Come out, come out!
Hello,
First off, let's get the important things out of the way: Yes, we're going to have a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) party on Friday. Yes, there will be candy, games, music, and costumes. Yes, it will be fun. And yes, the party is cross-curricular to Grade 2 Social Studies: Celebrations and Traditions. You can't say I don't try!
Tomorrow get out and vote - even if you don't know who to vote for - like me. Clairlea is holding a Bake Sale tomorrow. Send in some change with your kids, if possible.
We also have Pizza Lunch on Thursday, which is always eagerly anticipated.
Don't forget the Halloween Howl on Friday Night. Take advantage of the advance ticket savings and order your tickets pronto. Thanks to Ginnie and all the hard-working parents and students for making this event happen. I'm sure the kids will be talking about it for months to come.
This week is very much a continuation of what we started last week.
Language: Retelling will thunder on in Reading and Writing. In Word Study we will look at plurals. Please see the homework section for information on our spelling program and homework. We will also be starting Guided Reading. In Guided Reading, I will be reading will small groups of students to focus on different reading strategies. I only have about four more reading assessments (DRAs) to conduct. I'm very pleased to say that almost all of our students have gone up several reading levels since they were assessed last spring. This is a testament to the abilities of the students and all the reading that goes on at home. Remember to read together, read to your child, and have your child read to you whenever possible. Students who are immersed in the printed word at home are enriched and the benefits pay off in so many areas.
Math: Miss Conti has done a stellar job getting your children excited about base ten blocks and place value. There may be a formative quiz mid-week to see what students remember and where we need to go from this point. This is not a quiz students need to study for. It's just based on what we've been doing in class.
Science: More soil and plants with Miss Lowen for the Grade 3s. I notice that there will be a quiz this week. Miss Lowen sent home a study review sheet. Please ensure your child is ready. Grade 2s will continue learning about oil spills and what can be done to protect birds and aquatic animals.
Social Studies: We will continue learning about Mexican culture and traditions, culminating in a study of Dia de los Muertos. This day is held on Nov. 1st as a way for Mexican Catholics to honour the memory of their ancestors through a happy, colourful celebration. We will be making Dia de los Muertos masks and building a shrine with "offrendas" (offerings).
Homework:
1. I am sending home a Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check duotang and a dry erase marker with each student. Each duotang has a sheet inside, as well as an acetate to practice writing spelling words to know on. These duotangs and markers should stay at home in place where it will be found easily each week for use. If markers are lost or if they dry out, I'm asking that families replace them. They came three to a pack at Dollarama for $1. Students have been using them in Word Study and they know how to use them at home. They will be buddy tested on the words on their list this Friday.
2. I am sending home a book in a bag for students to read and respond to. Hopefully the level is just right, but students will have a chance to tell me if this is the case in their writing response. Please ensure the book is returned in the bag in you child's Friday Folder this week. If books are lost or damaged, I'll ask for $5.00 to replace them.
3. Place value practice sheet with problem to solve. There will be a different sheet for the 2s and 3s.
* The Reading Log is optional at this point. Many students have been going out of their way to give me detailed descriptions of their readings. This can only help students grow as writers and readers. Still, I don't want homework to become too arduous or time-consuming, so have your child do what is manageable.
Thanks so much for reading. Have a spooktacular week.
Erin Hawkins
