4 day week

God's Blessings!  It's so great to be back after a holiday weekend and a time to refresh and relax.

Last week the highlight of our learning (according to the students of course) was our investigation of soil types.  We have begun a study of Soil and Plants in science class.  Thanks to everyone that has sent in fine specimens of soil for us!  The clay filled soil was a favourite...

We also worked hard at learning to coach a reading partner during Read to Someone.  I will email the reading coach document to you so that you can refer to the same strategies taught in class when you're reading at home.

French - the grade 2s are working on fruits and vegetables.  We connected the topic to Thanksgiving this past week.

Reminders this week:
Friday - hot dog orders are due

Thanksgiving

This year is sure flying by quickly.  We are well into October and have a couple of units completed.  This past week you will have seen the work from our Prayer unit come home, as well as the first Social Studies unit.  This week you will see the first completed math units come home as well.

Completed units mean new units!  In Grade 2 math students will be working with numbers up to 100.  This involves some new concepts and new ways to build and understand numbers.  Grade 3s are working with numbers up to 1000.  An understanding of our base ten system is crucial at this point.

We will toggle between Social Studies and Science throughout the year.  We are going to jump into a Science unit this week.

Now that I have had a chance to spend time working one on one with each student I have a better idea of the reading and writing abilities and needs in the classroom.  We have been working hard to learn the various rotation parts of the Daily 5.  This week I will begin focused work groups for both reading and spelling.  You may see new items coming home as homework.

Last week a letter from Pastor went home about the CLWR school wide project we are working on.  Our class has been selected to put together We Care kits during the month of January.  Please refer to the list from pastor of items to keep an eye out for until then.  I will send further information in the new year.

Reminders:
Monday, October 14 - Thanksgiving, no school

October

We are so blessed to have this beautiful weather.  Recess in the sunshine is such a treat.

This week the Grade 2s will begin a new math unit.  In this unit we will be studying numbers up to 100.  This unit includes odd/even, skip counting, and various ways to build numbers up to 100.  We will learn how to use both number lines and the hundred chart.

Grade 3 is about to begin a new math unit as well.  They will be learning about numbers to 1000.

We are just wrapping up our Religion unit on prayer.  You should see this booklet coming home this week.

All students should be into the routine of doing reading homework each night.  Depending on the reading level of your child they may or may not be bringing home a new book each night.  Some students have borrowed chapter books from me as well.  Students should be reading 20 minutes at least 5 out of 7 days of the week.


Reminders:
Friday: Book Orders Due

Have a fabulous week!

Happy Fall!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend.  What beautiful fall weather we have had so far.

In our classroom:

Grade 2s have already completed a French unit on colour.  We are now working at learning the numbers.  Although the vocabulary in these units is familiar, reading the words is new.  This year we will work on reading and writing some of the vocabulary that we learn.

Grade 2s just starting building increasing patterns in Math class, while the Grade 3s just learned about decreasing patterns.  Can you tell which is which in the following pictures?

Our main goal in English Language Arts so far is to learn all the steps involved in the Daily 5.  So far we know the routines for Read to Self, and Work on Writing.  

Religion: In Religion we are doing a study of prayer.  We have talked about the 5Ws of prayer and have now moved into some more detailed topics.  We will work specifically on Praise, Confession, Thanks, Prayer for Others, and Prayer for Self.

Social Studies: We have completed a mini unit in Social Studies about Citizenship.  You should see these papers coming home this week.  They are for you to keep at home.

Reminders:
Wednesday: Pizza Hot Lunch
Thursday: Lunch Lady Orders Due
Friday: Terry Fox Walk, pledge forms due today, picture orders due online

Settling in

Phew!  We got through week 1, and it amazing!  This group of students has settled right into the new routines of the classroom and we are hard at work. 

In ELA we have been working at learning the steps for Daily 5.  This year we are adding CAFE to our literacy instruction.  CAFE is used to teach strategies for comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary.  By now your child should be doing reading homework each day.  Students may borrow my books from the classroom, or read their own books at home.  They have learned how to pick 'just right books' and should be ready books that fit their level. 

Grade 2s are currently working on a repeating pattern unit, while the Grade 3s are working hard on increasing patterns.  Can you figure out the pattern rule for each of these examples? 

In social studies we have learned the words: Citizen, Rights, Responsibilities.  We have been really focusing on what good citizenship in the country, or at school looks like and sounds like.  Next we will do a somewhat in-depth look at the lyrics of O Canada.

If by chance you still have the order forms for Highlights or Owl magazine, and would like to order, please submit them as soon as you can.  The online setup for our classroom is done, or you can send orders in to school. 

Reminders:
Tuesday - Running Club 3:30 (Grade 3 and up)
Wednesday - Picture Day
Thursday - Running Club 3:30 (Grade 3 and up)
Friday - Pizza Orders due

As always, if you have questions or concerns please let me know.