Welcome 2015! Procedural writing and Math talk

Welcome 2015!
Hope everyone had a Happy New Year! We are off to a busy start in Grade Two.

The students are enjoying knitting on their knitting machines while I read aloud 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. I will post some pictures of the knitting as we get more projects done. I am liking the Ninja headbands some of the boys are making :)
Here is a great link to a video about why learning a skill such as knitting as a child can be an important skill as an adult. 
Knitting to learn mathematical skills


Procedural Writing
We have been learning to write 'How to...' instructions. Using everyday tasks, the students are writing instructions. I have been introducing success criteria as well as we are using the 'Bump it Up Wall' to move our writing along a continuum. We recently wrote about such topics as, "How to brush your teeth", "How to wrap a present", "How to put your jacket on", "How to use the slide", "How to do a somersault" and "How to build a snowman". Students had to plan out the steps and in some cases role play to figure out what steps are involved. Using language such as 'First, Then, Next, Finally' we planned out how sequenced instructions need to be detailed and concise. I have seen big improvements with our writing as we continue to read instructional books and make personal connections to our every day life. A great moment happened when one of my students got out a 'knitting book' from our library and one student read it while the other taught herself to finger knit. Then they both came to me and said how important it is to have detailed instructions or else they never would have figured it out. A fun connection!

Math Talk

 Here is a chart outlining the questioning that I have taught the students prior to our math talk.

Here is an example of how students counted an array. The numbers at the top were the student answers as to how many dots were on the plate. If an answer is wrong, we accept that answer but through discussion we talk about how to count to achieve accuracy. The sectioned areas are how we 'Subatized' our thinking! In case you are wondering (as I did at first) what subatizing was, it is merely a word that refers to the 'rapid, accurate and confident judgement of numbers'. When you consider that most primary students are still consolidating the idea of number and value, then this is a skill that will improve through familiarity and experience. By showing and discussing the varied strategies that other students are using, we can expand and further develop those strategies. 

Trip news: We are planning a winter trip. Stay tuned for more details once they are finalized. 

Knitting club, Holidays, Character traits,

Knitting Club
In the New Year, I will be starting knitting club for those students who might be interested. If you have a child that might want to learn, perhaps Santa or a family member might be interested in picking up some 'beginning knitting' tools for Christmas. While I do provide much of the wool from my own stash or donations from friends, I will gratefully accept wool donations throughout the year. Beginning knitters work well with the cheap, colourful acrylic yarns that you can get at any department store. Just make sure it isn't too thin as this is a struggle for a new knitter to manage. Please see this link from last year for ideas:   Knitting club: what to buy 



Holiday Concert
Thank you to all who attended the Holiday Concert! It was very exciting for the 'Grade Two' students to present their songs to you. If you had a chance to look around the gym, the snowflakes were all done by our students! 

Character Traits 
In language we have been talking about character traits and how to use them in our writing. Here is an example of our class discussion using the fictional 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' by Dr. Seuss. We have also been learning about letter writing. We used this skill when writing our letters to Santa using e mail. The students were very excited to get their replies. We have learned so much about life at the North Pole! 

                    Have a wonderful and relaxing holiday! 

                                                     

Interviews, Learning skills, Pajama day art

Interviews: (November 20 and 21st)

Progress Reports go home Monday, November 17th. 

Please make sure to send in your interview forms so we can schedule your interviews. It is a challenge to coordinate sibling interviews back to back with various teachers. We always try our best to do this for you! In case you were wondering what the format for the 'Grade Two' interviews will be this year, it is as follows:

10 minutes (student led) Each student will meet with their parent with their personal portfolio. 

In each portfolio is a booklet where students self assessed their learning skills and goals. Take a moment to look through this booklet and see if your child critiqued themselves in an honest way. Some children can be quite hard on themselves while others seem unaware of potential areas to improve upon. There will also be a writing and math sample for you to see. All of this will provide an opportunity for good discussion. 

10 minutes (teacher led) I will join you at this point and we will set goals together as indicated on the back of the report card. Please take a moment to jot ideas down or you are welcome to leave it blank and we can discuss those goals together. If you would like to discuss anything privately with me we can do so at this time and your child may read quietly in the hall if you would prefer. 

