Dec 18 - Dec 22, 2023

Hello Families,

Wow! That's a wrap for 2023! We have had a fantastic year so far.

Thank you to all the families that could attend the concert. Students did a fabulous job lighting up the season! A huge thank you goes to the fabulous Ms. Harris. Her time, dedication, and patience are admirable and our students soar with her guiding their talents. 

Polar Express
All aboard The Polar Express! Students were excited to read the book and watch the story on Friday. It's safe to say they still believe in the magic! Students enjoyed their special snacks and were eager to share about their upcoming holidays! 

Buddies

Students were excited to spend time with their buddies and trade cards. Our Grade 5 buddies are incredible leaders with huge hearts. We look forward to spending more time with them in the new year.

We hope you have a wonderful winter break with family, friends, and relaxation. We are excited to welcome students back on January 8th, 2024. 

Dec 11 - Dec 15, 2023

Hello families,

We have had another great week of learning!

Christmas Concert (Ms. Harris)

Students are encouraged to dress for a seasonal performance. There are no costumes. If you would like your child to wear a special holiday outfit, seasonal attire, festive, etc., this is a great opportunity. While this is not a formal performance (suits, etc.), I try to highlight that they have worked incredibly hard and that this is a special occasion, with lots of opportunities for parents to take photos.

Choir: no specific outfit is required; dress for the season!

Grade 2 students are encouraged to wear Santa, elf, or gnome hats for their folk dance (for which I have extras if needed).

Our learning intentions this week were focused on finalizing performances, performance etiquette, and transition procedures. Classes are working as a team, observing and paying attention to the 'group plan' for performance.

Math
In math, we continue to work on problem-solving. Our "Brain Bender" this week is shown below. A
"Brain Bender" allows students to use mathematics creatively to solve rich problems. While students were interested in figuring out an answer to the Brain Bender, the goal of each question was the thinking that students did as they figured out how to get their answers.

"I'm stuck! Now what?" If students had trouble thinking about solving a problem, they would benefit from discussing their ideas and questions with others. Students developed some questions they asked themselves as they worked.  

What do I know? 
What do I need to figure out? 
Does my answer make sense?

Students began to recognize that it is acceptable for two people to have different answers to the same question, as long as both answers are based on reasonable assumptions. 

Literacy

We continue to practice fluency when reading aloud.

Our "fluent reader" checklists are below. Please support your child with this at home when they practice their decodable passages or when reading their books.

Science Elves

These elves have provided many rich learning experiences filled with wonder, excitement, and silliness! Our classroom elves, "Jingle Bells Fluffy Mittens and Mr. Jingles" provided our classrooms with science experiments again this week! Check out our experiments below. Students have completed daily "Elf Academy" lab reports to document the processes involved. Our scientist elves guided our investigations, including asking questions, making predictions, planning the investigation, observing and recording data, analyzing data, reaching conclusions, and discussing observations and conclusions.

*I can reflect on how purpose and planning influence an investigation.
*I can make various predictions based on the questions to be investigated.
*I can test predictions by observing and recording data. 

Monday: Can we make "Elf Dough?"

Tuesday: Can we make elephant toothpaste?

Wednesday: Candy Cane experiment... which liquid will dissolve the candy cane the fastest?

Thursday: Can we make "Elf Slime?"

Friday: Can you design a Christmas train using the gift the elf left us (straw connectors)?

Social Studies (Celebrations) 

*I can explore cultural customs, traditions, and celebrations.

This week we learned all about celebrations around the world and read many stories to expand our learning. Ask your child to share 3 facts about Hanukkah.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dec 4 - Dec 7, 2023

Hello families,

Wow, that was a fun week in Grade 2!

Elves

Our classroom elves, "Jingle Bells Fluffy Mittens and Mr. Jingles" provided our classrooms with science experiments this week! Check out our experiments below. Students have been completing daily "Elf Academy" lab reports to document the processes involved. Our scientist elves guided our investigations, including asking questions, making predictions, planning the investigation, observing and recording data, analyzing data, reaching conclusions, and discussing observations and conclusions.

*I can reflect on how purpose and planning influence an investigation.
*I can make various predictions based on the questions to be investigated.
*I can test predictions by observing and recording data. 

Monday: Can you color the flowers?

Tuesday: Does it sink or float? Why do some objects float while other objects sink?

Wednesday: What weighs more or less than a Christmas Elf?

Thursday: What happens when you mix an acid and a base?

Writing

This week students focused on responding to books shared in the large group. Students focused on retelling using first, next, and last and sharing key details. 

*I can identify story elements in imaginary stories.

Warm Feet, Warm Hearts
Thank you to all of our families for their generosity. Thank you to our fabulous Grade Three teachers who organized this thoughtful initiative to support Calgarians experiencing homelessness. On Thursday we joined our buddy classes to fill packages and make Christmas cards.

*I can look at ways people can positively contribute to communities through various roles.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2023

 Hello,

We have had another learning-filled week in Grade 2!

Please join us for Sibbald’s Winter Celebration, “Light Up the Season!”   Ms. Harris looks forward to showcasing our school’s Choir and K-6 learning in Music during this year’s two Winter Concerts on Tuesday, December 19th and Wednesday, December 20th. An email will be sent out tomorrow morning with key details around the scheduling of the evening and ticket information. Here are a few details in advance:   Afternoon dress rehearsals on Tuesday and Wednesday will begin at 1:00 p.m.   Evening performances begin at 6:00 p.m.   Choir will perform on both afternoons and nights  Performances are expected to run for about 45 minutes  Each family will receive two tickets for the nights their child/ren perform  More tickets can be requested through our school’s inbox at andrewsibbald@cbe.ab.ca   We thank Ms. Harris, Mrs. Sampson and all our student performers (and other student leaders volunteering to help in the shows) in advance for their contributions.

Santa Letters
This week students wrote their letter to Santa. A copy of their letter was sent home in their zippered folder to share with you. Check out some of our letters below. 

*I can create written messages that align with an intended audience or purpose. 

Social Studies

*I can understand how communities are strengthened by their stories, traditions, and histories.

This week we began learning about Iqaluit. Have your child share 3 facts they have learned. 

Science

*I can investigate the behaviors of light and sound. 

We also began a new topic in Science (Energy) this week.  We look forward to learning more about eyes and ears this week. 

Classroom Elves

Our festive friends made their grand entrance on Friday morning. Ask your child to share the elves' antics with you! 

Have a wonderful weekend!