The 2nd Grade Students at Blue Mountain Lake

In ELA, students have been learning how to write an opinion paragraph. They learned they need to support their opinion with a reason. They also learned how to write a letter. They learned stories have a structure and wrote sequences of events. They all worked so hard and have shown amazing growth and perseverance.

In Science, we learned about many different topics. We also have had a local food educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension Essex County come into our classroom monthly. She coordinates Agriculture in the Classroom lessons, a national initiative to engage kids in local food, nutrition, and agriculture. As part of the program, she conducts monthly classroom visits to facilitate short, hands-on learning activities with students. These activities, designed to match 2nd-grade curricular standards, usually focus on seasonal, local foods that students get to taste test. This past month we planted microgreens in the classroom, and we cannot wait to start eating freshly grown peas, broccoli, and carrots weekly in the classroom.

In Math, students worked so hard learning how to tell time and how to count money. Our new Math curriculum has a spiral review built in, and it’s so amazing to see them retaining knowledge from prior lessons. They are rocking their Math skills!

In Social Studies, we have been learning all about our government. The kids have learned all about the three branches of government. They can tell you that the Judicial branch is for courts and judges, the Legislative branch is where laws are made, and the Executive branch is led by the President. They are enjoying learning about Theodore Roosevelt. We are doing a whole unit on him, and they were fascinated to learn he was physically present in our area, so close to our school. He rode the train in North Creek and climbed up Mount Marcy, not too far from here. They will tell you all about him.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. My email address is scotta@minervasd.org.

Ms. Scott

“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin