News from Mrs. Drudy's Class
We exist so children can excel.
The Week at a Glance
Weekly Concept: Express Yourself
Essential Question: How do you express yourself?
Next week, our class will be focusing on how people express themselves. We will be talking about how we communicate through music and sound.
Spelling Phonics: Spelling/Phonics: long u
1. cute
2. cube
3. fumes
4. music
5. unit
6. menu
7. few
8. pew
9. fuel
10. cues
11. pony
12. queen
13. began
14. come
15. give
Challenge Words:
16. confuse
17. amuse
18. perfume
19. review
20. nephew
You can get to this list in Spelling City by clicking here and choosing Grade 2 Unit 3 Week 5.
NWEA Map Testing
Well, we are celebrating. Every single student in our class has shown growth in the area of mathematics...most of them AMAZING growth! In fact, when compared to same-age students across the nation, 82% of them scored above the norm grade level mean score! Way to go mathematicians!!!! That "hard math" is paying off in huge ways. Once everyone's scores populate, you can look for those in upcoming Friday folders, but for now, simply give your kiddo a big old congratulatory fist bump.
Math: Measurement
We have had a big time measuring just about everything! Second grade students are expected to know the following with regard to length:
· "Measure & estimate length to the nearest inch, foot, yard, centimeter and meter.
· Describe the relationships among inch, foot, and yard and between centimeter and meter.
· Describe which unit of length is most appropriate in a given situation."
Be sure to ask your child about his or her "Create-A-Tree" measuring project that is proudly on display in the hallway.
Interestingly, another component of measurement that we've begun focusing on is counting coins. This is an easy skill for you to practice at home. We do this on a daily basis, too, so many students are already quite proficient with the following standards that they are expected to master:
- "Find the value of a collection of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars."
Remember, if your child has not yet passed the 2 1/2-minute timing for addition, then he or she should consider this nightly homework!
Science: Bendy Bones
On the heels of Thanksgiving, we knew exactly what to do with all of those turkey bones. We collected turkey bones from Thanksgiving dinner and washed them. We then submerged them in vinegar and left them submerged for five days. We then rinsed off the bones and tried to bend them. Be sure to ask your child about the interesting results.
"Why does it work?" you might ask. Bones are filled with calcium carbonate. When calcium carbonate reacts to the vinegar it weakens the bones. Bones need calcium to stay strong, but when it gets altered it becomes weak and bendy. It was super science at its best! Be sure to check out some of the exciting photos below.
Analyzing Our Amaryllis
This week our class received an amaryllis bulb that will grow in our classroom for the next six to eight weeks culminating in beautiful blooms. As the plant develops, we’ll gather information about plant growth.
In science, we learn that living things interact with their environment. Today we discussed what an amaryllis bulb needs to grow in our classroom.
In math, we learn about length and organizing and interpreting data. Over the next several weeks, we’ll observe how our plant changes. We’ll measure and record growth to understand how this plant grows. Later, we’ll graph our data to create a picture of our findings and answer questions about our observations. Be sure to ask your student how their bulb grows over the next several weeks. This activity addresses the following Indiana Academic Science
Standards:
- Observe, describe and ask questions about plant growth and development.
- Identify the common structures of a plant including its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Describe their functions.
- Investigate plant growth over time, take measurements in SI units, record the data and display the data in graphs. Examine factors that might influence plant growth.
LES Annual Food Drive
Our entire student body is invited to practice the LifeSkill of caring. Starting Monday, the LES student council members are going to be launching our annual food drive. All items will be donated to our local food pantry. You can participate by bringing in non-perishable food items each day to help some of the more than 12 million hungry children who are hungry in our country.
Now, don't forget the best part: Mrs.Treadway--as the student council sponsor--has agreed to take the class that donates the most item for an extra gym period. Thank you, in advance, for considering supporting this worthwhile service learning project. Suggested items that are needed include the following:
- canned fruits and vegetables
- cereal and oatmeal
- macaroni and cheese boxes
- rice boxes
- Hamburger Helper
- canned meat
Candy Bar Exchange
On the last day before Christmas break, December 20, we will be doing a candy bar exchange. If you wish for your child to participate, please bring in an unwrapped king-sized candy bar on or before this day. (When I say "unwrapped," that does not mean I want you to take the candy bar's wrapper off, I simply mean you do not need to cover it with gift wrap.) We will be having a little creative fun with the exchange that day. As always, thank you for making our learning a fun and inviting activity!
Speaking of the last day before winter break...if you volunteered to supply items for our special snack, then I have sent a confirmation in today's Friday folder. If you did not receive this notice, then you are "off the hook."
Next Week's Share Topic
Personal Treasures : We all have possessions which we care about very much. Often these objects are not valuable in the monetary sense. We have other reasons for attaching importance and value to these things. Think of something you treasure. Why do you feel this way? You may want to bring the object to class.
Related Arts Schedule
Monday: P.E.
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Art & Library
Thursday: P.E.& Computer Lab
Friday: Music
**Remember, repeated failure to wear gym shoes to gym class could ultimately result in an after-school detention.
Coming Up:
December 9-13: LES Canned Food Drive
December 11: Community Food Pantry @ UCHS 3:30-5:00
December 19: Christmas Program @ UCHS auditorium (7:00 p.m. for grades 2 & 3)
December 23 -Jan 3 – Winter Break
January 6 – School Resumes
STEM Buddies
Juggling Jacob
Tenacious Tenlee
Always Explaining Aiden
Really Bendy Rylee
Enthralled Eleanor
Makin' it Happen Marissa
Madelyn's Moves
Drew Decides
About Us
Email: tammy.drudy@uc.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.uc.k12.in.us/liberty-elementary/liberty-elementary/
Location: 501 Eaton St, Liberty, IN, United States
Phone: 765-458-5521