March 13th Update

Mrs. Gibbs’ Grade 2 Class Learning Activities for the School Closure

Dear Families,                                                                                   Friday, March 13^th, 2020

Below you will find a list of our current learning topics, and activities that support learning at home during the school closure. These activities are optional.

Math

Addition and Subtraction with 2-digit numbers

We are learning about different strategies for addition and subtraction of double-digit numbers. Please see the attached page for examples of the strategies that we have been using, as well as some challenges.

Students can practise adding and subtracting double digit numbers, as well as making up problems that involve adding and subtracting double digit numbers.

Playing board games, and card games is also great activities that strengthen mental math strategies

Money

We are learning about counting money amounts (adding), and making change (subtraction).

Students can practise counting money up to 100 cents and beyond, as well as “playing store” and making change.

Time

We are learning to tell time to the hour, half hour, and quarter hour.

Students can tell the time at home using an analogue, and digital clock. There are also a few website on our blog called “Stop the Clock” that supports this.

Literacy

Reading

Read as much as possible! Students benefit from reading independently, with an adult or sibling, as well as listening to an “expert” reader. This is a great time to get into a great chapter book together!

Writing

We will finish our information books when we come back to school.

Students can work on writing at home in their Writer’s Notebook. They can write about:

-ideas in their heart map (write about a special person, place, or activity)

-a small moment story

-facts about a topic they know lots about

-a letter

Social Studies

We are learning about the continents, oceans, equator, northern and southern hemisphere. This website supports this learning:

https://world-geography-games.com/world.html

We will also be learning about some different countries. Our big questions is “How does climate and physical features affect the way people live (their jobs, clothing, the food they eat, what they do for fun)?

Students are encouraged to talk about, and read about different parts of the world that they are interested in. They can learn about the climate, and what the land looks like. They can then think about what jobs people might have there, what kind of clothing they wear, what they do for fun, and eat)

*Some students took home their sketch books, extra library books, and their Writer’s Notebooks. Please remind your students to bring them items back when classes resume.

Addition and Subtraction Challenges

1. Fill in the blanks with the digits 4-9. Use each digit only once. Use mental math to add the digits together. Try to use different strategies.

___+___     ___+___    ___+___

2. A number less than 19 is 6 more than another number. What could the two numbers be? Think of 2 or 3 pairs of numbers that it could be. Which pair of numbers was easiest to figure out, why?

3. If you subtract 2 two-digit numbers, could the result be a one-digit number? Explain why or why not. Give examples

4. Which addition do you think doesn’t belong? Why?

30+20     26+33     39+9     25+26

5. The sum of two numbers that are pretty close to each other is a little less than 60. What could the two numbers be?

6. Centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs. They could have as few as 15 pairs of legs, or as many as 175 pairs. Create and solve two or more problems about centipede legs.

7. One price is 32 cents more than another price. One of the prices can be represented with 8 coins. What can the two prices be?

8. The result of a subtraction problem is one less than 30-15. Explain what the problem might be.

9. Describe two or more ways to solve 48+49

10. You skip count by a number and say 20. What might you have been skip counting by? What were you not skip counting by? How do you know?

Feb. 19th Update

Black History Month

February is Black History month. While we have been learning about the past, identity, and diversity all year through conversations about lived experiences, and picture books, this month we will have some extra conversations, stories, and activities surrounding the topic of black history.

We began our discussion by visiting the display case in our school which is all about Carnival! We learned a bit about the costumes, and music, as well as some history and information about the Caribbean, and the people that trace their roots back there.

Today we read a story about Martin Luther King Jr., followed by a discussion. In art class, we read a book called Radiant Child (detailing the young life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat). We then examined pieces of his artwork together by responding, and reflecting on it. While we engage in activities surrounding black history, students are encouraged to share what they see, feel, think, and wonder.

Black history month tends to spark student's curiosity about their own family's identity and past. I encourage students to speak to their families about their "family story" as I believe it is important for students to construct their own identity.

