Upcoming Dates

October 25-26th- Parent-Teacher conferences 

October 24- 28th - Red Ribbon Week

October 24-28th- Book Fair

November 3rd - Student Flu Clinic

November 4th - Picture Retake

November 10th - Veterans honor assembly 

November 11th - Veterans Day- No School

November 23rd-27th -Thanksgiving Break

November 30- 1st Trimester Ends

Johnny Appleseed Learning

Last mont was Johnny Appleseed birthday.  We took this opportunity to write about Johnny Appleseed and talk about Tall Tale stories.   Ms. Johnson and I also took the opportunity to celebrate his birthday by making apple sauce with the two classes.  This was a great way to teach students about following directions, measurement, and fractions.   We enjoyed the smell of yummy apple sauce cooking throughout the day!!  Here are some pictures of us learning about how to make apple sauce in a crockpot.

Ms. Johnson slicing apples

Counting out the correct number of apples 

Asking questions about measuring ingredience 

Talking about apple slices as fractions

Math and Writing in September

Last month flew by, but it was a great month of learning and adjusting to being back to school.  During the month of September we learned the routine for math groups and math centers.  Students in our class and Ms. Johnson's class will be switching during this time to better meet each students math needs.  Please talk with your child about which teacher they are meeting with, and how we are doing math centers during this time.
Also, during this month we have been learning the routine for writers workshop.  Students have been learning about the writing process and how to write a personal narrative.  I have been so proud of all the work that has been going on during writing.  Many students have made it to the publishing stage of writing, and they have been able to share their writing with the class.  Here are a few pictures of everyone hard at work as writers.

Hard at work planning and writing!

Students using alternative seats

Using plan sheets to writing a story with a beginning, middle, and end

Also

Social Studies - National Symbols

This trimester second grade has been focusing on national symbols.  Part of this study is learning about what a symbol is, and then learning what symbols we have in our nation.  We have learned about the President, the eagle, the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, the Washington monument, Airforce One, and the Lincoln memorial.  At the end of our studies students were grouped into groups of six, and they were given a book to read together about one of the national symbols.  They then each picked one fact that they wanted to share about the symbol with the classes.  This week they will present their symbol to the class.

The classes favorite video - Mount Rushmore Rocks


Students researching their national symbols and collaborate together to collect facts!

Math Center

This year a few of us on the Learning Lane team are changing how we teach math.  Over the summer we read the book Math Work Stations  by Debbie Diller; and we realized that we could better reach students if we met in small groups with students not only during reading but during math as well.  Math will start in a whole group lesson and then transition into centers and small groups.  During centers students will be working on independent seat work, which will be either in their interactive notebook or a worksheet, to work on the skill being taught that day.  They will also be playing games or working on the computer to practice math skills.  During centers I will be working with a small group to help strengthen students understanding of the skill being taught that day, and I will also be able to check for any confusions about the skill.

Practicing geoboards

Playing top-it

Working with pattern blocks

Playing addition bump

School Expectations

Below are the expectations, encouragers, and enforcers of the school. If you have any questions about this please don't hesitate to contact me!

Learning Lane’s Plan for Success

Expectations:

1.  Care for yourself, others, and your school  (Respect)

2.  Keep trying (Own your choices)

3.  Own your choices

4.  Listen and follow directions the 1st time (Cooperation)

5.  Keep yourself and others safe (Keeping safe)

Encouragement:

1. Praise

2. Rockstar Ticket

3. Raffle Ticket

4. Positive Contact Home

5. Class/Learning Lane Reward

Enforcement:

1. Reminder/Reteach

2. Stop and Think

3. Buddy Room/Reflection

4. Loss of privilege

5. OBR/Call home

Oops Tickets can be given by both homeroom teacher and other Learning Lane teachers to track what number enforcement a student is on.  This can also be tracked on a teacher’s behavior clipboard.

