Disco Dino- Multiplication

To practice multiplication, we've been playing some games together on the Smart Board.  The site multiplication.com is full of games and resources that you may find helpful (and fun) for practicing multiplication over the summer.  Today we played Disco Dino, and I promised the kids I would post it here.  You can choose specific factors or a range of factors to practice, then once you complete a series of problems correctly, you collect dance moves to choreograph a dino disco dance at the end.

Dino Disco

Rap of the States

The second graders performed the Rap of the States with pizazz and flair this morning!

Check out the video here.

Weekly Highlights 5/25/12 Mrs. Barulich

Dear Parents,
The next two weeks are going to fly by and are always so bittersweet.  Even the students expressed these same feelings today.  We have quite a bit going on.  First of all, a big congratulations to all the students for doing so well on their fifty states test.  It is my hope that they will now get to travel to as many of our fabulous states as possible and retain some of what we've learned.  After all, travel is an education in itself.  Also, our state rap will be performed this Thursday, right after assembly, the 31st of May.

Liam    -   I liked taking the states test and having it be my placemat now!  I also liked having Paddington with me for the week and making our own instruments in science.

Vicki   -    I really liked the field trip to the Japanese Tea Garden on Monday, gym and science.

Oliver  -    I liked P.E., giving my presentation on my state poster and science.

Kenna   -    I loved climbing the Drum Bridge at the tea garden, music and doing round offs in gym.

Rohan -    I liked making our instruments in science, our field trip, having Sergeant Mahon chaperone us and art.

Maddie -  I liked gym, art, painting on our backs just like Michaelangelo and receiving my second Flat Stanley from Oregon this week!

Nathan  - I liked rehearsing my role as Zeus in the greek play, science and Multiplication Bingo!

Stefan   - I liked P.E., art, reading about Roald Amundsen who discovered the South Pole and Mrs. Barulich!  The last day of school is going to be bittersweet.

Ivan      - I liked gym, the Japanese Tea Garden, art and P.E.

Aidan   - I liked reading comics in french, music and having my dad chaperone on the field trip.

Renee  - I liked taking my state test, the field trip and tea with my dad and the girls and making our instruments in science.

Last spelling words

Next week will be our final week of spelling.  The last words are all related to second grade.  Just going through the list together with the class stirred many wonderful memories!  Since it will be a short week and some of the words are more challenging, we are posting them today.  Please note that many of these words have appeared in past spelling lists as challenge words, so hopefully they serve as more of a review.

pioneer
immigrant
Greece
India
China
Japan
capitals
multiplication
poetry
perform
research
butterflies
changes
sounds
literature
cursive
virtues
homophones
adjectives
celebrate

Weekly Highlights, Ms. Der Yuen, 5/25

As we are coming to the end of the year, this week was the last week of tutoring.  Everyone who came at various points of the year should be proud of their progress!  I will be sending summer enrichment activities.

Nina: I liked playing bumper babies at the park by the Japanese Tea Garden, origami, having Paddington, and practicing the Greek play. I also like finishing the states test!

Lindsay: I liked the field trip, of course! I liked writing and drawing about the Japanese Tea Garden, finishing the states, more Paddington and Indian in the Cupboard. I am looking forward to the popsicle party at lunch today! I also want to add that I loved bumper babies.

Alex L.: I’m also looking forward to the school-wide popsicle party. I liked science, math, reading Japanese folktales in computers, finishing the states and capitals, next week’s second grade spelling words, and the Greek play, especially my Hades voice. Basically, I liked everything!

Alex C.: I liked everything but I especially like soccer and capture the flag in PE. I also liked doing our second to last spelling test.

Mishal: I liked everything! I liked practicing the Greek play and the field trip. The best part was running around away from my dad! I also liked bumper babies in the swings at the park.

Mihir: I liked the field trip to the Japanese Tea Garden and everything else! I liked how I learned about a lot of new things there. I didn’t know the Japanese prayed to Buddha.

Riley: I liked learning about the states, practicing the rap, and finishing our spelling workbook. I liked everything!

Matt: I liked practicing the Greek play and being Zeus! I liked computers, watching the koi on the field trip, Indian in the Cupboard, and science.

Kayla: I liked Indian in the Cupboard, the field trip, and practicing being Hera in the play. I like dropping the baby Hephaestus! I also want to add that I loved bumper babies at the field trip.

