
Chrissy Hultgren
Second Grade
chultgren@ewsd.org
857-7753
Welcome Second Graders!

Our Daily Blog
10/10 Skills Block: End of cycle
This week, our second graders completed their first week of Skills Block, and they’re off to a great start! During the week, students learned about contractions—how two words can be combined into one shorter word using an apostrophe. They also explored closed syllables, which are syllables that end in a consonant and have a short vowel sound, like in the words "cat" or "napkin." Through hands-on activities, games, and reading practice, students had fun while building important phonics and word study skills. We’re excited to continue growing as readers and writers in the weeks ahead.

10/9 Math: Solving word problems
Our second graders have been working hard on solving one-step word problems in math. When solving these problems, students first read carefully to figure out what the question is asking. Then, they determine where the missing number is in the equation—at the beginning, middle, or end. After that, they write an equation to match the problem and use their math strategies to solve it. This process helps students become confident problem-solvers and builds a strong foundation for more complex math in the future. We're proud of their focus and determination.

10/8 Science with Mr. Snellenberger
Today, our class had a special surprise visit from our principal, Mr. Snellenberger, who came in to teach us about sound. Before becoming a principal, Mr. Snellenberger was a science teacher, so he brought a lot of knowledge and excitement to the lesson. The students were fascinated as he explained how sound travels and even demonstrated a cool experiment to help us understand the concept better. It was a fun and engaging experience for everyone! We’re hopeful that Mr. Snellenberger will continue to join us regularly so we can keep exploring more fascinating science phenomena together.




10/7 SEL: Tree of Choices
We all experience conflict in life. Whether we are frustrated with a friend or in an argument with a family member, we need tools to help us navigate conflict successfully and keep our relationships healthy. This month's focus for 2nd grade is on practicing Respect to understand conflict resolution.
Second graders learned about the Tree of Choices. This tool helps children first identify whether a problem is big or small. Then, they practiced naming their emotions by communicating with respectful "I statements." And today, we focused on the branches of the tree: how to breathe it out, talk it out or move it out. Students wrote down conflicts that may occur in school, and then placed them on the tree under one of the ways to solve a problem.

10/6 Math: Using different strategies to solve addition problems.
This week in second grade, students have been learning to use different addition strategies to solve problems within 20. We practiced strategies such as “add one” facts, doubles, near doubles, “add ten,” and “make ten.” To help reinforce these skills in a fun way, students played a variety of math games including dice games, Shut the Box, and card games that encouraged them to apply the strategies they’ve been learning. These hands-on activities not only helped strengthen their math skills but also made learning exciting and engaging!


Parent Teacher Conferences
It's that time of year again. I look forward to spending a little time with you learning about your child and sharing all about their school experience. Please use the link below to sign up for a 15-20 minute conference with me.
Scholastic Book Orders
Today your child will take home another Scholastic book order form. Please, do not feel obligated to purchase anything. However, I have stapled a coupon for a free book for your child on today's order if you would like to pick one out with them.

10/1 Skills Block
Each morning, we start our day with our Literacy Skills Block. During this time, second graders learn how to read and spell words by exploring different syllable types, like open and closed syllables. We look for patterns in words, practice breaking them apart, and read aloud to build our fluency. It's a fun and focused way to grow as readers and writers, and it helps us feel confident and ready for the day!

9/30 Literacy
Learning target: I can compare and contrast two fables.
And, that is just what we did this week. The children listened to, acted out and watched a short video of two fables: The Ant and the Grasshopper and The Warunnunnah and the Bunnyyarl. Then, we created a table listing similarities and differences. Finally, the children filled out a sentence prompt where they gave an example of a similarity and a difference.




We love our lizard. Drake has become quite the explorer. The kids have to keep a special eye on him as he continues to make his way into the busy hallway. These second graders take good care of him and he is spoiled, for sure.

Whoa! That's one big blueberry!

9/29 100 Bees!
We earned another school wide celebration today. Students ventured outside to the "pumpkin patch" and chose a pumpkin to take home. There was music and even a corn maze! Well, it was Hiawatha's version of a corn maze. Students dragged a corn kernel around a paper maze. Creative, right? Our class then went out and took some really great class photos in the leaves.










