While Pinterest-ing One Day...

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Pinterest. It can be overwhelming and way too time-consuming, but it can also be a fantastic place to find resources for school (and my kids, and my kitchen, and...you get the point). This time, I came across a FANTASTIC website for kids with a ton of great games! It's abcya.com, and all of the games are organized by suggested grade level. Obviously, your student does not have to play only what they have listed for second grade, but it is a great place to start! The site is very attractive and really "modern" in the way it looks. I know that in the past, many school sites I have found turn out to be pretty boring. This one is not! Check it out tonight! Happy surfing!

Week Two!

Week two is off and running! Today, we learned about our first transdisciplinary theme for I.B. We are beginning the year with "How We Organize Ourselves" through a study of community. I hope that everyone has looked over and saved the newsletter that tells you a bit more about this unit. We are also well into our first Investigation in Math. The first unit is all about strategies for counting, working with coins, and introducing problem solving strategies. It was very interesting to watch students work together this morning to decide whether or not their bag of chips contained enough for the whole class. I learned a LOT about how this group of students interacts with eachother, and I saw several amazing leaders emerge. I am excited to allow them more opportunity to work together to develop as learners. Thank you so much for your overwhelming positive support as the school year has started. Often, we have our first "glitches" within the first three weeks of school, and I have been so excited at the prompt and positive responses when difficulties have been addressed or changes in routine have already taken place. Be sure to follow along with us as we take the journey through second grade!

Welcome Back!!

Welcome back to TMSE! Or, if you are new to us this year...welcome!! I hope that by the time I make my next post, I have lots of new followers that make up my new great group of parents! We are off to a great start in second grade. It always so amazing to me to see how much the first graders have changed over the summer and also how many changes take place over the course of the school year! The biggest change in second grade (in the classroom) is how independent we encourage our students to become. For some, this has happened naturally between first and second grade, and it is a more daunting task for others. Rest assured that we will work throughout the school year to grow independent learners who are beginning to take responsibility for their own learning and actions. I have learned a LOT in just the first few days of school! There is a student in my room who was born in Indiana (just like me!!), I have tennis players, horseback riders, readers, world travelers, artists, writers...it is AMAZING! I can't wait to see how they all continue to grow and learn. Yesterday, LOTS of things came home from the district, and thank you so much for returning it so quickly! Today, there is a classroom packet from me that I hope will help outline for you what second grade is all about. Additional information will continue to come home as we move further into the year, but please keep that packet to answer many questions you might have. Also, there is a special assignment in their folder for tonight. I have asked that ahead of reading Chrysanthemum, students ask a few questions about why their name is special and how it is a perfect fit for them. Lastly, thank you so much to the parents who are being so patient and flexible as we work out afternoon car pick up. Already today, the administration between all three schools have made some adjustments that I hope made your afternoon much better! Always, if you have any questions or concerns, send me an email (lnbechtel@tusc.k12.al.us) or put a note in your students folder. I promise I will respond within 24 hours, or sooner if necessary! We are off to a great start to what I know is going to be an amazing school year! Thank you for the support you have already shown and in advance for your continued support throughout the school year!