Experiments with Forces and Motion

This week we experimented with balls and ramps.
We are learning to work and think like scientists. 
We pose questions and predict what might happen, a hypothesis.

We set up experiments that will test our hypothesis.

We  carefully record our observations and discuss our conclusions.

The seven students that participated in the Spring Vacation Reading challenge had a special reader's lunch with me on Friday.  It was interesting to hear about the different genres of about the books they read.   Nice job readers!                            

Maple Sugaring!

It was fun to have the second grade class from Samuel Morey join us on this trip!

Sam the Sugarmaker showed us all the steps it takes to turn sap into syrup.

With the help of the Mountain School students we  gather full sap buckets and poured the sap into holding tanks.  Thank you Mountain School for hosting and Maggie Stoudnour who arranged this trip for us!

                                                                                                             

 A Family letter

We have begun our science study of forces and motion.  Second graders love this unit! They will be involved in scientific inquiry as they set up experiments using ramps and balls to investigate the forces of gravity and friction.  They will be predicting, observing, recording and making conclusions.  We will also apply our math skills of measuring as we collect data.

The homework for this unit is for each child to bring in something from home that demonstrates motion to display in our science museum.  It could be a toy, simple machine or a tool from the kitchen etc.  I’m asking it not be too big, alive or use electricity as its power!  Our timeline for this assignment is through the end of April.                                                                                           Thanks for your help,
                                                                                                       Paula Driscoll

Snowshoeing Fun!

It was a glorious day to snowshoe!

After we got use to moving we played a predator/prey game.

Some of us were foxes, some were mice or voles traveling around a pre-made track.

 We ended the day with hot cocoa back in the classroom. We used this afternoon as our reward for winning the Winter Box Top challenge.

Fox photos by Jenn Shatney, the inspiration for our game.

  

Jenn arranged for the purchase of the snowshoes and skis through 

 West Fairlee's Sheldon-Miller fund.

We Loved "We love to Read" week!

PJ and stuffy day was our highlight of the week!

We participated in a Dr. Seuss Scavenger hunt by finding elements of his style; funny rhymes, made up words and silly characters.

Students also enjoyed ten minutes of Rock and Read!

We ended the week with an opportunity to shop for new books!

A Reader's lunch celebration was held for the nine students who participated in the Winter Vacation Reading Challenge.

Money, Telling Time & Typing Challenge

Taking the typing challenge by not looking at the keys isn't that easy!

 Clock Concentration: The object of the game is to match an
analog clock face card with the digital time card.

Coin Top It:  Player with the highest value of coins gets both cards.

Telling time and finding the values of coins are important skill we work on in second grade. Using the ST math link on this blog is one way kids can practice at home and the Dance Mat Typing link is what we use in class.

We honor Dr. Seuss with I Love to Read week.  We are looking forward to celebrating the joy of reading! The Seussville link has stories and activities for kids to enjoy. 

Snow Bot Olympics!

In anticipation of the start of the Olympic Games, we had our own Snow Bot Olympics.
Second graders had to work in groups to program their Snow Bot to compete in three events: slalom, giant slalom and snow cross. These Olympic Games challenged us with the need to accurately measure how many forward commands were needed before programming the Bots to maneuver around cones and to turn in the right direction.  This was a great way to use our programming skills in a fun competitive way. The final snow cross event ended with a big Bot pileup before the first turn. Everyone showed growth in programming skills and had fun at the same time!  Thanks to Mrs. Martino for helping us with our first Snow Bot Olympics!

Planning the Course

Go Teams!

Ready, Set, Go!

One more turn to win!

Bee Bots and Working and Learning Together

We've spent two weeks exploring programming with Bee Bots. Groups are working on a variety of challenges to move their Bot. 

First we used arrow cards with directions to decide how to program the Bot to travel in a square.

Then we made our own maze and drew out our program.

We are fortunate to have Dartmouth students join us!

This Bot had to stay on the taped track to maneuver over a crack in the floor before it made it to the finish line!

This week we worked together in literacy groups to retell Native American legends of the Plains Indians as they were retold by Tomie DePaola. We charted story elements and used a Venn diagram to compare the main character.

In math we used a "foot" to measure items in our classroom as a "kick off " to a new unit on measurement. 

It's great to see how well we work and share with each other!