Science: It's Not Just Dirt!

The 3rd grade students started this year in science by studying soil. They looked at sand, clay, and humus and determined the characteristics of each one and how they are formed in nature.

They made columns of soil to determine which soil water will run through the fastest.

They examined rotting logs to see the living things which were breaking it down to form humus.

You can see that these scientists have been hard at work!

Technology

All of the 3rd graders have been working hard in technology.  We began the year by learning about the acceptable use policy and what it means to be a responsible digital citizen.  Next, students used Book Creator to write and illustrate a digital autobiography.

Art: We are all artists!

Every student started the year by making a small 3x3 inch self-portrait. There are quite a few inherent challenges using small paper and black pen that helps the girls get comfortable right way with the art quip: "Turn your ut-oh into an ah-ha."  The girls were encouraged to make a clear choice in their work; to be bold. The works are on display at the entrance of the art studio with the following questions to guide their observations: Which portraits show that the artist used line variation? Which portraits show that the artist made a discovery about herself, her art, or her materials? Which portraits show that the artist tried the blind contour technique to record her observations without looking? Which portraits show that the artist made a clear choice about line, shape texture, value, or space) in her work? In art this year we will make art, look at art and talk about art! We are all artists! 

Here We Go!

Mrs. Mills' and Mrs. Rogers' class gathered for their first picture. They are off to a great start and are looking forward to exciting events in the coming months. They are also ready to look into the past. Ask your daughters to tell you about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius!

From the Library

Summer Reading has been posted.  https://www.brynmawrschool.org/library-ls-summer-reading-landing. It is also available on the Bryn Mawr School website. Go to Lower School, Peggy Bessent Library, Summer Reading. Second graders have had a chance to look at many of the books on the list and already have some ideas of books they'd like to read. We have also enjoyed reviewing many of the books we've read together this year, identifying quotes: "The townsfolk cooked up a feast of smoked ribs, corn on the cob, plenty of baked beans, five-alarm chili, and a great big barrel of sarsaparilla." (Tornado Slim and the Magic Cowboy Hat), and details: In which book does a small Dutch town receive more and more care packages after the end of the war from Rosie and the people in her town? (Boxes for Katje)
Have fun reading this summer!

French: La Fête du Fromage

We had a wonderful time at our cheese party on Friday. The girls sampled mimolette, morbier, camembert, chèvre, saint-albray, and roquefort. Our two most popular cheeses were mimolette (which, sadly, is very difficult to buy in the US these days) and chèvre. However, I was impressed by the number of girls who liked the very strongly-flavored roquefort. Elles sont courageuses!

Our party was a "no English zone." The girls did a great job speaking only French. Here, they are politely asking for chèvre and roquefort.

After they tasted each cheese, the girls took notes on whether they liked it (J'aime), they liked it a lot (J'aime beaucoup), or if they didn't like it (C'est bon is our polite way of saying Je n'aime pas tellement).

Happenings in Second Grade

We have had a fun and exciting week in second grade! On Tuesday we went on our Baltimore field trip to The Flag House and The Homewood Museum. The girls enjoyed being in downtown Baltimore and learning more information about our country's flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.  We toured Mary Pickersgill's house and leaned a lot about her flag making company.

 After a picnic lunch on the Johns Hopkins campus, the girls were treated to a tour at the Homewood Museum.  We got to see what life was like in early 19th century Baltimore- so neat!  We were very lucky to have Lydia's mom as one of our knowledgeable tour guides. While one group visited the inside of the home, the other girls played old fashioned games on the lawn. It was a great day!

Today the girls did a wonderful job singing in the Spring Concert. They also had their cheese party in French class with Madame Shepley. 

Have a great weekend!