Brynn: I liked going to the park on the field trip and playing bumper babies! I liked practicing the Greek play, Type to Learn in computers, soccer in PE, and we had the second to last spelling test. I like to the second grade themed words for next week and writing sentences with them! And I also liked art.

Spencer: I liked finishing the states and capitals. I liked going to the Japanese Tea Garden and trying tea for the first time. I liked soccer in PE, especially being goalie. I also liked our second to last spelling test and the second grade words for next week.

Maya: I liked the Japanese Tea Gardens (even though I was sad that my dad couldn’t come and I felt sorry for the koi when they were touched). I liked the beauty and nature there. I also liked art, computers, soccer in PE, and I guess you could say I basically liked everything (especially being the wise Athena in the Greek play!).

Spring Tea Video

Tra la la la la, the flowers that bloom in the spring!  The second graders' infectious performance was recorded by John Lark and I am thrilled to share it with you to watch whenever you need a boost.  Their grand finale capped off a fantastic musical show!

Spring Tea video

Japanese Tea Garden Field Trip 5/21/12

After flying to China and Japan on Friday, students in 2A and 2B were able to visit the famous San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden today.  Students were able to climb the Drum Bridge, stroll along the Main Pond, Zen Garden and Long Bridge.  We stopped and learned more about the Pagoda and Buddha.  Our peaceful morning ended with tea, crackers and fortune cookies.

Just for this week, there will be two separate spelling lists

2A's Spelling List                                         2B's Spelling List
1.    stain                                                       l.    braid
2.    daisy                                                     2.    grease   
3.    spray                                                     3.    pleat
4.    plate                                                      4.    sleeve
5.    easel                                                      5.    eleven
6.    teach                                                     6.    twelve
7.    seek                                                       7.   thirteen
8.    sneeze                                                   8.   fourteen
9.    mime                                                     9.   trucks
10.  spice                                                     10.  sneakers
11.  pry                                                        11.  guesses
12.  nylon                                                    12.   radishes
13.  coach                                                    13.   pressed
14.  roast                                                      14.   followed
15.  golden                                                   15.  drifted
16.  follow                                                   16.   cracking
17.  cast                                                       17.   moose
18.  pike                                                      18.   scooter
19.  dock                                                     19.   stood
20.  tackel                                                    20.  woodpecker

Weekly Highlights Mrs. Barulich 5/18/12

A special thank-you to Mrs. Tan, Mrs. Natarajan, Mrs. Mathur, Mr. Brady and all of the other parents that brought in so much delicious food for our flight to China and Japan.  From our history of China and the facts on the Great Wall, to the brush painting that Mrs. Natarajan showed us,  to Mrs. Mathur's talent at flower arranging and to end it with Mr. Brady's cool presentation on sumo-wrestling, 2A and 2B had quite a morning.  Thank-you for our final flight and as Bryn Brady mentioned, "We just never seem to fly back to Woodland School."  It's been wonderful enhancing the children's view of other cultures.

l.    Renee   -  I really liked Move Up Day, our flight to China and Japan, the Spring Tea and Natalia's visit on Monday.

2.   Rohan   - I liked the flight today, the food was great.  I also liked Move Up Day and watching the movie on Michaelangelo.

3.   Oliver    - I liked celebrating Rohan's birthday this afternoon, art, Spring Tea and our flight.  The sumo wrestling was just so cool.

4.   Aidan    - I liked Natalia's visit on Monday, celebrating Rohan's birthday, art, gym, P.E., science and the doing the word search in French.

5.   Liam     - I liked P.E., Natalia's visit, our flight, my nana's visit and Spring Tea.

6.   Ivan      - I liked the flight today, Natalia's visit, our first rehearsal for the Greek play.  Nathan is really funny.

7.  Nathan  - I liked the flight today, math,  finishing 2nd grade Saxon, starting on our six times table and Mrs. Barulich!

8.  Vicki    -  I liked P.E., science, gym, french, Rohan's birthday celebration, Spring Tea and the flights today.

9.  Stefan   - I liked P.E., Move Up Day, Spring Tea and our flight today was great!  The sumo wrestling was amazing.

10. Madeline- I loved the food on our flights today, art, Move Up Day and Natalia's visit.

11. Kenna   -  I liked the flights, Natalia's visit, art and music.

Domo Arigato! Weekly Highlights & Flight, Ms. Der Yuen

Thank you to all our volunteers for your time and help making our final flight to China and Japan so spectacular! A special thank you to Laxmi Natarajan, Tim Brady, and Vinita Mathur for their engaging presentations on Chinese brush stroke painting, Japanese culture, and ikebana floral arrangements (check out her arrangement in the front office this week!).  Your stories and expertise make the flights such a memorable part of second grade.  More photos are posted on Smug Mug.