9/26 Doubles and Halves
This week in second grade, we are learning about doubles and halves in math. We used Unifix cubes to build numbers and see how they can be split in half or doubled. The picture shows how we used the cubes to help us understand these fun math ideas.âž—âž•

9/26 Teamwork
In second grade, we are learning how to be kind, caring, and respectful friends. We talk about empathy, which means understanding how others feel, and compassion, which means helping others when they need it. We practice respect by listening and using kind words, and we show integrity by doing the right thing even when no one is watching. We also work on cooperation, which means being a great team member and helping each other. Every day, we work together to get ready for activities and games. Here is a photo of two students setting up a game together—they’re showing awesome teamwork! 🤝💛🎯

9/25 Working Hard
We work really hard every day in second grade! We do fun projects, group activities, seat work, and learn new things all the time. Our brains are busy growing, and we’re becoming smarter every day! 🧠✨📚

9/25 STEM: What is an engineer?
This week, our amazing second grade class became real engineers! 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️ We did a fun and tasty STEM project where we learned how to design and build strong structures using… gummy bears and toothpicks. First, we talked about what engineers do. They solve problems, build things, and test their ideas to make them better. Then it was our turn! We used gummy bears as joints and toothpicks as beams to create 3D shapes like triangles and squares. Our challenge? Build a structure strong enough to hold a book! It wasn’t easy at first. Some towers tipped over, and some gummy bears got squished! But we didn’t give up. We kept testing, fixing, and trying new ideas—just like real engineers. In the end, we built some awesome structures that were strong, creative, and book-holding champions!











9/24 STAR testing
Yes, it's that time of year again. Students took the fall Star Math assessment today. We will finish with the literacy assessment next week.


9/23 Language Dive: Building sentences in second grade
Learning Target: I can write a simple sentence with a subject and a verb.
Today, our second graders had fun experimenting with subjects and verbs to build complete sentences!
We began by learning that the subject of a sentence is usually a noun—a person, place, or thing—and the verb is the action word. With this in mind, students worked in teams using a stack of cards labeled with various nouns and verbs. They combined them to create sentences—some of which turned out quite silly, much to their delight! You can see one of the silly sentences below and my second grade friend's reaction to his original sentence.
Each student then chose three of their favorite sentences to write on paper. Using a checklist, we reviewed each sentence to make sure it included:
A subject
A verb
A capital letter at the beginning
A period at the end
We also took time to practice neat handwriting, making sure letters stayed within the lines. It was a great day of learning and laughter as students strengthened their grammar and writing skills!










9/22 Literacy: Retelling a story with supporting details
In second grade, one of our key reading skills is retelling stories. This week, we’re focusing on fables—short stories that teach important lessons. We’re reading two engaging tales: The Ants and the Grasshopper and The Bunnyyarl and the Wurrunnunnah.
Students are practicing how to recount each story by identifying the characters, the problem, and the solution. We're also paying special attention to what the characters learn by the end of the story. These insights help us discover the moral or lesson the author wants us to take away.
It’s a fun and thoughtful way for students to deepen their comprehension and connect with the stories they read. You can support your young reader at home by asking them to retell the stories they read at home, too.


9/19 STEM activity
Today we headed outside to play a game called Jump the River. The children started by leaping across our “river” as I gradually widened the space between the ropes. Then I challenged them to think differently: instead of just jumping, they needed to work with a partner to design a way to cross. The kids dove right in with energy and creativity, coming up with inventive solutions. Afterward, we gathered to share ideas and reflect on what it means to cooperate. Some groups faced challenges when their ideas didn’t quite match up, but they worked through disagreements and found solutions together. We’ll continue on Monday by sharing the rest of the bridges.








9/19 Game Day...Another Success
Boy, do those kids love game day! I want to send out another thank you to the folks who joined us to play games yesterday. Everybody had a great time, (parents included.) The children played Uno, Life Jr., Tip-it, Sorry Sliders and Ono 99. Please give me a shout if you would like to join us on a Friday afternoon.

9/18 Run, Hide, Fight "drill"
This week, our class had an important conversation about safety. We talked about the idea of Run, Hide, Fight—what we should do if we are ever faced with an emergency at school. While these are tough topics, it’s important to help children understand safety in a way that is clear, calm, and age-appropriate. We began by talking about the first two steps: Run (if it’s safe to get away) and Hide (if running isn’t possible). The children listened thoughtfully, asked good questions, and showed they understood the importance of following directions quickly. When we got to Fight, the conversation naturally took a lighter turn. Second graders have big imaginations, and many of their “fight” ideas turned silly—things like throwing erasers or spraying a bad guy with water bottles. While we laughed a little at their creativity, we also circled back to the reality: bad things can happen in schools, and we must always be prepared. I emphasized to the children that the best choices are always to run or hide first. Fighting is only a very last option. Still, I am glad they felt comfortable enough to share, to be a little silly, and then to come back to the seriousness of the topic. These are not easy conversations to have, but they are important. Our priority is to keep children safe and help them feel confident in what to do if a dangerous situation were ever to happen.

