Update from Ms. R

The homework for this week is for the students to write a story (fiction or non-fiction) about the bats stamped in the homework writing journals. There is also a math sheet reviewing addition and subtraction facts and solving word problems. This homework is due on Friday, November 1st.

Parent notes:

Our school will be celebrating Halloween on Thursday, October 31st. Please know that the children may wear costumes if they wish, but no masks or fake weapons, for safety reasons. Our class will walk in the primary parade around the school in the afternoon. Also, because of severe food allergies at our school, there will be NO Halloween treats distributed to students. If you let your child bring her/his personal Halloween candy in his/her lunch bag, please know that many treats have nuts and peanuts "hidden" inside them. Crispy Crunch, Wunderbar, Snickers and M&M's (yellow package) all have nuts in them and therefore should not be brought to school.

Important Dates:

October 31 - Halloween
November 11 - Remembrance Day
November 12 - Progress Reports go home
November 14 (evening) and November 15 (morning) - parent/teacher interviews
November 15 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day
December 6 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day
December 21 to January 5 - Winter Break holidays
January 6, 2020 - School resumes

News for October 25

This week the children learned about the water cycle, how to tell a story with paper and scissors and celebrated Diwali!

In writing, the children finally finished their "How to Make a Pillow" books by finishing the good copies of their writing. After taping a instant author photo to the front cover, they learned how to bind the front and back covers and the pages together with a decorated popsicle stick! These books are now on display on the bulletin board in the classroom.

In reading, the class finished listening to the chapter book, My Father's Dragon. The children did a reading response activity writing about, for example, their favourite parts of the book. Throughout the week in our guided reading groups, the children practised how to read aloud with expression by paying attention to punctuation and text features when reading the first half of Moira's Birthday by Robert Munsch.

In oral communication, the students learned now to tell a story aloud using paper and scissors. Have your child tell you the story and demonstrate how to make a paper Halloween jack-o-lantern.

In math, the children practised adding 3 numbers together. Then they reviewed strategies for subtraction and how to determine if the operation is addition or subtraction in a word problem. Also, many children finished creating their math board games this week and had a chance to try playing their games with a friend.

In science, the class learned about the processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation and where these happen in the water cycle, as water is recycled around the world. The students also applied what they know about the three states of water (solid, liquid, gas) to identify different forms of water (e.g., frost).

Finally, the students attended the book fair to browse on Tuesday and to buy on Wednesday. On Thursday, the class went to celebrate Diwali by seeing dances and a skit in the auditorium and making crafts in the lunch room.

Books read aloud this week:

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (chapter book - now finished)
Moira's Birthday by Robert Munsch (guided reading book)

Update from Ms. R

The homework for this week is to complete the math and science worksheet sent home with your child on Friday. The children are expected to answer the math word problems with a number sentence (equation), to show how she/he got the answer and a word sentence with the correct answer to provide a word answer to a word problem. The science activity is to brainstorm different ways humans use water in daily life (home/work/fun). This homework is due on Friday, October 25th. Please know that completing and handing in homework is part of the responsibility expectation in the learning skills section of the report card.

Notes for parents:

Next week there will be a BOOK FAIR in our school library. This is a fundraiser for the library and books will be available to purchase. Our class will go to the library on Tuesday, October 22 to browse the books and make wish lists. That way, you will know how much individual books cost. On Wednesday, October 23, the children can go to the library to purchase books. If you send money with your child please send the money in a wallet or zip bag WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME ON IT. I'm emphasizing this because every year a child drops, misplaces or otherwise loses his/her money. If the money is in a wallet or bag with a name, the money is easily returned.

Important Dates:

October 21-24 - BOOK FAIR in our school library - a fundraiser for our library
October 31 - Halloween
November 11 - Remembrance Day
November 12 - Progress Reports go home
November 14 (evening) and November 15 (morning) - parent/teacher interviews
November 15 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day

News for October 18

News for October 18

This four-day week the children published their first books of the year, learned more addition and word problem solving strategies and finished sewing their pillows!

