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The State College Friends School
Laura's 2-3 Grade Class |
Teachers Laura and Melanie
Welcome to 2nd and 3rd grade!
Our theme this year is “Flow.” We begin this theme with one of the most literal interpretations of flow: a study of rivers--incorporating watersheds, human impacts on rivers, and bridges. As part of this theme we have new classroom pets: crayfish! In mid-year we investigate the flow of ideas through inventions and social change (such as civil and women’s rights). Finally, we close out the year by studying the flow of people and animals (immigration and migration).
 Arina with one of our pet crayfish. |
 Studying flow at Shingletown Gap. |
 Writing in crayfish journals. |
 Feeding fish at the hatchery. |
 Looking for river life. |
Our writing program this year is heavily influenced by the work of Lucy Calkins, a renowned educator and researcher based at Columbia University. The class works in “units of study” with students writing the same genre but on topics of their choice. Genres include “how-to” books, non-fiction, personal narratives, fiction, and poetry.
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Our reading program allows for independent reading practice as well as time for read aloud and specific instruction in reading strategy. Students regularly meet in our popular book clubs to select, read, and discuss books of their choice. |  |
Finally, we teach math based on the Everyday Math program. Although we largely follow the plan of the curriculum, our familiarity with it allows us to be flexible and creative to meet the needs of our specific students.
Learning about coordinate grids. |
 Hard at work in math. |