Our class is "abuzz" with the new computer skill we are trying out. We now have an online classroom where the students can answer questions I pose about things they are learning in class. They can also respond to what other students typed. This is giving them practice with early typing skills, and hopefully will provide a platform for them to truly discuss what they are learning.
To enter the online classroom from home:
1. Go to www.highlandschools.org
2. At the top of the page, click on the black tab labeled "Online Academy"
3. In the upper right hand corner, you will see the option to "login" (before clicking, read the paragraph titled "Welcome to Highland Online"- it will explain the login process; your student will be bringing home their login information though should this be confusing)
4. Login
5. Click on "Mrs. Eshbaugh's Class"
6. You will see a list of discussions from our class- your student(s) should be able to navigate from here.
We have discussed in length the need for appropriate commenting, and positive reinforcement. It may take a few weeks for the students to fully utilize this in the way I am hoping. We are learning together!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
An update- finally! :)
Eshbaugh Update!!
January 11, 2010
The New Year has arrived so quickly! It will be an exciting year full of new growth for your student(s) and ultimately the transformation into 3rd graders. We are preparing to take on more responsibility with assignments and in the classroom.
A quick update on the status of my departure to have my baby-
I am working with the substitute, Miss Plute on the topics and lessons to be covered while I am away on maternity leave. The students have met her, and she has subbed in our classroom for a few days already. Personalities seem to be clicking and I truly feel the students will be in good hands.
With my due date being April 6, in the middle of spring break, I do plan to continue in the classroom as long as possible. My doctors feel that everything is moving as it should, and as of now there is no reason why I would have to depart early. I am planning in advance, however, should something happen- the transition should still go very smoothly.
Some other updates-
~We will be having a class reward day this Thursday, January 14. The class has been behaving so beautifully that they are overdue on a positive reinforcement for their work and actions. They have decided (by majority vote) to have a pajama day. On Thursday they may wear (or bring and change into) pajamas. They may also bring one stuffed animal with them that we will parade around in the classroom. The day will be filled with other surprises for them to enjoy as a class . Please do not send blankets or pillows.
~Timed tests were given today, and have changed a little bit. Those students who have progressed to the 4th level are now given the full 5 minutes to complete the test. Other students will stop at 2 minutes and then finish the paper in colored pencil while they wait. If you see numbers written in colored pencil, they do not count toward the total correct. It is just additional practice for the students. Certificates will be awarded to students who pass the 4th level as they continue into a short break and then into a challenge facts group.
~The new volunteer calendars will be home by Thursday this week.
~There is no spelling list this week or next. We’ll get back into the routine after our short weeks. Also, there will be no grammar homework assignments this week or next.
January 11, 2010
The New Year has arrived so quickly! It will be an exciting year full of new growth for your student(s) and ultimately the transformation into 3rd graders. We are preparing to take on more responsibility with assignments and in the classroom.
A quick update on the status of my departure to have my baby-
I am working with the substitute, Miss Plute on the topics and lessons to be covered while I am away on maternity leave. The students have met her, and she has subbed in our classroom for a few days already. Personalities seem to be clicking and I truly feel the students will be in good hands.
With my due date being April 6, in the middle of spring break, I do plan to continue in the classroom as long as possible. My doctors feel that everything is moving as it should, and as of now there is no reason why I would have to depart early. I am planning in advance, however, should something happen- the transition should still go very smoothly.
Some other updates-
~We will be having a class reward day this Thursday, January 14. The class has been behaving so beautifully that they are overdue on a positive reinforcement for their work and actions. They have decided (by majority vote) to have a pajama day. On Thursday they may wear (or bring and change into) pajamas. They may also bring one stuffed animal with them that we will parade around in the classroom. The day will be filled with other surprises for them to enjoy as a class . Please do not send blankets or pillows.
~Timed tests were given today, and have changed a little bit. Those students who have progressed to the 4th level are now given the full 5 minutes to complete the test. Other students will stop at 2 minutes and then finish the paper in colored pencil while they wait. If you see numbers written in colored pencil, they do not count toward the total correct. It is just additional practice for the students. Certificates will be awarded to students who pass the 4th level as they continue into a short break and then into a challenge facts group.
~The new volunteer calendars will be home by Thursday this week.
~There is no spelling list this week or next. We’ll get back into the routine after our short weeks. Also, there will be no grammar homework assignments this week or next.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Eshbaugh karate
To reinforce the geometry terms we are studying, I have taught the class some "karate-like" moves! Remind them to be very serious before they start to show you the following moves...
endpoint
line segment
line
parallel lines
angle
vertex
Next week we will add intersecting lines as well.
endpoint
line segment
line
parallel lines
angle
vertex
Next week we will add intersecting lines as well.
