Super Science

We had Super Science this morning. Thank you to Mrs. White who volunteered her time and came to teach us about surface tension. The students got to participate in a hands on experiment to discover what surface tension means. We love Super Science and have already asked when is the next experiment?

Second Grade Read-In

The Read-In was a HUGE success this afternoon. It was so fun to cuddle up and read our  very own books. We drank some hot cocoa and watched the Polar Express. We read many books to ourselves and with partners.  We owe a big thank you to Mrs. Nebel for helping pass out the hot cocoa. Happy reading to all and do not forget to read over winter break.

Hat Day

On Wednesday we had hat day at school. A bunch of 2B students participated  I had to take a picture of all the kids in their crazy, but fun hats.

Reminders

Just a few reminders that I need an emailed Slice of Life picture and a signed BYOT form back from each student before break begins!  Please let me know if you need a new BYOT form.  The email address for the Slice of Life pictures is brittany_bretz@ipsd.org.

Little D

http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids.php

Junk Food Party

Here are some pictures from a FUN junk food party....

Dr. Ricken

Today, Dr. Ricken re-visited our class to read to us the newest book by Patty Lovell - Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon.  He visited us as our first Mystery Reader this year to read the original Molly Lou book and promised to return when he got the new book.  The new book was great and had such a positive message!  Thanks again for coming, Dr. Ricken!

Read-In

On Thursday of next week, December 20, we are going to be having a Read-In. We are doing this to celebrate our accomplishments with completing all five parts of Daily 5. We asking that the students wear their pajamas, slippers, bring a stuffed animal, sleeping bag or blanket, and books from home to read. We will begin the Read-In at 2:00 and it will go until the end of the day!  The children are all very excited about the Read-In!

Spirit Week

Next week, December 17 - December 21, Student Council will be sponsoring a Spirit Week!

Monday: Sport Day - Wear your favorite team's colors, t-shirt, or jersey!
Tuesday: Favorite Color Day - Wear your favorite color!
Wednesday: Hat Day - Wear your favorite hat!
Thursday: Career Day - Dress as who you would be for the job you hope to have when you grow up!
Friday: Gator Gear Day - Wear Gator Gear or blue and green!

Junk Food Party

We have once again filled our marble jar. 2B is on a roll with this! We have voted once again for a JUNK FOOD PARTY!!! We will have it on Thursday afternoon. Please feel free to send in anything that is store bought. It is greatly appreciated.

Unit 4 Math Games

Addition
Subtraction
Addition Estimating
thermometer quiz
helipad hops

Slice of Life

Last week your student brought home a letter requesting a photo of them to be used during our Slice of Life writing project. A Slice of Life story is simply a small sliver of your ordinary life. It’s not the whole, but a slice. Therefore, we are asking that the photo of your child be an "action" shot. The picture should not be a picture in which your student is looking at the camera and smiling. An action photo of your child will allow your student an opportunity to write a more vivid story. 

 If possible, please EMAIL the picture to me at brittany_bretz@ipsd.org. If you are unable to email the photo, please send the hard copy with your student, and I will scan it and return it. Please send these photos in by Friday, December 21.

BYOT

Today your student brought home some exciting news about an exciting pilot program in which Second and Third graders will participate at Gombert.  The program is called BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology), and allows students to bring their own devices with Wi-Fi capabilities to school for use in instructional activities and lessons.  The letter in your child's backpack mail will explain the procedures, rules, and uses for the devices and you can have a conversation with your student about whether or not this is an appropriate program to participate in.

Regardless of whether or not your student has or plans to bring a device, the returned permission form must be signed.  All students in 2B must sign the form, because outside technology may be available for their use during the school day.  Device use will begin in the 3rd Quarter...on January 15.  I will send another reminder to your students when they need to begin bringing their devices.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I am SO excited for the possibilities that this program has for our 21st Century Classroom!

Operation: Share Good Cheer Service Project

Gombert students, along with their families, are asked to make and decorate a "cheery" card to brighten the holiday season of those seniors who are in local nursing Operation homes. The drop box is located in the LMC and all types of good wishes and pictures are welcome! The deadline is December 17th. Please see a student council member with questions about this project!

Place Value Games

Shark Numbers
Bear Catch
Place Value Penguin
Base Ten
Collect the Ducks

Harvest Party

We had a great time at our Harvest Party! We played Harvest BINGO and made a turkey out of different types of food. I would like to give a big thank you to Mrs. Baugh, Mrs. Nebel, Mrs. White, and Tony for helping out at the party.

Websites

In case you're looking for something to keep you busy while that Turkey cooks on Thursday, here are some fun websites to try!

Puzzles

Walking Turkey

Pilgrim-Indian

Random

Food Bounce

Guess the Turkey

Thanksgiving Match

Tic-Tac-Toe

Turkey Bowl

History of Thanksgiving

Fall Break

We will have school Monday and Tuesday of this week, but we will be off the rest of the week. Enjoy your time off!!!!

Gombert Holiday Shop

This year's Holiday Shop will be November 26th-28th from 9-3. Students will be able to shop throughout the day. More information to follow from the PTA.

Fall Harvest Party

2B will have their Fall Harvest Party on Tuesday, November 20 from 2:30-3:15.  We will be participating in many fun games and activities to celebrate the Fall Season!

Pajama Party

2B donated the most money for  Pennies for Pies, therefore we earned a pajama day. Kids can wear their pajamas tomorrow and bring one stuffed animal. Great Job 2B!!!!

Spelling

Since next week is a short week at school, we will skip spelling on both Monday and Tuesday.  We will resume our normal spelling routine on the Monday we return from Thanksgiving Break, November 26.  Enjoy the extra week to practice and learn your spelling patterns!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Anderson’s Bookshop plans big doings to celebrate The Third Wheel, Jeff Kinney’s newest book in the wildly popular Wimpy Kid series. On Friday, November 16, please come meet the #1 bestselling author at Still Middle School in Aurora. The event gets underway at 5:00 p.m. with The Wimpy Kid Experience, featuring a DJ, snacks, and photo opportunities with character standees. The author arrives for the booksigning portion of the event at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are available from Anderson’s Bookshop. To obtain your ticket, please purchase The Third Wheel from Anderson’s Bookshop. Each ticket includes a number to reserve your spot in the author’s signing line. Each child attending requires a book purchase. Parents get in for free.

Still Middle School students have an opportunity to attend the dance only. Please see your school Listserv for details

Heritage Dolls

Just a reminder that Heritage Dolls are due on Wednesday. If students are not finished on Wednesday, feel free to send them in sometime this week. I look forward to seeing what students have created!!!

Our Election

On Monday, we had our very own election in 2B. We read a magazine article about the two candidates and then voted for who we thought should be president. It was a close count, but Barack Obama won by two votes.

Thank you

Many thanks to all of the parents who were able to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences!  I always enjoy the opportunity to talk with you about your student's progress in second grade and sharing the great things about your children who I get to spend my days with.  Thanks for your commitment to your student's education by continuing the conversation between school and home.  As always, please be in touch with any future questions, comments, or concerns.  Until the next time...

Friday, November 9th

Please wear Red, White, and Blue to honor the Veteran's at our Veteran's Day Assembly on Friday at 2pm.

Sci-Tech Field Trip

Here are more pictures from our field trip.....