Friday, February 28

This morning we made pictures for our Star of the Week and we had our second lockdown.  Room 8, did fantastic; quietly and patiently waiting. We are required to have two lockdowns/year. After our first snack, we used the works of the week in our journals.  Just a reminder, the March words are now in your child's red folder.  After recess, we did a science viscosity experiment.  We tested or "raced" 4 liquids down the cookie sheet.  We also timed each liquid as it raced down.  Our Star of the Week also shared some special items with us this morning.  Have a lovely weekend.

Thursday, February 27

Today after calendar, students visited Mme. Zdrill for their music class. In Math,  we corrected the next two word problems and students used the rest of the time to finish up their problem solving work.  We'll have a quiz next week on work problems and subtraction (another one so students have the opportunity to improve their subtraction mark).  In science, we talked a bit more about evaporation as well as learning vocabulary to describe water including as "buée, sale, claire, rosée, neige, glaçon, pluie, vapeur."  Our Star of the Week also shared her favourite book with us, see below.

In the afternoon, we finished off our science lesson from this morning and our Reading Buddies joined us.  At the end of the day, students had their PE class outside.  It was a beautiful day to be out.

Please remember to send in Home Reading books tomorrow for exchange, as well as red duotangs.  I'll also be placing the new words of the week for March into their duotangs. Thanks!

Wednesday, February 26

This morning we had a lesson about Pink Shirt Day and specifically the difference between unkind behaviour and bullying.  Ask your child if they can explain the difference.  In math, some students practiced their addition and subtraction skills by playing Math Monday games and others worked in a group with me to help gain a better understanding of subtraction.  In social studies, students drew some of the landmarks in our own  city.  In the afternoon, we talked about evaporation and joined M. Trevor for hockey.

Tuesday, February 25

Don't forget tomorrow is PINK Shirt Day, in recognition of anti-bullying.  Please wear pink, or as close to pink as you have.  We'll be talking more about Pink Shirt Day in class tomorrow.

Today students were placed into different groups to read their two Guided Reading books.  They did a much better job of listening to each other read then last week.  Well done Room 8.  After they had listened to friends read their books and read their own books to the group, students each made a journal entry about one of their two books. The journal entry included: title, author, words I liked, new words and my favourite part of the book.  Students had music with Mme. Zdrill and next they worked on reading comprehension activity.

In the afternoon, we played the Math Monday game.  It went much better then yesterday, however I'm still working with a small group of students to help them understand the "game."  I encourage you to play the Math Monday game with your child this week because it's quite challenging.  As I mentioned, subtraction is one of the most difficult concepts I teach in Grade 2.  Also coming home with the Math Monday game today, is you child's subtraction quiz.  The quiz is purposely divided into 2 parts-the first five questions are without borrowing and the last five are with borrowing.  We will continue to work on subtraction for the next couple of weeks, to help solidify students' understanding.  Please sign and return the quiz and send back tomorrow.  Students will have a chance to improve their mark, where possible, in the next two week because that's what teaching and learning is all about-having lots of chances to show what you know.

In science, we looked at 4 different types of liquids and the droplets they formed.  As your child about it!

Monday, February 24

This morning we reviewed our writing checklist and students wrote about their weekend.  Students are very good at checking off everything on the checklist but are still working towards going back to their work to see if they actually did what the checklist asks.  For example, the checklist asks if they have used capitals and students check "yes" but when I sit with them and ask where the capitals are they say they've forgotten.  Self-editing is a very difficult skill, and one that I have trouble with myself (as you may have noticed from errors in this Blog!).  I conferenced with every student this morning and set new goals with them on where they need to focus their attention.  We'll continue to work on this skill. 
In math, we continued with problem solving.  I did give students a quiz on subtraction last Friday, but I'm afraid I was out with the flu all weekend.  I'll correct it tonight and send it along to you tomorrow (Tues).  In social students, we spoke more about what Saskatoon looks like, as a city, and some of the first people to live there.  Students also had gym class, and in science we spoke about the importance of not wasting water.  Students played Math Monday, but really struggled with it.  I would like more time to play with students in class, so I'll practice again with students tomorrow and send it home at the end of the day.