In writing, every child has now completed his/her first published book of the school year. This week the students learned how to write an "author biography" about her/himself. A finished book consists of a front cover, back cover, title page, story, illustration(s) and author biography. The children were very keen to read other student's books and to see other children reading the book that she/he wrote! These books are now a part of our classroom library.

When the pillows were finished, we reviewed all the steps to make a pillow and created a "mind map" with vocabulary and concepts that we discussed. At the end of the week, the children began to write the rough copy of their next writing project, a non-fiction book on how to make a pillow.

In reading, the class began to listen to the chapter book, My Father's Dragon to help them learn and practise story comprehension and prediction strategies. This book was written in 1948 and we calculated that's 71 years ago...even older than Ms. R!

In math, the class learned the "doubles + 1" addition strategy. (If you know that 5+5=10, then 5+6 is like 5+(5+1)= 11.) They also reviewed the "make 10" addition strategy, or all the ways to make ten from 0+10=10 to 9+1=10. Also, they learned the addition part of the Commutative Law of mathematics, which states that, when adding, the order of the numbers does not matter. So, if you know that 7+8=15, then you also know that 8+7=15. The class continued to learn how to answer math word problems correctly. After reading each sentence of the problem, one should circle or underline the important information. Then choose if the question is an addition or subtraction problem. A complete answer has a number sentence (equation), correct operation (+ or -), correct number answer and a word sentence to answer the word problem.

The children also began math projects this week. Each student has started to design a board game. Using what they know about board games in general, from playing and teaching games like "Snakes and Ladders", "Race to 100" and "Race to 0", they began to plan their games that will use dice to move game pieces forward.

In science, the class continued the Water and Air in the Environment unit by reading about why living things need water, the three states of water (water = liquid, ice = solid, water vapour = gas) and answering questions about the information that they read. We read the text chorally and they used highlighters to help them remember the information that they read. The children also recorded their questions about water to help guide our research next week.

In art, the students finished their pillows! The class showed a lot of patience as this was a multi-step project. This week the students stuffed their pillows with polyester stuffing and learned how to hand sew the hole closed with a needle and thread, so the stuffing would not fall out. These pillows will be kept in the classroom all year for the children to use at their desks and during read aloud times. Did you know that "polyester" means "many chains" of plastic molecules and that plastic is made from oil that come from fossils?

Book read aloud this week:

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (chapter book - to be continued)

Update from Ms. R

The homework for this week is for each child to write a story in the homework writing journal and to use the editing checklist taped on the front cover to help them write the story to the best of his/her ability. There is also a math worksheet reviewing addition and subtraction facts. This homework is due on Friday, October 18th.

THANK YOU to all the parents that came to Curriculum Night on Thursday. It was wonderful to meet everyone and talk about the grade two program in Room 222. If you were unable to attend and have any questions, please email me. Here are some highlights from that night:

* A handout with our new schedule and some tips for reading with your child was given out. If you were not able to attend on Thursday night, I will send a copy home with your child on Tuesday.

* Children should be reading for a minimum of 20 minutes at home each night. Reading experiences include, children reading independently, children reading aloud to an adult, children listening to an adult read aloud. Children become better readers only by reading and talking about what they have read (or heard read aloud to them).

* Help your child automate (memorize) addition and subtraction math facts to 18. We do a lot of work on this at school, but practising five minutes a day at home will really boost your child's confidence! When math facts are mastered, your child can put more brain energy to solving more challenging math problems.

* Keep up-to-date with what your child did in class every week by visiting our class blog. Having your children explain ideas and activities to you, helps them review concepts and deepen their learning.

* The Ontario Curriculum grade expectations (by subject) and exemplars (student work samples) are available online. For grade two, just google "Ontario Curriculum grade two".

