NOVEMBER TARGETS

November has been an exciting month of building on our tri-conference goals and continuing our important work as learners.  We are pleased to welcome Sara Hurdell, a 5th year UofM teaching candidate, to our classroom for her first five week teaching block. 

Working towards being

the best

that we can be!

* I work quietly 

*I choose the highest level of behavior

*I solve conflicts using my Kelso strategies

Becoming mathematicians!

*I participate actively in the math morning warm-ups

*I am challenging myself to show number in MANY different ways

*I can estimate and count collections accurately

*I can order and compare numbers from 1-50

Becoming strong readers!

*I get my mind ready to read by taking a book walk through the book

*I read with smooth voice that sounds like talking

1. I use my strategies to solve words

1.  Cross-Checking

Does it look right?

Does it sound right?

Does it make sense?

2. Flip the sound (short/long vowel sounds)

3.  Back up and reread

4.  Chunk letters and sounds together

5.  Skip the word, then come back

ALL HANDS ON DECK!! JUNE 30TH IS FAST APPROACHING!!

MAY UPDATE!!!

The excitement is mounting, in 2J! Read on for the latest developments:

DINOSTARS MUSICAL

Our Grade1/2 performance is on Thursday, Mary 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the large gym. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are invited to enjoy this exciting presentation.
Mrs. Dueck has suggested costumes that are easy to assemble with items found at home. Some suggestions include:
Country Singer- cowboy boots, cowboy hat, jeans, bandana, etc.,
Rock Star_ spiky hair, fake guitars, black t-shirt, etc.,
Rapper- hoodie, chains, skate shoes, etc.,
Dinosaur- Halloween costumes
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!


READING

We have begun our non-fiction reading groups and have discovered the fascinating world of learning new information from books. After comparing and contrasting fiction and non-fiction texts, we decided that reading non-fiction required some special tools. Some of our tools include:

*Reading all titles and headings
*Reading the Table of Contents to help us find information
*Tuning in to boldwords and looking them up in the Glossary to check their meaning
*Reading photographs, diagrams, charts, and textboxes for more information.


WRITING
May/June writing will center around examining the writing style of Roger Hargreave's Mr. Men and Little Miss books, followed by planning and writing our own books.

Writing targets will include:
*Writing and using a story map to organize our thoughts before writing
*Writing a story with a beginning, middle, and ending
*Solving the problem
*Tuning in to interesting words to use instead of "said" such as giggled, laughed, replied, etc.,
*Editing our writing for our everyday or no excuse words for Grade 2

MATH

We continue our important work of building mental math strategies and becoming confident problem solvers when faced with tricky problems. In addition, we are investigating patterns and the concept of equality.
Targets include:
*Identifying the core of a repeating pattern
*Describing and extending a pattern with two attributes
*predicting an element in a repeating pattern using a variety of strategies

EXAMPLE:
@@+@@+@@+
Can you describe the pattern?
What is the pattern core? (the part that repeats)
What will the next shape be? How do you know?
What will the 15th element be?

*solving and creating increasing patterns and explaining the pattern rule

Equality targets include:
*Describing equality as a balance and inequality as an imbalance
*Recording equalities using the equal synmbol (0 - 20)
EXAMPLE:
3 + 4 = 5 + ___
*Determining whether two quantities are equal and explaing the reasoning.
EXAMPLE:
TRUE OR FALSE?
7 + 9 = 10 + 5

Churchill/Winnipeg Voicethread

Welcome back!!

A week off to play in the sun and melting snow has done wonders for all. With tri-conferences just 3 weeks away, everyone's come back ready to tackle new learning with enthusiasm. Let's hop to it 2J!!

Writer's Workshop and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

We have finished our novel study and closely examined the writing style of Kate DiCamillo. She made us care about Edward and wish that this story would never end. Now we are writing in her style and creating a story about our own stuffies and their miraculous journey, using these writing targets:

*I can write and follow a plan.

*I can begin my story in the style of K.DiCamillo.

*I describe my stuffie in vivid detail.

*I SHOW not TELL how my stuffie and I feel about each other.

*I use interesting words in my writing.

READING TARGET

*I tune in to interesting words and use new vocabulary in speaking a writing

MATH TARGETS

*Please check out Math for the left and right brain under new math websites

*I use my mental math strategies to help me add double digit numbers

with no-regrouping and with regrouping.

*I use my mental math strategies to solve problem solving questions.

