I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Despite the extremely short week, we accomplished a lot. In Reading, we took a break from the Harcourt series. We are actually a week ahead of the other classes, so instead we stayed busy working on figurative language. The students identified numerous pieces of figurative language that authors use like similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeias. In Writing, they even practiced creating pieces that included figurative language themselves. Even with the little time, we got a lot done for literacy. In the upcoming week, we will get back on track with the Harcourt series and we will be reading Woodsong, by one of my favorite authors Gary Paulsen.
In Math, we had our test on Tuesday, and although I am not completely done grading them, they are looking good so far. We also started working in Unit 3 which deals a lot with reading graphs, tables, and other data collection devices. As the unit goes on, we will also begin to delve into some geometry concepts. I am looking forward to another great few weeks in this unit.
We spent a lot of time this week working in Social Studies. The students are currently completing a research project on one of the 13 colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries. Each student is working in a pair, and they have spent a lot of time researching and preparing a draft for a PowerPoint presentation. We will start working on those PowerPoints this coming week. I have kept an eye on what information the students have been coming up with and I am very excited to see these presentations in the near future.
Although we had so little time last week, we really did get a lot accomplished. This upcoming week will be the last week of the quarter, so let’s keep our noses to the grindstone and finish this quarter strong. Report cards will be going out the following week, and parent-teacher conferences will be coming up too. Make sure everyone brings back their form confirming the times for parent-teacher conferences. I hope you all had a great weekend and I have some high expectations for this coming week.
Celebrations!!!!!
-100% on Spelling Test
Aimen, Megan, Victoria, Hannah C., Hannah F., Julia, Max, Landon, Jack, Matthew R., & Ally
-Max completed all levels in Division Otter Creek
-Victoria read over 200 minutes last week
-Nathan, Landon, Aimen, & Arushi finished really long books last week
About Mr. Johnson
- 2J Brooks Blog
- This is my second year as a 2nd grade teacher at Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School. I spent my first two years at Brooks as a 5th grade teacher, but I am excited for the change. I graduated from North Central College in June of 2008 and I spent the following few years as a TA and substitute in District 204. My wife is also a teacher! She teaches 4th grade in Yorkville. Outside of school, I spent the last four years as a wrestling coach at North Central College. However, I recently accepted a coaching position at Waubonsie Valley High School, and I will be coaching there this year. I also spend a lot of time furthering my own education. I am currently completing a masters program at Aurora Univeristy in Educational Leadership. I am so excited to start back up this year, and I am looking forward to watching my class grow as students, children, and soon-to-be 3rd graders!
5th Grade Dream Team
Ms. Horst, Ms. Henderson, Mrs. Duval, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Morgan
My Wife!!!
She is also a teacher. She teaches 4th grade in Yorkville. We are actually buying a house in Yorkville, and we will be all moved in after Spring Break!!!
NCC Wrestling Team
Click on the picture to go to our website. This is a picture from the wrestling team that I coach for. Since I have been there, we have gone 50-17-1 in duals and won 3 straight conference titles. We have had 11 national qualifiers, 8 All-Americans, and finished in top 20 every year at nationals. We are starting to wrap up the season and things are getting crazy. While we are ranked pretty high this year, I am still getting a little nervous for the post season. We have conference coming up on February 10th, our national qualifier February 29th, and then nationals! It has been a crazy season, and I'm anxious to see how we will do when it counts.