Students observing the Display Case all about Carnival

This is a work in progress- it's purpose is to capture our learning, and thinking around Black History

Some of the books that we are reading this month

Reflecting and Responding to the artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat

Reading

In Reader's Workshop, we are beginning to explore non-fiction text features, and learn about how they help readers understand the text. Some of the text features we are learning about are: the table of contents, pictures with captions, headings, glossary, and index. Visiting the Aurora Public Library, and choosing a couple non-fiction books to read together at home is an excellent way to support this learning. I encourage students to choose books about topics they are interested in, and notice how the text features are helpful.

If you make a trip to the library you child might also enjoy checking out a book from one of the series' we have been reading this year: Magic Tree House, Clementine, Dragon Masters.

Writing

We are starting a new writing project! Students will be working on writing their very own information books about a topic that they are an 'expert' about. We will begin by making our own lists of topics we are 'experts' about. For example, I consider myself to be an 'expert' about hiking...I do a lot of it! I also know how to make a campfire, take care of dogs, and grow a vegetable garden. I could write an information book about one of these topics. Students will have time to make their own lists, and then choose a topic that they will write about.

Asking your child what they are an 'expert' about, and providing your own examples will support this learning.

Math

We are moving towards learning about adding, and later subtracting double digit numbers. We will explore a variety of different strategies for addition. To support this learning, we have been engaged in a number of activities and games about adding groups of ten. We call this taking leaps of ten. Being able to add groups of ten mentally provides a solid foundation for adding large numbers later. We have been using an open number line with snap cubes arranged in groups of 5 to help us visualize what it looks like to take leaps of ten. 

You might also notice that the math homework lately has been about adding groups of ten. With our schedule being inconsistent lately I have encouraged students to bring their math homework back to school whenever it is finished. Thank you for supporting this at home. 

Our math learning wall showing the open number line. Students took turns adding numbers to the tape roll at the bottom. 

Using the snap cube number line to determine the length of this very large paper. This number line, organized in groups of 5 of each colour encourages students to count by 10s instead of by 1s. They can count the number of tens, and then add the loose ones on.

Social Studies

We have been learning about mapping and movement in social studies! Students have enjoying programming the Bee Bot with commands to move around a grid. This supports the development of spatial sense. Students also described the relative location of an object on the grid using words like (forward, left, right, backwards, beside, under, above). 

Next we will spend some time creating simple maps of our classroom and community, before moving onto learning about the globe including identifying and naming the continents, bodies of water, the equator, and some countries. 

To support this learning at home, students will benefit from drawing simple maps of familiar places (e.g., a map of their bedroom or another room in the house, a map to the playground, school or grocery store). Students will also benefit from looking at a world map or globe and noticing the oceans, continents, and some countries. The link below connects to a website that supports this learning. 

Geography Game

Mrs. Ford teaching the students how to use the Bee Bots

Students programming the Bee Bot to navigate their own creative grid

Working hard to finish their own space grid for the Bee Bot to navigate!

Students programming the Bee Bot to navigate their own creative grid

Health

We will spend a bit more time learning about being safe online, before moving on to learning about healthy eating. I will be using lessons from the "second grade" section in the website below to address online safety.

Online Safety Resource

Jan. 21st Update

Math

In math we have been learning about linear measurement. Students are learning to estimate, and measure the length, width, and height of different objects. In the first lesson, students had to choose a frame for their dinosaur art. They used estimation, and snap cubes to help determine the best frame. The concept of perimeter (the distance around an object) was introduced. Next the students helped me determine if my baking pans would fit into my new tiny oven! Again we used snap cubes as a non-standard unit of measure. Later students designed their own fancy baking pans using paperclips as a non-standard unit. They found the perimeter of their designs. 

Today we introduced the centimeter as a standard unit of measure. We learned that the width of our pinky finger is about 1 cm. Students measured their feet using centimeters and snap cubes. We then compared the measurements. It was interesting because we noticed that one snap cube is exactly 2 centimeters so all of our measurements in centimeters were double the measurements in snap cubes! For example, one student's foot measured 20 centimeters, and 10 snap cubes. This pattern continued.

Tomorrow we will learn how to make a bar graph to show the data collected today. Our measurement unit will continue next week as we learn about the meter, and work on solving problems involving measurement.  

