First Day Fun! #resvt

Second graders had an amazing first day of school! Students got to read, explore math tools, play outside, learned about some expectations, and saw old friends! We can't wait until the second day!

Ready for your arrival! #resvt

Hello second grade families! My name is Kristin Darling. I have been teaching second grade at Richmond Elementary for five years. Prior to that I taught first and second grade multi-age in Stockbridge Central School. I love learning, discovering, and having fun with my students! I am excited to start another year with a terrific group of students and families! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 31st! Our classroom is ready and waiting for your arrival!

Moving on up! #resvt

June is always a bitter-sweet time of year for me. Bitter, because I am wrapping things up with my current students and sending them off to meet their third grade teachers. Sweet, because summer is on the horizon and I get to meet my new class. On Friday,  I was able to spend time with my new group of second graders for the 2016-2017 year. We did a name greeting, read "Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister, and students colored their own version of Rainbow Fish to decorate our door for next year. It was great to meet all the smiling faces!

Our first class photo!

Silly faces!

Upcoming Events! #resvt

As we enter June, there tends to be more special events for second graders! Please mark your calendars for the following events.

• Wednesday, June 1st: Scholastic Book Fair
• Thursday, June 2nd: Field trip to Cedar Knoll golf course
• Thursday, June 2nd: Scholastic Book Fair
• Friday, June 3rd: Move Up Day
• Friday, June 3rd: Powder Run @2:45
• Saturday, June 4th: Father/Daughter dance @6:00
• Saturday, June 4th: Get Air Fundraiser for RES P.E.

• Wednesday, June 8th: Field Day/Walk-a-thon/School BBQ
• Tuesday, June 14th: Last day of school

Our Mercy Watson impressions

Wall Walk #resvt

It was the perfect day for a wall walk! The sun was shining, summer like temperatures, and students were ready to observe different types of walls. We walked around the RES/CHMS campus looking for four different types of walls-and we found some! Students had to make scientific drawings of these walls, including labels of what they believed the wall was made out of, and what the mortar was made out of (if any). In upcoming days, students will be engineering their own miniature walls; exploring with different mortar mixtures.

Engineering! #resvt

As part of our science unit on matter, we have begun our engineering task! Students are very engaged, having thoughtful discussions with peers, and thinking like engineers! Friday, students were given a problem, and had to work through part of the engineering design process. Groups were given the following materials: cotton, straw, a brick, and paper. With these materials they had to decide which material would solve one of the following problems: how to carry eggs, how to build a chair, and to clean the floor. Based on the material's properties, students decided whether or not the material would work for the problem and what could be made out of the material to solve the problem. As a class we then came together, and made decisions on what material would be BEST for a particular job. Students were talking with each other, sharing their ideas, disagreeing, supporting their opinions, and coming to conclusions! It was an AMAZING engineers meeting!

Moon Cakes and Sugar on Snow! Week 5 - Grade 2 Comparing Cultures with Hong Kong