9/17 Math
Learning target: I can use a number rack to solve equations up to twenty.
In math this week, we’ve been working with the number rack, a powerful tool that helps students visualize numbers and develop strategies for solving equations up to twenty. By sliding the beads, children can clearly see how numbers break apart and come together, which builds both fluency and confidence. For example, when solving an equation like 8 + 7, students can use the number rack to see 8 as “5 and 3,” then add the 7 in parts: 5 + 5 = 10, plus 3 + 2 = 5, for a total of 15. The number rack makes these strategies visible and concrete. This work is an essential standard for second grade. Mastering equations up to twenty sets the foundation for more complex addition and subtraction, and later multiplication and division. I am excited to see the children strengthen their number sense as they practice these important skills!

9/16 We are Super Stars!
Today I reminded the kids that they are all superstars to me. They prove this with their acts of kindness, their perseverance in school work, and the respect they show towards one another. I am so proud of them! As a small token of my appreciation toward my superstars, each child got a pair of star sunglasses to wear around the school. Just look at these shining stars!





9/15 Room 25 meets Miss Georgina
The children of Hiawatha are so lucky to welcome Miss Georgina, the therapy dog visit our classrooms on a regular basis. Ms. Weston, Georgina's handler, came into our classroom to teach us all about the dog and how she helps with children in the school. Ms. Weston will be stopping in on a regular basis to have students read to Georgie, walk her around the school, and spend some time with her.

9/12 Find the hidden ducks
Each morning when the children come into the room they look forward to finding the three hidden ducks. If they find one, it's theirs to keep!




9/11 Sorting and graphing our glyphs
Today we gathered all of the pumpkin glyphs we created during math and sorted them by different attributes. In case you're wondering what a glyph is, it's a character or picture that symbolizes something else. For example, students colored their pumpkin either red, orange or yellow, depending on whether they had 2-3 people in their family, 4-5 people, or more than six people in their family. The color of the stem represented the type of candy they liked and the eyes, nose and mouth were symbols for something else. The children made observations about our classmates based on what they saw on the pumpkins.

9/10 100 Bees
Hiawatha students earned 100 bees for our beehive. The children celebrated being safe, kind and responsible by having popsicles on the playground this afternoon.






9/9 Fluency practice
Part of becoming a skilled reader is learning how to read fluently. In our classroom we use "fluency fingers" to help up scoop words into phrases.



9/8 Earning 100 links
Today we earned another 100 links. Several children went down to see Mrs. Nielsen so that we could collect and post another bee in the school's hive. As a small class celebration, the children had a SOCK DAY. This is when we take our shoes off in the classroom and wear our socks instead.



9/5 Second Grade Sing-a-long
Every Friday, our second graders look forward to a joyful sing-along led by our wonderful music teacher, Ms. Megumi. During this time, students learn and sing a variety of fun, upbeat songs together. It’s a great way to build community, celebrate music, and end the week on a high note! 🎶

9/5 Estimation Fridays
Fridays in math are all about estimation! Each week, I introduce a new mystery container filled with objects, and students are challenged to estimate how many are inside. If someone guesses the exact number, they earn a fun prize. We begin by discussing the size of the objects and how much space they take up in the container to help guide our estimates. After revealing and counting the actual number, we take it a step further by predicting how many items might fit in two similar containers.
Then, it’s time for our weekly Estimystery! This activity takes estimation to the next level. Students start with an initial guess, then revise their estimate based on clues revealed one at a time on the board. It’s a great way to build number sense, reasoning skills, and flexible thinking—all while having fun!

9/4 Literacy: The Wide World of Schools
We've launched our first unit of study in literacy. Second graders are diving deep into the study of schools, asking themselves, "What is the purpose of school?" and "How can I make the most of my school experience?" Today we read a poem called "Sing a Song of School." The children highlighted words within the poem that they felt best described the purpose of school. They then shared out their choices and why they highlighted those words.

Moving and Grooving
Sometimes we just get up and dance!

9/4 Sit, learn, sit, learn, RUN!
Our students spend a lot of time learning and growing in the classroom each day. With art and music now brought directly into our room on a cart, they don’t get many opportunities to leave the space. That’s why it’s so important to give them a chance to step away and reset. This week, we took a quick break and headed outside for a lap around the track. It was just what they needed—a little fresh air, movement, and a chance to re-energize before diving back into learning. Sometimes, a short break makes all the difference!

9/4 Lunch Bunch
Today we celebrated our very first Lunch Bunch! Students have been working hard to earn tokens for their table groups by showing cooperation, good listening, and respectful behavior throughout the day. Each time a table demonstrates these skills, they receive a token in their jar.
Once all the tokens have been handed out, we count them up—and the winning table earns a special reward: lunch with me! During Lunch Bunch, we enjoy our meal together by candlelight, with smooth jazz playing in the background. We place napkins on our laps and practice polite table manners in a fun, relaxed setting.
It is a wonderful way to celebrate their efforts and reinforce the importance of kindness, teamwork, and respect. Fancy that!


