Second graders had fun discussing hair in the Jackson Library after reading the Bluebonnet book, Crown. We discussed the vocabulary and main ideas in the story; from the history of the do-rag/durag to the theme of confidence. Then we discussed confidence and what that has to do with getting a haircut. Some kids created hair-dos using Toca Hair Salon during check out.
First and second graders had fun on Digital Learning Day today in the Jackson Library! They used a new app to play a spelling game called Catchy Words. They have to find the letters in augmented reality, ‘catch’ them with an iPad, and place the letters in boxes to spell a mystery word. We watched Kirsten Hood‘s video to see how to do it. Fun!
Before the break second graders came to the Jackson Library to learn more about context clues. They used the words and pictures in The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck to determine the meaning of unknown words. At the computer station, the kids learned more about the parts of a fire truck on Sparky‘s site and we listened to videos and songs which reminded us how to call 911 and to get outside if there is a fire.
This week in the Jackson Library, second grade had fun with Aloo-ki and the Three Snow Bears. The Three Snow Bears is a Goldilocks and the Three Bears variant by Jan Brett. The kids found the story elements at the pocket chart, watched the story on video, and created their own snow bear puppet this week.
Did you know? QuiverMasks added new masks this year! Now there is a dog, cat, monkey, unicorn, and lion! Cute! After reading Lemke’s Book o’ Masksand Book o’ Beards, the second graders explored QuiverMasks.
Last week in the Jackson Library, second grade learned about compound words. After reading Walton’s Once I Was a Bull…Frog book, the kids came up to the poster to match the second half of the word to the first. It helped to put the picture of the compound word on the second half. (ESL modification) At the tables, they created compound words with plastic egg halves. This part of the lesson is from The Lesson Plan Diva. I gave each group the same words written on plastic Easter egg halves and when the timer started, they had to put them together to create compound words. The first two winning groups to put all of their eggs together correctly received graphic novel/magazine passes. Check out the video of the kids at work!
Last week in the Jackson Library, second graders learned about the differences between fiction books and nonfiction books. We used Shannon Miller‘s Cantada series Fiction or Nonfiction ? book and listened to the song. Then the kids practiced categorizing different magnetic mini book covers using the dry erase easel. At the tables, the kids cut and categorized different book titles. Learning about different types of books is fun!
I had second grade predict what the rabbit and mouse would do when the threatening birds approached in the gorgeous book, If You Plant a Seed. They are happily munching away on the fruits and vegetables from their garden when the birds approach with menacing looks. Among the ‘hide your fruits and vegetables’ and ‘hurry and eat them’, a couple of kids thought of the idea to share them. We discussed the power of a kind deed and brainstormed ways they could show an act of kindness before they left school that day. I gave them the maple seed model pattern and they were to write an act of kindness on that seed and then they let the seeds float up and away. Hopefully, it gave them something to think about as they ended their day in the library.