 
Brennan: I liked Move Up Day and learning about endangered animals, Spring Tea, flight to China and Japan, Capture the Flag in PE, and the Greek play.

Brynn: I LOVED Spring Tea (and being the grand finale!), Move Up Day, the Greek play, and having my dad come in to teach us about Japan. I also like PE, science, and Paddington.

Spencer: I liked Move Up Day- my favorite part was seeing Mrs. Hayer’s silkworms. I liked Capture the Dodgeball in PE, Spring Tea, Greek play, the flight, Paddington traveling, and the rap.

Maya: I liked Spring Tea, starting the Greek play (and getting to be Athena!), and Move Up Day.

Nina: I liked Move Up Day, Spring Tea, the flight, starting the Greek play and getting to be Eros, and I’m looking forward to keeping Paddington this weekend!

Alex C.: I liked everything! Most of all, I liked the flights to China and Japan. I liked eating yummy food! I also liked playing Capture the Flag in PE.

Lindsay: I liked Move Up Day, and I LOVED Spring Tea! I liked PE, community, and the flight to China and Japan. We got to eat yummy food! I liked getting Aphrodite in the Greek play.

Alex L.: I liked Spring Tea, Indian in the Cupboard, Greek play, the rap, computers, art, Spring Tea, and science. I also definitely like getting to be TWO Gods in the Greek play- I get to be Apollo and Hades! I mostly liked everything this week.

Mishal: I liked everything! I especially liked Move Up Day and getting to be Persephone in the Greek play.

Mihir: I liked learning about the Greek play, listening to the Trojan War song, Indian in the Cupboard, and basically everything! I liked my mom’s ikebana flowers.

Riley: I liked Spring Tea, learning that I got to be Artemis like I wanted in the Greek play, and the flight. Basically I liked everything about the week!

Kayla: I liked the flight to China and Japan (and eating sushi!), Spring Tea, starting the Greek play, and Indian in the Cupboard.

Matt: I liked PE, Move Up Day and being in Mrs. Hayer’s class, French, math, community, and I love getting to be Zeus in the play.

Trojan War

This week we started practicing for our Greek plays which we will be performing the last week of school.  We are adding a new "act" to the show this year, singing "Trojan War" by high school humanities teacher Amy Burvall.  The lyrics and video were created as part of her Music for History Lovers project which has garnered a huge international following.  The children have the lyrics as part of their scripts, but here is the video.

"Trojan War" (to "Tainted Love")

Spelling Words for Week of 5/14/12

l.    mall
2.   stall
3.   squall
4.   stalk
5.   frisky
6.   grumpy
7.   fluffy
8.   glossy
9.   swing
10. blink
11. cranky
12. finger
13. glove
14. shiver
15. shovel
16. chute
17. crate
18. twine
19. zone
20. gone

Weekly Highlights - 5/11/12 Mrs. Barulich

Happy Mother's Day weekend.  I hope that you all get pampered and the attention that you so richly deserve.  

Thank-you so much for all the beautiful flowers and lovely gifts.  I can't remember when I've enjoyed a Teacher's Appreciation week more.  Everything and everyone put such a smile on my face.  The class book is unbelievable.  The next four weeks are always somewhat bittersweet.  Ms. Der Yuen and I are really going to miss this group.

Vicki   -   I loved art, painting our door hangers, doing the Mexican Hat Dance in gym, playing Star Wars in P.E. and working on my state poster.

Renee  -   I liked gym, working on the Japanese website in computers, the creative writing pieces about the space creature and working on my state poster.

Stefan  -   I liked playing Star Wars in P.E., receiving my Flat Stanley from Miss Nelson from Columbia University and working on my state poster.

Liam    -  I really liked Greg visiting our class and that he got to see me sing, "Dynamite".  I also liked P.E., gym and Mrs. Barulich!

Oliver  -  I liked working on my state poster, gym and learning about our voice box in science.

