Hello parents and guardians!
Dress Code Reminder: Just a reminder that per the Family Handbooks, "Boys and girls are permitted to wear one watch. This may not be a smart watch. Bracelets, rings, and necklaces are not permitted unless for religious reasons." Thank you for your help with ensuring that special accessory items are left at home and students are in dress code. The purpose for the dress code is to help students focus on their academic pursuits; certain smart watches have become distractions for students and those around them. Thank you!
Great Hearts Day:
Great Hearts Day is just around the corner! On February 14th, we will be celebrating each other’s virtues. Our 2nd Grade Great Hearts Celebration will be from 12:00pm – 1:10pm. Please do not send store bought cards or candy. All store- bought cards and candy will be sent home with your child that day. It would really dampen our spirits to have to disappoint a child in this way. We have other fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate the day. Rather than focusing on goodies and merchandise, each student will focus on their minds, bodies, and hearts.
The students will write a friendly letter and deliver their Great- Hearted cards via a reenactment of the Pony Express. Students will learn to work together as we learn to Square Dance after reading about the dance at Grandpa's in the book, Little House in the Big Woods. We will also celebrate Arizona's birthday with a fun craft. We are still looking for a few more stick horses (such as this item: https://www.amazon.com/PonyLand-Brown-Horse-Stick-Sound/dp/B07BBTJKZR/ref=sr_1_4?crid=Z9WE5IWKGZ6M&keywords=horse+stick&qid=1643399967&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=horse+stick%2Ctoys-and-games%2C186&sr=1-4). If you have one that you would like to send in for our Pony Express reenactment, please email your homeroom teacher. Thank you!
Important Dates:
Feb. 4: Half Day; Teacher In-Service
Feb. 7: The Preamble Recitation
Feb. 11: Half Day
Feb 21: No School; President’s Day
Conversation Prompts:
What do cells group together to form? (Cells group together to form tissue.)
What was Christmas in the Big Woods like? (The Ingalls had their relatives over, they made snow pictures, heard a story, Pa played the fiddle, they opened presents, Laura received a rag doll, they ate pancakes.)
What is one cause of the War of 1812? (The impressment of American sailors was one of the causes of the War of 1812. Another was the British aid of Native Americans groups such as leader, Tecumseh. Lastly, the War Hawks convinced many Americans to go to war.)
Academics:
Math
Literature
This week students will read about Laura’s life and what she may and may not do on Sundays. Pa helps her understand by telling her a funny story about Grandpa and his sled. The weather warms but then cools and Laura learns about sugar snow. To celebrate the abundance of maple syrup Grandpa hosts a dance!
Grammar
We will continue to work on memorization of the Preamble, with recitations being due Monday, 2/7. Narration and Dictation Exercises will continue with excerpts from Nurse Mathilda. Students will also learn how to write a thank you letter and address an envelope.
History
This week we discussed the causes of the War of 1812. Next week, we will discuss key
individuals, such as James and Dolley Madison. We will also learn about the National Anthem and an important military vessel, "Old Ironsides."
Science
Next week, we will learn about the digestive system. Students will see via an experiment that our
teeth break down food along with saliva before our tongue pushes the food down. We will discover what happens when the food arrives in our stomach
and the role of the liver and pancreas.