Learning skills

We have spent time talking about what the 'Learning Skills' on the report mean to us. Although the headings (Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative, Self Regulation) are quite big words for small children, we discuss them in class to create understanding. We co-created charts that hang in our classroom to help provide a culture of 'shared language'. Learning skills are an area of the report card that students can control. Making this content understood and demonstrating school expectations are an important part of our program. 

Pajama day art

Since this Friday was pajama day we tried to come up with a winter themed 'night' time art idea. So, we first read the book 'Owl Moon' which is a wonderful book about walking through the woods, making owl sounds and then finally encountering a Great Horned Owl. Our owl art was created in layers. First the moon (crayon), then the snowy tree (using white paint, brushes and the edge of cardboard to make the branches). Then we picked an owl and either drew or coloured our own special owl using markers. Finally we added some glitter using glue and sparkles. You will see them when you drop by this week for interviews! (click the pic to enlarge and see some of our 'Night owls')

            Have a great weekend and see most of you next week!

Happy Diwali! Marcel the Shell, Recipes for Fall

Happy Diwali!
This week for our Grade Two Social studies unit 'Traditions and Celebrations' we learned about the Hindu festival Diwali. It was extra special as we have a few students in the class who are experts on the subject and could answer questions for some of us. We started the week gathering information by reading a few books and watching a movie. 

We learned about 'Rangoli' designs and had fun colouring some of those during 'read aloud' time. (By the way, we have started 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl...I tried another author but they are pretty keen on this author).


For art this week we decorated our clay diyas and took them home right away. Enjoy!

Internet Fun!
Have you met Marcel the Shell? Kind of cute and I've asked Mr. Cann to buy the book for the library. 

Have you checked out Howard B. Wigglebottom yet? I've put the link here and under the tab 'Fabulous Websites' with a bit of an explanation. Check it out!

Recipes: I've put this on my website before but it is an awesome soup recipe for this time of year! I've made it and can vouch for it's success.
http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/pumpkin-soup/

Here is another hearty fabulous soup recipe for this time of year. I've made this one too and it is amazing. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup with Shaved Parmesan
(Makes 6-8 servings; recipe adapted from The Italian Slow Cooker by Michele Scicolone.)

Equipment:
I used my Crock-Pot 5-Quart Smart-Pot for this recipe.

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped small
2 T minced garlic (or less if you're not a garlic fan)
2 tsp. dried Italian Seasoning (contains oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme and rosemary)
2 cans (15 oz. can) Cannellini beans and juice (or use 4 cups cooked cannellini beans and a little water)
1 can (14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes with juice
8 oz. finely chopped kale, washed if needed (about 8 cups finely chopped kale)
4-5 cups chicken or vegetable stock (I used 4 cups, but next time I would probably use 5)
4 fresh sage leaves, or 1/2 tsp. dried rubbed sage
1-2 pieces of Parmesan rind to add flavor (optional)
freshly shaved Parmesan, to garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large heavy frying pan; add the onions and cook 4-5 minutes or until they are just starting to brown. Add the garlic and Italian Seasoning and saute 1-2 minutes more, being careful not to let the garlic brown. Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray; then put onions and garlic into the slow cooker.

While the onions are cooking use an immersion blender or food processor to puree the cannellini beans and juice, keeping them a little chunky if you prefer. (If you're using freshly-cooked beans I would add about 1/4 cup water.) Finely chop the kale (cutting away thick center ribs if you have them) and wash kale in the salad spinner if you're using garden kale.

Put the pureed beans, chopped kale, chicken or vegetable stock, canned tomatoes and juice, and sage leaves (or dried sage) into the slow cooker with the onion mixture. (Add one or two pieces of Parmesan rind if desired for extra flavor.) Cook 4 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. Serve the soup hot, with strips of Parmesan shaved over if desired.

This soup will keep for at least a week in the fridge, and it freezes well.