Kenna  - I liked music and using the shakers!  I also liked gym, doing the Mexican Hat Dance and having Greg visit our class.

Aidan  -  I liked core and learning about the Iron Horse and how the last spike that completed the railroad was made of gold!  I also liked the Teacher Appreciation gift presentation to Mrs. Barulich and playing Bingo in math.

Rohan  - I liked playing Star Wars in P.E., working on my state poster, Greg's visit and playing Multiplication Bingo.

Nathan - I liked P.E., gym, working on my state poster and Greg's visit.

Madeline - I liked gym, the creative writing pieces, learning about our voice box in science and different pitches and working on my state poster.

Dear Ivan,  we have missed you this week.  We  hope that you are feeling better.  You need to be better by Monday as Natalia will be here and we're celebrating Mrs. Barulich's birthday with her.  

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you to all the thoughtful moms who were able to attend our breakfast this morning.  It was such a treat to spend the morning with you and the kids were delighted to share their writing with you.  I hope you enjoy the weekend together with your families!

If you'd like to rewatch or share the slideshow, please find the link here.

Weekly Highlights, Ms. Der Yuen, 5/11/12

Thank you for all the unnecessary kindness this week! I am the one who should be expressing gratitude! Thank you all for being so wonderfully supportive and engaging in helping your children succeed in school this year. I recognize that I can’t fully comprehend just how much behind the scenes work goes into getting homework done, learning states and capitals, practicing songs and times tables, and getting out the door with a smile. It’s been a fun year full of growth and milestones- and we still have a month to go!

We finished all of states and capitals regional tests this week- congrats! The students should all be very proud of their accomplishment. The final hurdle is matching and labeling all of the states and capitals. The students aren’t expected to recall landmarks and facts about states on this exam. It will look just like the practice blank map going home today. They will have the sheet with the states and capitals listed from which to copy spelling. The test will be on Thursday, May 24th.

Riley: I liked earning the compliment party, the Mother’s Day breakfast, and practicing the rap more. Basically, I liked everything!

Maya: I liked sharing the state posters, practicing the rap, the Mother’s Day breakfast, and handing over Paddington to Mihir. I also liked losing my tooth in class and making a tooth necklace!

Lindsay: I liked doing the rap, earning the compliment party, Mother’s Day breakfast, making tissue paper flowers, and sharing my Hawaii poster.

Alex C.: I liked being captain in Star Wars in PE, the Mother’s Day breakfast, and sharing my Vermont poster.

Mihir: I liked Star Wars in PE, math, Mother’s Day breakfast, making flowers for our moms, spelling, and our compliment party.

Mishal: I liked everything! I liked PE, playing the guitar in science, and painting in art. I especially loved the Mother’s Day breakfast!

Matt: I liked PE, math, computers, compliment party, Mother’s Day breakfast, and sharing my Florida poster.

Nina: I liked earning the compliment party, Mother’s Day breakfast, and using watercolors for my haiku.

Spencer: I liked Star Wars in PE, having gym outside, Mother’s Day breakfast and Tay coming, and earning the compliment party.

Brynn: I liked Star Wars in PE, Wilma and Mom coming in, watercolors for our haikus, sharing my Michigan poster, finishing the states regions, and partying! I also liked making the “Otter Juice” experiment with Kayla.

Kayla: I liked making our slideshow for our moms, sharing my New York poster, the “Otter Juice” experiment with Brynn, and the Mother’s Day breakfast.

Brennan: I liked Mother’s Day breakfast, sharing my Texas poster, playing Star Wars in PE, and the compliment party.

Alex L.: I liked science, music, and reading my book to my mom.

2A's Fabulous Mother's Day Luncheon

Challenge Spellings Words Week of 5/7/12

1.   basket
2.   napkins
3.   salad
4.   wagon
5.   melon
6.   celery
7.   lettuce
8.   vegetable
9.   crisp
10. smock
11. wiggle
12. nibble
13. twist
14. model
15. tumble
16. puddle
17. bonnet
18. stump
19. hobby
20. gruff

Weekly Highlights May 4, 2012 Mrs. Barulich

All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my mother. - Abraham Lincoln

And we wind down yet another memorable week.  2A held their Mother's Day luncheon today and it was a wonderful time had by all.  We enjoyed a pasta lunch, lemonade, fresh strawberries, rolls and a yummy cupcake for dessert.  The highlight was the group singing, Wind Beneath My Wings to their mothers along with their classroom made books titled, "There's No Other, Like My Mother."  Cheers to eleven fabulous moms and their babies, for no matter what age they are, they will always be our babies.

