This week is brought to you by... a happy autumn face.And an artistic condensed version of Lemony Snicket's books. We're really getting into Lemony Snicket in our class. P.S. Major spoiler alert!
Here's what we're working on this week:
Language (Reading): Students were fascinated by the different kinds of questions that exist when we're responding to texts. This is great news because it means that students understand the importance of higher level thinking when reflecting upon their reading. We will continue with question and answer relationships this week. Also, we will work on sequencing information. The latter will link to Grade 2 and 3 Social Studies. More on that below.
Writing: Before the holidays, students wrote letters from the perspective of pioneers who had recently moved to Upper Canada. We will work on more friendly letter writing this week. Don't worry: angry letters will be covered politely later on.
Word Study: We'll be reviewing long and short vowels in phonics. In spelling, students will be quizzed on fruit words and contractions to create a "Words to Know" list, which will form their spelling words of the week. They will be buddy-tested on these words this Friday.
Penmanship: We'll return to cursive (handwriting) this week. Just to remind you, cursive is not included in the Grade 2 curriculum, but the overwhelming majority of Grade 2s want to learn cursive this year. We will still work on legibility of printing. Cursive sheets that come home as homework with Grade 2s are optional.
Math: We will wrap up time by looking at elapsed time and we will continue with temperature this week.
Social Studies: Grade 2s will be sequencing information about Groundhog Day festivities in Wiarton as part of a writing assignment that links to Celebrations and Traditions. Grade 3s will be sequencing information about the ways in which pioneers settled in Upper Canada. Time permitting, we will begin a poster project in Social Studies that links to Media Literacy. More on that to come.
Homework:
1. Students will each be asked to discuss a story that has been in the news recently. Each day, five students will briefly share a news story. All additional information will be covered in class and on the sheet. Students will each be assigned a day that he or she will present their story. Grade 3s will go first.
2. Reading Response questions. I will work closely this week with students as they choose their book from the classroom library. A few students indicated that their reading was too hard. We'll aim to choose "just right" books tomorrow.
3. Weather Log cont. Please keep these at home as you'll need them on the weekends.
That's all. Have a beautiful week. And keep those French words coming in with your children. Coupons are being handed out for great French words. These can be redeemed in our upcoming Open Window French Day in February. Oooh la la!
Erin Hawkins.
