Let's Hop 2 It!

2012-02-10T13:12:00.000-06:00

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:

VALENTINE'S PARTY
*Tuesday, February 14th will include a day of valentine math, writing, reading activities, to be followed with valentine games, snacks 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 5 school days away from this exciting event. Friday, February 17th 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 Friday. 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, 100 wallpaper samples, and so on and so on. Anything goes, so use your imagination!

I LOVE TO READ MONTH
FUEL YOUR JETS FOR READING!
Students are building their reading stamina during reading workout and earning one puck for every 30 minutes of reading time. The reading pucks are placed in the net in the front hall. Once the net is full, a shoot out will occur during the final Playoff Reading Day- February 29th in the gym at 3:00 pm. Rumour has it Mrs. Zimmerman and Mr. Scott will be our much anticipated participants! At home, students are encouraged to read a total of 400 minutes in February for their Boston Pizza prize and to participate in the hockey bingo reading sheet found in their home reading duotang. In keeping with our theme, every Friday is also a Wear Your Jets Gear day. Check out our slideshow!
We read! We score!

FEBRUARY I LOVE TO READ!!!

2012-02-09T17:05:00.000-06:00

This free scrapbook design made with Smilebox

2012-01-13T11:59:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to 2012!! I hope that everyone had much family fun over the holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year. Thank you to our many volunteers who helped us get through the busy month of December with ease! Your help with preparation and holiday craft making, party planning, super lunch supervision and holiday treats on our last day helped us get the job done. It was also great having Ms. Hurdell, our student teacher, on board for the past 6 weeks We look forward to her return in March.
I would also like to take a moment to express my sincerest thanks for your many thoughtful words, wishes, cards and gifts. Thank you for the kindness you show each day and your continued support. It is much appreciated!

So, what's new and exciting in 2J? Let's have a look!

READING AND WRITING TARGETS
Novel Study

Before Christmas, we read Stanley, Flat Again! In the first book,the main character, Stanley Lambchop is flattened in his sleep when a large bulletin board over his bed, falls on him! Luckily, Stanley survives and makes the best of being flat. No easy thing! In the second book, he seems to have gone flat AGAIN and finds that being flat can be kind of handy. 2J immediately began imagining themselves flattened in their sleep and before you know it we created our own Flat Classroom. We laminated our artwork to make it extra durable and began to consider the possibilities of what adventures we could now have. Stay tuned for further interesting developments!!!

Reading Targets

*Chunking letters and sounds together
*Blending sounds; stretch and reread

Writing Targets

*I use my planning sheet for small moment writing
*I am a writer and can write for 20-30 minutes
*I always reread my work before I begin writing
*I am using some interesting story telling language

MATH TARGETS

I know my addition and subtraction facts (to 18), using mental math strategies
*using a known fact 3 + 4 = 7 so 30 + 40 = 70
*counting on 1, 2, and 3 more
Begin with your largest quantity and then use your strategies to count on
$20 + $10 + $5 + $3 = 38
20, 30, 35, 38
*ways to make ten review (0 + 10, 1 + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5)
*doubles

I use my mental math strategies when I play What's My Value?

I can create and solve addition and subtraction problems using my mental math strategies.

BEHAVIOR TARGET

***TEAMWORK***

2011-11-25T12:09:00.001-06:00

Customize your own free slideshow

NOVEMBER TARGETS

2011-11-24T11:03:00.000-06:00

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

I AM A SCIENTIST!

2011-11-21T13:01:00.001-06:00

Customize your own photo slideshow

2011-11-10T14:32:00.001-06:00

Here is the link too: http://animoto.com/play/NNoY8Z4XRn8wZ1idr21hQg

2011-10-18T16:11:00.001-05:00

Slideshow design made with Smilebox

WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

2011-10-13T13:22:00.004-05:00

On the count of 3,

Let's say C0MMUNITY!!!

We are one month in and well on the way to having a terrific school year!

Here are some highlights we'd like to share with you.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to the many parents who are offering their time this year both in and outside of the classroom. We are so lucky to have you on board.

We have three parents this year who have offered to share the job of Parent Rep for this year!

Thank you to Chantelle Maksymetz for collating our parent volunteer consent forms and organizing our volunteer lists. We are also pleased to have Chantelle as our party co-ordinator.

Thank you to Tara Hill for organizing in-class, field trip, super lunch and at home volunteers.

Thank you to Caroline Lewis for collating and assembling our Scholastics book orders this year.

Volunteers make a difference!!

A special thanks to our parents and younger siblings that attended the Terry Fox Walk with our class.

Great Cause, Great Day!!

OUR CLASSROOM CONTRACT

What a wonderful sound to hear our contract read aloud each morning. Students are working actively to do the right thing and be the best that they can be! Let's Keep Hopping 2 it 2J! This is important work.

So what have we been up to these past weeks?
Let's have a look......

