December 18

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On Thursday, January 18, 2017, our class will be visiting Fort Calgary for an all day field trip. In order for us to go, we will require parent volunteers! If you have CBE clearance and would like to join us, please email me at ljstewart@cbe.ab.ca at your earliest convenience. Fort Calgary requires us to maintain a 1-adult to 6-student ratio but are allowing us to bring additional adults – this means that we can take as many volunteers that wish to come!

Thank you for your continued support!

- The Grade Two Team

Our class did an awesome job today in the winter celebration assembly- such a cute dance! Tomorrow is Holiday Hat spirit day!

It is also Toonie Popcorn day tomorrow and Wednesday this week. Bring $2 and get some yummy flavoured popcorn and the proceeds go to our school council for our playground and other resources!

Reminder that Thursday is a noon dismissal day and then students are on Winter Break until January 8th. 

December 13

It's been such a busy few weeks in our classroom!!

Math

We continue to explore numbers in Math- students have been looking at a variety of ways to represent 2 digit numbers. Some of the ways we have discussed and practiced using are: pictures, ten frames, tally marks, words, base 10 blocks and expanded form (ie. 35 is really 30+5). Have your child show you a few ways they feel the most comfortable with!

We are also looking at some basic mental math strategies for single digit numbers. These include doubles (a number added to itself- ex. the 2 doubled is 4, 6 doubled is 12) and making ten (what 2 digits combine to make 10 like 2+8, 4+6). Being comfortable with these mental math strategies is important for both addition and subtraction. Students can use these strategies when they get into 2 digit and 3 digit numbers as well. For example- if the equation was 23+27=      then students could look at 20+20=40 and if they understand making 10 then they automatically know that 3+7=10 and add it in their head to 40. 

Ask your child how to play Making 10- Go Fish, Memory, or 5 to Make 10. These are all games that can be played at home with just a deck of cards!

Random Acts of Kindness Cards

The Grade 2's have decided to spread some winter cheer by making cards for people who are less fortunate and have to spend some time in a shelter throughout the winter holidays. Each card includes a cute little snowman poem. The kids took their time to ensure they put in their best effort to help bring a smile to someones face!

Next week we have some Spirit Days as well as a fun little performance of what the class has been working on for Creative Movement (Gym+ Music Together). Parents are welcome to come see our class in the assembly on Monday, December 18th at 1:30 in the afternoon. Here is the order of Spirit Days for next week. Reminder that Thursday December 21st is a half day- students will be dismissed at 12:00 pm. 

December 1

What?! Where did November go? I can't believe it's December already! We have had a great week of learning! Just a reminder that tonight is movie night at Ken Taylor. Get in the holiday spirit with The Polar Express at 7:00 (doors open at 6:15) Please bring a cash donation to help raise money for our school playground.


In Math this week we are beginning to look at representing 2 digit numbers using Base 10 manipulative blocks. Students have learned that a "small cube" is called a "unit" and each one represents 1. The "stick" is called a "rod" and it is made up of 10 units. We use these to help develop the concrete understanding of numbers and place value concepts. They will also come in really handy when we get into 2 digit addition and subtraction. For example- the number represented below is 37. At school, students practiced building, drawing and describing a variety of 2 digit numbers. Try giving your child a number and see if they can draw the number using the rods and units and ask them how many "tens and ones" are in that number.

In Reading and Writing we have explored the comprehension strategy of "Making Connections". Students have practiced both listening to teacher read alouds and used their own fictional guided reading books to make personal connections with the stories. We discuss our connections as a group and then students write about them in their writing journal. When reading books at home students can practice this strategy to show that they understand and are thinking about the story. This is called a Text to Self connection.

Ask your child about their Flex Friday experience from last week. Here is what we created!