Jan 22 - Jan 26, 2024

 Hello,

We have had another engaging week of learning in Grade 2!

Important Dates

January 30^th – Report Cards available online through MyCBE PowerSchool Account  

February 1^st – Gr. 2 Field Trip to Telus Spark  

February 7^th – School Council Meeting – Grade 4 to present  

February 14^th – Fun Snack  

February 15-16^th – Support Staff and Teacher's Convention  

February 19^th – Family Day holiday  

February 21^st – Fun Lunch 

Math

*I can investigate strategies for the addition of two-digit numbers.

This week, we continued our exploration of mild, medium, and spicy problems. Students could select a problem that included the spice (challenge) level they felt they wanted to try. Some students started with a mild or green problem, and when their confidence grew, they selected a spicy or red problem. We also played "Math Battleship." Ask your child to share the game rules. Check out one of our problems below. The equations were modified with more challenging numbers as required. 

Specific Learning Outcomes

• Model and explain addition facts to 10 and then 20.
• Model and explain subtraction facts to 10 and then 20.
• Devise and use problem-solving strategies (act, draw).

Description of Mathematics
This problem reinforces the use of addition and subtraction equations. Students become so accustomed to seeing addition equations in the form 1 + 5 = ___ and 5 – 2 = ___, that they automatically think that the "answer" is always the sum or the difference. If the students are only exposed to the traditional format they miss the opportunity to form an understanding about all parts of the equation and how each part relates to the other.

Social Studies (CBE Knowlege Keeper Hal Eagletail)

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

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, we welcomed CBE Knowledge Keeper and member of the Northern Dene TsuuT’ina Nation, Hal Eagletail to our school to visit classrooms. We are grateful for his lessons and the stories he told. Have your child share something they learned from Hal. 

Science

*I can identify if sounds are natural or human-made.

As we continue to prepare for our upcoming field trip we dive deeper into sound concepts. We played a fun game where students had to identify mystery sounds. Ask your child to share 3 sounds they could identify.

Literacy (Writing)

*I can investigate writing processes that support informed written expression.

Grade 2 students are full of talent and will be a welcome addition to their working communities when they get older. Our students have unique skills and talents. This week they completed "job applications" for their chosen fields and had to celebrate their successes. Students were required to highlight their strengths and the unique skill sets that made them suitable for their chosen field. Have your child share the career they envision themselves in and why they are a great candidate! This writing supports student's ability to engage in non-fiction and informational writing. Check out some applications below!

Loose Parts

This week Mrs. Hayes' class explored "loose parts." Ms. Craik's class will be participating next week. 

In 1972, architect Simon Nicholson developed the Theory of Loose Parts; the idea that loose parts, materials that can be moved around, designed and redesigned, and tinkered with; create infinitely more opportunities for creative engagement than static materials and environments. We read "Amelia's Loose Part Art". When Amelia finds herself without her art box, she learns that art is inside of her, and supplies are all around her… she just has to look for them. Amelia is a young artist who takes her art box everywhere she goes. When she visits her grandma for a sleepover, she realizes she forgot her art supplies at home! What will Amelia do? Will she be able to create masterpieces without her art box? Join Amelia as she learns about loose-part art and finds joy in trying new things. Children and adults alike will be inspired by Amelia’s resourcefulness and creativity in solving problems. Students created their own loose-part designs and wrote stories about their creations. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jan 15 - Jan 19, 2024

 Hello families,

We have had another fantastic week in Grade 2.

Inline Skating

I can show positive interactions with others during physical activity.

I can refine my movement skills with people or objects in a variety of physical activities. 
What an incredible experience for our students! Students were full of perseverance and smiles. Their "I can try" spirit was admirable. We ended our skating week with a "disco party" together. Thank you so much to Coach Greg for modifying tips and tricks and for his patience.

Telus Spark

I can safely explore the production and behaviour of sound.

We are excited to attend Telus Spark on Thursday, February 1st. Students will participate in "The Surf the Lightwave" program, where students will engage Jamie, Spark's LEGO mini-figure, on a surfing adventure across the rainbow! Students will collaboratively and creatively code them to ride through reflected, refracted, and dispersed light, with some science and math surprises along the way. Thank you so much to the volunteers who will be joining us on the field trip.

 

Wellness

I can identify feelings.

We read the story, "The Chameleon Who Couldn't Change." Little Chameleon changes colour depending on how he feels. What are the ways that you can express your feelings? The chameleon was afraid to show his emotions. We found that colours can symbolize feelings. Ask your child which colours represent their feelings.  

