Hispanic Heritage Month!!

Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated from September 15th - October 15th. To culminate our studies of Spanish speaking countries, St. Sylvester School had a cultural touring day last Friday, October 14th. The second grade class studied Chile in South America. Each student made a Chilean flag with tissue paper and compared it to our own flag. Then Ms. Brittany shared a beautiful poem by Chilean poet laureate, Pablo Neruda entitled "Bird." Each student had a different section of the poem that they needed to illustrate. Next, the students made fact maps of Chile. When you lift the flaps, you can find the answers to questions about Chile!

While the first, third, and fourth grade students visited our classroom for ten minutes each, the second graders took a tour of the other classrooms in our wing to learn about three other Spanish speaking countries. Ask your son or daughter about the other countries they "visited" and what they learned about them. Lastly, the first and second grade classes were invited to Senor Hurley's spanish room to learn about many of the other countries in South America. We had a great time learning about Hispanic culture and I think the students learned so much!

Author Study: Arnold Lobel

This week the second grade class has been studying one of my very favorite children's authors - Arnold Lobel. Arnold Lobel is best know for his Frog and Toad book series, but created over one hundred books in his lifetime. We started the week by learning all about Mr. Lobel's life; reading worksheets and even doing research on the computer. Next, each small reading group received a different book from the Frog and Toad series to read at home and in school.

After reading the first couple of stories, the class put together a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two main characters: Frog and Toad. This a great way to organized comparing information and we will be using them throughout the school year. The last activitiy was a "five finger summary." On this organizer, each child traced their hand and put question words atop each finger. By answering the question words for their favorite Frog and Toad story, they are summarizing the most important information. Be sure to ask your son or daughter which story was their favorite and look for all of their outstanding Arnold Lobel work in the hallway outside our classroom!

Plants

The second grade class just wrapped up their first science unit which focused on plants. A few weeks ago, we went outside and everyone planted soaked lima bean seeds. Three seeds were planted in each cup and then watered and left in the windowsill. As we discussed plant parts, how seeds are scattered, and how people use plants, we observed the changes our own plants undertook. At one point, we noticed all of the plants were leaning towards the window. Ask your son or daughter about why that was happening and what happened when we turned them around.

The science test this week to finish the chapter will focus on new vocabulary, facts about how plants grow, labeling plant parts, and drawing pictures of how seeds are scattered. Please be sure to study hard as there is a lot of important information to remember!!

Cubs Game!

On September 21st, the first through eighth grade students took a field trip to the Cubs game! The weather ended up being great and the Cubs even won! Thank you to our six parent chaperones for helping with bathroom breaks and snack buying. Also, a big thanks to Mr. Jim Zangrilli for the awesome tickets!