Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. Byciuk, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Keir
Term #1: September - November 2011
The purpose of this newsletter is to inform you of the instructional activities and the learning outcomes that we have covered within the September to November reporting period. Please refer to the Grade 2 Curriculum Handbooks for Parents (available online at www.education.alberta.ca) for additional information of the curricular concepts to be covered this year.
For our cross-curricular inquiry focus in Grade Two this year, the students will be considering the big question "How does change affect us?" This term, we began digging into this big question by focusing on the following questions:
- How have I changed since I was a baby? We began our year by considering physical changes we could observe in eachother. Students shared artifacts from their lives as babies and we made comparisons between then and now. We will continue to consider this question as we grow throughout the year.
- How has Calgary changed? Within our Social Studies exploration of pioneers and communities in the past, students learned about the changes that Calgary has experienced since the late 1800's. The students participated in a fieldtrip to Fort Calgary that deeply enhanced their learning on this topic.
- How will our field change this year? We have been documenting the construction process of turning our field in to a naturalization area, which includes an outdoor classroom and natural areas to play, learn and explore in. Using digital photos and personal observations, we have shared this process through our grade website.
Mathematics
Our students participate in frequent problem solving activities that utilize real world challenges, mental math, use of problem solving strategies, communication of their ideas using math language/vocabulary. The specific concepts covered this term are listed below:
Patterns and Relations:
- Demonstrate an understanding of repeating patterns (three to five elements) by describing, extending, comparing, creating patterns using manipulatives, diagrams, sounds and actions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of increasing patterns by describing, reproducing, extending, creating numerical (numbers to 100) and non-numerical patterns using manipulatives, diagrams, sounds and actions.
- Sort a set of objects, using two attributes, and explain the sorting rule.
Number
- Say the number sequence 0 to 100 by 2s, 5s and 10s, forward and backward, using various starting points,
- Demonstrate if a number (up to 100) is even or odd,
- Describe order or relative position, using ordinal numbers (up to tenth),
- Represent and describe numbers to 100, concretely, pictorially and symbolically,
- Compare and order numbers up to 100,
- Estimate quantities to 100, using referents,
- llustrate, concretely and pictorially, the meaning of place value for numerals to 100.
Language Arts
In Grade Two, students continue to build a strong literacy foundation to support their learning. Students participate in many daily and cross-curricular activities that develop these skills.
Our focus is on developing writing skills such as:
- learning about, listening to and writing poetry,
- writing personal narratives
- developing their descriptive writing skills
- beginning to develop their reflective process to share their own strengths and areas for growth
- working on and learning strategies for spelling (making and breaking words, using personal dictionaries, using content words from other curriculum areas, participating in Word Work activities),
- continuing to develop their printing skills such as legibility, printing on the lines, including appropriate spacing
- learning punctuation and grammar skills, such as beginning with capitals and ending with full stop punctuation, including a noun (subject), verb (action) and adjective (describing words) in each sentence
- using technology to support and share their work through Photo Booth, voice recordings, typing in Word, and emailing.
Our focus is on developing reading skills such as:
- listening to and participating in reading a rich variety of children's literature
- participating in Guided and Home Reading programs to develop silent reading to self as well as skills to read aloud
- identifying an increasing amount of high frequency words
- using strategies to decode unfamiliar words
- learning to read with expression and voice
- developing reading comprehension skills to further discuss and think about the topics they are reading about
- continuing to reading increasingly more challenging books at their level
- reading and comprehending fiction and non-fiction texts
Science
In Science this reporting period the students have been participating in scientific experiments to learn about magnets. They have explored the interaction of magnets with a variety of materials found within their own environment. By testing the effects of one magnet on another, they have learned:
- examples of magnets within their everyday life and their uses
- to distinguish between magnetic and non-magnetic materials
- how magnets can be used in sorting objects, moving things and holding things together
- that magnets have polarity and a magnetic field
- performing experiments by following a procedure, reflecting on their process and documenting their learning.
Social Studies
This term, students began learning about "A Community in the Past". We first reviewed our understanding of "community" and "celebration" from Grade One. We discussed what makes our community of Evergreen unique and shared about the variety of celebrations that cultures within our class celebrate within our community.
We then began to transfer our thinking towards how Calgary emerged as a community in the past. Students learned how the various interactions and cooperation among peoples, such as the Aboriginals (Bull's Head), the settlers (Sam Livingston & his family), the Northwest Mounted Police (Inspector Brisebois) and the missionaries (Father Doucet), contributed to the growth and development of our city. Students specifically examined how Calgary has changed in terms of transportation, land use, housing, population, ethnic demographics, survival (hunting, trading, crop growth), and various pioneer responsibilities.
The students excitedly participated in a fieldtrip to Fort Calgary and the Cantos Music Foundation where they continued to develop their historical thinking and geographic perspectives. We have also enjoyed making additional connections to our learning by listening to various pieces of classic literature, such as "The Little House in the Big Wood" by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Technology
Technology and computer skills are integrated into all curricular areas throughout the school year. This term, students have reviewed how to login and to access and run basic programs, such as Word & Safari (internet). They continue to utilize interactive websites, iPod applications, and SMARTBoard activities to support their learning. All children are learning how to create their own E-Portfolios to document their learning processes this year. In addition, students in Mrs. Davies and Mrs. Bradley's classes have recently begun participating in an email penpal program with Grade 2 students from Andrew Sibbald School, to further develop their written communication & technology skills. Ms. Keir & Mrs. Bycuik are in the process of arranging a similar program for their students.
Physical Education
We focus on developing skills within the three core areas, which include physical activity, the social domain, and knowledge of sport. This term, students have participated in the following activities:
- cooperative games,
- Terry Fox Run,
- Parachute games & skills
- Locomotor movements (fast, medium, slow speeds; high, medium, low levels)
- Integrating movements with equipment use (balls, scoops, hoops, beanbags, etc.)
Health
In Health this term, we have focused on learning about personal safety and digital citizenship while using technology. Students have participated in interactive activities and listened to meaningful stories about being safe while using the internet. Additionally, our representatives from our school-wide "Student Voice" club have also been helping to teach us about positive health choices such as good handwashing techniques and healthy eating choices.
Art
Art has been integrated within the above units as special projects and/or extensions of the content being covered, as well as with our Canadian cultural celebrations. Students have also been learning to artistically express themselves and demonstrate their learning and artistic abilities within their Creative Journals. Our major project of this term has been creating our "Calgary Through The Window: Past & Present" multimedia pictures. Students have collaged, painted, drawn, and considered perspective while making this piece.
Music
Grade two music students started the year exploring differences between Beat and Rhythm. We have tapped, danced, and moved to the beat. Rhythm study has been extensive. We now read rhythms involving combinations of quarter notes (ta), eighth notes (ti ti), sixteenth notes (tika) and quarter rests in 4/4 time. Our knowledge of rhythm reading was shown through body/vocal percussion. We began to explore our listening skills through representing played rhythms using math manipulatives, as well as developing our skills in writing rhythms. The major scale has been introduced with Kodaly Hand Signs and through song. We have begun to chart the notes so-mi on a music staff and have discovered the patterns of pitch and staff placement with the major scale. Songs have helped us practice singing in pitch and given us a way to explore tempo. Since the middle of October grade two students have been working on six songs for our Winter Musical "The Big Chill".