Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Exeter-Milligan Second Grade Classroom Featured





Exeter-Milligan second graders (L-R) Liberty Johnson, Carter Milton and Jayden Capek fire up their ipads for a quick game of Kahoot.




The Exeter-Milligan second grade class working clockwise from the top left boy: Mikey Bartu, Aidan Vavra, Carter Milton, Jayden Capek, Ayla Kahler, Kierra Papik, Jolene Vossler, Liberty Johnson, Emma Meyer.




– The second graders with some special artwork.  Back row from the left are:  Emma Meyer, Kierra Papik, Jolene Vossler, Liberty Johnson and Ayla Kayler.  Front row from the left are: Jayden Capek, Carter Milton, Aidan Vavra and Mikey Bartu.




The second grade class poses with “Elfie” the mischievous elf who has visited their classroom this month.  Clockwise from the bottom left: Liberty Johnson, Emma Meyer, Carter Milton, Jayden Capek, Mikey Bartu, Ayla Kahler, Aiden Vavra, Jolene Vossler, Kierra Papik.





The Exeter-Milligan second grade class has been very busy learning this year with teacher Mrs. Marla Weber.  One of the exciting new concepts they are trying is called “Genius Hour” based on the book “Drive” by David Pink.  Based on a business model that shows that employees are more effective if they work 80% of the day on their work and 20% of the day on something they are interested in they will be better at working that 80%.  “We are working on this and the first time the students do research it will be guided.  They are researching countries and how they celebrate Christmas.  The next time we do this the students will be given more freedom on what they do with their 20%,” explained Weber.

This year “Elfie” has come to visit the second graders in December.  So far she has put mustaches on Mrs. Weber’s family picture and the students discovered her still holding the marker.  Recently she left her Christmas list which was filled with her requests for candy and syrup.  The students have been learning how to take pictures with their ipads and email the pictures.

Book clubs have been very popular with the second graders.  They meet at least once a month and invite their parents and other adults to come and eat lunch with them in the classroom and discuss the book in smaller groups.  The students have taken turns leading these discussions.

In social studies the class has been learning about different ways to use money.  They have learned about checking accounts, credit cards and how goods are purchased around the world.  They have learned about bartering along with different methods of transportation.

The students have embraced technology and use multiple apps on their ipads – they can take quizzes on their social studies, review spelling and language words and test their math skills.  For some of these apps they can earn fake money to exchange for an ever changing array of prizes including lunch with Mr. Sheffield or Mrs. Kroll in the classroom, snacks, a manicure, seating in the teachers chair, yoga, boot camp, ballet, or kick boxing sessions with Mrs. Weber or Mrs. White.

In science the students are learning about the earth, the core, mantle, land forms and bodies of water and in math they have finished reviewing the addition facts (including adding three or more numbers in a column) and are moving on to subtraction facts.


Weber is enjoying this school year noting,"This group of students loves learning and each new challenge. They support and encourage each other. What a great group!"


 
Weber is enjoying this school year noting,"This group of students loves learning and each new challenge. They support and encourage each other. What a great group!"