Angelina Practice

Check out our play practice this past week - looking good!!
Angelina Practice

QR Codes

I recently sent a flyer via email to the parents of the students in the "On Stage" enrichment cluster that included a "QR" code at the bottom of the sheet.   

All that is needed to "read" these "quick response or QR" codes is a free app that can be downloaded on to a "smart phone". When you scan the code with your phone it will take you directly to a specific website. Here is the OR code for this blog:

Penguin Project Presentation

The Adelie penguin chicks and their parents left their nests in Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica on January 19, 2011, but two of Mrs. Haddad's parrots, Lily Claire and Mia continued their research. The girls worked before school and during lunch to create a keynote presentation that they shared with their class this past week. They found interesting facts and photos about penguin habits and we reported that four of the six nests that we had followed this year were successful.

On Stage on the road!

The On Stage Enrichment Cluster this week enjoyed practicing and preparing for our play and going on a tour of the Rose Theater.  After lunching together we boarded the SMS van to go across the street.  Our tour guide was the one and only, Mrs. Jenny Madden and is was fascinating seeing all of the "behind the scenes" places and props.  Click on the photo below to see some of what we saw and did!  

Monster Project

The Second Grade students recently began work on a "Monster Project" that involves drawing and describing a "monster" and sending the description to a school that we are paired with in Illinois.  This collaborative venture incorporates creative writing using adjectives with drawing and improves visualization skills.  We will send twenty descriptions to our partner class at Jefferson Elementary School in Ottawa, IL and see if they are able to accurately duplicate them.  As an introduction to the project we watched one of my very favorite cartoons from Saturday mornings as a youngster - see below and enjoy!

Grammar Rock Adjectives Video

Grammar Rock Adjectives

Fun and Games (and learning too!)

We have been enjoying testing some new games at St. Mary's. See below a list of "kid-friendly" games and activities that stimulate our brains and are lots of fun too! Mrs. Person has even hosted "game days" at lunchtime for the teachers:) Some of the activities require a board game, some just need a deck of cards, and others can be found on devices like ipods/itouches (click here for an updated list compiled by Mrs. Lancaster of some of the "apps" we are using here at school) - http://myap.ps/SMSLowerSchool.


Chess
Checkers
Cubico

Minicube
Q-bitz
Logic Links
Scrabble Slam
Konexi
Catch Phrase (electronic version)
Boggle
Jenga
Scrabble
Quirkle
Set
Ruckus
Ugly Doll
Manchala
Blokus (Duo and Trigon)
Rush Hour
Shut the box
Banagrams
Colorku
Sudoku

Enrichment Cluster Fun!

The "On Stage" Enrichment Cluster met to discuss our upcoming production of "Angelina Ballerina"! We had auditions for parts and the "behind the scenes" crew began making lists of needed items. The creative juices and ideas were flowing and we are all looking forward to our next session together and an upcoming field trip across the street! Click on the Smilebox to see some photos:)

Slideshow design personalized with Smilebox

All we need is Love...and a few friends and books:)

The February gathering of the Second Grade Book Club had a theme of "love" and several of the girls brought some of their favorite books about Valentine's Day.  After sharing our books we enjoyed sugar cookies and then "shopped" for books from some that I had gathered together.  Hopefully during our next meeting we can group several girls together to discuss similar books and authors.  Click on the Smilebox to see a few photos from last week -

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