2B Play and Hour of Code

2B actors and actresses shined on the Brookside stage as they performed their class play, What Animals Really​ Like. The play was based on the picture book with the same title by Fiona Robinson. In a play that challenged assumptions and stereotypes, students showed what happens when animals can show what they really like to do, not what society expects them to do. Throughout the past several weeks, the children were busy learning lines, cues, song lyrics, and movements to bring their play to life. Students collaborated through every phase of the play process, from envisioning the animals who would be in the play, to imagining the talents these animals might show, to designing the scenery, posters, and programs. The stars of the 2B play encouraged us all to look beyond stereotypes and to really get to know one another. 2B would like to thank their families and all of the faculty and staff who helped them to make their play process a successful and joyful learning experience.

Also noteworthy this week, second graders joined students across the nation in participating in an Hour of Code. This is "a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics." (code.org) Building on last week’s learning, students were ready to jump into several hands-on experiences. Working collaboratively, second graders built block mazes with specific numbers of turns, then used words/commands that provide specific directions and instructions to guide a moving object in navigating the maze successfully. Trying to make our mazes navigable for Hexbugs required lots of critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. It also required students to test and revise their maze and programming language. Students then used iPad apps to further explore the basics of computer programming.  Second graders understand now that coding is a language, much like the languages they speak. Our Hour of Code experience was engaging and exciting for all!