Second grade classes enjoyed an exciting and hands-on learning experience during their field trips to Liberty Science Center this week. Students enjoyed participating in the Young Scientists Lab Workshop called "A Trek Through Time," where they learned about paleontology. The children used their observational skills to record images of living fossils and the life stages of the Dinosaur Plant. They also dug for fossils using special tools, sorting and classifying what they found. After the lab workshop, students enjoyed exploring various exhibits, especially the Infinity Climber, a 3-D climbing structure suspended in the air, which was a big hit! 2N looks forward to their field trip, which was cancelled this Tuesday due to snow but has been rescheduled for next Thursday, February 5. Thank you to all of our parent chaperone volunteers for making our field trips possible.
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In Writing Workshop, Second Graders are deepening their skills in moving through all stages of the writing process as we explore the genre of Realistic Fiction: stories that are not true, but which could be true. As our young writers know, great stories start with great characters - they are the “heart” of our stories. For this reason, students put a great deal of thought and care into creating their realistic fiction character during the “planning” stage. Students brainstormed both internal and external traits that these characters might have, recording details in their writers’ notebooks before creating an illustration of their character. Next, students identified possible story ideas. Students reflected on the own personalities, preferences, hopes, dreams, challenges and experiences of their characters in order to think of potential problems that their characters might encounter, as well as various solutions. Students then mapped out their stories using a story mountain, focusing on the key story elements of main character, setting, problem, main actions, solution, and ending. After putting such a tremendous amount of hard work and effort into planning their stories, Second Grade writers have been excited to start drafting! Writers have been using all of the story “ingredients” they already know to “show not tell” as they write. These include a hook, small actions, dialogue, setting, sound words, sparkling words, repetition, and comparisons. We can't wait for you to read our stories once they are published! 
2N actors brought their adaptation of Janet Mary Sinke's picture book, Priscilla McDoodleNut DoodleMcMae Asks "Why?" to the Primary School stage today. After reading the book together, students noted how they could all help to initiate change by asking simple questions such as "Why?" whenever things do not seem quite right. The 2N cast was very eager to perform their play in rhyme scheme and convey an overall message of respect, tolerance and acceptance of other people's differences. Students noted how the message of their play reminded them of the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Be good to your neighbor, show others you care, speak kindly, celebrate all colors of hair, make peace as you journey so all understand...that life is more fun without lines in the sand".
Students worked through all aspects of the play process and took time to reflect on which part of the play process they enjoyed most and why. Special thanks go to the Fine and Performing Arts Team, Ms. Weaver, Ms. DuRant and Mrs. Smith, for their time and expertise in helping students prepare to sing songs, perform dance sequences and prepare all the scenery and play posters. Thanks to Ms. Gonzales, Mrs. Carrara and Mr. Brown for helping us prepare the scripts and audience seating for the big day. Thanks also goes out to all the 2N parents who rehearsed with students at home and provided wonderful costumes to help us share the story on stage. We hope you all enjoyed the show!
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