Hurricanes 2006

Where do hurricanes get their names? Check out this information! I didn't know that the same list was used every six years. It just goes to show that there is something new to learn every day! Be the first to answer this question and you will get a trip to the "trash can" when we get back to school in August!

We already had a storm named Alberto. What will the next storm be named? Reply by leaving a comment or sending me an email.

If you liked that, check out this quiz. You can guess to see what names have been used to name hurricanes. This one is just for fun. I only got 19 out of 27. :0(
However, I did find out that certain letters of the alphabet are not used for naming hurricanes. Second question...same rules apply: What letters of the alphabet are not used to name hurricanes?

Hope you are having fun and enjoying the sun! Wear your sun lotion! :0)

Find the Sums

Solve the number sentences. Either post your answers in the comments or email them to me at graykr@dare.k12.nc.us.

561 + 249 =

754 + 47 =

456 + 108 =

328 + 99 =

567 + 122 =

Library Program

The Dare County Library kicked off its summer reading program this morning with a visit from the Balloon Lady. She made some nifty balloons! Dylan won a balloon that is called The Rocket. He can blow it up and let it go. While it is flying about, it makes a shrill noise. Of course he loves it! Bailey won a race car. There are plenty of other activities going on throughout the summer. Each Tuesday from 1-2 there is a program at the Hatteras Community Building next to the library. There are weekly challenges to complete. As each sheet is completed, you get a chance to be drawn for the big prize on August 4. The more sheets you complete, the better your chances. I hope all of you will take advantage of this program. It would also give you an opportunity to fill in your summer reading logs that you made with Mrs. Brown. Continue to enjoy your summer, but make time to read! :0)

Get Ready to Write

Hi, guys! Today is the last day that Miss Ainslie and I have to work so tomorrow is finally our first official day of Summer Vacation. The room is so bare and quiet without all of you to cheer it up. It looks like we are in for some nasty weather the next few days as Tropical Storm Alberto approaches. Put some of those writing skills to work and write about what you do to entertain yourself during the storm. Post your writing on the blog so we can all read it. Stay dry!

Last Day

Today was our last day of school. We had a nice, relaxing day. It was a bit sad since we knew that two of our classmates were not going to be at our school next year. Miss Kristin wrote a poem to remind everyone of our time together. Each student received a copy. Here is what it said...

It’s hard to believe that second grade is going to end

It’s exciting to think that third grade is around the bend.

Before you leave there’s one thing left to do

We must think about our memories of grade two.

Chandler bringing fresh flowers from her yard,

Matthew acing Fast Facts from studying so hard.

Fuller’s ideas show a creative mind,

Indica always thoughtful, quiet, and kind.

Cheering for Paloma when she nailed the test,

Ian never giving less than his best.

Mary, Paul, and Dakota didn’t stay very long,

Ryan tapping out the beat to a song.

Miranda volunteering to ALMOST shut the door,

Who IS that wiggling on the floor?

Josh liking stories with romance and comedy,

Bryan getting money daily from me.

Bennett making sure to spell everything right,

Kyle writing about a wild banana fight.

Emma’s face shining when telling a tale,

How much stuff is left in STUFF FOR SALE?

Summer is now here, glad you’re out of school?

Make sure you read some books since that’s what’s really cool.

Keep checking the blog for our final stories to be published and daily challenges. Have you read anything yet? If so, leave a comment. Tell us what story you are reading and what it's about.

More About Earthquakes

Help others know what to do in case there is an earthquake. Read the information on this link and then make a poster using Publisher.

Earthquake in the Early Morning

One of our reading groups has just begun another Magic Tree House book. It is the fourth in a set of missions for Jack and Annie. In this book they are looking for a special type of writing that demonstrates something to lend. This will end this series of missions that will help Camelot. The setting for this book is San Francisco in 1906. Can you guess what event they will encounter? The kids are really excited about this book! Today we looked at the Internet to see recent earthquake activity around San Francisco. This information is updated often and lets one know where earthquake activity is taking place and the strength of each earthquake. Another neat site shows where earthquakes are occuring around the world. Check it out!

Terrific!

It is April and that means another month for Terrific Kid! This month's awardees are Ryan and Bryan! Both were named because they are good friends and because they do their work. Way to go!

Welcome!

