Friday, May 10, 2019

May 10th

Hi Parents,

This week was filled with lots of fun and new experiences!

We had our field trip to the zoo on Tuesday, it was a chilly day but still lots of fun. Students were able to research and learn more about the animal they have chosen. Each student got to do a program around their animal and had time to go to their animal's exhibit to do their own research.

In writing this week we wrote about our time at the zoo: what we saw, what we learned and what our favourite part was. We also took some time to write about what we loved about our mom's in preparation for Mother's Day on Sunday.

We continued to work on our literacy skills through literacy centers and continued to practice our addition and subtraction skills through math centers.

This week was our first in-line skating session. Many of us had never done in-line skating before. It was definetly tricky but we are excited for our next session on Tuesday.
A reminder of the dates and times of our in-line skating sessions:
Tuesday May 14th-10:35-11:20
Tuesday May 28th-9:50-10:35
Thursday May 30th-8:20-9:05

This past Monday was Music Monday. We gathered together as as school and sang the Music Monday song, we also learned and reflected about why music education is so important.

We also had our Paint Day on Thursday, another great event planned by leadership. We were taught by Mrs. Kenna and Ms. Thomas on how to take care of our paint brushes and they also taught us some painting techniques when using water colours.

We also created some special Mother's Day crafts this week in art. I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day this weekend!

Reminders:

Tuesday May 14th is our second session of in-line skating

Thursday May 16th is our Volunteer Tea

Friday May 17th is a PD Day. No School

Monday May 20th is Victoria Day. No School

Wednesday May 22nd is Fun Lunch


Friday, May 3, 2019

May 3rd

Hi Parents,

This week in honour of Hats off for Mental Health day we focused on our emotions and how they affect our mental health. We read four different stories "The way I feel", "When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really, Angry", "The Invisible Boy" and "When Sophie's Feelings are Really, Really Hurt". We also watched the video "Kids want to know: Why do we lose control of our emotions", I have put the link for this video below. We discussed how it is okay to feel mad, sad, happy, proud, etc.  All our emotions are okay,  but it's how we deal with them. We discussed strategies that we can use to help us deal with our emotions and we also discussed how we can help others. We then wrote about our emotions using the prompt: "I remember a time when I felt...."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bKuoH8CkFc

In math this week we started new math centers to help us practice our addition and subtraction skills and help us learn our doubles.  We also practiced our problem solving skills through a math problem: "The class planted 20 sunflower seeds. Some grew into plants and some did not grow. How many grew into plants? How many did not grow? Show all of the possible answers."


Our words of the week this week were: our, than, were, which
We are now done our words of the week and will use the rest of this year to practice all the words of the week we have learned throughout the year.


In science this week we continued learning about plants. We learned about the different stages in a plant life cycle and then created our own plant life cycle. We then went more in depth into one part of the life cycle: the seed. We discussed the different parts of a seed and how they help a plant grow, then we drew and labelled a seed diagram.
We also learned about wild plants and domesticated plants. We learned what "wild" and "domesticated" mean, then we brainstormed in groups what examples of wild and domesticated plants would be. We discovered some plants can be both. We then put all out ideas into  a Venn diagram.
Lastly, we practiced using our knowledge of what plants need to grow by creating our own garden. We first used a resource from learnalberta.ca, which helped us to create a garden together and figure out some of the things we might need.  The students then went and created their own gardens in their visual journals.

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/tlfcse/index.html

Reminders:

Monday May 6th is Music Monday. The whole school will be getting together to sing the Music Monday song Mrs. McBride has been teaching them.

Tuesday May 7th is our field trip to the zoo. Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate clothing for the weather, has a snack and lunch and a water bottle.

Wednesday May 8th is our first sessions of in-line skating. Please make sure your child has socks and brings their helmet, if they have one.

Wednesday May 8th is Fun Lunch

Friday, April 26, 2019

April 26th

Hi Parents,

This week in writing we wrote about what we did over our Easter Break. It sounds like everyone had a lovely long weekend. We also continued to practice our writing during literacy centers, where students are allowed to write about whatever they would like. Some students are even starting to write stories! We also continued to work on our literacy skills through literacy centers.

In math this week we did a review of addition and subtraction. Students were given both addition and subtraction questions on one sheet. They had to choose a strategy that worked best for them and make sure they were looking closely at the sign so they knew when to add and when to subtract. We also learned about doubles when adding and practiced our double facts to 10 through two games called "Doubles aren't trouble" and "Doubles Dash".

Doubles:
0+0=0
1+1=2
2+2=4
3+3=6
4+4=8
5+5=10
6+6=12
7+7=14
8+8=16
9+9=18
10+10=20


Our words of the week this week were: other, their, were, would
Our words of the week next week are: our, than, were, which 


In Science this week we starting learning about living things. We started by discussing what makes something living? We discussed asking ourselves these questions to help us decide:
Does it move by itself?
Does it grow and change?
Does it breathe?
Does it need food and water to survive?

