Oh That Big Bad Wolf!

The students are putting the finishing touches on their 'Wanted Posters'. They look great!
Students were asked to include these important features:

• The words WANTED in bold print
• Reward Information
• Contact Information
• Picture
• Description of why the wolf is wanted.

Skip Counting on Number Lines

Today day we used traditional number lines (and playdoh) to practice our skip counting. All student must know how to skip count by 2s, 5s, 10s and 25s up to 200. All students must also know how to count backwards (by different intervals) from 50-0.  While you are walking, driving, cooking, etc....try and quiz your child by asking the following types of questions.

"Start @ (......), Count on by (2s,5s,10s...) Stop @ (......)."

Today we practiced:
"Start @ 5, Count on by 5s. Stop @ 40"
"Start @ 40, Count back by 5s. Sop @ 10"
"Start @ 6, Count on by 3s. Stop at 33"

Patterning (in numbers) and Place Value

We have started to focus on a new strand in Mathematics. For the next few weeks we will be working on the strand of Number Sense. Our topics will include:

• Reading, representing and comparing whole numbers to 100
• Counting forward to 200 by 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s and 25s.
• Counting backwards from 50 by 1s
• Counting backwards from 100 by 10
• Locating numbers on a full number line (1-100) and a partial number line. 
• Here we are making groups of 5 and 10 to help count a large amount.

Media Literacy

For Media Literacy we have been learning the features for a 'Wanted Poster'. Currently our class is designing Wanted Posters for THE BIG BAD WOLF. Take a look at some works in progress.

Math tests don't look like they use to... (Thank God!)

Today our class completed an assessment for Data Management. The task had 4 components.

1. Generate a survey question

2. Survey 15 people and make a tally chart.

3. Organize & show data more than one way

4. Interpret the data and write observations. 

Everyone was excited and enjoyed the challenge. Ask your child about their survey question.

Here we are collecting data from 2/3 Capaldi:

We are working hard to organize and show our data more than one way:

The Hickory Chair

For writing, we are learning how to use 'juicy details' to grab the readers attention. Juicy details help us (readers) create pictures in our mind about what we are reading. They also give us valuable information and usually link up with our five senses. Our story 'The Hickory Chair' tells us about a family's loss and how they cope by remembering familiar smells, sounds, and the kind actions of their beloved Gran.

Interpreting Bar Graphs

In Math we have been working to explain the 'data' we see in different bar graphs. Interpreting different graphs is included in both the Grade 2 and 3 curriculum for Numeracy. Ask your child why they were using a brown paper bag for math.

Serenity Lavender Farm

We had a fabulous time at the Lavender Farm. We learned many facts about the benefits and the processes involved in growing and harvesting lavender. Did you know that Serenity grows over 48 types of lavender and each type has a specific look and scent! 

Word Study

Today we began our Word Study Program. Word Study allows students to learn common words that are specific to their learning level. It differs from a traditional 'spelling' program in a few ways.

• Every student has their own personal word list based on the words they can spell and can't spell yet.
• The words chosen for this program are Dolch Sight Words. These 'sight words'  are the most commonly used words in early texts. This list also includes words that do not follow grammar patterns (they just need to be memorized). 
• Students progress at their own pace and don't move on to new words until they have successfully spelled all the words from their list correctly. For example, if a student spells a word incorrectly during a weekly test, that word will carry over and be added to their words for the following week. 

You will notice 5 words in your child's agenda. These are their words for the week and should be practiced nightly. We will have our first 'word test' on Friday morning. 

Happy Thanksgiving

We have been working on creating complete and detailed sentences. See if your child can list the 5W's of a sentence. Also, take a look at what some of us are thankful for! Have a wonderful long weekend.

Bar Graphs

In Numeracy we have moved onto creating and interpreting different graphs. Today we talked about the important features of a bar graph. Posted below are a few selections of student work. Ask your child what the '5 parts' of a bar graph are.

Cross Country 2015!

Congratulations to all of our Cross Country participants. School teams and clubs are a great way to build confidence and make new friendships.

Big Books!

Shared Reading is an important part of the Primary Literacy Block. It is a time when teachers and students 'share' a reading experience using Big Books or other enlarged text. It has several benefits some of which are listed below.

~ allows students to enjoy materials they may not be able to read on their own.

~assists students in learning where to look and/or focus their attention

~ helps students develop a sense of story and increase comprehension.