Smart Play Home School Group

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2007

2ND GRADE SCIENCE - Continued learning about force, the push and pull that moves objects. Had a long discussion about mass and weight, how objects have the same mass on earth and on the moon but different weights. This seems to be the best way for them to understand the difference. Talked about how the weight of an object changes how much force is needed to move it. Lots of examples of this were used - moving little sibs vs. dads was a popular one. Did experiments pulling objects with the spring scale - they all love this tool. Holden's is already broken....

2ND GRADE HISTORY - Learned the story of Hannibal the Carthagian who brought an army (including soldiers from Spain and elephants) over both the Pyrennes and the Alps into Italy. Alas, Rome defeated him after he descended the Alps. The boys were thrilled that Rome won the war but felt sorry for the elephants. Had fun coloring the picture. Took the Unit Assessment - they did well. Introduced the new Unit on Ceasar. They think he was really cool because he was young when he went to battle. We learned how to create and decode a coded message. It's in their folders if they want to try it at home. I wrote their names in code at the top. Let me know if you need help with this.

Good day over-all. I'll have to have them over for a play day soon if someone can take Ella. Ranae, thanks for the great photos - Holden looks so serene.

See you tomorrow, R.G.