Around the World....
We wrapped up our study of China this week and the kids shared their learning with each other in the form of a mini-sharefair. Throughout this research process the kids have been collecting facts from scdiscus.org. We have been reviewing note-taking and organizational skills. This includes practice with using headers, sub-headers, and reviewing facts for understanding so that we can write them in our own words rather than copying them. The side menus on our research site have been very helpful in creating categories for our headers and sub-headers when organizing our information. The groups for our China posters were based on research categories such as government, geography/land/climate, and food/culture.
As we have begun planning and researching our independent countries, the kids have reflected on the China research experience and realized some helpful tips. First, they pointed out neat handwriting is important when you have to go back and use your facts to create a product. They also decided that important words (names, places, events) should be copied accurately to be used later. Finally, they discussed the difficulties in transferring the author's words into our own words. This is pretty challenging for second graders as you can imagine. I have modeled this for them, and then we talked through the struggles. The best strategy we have found is to read a section. Choose the fact. Reread the fact. Then turn away from the screen and say the fact to ourselves (aloud helps sometimes) the way we understand it. If we are still stuck, saying it to a friend helps.
These are the three main takeaways they are focusing on from our China research. We have started collecting facts on the lifestyle section for each of our countries. Many kids were able to get books from the library on their countries. I would love for these to stay at school as resources. The research will be done at school unless someone is falling behind. Our final product will be an information book created about each country. We have examples at school that the kids have already reviewed. This is in conjunction with our non-fiction writing unit. I will update you as we move through the sections of our research.
Country Project Topics
Van Switzerland
Jadon India
Daniel Mexico
Jayden Japan
Gabbie Australia
Jennifer France
Carter Egypt
Paige Ecuador
Abigail Italy
Amie Germany
J.D. Togo
Lydia Malaysia
Leah Bahamas
Scarlett Madagascar
Kaleb Canada
Greher Israel
Sally South Africa
Jake W. Norway
Kaden Jamaica
Maddie Scotland
Important Dates
March 11 Spring Pictures
March 14 Curriculum Night #4
March 15 Student Holiday
March 22 Parents Night Out
March 25-29 Book Fair
Our friend, Ms. Audrey, wrote each member of the class a nice, laminated thank you letter for all of our work in collecting donations for Wanna Buddy. We will continue to collect and send items to her throughout this school year.
Mr. Derek Saxby gifted a book on behalf of the Rotary Club and shared it with us. We enjoyed interviewing him about his life growing up and living in England.
We had a mini-share fair in the classroom to share our learning from our current China project.
During our trip to Sandhills library, we were able to check out some of our friends' artwork on display at the District Office.
