Our GeoJourneys

Hi Room 203 families,

Check out our new GeoJourneys digital map with pins of all the places we've traveled via Skype and GoogleEarth. This map will continue to be updated throughout the year. If you hover over a pin you will see a picture and description of the location.



Have a great weekend,

Garden Math

Hi Room 203 families,

This week our class received a special "letter" from the White House asking for us to help design new garden beds. The garden beds could be designed in many different ways but each bed had to be partitioned into four equal shares (the president just so happened to know that we are currently studying fractions.) Students finished their designs and I'm so impressed! 

Don't forget, tomorrow is an early release day and there is no school this Friday! An email will be sent out soon with a class list for Valentines. 

Thank you so much for all you do,

Ms. Wertheim 

100 Days Smarter

Hi Room 203 families,

Today was the 100th day of school! I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by. ALL costumes today were incredible. See the photo below of a few  of our 100-year-old second graders.

Have a great evening,

Ms. Wertheim 

Taylor Swift could be coming to Claxton!

Just kidding. But it's not completely out of the question. 

If Taylor Swift sees our new remix to Shake it Off, she'll want to come meet these superstars. For the past two weeks our class has been practicing a new reading song which is an upbeat remix to the catchy hit. 

Rather than "shake it off, shake it off," they sing "read every day, every day." Rather than "I keep cruising, can't stop, won't stop moving. It's like I've got this music in my mind saying it's gonna be alright" they sing "I keep choosing, can't stop, won't stop scooping. It's like I've got Mama Echo in my mind saying 'Hey! You're really bright!'" I am SO proud of all my students! They absolutely rocked it! 

Our class is going to invite Taylor herself to perform the song with them at the Claxton variety show this spring. I can see how it would seem absurd to invite a famous singer but Taylor Swift has a reputation of surprising people in amazing, unexpected ways. She would be impressed with the talent of our kiddos! So it's worth a shot to at least invite her. ;) 

Click here to watch the full video which includes lyrics:  http://youtu.be/rN0F0d1FSQY 

I promise it will be worth 2 minutes of your time! 

Happy Saturday,

Ms. Wertheim 

 

Weather Wonderings

Hi Room 203 families,

Our class had a lot of fun working on their informative science papers this week! They researched a weather topic of their choice and took notes. I am so proud of each and every one of them! Next week they will create digital posters on their topic using a program called Board Builder, which is part of Discovery Education! Don't forget, students can access Discovery Ed from home anytime they'd like to independently explore science and social studies topics. Our class username is Wertheim and the password is Claxton. 

Also, you may have heard your child talk about the music video we made for Reading! We filmed the video today and it will be posted on my blog and Claxton AM News next week! Stay tuned! 

Upcoming event: Next Tuesday, February 3 is the 100th day of school! To help celebrate this fun day students are invited to dress up like they are 100 years old! Wigs, glasses and props will be allowed in the classroom as long as learning is not interrupted ;) Need a tip for gray hair without a wig? Try baby powder! That's what I'll be doing. I can't wait to see everyone's outfits! 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Ms. Wertheim 

Sound All Around: Day 1 of Dr. Bob's Sound School

Hi Room 203 families,

Today we did our first Sound School lesson! Sound School was developed by the Bob Moog Foundation and teaches kids the science of sound through a series of hands-on explorations. 

Today we studied Bob Moog's science notebook and talked about why observation notes are so important. Then students experimented with different types of instruments and made observations about similarities and differences among the instruments. They had a blast! 

Stay turned to see many more awesome Sound School lessons! 

Have a great night,

Ms. Wertheim

Fun with Daily Five

Hi Room 203 families,

As you know, students have been working on building stamina in all areas of Daily Five during our literacy block. Now they are experts and continue to rock! I am incredibly proud of the independence and responsibility they've shown, but more importantly I love to see their motivation and excitement for learning! 

It's all about that CHOICE. Providing them with choice has made them more empowered, accountable, and enthusiastic about reading and writing. See some of our Daily 5 activities in action: 

Listen to Reading and Work on Writing

Science Center on Discovery Education 

Read to Self 

Word Work 

Way to go, 2nd graders! 

Have a great night,

Ms. Wertheim