The Toucan Squawk

Hello families-  I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday vacation! 

We have begun work on graphs this week.  We will continue working on this unit through this week, as well as reviewing word problems.  On Monday the students took a vote on what their favorite pet was, and then as a class we filled out a tally chart followed by a pictograph.

We have also started on our science unit of the digestive system.  On Monday I introduced it to the class by giving everyone a couple tortilla chips and discussing what is happening as they are chewing the chips.  We also discussed what happens in our body with what we eat and drink.  This unit's grade will be based on completion and correctness of the unit's book we are doing as a class.  Because we are doing this as a class, I expect absent students to make up the missed work during their rotations during the next school day.  This can be done by working with a buddy- while the buddy will have their page completed, they should not be simply giving the answers to the student who was absent.  This will help ensure full understanding on any work missed.  Our next science unit will be on the respiratory system, ending our science units with a vest the students will make out of a paper grocery bag with the appropriate organs colored and glued in the correct places.

The students started and completed their first writing project for this quarter-  writing about their holiday vacation, which was then stapled onto their craft of a penguin.  They also completed a snowman glyph about their favorites.  A glyph is another way to represent data.  This week the students will be starting on a new writing project to be completed on Friday- If I was 100 years old.  These should definitely be fun to read!

We have finally been able to start using the students' ear buds they brought into class in August.  The students listened to last week's reading book series story, "Change for the Quarter".  They also completed questions about the story.  If your student has not brought in their ear buds, please send them in soon.  We will be continuing to use them for the listening center through the rest of the school year.  I have one extra pair, so not enough for all students to use at the same time if they don't have them.

Friday is the 100th day of school!  That means, lots of fun activities and Wacky Tacky dress up day!  Students are invited to come to school dressed in their wackiest and tackiest (tutus, funny hats, shorts on top of pants, anything silly!), as well as bring in a collection of 100 items (100 pennies, pom pom balls, cotton balls, Pet Shop toys...the possibilities are fairly endless).  Please remember to pick up any collections on Friday if it is too large for students to take home on the bus.  I sent a letter requesting donations for our 100th day snack mix.  Please bring in the item by Friday.


News
Jan. 15        Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30
Jan. 20        Martin Luther King Jr. day, no school
Jan. 29        Teacher in-service, 1/2 day early release at 11:30  


Birthdays

Jan. 7          John
Jan. 19        Mckensie
Jan. 30        Ian    


Thank you for all you do!


Elizabeth Townsend
PDS
Second Grade
Elizabeth.townsend@svps.k12.az.us