Second Grade News You Can Use
January 20th-23rd, 2015
A Note from Mrs. Graham
During our field trip, my students were very well behaved as well as appropriately inquisitive. We had just learned about the three branches of government on Thursday. On Friday, we were able to witness the legislative branch, the state senators and representatives, as they went into session. We heard both the beginning bell and ending bell of the session. We saw their desks and learned that the Speaker of the House is like a teacher. He or she calls the Senate or House of Reps to order and she can cut off their microphones at their desks if they have spoken out of turn. We also saw where the judicial branch once heard cases as we sat in the The Supreme Court Chamber. We learned that the Tennessee Supreme Court consists of five justices and no more than two justices can come from each of the three grand divisions. We were reminded that the 3 stars on the Tennessee state flag represent the three grand divisions of Tennessee; West, Middle, and East. Finally, we were able to walk past the Governor's offices at the capitol. Governor Bill Haslem was actually there on Friday in preparation for his 2nd inauguration. He represented the executive branch of government for us on Friday. Governor Haslem actually came down the front steps as the first graders were having their picture made. He touched Mrs. Pulgarin's shoulder and shook hands with Mrs. Barnett. Sadly, we had already had our picture made and were off to the side when he descended the stairs to look over the set up for his inauguration. We just missed him!
The Tennessee State Museum was also amazing. There was so much to see, do and learn that we will need to schedule another trip in the future. We were able to learn about Frontier Life. We had presentations on the Long-Hunters, travel by canoe and covered wagon, cabin-dwelling, and clothing. Before we left, we went to see a photograph of Davy Crockett who happens to be the great, great, great, great grandfather of our bus driver that day, Chuck Madden.
Our field trip ended after we ate lunch overlooking Bicentennial Park. The capitol was behind us, the train tresses were above us and the map of Tennessee was right in front of us. We were able to travel across the state looking for places that are special to us on this grand map.
I lOVE this photo!
Frontier Life/Cabin Living
Looking into the January Sun
Bible
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
The story we will read this week is from 1 Kings 21-22. It is entitled, "Naboth's Vineyard"
Math
Reading
We learned some new vocabulary while reading these books. The new words we talked about were segregation, boycott, strike, peaceful protests, marches.
Our Story from our book this week is called Signmaker's Assistant. The genre is Humorous Fiction.
Vocabulary Words: assistant, agreed, polite, failed, tearing, wisdom, cleared, trouble
High Frequency Words; are, baby, didn't, good, I'll, is, please, sound, talk, too
Phonics: Words with ar
Fluency: Phrasing: Punctuation
Vocabulary Strategy: Shades of Meaning
Comprehension Skills: Text and Graphic Features, Point of View, Asking Questions
Essential Question: How are signs helpful?
Spelling
car, dark, arm, star, park, yard, party, hard, farm, start, part, spark
Challenge Words: assistant, agreed, polite, failed, tearing, wisdom, cleared, trouble
The words will be on Spelling City. The link is below.
The test over these words will be on Friday.
Social Studies and Science
In Science, we are still learning about living things.