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!