Four Winds: Animal Defenses

This month in Four Winds, we learned about a variety of animal defenses, such as camouflage, disruptive coloration, countershading, and warning coloration.  We watched a fun puppet show and also saw an interesting slide show with great examples of the different defenses.

We participated in exciting indoor and outdoor activities.  We cut out shapes and tried hide them on a wrapping paper background.  Using our fingers as beaks, we picked up different colored rubber bands on a background that matched one of the colors.  Then, we counted how many bands of each color we picked up and noticed which colors were easier or harder to see.  We also participated in a scavenger hunt, in which we had to find various objects.  Some were very challenging to find!  It was also fun to make creatures with pipe cleaners and tissue paper that we could hide in our classroom when we returned.

Thanks again to our amazing Four Winds volunteers, Amanda, Michelle, and Flor!

Construction Tour

On the Wednesday before vacation, Mrs. Lyford brought us on a tour of the construction zone.  We saw some of the latest work being done, such as the new skylight and the green paint in the new cafeteria.  Thank you, Mrs. Lyford!  We hope to go on another tour soon!

Discovery: States of Matter

We have been learning about the states of matter during Discovery time..  We have been finding out new information about solids, liquids, and gases.  We have also been connecting this to our previous study of the water cycle during our weather unit.

Students did a great job moving like water atoms during a recent movement activity.  They found out what happens to water as heat is added or taken away.  We are also working on states of matter posters that include lots of examples of each state.

We used our great observation and science thinking skills during a Colorful Water demonstration. During this experiment, we wanted to see what would happen when we added food coloring tablets to three jars of water.  The variable (the part that changes) in this experiment was the temperature of the water.  Ask your child what the controls (the parts that stayed the same) were in this experiment. Also, find out what happened as we added the tablets to each jar.  We tried this experiment twice, first with blue and red tablets and the second time with blue and yellow.  I was impressed with the observations and ideas that students expressed in our discussion.

Classroom News

It was wonderful to meet with families during our recent conferences to discuss your child's progress!  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk again before the end of the school year.

April Homework Packets were sent home this week.  They are due back on Friday, May 9th. 

Our construction site tour is scheduled for next Wednesday.  Mrs. Lyford will be taking us into the "construction zone" for a visit at the end of our lunch time.

There will not be a newsletter next week.  I hope that everyone has a fun and relaxing vacation!

Four Winds: Nests

It finally started to feel like spring today.  What a wonderful way to celebrate...with a lesson about bird nests!  We watched a puppet show, examined bird nests, saw a slide show, and went outside to build our own nests with our partners.  Thanks again to our fantastic Four Winds volunteers!

Reminders

Just a few quick reminders:

Parent/Teacher Conference Day is tomorrow, Friday, April 4th.  (There is no school for students.)

Homework Packets were due today, Thursday, April 3rd.  New packets will be sent home next week.

Lunch forms are due back by Thursday, April 10th to order lunch for the following week.

Please remind your child to come to school with outdoor clothing for recess.  Students often get soaked at recess in the early spring, so an extra set of clothing may also be helpful to keep in backpacks.  Also, students are welcome to bring in water bottles that they can keep at their tables and bring to P.E. class.

Second Grade Math: Birthday Month Data

The second grade math classes have continue to work together to represent and analyze the birthday month data that they collected last week.  Each group surveyed a different class and collected data to share with our whole group by creating a bar graph or line plot.  

This project also requires second graders to use good problem solving skills as they work with their partners.  It has been exciting to see students sharing of ideas and responsibilities!