Meet the Teacher

Hi my name is Kristen Saunders, and I am so very excited 

to be your child's 2nd grade teacher.  This will be my 11th year 

teaching, and my 1st year in 2nd grade.  I am excited about this new
teaching adventure!  Also, this is my 4th year 

on the Learn Lane team.  I am looking

forward to a great year!

I grew up in Windham, Maine where I attended
Windham Christian Academy from K through
12th grade. My grandparents owned
a cottage on Sebago, and I have always loved
the lakes region area!

                                         

In December of 2003 I graduated with a
Early Childhood/Elementary Education
degree from Evangel University in
Springfield, Missouri.  

After a couple years of teaching, I
decided to go back to school and pursue
my masters degree.  I graduated in 2009
with my masters in General Education.

My Favorites

Food:  Italian and Chocolate

Movie: Anne of Green Gables

Book:  Little Women

Color: Pink

Drink: Coffee

Season: Summer

Sport:  Skiing

Fast Food:  Chinese

Hobby:  Knitting

Subject:  Reading

Dessert:  Anything chocolate

Flower: Dahlia

Pet: Dogs

To be the best teacher I can be, I couldn't
do it without my love and #1 support, my husband
Josh.  Josh and I have been married for
5 years.  

Next to my supportive and wonderful husband,
Josh, our puppy boy, Watson, is love of my
life.  He brings us great joy and fun.  

Ocean Field Trip

Dear Families,

We will be taking a field trip to Crescent Beach State Park on Monday, June 13th.  The rain date is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th.  We will be leaving the school at 8:45 with an estimated return time of 2:30.  We will be exploring the tide pools and the animals that live there.

All chaperones will need to provide their own transportation, however, your entry fee will be covered by the district.  If you are planning on following the bus you should arrive at school by 8:15 to go over rules for the field trip.  Students are not allowed to ride with their parents in cars.  Students must ride to and from the field trip on the bus.  Siblings are not allowed if you are chaperoning for this field trip as you will be responsible for a group of students.  

Students will need to wear appropriate shoes to climb on the rocks.  Shoes should have rubber soles and have straps and/or laces to keep them on your child’s feel.  (NO FLIP FLOPS!)  In the interest of preserving the ecological balance of the beach, we are not allowed to take rocks, shells and/or anything else we might find home with us.  The children will be able to spend some time exploring the tide pools and identifying some of the shells and other sea life that they find on the beach.  If you are a chaperone, please make sure that all “living” finds are returned to their original home.

The children will not be allowed in the water!!!  Please do not send your child wearing a bathing suit.  Your child will need a towel to sit on at the beach, at hat, sunscreen, a water bottle and a bag lunch with some snacks and a couple of drinks (NO GLASS BOTTLES PLEASE).  We will also be having snack when we arrive at the beach.  Please apply sunscreen on your child before sending them to school.

Exciting end of the year!

This week has been filled with so much excitement.  Here are a few highlights of what has been happening this week!!

Tuesday we had Field Day, and despite the rain, we had a blast, plus the day ended with beautiful sunshine.  Here are a few pictures to share what we did!

Swimming!!!

Canoeing 

Water games

Face paint 

Relay races 

Then today we had the Lake Region graduates walk through the school. Everyone was so proud of all their hard work!  

Today we also brought our 2016 Reading Challenge to a close. There were 2 teams today, Team Peavey and Team Cline. The teams were comprised from the 12 classrooms that read the most in our challenge. Each team competed in a "Mousetrap" race and in the end Mrs. Peavey's team was victorious, so Mrs. Cline went into the dunk tank!

May/June Dates

I can't even believe there are only 6 more weeks of school left!  There will be a lot going on as the end of the school year approaches.  Here are some important dates to keep in mind this month and into the beginning of next month.

May 
  27th - R.O.C.K Reward! 
  30th - Memorial Day - No school
June 
   7th - Field Day - Please have your permission slips returned by June 3rd
   13th - Field Trip to Crescent Beach
   15th - Rain Date for Crescent Beach
   16th - Last Day of School!!

