In Ms. Haberdash and Ms. Spruill’s rooms, students continued to
work with Math Exemplars and Math Extensions. Much of the final
part of the year was spent working on the gifted unit “ZooTo
Do.” In this problem based learning unit, students were
presented with a scenario in which the Norfolk Zoo had money to
spend and was seeking proposals for habitat exhibits. In order
to create a habitat plan, students made scientific observations,
kept science logs, conducted research and used the problem
solving process. Their final product was an exhibit that helped
the public to better understand the relationship between the
animal, its habitat and the systems within that habitat. It was
very exciting to see children engaged in reading and research
that included books and the internet. The second graders even
learned to use OneNote this year to take notes and document
resources. To finish up the year, 2nd graders returned to the
William and Mary unit where they continued to take a close look
at language. They learned abo