Visual Art

Below you can see our Dinosaur Art. I wish I took more pictures of the process but it was busy! We had read the first Magic Tree House Book which was about Jack and Annie time traveling back into the time of dinosaurs! Many students in our class loved the story, so we decided to make some artwork featuring dinosaurs. This art project had many steps as we first made stencils and then printed the dinosaurs onto backgrounds. 

Literacy, Drama, Media, Visual Art

Since returning to school, we have really focused on the reading strategy of retelling a story. We have been using a special retell planner to organize the events in the story by sketching them. Students then use their planner to "touch and retell". They point at each sketch and explain orally what was happening in that part of the story. After retelling a few stories together, students worked with a partner, and then later independently. While this was happening in literacy, we also retold a story through drama using puppets. As a class we all retold the same story in groups. The story was about which animal is best in the forest. Many students expressed that they enjoyed this. 

At the end of last week I introduced the "Retell Puppet Show Project". First we read a few different stories together. Students then chose their favorite story and retold it using the planner and touch and tell independently. Next students were arranged into groups based on the story they wanted to retell. Tomorrow afternoon we will be making puppets for the characters in the stories, and then we will practise retelling the stories through drama. Students will then create posters to advertise their show, and finally we will share our puppet shows! We will likely arrange a time for parents to come watch the puppet shows next week, I will keep you posted! 

Videos for Drawing Dinosaurs

Triceratops

Stegosaurus

Brachiosaurus

T-Rex

Dec. 16th Update

Pride Assembly

Our class is singing a song with 3 other classes at the Pride Assembly this week. The Assembly is on Wednesday, December 18th in the gym. It begins at 9:30 and families are welcome to attend. 

Portfolios and Personal Narrative Story

The red portfolios with student assessment information will be sent home this week. Please take some time to review the new information inside before signing and returning it to school. 

Most students have published their personal narrative! We have been working on this project since October so it's a great feeling to finally have them completed and ready to come home! I am just working on binding the books. They will be sent home this week and you will find the assessment in the red portfolio. Students are proud of their work, and I am too! I have encouraged students to share their stories with family and friends!

Math

Last week we wrapped up our learning about geometry! Our class really enjoyed composing and decomposing 2D shapes using tangrams. The tangrams are a 7 piece set that can be combined to make other shapes and puzzles. They are great for building spatial awareness, and problem solving skills. You can buy, or even make a set at a low cost. 

There are many like this on Amazon:

Sample Tangram Set

There are also many inexpensive puzzle books to go with the set:

Sample Tangram Puzzle Book

Students also enjoyed playing a tangram game online:

Abcya Tangrams Game

This week we will be learning and reviewing mental math strategies for addition (e.g., combinations for making ten, doubles, and doubles plus 1). After the winter break we will continue to build our mental math strategies for addition to 18, and then move on to linear measurement. 

Today the students were introduced to a really fun card game called Make Ten. It is very similar to Solitaire and is played alone. The game was very engaging and many students asked to play it again!

Social Studies

Our social studies unit about Heritage and Identity: Changing Traditions in our Community is just about wrapped up. Thank you to all of our wonderful parent volunteers who took the time to share with our class. This week we will finish with a special art activity!

After the winter break we will shift our learning to movement, location and mapping. We will explore reading maps, and creating maps. We will learn about the different continents, oceans, hemispheres, and equator.  

In February we will begin learning all about Global Communities. Our big focus will be about how climate and physical features affect life in different parts of the world. If you have special knowledge about a different country and the way people live there (jobs, recreation, food, clothing, etc.) and you would like to share this with our class we would love to have you in! Please let Mrs. Gibbs know!

Health

In health class we have been learning about being safe at home, outside, and while using technology. We have also learned about common allergies, and prescription vs non-prescription medicine. In the new year we will be learning about healthy eating. 

Literacy

In January we will be focusing on retelling stories, and continuing our phonics/spelling program in Literacy. Later in the month we will dive into our next writing project which is all about writing lab reports! 

Winter Break

I wish all families a fun and relaxing winter break! There will be no homework over the winter break. However I do encourage reading, and as much time outside as possible!! Just a reminder we do have a class account on Prodigy. Please see the "Prodigy" page on this blog at the top for more information. If you need your username and password just let Mrs. Gibbs know. 

Nov. 28th Update

Important Dates 

The December calendar will be sent home tomorrow, along with a note about our learning in math, and a list of important dates. Please check your child's BEE Bag for these items!