Important Dates:

October 14 - Thanksgiving Day - no classes on this day
October 31 - Halloween
November 11 - Remembrance Day
Week of November 11 - Progress Reports go home
November 14 (evening) and November 15 (morning) - parent/teacher interviews
November 15 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day

News for October 10

News for October 10

It was a short, four-day week, but the class learned addition and subtraction strategies, finished self-editing their Old Red stories and learned how to iron and sew fabric for their pillows!

In writing, the class reviewed the success criteria for good grade-level writing by creating an "editing checklist" to help each child independently catch and correct mistakes in their writing. There is a large class anchor chart displayed in the classroom with this information and each child taped a paper copy of the checklist on his/her writing journal. At the grade two level, children are expected to write sentences with a capital letter at the start of the sentence and a . ! or ? at the end of each sentence. Capital letters are also at the start of proper nouns. The students are expected to make sure that no words are missing from sentences and that all word wall words are spelled correctly. The children used these criteria to self-edit their stories. We also reviewed the information on the front and back covers of books and the children created these to turn their stories into finished books.

In math, the class began to review and share addition and subtraction strategies. In grade two, the expectation is that children know addition and subtraction facts to 18. Many children still use their fingers to add and subtract, which is a strategy that works, but it can be slow. A lot of students use a 100 chart to help them which is an excellent strategy but one doesn't always have a 100 chart to use. So, one strategy we looked at was memorizing and using "double facts". The children used decahedron (ten faces) dice to help them document and practise double facts.

In science, we began a short introduction to the unit on water in the environment. Actually, we talk about this everyday by looking at the clouds in the sky in the morning and naming the types and why some cloud colour ranges from white to dark grey. (White clouds are high in the sky with a small amount of water. Darker clouds are closer to the Earth, because they are heavier since they contain more water.)

In art, the children learned how to sew fabric pieces to make their pillows. Each child learned about a sewing machine and how to use the pedal to make the needle move up and down at different speeds. (I was in charge of moving the fabric through the sewing machine for safety reasons. The children were in charge of the pedal.) Did you know that things are always sewn inside out?

The children were challenged to create watercolour art works that somehow illustrate water. We brainstormed ideas on the ways to show water in art (e.g., ocean, bathtubs, glass of water). The children used pencils to plan their art and then used Sharpie markers to create defined areas to paint. Then, the children used watercolour paint to add colours to their art. Finally, each student wrote a reflection on her/his art, giving it a title and writing insights as to what their art is about. The art and reflections are now on display in the hall outside outside of our classroom.

On Thursday, the children went to the auditorium to listen to Canadian author, Deborah Kerbel, read aloud a few of her books and talk about being an author.

The children created large portfolios to collect their work for review throughout the year. Portfolios are very important for children to see and reflect on their best work and how much and in what way they improve over the school year.

Finally, after reading aloud the book, Stone Soup, the children talked about how the characters in the book worked together to create a community feast. This led to a discussion about Canadian Thanksgiving and its traditions.

Books read aloud this week:

Weather and the Seasons by Violet Peto
The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden
Stone Soup by Jon Muth
What! Cried Granny by Kate Lum

2019 Sock Puppet Movies

Sharky Challenge




The Scary Jungle





The Invisible Monster




The Sleep Over Party




The Rescue




The Sleepover

Update from Ms. R

The homework for this week is for each student to teach an adult how to play the game "Race to 100" and "Race to 0". The children even made their own dice! After teaching the game each child is to complete a written reflection on how the lesson went. Teaching something to another person is the last step to mastery of any skill. The children are encouraged in class to help others during activities and it is always a confidence boost for students when they are able to teach something new to an adult. This homework is due on Thursday, October 10th (since Friday is a P. A. Day).

Note to parents:

1. The weather is getting colder! Please ensure your child comes to school dressed for the weather. It's a good idea for your child to bring a sweater or hoodie to keep at school as the temperature in our classroom varies from day-to-day. Please make sure to write your child's name on all items they bring to school that could be misplaced (e.g., sweaters, coats, lunch bags). If items are misplaced, a name inside will make sure it is returned.

