April 3, 2018

In the room:

This month we’ve started reading about and doing activities centered around Greek mythology.  The first part of this unit we talked about the story of Clytie.  While reading the story Clytie: The Sunflower Maiden out loud to the students, they were asked to take notes about the story and to draw the images that were coming to their minds regarding the story of Clytie.  The next part of this activity was for each of the students to plant a sunflower seed.  The last step was for each of the students to create a sunflower journal.  These journals would be used to document the growth of their sunflowers, as well as for them to write notes, poems or draw the pictures from the story. 

Other art activities we did this month:

●     Paint night

●     Keychains with gimp

●     God’s eye yarn craft

●     Wind chimes

●     Origami boats

Play Time: 

Due to the weather this month, the second grade group has spent quite a lot of time in the gym.  This month we introduced a new game called I Don’t Know What Team I’m On dodgeball.  This game is similar to regular dodgeball except players are constantly switching back-and forth from team to team in the same game.  Any time a player is hit with a ball by someone on the opposing team or if a player catches the ball that was thrown at them by an opponent, the player must switch to the other team.  The game eventually ends when every player is on the same side. This game is great because unlike other dodgeball types of games this requires that the group works together towards a common goal.  The students really seemed to enjoy this game because not only do they.

Other gym activities:

●     Doctor dodge

●     Double dodge

●     Memory dodge

Mentors:

This month the second graders met with their mentors and made paper Koi fish.  They made their Koi fish using ang pao (Chinese New Year envelopes).  Each student used two of the envelopes to create their fish.  Using a template, the second graders were able to trace the different parts of the fish, cut them out and then glue everything together. 

Reminders:

●     Early release days start up again in April.  The dates are: April 4th, April 10th, April 25th and May 1st.  The  students will be coming to LEDP after dismissal on those days at 12:40pm. 

●     Due to the recent time change and the fact that the weather will (hopefully) start to improve, we will be going back to our original daily schedule.  We’ve slowly started to begin having snack before we go outside on the days that the weather is nice.  Please continue to check the whiteboard outside of our LEDP room for our location. 

Important Dates:

●     There is no school the week of Monday, April 16th - Friday, April 20th; however there will be vacation care during that week from Tuesday, April 17th - Friday, April 20th.  The forms to sign-up have already been sent out via email and are also available right outside the LEDP office in an envelope on the wall.  Please sign the permission slip attached and return to LEDP and remember to keep one copy for your own information.

●     LEDP will be closed Monday, April 16th, in observance of Patriots’ Day.

●     LEDP will reopen after April break on Monday, April 23, 2018. 

April 3, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 6, 2018

Though it was short, the second graders had a busy yet fun month of February! 

In the room:

In February, one of our projects was making DIY crystals.  To make the crystals we needed pipe cleaners, borax, hot water, plastic containers, and pencils.  Each of the students picked the colors of the pipe cleaners that they wanted and were then instructed to shape the pipe cleaner(s) however they wanted.  Once the pipe cleaner was complete the second graders wrapped part of the pipe cleaner around a pencil.  The second part of the project was completed by a teacher.  Hot water was placed into the plastic container making sure there was enough water to completely cover the pipe cleaners once they were added.  The borax was then added to the hot water and mixed in until it dissolved.  Using the pencil to hold it up, the pipe cleaner was put into the borax/hot water mixture making sure that the pipe cleaner didn’t touch the sides of the container.  After about 24 hours the crystallized pipe cleaners were formed.  It was awesome to see all of the students’ finalized crystals!

We finished the month off with a super fun and exciting activity.  Tatianna led the group with a Paint Night type of activity.  Each student was given a small canvas, the necessary colors of acrylic paint, and paintbrushes.  A sample of the finished product was put on display so that the students would know what it is that they’re attempting to recreate.  By leading the group, Tatianna broke down the process step-by-step to make it as easy as possible for the students to follow.  It was exciting to see how everyone’s finished product came out!  Please be on the lookout for those to be on display in the near future. 

Other art activities we did this month:

●     Make your own valentines

●     Finished Harry Potter

●     Stress balls

●     Ice cream party

Play Time:

This month we played a new gym with our mentors called Protect the Castle.  Seven cones are set up in the middle of the gym and five second graders are chosen to act as guards.  The object of the game is for the guards to surround the cones and try to protect them from falling down.  The job of the rest of the second graders is to try and knock the cones down using dodgeballs.  There are multiple rounds so that each of the second graders gets a chance to have a turn as one of the guards.  If at least one of the cones is still standing at the end of a round then the guards win, if all of the cones are knocked down then the other group wins. 

Other gym activities:

●     Bouncy basketball

●     Doctor dodge

●     Double dodge

●     Memory dodge

Important Dates:

●     There is no school on Friday, March 30, 2018 because of Good Friday.  There will, however, be vacation care that day.  The forms to sign-up will be sent out via email so please be on the lookout for those. 

March 6, 2018