In-School Field Trip Coming Up!

As we move through our Science units, the grade 2 classes will be having an in-school field trip on March 2nd to introduce our "Exploring Liquids" topic. Our class will be in this field trip from 9am-11am. We are looking for volunteers for this educational event, from 8:45am-11:15am. If you are available to help, please send me an email at eemacdonald@cbe.ab.ca 

Valentine's Day is on Monday! Students are encouraged to wear casual clothes in pink, purple, or red (if they have them). We will be exchanging Valentine's cards, doing some Valentine's themed math, and art. 

Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Thursday or Friday of this week (Feb. 17th and 18th) as teachers are attending our annual convention. 

No more mandatory masks for students starting Monday. Although masks are no longer mandatory for students, Le Roi Daniels will support whatever parents choose for their children. Children will not be required to wear masks on the bus or in school, however if you want your child to continue to wear a mask, please be sure to send it with them and have that conversation with them around your expectation as parents. Teachers will be unable to monitor or enforce student mask wearing and therefore we are asking that you please ensure your children understand what you would like them to do. 

Last week, students dove into a couple research projects for Science and Social Studies. In Science, our class picked an animal and looked into how they stay warm in cold temperatures. They discovered that polar bears have blubber and fur, and that penguins have several layers of feathers! Their knowledge of insulation will come in handy for their upcoming insulation project (check the homework for more information). 

Room 15 students wrote some amazing pieces about how to blow a bubble, and continue to work hard on developing instructional writing skills. 

In Math, we continue to build on strategies for addition and subtraction, including using a number line to understand our answers. 

This week:

Monday- Casual!
Tuesday-
Wednesday- Library books due; Fun lunch
Thursday- NO SCHOOL for students
Friday- NO SCHOOL for students

Monday (Feb 21)- NO SCHOOL (Family Day)

The eagle represents love!

 Hello Room 15 families and Happy Lunar New Year!

This past week we have focused on how we can show kindness and love to those around us! As part of our Character/Indigenous education, students have talked about, practiced, and reflected on how they can be a good friend, show love, and be a bucket filler. We talked about how, according to the 7 Grandfather Teachings, the eagle represents love. Check out the process of making eagle art and writing in the "pictures" section. 

Don't forget to order fun lunch!

Students are welcome to bring in Valentine's for the class on Monday, February 14th. A list of class names are on the "homework" page. If they bring in Valentine's, they must bring one for each student in the class. Please no food items. 

Coming up....

Writing- This week we will be writing about how to blow a bubble! Students will be given 1 piece of Double Bubble gum to practice, then we will talk through the steps of blowing a bubble. They will put this information to good use, in planning, drafting, editing, and publishing the process of blowing a perfect bubblegum bubble! Hopefully, they will also have time to make some self-portraits, including showing the "bubble" made out of a pink balloon. 

Math- Using number lines to solve 2-digit addition and subtraction... and word problem!!

Science- We will answer the questions, "How do we heat our homes and the school?"

Social Studies- Students will complete an inquiry assignment about one of the places we have studied so far- Meteghan, Iqaluit, or Saskatoon. 

Monday- FORMAL UNIFORM
Tuesday- 
Wednesday- Library books due back!
Thursday-
Friday- Homework due

Report Cards Available!

 Hello Room 15 families!

Report cards are available online from February 1st-4th. Please PRINT your child's report card as they are only available online for those days. 

Tuesday, February 1st is LUNAR NEW YEAR! If your family celebrates this holiday, students are invited to wear their FORMAL FANCY CELEBRATION outfits on Tuesday. All other students are expected to wear their uniform. 

Speaking of uniforms, please make sure your child is in their uniform every day (unless otherwise specified). This includes a crested shirt, cardigan, or sweater. Tights must be navy blue (not black). 

Make sure to read the February newsletter and calendar that was sent via School Messenger to stay up to date on all school events. 

In our classroom...

Writing- We have continued our instructional/how-to writing, and will continue with that next week. 

Math- Students have started working on 2-digit addition and subtraction. They use base 10 blocks and traditional algorithm to solve problems with and without regrouping. We will continue this next week, as well as looking at some more graphs.

