A Newspaper and Australia Day Preparations

Hello, 2013!  I am loving 2013 in second grade.  January, while bleak in regard to temperature, is so productive in terms of academics.  We hit the ground running and we have not taken many breaks since.  The kids have shown up so matured and so eager for new challenges.  Time flies when you're writing pencils into stubs.

Our first of many large scale projects for the winter is to create a newspaper.  We are a tech savvy classroom yet we also recognize the importance of print!  The Boston Globe, Washington Post, and even the Grey Lady herself will have nothing on our class paper.  Pairs of students have been working hard over the past two days to brainstorm potential articles and to understand exactly what it means to write for a newspaper.  We are trying to blend our informative and entertaining writing styles.  We are researching facts and interviewing outside sources.  Technology is admittedly dominant, but I also hope that print will never die.  Because it is so awesome to witness young newspaper reporters read their own words in tangible format.

Future journalists in action?  Kevin researches on FactMonster while Grace types up her final copy.

Though disheartened by the Redskins' loss in the playoffs, Andrew and Charleston report the facts and interview outside sources for their sports column.

We're also feverishly preparing for Australia Day.  We will celebrate this Aussie national holiday in late January.  An authentic Australian (ahem.... Matt) will visit our classroom and utilize a very colorful PowerPoint presentation about the history, geography and amazing animals of Australia.  We will also sample vegemite, Anzac biscuits and chocolate Tim Tams.  There may even be a Bearded Dragon in attendance (just a rumor.... you didn't hear it from me..)

We want to impress Matt with our vast knowledge of this exceptional country and our world's smallest continent.  We have started our Australia study by analzying geography.  We will also investigate the feral and protected animals of Australia.  We'll learn about Aboriginal art and try to create some of our own.  We will be ready for Matt's presentations with many questions and comments at the ready!

Kevin and James work hard at labeling the Australian states and territories.

Ben, Julia, Mia, Sophia and Grace utilize various atlases to find points of geographic interest.

We love our light up globe!  Mia, Sophia, Teddy and Andrew use this resource in place of the atlas.

It can be difficult to regain momentum after a long holiday, but our enthusiasm and hard work makes second grade such an inspiring place.  I can't imagine being anywhere else.