Friday, December 4, 2009
"trash words"
We have created our class list of "trash words"- words we have thrown away and cannot use anymore in 2nd grade! Based on students' ideas we chose
small
pretty
fun
awesome
cool
big
like
We came up with many synonyms for these words, as well as other ways to change the sentence so more dazzling, sparkling words can be used!
small
pretty
fun
awesome
cool
big
like
We came up with many synonyms for these words, as well as other ways to change the sentence so more dazzling, sparkling words can be used!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Update on Partial Sums Algorithm
Update on Partial Sums Addition
After teaching the partial sums addition algorithm last week, students were told to use it as a requirement of our math curriculum series. They will be seeing it again in 3rd grade when they learn how to do 2 and 3 digit multiplication.
HOWEVER…
Yesterday in class I taught the students the traditional way of doing addition where they carry the tens or hundreds numbers to the top. They are allowed to choose either way do to their assignments, unless it specifically asks for the partial sums algorithm. We discussed this quite a bit yesterday before sending home their homework.
To “show work” the carrying way, they need to keep their marks above columns rather than erasing them. (For some reason, 2nd graders like to erase their work in math )
I know that this is a frustrating concept for students and parents alike, but please be patient with the process. It does have some merit in helping students pull apart place value.
Thank you!
Mrs. Eshbaugh
After teaching the partial sums addition algorithm last week, students were told to use it as a requirement of our math curriculum series. They will be seeing it again in 3rd grade when they learn how to do 2 and 3 digit multiplication.
HOWEVER…
Yesterday in class I taught the students the traditional way of doing addition where they carry the tens or hundreds numbers to the top. They are allowed to choose either way do to their assignments, unless it specifically asks for the partial sums algorithm. We discussed this quite a bit yesterday before sending home their homework.
To “show work” the carrying way, they need to keep their marks above columns rather than erasing them. (For some reason, 2nd graders like to erase their work in math )
I know that this is a frustrating concept for students and parents alike, but please be patient with the process. It does have some merit in helping students pull apart place value.
Thank you!
Mrs. Eshbaugh
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I hope that everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving break! From the stories I'm hearing in class, these kids truly enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday.
We are moving into colonial days! We will be comparing life in the past to our life to gain a better understanding of how technology, transportation, clothing, and communication have changed over time.
We'll also be reading books in the historical fiction genre to compliment our "days of the past" studies.
Just today we began discussing adjectives and how to use more descriptive words while speaking and writing. You may begin to hear your student (s) talk about "trash words." We will be compiling a list of over used words that they are throwing in the trash- i.e. words they won't be able to use in their writing. I will post that list when they have made the decision later this week.
Mr. Mancuso is spending his first stint of time in our classroom on Wednesdays until Winter Break. Last week he talked about bullies and the appropriate ways to handle bullying situations. I have conflict management slips that can be filled out for the students if they are having trouble with a peer. These are used as a referral for Mr. Mancuso- students involved in the situation will meet with him to resolve it. He spoke quite a bit about the "I statement" as well. Students are encouraged to say... "When you _____________, I feel __________ because _________." Please encourage this at home as well!
We are moving into colonial days! We will be comparing life in the past to our life to gain a better understanding of how technology, transportation, clothing, and communication have changed over time.
We'll also be reading books in the historical fiction genre to compliment our "days of the past" studies.
Just today we began discussing adjectives and how to use more descriptive words while speaking and writing. You may begin to hear your student (s) talk about "trash words." We will be compiling a list of over used words that they are throwing in the trash- i.e. words they won't be able to use in their writing. I will post that list when they have made the decision later this week.
Mr. Mancuso is spending his first stint of time in our classroom on Wednesdays until Winter Break. Last week he talked about bullies and the appropriate ways to handle bullying situations. I have conflict management slips that can be filled out for the students if they are having trouble with a peer. These are used as a referral for Mr. Mancuso- students involved in the situation will meet with him to resolve it. He spoke quite a bit about the "I statement" as well. Students are encouraged to say... "When you _____________, I feel __________ because _________." Please encourage this at home as well!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A few pictures from the last month
We had a special guest from the Natural History Museum come to speak about Ohio animals' adaptations. She brought furs, skulls, and jawbones with her for the students to see how each animal needs certain parts of their body to survive. Some key adaptations they discovered were the following; working thumbs, undercoat fur, different types of teeth for different types of meals, eyes on the front or side of head, and the size of beaks.
To show the different parts of the writing process, we did a "playdough experiment." The students thought about what to make with their play dough (pre-writing), made it (rough draft), changed, added to it, and removed things from it (revising and editing), and shared it with the class (publishing).
Fun with double arrow frames
We planted seeds that unfortunately still have not grown (with the exception of one :) )
Investigating leaves and plant parts that we picked up outside
To show the different parts of the writing process, we did a "playdough experiment." The students thought about what to make with their play dough (pre-writing), made it (rough draft), changed, added to it, and removed things from it (revising and editing), and shared it with the class (publishing).
Fun with double arrow frames
We planted seeds that unfortunately still have not grown (with the exception of one :) )
Investigating leaves and plant parts that we picked up outside
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