THANK YOU

Dear All,
I have had a great year with my students.
Your children were curious and passionate about learning. They filled my bucket!
I want to wish you all a wonderful summer. My plans for the summer are the pictures below.
Thank You, Mrs. Jeni Goode

Early Chapter Books

Early Chapter Books

Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott Cam Jansen series by David Adler The Golden Ghost (and related books) by Marion Dane Bauer Sophie series by Lara Bergen Pony Pals series by Jeanne Betancourt Beast Quest series by Adam Blade Soccer Cats series by Matt Christopher Peach Streed Mudders series by Matt Christopher The Bailey School Kids series by Debbie Dadey Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo The Hardy Boys: Secret Files series by Franklin Dixon The Dragons of Wayward Crescent series by Chris D'Lacey Clubhouse Mysteries series by Sharon Draper Sassy series by Sharon Draper Dyamonde Daniel series by Nikki Grimes My Weird School series by Dan Gutman Sneaky Pony series by Hadley Higginson Nancy Drew Notebook series by Carolyn Keene Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series by Carolyn Keene Ready Freddy series by Abby Klein Horrible Harry series by Suzy Kline Pony Crazed Princess series by Diana Kimpton Katie Kazoo series by Nancy Krulik Flower Fairies Friends series by Pippa Le Quesne Various Sports books by Jake Maddox Miami Jackson series by Patricia & Fredrick McKissack Rainbow Magic Fairies series by Daisy Meadows Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park The Littles series by John Peterson Jigsaw Jones Mystery series by James Preller Calendar Mysteries series by Ron Roy A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy Marvin Redpost series by Louis Sachar Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon Dinosaur Cove series by Rex Stone

Summer Reading

Why is Summer Reading so Important?  It helps keep children growing as readers. Those that read do not have "summer slide" in their reading life. Summer slide is when children regress in their reading ability.

Video on Summer Reading




Links to Summer Reading programs at area libraries:

St. Louis County Library Summer Reading Info

St. Louis Public Library Summer Reading

Richmond Heights Public Library Summer Reading

Magic House Field Trip 2018

Magic House Field Trip 2018

Click on link above to see slide show.

Science Air and Weather

We blew bubbles and watched how the wind/air moved the bubbles. We made parachutes and learned that air goes under the parachute and pushes the parachute up. We made pinwheels and kites. Finally, we made balloon rockets and watch the air push the balloon rocket on a string. 

Bubbles

Balloon Rockets

Balloon Rockets 

Spring Newsletter

In Readers' Workshop we are finished our Unit on Characters in Books. The students have learned to look at the characters in the books they read as a friend. Many students have read through whole series and can tell someone all about the main character. We have learned that many fiction books have a problem and solution and we can understand the author's message. Many children have been reading for longer periods of time because they are so excited to read about the characters in their books. In addition, we studied books across the genres. We compared nonfiction books to fiction books on the same topic. Last, we read some fairy tales to better understand the Second Grade Fairy Tale Theater show which was April 19th. This was a performance in which all second grade students got to participate. Next, we are starting book clubs.  The students will get into groups to read and reflect on books.

Along with reading about characters in books we wrote  fiction character stories in.....

Writer's Workshop.  Each student created a character that goes on realistic adventures. The students had many books in their series and are going to read their writing to their friends in kindergarten and fourth grade. The excitement in the room over the last couple of weeks to write was infectious. Some students had up to 8 stories in their series!  Next, we will learn about poetry. The students will learn to see the world through artists eyes and express their feelings.

In Math, we are finishing Chapter 13, Addition and Subtraction to 40. The students learned many strategies to solve addition and subtraction to 40. Many regrouped larger numbers with blocks, cubes/tens rods and used the number line to help them find the answer.  Being able to understand what the question is asking before starting the solution is key.  Over  the summer your child may access online resources to help them practice their math:
    www.gregtangmath.com

In Science,  we are finishing the Unit about Air and Weather.  During this science unit, the children explored properties of air as it interacts with other materials and when it is put under pressure.  We observed, recorded and discussed the weather every day and discussed the types of instruments scientist use to learn about the weather. We made parachutes, kites and windmills to extend our learning.

Social Studies- We will learn about the Marketplace next. We will read books about and discuss: needs vs.wants, goods vs. services, and where many things are made with a close look a factories.
We will take the children to the Magic House and have them explore different jobs they could do when they grow up.

Important dates to remember:
Thursday, May 24th-  All Library Books due
Friday, May 25th- Field Day
Monday, May 28th- No School, Memorial Day
Thursday, May 31st- Last Day- EARLY RELEASE

Fairy Tale Theater 2018

Please click on the link to watch the Fairy Tale Theater from April 2018.
The second grade students did a wonderful job.

2018 Second Grade Fairy Tale Theater

Train Museum Field trip

The students had a great time visiting old trains inside and out. They got to ride the Trolly, and mini train.  Thank you parents who were able to make the trip. I really appreciate your help. 

Riding the Trolly.

Decorah Eagle Live Camera

We are watching the Decorah Eagle Camera in Decorah, Iowa. We have watched the adult eagles lay 3 eggs, and all three eaglets made an appearance today!
We watched the adult Eagles feed the babies meat!
You can watch this at home, too.
http://www.decoraheaglecamalerts.com/

How Many More? How Many Less?

Chapter 12, Numbers to 40

Students are exploring numbers to 40. One question may students find confusing is,
"How many More?" or "How many fewer?"
You can help your child at home by asking these simple questions when comparing numbers. 

31 is 3 more then 28.   

or

28 is 3 fewer then 31.

