Monday, October 22, 2012

Famous African American cowboys

Once again second grade shows their dedication to teaching and imagination in adapting the new Common Core standards. This is the standard:

What is literature (narrative) story text structure?
RL.2.2
RL.2.5
RL.2.9
W.2.3
 This means I can research and write informational text-
-research a real person in the 1800s and do a class presentation
-use information texts to answer “who, what, where, when, why, and how”

 Second grade chose to research and share information about African American cowboys during the 1800s.

 Let's see who came for a visit!



Nat Love,  was an African American cowboy following the American Civil War. In 1907, Love wrote his autobiography, "Life and Adventures of Nat Love." In his autobiography, Nat Love explains that his father was a slave foreman in the fields, and his mother managed the kitchen. Love had an older brother Jordan and an older sister Sally. You can check out his website {HERE}!



David Hunter (July 21, 1802 – February 2, 1886) was a Union general in the American Civil War. He achieved fame by his unauthorized 1862 order (immediately rescinded) emancipating slaves in three Southern states and as the president of the military commission trying the conspirators involved with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
While General Hunter was not an African American, he worked hard for the emancipation of slaves and lived during the same time period. He was a controversial person because he not only enlisted runaway slaves, he armed them.

Check out a story about Bronco Sam {HERE}



Check out a blog post about African American cowboys, including Bronco Sam {HERE}

Willie M. "Bill" Pickett (December 5, 1870[1] - April 2, 1932[2]) was a cowboy and rodeo performer. Pickett was born in the Jenks-Branch community of Travis County, Texas. He was the second of 13 children born to Thomas Jefferson Pickett, a former slave, and Mary "Janie" Gilbert. Pickett had 4 brothers and 8 sisters. The family's ancestry was African, white and Cherokee Native American.




Mary Fields, also known as Stagecoach Mary, was the first African-American woman employed as a mail carrier in the United States, driving her mail route by stagecoach from Cascade, Montana to St. Peter's Mission, Montana.[citation needed] When hired, she became the second American woman in all to work for the United States Postal Service.[1]

 Second grade students were in awe of the famous characters who came to speak to them. The "visitors" rotated to all the classes telling their stories.
Great job! 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Once Upon a Time...

... in a far away land called Clifton Hills Elementary...

Second grade began their Fairy Tales unit by dressing their part. Each teacher chose a fairy tale character to personify. Students were engaged, and once again the staff and other students couldn't help but be jealous of second grade. Well done!


Who do you recognize?

 Snow White's Evil Queen

 Evil Queen 
(Snow White's or possibly the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland)

 Little Red Riding Hood

 Cinderella

Belle 
(Beauty and the Beast)


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Native American Unit

Once again, Second grade teachers banned together to make sure their students had a fun filled, educationally based unit of study. Thank you, teachers for all your creativity and hard work!