11/8 Summary

Election week!

Such a great day it was! I so enjoy teaching your children. :)

In Science, we explored static electricity! It was fun to use our "science wands" (straws, combs, and balloons) and swish them around on Mrs. Rivera's fuzzy sweater or the carpet or another fuzzy jacket to create static. We discovered the "attraction" between a charged object and an uncharged one: making basil, pepper, confetti attract electrically. The balloon against our hair made it stand up and we even made an empty soda can move! Now we know why we get shocked when we go down the slide.

In History, Mrs. Overby's 2nd grade class did a mock election with our class. We filled out our own voter registration cards, turned them in to receive a ballot, listened to two candidates answer questions about what they could do for our country if elected, voted for the "best" candidate, and even voted on a Proposition: should we go to Disneyland every time a student has a birthday at Branches? ;) The students had some very insightful answers as to the pros/cons of that. It actually didn't pass! Thank you second grade for the hands-on experience in History. We had a little time to learn about President Andrew Jackson, how sad it was that owned slaves, and even more sad about how the Cherokee Tribe was forced from it's homeland and was made to walk the Trail of Tears (1000 miles!) to the land we now call Oklahoma, where many died of starvation and disease.

Our bible verse this week (1 Peter 5:7) was one that we will be helpful to know whenever we are sad or anxious about something, knowing that Jesus loves us and cares for us.

In writing, we read the book Stellaluna, reviewed oral storytelling (main character, problem, resolution) and drew a picture.

We look forward to learning next week!