Social- This week, we will finish up our Saskatoon unit and start some inquiry to show their learning.

Science- Last week we looked at the effects of applying hot or cold to various objects, comparing reactions to temperatures (freezing vs. melting, burning, or cooking). We will continue our hot and cold unit this week by comparing temperatures of places around our school. 

Character- Room 15 has been focusing on what it means to be KIND. They were reminded about how to be a bucket filler (not a dipper), wrote recipes for Friendship Pie, and How To be a Good Friend, and were challenged to play with people they wouldn't normally play with to make new friends. 

Stay tuned for more learning to come!

Monday- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Tuesday- Report cards available online
Wednesday- Library books due
Thursday- 
Friday- Homework due

Lots of Updates...

 Hello Room 15 families, 

There are lots of updates for the new year so please read through this post in its entirety. 

1) Uniforms- it is very important that students are wearing all proper uniform pieces. On formal uniform days, this includes a white dress shirt, NOT a white golf shirt. Leggings are not allowed any day. 

2) Homework- I have noticed that some students are getting complacent with their homework. Homework is designed to be a practice of skills and concepts learned in class. This practice is important in solidifying new skills. Therefore, homework should be completed to the best of the student's ability- not rushed through just to get it done. I have also noticed that homework is not being dated. The dates help me find the week's homework quickly when marking. 

3) Scholastic newsletters are going home with your child's homework. If you are in the market for new children's books for your home, please use our classroom code (RC637365) when checking out on scholastic.ca. This will earn our classroom back money, which I use to buy books for students at the end of the year. (You also get free shipping if you spend $35 or more!) 

4) Auditions for our class, for the school play, are happening on Monday. If your child wishes to audition, they are asked to memorize the lines (posted below) for their audition. Spots in the play are limited. If they audition, they should find out by Thursday of this week if they have been given a role. 

Math- See pictures below of our work on concrete graphs! Students have also been working hard on pictographs. 

Writing- We have started instructional writing last week. They use a "what, what, how" method to explain, in detail how to do something. (What are you teaching the reader, what materials do you need, and how do you do it).

Science- We are now deep into our hot and cold unit, which has mostly focused so far on how to read thermometers and use them to compare situations. 

Social Studies- We are finishing our unit on Saskatoon this week, finishing up learning about their deep Ukrainian culture, language, and history. 

This week at a glance: 

Monday: Formal uniform
Tuesday: 
Wednesday: Library books due
Thursday: 
Friday: Homework due; spelling test 

Spring Production

 Hello Room 15 families, 

Auditions for the spring production of Willy Wonka will start next week. Please click HERE to view the parent letter and audition form if your child is interested in a speaking role. 

Thank you!

 Hello Room 15 families, 

I hope everyone had a restful and family-filled (extended) break! I enjoyed spending time with my dog, Simon, and seeing some family over the holidays. 

I understand that there may be some concerns about returning to in-person learning, which makes it even more important to make sure you are keeping your child home if they have ANY signs and symptoms of illness, even if they have tested negative.  I am excited to see everyone face-to-face and engage in meaningful learning together. 

Homework for this coming week has been posted. It is due on Friday, January 17th, when we will have our spelling test, as usual. 

Please remember formal uniforms every Monday and to send your child with all necessary outdoor gear. Even as the weather warms, students will be outside for recess and lunch and must have snow pants, jackets, hats, mittens, boots, etc. to stay warm and comfortable as the snow melts and wind blows. 

Please check your email and ask your child about information related to the upcoming Spring production of Willy Wonka. Auditions will begin this week for those who are interested in having a speaking role. 

Monday- FORMAL UNIFORM
Tuesday- 
Wednesday- Library book exchange continues
Thursday- Willy Wonka auditions at lunch
Friday- Homework due

School Delayed for Students

 Hello Room 15 families, 

As you have likely heard by now, classes have been delayed for students until Monday, January 10th. Please enjoy this additional week as a family. I am excited to see everyone again soon!

- Ms. MacDonald