Math

I can investigate strategies for the addition of two-digit numbers.

This week, we explored mild, medium, and spicy problems. Students were eager to ask: What are mild, medium, and spicy math problems? Students could select a problem that included the spice (challenge) level they felt they wanted to try. Some students started with a mild or green problem, and when their confidence grew, they selected a spicy or red problem. We also played "Race to 100." Ask your child to share the game rules.

 

Maker

I can identify an object that can be made from different materials.

We loved working together. This week, students created "snow shovels" as a team. Ask your child to share the materials they used and how they "tested" their prototype.

Important Dates

January 23rd: Fun Lunch January 23rd and 24th: Elder Hal Eagletail visits January 30th: Report Cards are available  February 1st: Gr. 2 Field Trip to Telus Spark

Jan 8 - Jan 12, 2024

 Hello Families,

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a wonderful winter break filled with rest and relaxation.

Below is an example of how cross-curricular learning objectives are embedded into daily task design.

Literacy: * I can distinguish between messages that are fiction or non-fiction. I can examine ways that information can be accessed, organized, and shared to encourage thinking about and beyond what's already known. I can examine a variety of features that can enhance the meaning of messages. 
Exciting things were happening in our writing this week! We began our week learning about "wolfdogs". Why? Mrs. Hayes' sister-in-law (Lindsey) is an instructor at Olds College in the animal health program and was given the opportunity to work on new intakes for the Yamanuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Grade 2 students love learning about animals! Everly, in Ms. Hayes' class, is our wolf expert, and we discovered she is the only Grade 2 student who has attended the sanctuary. This was an opportunity for Evelry to shine and share her insights with the group. Everly in Ms. Craik's class went home and wrote an incredible story about wolfdogs and offered the surprise ending that she wrote it as Lindsey telling the story of her profession. Encourage your children at home to use opportunities like this to foster their love of literacy! We heard many interesting stories from families about their children sharing what they learned about wolfdogs. Adam in Mrs. Hayes' class was eager to go to the public library (READO board square) and find wolf resources. Their factual recall and ability to apply their understanding to their writing are remarkable. We have many students who are hoping their parents will take them to the sanctuary. If you do visit the sanctuary please email us pictures that we can share with the group. Encourage your child to write about the experience afterward. "Jot notes" are a way to record their ideas. We would love to build "expert capacity" in our classrooms.

Math: *I can estimate quantities using benchmarks.
Students learned the mathematical vocabulary term "content." We learned that content refers to the amount of wolf or dog in an animal. High content means there is a large amount of wolf. Low content means there is more dog in the animal than wolf.  This was explained using a number line. Mid-content reflected the middle of the line. We also reviewed fractions when discussing how much of a wolf and dog are in an animal. Students were excited to look at wolfdog pictures and estimate how much wolf or dog was in the animal based on physical characteristics (e.g., fur, face, height, paw size, and body language). Henry in Ms. Craik's deduced that there are more low-content wolfdogs currently at the sanctuary as they are more genetically similar to dogs and likely to be adopted more easily. Lindsey was able to support an animal exam on a 98% wolf dog and students were curious to know how exams differ based on the content of the dog (e.g. size of dog, aggression, type of cage). 

 

Social: I can describe how individuals and groups contribute to the development of communities. 
We researched the Yamanuka website and learned about the founder. We discovered that there is only one wolfdog sanctuary in Canada and very few in North America. We discussed where Yamanuska Sanctuary is located and realized how lucky we are to have it so close to our community. We reflected that it is the "Power of One" (school anchor text) who can truly make a difference in the lives of others and communities.

 

Science: *I can respect animals while interacting in various environments. I can explain the positive and negative impacts of human behavior on animals. 
While researching, we discovered that wolfdogs were created due to breeding. This has led to animals that are often not suitable for families and homes. Have your child share three things they know about responsible pet ownership.

Field Trip (Telus Spark)

Field trip forms were sent home on Friday. Please sign and return the forms as soon as possible. A sign-up genius link will be sent out for volunteering.

Inline Skating

We will begin inline skating next week. Ask your child to share 3 facts about how to be safe while skating. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Important Dates

January 15th – 19th Alien Inline Skating residency January 15th – Professional Learning Day (no school for students)  January 17th – School Council Meeting  January 23rd – Fun Lunch   January 23rd, 24th – Elder Hal Eagletail visits classrooms  January 30th – Report Cards available online through MyCBE PowerSchool Account   February 1st – Gr. 2 Field Trip to Telus Spark