Kiker's Strength-Based Learning Cohort

Hi, Super Second Graders! Today we are continuing our exploration of water. Click the link below to view the slideshow and learn some cool ocean facts! Then, come back here to the blog to post a comment. You may share something you learned from the slideshow or a connection you made from our IMAX Ocean Wonderland! http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/weather-and-climate/earths-oceans.htm Have fun! Love, Mrs. Blake

We thought you'd enjoy a glimpse of Breakfast & The Paper, a ritual that has become a much anticipated event amongst our crew. On this fittingly drizzly day, we cozied up to some current events. After students kicked back with some non-fiction and a nosh, they had an opportunity to apply their summarizing skills in a reading response. Check out our little readers in action below!

Visuwords - a visual thesaurus

Here are the Second Grade Stars right before their big debut in "Bugs on Parade"! We rehearsed quite a bit for the production that sharpened our listening, speaking, and singing skills...and was just plain fun! Thank you to all of our parents who helped make it a success!

We are holding Spring Conferences! Thanks for being available to meet with us! We know it's difficult to keep to the time frame allotted, but we are going to try our best to keep to the start and stop times as scheduled so that no one gets less than their share. :) Please recheck your time with us if you aren't sure of the exact time/date. Some things that might be good to do before you come: Jot down questions - to pose both to teacher and your child List strengths you've seen in your child this year List areas you would like to brainstorm ways to support your child in making growth Your child can do the same thinking...coming prepared will focus our talk and keep us productive. Remember, we want to talk about this year so far and set goals for the remainder of this year - we want to keep in mind the WHOLE child - considering emotional, social, and academic areas. Can't wait to see everyone! Jennifer, Kim, and Jewellyn

Some happy kids finding some equivalent fractions!

Surrounded by sunshine and smiles, our second graders spent last Wednesday exploring Westcave Preserve. As we hiked along the trail and I listened to our little thinkers, I realized my favorite part. Not my favorite part of the week...my favorite part of teaching. I love the curiosity, the wonder, and the excitement. Being in the presence of all those minds in action is a sight to behold. With a multitude of things to observe, they were constantly processing and taking it all in. Taken from behind the waterfall in the grotto After a lengthy hike through a riparian woodland habitat (ask your second grader what that means!), we arrived at a lush grotto filled with greenery, a waterfall, and a cave.  Departing the grotto I was incredibly proud--but not the least bit surprised--of how well we listened to both the environment around us as well as our guides. We asked some great questions and made hypotheses about the ecosystem we explored. We even got a mini-lesson about aquifer...