2nd Graders are “Lost in Space”
By Alexis Kenney
2nd graders at Cathelene Thomas Elementary are having a great year! We have learned many things. We have enjoyed our math lab with Mrs. Boyd. She is teaching our students’ strategies that will help them have the tools necessary to be successful next year. Her 3rd grade wisdom has challenged our students in so many different ways. She has been a great asset to our 2nd grade team.
Our students are also making great strides in reading. They are reading a great deal to achieve their RC points which will enable them to go to Joyland in May. They love taking tests on the computer and are very proud when they pass them. Many of our children have already met their goal of 85 points and 85% comprehension that will allow them to go on this fun trip. They receive reports each week, so the parents know their points, as well as, their comprehension. It’s a wonderful tool, which keeps them reading and learning on their own.
2nd graders are also look forward to our science units. We have done many exciting things this year. We have studied sound and our students were able to make projects with instruments. They had to make instruments from recycled materials and it had to make a sound. They also had to do an oral report on their instrument and be able to play it in front of the class. We had them made from bottles, wood, cans, stuffed snakes and even a pumpkin. It was great fun!
Another project the kids enjoyed involved the sun, solar system and space travel. They loved learning about the planets, their size, what they were made of and their order from the sun. One of our favorite stories was “Poor Pluto”. It was written by a 3rd grade class and told the story about how Pluto was no longer a planet. The kids were sad that it was only a dwarf planet. We told them it was still there and that seemed to make them happy. ☺ Their projects were to make the solar system, a rocket or a space suit. 2nd grade was truly “Lost in Space”.
The next unit involved metamorphosis, food chains and habitats. Some of the 2nd graders made habitats that turned out to be very realistic. They also seemed to enjoy the unit and learned more valuable vocabulary which will help them on the 5th grade Taks test.
2nd graders will be studying government in a couple of weeks in social studies. We will meet our mayor and he will help the children understand how our city government works. We have plans to visit the library, fire station and police station if at all possible. Hopefully, they will see what we are learning at school has impact in their own lives.
It has been a great year in 2nd grade. We will continue to work hard to ensure our students have the best education possible at Cathelene Thomas Elementary. GO CATHELENE THOMAS ELEMENTARY!! ☺
