Primary 2 Room

June News

In June, we will explore the wonders of California, delving into the history and culture of the state we live in. The children will also learn about various integral transportation vehicles. The monthly book will be The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone, providing delightful lessons on teamwork and responsibility. The children will have a fun and educational month!

May Recap

Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you to all for celebrating Mother’s Day at the tea party. This month, we discussed the importance of wishing our mom a Happy Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a recognition of a mom who works very hard daily—for example, taking care of, feeding, and loving us. 

In May, we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The children enjoyed the story. We discussed the lifecycle of the butterfly. For art, we created a butterfly. During circle time, we discuss what caterpillars eat and where they live. For our class, we got five real caterpillars. The children enjoyed watching the caterpillars transition to a pupa and then to a butterfly. 



For Geography, we explore Africa. Africa is the second largest continent. There are 54 countries. We learned that in Africa, cocoa beans grow and people use it to make chocolate. We also learned about the different unique African places, such as the Nile River, the Sahara Desert, and the Savanna Grasslands. We discussed what kind of animals live in the Savanna, and the children shared which animals were their favorite. For our theme, we learned about Dinosaurs. We discussed one primary topic and explained how dinosaurs became extinct and how scientists who study dinosaurs discover fossils in which they put the dinosaurs back together in museums.

We also discovered what are carnivores and herbivores. We sorted the dinosaurs by what they ate. Finally, they painted a dinosaur in an egg for art, which the children loved.

April Recap

Happy Easter! The literature book we have been reading in April was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. The children enjoy this story and practice going over the alphabet. We also sang the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom song. For geography, we studied Oceania which is located in Australia. During circle time, we discussed the continent of Australia, learning that Australia is the smallest continent, and it is divided into six states. We also looked at different animals that live on the continent. The two well-known animals we reviewed are the kangaroo and the koala. We talk about the parts of the animals and their habitat. For art, we colored Australia and added different animals that lived in Australia.

Furthermore, we discuss the meaning of Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual event on April 22. This day is unique because we bring awareness about caring for the earth. We introduced the three R’s that can help with the earth: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reduce is using less amount of waste. Reuse is finding new ways to use the trash, so we do not have to throw it out immediately. Recycling is using trash to remake new goods that can be sold again. During sharing time, we discussed how to take care of the Earth. Some of the answers the children shared were not throwing trash on the floor, picking up trash and putting it in the garbage can, and lastly, taking care of the plants. 

March Recap

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and welcome to the blossoming season of spring! This past month, we celebrated the legendary Dr. Seuss, a beloved author renowned for his whimsical tales that captivate young hearts. From his birthplace in Massachusetts, USA, to his penchant for funny hats reflected in his stories, Dr. Seuss's imaginative world enchanted our students. Among his cherished works, "The Cat in the Hat" sparked joy and laughter in our classroom, inspiring colorful discussions and fostering a love for storytelling.

In March, our explorations extended to the vibrant continent of South America, where we discovered its diverse countries, iconic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. From the majestic Amazon Rainforest to the towering Andes Mountains, and the sweeping plains of the Pampas, our journey immersed us in the wonders of this extraordinary continent. Through art projects like crafting llamas in the Andes and depicting the stages of the rainforest, our creative spirits soared as we celebrated the beauty and diversity of South American culture.

Guided by principles of grace and courtesy, we honed essential social skills, practicing classroom jobs with care, taking turns, and embracing the art of greeting others warmly. As we bid farewell to March and eagerly await the adventures of April, our focus turns to our precious planet Earth. With a commitment to environmental stewardship, we'll explore ways to care for our Earth through recycling, reducing, and reusing. Additionally, our journey will take us Down Under as we delve into the geography of Australia, unlocking its mysteries and marvels.

February Recap

We extend warm wishes to everyone for a Happy Lunar New Year and a joyful Valentine's celebration! Thank you to all who joined in the festivities of the Valentine's party, where the children delighted in sharing and passing out their Valentine cards to friends.

In February we celebrated Lunar New Year, known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival. This festival, observed in China and other Asian countries, spans 15 days, commencing with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and concluding on the first full moon. The children engaged in a story about Lunar New Year and crafted lanterns adorned with dragons to mark the occasion.

Throughout February, our focus shifted to the continent of Asia during circle time. We explored pictures depicting the people, culture, traditions, and famous landmarks of Asia, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, and the Tokyo Tower. The children learned about the diverse animals inhabiting Asia, with special attention given to the giant panda. Discussions centered on the panda's habitat, diet, and peaceful nature, and the children even had the opportunity to see and feel a real bamboo plant during circle time.

Valentine's Day brought excitement as we delved into its meaning and significance. The children learned that this special day, observed on February 14th, is a time to share love through drawings, cards, or hugs. We emphasized politeness and gratitude for the love and care we receive daily. The children engaged in Valentine-themed art activities, creating a Valentine tree and heart stamp art.

Friendship took center stage this month as we explored the concept of friendship. Discussions revolved around defining a friend and understanding how to be a good friend. The children learned to appreciate the value of friendship, aligning with the sentiments explored in our featured book, Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni. Through this story, we delved into the primary colors and experimented with mixing blue and yellow to create the vibrant color green in an enjoyable art activity.

February was a month filled with love, cultural exploration, and the joy of friendship. We look forward to continuing our journey of learning and discovery in the upcoming months. As March unfolds, the children are excitedly preparing for sunny adventures as Spring arrives! This month, we'll delve into the captivating themes of Dinosaurs and Africa. From exploring unique animals and their habitats to celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with his enchanting books, it's set to be a month filled with discovery and fun!

January Recap

Happy January! We trust that you and your family had a delightful Christmas and New Year. As we embraced the new month, our focus turned to the wonders of winter. Engaging in circle time discussions, we explored the essentials of winter attire and shared the enchanting storybook, The Mitten by Jan Brett. The story captivated the children and provided insights into the concept of hibernation.

Circle time discussions delved into hibernation, unraveling the habits of animals during this season. We sang lively songs, including the favorite "Where is Hibernating Bear?" The exploration continued with a delightful demonstration of miracle snow and ice cubes during circle time. Tangible experiences were brought into play with shave ice, allowing the children to feel the texture of snow.

Our journey extended to the fascinating continent of Antarctica, where we discovered the unique climate, inhabitants, and majestic icebergs. Polar bears, penguins, seals, and whales became the focal points of our discussions. The children learned about the specific characteristics of polar bears and penguins, enhancing their understanding through songs like "Do you ever see a penguin?" and "Polar Bear Circle." Daily practices of grace and courtesy enriched our classroom routines.

December Recap

We practice Celebrating Around the World with practical life skills, sensorial, language, math, and science. We discussed what Hanukah and Kwanzaa were each week and Christmas around the world. We use shapes to construct, sort, and use number cards to help the children connect numbers with counters. Season and weather cards and the difference between seasons were discussed for science. This was a month of learning experience; using practical life skills, we went on an around-the-world journey in our Winter Holiday Recital Celebration. We read the book The Giving Tree and talked about how we can help others.

December was a month of a lot of singing and dancing as we prepared for our Christmas performance. Thank you to all the families that participated with their children in this event; the children enjoyed your company. For Practical life, we practiced twisting nuts and bolts, and for sensory, the children colored a Christmas tree using their handprints. Holiday practices worldwide were discussed, including Hanukah and Kwanza, and celebrating Christmas in the States. We count and sing the good morning song during circle time in Spanish. For literacy, we practice the letters l, m, and n and their sounds. We engage in painting and storytelling with the small Christmas puppets. Let's not forget the fun the children had making the family Christmas gifts and making ornaments for the Christmas tree.