Friday, February 21

This morning, after calendar students wrote a subtraction quiz.  This is a check-in to see students' understanding of two-digit subtraction.  We continued our art project connected to social studies and Iqaluit.  After snack and recess, we visited our Reading Buddies who were showing us their circuits.  This connects to their science unit on electricity.  Grade 5 students were excited to show their projects, which had fans, lights and other interesting things. There was a yoga studio with fans and lights, Santa's Work Shop that used an electric powered wheel to shoot the presents down, a house, and a Tim Horton's coffee shop.  Grade 5 did a great job!  Check out the pictures below.  Once back in the classroom, one of our student's read a book in Chinese to us.  That was very fun, because we knew the book in English and could listen to the words in Chinese. We finished the day, by continuing to work on our art project.

Thursday, February 20

Please send in the "cahier rouge" and Home Reading books tomorrow.  I know you've had the same books for a while so students will go ahead and exchange them for different ones.
Today students read in their Guided Reading groups.  We had a chat about the importance of focusing on our reading when in groups with friends.  Some students struggled to follow along when their partners were reading.  We'll practice again next week, when we have our new books. After Guided Reading, students worked on their math problem solving skills.  We corrected two questions which students completed independently yesterday and students worked together with a partner to help solve the next few problems.
After special lunch, we had a catch up period in social studies.  We're working on a project comparing 4 communities.  We got everyone to the same spot so we're all set for our next lesson.  I've taken some pictures of student work below. Also today we had an art lesson on igloo's, which ties into our understanding of life in Iqaluit.  Pictures also below.

Wednesday, February 19

Well, it sure is great to be back!  We had a good day getting back into our routines and expected learning behaviours.  This morning students accomplished their "Défi de Lecture" goal, students visited the library to exchange their books and today we started some math word problems, about a snowman.  Our focus is on key words that help us determine if we need to add or subtract.  Just a note on the library, if your child did not return their books please send them in tomorrow and I'll find time to have them exchanged this week.
In the afternoon students were given their gymnastics routine evaluations from M. Trevor. They are in your child's green folders.  We continued to read books for Black History Month and in science we identified various pictures as being a solid, liquid or gas.  Students also had gym with M. Trevor, where he has started the hockey unit.  To kick off the unit he showed a short video of Canada's World Jr. hockey team winning gold AND he had the trophy from the World Jr.'s.  Wow! Students who wanted to could hold the trophy. 

Monday, February 10

Day 1 of Carnaval à Varsity!

This morning students wrote about their weekend, using our checklist.  They also visited Mme. Zdrill and played the spoons!  Just before lunch students went outside for "les courses en Canot." It was a beautiful day to be out!

After lunch, students played the addition Math Monday game. Please look for it in your child's green folder.  We went outside to play hockey and enjoy some more of the day.

Don't forget Room 8 will be skating at the end of the day tomorrow.  If your child is skating please be sure to send in their skates, a CSA approved helmet and some mitts or gloves.  Volunteers please meet us over at VCC at 1:30 (we'll put on skates a bit early so we can make the most of our ice time from 1:40-2:20).
Tomorrow is also Toque day, if students would like to participate.

Wednesday students will have to opportunity to hand out Valentine's Day cards, do a sack races outside and to finish the day they'll have a parade outside. Wednesday is Canadian/Winter Wear day, if your child would like to participate.

Friday, February 7

A very busy morning.  After the calendar, students went to play games for our second "Choice and Curiosity" time.  It seemed like everyone had a fun time getting to know a different teacher and meeting new students.  We took a break outside after snack and worked on our Star of the Week's special book.  Next we headed to the gym for our kick off Caranval assembly.  We're getting ready for Varsity's very own Cranaval next week.