BEHAVIOR TARGETS

*I co-operate with the group to get the job done.

*I participate in group discussions.

If it's one thing we know how to do well in 2J,

it's co-operate, participate

and have fun learning!!!

No matter what the occasion, day to day learning,

I Love to Read activities, the WSO field trip, 100 Day festivities or preparing for tri-conferences, 2J always strives to be the best that they can be!

TOGETHER IS BETTER!!

A special thank you to all our enthusiastic Grade 2 learners and their supportive parents! Boys and girls, you worked so hard to look over your work, celebrate your strengths and set new learning targets for the next few weeks. Parents, thank you for listening, asking questions, and celebrating your child's learning. As a teacher, I know that when we work together as a team, we can accomplish so much! Thank you for a job well done!

Manitoba Theatre for Young People presentation

The Man Who Planted Trees

Gr. 2 Field trip Fri., March 18 12:20 - 2:45 p.m.

ALL students are required to stay for lunch because of the noon hour departure time.

Volunteers will be picked in a draw and notified if they are chosen. Thank you for your interest!

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

MATH TARGETS

*I am using new mental math strategies to solve addition and subtraction questions
*I can measure length and mass(weight) using different units
*I can compare length, height, distance around and mass


READING TARGETS

*I use my storytelling voice to read fluently
*I read the punctuation to add expression to what I read


WRITING TARGETS

*I can sequence main events to summarize how to make apple crisp
*I can use order of time words to help me retell the steps in my How To Book
*I can edit my sentences for capitals and periods
*I can edit my work to check the spelling of my no-excuse words (Gr.2 words)

POSITION AND MOTION SCIENCE TARGETS

*I can use position vocabulary such as above, between, near, etc., and describe where an object is from my perspective
*I can describe the motion of living thing
*I can demonstrate whether a force is a push or a pull

CHURCHIILL SOCIAL STUDIES TARGETS

*I can compare common features of Winnipeg and Churchill
(for ex: transportation, services, school)
*I can give examples of how the north shapes life in Churchill

FRANCAIS

*I participate in Le Festival du Voyageur songs, rhymes and activities

FEBRUARY UPDATE!!

Five months into the year, five months left to have fun learning together! 2J are you ready for the final stretch?
LET'S HOP TO IT!!!

February is a happening month. Let's look at upcoming events:

READING ROCKS 2011!!
*Boston Pizza Reading Log being used for February Home Reading
*Feb.11th Dress up like a rockstar ****Rock and Read around the clock
*Reading Rocks Bingo


VALENTINE'S PARTY
*A morning of valentine math and writing activities, to be followed with games, snack and sharing of valentines in the afternoon. (Please note: This party is a class celebration only.)

100 DAY CELEBRATION
The countdown began on the first day of school and we are now only 12 school days away from this exciting event. Wednesday, February 23rd is our official 100th day of school and we have a jam packed day planned! Students, remember to bring your 100 collection to school on Wednesday. Students may bring any 100 items they choose. Over the years many strange and unusual items have found their way into the classroom with everything from shells, marbles, feathers, toy cars, stuffies, pasta,books, lego pieces to 100 wallpaper samples. Anything goes, so use your imagination!

TRI-CONFERENCES
Everyone has been growing by leaps and bounds and 2J is excited to show samples of their work. Students are becoming very independent looking at their work samples, and discussing their strengths and areas needing improvement. They are looking forward to sharing their many positive contributions with YOU. Let the celebration begin!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to 2011! It was great to have all 23 students back together again, eager to share their many holiday small moments. There was such excitement in the air! I also had a wonderful Christmas season, visiting with family and friends, as well as having lots of outdoor fun skating and cross-country skiing.

Thank you one and all, for your continued support! It was lovely to see so many parents and siblings at our December classroom celebration. I would also like to take this moment, to express my sincerest thank you for the thoughtful card and Lululemon gift certificate. It was truly a most kind and thoughtful gift!

What will we be learning in January you ask? Let's have a look!

MATH OUTCOMES

*creating and solving addition and subtraction problems continues

* learning our basic addition and subtraction facts (to 18),
using mental math strategies,
such as
*using doubles
*making 10
*using the commutative property
*using the property of zero
*thinking addition for subtraction

Did you know.....
85% of all the math we do is mental math?
When we teach "tricks" students learn to bypass the mathematics

Parents, please check out the mental math web link for a detailed explanation of this important outcome.