Does it reproduce?
Then as a class we sorted a variety of items into living and non living categories.  Then students were given their own sheet with items on it to sort. 
We also started to discuss plants. We learned about the different parts of a plant and how they help the plant. We then went and drew a plant diagram and labelled all the different parts. We also learned about what plants need to survive and how plants make their own food through photosynthesis. We finished this lesson by drawing a plant diagram and labeling the things it needs to survive( sun, air, water, soil) and watched "Magic School Bus: Gets Planted". 

Today was Club Friday. Everybody got a new club, this will be students' final club of the year. We have two more sessions of Club Friday before the end of the year. 

Reminders:

Wednesday May 1st- Hats off for Mental Health Day. Students are invited to wear a hat to school on Wednesday in support of mental health awareness. 

Monday May 6th is Music Monday. We will be celebrating Music Monday with the whole school 

Tuesday May 7th is our field trip to the zoo

Wednesday May 8th Alien in line skating begins in gym. Students are invited to bring their own helmet if they would like. All other equipment is supplied. 

Wednesday May 8th-Fun Lunch

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

April 17th

Hi Parents,

A short but busy week!

This week is writing we finished off the good copies of our dragon writing and did free write through literacy centers.  We also continued to work on our reading and writing skills through other literacy centers.

Our words of the week this week were: must, next, only, very
Our words of the week next week are: other, their, where, would

In math this week we continued to work on subtracting. We used cards to help us write subtraction number sentences and solve subtraction problems. We also practiced choosing the right strategy for us to solve subtraction questions.  Some of us like to use a number line, some of us like to use a 100's chart and some of us like to count back in our head. We also continued to play math games to help us practice our subtraction skills, including Subtraction Bingo, which we played with our grade 2 buddies.

This week in science we finished our building unit by building our very own house. This time we got to work independently. We again had to make a plan before we started and used recycled materials to make our houses.

In art this week we made our dragons into puppets to go along with our dragon writing.

We have really been enjoying our new read aloud "Zac Power: Thrill Ride".

Reminders:

Wednesday April 17th and Thursday April 18th- Student-led Conferences.  Wednesday: 4:00pm-7:00pm. Thursday: 8:00am-12:00pm. The time you book will be the time to meet with me. You can come before your time (unless you are booked in for your meeting in the first session) to have your child show you their work or you can have them show you their work after our meeting time( unless your meeting time is the last session). Other parents and students may be in the room during your time.

Thursday April 18th- PD Day. No School

Friday April 19th- Good Friday. No School

Monday April 22nd-PD Day. No School

Friday, April 12, 2019

April 12th

Hi Parents,

This week in writing we read the story "Tell me a Dragon" by Jackie Morris and started to create our very own dragons. We first brainstormed together different kind of dragons we could do, everyone had really creative ideas. Students then went and drew a picture of their dragon. Students were told they would be writing a character description about their dragon. The first day students used their pictures to help them brainstorm ideas for their writing, they also thought about where their dragon would live, what they like, etc.  Then we wrote a character desciption describing our dragons, we focused on adding details to our writing to help the reader visualize the dragon.  The last step of our writing was the final draft where students wrote our their description of their dragon as neat as they could on a fancy piece of paper. Their dragon writing will be on display during student-led conferences.
We also continued to work on our literacy skills through literacy centers.

In Math this week we continued to work on subtraction, we learned how to use a number line and hundreds chart to help us subtract. We also played the game "Number Crash" to help us practice our subtraction skills.

Our words of the week this week were: because, could, much, when
Our words of the week next week are: must, next, only, very

We continued our building unit in Science this week. We worked in groups to build a variety of structures using recycled materials such as cardboard, toilet paper roles, cereal boxes, yarn, milk caps, straws, and Popsicle sticks. Students had to work together to make a plan before they started making their structure. Once they started building they tested throughout and changed their plan if it wasn't working. On Monday the students created old fashioned toys, like we saw at Fort Calgary. On Tuesday they built a car and tested it on a ramp to see if it would move. One Wednesday they built builds, which they had to test if a toy train would be able to cross it. On Thursday they made a boat, which they had to test to see if it would float and if it would move with wind.  Each day students took apart their structures so we could reuse the materials. The last day of our building unit will be students building their very own house, which they will get to show off at student-led conferences before they take them home. We will be finishing our building unit on Monday.

Reminders:

Monday April 15th -Spring Picture Day/Class Photo Day

Wednesday April 17th and Thursday April 18th- Student-led Conferences.  Wednesday: 4:00pm-7:00pm. Thursday: 8:00am-12:00pm. The time you book will be the time to meet with me. You can come before your time (unless you are booked in for your meeting in the first session) to have your child show you their work or you can have them show you their work after our meeting time( unless your meeting time is the last session). Other parents and students may be in the room during your time.

