This week is brought to you by patriotic kids.
Here's what we're working on this week:
Language: (Writing) - Hopefully we will wrap up friendly letter writing this week and move into letters of complaint. One of our students couldn't help herself but write a really excellent letter of complaint last week. We all had a good laugh.
In Word Study, we're going to begin looking at etymology. This week, we'll be exploring prefixes derived from the Greek language. The prefixes we'll be looking at, include: auto (self), en (in), hyper (over), macro (large), pan (all), and tele (at a distance). Students will circulate through prefix centres to learn more about where English words come from. * Please note that I am now creating differentiated Word Study groups for spelling. I have split the class into four groups based on interest, learning styles, and ability. Your child's word list will be in his/her Friday Folder tomorrow. I'm going to send home a word activity from now on so that we're actively using these words in context and learning to love language.
Reading: In Guided Reading, we are going to look at text features and how we can use them to make predictions and check our understanding. We will also continue with our journaling response to Lemony Snickett's Series of Unfortunate Events - Book One a Terrible Beginning. We're listening to a CD rendition as read by Tim Curry. Excellent!
Media Literacy: Our unit on the history of communication kicked off last week with an investigation into cave drawings. Ask your child what they learned. Everyone made a replica cave drawing and answered some speculative questions. The answers were impressive. This week, students will be learning about petroglyphs and pictograms (which ties in nicely with Math - read on).
Math: Data Management - We will complete Data Management this week by rocking on with graphs. Students will analyse pictographs, circle graphs, line, and bar graphs. Emphasis will be on accurately labeling graphs, and interpreting data. The big idea is: Why do we need to collect data and what can we do with all this information we've collected?
Social Studies: Grade 2s will complete their logo and poster design for Wiarton's Groundhog Day celebration. Grade 3s will begin learning about the First Nations people who were already in Upper Canada when the European settlers arrived.
Homework:
1. Reading Response questions. This week, students will describe the characteristics of one character in the book they are reading. We've been working on this in class. If your child is reading a non-fiction text, they should write about a character in a fiction text they have already read. Due Friday.
2. Spelling Activity (explained in their new Home Spelling Notebook). Due Friday
3. Data sheet. Due Friday
4. Weather Log - last week. Students can bring this in next Monday.
Grade 3s will begin looking at EQAO questions and answers as a way to begin preparing them to answer the types of questions they'll be asked in June. I have EQAO workbooks that you are encouraged to purchase for $3 (I believe that's the price). I'm going to hold off on sending that home just for now as we haven't covered everything in that book and I don't want to get too far ahead. I'll keep you posted.