Social Studies 

This week students learned about our final project for our Heritage and Identity unit. The project is about creating a Family Tradition Timeline. A package went home on Tuesday describing the project. The timeline is due on Tuesday, December 3rd. Please let me know if you have any questions.

We were lucky to have two special guest visits this week! On Tuesday we learned all about Diwali with Mrs. N, and today we learned all about The Day of the Dead with Ms. V. Both presentations were fabulous, and a wonderful memorable learning experience for the whole class! 

Math

We are learning all about polygons in math! Here are our learning goals for this unit:

• Identify and describe various polygons (i.e., triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons) and sort and classify them by their geometric properties (i.e., number of sides or number of vertices), using concrete materials and pictorial representations (2m48) 

• Locate the line of symmetry in a two-dimensional shape (2m51)

• Compose and describe pictures, designs and patterns by combining two-dimensional shapes (2m52) 

• Compose and decompose two-dimensional shapes (2m53) 

• Cover an outline puzzle with two-dimensional shapes in more than one way (2m54)

Earlier this week the Grade 2s enjoyed making polygons using geo-boards. Today the students learned how to write riddles using attributes to describe secret polygons. They then tried to solve the riddles by listening carefully to the clues and then sketching the secret polygon on a mini whiteboard.

Here is a sample riddle from today:

"I have 6 sides and 6 vertices. All of my sides are equal length."

Literacy 

We are working on editing and revising our Small Moment stories, and this will continue next week. Once our stories are edited we will work hard to publish, and illustrate them! 

In reading, we have been focusing on making, and sharing our connections this week. In guided reading groups with the teacher we have been working on finding the main idea in non-fiction texts, and retelling. 

In phonics/spelling we have been studying new blends, remembering to read the WHOLE word (with a funny story about free donuts), and learning about specific spelling strategies. 

Our poem of the week is called November. Today we spent time inferring the author's messages in the poem, and trying to make sense of it. 

Achievement Levels

We spent sometime this week learning about the different achievement levels. These posters will hang in our classroom for the rest of the year. 

Learning Skills 

This month we have been focusing on being organized! We co-constructed a success criteria about what it means to be organized in Grade 2. Students have been working on tracking their progress towards meeting their organization goals.  Next we will learn about what it means to work well independently.

Nov. 7th Update

Math

In math we are learning about patterns. We began by learning about what a repeating pattern looks like. We determined that the core is the part that repeats, and in a repeating pattern the core repeats 3 times. 

Next we learned about how we can label and represent repeating patterns. We could make different actions for each part of the core, use numbers, or letters. We focused on labeling our repeating patterns with letters. Below you can see examples of an ABC pattern, and an AAB pattern. 

In one activity, students worked on Choice A or Choice B to create 4 different repeating patterns. 

After spending a few days creating repeating patterns, and labelling them. We moved on to create repeating patterns that have two or more attributes changing. We learned that the attributes can belong to different pattern families. In the pattern below colour, shape, and direction are the attributes changing. The colour and shape attributes make an AB pattern. But direction is an AAB pattern!

In the pattern below colour and shape are an ABC pattern. Direction is an AB pattern.

In the pattern below, shape is an AB pattern, but size is an AAB pattern. Colour is changing but it is not changing in a pattern.

 Here are some other examples of patterns with 2 or more attributes changing. Can you label the pattern family for each attribute? It is challenging, but many students enjoy trying to solve the puzzle!

Literacy

In writing, we have been busy working on our writing projects: small moment personal narratives. This week we learned about weaving setting details throughout out story, using strong action words, and making our characters talk. 

This week we started discussing connections that we can make while reading. In our poem of the week "I Lost a Tooth" many students enjoyed sharing their connections. Making connections while reading is an important comprehension strategy as it helps us think about the text in a deeper way. We also learned a special signal to share when we make a connection!

In our phonics/word study program this week we continue to learn about blends. 

Special Guests

This week we welcomed two special guests into our classroom! Mrs. Lacroix spoke to us about the importance of Remembrance Day, and about the Canadian Forces. 

Granny came in to share about growing up in Ireland. Her stories helped us understand what life was like in the past!