April Important Dates

April 

11-14th - Random Acts of Kindness week (See prior blog for more details)

12th - Pride in Our School Day- Dress up in your favorite Alice in Wonderland costume, and also come have lunch with your child

12th - Crooked River Vote - Please make sure you take time to go out and vote for this very important decision!

12th & 14th - Parent/Teacher conferences - I look forward to talking with everyone about their child's progress

15- 24th - April Break!!

29th - Mid Trimester Closes

Reading Challenge Ends

This week was our last week for our reading challenge.  I want to thank everyone for helping their child read each night, recording their times, and turning them in at the end the week.  If you still have your last reading log, please send it in on Monday.  The classroom teachers will be compiling their reading minutes to see which classes will participate in our reading celebration relay.  Just like last year the classes with the highest minute will have their teacher participating in a relay race in May.  At the end of the relay race the teams principal that loses will be ending up in a dunk tank.  It should be an exciting event to celebrate all of our hard work as readers!

Also, throughout this last month we have been reading as a school the book, Nicholas a Maine Tale by Peter Arenstam.  Everyone has been so very excited about this book!  It has given students a chance to make connections to their own life as the main character Nicholas travels around the state of Maine.  In celebration of finishing the book this week we were surprised with a special visitor,  Peter Arenstam!  It as so awesome to have him at our school to share about being an author, his books, and of course how he wrote our all time favorite Nicholas series.  We love the character so very much, that we as a class, along with several other classes are going to read the next book in the series, Nicholas a New Hampshire Tale.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Student Council is sponsoring a Random Acts of Kindness to build awareness of the power of just being kind.  Please help us celebrate the week by participating in the dress up days to show your pride in being a student at Songo Locks school.    Please dress in the following:

Monday, April 11- PJ Day

Show your soft side - wear soft pajamas

Tuesday, April 12- Pride in our school day

Dress as your favorite character from Alice in Wonderland

Wednesday, April 13- Wacky Wednesday

Dress in a silly manner

Thursday, April 14- One color for Kindness

Show how nothing is black or white - Wear anything gray

Additionally, as a Random Act of Kindness from the Songo Locks Elementary School, we are holding a fundraiser to raise money/supplies for Harvest Hills to help care for homeless dogs and cats.

Some items they could use include:

• Canned Dog and Cat Food
• Kitten food
• Dry cat food
• Dry dog food- NO BENEFUL OR OLD ROY please
• Grain-free dog food
• Hardwood pellets (We use it for cat litter)
• Bleach
• Laundry detergent
• Trash Bags
• Postage Stamps
• Photocopy paper
• Dish soap
• Cleaning Supplies: Nylon-bristle brooms, Scrub Pads and Brushes, Sponges, Paper Towels
• Gift cards to Wal-mart, Paris Farmers’ Union and Hannaford

Parent Teacher conference night would be a great time to drop off donations!

Upcoming Learning

Reading:  

• Continuing to work on story elements - character, setting, problem, solution, and plot
• This week we will continue with spelling patterns that go along with the final e rule, next week we will have a tricky phonics pattern.  The pattern in called the c train and the g train (also known as soft c and g).  The rule is that when c or g is followed by an e or i it changes its sound to hard c and g to soft c and g.  

Writing:

• We have been doing an author's study on Mo Willems.  We have been reading through a number of his books; now, this week we will each decide which is the best, in our opinion.  After everyone picks their book they will be working on an opinion piece about the book and why they think it is the best Mo Willems book!
• We are continuing to work on trying to add adjectives into our sentences, end sentences with correct punctuation, and capitalize the beginning letters in our sentences.

Math:

• This week we are working on adding 2 digit numbers.  This is also helping us to practice our understanding of place value.
• We are continuing to work on addition and subtraction fluency.