Roller Coasters in 4th grade

Mrs. Sample's fourth grade class made roller coasters as part of a research project in Literacy. The roasters were made out of cardboard, duck tape, straws and popsicle sticks.
 Today they shared their completed work with us!

Diversity in Action Event.

DIA stands for Diversity in Action. This is the name we have given to the work we are doing at Captain around helping our community have open conversations about race and racism with the goal of creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable school community.

Captain Elementary- March 13

EyeSeeMe Book Fair  6:15 - 8:30 p.m.

Activities start at 6:30p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Popular Story Teller, Mama Lisa, is coming to share two stories, "A Better Free!” and “Anansi the Spider.” Parents and students will listen to "A Better Free!” together. 

Adults will then move to the library for a parent discussion facilitated by Laura Horwitz (Captain Parent) and Adelaide Lancaster from We Stories designed to help parents understand the importance of and strategies for talking about race with their children. 

Students will remain in the cafeteria for a to hear “Anansi the Spider” during the parent discussion. The purpose of Mama Lisa the storyteller is to provide a shared experience for students and parents that will bridge the discussion for the parent meeting.

Please RSVP by contacting Crystal Taylor at crystaltaylor@claytonschools.net

We Stories is a new and growing organization that uses the power of children’s literature to create conversation, change, and hope in St. Louis and a stronger, more equitable and inclusive future for all.www.westories.org

Book Fair sponsored by African American Bookstore, EyeSeeMe. Part of their mission is to be a resource to parents, teachers, and schools in providing the very best children’s books on the market that promote positive images and stories about African American culture and history. www.eyeseeme.com

Time Line Project

Time Line Project:

Dear Parents,
Please have your child bring in 6 to 7 pictures of themselves from birth to now. 
Baby and then 1 for each year. 
Students will be making a timeline with the pictures. Make sure the pictures are copies of the original pictures because we will be gluing them down.  
Also, You can send digital pictures via email and I will print them out on the color printer at school. 
Students need to be able to tell one or two things about each picture.
PLEASE HAVE PICTURES BY Thursday, March 22!
See Example:

 

Black History Night

The Great African American Migration to northern states happened from 1910s to 1950s. Students learned this was due to the unfair practises and laws of the places of the south.  After getting to the North many African Americans were able to get jobs and housing allowing them to focus on the arts, thus the Harlem Renaissance we studied last year.  Thank you to all the parents who came to see the students perform many songs learned in music class. 

February Newsletter

Reading Workshop: We launched our new unit, Readers meet Characters and Series books by reading about Iris and Walter from the series and Mr. Putter and Tabby from the series.  We recorded our thoughts, wonderings and favorite parts on post-its and in our readers' notebook. 

We learned that Characters DRIVE the story by: 

showing emotion, 

taking us places, 

getting into trouble or having problem and then...

 fixing the problem or finding a solution.

Also, we are learning about characters from their friends. 

**Character in series books become our friends because we know them so well.***
Click link for series books at first grade's "Just Right Level"   First Grade Book Suggestions

Writer's Workshop, Our Writing Review unit is all about writing an opinion. The children are writing their opinions about the items in the collection they brought from home. But that is not all! Kids have opinions about a lot of things. They are honing their skills by writing about their favorite: food, sport, color,  pet, etc.  Did you know Opinion writing is like the cookie O.R.E.O.? Opinion writing involves much more than just stating an Opinion. Students must give Reasons for their opinion presented in an interesting and convincing manner with Examples.  The last sentence is a restate of their Opinion.  

Math: We finished Chapter 10 Weight. We learned that heavier items make the scale go down like a see-saw. We talked about which weighed more and how much more.  We started Chapter 11 Picture Graphs and Bar Graphs. We are practicing organizing our information or data and making tally and bar graphs. Next up will be Chapter 12: Number to 40. Being able to use and understand numbers up to 100 is a needed skill for second grade. We will talk about place value and use the place value chart. Questions we will ask students: 38 is how many tens and how many ones? 

Science: The students are finishing the Solids and Liquids in the Science lab with Mrs. Hwande.  They investigated the interactions between solids and liquids while describing, observing and recording the results of their experiments. Key words: viscous, transparent, translucent, opaque. rigid, flexible, smooth, rough. Finally, students read the Dr. Seuss book, Oobleck and then made oobleck. They found it is a third kind of liquid called plasma.

NEXT UP: Social Studies: Long Ago and Today. Please get baby pictures of your child together and send them to school. We will need 7 pictures: Baby, and then 1 from each year.  We will be creating a time line of their lives! 
We will be gluing these to a paper to make the time line.
Parent Teacher Conferences are March 19-22.   
All parents used www.signupgenius.com to make their date/time selection. 
You will be getting a reminder email a few days before the conference.  

Looking Ahead: 
March 16- Conference Prep- NO SCHOOL 
March 19-22 Conferences
March 23- 30- Spring Break
April 6- Early Release
April 12th- Field Trip to the Museum of Transportation
May 11th- Field Trip to the Magic House 
May 25th- Field Day
May 28th- No School Memorial Day
May 31st- Last day

Wydown Middle School Strings Concert

Several Former Captain Students are apart of the Wydown Strings Orchestra. 

Strings lessons start in 4th grade. 

These two boys are considered number 1 and number 2 in the state for violins. 

Science in the Lab!!!

Today we start our Science unit, Solids, Liquids and Gases, in the Science Lab with Mrs. Hwande. The students learned teacher expectations and explored the room. They were fascinated by Penelope, the pet rat and the microscope!