Scholastic Book Orders
Today, I sent home our first monthly book order. I typically keep the ordering window open for about a week, so there’s plenty of time to browse. If you’re interested in purchasing books for your child, simply scan the QR code included in the flyer to access our classroom's order page. Every purchase you make helps our class earn points toward free books for our classroom library. Thank you so much for your continued support and for helping to foster a love of reading!

Calling all volunteers!
Teachers just received this email from Rob Liberty, our Four Winds coordinator. Our school is in need of parents to teach the science lessons once per month. If you are interested in volunteering, please let me know and I can connect you to Rob. As of now, we do not have any volunteers for our classroom. Here's what Rob has to say...
Join us for the Four Winds natural science program at Hiawatha! We invite you to share your passion for the natural world and inspire our students by participating in hands-on activities in the classroom. Your expertise and enthusiasm can make a significant impact on their learning journey. We'll instruct four lessons throughout the year with optional in-person training (it's fun) or a video of the training, if you can't attend, to watch at your leisure. For more information, contact Rob Liberty at fourwinds@robliberty.com, visit hiawathafourwinds.com and/or join our Facebook Group.
9/3 Math: I can fluently add numbers up to twenty
One of our first essential math goals is to develop fluency with addition facts up to 20. To help build this important skill, students begin by learning how to use math tools that support their understanding. Today, we practiced using number racks to show and build sums up to 20. These hands-on tools help students visualize number combinations and strengthen their mental math strategies. It was a great first step toward mastering addition with confidence.



9/3 Class Jobs
In our classroom we have rather unique jobs. Here is our "Scales and Tails Specialist" feeding our class pet, Drake.


9/2 Building reading stamina
This week students in room 25 continue to build reading stamina. They are slowly getting to know our classroom library, and are choosing books to read.









Our weekly specials schedule
Monday/Wednesday: PE (Please send your child with sneakers.)
Tuesday: Music
Thursday: Library (Please send library books to school.)
Friday: Art
8/29 Exploring in math
As we work through the classroom expectations and routines, students took some time to explore the math materials in the room. Just look at all the creativity in our classroom!



8/28 Math
Today we learned and played a math game called Bump. Students added three dice together and covered the sum on their game board. When a space was covered by the opponent, the player could "bump" the marker off the space. Students also learned how we start a game in our class. Players look at one another and ask two very important questions... 1.) "Are you ready to win?" and 2.) "Are you ready to lose?" Players must receive a "yes" answer to both questions before they wish each other good luck, and then start the game.

8/27 Welcome back, kids!
What a joy to see the smiles on all of the faces, (parents and children) as they filed into the school today. We have a class of twenty-one second graders and all were ready to go this morning. We spent a lot of time learning rules, routines, new faces and places in the building. We learned what it looks like and sounds like to be kind, safe and responsible. Your children are earning links all day/every day towards class celebrations, (and eventually a schoolwide celebration) by demonstrating safety, kindness and responsibility. Here is our link-cart and you can already see that we are well on our way to earning our first celebration.

Summer Adventures
Liam



And here are a few photos from Liam's summer: swimming in the ocean at Hampton Beach, Lego Club at Burnham Library, and riding the Giant Swing at Bromley Mountain!
Ivanka





Ivanka had a lot of fun at her very first summer camp. She went to Maple Street Park and Camp Reach. She went on a lot of field trips ( Metro rock, Sand bar, Sandhill pool, Essex cinemas…). She also spent a lot of time at the Brownell Library. She participated in their summer reading program and won the raffle tickets to Essex Cinemas. She recently had a playdate with her favorite friends and did lots of outdoor activities with neighborhood friends. Ivanka even lost a tooth. Last stop? Ivanka will head to the fair right before school starts.
CASSIE







Cassie lost a tooth this summer. (Oh-oh, I hope her big brother isn't responsible for this!) She also spent some time in Colorado with her family. While there she went to the Hot Springs pool in Glenwood Springs. She also went four-wheeling with her brother, visited her "deer friends" in Mesa and spent some time at the Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita.
Caleb








Caleb picked out some photos to share of his summer including lots at Camp Maple Street and Camp Reach, camping, swimming, paddling, reading along to the audiobooks of all 12 books in the How to Train Your Dragon Series, hiking in creeks, rivers, taking 2 trips to the Finger Lakes in New York, and a visit to a carnival!




Hope is having a great summer, too. Just look at her relaxing in that tree, and spending some time with her dog, Lola. Hope is also making slime this summer. In fact, she decided to sell it for $1.00 a jar, and she has already made $40! Whoa!
Yuri




Yuri and his family have kept busy with hikes, trips to Montreal, camping, 3 Lake Monsters games and lots and lots of swimming.