LANGUAGE ARTS

We have begun our Home Reading Program to promote oral reading skills. Reading Just Right Books aloud with a "storytelling voice" helps to build both fluency and expression. The October reading goal is 200 minutes. Don't forget to record your minutes and hand in your home reading duotang on the first day of each month! Keep turning those pages!

Reading Workout
Everyone loves a good recipe, especially teachers. The Literacy CAFE Menu continues to be a recipe for success when it comes to teaching reading. The CAFE headings stand for:
C - Comprehension -I understand what I read.
A- Accuracy -I can read the words.
F- Fluency -I can read accurately, with expression, and understand what I read.
E- Expanded Vocabulary - I know, find, and use interesting words.
Our 4 reading targets are:
*Increasing our reading stamina (30 minutes is our target)
*Checking for understanding
*Cross-checking ( Does it look right? Does it sound right? Does it make sense?)
*Flip the sound

Word Work
Word work occurs throughout the week both through small and large group reading instruction. Weekly words will be practiced through games and independent activities. Weekly words will be recorded in agendas to practice oral reading and connect to at home reading. Fully applying learned word knowledgwe to their daily reading and writing is our main goal.

Writer's Workshop
Target: Using authors as mentors
We are currently studying Judy Schachner's imaginative and funny writing style in her book I Am Skippyjon Jones and modelling a story in her style. Students are responsible for planning out their writing, working hard to edit their everyday words and are working to increase their writing stamina.

MATH
Our September and October focus continues to be building a strong understanding of numbers from 1-100. Within this focus, we have been working on several different math activities to expand our mathematical thinking.

Number Talks is a daily routine, where students are expected to work with a set of problems that they can solve mentally. Wonderful teaching opportunities arise as students share and defend their mental math strategies.

Students are currently learning math online with DreamBox, three times per cycle. Learners are highly engaged in this individualized program and work to build solid, deep understandings of the concepts that drive place value, number operations and number sense.

Math Targets
*Describing numbers to 100
*Representing and showing numbers in a variety of ways
*Skip counting sequences (by 2s, 5s, and 10s), forward and backward

*Estimating quantities to 100 using referents

Let's Leap into Learning!

2011-09-19T22:35:00.002-05:00

Picture slideshow created with Smilebox

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

2011-06-09T20:43:00.002-05:00

Dinostars

2011-06-09T20:21:00.001-05:00

This free picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

2011-05-18T15:05:00.012-05:00

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

2011-04-28T09:19:00.001-05:00

2011-04-07T20:00:00.010-05:00

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.

How To Make Apple Crisp

2011-03-10T14:26:00.001-06:00

Free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

2011-03-07T13:32:00.014-06:00

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

2011-02-03T16:02:00.003-06:00

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!!

2011-02-01T18:22:00.009-06:00

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!

2011-01-11T13:01:00.010-06:00

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.

December Magic!

2010-12-07T19:49:00.015-06:00

HOLIDAY CONCERT NEWS!

The holiday concert is on Tuesday, December 14th at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Doors will be open at 6:00 p.m. and children should arrive at their classroom at 6:30 p.m. We encourage any parents or relatives who are able to attend the afternoon performance to do so as the evening concert does fill up quickly.
As always, the admission to our concert is a box of breakfast cereal or mittens for our "Giving Tree." All collected items will be donated to Westgrove School. Thank you for you kind and generous donations!

The Grade 2 students are invited to wear holiday clothing of their choice PLUS a colorful hat, scarf and mittens to go along with the theme of our Charlie Brown Christmas presentation. Boys and girls, keep practicing your song, dance and lines. Showtime is just around the corner!

CHRISTMAS CHEER BOARD HAMPERS

Our LM student leadership team are preparing hampers for families in need. For the next 2 weeks they will be accepting non-perishable items such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, rice, oatmeal, canned beans, stuffing, jam, cookies, cake mix, candy, sugar, tea, etc., ANY and ALL donations will be greatfully accepted for this wonderful cause!

ALSO,
Thursday, December 9th is Christmas Cheer Board Day

Students are asked to donate $1 to wear a holiday hat, ( Santa hat, reideer antlers, etc.,). All monies raised will be used to buy gifts for our families and turkeys for their hampers. Join us in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas this Thursday.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT MORNING

On Wednesday, December 15th, 2J will be having their annual Christmas Craft Morning. Volunteers will be assisting children in sewing, weaving, folding, and assembling a variety of exciting holiday crafts. Please let our classroom rep, Sharron Davis, know if you are available to help. A fun time is guaranteed for one and all!!

Holiday Get-Together!!

2J will be celebrating the joy of the season and are happy to invite parents and younger siblings to our holiday party on Friday, December 17th. Please join us at 2:45 for fun and games!!

2010-11-11T08:11:00.011-06:00

NOVEMBER TARGETS

Working towards being

the best

that we can be!

