We have a busy month ahead of us! The second grade will begin a Seasons and Calendar block tomorrow. This is a practical math block dedicate to learning the months of the year and days of the week. Though there will be some discussion of time and the analog clock, learning to tell time is not officially part of the curriculum until 3rd grade when they learn measurement. Though many of them are interested in telling time, the concept is still a bit too abstract for them. Next year they will be more ready for it.
In addition to memorizing the months of the year and days of the week, they will have an opportunity to apply their multiplication and division skills in order to figure our how many months are in a year, weeks in a month, and so on. During skills classes, the second graders will build on the cursive writing skills that were introduced during the last block.
This block works perfectly with the Santa Lucia festival, which is coming up on Tuesday, December 15th. When the Julian Calendar was used during the Roman Empire, December 13th was the darkest day of the year. Lucia was a Sicilian girl who refused to marry and instead used her dowry to buy food for the poor. It is said that she wore candles on her head as she traveled in the dark because her hands were full of food. She truly embodies the spirit of Christmas. Because of her journey through the darkness, December 13th was made Santa Lucia Day. I will be sharing a more elaborate version of this story with the second grade next week so please hold it in yourself and I’m sure they will share with you as we talk about Santa Lucia more.
The festival will be held on Tuesday, 12/15 at 8:30 am in the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii next door. It is really only about a 15 minute affair and is only for 2nd grade families and the student body. Many parents in the past have stuck around after drop off while the children get ready and then go in to work late. More details to come!
This Friday, December 4th we will celebrate Saint Nicholas Day (which is actually 12/6). Senor Flannery’s father will portray Saint Nicholas and will come to the classroom with a small gift for the children. He will tell them each their Golden Virtues as well as what they need to do better. I have created a script for Saint Nicholas based on my knowledge of the children as well as some of the things you have shared with me. For example, if I know that your child behaves well at school but fights with a sibling constantly at home, Saint Nicholas may tell them that they need to be kinder to their sibling. It is meant to inspire the good in them rather than punish the bad. They will hear Saint Nicholas stories throughout the week. The gift will be a clementine and chocolate coins. If your child has an allergy to either of those things, please contact me and send an alternative gift which the staff will wrap for your child.
Other Upcoming Events
Yuletide Festival is this Saturday, December 5th from 4:00-7:00 at City Garden.
The Advent Spiral is Wednesday, December 16th in the evening at Urban Prairie. More details to come.
Holiday break is December 21st- January 1st. School resumes on Monday, January 4th, 2016.