Thursday April 18th- PD Day. No School

Friday April 19th- Good Friday. No School

Monday April 22nd-PD Day. No School

Friday, April 5, 2019

April 5th

Hi Parents,

This week in writing we wrote about what we did on our Spring Break. It sounds like everyone had a wonderful break filled with lots of fun!  We also continued to work on our writing and reading skills through Literacy centers.

In Math this week we reviewed addition and started subtraction. We discussed how subtraction is also called taking away and when we subtract two numbers the numbers get smaller. We also discussed that with subtraction, instead of part, part whole like addition, its whole, part, part. We used cubes to help us practice our subtraction skills.

Our words of the week this week were: more, take, two, well
Our words of the week next week are: because, could, much, when

In science this week we reviewed our 5 senses and brainstormed what our five senses would see, hear,  smell, taste and touch in the season of Spring. We then drew and wrote about these things in our visual journals.
We also started our building unit this week. We read the stories "Rosie Revere Engineer" and 'The Magnificent Thing" which taught us to never give up, even if we fail and our structures don't work out.. we keep trying because "The only true failure can come if you quit".  We also read the story "Iggy Peck Architect".
To begin this week we discussed how engineers and architects need to have a plan before they begin. Students were told they could use between 20-30 unifix cubes to make a structure or design. They then went and drew out their plan before they came to show it to me. Once it had been checked they went and got their materials to start building their unifix creation. We also did this the next day but this time students had to use pattern blocks. They could use 15-35 pattern blocks and had to use at least 3 different shapes. Yesterday we finished our intro to building by building creations using both unifix cubes and pattern blocks and this time they had to work with a partner. We discussed that next week students will be working in a group and what it means to work together. We said that working together is when everyone is involved and sharing their ideas. We need to compromise and work with our partner, which may mean we don't always get our way but that's okay. The class did really well working together with their partner and adding their ideas together to make beautiful creations.
Next week we will be continuing our building unit.


Reminders: 

Wednesday April 10th is Fun Lunch

Monday April 15th is Spring and Class Picture Day

Wednesday April 17th and Thursday April 18th is Student-Led Conferences. Wednesday from 4:00-7:00, Thursday from 8:00-12:00

Thursday April 18th is a PD. Day, No school

Friday April 19th is Good Friday, No School

Monday April 22nd is a PD. Day, No School

Thursday, March 21, 2019

March 21st

Hi Parents,

This week we continued to work on our literacy skills through literacy centers and writing. Students are starting to create their own stories and are sharing their experiences such as swimming and what they did on the weekend.  We also continued to practice our reading rules we learned last week. We practiced spelling words with the "bossy e", that doesn't say his name at the end of some words but taps on the other vowel and makes them say their name. For example, words like "made", and "ride". We also practiced spelling words that have the rule when two vowels going walking the first one does the talking.  For example, words such as "read" and "keep". We also played making words.

Our words of the week this week were: before, made, or, some 

In math we continued to practice our addition strategies. This week we were given addition questions and were able to choose what strategy worked best for us. The math strategies that we are using for addition are using counters or blocks, using a 100s chart, using a number line, counting on in our head, and counting on with our fingers. We also used cards to help us with our addition, by flipping over two cards and adding them together. Lastly, we got to play addition bingo with our grade 2 buddies, it was really fun.
We continued to work on our problem solving skills in math this week. Our question this week was "There are bouncy balls in a basket. Some balls are RED and some balls are GREEN.  There are 3 more RED balls then GREEN balls. How many of each colour could there be? Show as many answers as you can". This was definitely tricky for some of us, but no one gave us and we all tried our best. Afterwards we went through the problem together and shared some strafes that worked to help us understand the problem better.

In science this week we continued to learn about our senses. We learned more about our sense of hearing, taste and touch. We learned how our ears, tongue and skin work to help us with these senses. We also learned about deaf people. We learned that they use sign language and have different technology to help them in their daily life. We even practiced some sign language and spelt our name with sign language. This was the last week of winter so we also went outside to observe how our tree had changed from fall to winter. We then went back to class and drew our winter tree in our visual journals.

We continued our learning with Mr. Scout this week by having him come in and make Bannock with us. He mixed the dough and then we were each given a small ball of dough that we had to knead and shape. We then got to go and watch Mr. Scout make the fry bread. Afterwards we got to eat the fry bread with some peppermint tea. Some of us weren't too sure about the tea but everyone loved the Bannock. It was so cool to have Mr. Scout come in to do this with us and teach us more about Indingenous culture and traditions.


Reminders: 

Friday March 22nd is a PD Day. No School

Monday March 25th-Friday March 29th is Spring Break. No School.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Spring Break!! :)



June 21st

Hi Parents, This week in writing we wrote about our dream summer vacation. Some of us wrote about real places we would want to go, some of...