We are thrilled to have a new student in our class! His name is Dakota and we know he will make a fantastic addition to our group.

Twister on Tuesday

One of the second grade reading groups has been reading the story by Mary Pope Osborne entitled Twister on Tuesday. In this story Jack and Annie travel back in time to pioneer days. During their visit, they experience school in a one-room schoolhouse called a dugout and experience a "twister"! Check out this wonderful work of literature if you get the chance!

Celebrate!

Hurray! The class selected two new Terrific Kids for March! Paloma's classmates said that she was nice and a good friend. Matthew's fans said that he was a hard-worker and always tried to stay out of trouble. Congratulations! The assembly will be next Tuesday at 8:30 am. :0)

New Sites!

I know it has been a bit since I posted a weekly update. I am really sorry. Between my trip out of town and the ear infection, it has been difficult just keeping up! I do have new stories to post that were authored by Indica, Bennett, and Emma. I promise I will get them up by next Friday (which, by the way, is a teacher work day....no school for the students). Anyway, I will give you a quick update as to what we are doing and where on the web you can find fun and educational activities for your child.

We have begun working on time. In second grade the students are required to learn how to tell time at 5 minute intervals. Visit Clock Wise for practice with this skill.

As you know we have been using a new phonics program this year called Fundations. Some of the rules we have learned can be found on the Starfall website. We really like the video that talks about the double vowel rule! There are a variety of activities that will accommodate a variety of learners. Have fun checking it all out!

I am extremely proud of all the hard work that has gone on to learn the math facts! This is a skill that must be practiced often to keep the skills sharp. Visit Math Mastery to race against the clock while practicing these facts.

Enjoy!

The Chocolate Touch

Other students in our class are reading The Chocolate Touch.

Stone Fox

Some of our students are reading Stone Fox. Check out these vocabulary activities.

Bremen Town Musicians

Check out the matching game to practice vocabulary from The Bremen Town Musicians.

Magic Tree House author

The children are really interested in the Magic Tree House series written by Mary Pope Osborne. I refer to her often when discussing good writing. When we read her stories we always pick out wonderful words she has used to describe everything. The students are a bit reluctant at times to rewrite their "sloppy copy" editions. I try to make them see that authors write and rewrite MANY times before publishing a fabulous piece of work. During Author's Chair today I used Ms. Osborne again, citing her advice to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. The students were interested in reading about her so if you click on her name above, you can visit her in cyberspace. :0)

February Terrific Kid

Congratulations to our February Terrific Kid: Fuller! He is well-deserving of this title. He is very considerate of his classmates and tries his best. Hurray for Fuller!

Star Snackers!!!

Today in second grade we celebrated those students who passed the Fast Facts test! From Miss Kristin's class, the following students were able to proudly snack:

Chandler, Josh, Matthew, Emma, Bennett, Fuller, Miranda, and Ryan!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAY TO GO!!! I am extremely proud of your progress!!!!

Ian's Squiggle Story

Ahh! I was in a crack! I did not know what to do! I was tightly in the crack! First I put my right hand then right foot. After that, the other hand and foot. Eventually I got out of the dark, scary crack. Then I tumbled down the mountain. After that I started to think. I kept thinking and thinking of what to do. Then I got an idea of what to do. I would roll down the small mountain. But how would I get up the mountain? The back? The front? The side? Yes! All I wanted to do was have fun. So, I climbed up the side of the mountain and rolled right down and layed on the grass and did nothing. I did nothing for hours and hours. Then I rolled over and did that for an hour. The last minute I was there I layed on the nice, wet grass and did nothing. Nothing.

Josh's Squiggle Story

First my mom was lying down on a towel getting tan. Meanwhile, I was running to go in the water. Then I paused. Next I saw this huge shark jump! I ran to my mom and told her all the details. She didn't believe me so I took my board. I ran to the shark and the shark ate half of it. The 15-foot black tip shark's tooth was wedged in my half-eaten boared. I showed my mom. Now she believed me. I showed my brother Thomas. Thomas was shocked by my dreadful story. I took the tooth out of the board and made it into a necklace. One time before I went to bed I noticed something. I felt part of my board in the tooth. I took the part of the board out and fell gently to sleep in my bed. I tried to shake off that horror of a day and I did.