Visualization as a Reading strategy, Giving Thanks

Class Trip to Safety Village
The Grade Two students enjoyed their visit to Safety Village. We enjoyed a beautiful autumn day. The students listened to a presentation about traffic signs and their meaning. They learned about Railway crossings and how the colour and shape of safety signs all have meaning. Officer Lawrence then took us out to the Safety village where students took turns driving the jeeps through the village. It took some student time to master driving on the right side of the road. As well, some students learned you must keep both hands on the wheel while driving. Hard to wave at your teacher and still drive safely :)


Reading Strategy of the Week
Each week we focus on a different reading strategy based on the book 'Reading with Meaning' by Debbie Miller. This week Mrs. Homewood our learning resource teacher, introduced us to a new story book called 'Imagine a Day' by Sarah L. Thomson. Students listened to the story without looking at the pictures. Instead, they had to visualize what the words meant, by painting a picture in their minds. To conceptualize their thoughts we integrated this reading strategy with our art. Using a new type of artistic media (watercolour paper and watercolour pencil crayons) we painted a picture based on the sentence we were given from the book. The ultimate goal is to create a class book, inspired by Thomson's book 'Imagine a Day' that we can put in our own classroom library. Books created by our class are always a popular read by students!

Here is the book that inspired the art:

Here are some of our artworks taking shape!

After our art was finished, we looked at what the illustrator of the book drew. Often, the students had more creative ideas or similar ones to the artist. They found their creativity was affirmed and are beginning to use 'visualization' as a strategy when they listen to my 'read aloud'  chapter books. 

Canadian Thanksgiving
Hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I enjoyed having the family over at my home for a great dinner. So many things to be thankful for this year. The students were really creative making their coffee filter turkeys for the window. They do make me smile...

Safety Village Trip
This trip will be in the morning for our class (right after announcements) on October 3rd. This is a rain or shine event. Students will go by bus to the mini-village located in Oakville. Here is a picture of the jeeps they will get to drive! Today some of the students asked if they could drive the jeeps on the highway if they get really good. I love how children see the world...one driving lesson and they are ready to drive on the Q.E.W.

The mini village awaits us soon!

Terry Fox Run
Thank you to all who participated in the run or came out to cheer us on. The students did very well and met the challenge with enthusiasm. What a beautiful day for the event too!


School Barbecue and Open House
This Thursday October 2nd is our school Open House. From 5:30 to 8:00 is the school barbecue. From 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. is the Open House. There will be no formal presentation in the classroom but students will be given a checklist to complete with some fun activities. My favourite activity is 'the introduction' which we will be practising. I always love how students have to think what their parents names are instead of Mom and Dad. Looking forward to meeting you soon :)

Please remember to check the 'Homework' section of this blog for weekly updates and upcoming events. 

Terry Fox Run, Reading chapter books, Learning skills

Terry Fox Run
This week our 'Me to We' team held an assembly led by our Senior students to introduce the upcoming Terry Fox Run. We watched some inspiring videos of Terry's original 'Marathon of Hope' and his message to all of us. Please consider donating to our school goal of raising one dollar per student. I read this book to my students and we had a great chat about Terry Fox and his story. The students asked such great questions.
                             

Our Florence Meares', Terry Fox run will be held on September 24th at approximately 1:45 p.m. Hope we have lovely weather and a great school run! 

Books, books and more books
We have read many books already! As you may have heard, reading aloud is an integral part of my program. As well, I like to foster a real love of reading early by introducing books of all different variety and levels. I particularly have a love for well written humorous stories. We talk a lot about what we have read together which is the beginning of the 'shared language' created within our classroom community. Here are some of the stories we have read so far.

Chapter Books too!
We have also read two Roald Dahl beginning chapter stories. Everyone knows his 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' book but I like to introduce his lesser known works like the 'The Minpins' which is a lovely story about little people with suction boots that live in the trees. It is a great adventure story with a lovely ending. Other fun books include 'The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me' or 'The Enormous Crocodile'. 

Learning Skills
Understanding learning skills; knowing what those big words mean and working towards a goal is a big focus for term one. We co-created a learning goal chart using our understanding of what the words mean for us and what it may sound or look like. This year my students made an excellent suggestion. As I was creating the chart with them, they suggested I use 'word bubbles' to put the 'sound' words inside. I think this turned out really well and I already see students looking at it as a reference.