Monday, May 14, 2012

Hello Parents & Students!

     Can you believe that Memorial Day is in EXACTLY TWO WEEKS!  It seems like the end of the year is upon us!  However, there is still so much more to do!  This week we are wrapping up our research on our Famous Americans.  By the end of the week your child should have a brightly colored (large) index card with their finished speech.  I hope that your student will be able to memorize their speech and really make it pop.  They have worked so hard on this all I want if for them to have a little fun with it.  As I stated before, we will be sharing our speeches with the First Grade on May 30th & Kindergarten on May 31st before presenting it to you all the 31st of May.
     Last week, we finished reading We Can't All Be Rattlesnakes which was a comical story told from the perspective of a captive Gopher Snake.  Your student was asked to explain many higher level concepts such as "Is it better to be a Gopher Snake in the wild or captive?" and "Do you think that animals from different species can really coexist?"  I was floored by some of the creative and unexpected answers I received such as "It's better to be free in the wild than have everything you need and be a pet.  Having someone make all the decisions for you isn't fun especially if you were born free,"  I also thought it was interesting how several students supported their answer for the question regarding different species based on interactions that they have had with their pets such as dogs/cats living in harmony.  That is one thing I love about the new core curriculum, it makes you asks questions that you may think students will have difficulty with but then you see how observant kids really are realize how much they already know.
     This week and next week we are reading Tuck Everlasting as our read aloud book.  In it, we will examine how the characters and community of TreeGap have changed and haven't through the course of the book.  Then, we'll examine a little closer some of the ways that Raleigh has changed.  I'm hoping that we'll be able to fit in a Venn Diagram or two and explore a few higher level thinking questions too.  Be prepared for some interesting  questions and comments around the dinner table.  Please be sure to sign off on the back of the sheet each night so that your child gets credit.  Remember, you child only has to record one answer in writing on the back.
    Our Math extension groups have wrapped for the year.  During the rest of the year all of the Harvey's Heroes will be back in the saddle in my room.  We will continue to explore fractions, word problems, and problem solving strategies so that your child will be a strong student next year.  The 4th Quarter Math Assessment will be coming up next week (before the Memorial Day Weekend).  That way once we're back I'll be able to remediate and extend all the students who need it. 
     That is about all that I have to say.  If you have any questions then please feel free to email me or contact me at school.  As always, I can be reached at Gharvey@wcpss.net.  Have a terrific week and be sure to turn in those IMax movie forms.  They cannot be accepted after Friday, May 18th.
**Don't Forget***

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Monday, May 7, 2012

May 7th-11th

Hello Parents & Students,

     I hope that everyone had a terrific Cinco de Mayo!  Your child should have reminded you of a few reasons that this holiday is celebrated (think Battle of Puebla).  Just like last week, we will be revved up to cover a lot of information in only a little bit of time.  We've only got another 22 days of school left but there is still several assessments that must be done as well as Muffins for Mom (this Friday @ 8:45am in the courtyard).  Electives are winding up and will conclude on May 24th!  Please also stay tuned for announcements about FIeld Day which is slated to be on Tuesday, May 29th. 

Reading/Writing-We are working on our research projects this week and all of next week.  Our finished projects have to be completed by May 29th so that we are ready for our Wax Museum Test Runs!  We will be presenting our Wax Museum for First Grade on May 30th & Kindergarten on May 31st.  The "Tour de Force" presentation will be on Friday, June 1st.  This alligns with our curriculum in that your child is reading a variety of literary sources and generating a report in their own words. 

Math-We have wrapped up our Mini-Unit on 3-D shapes and Measurement and now we are on to Fractions!  The most common fractions that students see in 2nd grade are 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, as well as 2/3, 3/3, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.  In the next two weeks I will be helping your child to see the relationships between the numerator/denominator of the fractions as well as solve word problems involving fractions.  It is vital that your child have a firm foundation of these skills so that they are able to thrive next year.  Some of the students will be exposed to LCD (least common demoniator) as a problem solving strategy.  This skill can be difficult if your child does not have a firm number sense (what numbers add up to, how they relate to each other) so please be sure to practice this at night!

Science-Do you hear sobs?  Perhaps sniffles, and the cascading of tears falling on the hot pavement outside?  If you do...it's because we have wrapped up our Unit on Sound.  We played with cork-board guitars, examined pitch through creating pan flutes, how wind creates sound using wind-chimes & poppers, as well as many other fun and creative labs.  However, the time is now up and we are moving onward to Social Studies again/  However, don't cry to hard...there will be a few science experiments (easy ones I promise) coming home over the next few weeks and during the summer to help keep your son/daughters' skills sharp.

Social Studies-We are beginning to look at communities across various regions of America and the globe.  Your child should be able to identify and describe people, vegetation, and animal life that is specific to certain regions around the world as well as be able to explain how their are interconnected.   Local and World news has a variety of nonfiction articles about communities around the world.  Please consider reading some of these with your child so that they are a. exposed to various cultures b. can build their schema c. be exposed to NonFiction text. 

Etc, etc...
     *North American Market was today and it was great!  I hope that your child tells you all about the deals they found and what they learned.  There were many great bargains and it was exciting to see all the entrepenurs around Hunter. 
     *Elective end on the 16th!  However, Orchestra kids...please keep playing those instruments over the summer...practice makes perfect:)
     *Dads, Mother's Day is THIS SUNDAY.  I've told your student to remind you. 
     *ArtPlosure is next Saturday in Moore Square.  It is a great time where kids can see local artists, create items, and see the huge sandsculpture that is created every year in Moore Square.  It's free so mark it on your calendar!  Here's the link: 
                                 http://www.artsplosure.org/artsplosure2012/index.html 
     **Lego is also having a thing at the NR Hilton (on Wake Forest Rd).  This event is not free but you can find more information about it at http://events.triangle.com/raleigh_nc/events/show/248388544-help-lego-builder-dan-parker-build-a-6foot-wide-lego-deathstar-see-a-huge-hall-filled-with-custom-lego-creations-see-top-secr 


                    Have a terrific week!

                                           Mr. H
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