Thursday, February 6

First thing this morning in FLA, students went into their IRIS account to ensure that their video from yesterday uploaded properly and had a title.  I'm happy to report everyone's work made it's way into their account.  You can now check it out at home by having your child log in to IRIS using their student number and password.
In math, we have started two digit subtraction with re-grouping.  In social studies, we read and look at pictures of Meteghan, Iqaluit and Saskatoon.  We discussed things one could do in each of these places.  This afternoon students had gym and in science we talked and did an activity which saw students sort images into solid, liquid and gas.  For the last 30 minutes, students played games in our class and we talked about how to be a good "player."
Tomorrow is red, white and blue day if your child would like to participate.

Wednesday, February 5

A few reminders today:

FOOD ALLERGIES OR SENSITIVITIES TO HOT CHOCOLATE AND CROISSANTS?

On Wednesday, February 12, students will be provided with hot chocolate and croissants as part of our celebration of French Canadian food and culture.  If you DO NOT want your child to eat this snack, please send me an email to let me know prior to Tuesday, Feb 11 and send a special snack for your child to eat on Feb. 12.  (Thank you to VASPFS for funding this treat for the school!)

Valentine's Day-Room 8 will have an opportunity to hand out cards on Wednesday, February 12.  Please see my e-mail for a list of names of students in our class.  This is an optional activity; you don't need to participate. Please be sensitive and create cards for all students so no one is feeling left out.  Also please note that we can't share any food, candy or chocolate because of allergies.  Thanks for your cooperation.  Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Don't forget about Literacy Night hosted by Varsity's own Grade 1 teacher, Jen McCann.  A great opportunity to learn more about how to support your child's reading.  I'll be there too!

Tomorrow is Healthy Hunger Special Lunch.

This morning, each student signed up to for our next addition of "Choice and Curiosity" which will take place on Friday.  All students will be playing board games.  All students in Room 8 signed up to go to another teacher's classroom to play games, work on social skills such as turn taking and winning and loosing gracefully.  They will also have another opportunity to connect with a different teacher and make new friends in other grades.  No one was allowed to stay in Room 8.  Students had gym before lunch and we worked on another balancing activity in Math.

A very exciting afternoon with the MacBooks.  Students recorded themselves reading their winter break writing.  It should be available on IRIS soon.

Tuesday, February 4

This morning, students participated in Guided Reading.  The steps of Guided Reading as well as the reason why we do Guided Reading, was reviewed.  Students worked to read well in their groups, help peers with difficult words and remain focused on their reading. After recess, students visited the library to exchange their books.  In math, we've been working on some open-ended questions involving a balance.  Today's balance was heavy on one side so students had to give an example that would leave the balance heavy on that side.  Check out our answers below. Each student gave an answer and their answer was recorded.

This afternoon in social studies we talked about our own city of Calgary and looked at our provincial flag.  The famous Bill Nye helped to explain the three states of matter in science. M. Trevor was able to leave the gymnastics equipment up for one last day so students enjoyed one last day on the Canadian Climber.

Monday, February 3

Room 8 will head to the library tomorrow so please return books so we can take out some new ones. 
Room 8 has two volunteers to help with skating on next Tuesday.  Please let me know if you would like to come help tie up skates.  If you have not returned your child's permission slip, please do so tomorrow-thanks!
This morning our helper of the day set up our new February calendar.  Each month when the calendar changes, students practice different skills.  This morning students worked on French sounds, subtraction, patterns in addition to practicing their French oral language skills.  Students went to music with Mme. Zdrill, and wrote in our journals about the long weekend.  Students used their checklist again to help with their writing skills. In math, we continued to work on subtraction.  Some students moved on to subtraction with borrowing.
In the afternoon, we watched a French movie about a family who lived in Iqaluit.  Students played the Math Monday game and it's in your child's green folder for you to play at home when you have a chance.
Here are some pictures that I took last Thursday, during our last gymnastics class.