What a busy December we've had - our Social Studies unit on economics was fun-filled and we learned all about wages, goods, and supply and demand. After the students viewed all the crafts they could work on during Winter Workshop, they filled out an application stating why they would be good employees for that particular "job". The children were then given their assigned "jobs" and worked on them for four forty five minute sessions. Some students went to different second grade classes, some stayed in their own class depending on their job assignment. After all the goods were produced we learned about supply and demand and different ways to allocate goods. The culminating activity was "market day". The children used their wages to purchase items created by the second grade classes. Either you have seen some of the crafts or your child is waiting to show you "when the time is right"! It was a great hands-on educational experience for the children. We will further our study of economics in the spring. We've worked on telling time and counting money in math and attended a hands-on lesson about forces in motion with "Nana Nature" from our science curriculum. In health we've learned about medicines and drugs and how to make good choices. Our holiday party was so much fun and the children created beautiful painted snowmen as well as snowmen made of donuts to eat! A snowman bean bag toss and beaded snowflake project also kept the children happy! We really have been busy this month!
Special thanks to:
- all who sent in contributions for "Caring and Sharing" for our cutodians, lunchroom staff, and clinic nurse.
- Evan's mom for being our "Mystery Reader" on December 4.
- Grant's mom and dad for being our "Mystery Readers" on December 11.
- Rachel's dad for being our "Mystery Reader" today.
- Elizabeth's mom for sending in chocolate covered strawberries at the end of Elizabeth's week of being "Child of the Week".
- Parkers' mom and Kellie's mom for helping out and sharing an art and music lesson when I had my December Team Planning meeting.
- Samantha's mom and Brooke's mom for being "parent Volunteers" during my Team Planning Meeting in December.
- all who helped organize and work with the children during the holiday party Tuesday.
- all who sent in supplies for the party Tuesday.
- Ross' mom and A.J.'s mom for sharing time with the children so that I could attend the staff luncheon Wednesday.
We have voted on a new "Character Word of the Month" winner. Our word for this month is compassion. Michelle was voted the child most representing this word from our class and we are very proud of Michelle for winning this honor.
Special Requests:
- Please have your child check on any lost items in the LOST AND FOUND as unclaimed articles will be sent to charities over the winter break.
- Please be on the lookout for new pencils, red checking pens, and erasers over the break as we are in very low supply of these items.
- Please encourage your child to read over the break and to practice telling time and counting back change whenever the opportunity arises. ***Reading calendars will be due January 5.
- Please look for the flyer pertaining to CRCT practice in your child's behavior folder today. It contains the number you will need in order to log in and take advantage of the practice test questions available. I encourage you to visit this site as it allows your child the opportunity to practice and determine areas that may need reinforcemtent for this very important assessment.
Thank you all again for a wonderful holiday party and for all the generous and thoughtful gifts and gift cards. I sincerely appreciate your generosity. I hope you all have a relaxing and safe winter break and cherish the time with those you love most. I will miss your children, but do look forward to some extra time with my own children. Take care and as always, thanks for sharing your children with me.