We're an active group of learners, busy exploring the world around us, ourselves, and each other.  Below are photos of some of our adventures this year.  At the bottom of the page, you can read more about our curriculum.  Enjoy!

We took a class trip to Shaver's Creek, where we explored the mysteries of plants ...

learned about photosynthesis through playing games...

and took notes about the natural world.

For theme week, some of us visited the mushroom farm at Penn State to learn about growing mushrooms.

We love knitting in our classroom. We knit with both spools and needles.  For community service we participate in Warm Up America, knitting 7x9” squares.  The squares are then sewn together by other volunteers into afghan blankets, which are given to people who need them. 

Our class took a trip to the post office...

and had a great time at Field Day, an all-school event that brings our community together for fun and games organized by our older students.

and cleaned them ourselves for our Friday Hot Lunch.

Halloween is a big celebration at our school and in our classroom. 

On Valentine’s Day we affirm each other by writing messages to each other about what makes us wonderful.  It brings our community closer and lifts everyone up to be their personal best.

In science, we explored the qualities of Oobleck to practice our skills of observing and describing. 

We practice music weekly and sing songs every morning. 

Language Arts

The reading and language arts program is based on an approach called the basic five.  Our time is divided among five different focuses.

• Reading to Self: Students gain stamina in reading independently.

• Reading to Someone: Students gain comprehension skills reading actively to each other.

• Listening to Reading: Students gain fluency hearing stories read well.

• Word Work: Students explore words, word families, spelling patterns and phonics.

• Writing: Students master the writing process and writing for a variety of purposes.

Our language arts program also includes guided reading to give time for direct teaching of comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary in small groups.  In the second half of the year we will convene Book Clubs, also known as Literacy Circles.

Science

2/3 Science topics for this year include Geology and Chemistry.

Social Studies

We will explore social studies in many ways this year through our theme of “Time”.  As we build understanding of geologic time, we will make stops in both the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras.  In the latter era, we’ll study Anthropology, looking at how different people live.

Theme Study

Teaching through the use of interdisciplinary themes involves a conscious effort to apply knowledge to more than one academic discipline simultaneously.  Thematic units help learners connect information together to build a meaningful understanding.  Our theme this year, “Time,” will take us on a journey into the past to discover the world of dinosaurs, study geology, and explore concepts of archaeology and anthropology.  Chemistry will be done in connection with the school-wide theme of “Food.”

Math

Our math curriculum is The University of Chicago program, Everyday Mathematics. Each grade’s curriculum is organized into six mathematical strands that cover a number of skills and concepts. Everyday Mathematics places an emphasis on:

• Establishing links from past experience
• Discussing and sharing ideas
• Using and comparing equivalent expressions
• Expressing numbers in context by including units
• Learning about the reversibility of most things

These ideas gradually shape students’ ways of thinking of mathematics and foster the development of mathematical intuition and understanding.

To keep up with what’s going on in our classroom check out the family letters that come home with each new math unit.  These letters provide helpful information about topics we are working with, vocabulary used in the classroom and do-anytime activities for use at home.