Did you know that even before dinosaurs roamed the earth, more than 350 million years ago, there were sharks? Amazingly, sharks of long ago looked eerily similar to the sharks that rule the oceans today. In line with the new common core standards, students in second grade are ending their current unit in Reading by working on non-fiction selections about sharks. These students in 2A wrote Shark Acrostic Poetry to share their knowledge of shark facts, with a few opinions thrown in for good measure. You can see these ferocious creatures in the main lobby outside our classroom. Lift the jaws, if you dare, and read the poetry within.
Second grade students celebrated the Feast of the Archangels by hearing stories of the Angels Gabriel, Raphael and Michael. Students printed the prayer below for a handwriting grade and made St. Michael the Archangel, nighttime protectors, to hang above their beds.
St. Michael, Pray for us!
Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Protect us against the wickedness of the devil. O prince of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who want to lead souls into hell. Amen.
Today, each second grade class was treated to a visit from Mrs. Kimberly Gamble, mother of second grader, Jake. She is a certified guidance counselor and works in the Mt. Lebanon school district. During her visit today, Mrs. Gamble led a lesson about happiness and treating others kindly.
Beginning the discussion, students suggested what might be in a person’s heart such as Jesus, kindness, and love. When we act unkindly towards another person, we hurt his/her heart. Mrs. Gamble asked the children to name ways that we might act unkindly towards other children. Each time, she wrinkled up a picture of a heart. Upon opening the heart, the wrinkled paper symbolizes that we can try to make up for unkind words and actions, but we can never really erase that from someone’s heart.
Using the popular, best-selling picture book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness Today, children see how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love on a daily basis. Children learn the meaning of the terms, bucket filling and bucket dipping and discover that when they fill someone’s bucket with kind actions or words, they fill their own. Children are challenged with the question, “Why not decide to be a bucket filler today and every day?”
Yesterday was U Day in the 3 year old Preschool class! Letters are taught through a curriculum of letter day lessons. The students learn letter recognition with alphabet puppets like raccoon for R Day and umbrella for U Day. This program provides fun and practice with fine motor skills during the puppet making activity and large motor skills as students sing, march and dance to letter songs.
ANGEL Wings Extended Day Program is currently offering loving care and fun activities to 3 or 4 year old students of the SPS Pre-K or Preschool classes from 8: A.M. to 2:30 P.M. These students enjoy many fun activities while providing convenience for mom and dad.
