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Gala & Auction: April 28, 2012               Family Fun Night: February 24, 2012 www.barnesvilleschool.org joy. support. excellence. Northeast Woodlands Native Americans     Second grade began learning about the Northeastern Woodlands Native Americans  in early November. This was the perfect region for us to begin our study of the Native Americans because it includes our home state of Maryland. We now know how important environmental surroundings, particularly trees, were to this group of native people. We've also discussed the different dwellings, foods, and transportation this group of Native Americans had as a part of their culture. In addition to presenting our Native American book reports and dioramas, we enriched our study of the Northeast Woodland Native Americans with a trip to Black Hills Regional Park for a presentation given by a naturalist about the native tribes living right here in Barnesville many years ago! Winter Book Report     Our third book report is due on Tuesday, December 14th. The children are to choose three picture books that follow the theme of winter or winter holidays. They should then practice reading all three books aloud at home before bringing them to school on the 14th. We will then pair up in our reading classes and read to one another to celebrate the upcoming winter and holiday seasons! No summary or additional presentation is required for this book report. How Can We Ensure Gardening Success?     Second grade has had an outstanding time discussing the environmental factors that help a garden reach its fullest potential when planted such as make-up of soil, sunlight, and consistent watering. We've also learned to apply what we've learned by investigating the soil and possible planting spaces at the Barnesville School. Because many plants have begun to hibernate and the temperature is getting colder, we will now shift our environmental education focus to learning about what we as gardeners can do to ensure success for our gardens in the spring. We will talk about rules for garden safety and how to devise a schedule for garden care. We'll also make paper pots that we'll use in the spring to transplant small sprouts to their outside homes. Learning About Native Americans     The children just started their model canoes the week before Thanksgiving so they probably won't be completed until mid December. Hopefully we will also learn about the Plains Native Americans in December. We learn about the role of the buffalo, horse and teepee for these Native Americans. The children will also make a parfleche which is a travelling bag very important to these nomadic groups of people. Be sure to look at the wonderful landscape woodland habitats created by your children complete with wigwams  which reinforced their study of the Woodland Native Americans. The children also made fun "False Face Society'" masks after learning the myth related to them. These are also on display in the hallway across from the third grade room.      Important Dates     12/9-12/10: Holiday Shop 12/16: Lower School Holiday Show 12/17: Noon Dismissal- Happy Holidays! 12/20-12/31: No School 1/3/11: Classes Resume   Music     First of all, every Lower School student did an excellent job in this year's Holiday Show, both in their performances and in the rehearsals leading up to the night of the Show.  Congratulations to all!  They will ring in the New Year with bells, and then the students will play recorders in music class.  They are learning peace songs to sing during Barnesville School's Peace Week.  Also, they are working on rounds, canons, and seasonal songs.  For the first week of January, the Composer Of The Week has been George Bizet.  Next, the students will learn about Clara Schumann.  Physical Education     Second Grade is continuing to show that they are second to none! They have been working on their Volleyball skills. We are learning different ways to get the ball over the net. We have been working in small groups to accomplish different Net Games goals. The second graders have many Holiday Games to look forward to in the upcoming month!! Art     The children will be focusing on the celebration of Christmas by the Mexicans in December, since the majority of Mexicans are Christian. They will learn about a "posada" (parade taking Mary and Joseph and Jesus to the manger scene at church) after hearing the book, "Poncho's PInata" . They will work on a large mural to show a "posada" in a traditional Mexican village. They will also do a drawing of an angel (with the explanation of the importance of angels in all Western religions) and an elf during the holiday season. Spanish     The children are getting into the swing of things and are doing a wonderful job. During December they will learn about reading and writing numbers from 1 to 20, counting by tens until one hundred and practicing addition and subtraction in Spanish. This unit also provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding and appreciation of traditional winter celebrations in Spanish countries. Return To:   Home Page  |  Newsletters Section