Mrs. Ketola's 2nd Grade Page

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  Week of June 13, 2011

Flag Day is June 14 

2^nd Grade Writing Workshop

Thanks to a PTO donation, 2^nd grade had a resident artist named Leslie Johnson who taught the children writing techniques.  In two 80 minute sessions in May, she led students through a series of guided lessons.  The results were amazing!  Each child ended with 1) a descriptive poem from a spring outdoor walk, and 2) a description of a rock or shell.  Here are some samples.  Look for some sensory images, similes, and metaphors!

Nature Walk:

The blossoms smell like cotton candy. (Jonah)

Have you ever heard a bird chirping like a flute in an orchestra? (Caroline)

Have you noticed an eagle gliding gracefully through the bright blue sky? (Jocelyn)

I can feel the grass wiggling like bugs on me. (Iris)

Grass is as prickly as a porcupine. (Avery)

Have you seen the pink flowers upside-down like a ballerina’s tutu? (Emily Z.)

Have you noticed a cloud that looks like the skeleton of a pterydactyl? (Adam)

Have you heard a buzzing bee landing on a beautiful daffodil? (Kassidy)

Rock or Shell:

My crystal is shining like moon in light. (Nico)

My awesome rock is a bullet train speeding on the track. (Gabe)

My rock looks like fire burning like the sun. (James)

The inside of the shell is like a busy city with lots of crystal hotels and shiny skyscrapers all inside the geode. (Isaac)

My rock looks like a mini Mount Rushmore . (Cami)

My rock reminds me of gold in a pirate’s treasure box. (Cooper)

Tiny rock, you are as smooth as soap and soft like silk. (Emily F.)

Rock, you have a shine to you, a pretty purplish one like the moonlight on the lake. (Kaitlin)

My rock is heavier than two pencils and a crayon. (Jack)

Super job to all 2^nd grade classes for their Puerto Rican plays on April 14!  Special thanks to Mrs. Glynn, Mrs. Nelson, and all volunteers who helped during Cultural Arts week.

Cultural Arts Week! During the week of April 11, PCS “visited” Puerto Rico !  We had some docents who will taught us about this special, Spanish island.  Woodstock Academy students started by sharing about Ricky Martin.  Tuesday was the Marketplace, where each class goes to the stage with a “passport” and made projects / looked at displays / tasted yummy native food.  Some other people also volunteered (Mr. Ames, Mrs. Geyer, Mr. Alvarez, Mrs. DiIorio, Mrs. Bazinet, and a UCONN student). 

This Week's Homework:  

Mon. - study spelling, make corrections

Tues. - spelling workbook pages

Wed. - math workbook pages

Thurs. - Library book, spelling words 3 times each

Fri. - None!

Repeated news…Corrected work: Students’ work from the prior week: would you look through it and see if your child had any difficulties?  I appreciate your help. 

At this time in the year, the children have taken home and have been quizzed twice on each list of facts (basic addition facts through nine).  Now, it’s just time for review, review, review!

Language Arts – Last week, we read some stories along the theme of authors and illustrators.  This week, we study “Worlds of Art,” and we gain some appreciation of the lives of artists.

In grammar, the children have been introduced to adjectives (words that describe nouns).  Next, we will learn about adverbs (which describe verbs).  All along, we’ve been reviewing the many grammar conventions that have been introduced to us this year.

In Library, the students researched an animal and learned to cite the resource from which they gleaned info rmation.  We hope to follow-up in class with a hands-on project!

A big thank you to the many families who helped to make Mini Mall a success!  Our Mystery Store depended on the donations of parents like you - to fill our grab bags with toys, serve yummy baked goods, watch the cash drawer, and take students shopping.  Thank you!

Mini Mall Money – The children had a fun Comfy Cozy / Pizza Day on Friday!  Mr. Walden offered to pay for this food, and we thank him.

The children had voted to donate part of the Mini Mall money to an animal shelter, and one child had suggested PAWs – a cat shelter, located next to Windy Acres in Woodstock .  I’ve attached some info rmation about this place.  Your family might consider donating cans of cat food, too. 

Classroom Rules & Expectations - 

1. Treat others with respect and kindness.

2. Raise your hand when you want to speak.

3. Keep hands and feet to self.

4. Follow the teacher's directions.

5. Take care of your personal belongings.  

Weekly Specials - 

Monday - Art, Gym

Tuesday - Art

Wednesday - Music

Thursday - Music

Friday - Library, Gym

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Pomfret Community School
20 Pomfret St.
Pomfret Center, CT  06259
860-928-2718
www.pomfret.ctschool.net