Welcome to Room 118 at McComb Elementary in Caro, Michigan. This second grade classroom is populated with youngsters who are having a fabulous year. Our adventure began in September and concludes in June of 2003! Although we do study the typical second grade subjects - reading, math, spelling, manuscript and cursive writing, etc., - we have a wonderful difference! We learn about wild animals all year long. All of our studies are tied to this theme, and we will be real "experts" by the end of the year!
Our animals change by the month, and here's a rundown of the schedule of our study: September = Primates; October = Wild Cats; November and December = Waterhole Animals (Rhino, Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra) and the Kangaroo; January = Arctic Animals (the Walrus, Wolf, and Polar Bear); February = Penguins; March = Elephants; April = Birds (the Cockatoo, Macaw, Eagle Owl, Lovebirds, Scarlet Ibis, Peacock, Toucan, Condor); May = Bears (the American Black Bear, Asian Black Bear, Brown Bear, Spectacled Bear, Sun Bear, Polar Bear, Sloth Bear).
We celebrate all of our learning with a wonderful trip to the Detroit Zoo in May. This trip gives us an opportunity to see, firsthand, the wonderful animals we've studied all year!
We experience a lot of other themes during the year. We "visit" some other countries to look at their languages, cultures, and traditions. We took a close look at Africa through books and the internet. We are all fascinated by the variety of peoples and animals on this exciting continent. We have learned how to say "Hello, welcome friends." in Kiswahili. "Jambo, karibu rafiki!" We learned a bit about Germany, had our own Octoberfest celebration, and learned to count in German. Wildcats were exciting to learn about in October. We presented our Thanksgiving play - award winning performances by all - and we experienced waterhole animals.
Please drop in to check on us as our year progresses. We'll update our site each month, and we'd love to know that you were here.
We'd love to hear from visitors to our "site." Please feel free to sign our guestbook.
Sign My Guestbook
View My Guestbook
Thank you for dropping by!
What's New in Room 118
- Reading : We love having volunteers listen to our reading. Do you have 30 minutes a week to listen to a second grader read? Please contact McComb Elementary if you would like to be a classroom volunteer.
- Math: We'll be learning a lot of great mathematical strategies this year. The children will be adding and subtracting without using fingers and toes!! We'll experience basic geometry, simple multiplication, measurement with standard and metric rules, fractions, and arrays.
- Feature Animal : Our year-long wild animal study is so wonderful. We will be learning about a new animal group each month all year long! By the end of the year, we'll all be animal experts.
- Song : We can't start our day without a song. What's better than hearing 25 young voices singing first thing in the morning? We'll learn lots of great songs this year. Music helps us learn - just think of the rhythm of reading...! We're using our songs to help us learn.
- Exciting News : We are now using 4-blocks for language arts! Our mornings just fly by!
Our Favorite Links
Click here for a look at this month's wild animal!
Click here to read what the children have to say!
Click here for the PBS website for kids. Check the link to Kratt's Creatures.
Click here for a beautiful look at African wildlife.
Click here to see how it's all in the family!
Click here for a look at another 2nd grade room.
Click here for a visit with the African Wildlife Foundation
Email: phyllis_ford@hotmail.com
