Week of March 16-19

Learning Intentions:
I can increase my flexibility and agility
I can move my body by rolling, jumping, climbing and throwing
I can follow instructions and move safely through the course
I can develop my balance and focus

In Gym, students enjoyed navigating their way through the last gymnastics unit: Mission Impossible. The entire gym was transformed into a series of challenging tasks from the moment you entered the gym.  Students were challenged to climb, toss beanbags, and move around obstacles in a variety of ways. This was a fun way to conclude our gymnastics unit.
 

Learning Intentions:
I can write to convince others of my opinion
I can explain why coral reefs need to be saved
I can make connections between what I’m reading and myself
I can use words and pictures to show my understanding of a story

In Literacy, students continued to ‘dive deep’ into our book study of “The Brilliant Deep”. First, students did a persuasive writing task where their goal was to help save coral reefs. Then, we used ‘text to self’ to draw on prior learning to write and draw about student’s connections to the book. Finally, students were able to share their main takeaways from the book in a graphic organizer.

On St. Patrick’s Day, all the teachers were away learning about the new Social Studies curriculum at the Area office. While we were away, the students worked on a number of fun, Saint-Patrick’s-Day-themed activities including Mini Booklets with math, riddles, roll-a-story and more. A highlight for students was using actual cereal for the Lucky Charms Graph activity!

 

At Home Learning
During the break, try to keep working on addition by using cards or games. We will be starting subtraction after the break. Also, reading a little every day helps to build decoding and vocabulary skills.

This Week in Photos

 

 

 

 

 

Have a restful and restorative Spring Break!

Ms. Renette's Grade 1/2 Blog

 Learning Intentions:

I can describe materials and explain if they are natural or processed.

I can test materials and describe if they are transparent, translucent, opaque, absorbent, or waterproof.

I can measure objects using length, weight, and area.

I can solve addition problems using strategies that help me think about numbers.

I can reflect on my learning and explain what I might change or improve next time.

 

This week in SMATH, students completed their “Build a Toy Project” by reflecting on the building process and the materials they used. Throughout the unit, students explored different properties, including whether materials are natural or processed, transparent, translucent, or opaque, and absorbent or waterproof. They also measured their toys using non-standard units (linking cubes) to assess length, weight, and area, and shared what they learned and what they might do differently next time. The students continued working on addition skills. Grade 1s practiced building confidence, accuracy and speed with addition facts to 20, while Grade 2s learned strategies to solve double-digit addition with regrouping by breaking numbers apart to make problems easier to solve.

 

Learning Intentions:

I can move my body in different ways, like climbing, balancing, and rolling.

I can balance, climb and travel safely across equipment.

I can follow safety rules when using gymnastics equipment.

I can try new movements and improve my skills by practicing, trying again and doing my best.

I can take turns, encourage others, and work safely with my classmates.

 

This week in Gym, students continued to explore their Gymnastics unit, practicing moving their bodies in different ways using various pieces of equipment. Stations include tressels with ladders and balance beams to travel across, a climber for safe climbing and descending, and tumble mats for rolling, balancing, and controlled landings. The students are working to build strength, balance, coordination, and confidence while also practicing important safety and body-awareness skills. They enjoyed trying new movements, moving carefully between pieces of equipment, and encouraging each other as they practiced their skills. They are excited for “Mission Impossible” next week!

Finally, on Thursday we celebrated 100 Days of School. The day was packed full of 100 Day themed stories, body breaks and learning activities. For example, students imagined and then drew what they might look like at 100 years old. It was a fun day to celebrate that students are 100 days smarter!

At Home Learning:
Math: “Flash & Dash” to 20
Write addition facts to 20 (like 8+5, 9+7, 6+6) on small pieces of paper. Place them face down. You flip one over and try to answer as quickly as possible. If you get it correct, keep the card. If not, it goes back in the pile. See how many you can collect in 2 minutes! Try to beat your score the next time!

Literacy:
Pick 3 random words from a book, cereal box, or around the house. Read the words and then write a funny or silly sentence using them. For example, “The Whale wore a phone on its head.” Encourage sounding out words and adding capitals and punctuation.

Spelling:
We will pause our spelling program for now as we shift our focus to strengthening Math fact fluency. After Spring Break, students will bring home a practice sheet each week with addition (and later subtraction) facts to 20 to help build speed, accuracy, and confidence with numbers.

 This Week in Pictures:

                           

 Learning Intentions:

• I can answer questions about the story and share my thinking
• I can tell the problem and solution in a story
• I can choose words to describe Ken and use events from the story to prove my thinking
• I can make connections between the story and my life
• I can explain why helping coral reefs is important
• I can make rhyming words and build new words using the letters in "coral reef"
• I can use pictures and words to show what I learned from the story 

This week, the students started a Book Study on "The Brilliant Deep." The students started the week by learning more about rhyming and identifying words that rhyme with key terms from the book. Then, they focused on important information from the story and made early reflections such as making connections to their own life. Next, they focused on the problem and solution within the story. We will be exploring various themes and literary elements throughout the next three weeks based on this story. 

Learning Intentions:

• I can add numbers to 20 (Grade 1)
• I can add double digit numbers to 100 without regrouping (Grade 2)
• I can use doubles facts to help me solve problems
• I can use making tens facts to help me with quick recall
• I can apply adding skills to play various games

In Math, the students continued to work on developing their addition skills. Grade 1s focused on continuing to develop their fact fluency with basic facts to 20, doubles and making ten facts. The Grade 2s started their learning on double digit addition without regrouping. Both groups have been practicing their skills through independent tasks and games. They continue to have mini lessons and watch songs and videos on the topic too!

Learning Intentions:

• I can tell you what absorbency means and provide an example of an absorbent material
• I can tell you what waterproof means and provide an example of a waterproof material
• I can decide which materials are more durable 
• I can make appropriate choices surrounding what materials are needed to create different items
• I can tell you about real jobs where adults are makers
• I can follow a building plan that I have made
• I can build an object using different materials
• I can build an object that has a purpose

This week the students continued their Build a Toy project focused on Matter and Materials in Science. They started the week with an absorbency experiment and discussions surrounding waterproof materials. They focused on what durable means and how different materials are important for different builds. They also learned about different jobs in the real world where adults are makers! The students ended the week building their toy! We will continue building and doing some more connected math and science work next week!

  

Supporting Your Child At Home:

Math – Practice addition facts with your child based on their grade level.

Literacy – Practice simple sentences, making sure to use proper capital letters and punctuation. Also, practice rhyming short sentences (you write one, then they write one).

Spelling - Below are the spelling words for this week. Please ensure that your child is practicing the correct test. 

                                              This week in Photos: