Mrs. Barbas’s Weblog

As of today, school is officially over, even for teachers!  Pleasantville doesn’t look like itself, as work has begun to install air conditioning - HOORAY!!  It has been a pleasure working with all of my boys and girls and their families this year.  I wish you all a safe and happy summer, and the best of everything for next school year.  Check back here for updates during the summer, and you can always access our weblog to link to your favorite websites.  See you in August!!

Our class hosted a special guest this week.  Mrs. Francke, a master gardner form the University of Delaware, came to teach us about composting.  She gave a presentation to the whole second grade, to go along with our Science unit on Soil.  The students learned that composting is a way to recycle, and why recycling is important.  Then she brought her “worm box” to each classroom.  The students got a chance to see up close, and get some hands-on experience with the compost pile.  Ask your student to tell you what organic material he or she can identify in the photos.

Students in Room 26 watched as history was made.  We gathered around the television after lunch to watch as Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president.  As you can see, the students were very intent, some even bowing their heads at the opening prayer, and sending up a cheer as President Obama finished taking the oath of office.  We continued working on “inauguration” activities during the afternoon.  It was quite a day of celebration!           

On Monday, January 12, a Smart Board was installed in our classroom.  It is an interactive whiteboard that we immediately started using to make our learning SOO much more fun!  We can touch and move things on the Smart Board, we can write on it with electronic pens, and that’s only the beginning.  Be sure to check it out at our upcoming parent-teacher conferences later this month!

Congratulations, parents!  For the first time in my teaching career of ten years, I had a parent-teacher conference for EVERY student in my class.  I want to thank each one of you for taking the time to talk with me about your child’s education.  Your support and dedication are sending a clear message to your child that you value education and are expecting hard work and success from him or her in school.  That is an amazing gift to bestow upon your child, and in turn, me as well.  Thank you again, and I look forward to seeing you all again in January!

 The life cycle rolls on…our butterflies have laid eggs and we can expect more caterpillars early this week!  More and more of our mealworms are moving into their pupa stage, which means they will soon be Darkling beetles.  There are still a few more insects the students will be introduced to during this week.  Each insect has a unique life cycle.  We will discover the differences and their similarities by watching each insect grow.  Here is a link that has more information on our insects.  This website will give you a great deal of information about the insects your student will be working with!  If you’d like to try talking to your students about their school insects, here’s the information they’re learning.  They’ll love to share it with you!

http://lawrencehallofscience.org/foss/fossweb/teachers/materials/plantanimal/tenebriobeetles.html

Room 26 had a very exciting day today.  When we first arrived at school, we noticed that one of our butterflies had emerged from its chrysalis.  The students were very interested to see what would happen next.  Then during our math class, we got to watch another butterfly while it was emerging - a first for al of us!  By the time we went out to recess at 10:55, we had four butterflies.  If you are interested in finding out more about them, they are Painted Lady butterflies.  Here is a great website with more info :http://www.earthsbirthday.org/butterflies/bflys/activitykit/2.html

   Our butterfly emerges!

A big “thank you” goes out to all the parents who took time out to attend our open house.  We really appreciate your support.

For those who were unable to be there, our class handbook will come home with your child.  Please review it and be sure to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.  This Friday (September 19), I will begin sending home a weekly chart to inform you about how you child is doing with “learning behaviors” in the classroom.  The chart will rate behaviors like follows directions, completes class work, and shows respect for others. Please sign the chart and have your student return it to school the following Monday.  Thanks!

Check out these photos of our students hard at work.  This past week students worked through two new math activities that helped build counting skills. They were “Cover and Count” and “Building Cube Things.”  As you can see, the students were hard at work with the math materials.  At the same time, they were practicing the class rules they have created, and working to take care of each other and our room.  Bravo, second graders!

We would like to welcome Ms. Elana Marks to our classroom.  She will be our student teacher until mid-October.  She will be gradually assuming more and more responsibility for teaching the children.  We are working very closely to ensure that she has the most productive and beneficial experience possible.  We hope all of you will be here for Open House to meet her.

During the fist three days of school, Ms. Marks, the students and I were very busy learning the routines and procedures that will keep our room in order for the whole year.  We have begun our daily Morning Meetings, reviewed hallway and playground expectations, and begun exploring math materials.  This coming week, we will start our first unit in math and the first theme in our new reading series.  The students will begin using their planners to copy homework assignments, which will begin coming home on Monday, August 25.  Please sign your student’s planner each night, and check it for notes and messages from Ms. Marks and I.    More information about homework and curriculum will be given at Open House on September 16.  We look forward to meeting you all there!