Charleston Settlers Field Trip

In conclusion of the Charleston Settlers unit, Second Graders visited two historic houses on Tuesday. Both the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House were built in the early 1800’s. Now owned and preserved through the Historic Charleston Foundation, they serve as a reminder of what life was like during that time period. Students learned Nathaniel Russell was a merchant involved in daily trade operations. He relied on the Charleston port to export cash crops and import slaves. After touring the house, Second Grade settlers stepped into the life and playground of a child during this time period. First, students paired up to play Toss and Catch with sticks and small rings. Next, they strengthened their hand-eye coordination by playing Bilabo. This individual game challenges it user to catch a ball on a stick in a wooden cup. Last, students built stamina by running up and down the yard pushing a large wooden hoop with a stick.  

Bird Study

Second Grade bird enthusiasts have begun studying birds this week. These curious scholars are reading, writing, and learning about the characteristics that make a bird unique. Everything from feathers to hollow bones, students identified all the features that birds have in common. To assess their understanding of physical attributes, students read an article about penguins. Since penguins don’t fly or have hollow bones like typical birds, scholars were challenged to write an argument persuading me that penguins were birds. After reading all of the persuasive arguments, I am 100% convinced penguins are indeed birds!

Vocabulary

Several weeks of vocabulary comes from the Bird Study. There are so many practical bird words that are used to describe how our feathered friends move and function. Students are beginning to learn these words can also be applied in other contexts as well. Words such as soar or swoop pertain to birds, but they also can be used to describe other things. Students will be using these words across several contexts.

 

Important Dates:

 

April 10^th – April 17^th            Spring Break

April 20^th                               Silent Auction 5:30 – 8:30

                                                 Buy your tickets today!