Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Students conduct an experiment to see how much water a cup full of sand can hold.

Here is what we have planned in Room A-2 and at Silver Springs this week!

Science
In science we are beginning a study of groundwater.  Last week students conducted an investigation to see how much water a cup full of sand could hold.  Pictures and videos are in the photo gallery.  This week we will conduct the same experiment with a cup full of pebbles. My goal is for students to see that the materials that make up Earth's surface can hold a surprising amount of water.

Festival of Cultures
Each year the second grade classrooms at Silver Springs participate in a festival of cultures.  Each second grade classroom focuses their study on one particular country.  This year our class is focusing on the country of India.  After Thanksgiving Break I will begin working with our class to study the history, culture, and customs of India.  Part of this unit involves an at-home project where students focus in on one aspect of India.  Information about that project went home today in the Monday envelopes.  While you are working on this project your students will most likely need to write less in the Room A-2 Homework Journal.

Unicef Halloween Donations
I've been meaning to thank all of those who participated in the Unicef Trick-or-Treat Fundraiser.  Our class raised $45.26!

Toys for Tots
The Students Lighthouse Community Service Action Team is excited to announce an upcoming service project for the month of December.  Silver Springs Elementary will be an official collection site for the US Marine Toys for Tots 2014 campaign.  Please send in any new unwrapped toys to Silver Springs from Dec. 1-12.  No stuffed animals, please.  Keep this project in mind as you begin your holiday shopping!  We can’t wait to see our Silver Springs community synergize to make this holiday season a little brighter for some very needy children!

Curriculum Overview
Literacy - Making Text-to-Self and Text-to-Text connections with fiction books.

Math - Three digit subtraction with regrouping in the tens and hundreds.  Understanding how we can use addition to check our work.

Writing - This week we will continue publishing and perfecting one of our favorite stories.

Science - For the next couple weeks we will be studying groundwater.  Students will conduct investigations to see how much water different kinds of earth's materials can hold. 

Social Studies with Mrs. Heron - We are learning how our community of Northville belongs to bigger regions such as our state, country, continent, and the world.  We are finishing Unit 2 and students are taking their quiz either this week or next depending upon their class.  Please go over the study guide with your child to prepare.

Word Study with Mrs. Sepich - We are continuing to work on the words 'commotion', 'sprinted', 'raucous', 'savored', and 'pursue'.

Leadership - Writing about how we have used the Seven Habits in our lives.