Math Homework

Math homework was sent home today and it is due on Friday. There will continue to be math homework on Wednesdays, due on Friday most weeks this year. The math homework supports and reinforces concepts learned in class. It is intended to be a review, and practise, and not new or confusing. Please let me know if your child finds this math homework very challenging, and/or is taking longer than half an hour to complete. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

October 5th Update

Library

We continue to visit the library as a whole class on Day 3. Students are reminded to bring their books to school for exchange on this day. If a student is ready to exchange their books before Day 3 they may do so on Day 5, 1, or 2 in the morning right after O'Canada. 

Spelling

Spelling homework for this week was due today. If your child did not bring their spelling to school today, please remind them to bring the book on Tuesday as we will be exploring new words lists that day.

Portfolios

The green portfolio should come home today. Please review the first math test with your child, sign and return. If you have any questions, please ask!

Dance-a-Thon

We are having a Dance- a- Thon fundraiser this month! The dance will be on Halloween (October 31st!). Students will be bringing home information, and a pledge form today. The class that raises the most money will be rewarded with a pizza party! Thank you for supporting our school. If you have any questions please ask me. 

We Scare Hunger Food Drive

Throughout the month we will be collecting non-perishable food items, as well as household items to donate to our local food bank. Thank you for your support!

Math

We are now transferring our learning about attributes in patterns to sorting by attributes. Sorting is part of the Data Management curriculum. Here are the learning goals for each grade:

Grade Two: I am learning how to organize objects into categories by sorting and classifying objects using two attributes at the same time (sort attribute blocks by colour and shape at the same time)

Grade Three: I am learning how to organize objects into categories by sorting and classifying objects using two or more attributes at the same time (sort a collection of buttons by size, colour, and number of holes)

Literacy

In reading, we have been learning about the comprehension strategy of making connections while reading. Students have been sharing their connections orally, and in writing in their Learning Journals. 

In writing, we spent the first few weeks of school working on generating ideas. Students created a variety of "heart maps" where they wrote down ideas about memories and stories that are close to their hearts. This week we began "working on writing". Students were learning how to take these ideas and turn them into a story or recount, a letter, or a poem. 

Poetry

Each week we examine a new poem. Sometimes the Grade 2s and 3s have a different poem, and some weeks we all focus on the same one. Through our poem study we learn about new vocabulary, and strategies for determining the meaning of new words, figurative language, inferring, and more! 

This week the Grade 2 and 3 students had different poems. Here are the poems that they examined this week. 

Grade 3 Poem 

Grade 2 Poem 

Zones of Regulation

This week we were lucky to have Mrs. Britten visit our classroom. She read us a story and taught us about the zones of regulation. The zones  help us describe our emotions. Mrs. Britten explained that it is perfectly normal and ok to be in all of the different zones, but it is important to learn how to take care of ourselves, and cope when we are in the blue, red, or yellow zone. 

and finally....Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful long weekend with your families. We have so much to be thankful for!

Oops!

I have a couple of spelling books on my desk. If your child did not bring their spelling home tonight I accept full responsibility! I’m sorry! If your child needs more time please let me know and I will extend the due date to next Tuesday. Here are this week’s words. 

Meet the Teacher, Terry Fox and More...

Meet the Teacher Night

Tomorrow night (Thursday, September 27^th) is Meet the Teacher night! There will be two information sessions for parents to accommodate families with multiple children. The first session starts at 6:30. The second session starts at 7:00. I hope to see you here!

Terry Fox Run

Tomorrow morning is our annual Terry Fox Run. Students should dress in comfortable clothes, and wear running shoes. We are asking students to donate a "toonie for Terry" if possible. 

Picture Day

Picture day is next Tuesday, October 2nd! 


Math Test

Our first math test about patterning will be next Wednesday, October 3rd. A review package was sent home with students today. Please review and let me know if you have any questions. Our  next math topic is sorting. Learning goals for each grade will be posted here soon!

Spelling Homework and Library

Spelling

Spelling homework started this week. Students should be completing a spelling activity each night. More information about the spelling homework can be found under "Homework" at the top of this page. Spelling homework is due on Fridays (students need to bring their spelling books back to school with the activities completed). Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns.

Library

Tomorrow is our second visit to the library for book exchange. Students are reminded to bring their library books back to school for exchange tomorrow.  We always visit the library on Day 3 before gym class. Our schedule is posted at the top of this page under "Schedule". Starting in October I will be sending home a monthly calendar to help families keep track of homework, library dates, and other events. 

September 14th Update

Thank you 

Thank you for completing all of the start of the year forms, questionnaire, and providing agenda money. I was impressed at how quickly these items were sent in!

Reminder

On Monday we will be decorating our Writer's Notebooks. Please help your child remember to bring small mementos (pictures, magazine clippings, stickers, illustrations, etc.) to use to decorate their book.

This year we will be using binders and dividers to keep our learning materials organized. I will provide these to students that do not bring in their own next week. 

Difference Makers 

During the first week of school we spent time reading books about difference makers. We had many discussions about the things people do to make a difference-big and small, and how this impacts others. 

Classroom Agreement

"Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated" is our motto this year. As a classroom community we strongly feel that if everyone can follow this rule, we will all feel good at school and do our best learning. 

Classroom Jobs

Each student has a classroom job. We created posters to remind us of the responsibilities in each job. Students will keep their same job for about 2 months. Later students will "apply" for new jobs. 

Reading

We have spent time in literacy discussing read to self behaviors and how to choose a "good fit" book. Each night students are expected to read at home. Grade 2 students should read for a minimum of 15 minutes each night. Grade Three students should read a minimum of 20 minutes each night. Listening to an "expert" reader (e.g., parents, siblings, other family members) is very beneficial and helps young readers to develop their skills. I encourage families to read together whenever possible. 

Math

In math we are learning about patterning. This week students explored repeating patterns. They created their own repeating patterns, played games involving identifying attributes, and examined different patterns by identifying the core, and the attributes changing. Being able to create a repeating pattern with 2 attributes changing is a learning goal for students in both Grades 2 and 3. 

Welcome

Welcome to Mrs. Gibbs' 2/3 Class!

Thank you for visiting our class blog. Please check back often as our learning journey this year will be captured here. This blog is my main communication tool with families. I will be updating our classroom schedule here soon. It is important to know that you can subscribe to this blog so that you receive a notification when a new post is published. On the right side of this page you enter your email in the "subscribe" place. It is also important to know that this blog can be translated into your preferred language. This option should also appear on the right side of this page. Our journey has begun and I look forward to all of the exciting learning ahead this year!

Quick Mentions:

• Agendas have not been delivered to the school yet, as soon as they are here I will send them home. 
• Please sign and return book of forms, letter from Mr. D, and parent questionnaire at your earliest convince. We would like to have these returned by Monday, September 10th.  
• Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns. My contact information is provided on the newsletter sent home with your child today.