Reading and Riddles

I am tall and skinny and I always wear yellow.
I have an unusual pet who gets in trouble a lot, like one time he got carried away by a bunch of balloons.
I am patient and kind and I always help him out.
Who am I?

I have yellow, spiky hair.
I draw my own cartoons.
I have a big sister named Judy and she's very, very moody.
Who am I?

If you were at the Second Grade Character Show today, you know the answers to these riddles and lots more. The event was a dramatic way to showcase the good work that the boys and girls have done around series books. They were excited to take the stage. But let's go behind the scenes, too. Besides dressing up as their characters, the children engaged in a lot of character analysis this week. One activity involved thinking as their characters to answer a series of interview questions. It took close reading and deep thinking to respond to questions like these as their characters would: What would the perfect day be like for you? What's been your biggest disappointment? Your greatest achievement? Do you think you would make a good Stormonth student? If a new series was written about you, what would it be about?

In Writing Workshop this week, opinion writing about books took a new turn. After discussing book awards that exist in the real world like the Newberry Medal, the boys and girls tried writing the kind of nominations that bring outstanding works of literature to the attention of judges. In nominating their own books for awards, they tried to support their opinions with solid reasons and powerful words. Meanwhile, we published some of our earlier work. The bulletin board outside the classroom is filling up with letters of advice from our class about what other students at Stormonth should read. Publishing, or publicly sharing work, is an important step in the writing process and it lends an authentic purpose to the hard work the children do day after day.

Perseverance has been key in math. The tricky work of multi-digit subtraction has been getting easier for some with practice, practice, and more practice. "Oh, now I get it!" has been heard any number of times this week as we worked through numeric and word problems together.

It almost didn't happen, but today the boys and girls finally got their chance at ice skating. Getting to do this in second grade is right of passage at Stormonth. I was pleased that the year didn't go by without at least one turn at the rink.

Thanks to those who have already volunteered to send in items for our Valentine's Day party on Tuesday. We still need bowls, spoons, and Valentine napkins. Let me know if you can help.

Mark Your Calendars:

Mon., Feb. 13 - Literacy Information Night for Parents, 6:30 PM. Laura Witkov, Kate Schroeder, and I will present information about how reading is taught at Stormonth and how you can help at home. You can RSVP by sending me an email or returning the flyer you received earlier this week.

Tues., Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day celebration. Don't forget to bring your valentines! We will be making Valentine holders at school. No need to send special boxes or bags.

Mon., Feb. 20 - No school for students

Wed., Feb. 22 - Early Release Day for students

Fri., Feb. 24 - Jump Rope for Heart Assembly

Mon., Mar. 6 - Report cards are sent home.