Curious about what your children have been doing here at the OJCS? Wonder no more. Here is a snapshot of what we have been doing in every subject.
Language Arts:
Wordly Wise – The children have already completed three full lessons where they have been introduced to new vocabulary and read passages containing these words. Once they have read these passages they are onto answering text based, opinion and inferencing questions which they must answer using complete sentences.
Writing Conventions – We have been working on understanding that a proper noun is always capitalized and that each sentence starts with a capital and ends with punctuation. Can they spot the error? They have been given many opportunities to spot the missing punctuation and capitalization of words in a sentence as they complete Read it, Fix it Write it.
Our students have been introduced (reintroduced) to three spelling rules. Familiarizing themselves with these spelling rules (posted on our boards) allows them to edit their own work. They are also encouraged to use their dictionaries for high frequency words such as (i.e,because, was and want). The posters below can be printed and used at home.
Author Study-Each month we explore yet another collection of books during our author study. The students have a scheduled library period where Brigitte (our librarian) introduces a new author and reads books from their collection. We then bring them to our classroom to use during transition times and our literacy blocks. This past month Ms Brigitte read books from the Read Aloud Picture Book Study (author Minh Le).
Workshops-We participated in our first Grade 2 workshop entitled Digital Citizen. The students watched a video followed by a class discussion on how we stay safe while online.
Math:
Numbers/Algebra- Skip counting, growing and shrinking patterns, place value are just some of what we have introduced or gone to the next level within our numeracy blocks. The students have to have a strong sense of place value in order to be able to add and subtract double digits. Depending where they are in their learning journey, they are working on double digits with no regrouping or regrouping. Either way they are at their Just Right level. There are those that have moved on to more. Remember the first step is demonstrating to me that they can independently complete the tasks assigned before we move on to more. A strong foundation is very important!
Scoot (math place value game)
Data-We are continuing to expand our understanding on how to collect and create various types of graphs (bar and pictographs). As well as identify the basic parts of a graph: labels, scales, titles and data. They are completing math activities that require answering questions and using the data from a graph or table in a calculation, as well as using the information in the graph to make an inference.
Problem Solving-The focus has been to understand that there are 4 steps necessary to solve a word problem. The emphasis has been reading for understanding and showing your work. One of our North Stars is we learn better together, so showing how we got our answer helps others see that there is more than one way to solve a problem.
Science:
Our focus this term has been simple machines. Our Grade 2 students will collaborate and work in pairs to explore the concept of design thinking where they have been presented with a challenge to design a pulley able to lift water from the well (bucket). Once their pulleys are completed they will reflect on their experience and what they might do differently next time.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies this term we have compared some significant traditions and celebrations among different cultures around the world. We are completing a unit of study (Changing Family and Community) based on Patricia Polacco’s books.
