February 25- March 1

Hi everyone,

This week in Language, our lessons will focus on Black History Month. One text we will closely discuss is the Story of Ruby Bridges.  All students should be working on completing Spelling list 19 activity pages for this Thursday.

In Math, we have started 2-D Geometry. In this chapter, students will explore and construct 2-D shapes. They will also be asked to describe and sort shapes based on attributes, such as number of side lengths, number of vertices and symmetry. New math vocabulary words: congruent, vertices, symmetry, polygon, quadrilateral, area, turn, flip, slide.

In Social Studies, the grade 3 students will learn about Pioneers in Canada. The Grade 2 students will finish their science unit on Simple Machines.

Important Reminders

- Read a text every night for 15 minutes. As you read, think about the narrative perspective, your opinion about certain events that take place in the story and the big idea/lesson of the text.
-Science quiz on Wednesday: A study guide was sent home last week
-2-minute math drill every Friday

Have a great week!

February 19-22 Update

Happy Family Day everyone! What a lovely day to be enjoying some precious time with your loved ones. 

Curriculum Highlights

In Language, we will continue to look at point of view in various texts. Students will also build skills (oral and written) in expressing their personal thoughts and feelings about what has been read. Both grades will be working on Spelling List 18. 

In Math, we will be finishing chapter 6 with some cooperative addition and subtraction activities. Students will be engaged in interactive activities to practice computation skills using number cubes, spinners and linking cubes. By Thursday, we will be starting chapter 7 which is 2-D Geometry. 

In Science, the grade 2 students will closely examine how each type of simple machine allows humans to move objects with less force. The grade 3 students will investigate through experimentation how various materials can be used to add strength to structures. Both grades will be engaged in hands-on activities surrounding simple machines and structures. 

Important Reminders

-          Please bring in toilet paper rolls/paper towel rolls (1 per student )

-          Grade 2 students please bring in one small cardboard box (shoebox size)

-          Skating this Thursday(helmets, snow pants, mittens, skates required)

-          Pioneer village payment required for grade 3 students participating

-         New quiz date:  Grade 2/3 science quiz Wednesday February 27^th
-      Pizza Day on Friday February 22, 2013

February 11-14 update

Hi Everyone,

Curriculum update

In Mathematics, we are continuing our unit on Number Sense and Numeration. A primary focus will be on subtraction strategies. There will not be a 2 minute drill this week as Friday is a P.A Day.  On Thursday, students will have a quiz on all of the skills we have covered so far.  To help your child prepare for this assessment ask the grade 2 students questions such as:

“I have 50 cents and I want to buy an item for 10 cents. How much money will I have left”?

For the grade 3 students: Review adding and subtracting three-digit by two-digit numbers such as: 247-65=­­_______ 
and $1.76 + $4.89=­_________.

In Language Arts, we are exploring point of view (first person vs. narrator).  When reading with your child, encourage them to look for key words that indicate the author's point of view.  For example, first person uses "I and me." A narrator uses words like "he and his."  One text we will focus on is The Tale of Pale Male by Jeannette Winter. We will still be practising how to use evidence from the text to support oral and written answers.  There will not be a new spelling list this week as it is a busy short week.

Important Reminders

-Parent-teacher interviews will be held Thursday, February 14 and Friday, February 15.  The times for the interviews are the same as with progress reports.  An additional reminder will be sent home with the reports. If you are unable to attend your interview time please contact me.

-P.A Day this Friday

-This Thursday we will be having a Valentine Party in the afternoon.  Students are invited to bring nut-free treats and valentines if they wish.  We have 19 students in our class here is a list of names:

Arwen	Asher	Abigail	Maya	Michael
Fiona	Veronica	Esther	C.J.	Lilly
Mark	Audrey	Melissa	Rachel	D’Andre
Lauren	EmmaCree	Emilio	Masimba

Sunday News

Dear families,

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and finding time to play in the mounds of snow. Due to the inclement weather on Friday, the spelling test and 2 minute math drill will take place tomorrow (Monday). 

Enjoy this sunny Sunday :)

Take a look at our bulletin board for the Virtue of Love. Great work students!

February 4^th –February 8^th

Hi Everyone,

Curriculum update

In Mathematics, we are continuing our unit on Number Sense and Numeration which is chapter 6. Every Friday we will be having a 2 minute computation drill to reinforce our addition/subtraction skills. On Mondays, the students will bring home a practice sheet with 50 questions to review during the week. This sheet does not need to be returned to school it may stay at home.

In Language Arts, we are focusing on Spelling list 17 for both grades. All spelling activity pages are due Thursday. As part of our reading lessons, students will begin to express their personal thoughts and feelings orally and in written format after reading a text. They will also learn about point of view in narrative styles to enhance their understanding of “big ideas.”

In Science, students will build structures and read about simple machines.

Reminders

• Lego classes: Grade 2 students will participate every Monday at lunch for the next 5 weeks. The grade 3 students will attend every Wednesday at lunch for the next 5 weeks.
• We are skating this Thursday: Please remember helmets, snow pants and gloves to stay warm and protected.
• Please sign agendas every evening and sign and return assessments.

Thank you for your continued support. Have a great week!

-Ms. Bertone