Week 28

 Weekly Greetings!

Last week we completed the Science unit on "Changes", and the students focused on the chemical process of capturing gas in a bag using an Alka-Seltzer tablet and water. They have really enjoyed the experiments in this unit and working in small groups, as you can see from the photos to follow.

 Though Lorraine Titus was out of town on Tuesday, the class still practiced using the language she has been teaching them. The group has really embraced many words and phrases, and a couple of the students are always willing to step up to lead in Lorraine's absence.

 Toward the end of the week, there was some time to do some additional enrichment and craft activities.

We also started on a duck stamp picture for the yearly Junior Duck Stamp contest.  This year the students are drawing a Pintail duck. There are a couple weeks before the pictures need to be submitted, but I am sending the permission slips home this week to make sure I can get them back before Spring Break. Please look for it with your child's homework.

Another upcoming event is the Battle of the Books competition in Tok on March 9. The students have been reading books, and preparing for the few months. I hope to finalize the details this week, so be looking for that permissions slip soon.

Lastly, I am sending home more book order forms and will need them turned back in before Spring Break if you would like to get books for your child.

Have a fantastic week!

Kind Regards,
Julie Brown

Week 27

Weekly Greetings!

The weeks are flying by! We are just three full weeks away from the end of the third quarter and Spring Break! Let me share a few highlights from last week that consist of the Instant Challenge the students participated on Tuesday, hands-on Science activities, and Show and Tell on Friday.

The Instant Challenge this month was created by the Baranov Museum in Kodiak. The students were challenged to find details to interpret information from historical photos. This activity helped to develop their visual literacy.

After working in groups to study and write down observations, the students shared with other students from around the state. They found lots of interesting things in the photos, and enjoyed sharing their discoveries with the other classes.

 In Science, the students did experiments to see what happened to baking soda (a solid) when put in water and vinegar. The two liquids had differing effects on the baking soda. First they mixed the solid in water, and found that it just dissolved the baking soda.

 Next, they put the baking soda into the vinegar and watched as it changed into a gas.

Show and Tell is always fun, though only a couple of students remembered to bring something to share...

The class always seems to listen carefully, and have gotten very good at asking questions.

This will be the last week of our Science unit on "Changes". We will also start to put in more time practicing questions for the Battle of the Books that will take place in Tok on March 9th, in addition to our regular math, reading, and writing endeavors.

Have a wonderful week!

Kind Regards,

Julie Brown

Week 26

Weekly Greetings!

Before I share some highlights from last week, let me make sure you know that we have our late start on Wednesday for the month of February. Your child will come to school one hour later, so that there can be our monthly all staff meeting that day. Also, there will be "Show and Tell" this Friday.

As for some fun moments from last week, the students enjoyed separating two liquids in Science through the "Changes" unit we have been studying. In the pictures to follow, the class put a black dot on a coffee filter using a marker, and then added drops of water.  They were surprised to watch the colors separate using the water.

They were also able to complete a watercolor picture for the US Fish and Wild Life Migratory Bird calendar competition for 2017. This is the first year that it has been open to schools in this area.

Probably the biggest highlight from the week was the Valentine's Day activities and party on Thursday. In addition to sharing Valentine's with each other, and eating lots of goodies, they graphed candy hearts and had a special word search with all their names on it that a friend of mine made for them

Please remember to help your child bring all their winter gear each day. If it stays warm, we will be going outside for recess in the afternoon.

Have a great week!

Kind Regards,

Julie Brown

Week 25

Weekly Greetings!

It was a wonderful week that started off with the 2nd quarter awards on Monday afternoon. A number of students from our class were recognized in a variety of areas.  The photos to follow are the students that had perfect attendance.

Two second grade students received "Excellent" in all areas.

 A few students from our class were drawn for the 100% on a test drawing, though most all of the students from the class had a few tickets in the drawing.

I also like to acknowledge the students from my class that completed all the assigned homework for the quarter. They are pictured below.

 In closing the ceremony, the "Student of the Month" award was given to Kayann Thomas. The whole staff working in the school votes each month for an outstanding student, and Kayann was well deserving of this honor.

 On Friday, it was the 100th day of school, and a reason to celebrate. We started the day by dressing for the occasion with special glasses.

 Then the class went on a treasure hunt to find 100 Chocolate Kisses that were hidden, and placed them on the 100 chart.

 They also worked in class groups to make 100 day trains using objects of similar sizes.

 Even though the objects seemed about the same size, there was more of a difference than anyone expected.

 After a brief break for recess and the councilor's visit, the class was divided into two groups and worked to build toilet roll castles to defend. Each group had 50 rolls, and 50 sheets of paper to crumple for a battle. Everyone was aware that 50 and 50 made a total of 100 for each prop.

 Both groups picked two "defenders" of their castles who used cardboard box tops to stop the paper balls,  while the others were warriors. When all the paper balls had been thrown, we decided which group had the strongest castle.

 Just before leaving for lunch, the groups worked together to complete a 100 piece puzzle.

After lunch, everyone watched a movie and they ate the 100 day trail mix using snack items that were brought in to class. While watching the movie, some students worked a 100 day beaded necklace to remember the day.

Please note that there will not be any school on Friday due to teacher in-servicing in Tok, so we will have our Valentine's Day party on Thursday afternoon. I will send a class list home with Monday's homework if your child would like to give Valentine cards to students in our class. Also, please send in a special treat with your child to share at the party.

Thank you and have a lovely week!

Kind Regards,
Julie Brown