Rohan  -  I really liked P.E., gym, the Mother's Day luncheon, the pinata and our visit from Ahimza.  It was great having her tell us about going to school in India.

Stefan  -  I really liked P.E., science, the Mother's Day luncheon, the pinata and having Ahimza visit.  The mango candies she gave us were very good.

Liam   -  I really liked the creative writing piece about our mothers.  I also liked P.E., the Mother's Day luncheon, the pinata, thank-you Mrs. Samaras and Ahimza visiting our class today.

Ivan    -  I liked P.E., the Mother's Day luncheon, gym, doing the backbends and the pinata.  I can't believe I hit it blindfolded!

Nathan - I liked science, P.E., the dailies, the Mother's Day Luncheon and the pinata!

Oliver  - I liked the Mother's Day luncheon, the pinata and having Ahimza visit.  They don't have core virtue programs in India.

Aidan  - I liked the Mother's Day luncheon, P.E. playing the Doctor and the Spy, and the pinata.  There were all sorts of cools things in that pinata.  Thank-you Mrs. Samaras.

Vicki   - I liked the pinata that my mommy brought to school today.  I also liked the Mother's Day luncheon and Mrs. Barulich!

Renee -  I liked making our, "There's No Other, Like My Mother" books, the Mother's Day luncheon and seeing Ahimza again.  I also liked the bindis.

Kenna -  I liked music, singing to my mother at the luncheon today and dancing to the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company C.

Madeline- I LOVED the Mother's Day luncheon, bringing in the pictures of Foster and I when we were small, the pinata and seeing Ahimza.

Mother's Day pictures will post on Monday, May 7th.  I borrowed Ms. Der Yuen's camera and my uploader doesn't work with her memory card.  Happy weekend all.

Weekly Highlights, Ms. Der Yuen, 5/4/12

Weeding, digging, and planting- we fun working in our garden plot this week. We’ve planted aromatic herbs which we will be tending to through the end of the school year. Hopefully we can figure out some creative culinary ways to use them in our Mother’s Day breakfast next week! Click on photos to enlarge.

 
Maya: I am looking forward to seeing Ahimsa this afternoon. I liked PE, origami, gardening, getting Flat Stanley from Seattle, and math.

Spencer: I liked making a Mother’s Day book, gardening, math, the states rap and geography in general, and PE.

Brynn: I liked everything! I liked gardening, making my Mother’s Day book, PE, Paddington traveling, origami, getting more Flat Stanleys in class, making sounds in science, computers, and I’m looking forward to Ahimsa visiting. I just love being here at school!

Brennan: I liked doing the Mother’s Day books, seeing Paddington pictures from his trip to Lindsay’s, doing origami, and gardening (even though I was only here for one day of it). I’m looking forward to Ahimsa’s visit.

Kayla: I’m looking forward to seeing Ahimsa! I liked origami, gardening, singing the states rap, and I did NOT like bringing back Paddington!

Matt: I liked the spelling test, math, PE, painting clay bowls in art, seeing Kenna get an award, and doing the states rap. I especially liked bringing Paddington home!

Riley: First of all, can you write, “Everyone is looking forward to seeing Ahimsa” at the very end? I liked writing the Mother’s Day books, gardening and smelling the mint. I basically liked everything.

Mihir: I liked gardening, math, PE, geography, finishing my Mother’s Day card in computers, and origami.

Alex L.: I liked PE, art, getting ready for Spring Tea in music, computers, Indian in the Cupboard, Flat Stanleys arriving, passing around Paddington, spelling test, and geography.

Lindsay: I liked Indian in the Cupboard, planting herbs, painting bowls in art, origami, making harps in science, playing Graveyard in PE, and I did NOT like giving Paddington to Matthew!

Alex C.: I liked everything! I liked doing origami and the thing I liked most of all was playing Graveyard in PE (Prisoners Free!).

Nina: I liked making a harp in science, playing Prisoners Free in PE, making a Mother’s Day book, practicing Spring Tea in music, origami, PE, and I’m looking forward to Ahimsa’s visit! I also can’t wait to get to bring Paddington home!

Everyone is looking forward to seeing Ahimsa this afternoon while she is visiting from India!