Social Studies

• This week we are starting a new unit, mapping.  We will be learning about different types of maps, how to label maps, directionality, and map keys.

******************Reminders**************

Spring Pictures - Tuesday, March 22nd

Report Cards Come Home/Open for Viewing - Friday, March 25th

Reading Challenge!

Songo Locks School Reading Challenge

February 26 – April 8

Research shows that students that read 20 minutes a day at home are better readers. We want to improve the reading skills of students at Songo Locks School, so we are challenging them to read 3540 hours as a group.

Why so many hours? Maine has just over 35, 000 square miles. Each hour we read will cover 10 square miles. Each classroom teacher has received a copy of the book Nicholas: A Maine Tale, written by Peter Arenstam. We will be reading the book aloud during the month of March.

What do students have to do?

*Read outside of school

*20 minutes or more 5 days a week

*Fill in the reading log

*Return reading log to school on Friday

(return Thursday, March 3, Teacher Workshop Day on Friday,

March 4)

What do parents/guardians have to do?

* Help children time their reading.

* Sign the reading log

* Participate in Family Reading Week, March 4 – 11-  keep a log for the whole family

Reading includes:

*Read to self

*Read with a buddy

*Listen to a read aloud


Special Events:

*March 15 Maine Day, earn 196 reading points - wear something that promotes a Maine location

*March 31 Special Visitors, watch for more information

*April 8 A very, very special guest speaker

*April 14 Book Character Day, dress as your favorite book character


We have until April 8 to complete our hours. All students and staff will help to complete the

challenge. At the successful completion of our challenge we will celebrate with a Book

Character Day! Students and staff can dress as their favorite book character. Last year, we held our own mushers race with the teachers pulling the sleds.  We have a new challenge planned, Mrs. Cline and Mrs. Peavey will need a beach towel this year!  Do you want your teacher to be on the team this year? Read more minutes than the other classes in your grade to put your teacher on the team!

Read! Read! Read!

Important March Dates

4th - No school - Teacher Workshop

13th - Daylight Savings - Spring Ahead!

25th - 2nd Trimester Report Cards Go Home

31st - Science Night

Valentine's Day Fun

Friday was a very fun filled day.   It started off with everyone mailing their cards to their friends.  Then, in math we did a mystery Valentine picture on a number grid.  Everyone suspected that it was a heart, and they were right!  In the afternoon we had our cookie walk.  Thank you to all the parents that helped make this fun activity possible.  I'm sure you are all reaping the benefits with a yummy array of cookies this week!  Finally, it was time to sort through our Valentine's bags.  To end the day we were able to watch Snow Buddies in our PJ's.  It was the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day and kick off winter break.

I hope everyone has a fabulous break, and that it gives everyone a chance to rest up and get healthy.  Please don't forget to read over break, practice your addition facts, and practice learning to tie your shoes!  Happy BREAK!!

Let the cookie walk begin!

Hmm, it smells so good in here!

Everyone is scoping out their delicious treats.

Celebrating 100 Days of Great Learning and Fun!

On Tuesday we had our 100th day of school!  It seems to be going so very fast, and there has been so much growth, learning, and fun that has happened in those 100 days.  In celebration of 100's day we invited students to dress up as 100 year old people.  There were quite a few students that took us up on dressing up to celebrate the day, and the teacher's of Learning Lane were not about to miss out on the fun!  Along with our fun dressing up we had a full day of 100's day activities planned.  However, the weather didn't participate with our plans, and we had a 2 hour delay.  This however did not stop us from celebrating!  We however made up the activities we missed Tuesday on Wednesday.  Here are a few pictures highlighting our fun celebration day!  Thank you for helping your kids dress up for the occasion.

Oh no my students turned 100 over night

Happy 100th Day!!

Doing some 100 day writing

Learning Lane multi age groups!

Writing about 100 things!

What happened to the teachers of Learning Lane?

Granny's with attitude