2. In the event there is a job action by the members of C.U.P.E. union on Monday, the TDSB will CLOSE all schools to all students for safety reasons. Please check the news for information on Sunday night or Monday morning.

Important Dates:

October 10 - Curriculum Night & BBQ ***THIS MAY BE POSTPONED***
October 11 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day
October 14 - Thanksgiving Day - no classes on this day
October 31 - Halloween
November 11 - Remembrance Day
November 14 (evening) and November 15 (morning) - parent/teacher interviews
November 15 - P.A. Day - no classes on this day

News for October 4

News for October 4

This week the children designed two different fabric pieces, learned more about repeating patterns, filmed sock puppet movies and finally, the class introduced Jonesy, Ms. R's sock puppet, to a real life human named Jonesy!

In writing, the children began a new writing project, in connection to the read aloud book, The Little Red Pen. I mark the children's work with a red pen that I call "Old Red". So the challenge this week was to write a story about "Old Red". We reviewed the success criteria for good writing. This includes rereading the writing to catch and correct mistakes before Ms. R's Old Red pen finds them. These include: capital letters in the correct places (on proper nouns and at the start of all sentences), a ., ? or ! at the end of all sentences, word wall words spelled correctly and adding any missing words.

In reading, the class finished the chapter book, Frog and Toad are Friends, which the students read aloud as a group (chorally) to practise their attention to punctuation and intonation. We also practised "reading between the lines" where good readers are constantly thinking about what they are reading to make sense of the text. Afterwards, the children did a reading response activity by answering questions about the book in their journals.

In oral communication and media studies, the class finished the sock puppet movies project by filming the final movies. Each group performed its play with the rest of the class as an audience. After, the children discussed what each group did well and what they could do next time to do an even better job. The children took home their sock puppets at the end of the week. The movies can be seen in a separate posting.

In math, the children focused on the strategies on how to identify and extend repeating patterns. Repeating patterns also have a "pattern core" which repeats. Later in the week, the students were practising how to identify and extend a mix of patterns, growing, shrinking and repeating. Later in the week, the "new" students to our class were taught by the "old" students, how to play the board games, Snakes and Ladders, Race to 100 and Race to 0 (all these games use a version of the standard 100 chart to play the game). Finally, on Friday, the students made their own dice (in preparation for their homework activity). There is a "secret" about how the numbers are placed on each die. Ask your child to explain the "secret" to you...

In art, the class began the annual Room 222 pillow project! This is a tradition in my class, where children make their own pillows to use in the classroom, on their desk chairs and during reading times. There are a lot of steps to make a pillow. This week the children learned two different art techniques to create designs on the two pieces of fabric that will be used to make each child's pillow. First, each student used squeeze bottles of fabric dye in the primary colours red, blue and yellow, to squirt dye on white cotton fabric. Of course, they discovered, that the secondary colours green, orange and purple were also on the fabric due to colour mixing! The second technique was tie-dye. After twisting the fabric piece and holding the twisting in place with elastics and clothespins, the bundles were immersed into blue dye. When unfolded, the fabric pieces displayed beautiful blue and white abstract patterns. Finally, the students were taught how to iron their fabric pieces flat, in preparation for sewing next week.

For three days this week, teachers from X-Movement (Australia) were at our school to teach the children some games and about Australia too. Our class had three lessons with the group. One teacher was surprised when he introduced himself as Jonesy because our class began to laugh with surprise! They were were surprised because my sock puppet is also named Jonesy! He was a good sport and posed for a photo with Jonesy the sock puppet. There are also some X-Movement activities online. Here is the link:

https://www.xmovement.online

Our class name is "Room 222" and the password is "room222".

Books read aloud this week:

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Loebel (chapter book - now finished)
The Boy With Square Eyes by Juliet and Charles Snape
The Girl Who Drew Dogs by Deborah Kerbel (She will visit our school on October 10th.)
Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer
The Little Red Pen by Janet Stevens