“The benefits of reading, writing, and math does not outweigh the need for children to learn to work and play together.” --John Wilson
As we enter into our March Break, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe, enjoyable, and rejuvenating break with your loved ones! Some of my students have mentioned that they've going away (e.g., Great Wolf Lodge, Florida), that's terrific!! In the past, I've been to Florida with a dear friend, however, this year that isn't the case, but I am planning on enjoying all the wonderful and fun winter activities that Collingwood has to offer such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, and maybe even downhill skiing at Blue Mountain. I am very much looking forward to hearing and reading (your child will be writing a "Recount" about a special event upon his/her return to school) all about their BREAK and the special things they did with YOU! Although, we won't be at school, I wanted to also wish you a HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! A few students dressed in GREEN today to celebrate this occasion :)
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| Dressed in GREEN for today's spirit day! Thank you to those that participated!! |
This week, we spent some time learning about Math Workstations! Similarly to our Literacy Workstations, students will work in small groups to reinforce and practice learned concepts, in this case, the workstations will have a math focus. They are very excited about this! Below I have listed the workstations with its accompanying learning goal (see pictures) so you have an idea of what your child will be doing and his/her expectations when they're working in small groups.
Balanced Math Workstations:
MATH GAME - "Trade it to Save it!"
Students had the opportunity to learn and play this engaging new math game! Please ask your child the 'Procedure' (how to play this game) for this. HINT: I've posted a picture of the game for your reference. Check to see if your child remembers!
During a math game, I am not only looking for their mathematical thinking, but their collaboration and sportsmanship skills. It is important to work cooperatively with group members and to remember to 'win with a smile, lose with a smile!' It's all about having FUN!
Building 3-D Figures:
On Thursday, our learning goal for math focused on - learning to design and make a 3-D skeleton.
Check out the students actively engaged in building a skeleton for a chosen 3-D Figure. Pics below! We learned that the plasticine represented the vertices (corners) and the toothpicks represented the edges (sides). Ask your child to describe the properties (e.g., faces, edges, vertices) of the figure he/she designed. An expectation in Grade 2 is to identify, describe, and explore these properties!
Amy
Thank you Amy for bringing in a real world example of a 3-D Figure to share with your peers! Connecting your school learning at home is an essential skill and a great way to reinforce learned concepts! Way to go :-)
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| A hexagonal prism from Amy's house! |
On Monday, I was moved by Mati's thoughtful ways. As you know, YOU (families) and I have been consistently reinforcing our school's character traits to help instill these values in our learners' thoughts, words, and actions. I am PROUD to share that our efforts are paying off! Just before our W.A.L.T. experience, Mati noticed that his peer Ethan F. had a paper cut. He independently went to the drawer where our band-aids are located and started to help Ethan put it on. Mati did this on his own quietly at the back of the classroom :) What a bucket filling moment!! Mati has demonstrated not only EMPATHY - thinking about the feelings of his friend, but also some of the other traits we've focused upon thus far this school year such as Caring, Respect, and Responsibility. Mati, THANK YOU for being a kind, caring, compassionate friend - you have modelled extraordinary character all on your own. Amazing!!
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| Bucket-Filling Mati! |
“Looking for engaging ways to introduce your child to reading or to encourage your child to write? Need some age-appropriate book suggestions or rainy day activities? The materials here are your answer—all of them created by experts to be fun, educational, and easy to use outside of school.”
Quote:
“A smile and a kind word is all it takes to spread joy because happiness is contagious!”
Quote:
“A smile and a kind word is all it takes to spread joy because happiness is contagious!”
Namaste,
Miss Gill
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