September News
Class 2-3
Bienvenue
Welcome to Grade Two. We are very excited about the upcoming year and look forward to teaching and learning with your children.
Subjects
Mme Moonjé is teaching the French portion of the program, including French Language Arts, Visual Arts, Health, Science and Social Studies, as well as English Language Arts. Mrs. Smith is responsible for Mathematics and Information Technology. Drama and Dance will be taught by Mme Pollice. Mme Walton is teaching Physical Education and Mrs. Martinelli is teaching Music. Please note that our class will not be changing classrooms at “flip time”. They remain in room 2 for the entire day.
Agendas
Student agendas and zippered folders have been provided for every student. Agendas should be transported to school every day in the folder. Please initial the agenda each night, indicating that you have checked it and received any notes. Agendas will be signed by the teacher every morning.
Classroom Supplies
Thank you for your donations of paper towels and Kleenex. We would also greatly appreciate any donations of Ziploc bags, plastic spoons or straws. If your child has a pencil case, it may be kept at school. Please label the pencil case and its contents. Students are encouraged to bring a re-usable water bottle which will be allowed in class.
Shoes
Your child will need a pair of indoor shoes that can be left at school. Running shoes are the best choice as your child participates in gym class, as well as Quality Daily Fitness (Q.D.F.). Please label your child’s shoes.
Library
Your child will visit the library once a week and will be allowed to sign out one French and one English book. Please consult the agenda for your child’s library day.
Scholastic Book Orders
We will be sending home book orders in both English and French (Lucky and Club de lecture). This is a great way to build your child’s personal library at good prices. If you wish to submit an order, please send a cheque payable to Scholastic Canada Ltd.
English Literacy
The English program will be based on “The Daily Five”, a literacy structure that allows for differentiation in the classroom based on individual student needs. It is called The Daily Five because there are five literacy components. These components are:
- Read to Self
- Read to Someone
- Listen to Reading
- Work on Writing
- Working with Words
We are currently working on picking “Good Fit” books that will be used during “Read to Self” as well as modeling appropriate behaviors during this activity.
Mathematics
Our first math unit will be Patterning and Algebra. We will be focusing on counting by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's to 100, and also backwards from 50. We will also identify, extend and create geometric patterns using different attributes such as colour, size, shape, and number. We review addition and subtraction facts to 18, focusing on strategies to improve speed and accuracy (e.g., one more/less than, double facts etc.).
French Literacy
The curriculum for French Language Arts will be integrated with Art, Social Studies, Science and Health. Oral communication (speaking and listening) will be the primary focus for the first semester. The program consists of daily speaking activities, such as community circle, calendar, games, songs, rhymes, poems, and oral review of the current unit and related vocabulary. Although French reading and writing are not reported on until the second semester report card, students will engage in daily reading and writing activities.
Social Studies - Les études sociales
Our Social Studies units are organized into two stands: Heritage and Citizenship, and Canada and World connections. This month we begin our study of Canada and Word Connections by looking at features of maps and related vocabulary such as continents, hemisphere, equator, etc. Students will learn how to use a legend on a map, and locate and record information using cardinal directions (i.e. north, south, east, west). Please consult the attached vocabulary sheet for more information.
Homework
1. Home and School Connections duotangs go home each Friday. Please listen to your child read our poems and songs and initial the tracking sheet at the front of the duotang once your son or daughter has completed the work. Duotangs are due back each Wednesday.
2. Homework calendars go home at the beginning of each month. We will begin this assignment in October. Please return the duotang the last day of each month.
3. Review our weekly words.
4. Review work for upcoming Social Studies and Science Tests.
Physical Education – Mme Walton
The students need to come dressed appropriately for gym class. To make this easy, we just ask that students wear comfortable clothing to school on their gym days. Jeans, skirts, and dresses are not acceptable clothing to wear in gym. We ask that students wear clothing that allows for easy movement, and a short sleeve t-shirt to keep cool while in the gym. Shoes are our main priority. We ask that all students have a pair of indoor running shoes for physical education class. Our class is having gym every Monday and Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated in the agenda.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to meeting you at our Open House on October 3rd.
Sincerely,
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