*I solve conflicts using my Kelso strategies.

*I show respect to all children and adults in our school.

Becoming mathematicians!

*I participate actively in the math morning warm-ups

*I can show number in many different ways

*I can show and explain the meaning of each digit for a 2-digit numeral

For ex: 37(first digit represents 3 tens(30 counters) and the second digit represents 7 ones(7 counters)

*I never give up problems are tricky!!

Becoming strong readers!

*I ask myself 3 questions when cross-checking for accuracy

Does what I just read look right?

Does it sound right?

Does it make sense?

*I tune in to interesting words

I am a scientist!

I can design and build a windchime that:

*makes a sound

*moves

I know how a community works!

Salut!

I can introduce myself en francais!

Bien fait, les amis!!

2010-11-10T15:51:00.000-06:00

NOVEMBER NEWS!!

2010-11-08T13:28:00.009-06:00

October flew out the window in a flurry of field trips, pumpkin estimation/measurement centers, Halloween activities, and last but not least a spooky party with loads of delicious treats!
Three cheers for all our amazing volunteers! Thank you for your enthusiasm, time and yummy party snacks!

2J was incredibly proud to reach our classroom fundraising goal for UNICEF.
$355.65 was raised to help students in Africa. Students and parents worked together to show how we can make a difference for children in our world.
Our work for UNICEF was also a wonderful lead into Remembrance Day. We reflected about what peace means for us. And we decided that there are some things you need just to stay alive: food, water, a place to live, clothes to keep warm, help when you are ill or injured.
Peace is having the things you need. Thank you boys and girls for making a difference in our world!!!

2010-10-06T17:01:00.024-05:00

WELCOME TO OCTOBER!
We are one month in and well on the way!! Here are some highlights we'd like to share with you.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to the many parents who are offering their time this year both in and outside of the classroom. We are so lucky to have you on board.
Thank you to all our parents, siblings and other family members, who accompanied us on the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope. Your participation was much appreciated and your generous donations will help to make Terry Fox's dream come true.
Thank you to Mrs. Davis for agreeing to be our Parent Volunteer Rep for this year!
Thank you also to Mrs. Friesen for co-ordinating our class get to-gethers and Super Lunch volunteers.Thank you as well to Mrs. Waldvogel for collating our Scholastic Book Orders.
Volunteers make a difference!!

OUR CLASSROOM CONTRACT
What a wonderful sound to hear our contract read aloud each morning. Students are working actively to do the right thing and are working towards being the best that they can be! Let's Keep Hopping 2 it 2J! This is important work.

LANGUAGE ARTS
We have begun our Home Reading Program to promote oral reading skills. Reading Just Right Books aloud with a "storytelling voice" helps to build fluency and expression. The October reading goal is 200 minutes. Don't forget to record your minutes!

We are greatly enjoying our first novel study, My Father's Dragon by Ruth Garnet Stiles. Students are actively participating by making predictions in their Literature Response books. Hmmmmm......Why did Elmer Elevator pack such strange and unusual things into his knapsack, to visit the wild island? I wonder...

MATH
We are practising so many important number skills. Some of our targets include:
*estimating quantities using a referent
*putting collections into groups for fast and easy counting
*skip-counting forward and backwards by 2s, 5s, and 10s
*using ordinal numbers to describe our position in the magic number line up
*reviewing numbers 1-20 in our Number Review Booklets

SOCIAL STUDIES
What is a community? As we take a closer look at Linden Woods we will be examining:
*goods and services in our community
*natural features around us
*our community in the past

SCIENCE
We are learning about the air in our environment. Some of our learning has included:
*using our sense to prove that air exists
*examining the positive and negative effects of moving air
*making and testing air snakes to show evidence of air movement indoors

In Grade 2, we THINK SAFETY!
*we follow all safety guidelines during fire drills
**OCTOBER 5TH-8TH IS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK**
Fire Fighter Steve reminded us to:
Stop! Drop! Cover your face and roll!
Arrange a meeting spot.
Check all smoke detectors!
Stay low and crawl under the fire!

FRANÇAIS

Bonjour! Every morning, the class answers questions about themselves en français. This vocabulary will be used later this month, for a presentation. We will continue learning new vocabulary by having fun with French games and songs.

Let's Hop 2 It!

2010-09-20T16:38:00.002-05:00

LEAP INTO LEARNING!

2010-09-16T13:17:00.008-05:00

Thursday, September 16

WELCOME GIRLS AND BOYS! WELCOME MOMS AND DADS!

The school year has begun and there is great excitement in Room 1! We've had fun settling into our new groups and getting to know each other. We've learned about the four levels of behavior and talked about which level we want to choose. Our next step will be to write a classroom contract. We have had daily discussions about what we believe and who we want to be. We are 23 students strong this year with so many thoughtful ideas. Our class contract will be wonderful indeed. Bravo 2J!!