Art Institute Field Trip

Today the first and second grade classes visited the Art Institute. When we arrived, the museum provided docents to take us through the museum. Some groups discussed clues from the past in art while others talked about the portrayal of animals in art. After enjoying lunch with a view of Millenium Park, the students broke into smaller groups to explore the museum. We saw so many beautiful piece of art, from Monet's pointillism to a smaller version of the Lincoln Memorial. As a parting gift, every student received a free family pass from the Art Institute. Be sure to use the free pass soon so that your son or daughter can be a docent for your family and show off all they learned today!

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas to all of our St. Sylvester families! Enjoy the time off with your second grade angels and have a healthy and blessed New Year!

Special Fossil Lesson

This year our school has been lucky enough to be chosen by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to partner with on how to improve learning in science. This partnership will afford many opportunities to our school, teachers, and students all year long. The teachers at St. Sylvester have already attended a few workshops hosted by the museum. Last week, two of the educational directors at the museum came to teach a lesson on fossils to our second grade class.

First, they presented actual fossils to each of the small groups of second graders to examine and discuss. There were remains from both plants and animals identified.



Then, the students listened to a description of the steps in which a fossil forms. The last portion of the activity was when each of the second graders made their own"fossils." Everyone put clay on the bottom of a cup and then pressed a seashell into the clay to make an imprint. Later, we filled each imprint and cup with plaster. Once these are set, the students will remove the clay and the imprint left on the plaster will act as a fossil. Look for these "fossils" to come home sometime this week and ask your son or daughter how it was formed!

 

Christmas Concert

 What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit! The whole school came together this past Sunday to share their singing and instrumental talents for all of their school peers and families to enjoy. After a lot of hard work by Ms. Fox, their music teacher, they were ready to perform! Thank you to all of the families that attended the annual Christmas concert and also the family potluck afterwards. We truly are blessed to have such an activity and vibrant community here at St. Sylvester School. 

Dinosaur Project

The second grade's dinosaur science project was given out last week. It is due back on Monday, December 17th. Each student was given one dinosaur to read about and research. There are two physical things due on December 17th. First, each student should bring a model representing their dinosaur. This model can be sculpted, painted, or drawn, but should not be just printed off of the computer or purchased at a store. The second thing they will need to present is a piece of yarn or string that is the length of their dinosaur.

Every student will have time that week to present their dinosaur to their classmates. During this presentation, they should be able to pronounce their dinosaur's name. Lastly, they will be asked to describe what their dinosaur looked like and also tell three interesting facts about their dinosaur. At the end of the oral presentation, their classmates will have time to ask any questions they have about the dinosaur. Please help your child prepare for this longterm project at home.

Dinosaur Project Due: Monday December 17th

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have been getting ready for the holiday in Room 205! First the students celebrated an all-school Mass together this morning. Prior to the beginning of the Mass, the second grade class presented all of the canned goods that were donated for the St. Sylvester food pantry. A large section of the altar was filled with all of the wonderful foods and treats families brought in over the last month. Thank you to all of the families who participated by sending in the much appreciated food donations.

Back at school, the second graders paired up to work on a Thanksgiving poem. Each group made a small poster that went along with their spoken part. Everyone worked together very nicely and at the end of the day we were able to present the poem to our seventh grade buddies!

Everyone should see the turkeys that the second graders worked hard on this afternoon, as they were sent home today. The students used their footprints and handprints to put together a colorful turkey decoration. They also thought hard about all of the things they are thankful for in their lives to write on the feathers. I hope that this decoration helps brighten up your home this season!

Lastly, I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Butterfly Life Cycle

As I am sure you have heard, we have some classroom pets in Room 205! Two weeks ago, we received ten caterpillars in jars. We watched them grow dramatically in size and eventually pupate into chrysalis. These chrysalides were then transferred into a larger netted cylinder where they eventually will emerge as Painted Lady butterflies. Every child will have a chance to sit with the caterpillars, chrysalides and finally butterflies to observe closely these amazing creatures. Every family should receive back their child's caterpillar diary in a couple of weeks. In it the students recorded some of their observations. We will keep the butterflies in our classroom through their life cycles as it is too cold to let them go outside. I really believe this project helped the students understand life cycles better and is ultimately an unforgettable experience. I have posted pictures here of the caterpillars getting ready to go into the pupal stage as well as a couple of students showing off their caterpillar diary work.

Halloween

       
       

Buddy Time

Every month this year, the second grade class will be meeting with their seventh grade buddies to do an activity. In the past, these buddy activities have really brought the kids together and friendships have bloomed. Today, the students met their buddies for the first time and read to them. Afterwards, they drew an illustration of their favorite part of the story. The seventh graders are real leaders and helped the second graders feel comfortable. Ask your son or daughter about who their buddy is and what book they read together today!

Arnold Lobel Author Study

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 Venn Diagrams comparing and contrasting the two main characters: Frog and Toad. This a great way to organize comparing information and we will be using them throughout the school year. The last activity the students completed 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!