March Madness!!

Dear Second Grade Parents,
        There is quite a bit going on during this month of March..., but before I begin, I would like to thank Ann Wieczorek for taking the time to make our Suesstastic treats for Dr. Suess' birthday Suessabration.  The children enjoyed their delicious jello treats... I did too! Yum!!  Thank you to Julie Pennell for her donations of glue sticks.  With all of the crafty activities we have been doing lately, working glue sticks are a hot commodity.  Now each student has their own glue sticks and the mini lessons on sharing have slowed down.  Thank you Ann and Julie for your time and generosity!
       The first order of business is this month's book report.  The class and I are taking an in-depth look at the mystery genre and practicing the skills that will be required of them in order to complete their book report. I will be sending home the guidelines this Friday and it will be due just before Easter vacation.  This report requires a little more effort in terms of length, but I am certain our second graders are up to the challenge.  They did an amazing job on their President Report and I am so very proud of how much they have grown as individuals and as students.  This is why I know they are ready for the Mystery Report.
      Let us not forget our Lenten Journey... The class and I have been discussing the meaning of sacrifice and the greatest gift God could give... His Son, Jesus Christ.  The discussions have been quite meaningful and a bit challenging in terms of the questions they are asking.  Thankfully, our very own Deacon Mark Wieczorek has agreed to assist me with answering some of the tougher questions.  He will be visiting our class later this week to continue our class discussion of rising to new life and what Heaven is like.
    I really wish I was able to record these discussions for you.  They are so simple, yet thought provoking.  I love it!!!!
     Well, those sly little leprechauns are up to their March shenanigans once again.  This week, the class and I have been practicing the reading skills of metacognition (thinking about what you are thinking while you read), and prediction through the study of leprechaun tales.  While the skills we are practicing sound complicated, the second graders have them down.  I could not believe how within just a minute or two, they came up with how the leprechauns would hide their gold.  It was fantastic!  I know they were really impressed with themselves too.  We will continue to study metacognition and prediction next week as we read two more Irish folktales from Tomie De Paola.  In the mean time, the class is making rainbows and pots of gold to tempt the SHA leprechaun from his hiding hole.  I wonder if he will make an appearance this year? Hmmmmm....
     Last, the students and I have just finished our study of Van Gogh.  Their "Starry, Starry Nights" are beautiful and their "Sunflowers" are stunning.  We have quite a bit of talent in our second grade classroom.  I could not draw half as well as our young artists.  I am so impressed!  Our next artists will be Henri Matisse and Cladue Monet (my favorite).  I cannot wait to see what the class creates with the inspiration of these two amazing artists.  I just know it will be fabulous.
     As always, thank you for your constant love and support of our second grade class.  I am truly appreciative.  Have a fantastic rest of the week.  Take care and God bless!

Sincerely,
Ms. Eileen Sepulveda
Your Second Grade Teacher