Tuesday November 12, 2019

Dear Parents, 
We are beginning our new spelling patterns program.  I will be posting the lists separate to blog under "Spelling Patterns: November 12-15".  Students will sometimes be doing a spelling test on Fridays.  Please take the time to review the rule, and find 'rule breakers' that don't always follow the rule.  Then  practice writing out your spelling words.  Students should be aware of the pattern rule in their spelling to help them spell new words.



FYI
Poetry party poems - please bring in tomorrow!
Inline Skating permission forms are due asap


Our Learning: 
In the morning we reviewed the Poetry Party program (we ran out of time Friday to discuss details).  It is important that after your child brings their poem home that you a) take a picture, or b)write the poem down & then return the original.
Friday- student brings home new poem, notice the personal goal set on their target. Take time to practice the poem.  I suggest taking a picture of the poem to have as a reference, or having your child write the poem out on another piece of paper.  All props used by students should be made at home during the weekend, or sometime during the week & have ready for the performance on Fridays.
Monday-bring back the original poem with target.  Students will practice Mon-Thurs during Literacy Daily 5.
Friday- performances will typically be held around snack time. Each student will get up and state their goal, then perform their poem in front of the class. Students will self assess using their target.  Teacher will write feedback on their targets.

* when we have a short week (with the exception of this week!) we will typically extend the practice to 2 weeks and perform on the following Friday.

Performances - we will be performing in front of our class each week.  In December we will invite another grade 2 class to be our audience.  In January we will be inviting our grade 6 buddy class to be our audience.  In May we will host a formal "Poe-tea" where families will be invited to the official year end performance.  Tickets and info will be sent out in late April/early May. 

Spelling Program: 
-Students are beginning a spelling program that focuses on the written and sound patterns in weekly words.  The word list will be posted under blog in a special header 'Spelling Words" with the date.  Students will be using literacy stations to practice their words.  I encourage you to practice at home using suggested literacy games.
-Levels: Students are beginning to be encouraged to reflect on their own personal levels of learning, and choose words that compliment their current level.  Level 1- green, Level 2- yellow, Level 3- purple.
-Weekly tests are sometimes administered, but not always.  Typically these tests will be on Fridays, and are not considered a part of a students literacy mark, but rather as a tool to help students and teacher to identify strengths and areas where more practice is needed.

Math: Students will be assessed for report cards on the following outcomes:
-identify, recognize and say numbers to 50.  By June, up to 100.
-be able to order numbers from least to greatest, greatest to least.
-identify even and odd numbers and explain how they know.
-skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s forwards and backwards using a hundreds chart.
-begin to use mathematical language when expressing their understanding (ie. addends, subtrahend, sum, difference, addition, subtraction, ten frame, number line, skip counting, etc.).
-begin to identify mathematical strategies and tools to help them solve word problems (i.e. hundreds grid, number line, counters..)



For Discussion:
We watched a video about farming.  What kind of farming did the people do?