Hello Friends and Royal Fairy Tale Fans! Greetings from the "Kingdom of Room 2," a place where we are currently immersed in a cross-curricular unit about castles!  My second grade construction crew has been hard at work building towers, turrets, drawbridges, and moats with all sorts of 3-D solids as part of our geometry unit.  Their fascination with castles all started after I shared Doreen Cronin's newest story, Bloom.  CASTLE CONSTRUCTION:  FAIRY-STYLE This modern-day fairy tale with a twist features a wise yet messy mud pixie, a king and queen whose castle is made of glass, and a young servant girl who proves to be extraordinary, empowered, and intelligent in her efforts to save the kingdom! Next week, I plan to introduce my little learners to our own classroom fairy, and use her as a springboard for more critical thinking, reading, and creative writing activities.  She'll have her own garden and house (thanks to a delightful sale I...

Welcome Friends! They say that we may have April SNOW instead of showers here in Ohio next week, but I am going to remain hopeful that signs of spring will soon emerge in my neighborhood and in my garden! I love this time of year when the world is washed in the colors of green grass and bright yellow sunshine again, so I've chosen three thematic Pinterest ideas to feature this month!  Sure.....April can be a little wet and a little muddy, so why not incorporate those topics into your instruction?!?! MAKE IT RAIN IN A CUP! Click {HERE} to see original pin from Saddle Up for Second Grade! My second grade scientists are going to love conducting this simple experiment as we begin our study of the water cycle next week!  My friend Marcy over at  Saddle Up for Second Grade  has outlined simple steps and an easy supply list that will make learning hands-on and fun at the same time! You'll find some great mentor texts that will help you e...