Monday, January 30, 2017

Blog posts are done! Research, Writing, and Blogging #resvt #TCRWP #vsla #vted

This is a guest post from our school library media specialist, Beth Redford.


Blog posts are done! You can see them at the RES Second Grade Animal blog.

Second graders at RES have just completed a nonfiction writing and blogging unit. This is a collaborative unit taught by the second grade teachers and Beth Redford, our library media specialist.

First, second graders chose interesting animals, researched them in the PebbleGo online database, and wrote down facts to use in their blog posts.

Second, the scholars used their notes to create informational writing pieces about their animals. They used their strategies from Writing Workshop to write introductions that hooked their readers, transitions that kept their readers interested, and conclusions that wrapped up their pieces. They also used what they knew about nonfiction text features to add illustrations, diagrams, and labels to help their readers better understand their animals.

Finally, the second graders used the Blogger iPad app to create posts for the RES Second Grade Animal blog. They typed in the great texts they had written, and then added photographs of their illustrations. Our first blog post from this year is already on the blog! And more posts will be coming in the next few weeks. We are very proud of all our second grade scholars!

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Upcoming Events! #resvt

Here are the upcoming events for the week of January 30, 2017:

  • Monday, January 30th: Community meet/greet with principal candidate Dennis Hill @ 7:00-8:00 and 4:30-5:30
  • Tuesday, January 31st: Snow Motion at Cochran's 10:00-12:00
  • Friday, February 3rd: Homework and library books due and 100th day of school!
**Please check to make sure you have your child's snow gear. Many items have been misplaced as black is a popular color for snow pants. A helpful hint is to write your child's name in their snow gear (jackets, snow pants, gloves, etc). **


Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Second Grade Moments

We started EDUtyping today! This is a learning to type program that is used district wide starting in second grade. It teaches students the fundamentals of typing! Students had a blast!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2jZbaGS

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Upcoming Events! #resvt

There are many upcoming events for second grade families this week!

  • Tuesday, January 24th: Snow Motion at Cochran's 10:00-12:00
  • Tuesday, January 24th: Meet and greet with principal candidate Benjamin White at 7:00-8:00am and 4:30-5:30pm
  • Friday, January 27th: Circus Night 5:30-8:30
  • Friday, January 27th: Reading log and library books due


Thursday, January 19, 2017

Second Grade Moments

We were lucky today to have Mrs. Moore come in and read "Mr. Tiger Goes Wild" to us and start our book talk! It was a great book and we talked about how Mr. Tiger's feelings changed from the beginning to the end! Ask your student how Mr. Tiger's feelings changed!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2jt3L0m

Monday, January 16, 2017

Research, Writing, and Blogging in Second Grade #resvt #TCRWP #vsla #vted

This is a guest post from our library media specialist, Beth Redford.

Second graders at RES have been working on a nonfiction writing and blogging unit. This is a collaborative unit taught by the second grade teachers and Beth Redford, our library media specialist. First, second graders chose interesting animals, researched them in the PebbleGo online database, and wrote down facts to use in their blog posts.

 Researching facts about bobcats and lynxes


Anacondas have how many teeth?!?


Second, the scholars used their notes to create informational writing pieces about their animals. They used their strategies from Writing Workshop to write introductions that hooked their readers, transitions that kept their readers interested, and conclusions that wrapped up their pieces. They also used what they knew about nonfiction text features to add illustrations, diagrams, and labels to help their readers better understand their animals.



Classroom chart: Ways to write an introduction


 This scholar used the "riddle" strategy
to engage her readers with her introduction


And this scholar used labels in her illustration
to show the life cycle of a turtle

Finally, the second graders used the Blogger iPad app to create posts for the RES Second Grade Animal blog. They typed in the great texts they had written, and then added photographs of their illustrations. Our first blog post from this year is already on the blog! And more posts will be coming in the next few weeks. We are very proud of all our second grade scholars!


Creating blog posts on iPads

The first blog post! You can see these posts live

Friday, January 13, 2017

Balance balls and hokki stools #resvt

Dear Families,

Our class is trying to raise enough money to purchase balance balls and hokki stools for our classroom. We are using a website called Donors Choose which supports educators in making their fundraising goals. We are asking for balance balls and hokki stools because these flexible seating options allow us to move while we are completing our studies. We all love to move and see the health benefit when students are allowed to move during the school day. Please consider donating to our webpage seen below. Thank you so much for your continued support in your child's education.

Ms. Darling's Donors Choose Page.

Second Grade Moments

This student got his informational book published in the library! He is very proud of the hard work he put into his Pokemon book! You can now check it out from the RES Library!!


via Instagram http://ift.tt/2iP7SCJ

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Animal Blogs #resvt

Today our class started our animal blogs with Mrs. Redford! We got to choose an animal on Pebble Go and then we had to take notes on its body, habitat, life cycle and include some fun facts! We even got to make a sketch of the animal. The next step will be writing out our blog on paper! Thank you to Mrs. Redford for all the help!

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2je5cz5

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Mother Africa Flynn Performance! #resvt

Today second graders launched their mapping skills and comparing cultures unit with a performance at the Flynn Theater! Students saw the show "Cirque Mother Africa", which incorporated many aspects of African culture. From songs, dancing, acrobats, juggling, and snippets of everyday African life. It was a great way to start our new social studies unit and many students couldn't pick just one favorite part! Thank you to Darcie Rankin for organizing this field trip for us!