October 31, 2017

Have a safe and happy Halloween from the RBES staff and 2D Students!!

In the morning, 2D students created stories about a monster, in the afternoon, we read these stories to 1N.  Your child is bringing home his/her story tonight and is excited to read it to you also!

Our afternoon was filled with Halloween themed stations.  Thank you to the parents of: Anna, Wyatt, Wyett and Sashli, who provided the snack for our Halloween afternoon.

Reminder: Tomorrow is a PD day, there is no school.

October 27, 2017

Congratulations to Susanna, who was the 2D Student of the Week!

October 25, 2017

Music with Mrs. Stanski is fun beyond words!  Today students created drawings based on the spooky music they were listening to.  

Students enjoyed visiting Mrs. Caudron at the book fair last Monday.  The book fair is open tonight during Parent Teacher Conferences, be sure to stop in and check out the awesome books on sale!

I look forward to meeting with all 2D families this evening.  See you later tonight.

October 24, 2017

In science today, we talked about waterproofing and explored which materials would make a good waterproofer and which would not.  Students worked in pairs to "STOP THE LEAK".  After testing all of their containers, we learned that fabric and paper do not make good waterproofers.

In Gym, students worked cooperatively with their peers playing Cross the River.  The game was made more challenging when Mrs. Mullen asked them to go from their riverbank, across the river and then back again!  What amazing teamwork.  

Students completed their first Words Their Way in-class activity.  Every Tuesday, the will be asked to Draw and Label their sort.  I am always amazed by the artistic abilities of the students in our class.  

October 23, 2017

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Delbridge to 2D!  We are also sad to bid farewell to Mrs. Ostonal, who is on a leave, and Mrs. Mruk, who has gone back to her Grade 4 placement.  We will miss having you both in our class.

In science, students completed an absorbancy experiment where they learned the terms, absorb and repel.  This liquids unit is full of fun exploration.  I challenge you to find one material in your home that absorbs and another that does not absorb.  You can write the findings in your child's agenda for them to share with the class.

Today was our first day of Words Their Way!  Students practiced cutting the sort (border, strips, rectangles).  Student understanding of the spelling pattern will be evaluated through use in their daily writing and a weekly assessment.  Students are encouraged to work with their sort at home nighty (this should be a short 5 minutes task).  There are complete details on the program on the Words Their Way page of our blog.  This is a great program, have fun with it!!  

October 19, 2017

I am not sure who was more excited today, me or the students!?!??!  We had an awesome time at Fred Penner!  It is unbelievable to think that at 70 years old, he can still bring that much energy and excitement into a room; he is a true Canadian legend.

Today was our first experience with the Chromebooks.  It was a very gentle introduction, but students are excited to practice logging in and also testing out Grade 2 Mathletics next week!  

Reminders: 
- There is no school tomorrow, as it is a PD Day.
- If your child did not return his/her home reading today, please do so on Monday.

October 18, 2017

It was great to be back today!!  Since I was absent yesterday, we had Tasty Tuesday (Wednesday) today!!  Students enjoyed making Spider Pudding Pie.  Thank you to Mrs. Spurgeon for providing the ingredients for this tasty treat! 

In Science, we talked about drying clothes.  Students brainstormed some great ways we could try, including: placing it in a bag, leave it on the floor or roll it in a towel.  We conducted an experiment and the most effective of these strategies was to place it on a clothesline, followed closely by wrapping it in the towel.  We also talked about ways you could dry your clothes at home: fan, dryer, sunshine, etc.  In summary, 2D students are now capable laundry masters and are excited to come home and help with the drying of clothes! 

Reminder that tomorrow is the school-wide field trip to Fred Penner!  We can't wait to hear him sing our class favourites: The Cat Came Back, Bienvenue and Puff the Magic Dragon!   Please ensure your child's permission for this trip is completed in Powerschool today. 

October 13, 2017

Congratulations to Lillia, who was the 2D Student of the Week!

Today we turned a solid into a liquid and then back into a solid!  After tasting this delicious treat, we discovered that our mystery solid/liquid/solid was JELL-O!!  

Have a fabulous weekend.  :-)

October 12, 2017

We have been writing about our zones of regulation in Language Arts. Students have created beautiful guided drawings and corresponding writings to go along with them.  Ask your child about the four Zones of Regulation.  This is a concept that can be used at home also to assist your child with expressing his/her emotions. 

Reminder that tomorrow is assembly in the morning, parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Also, home reading, word rings and red bags are to be returned to school every Friday.

October 11, 2017

Today we continued using our number-lines to extend number patterns.   Students came to an awesome realization today.  This task was simply skip counting by a pre-determined number!!  It is exciting to watch as students make connections between new and old concepts!

Start your engines!  In science, four liquids took to the race track: corn syrup, dish soap, oil and molasses!  It was a quick finish for the oil, but the molasses and corn syrup really battled for third place.  In the end, many students were surprised by the results! 
1st Place: oil
2nd Place: dish soap
3rd Place: molasses
4th Place: corn syrup

October 10, 2017

Today students used the number-line to help them solve number patterns.  They first had to identify two numbers on the number line (i.e.: 4, 6), then calculate the number of jumps between the numbers (i.e.: +2).  We would use that rule to solve for subsequent numbers in the pattern (i.e.: 4, 6, 8, 10).

In science we explored four liquids.  Using their senses of smell, touch and sight, students attempted to identify mystery liquids A (vinegar), B (dish soap), C (cooking oil) and D (molasses).  

I had noted on the website and newsletter that Words their Way would begin today.  However, this week and next being short weeks, I have have decided to hold off.  It is important for the structure of the program that we launch it on a full week, so Words their Way will commence on October 23rd.

October 6, 2017

Congratulations to Nash, who was the 2D Students of the Week!

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!  I look forward to hearing all about your exciting long weekend adventures on Monday! 

October 5, 2017

Students had a fabulous time this morning meeting their Grade 2 and Grade 4 buddies.  We are partnered with Mrs. Suter and Mr. Van Huis's classes and we can't wait to spend more time with them!

I was away this afternoon at a district-wide Grade 2 Curriculum Mapping PD session.  It was a fabulous opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the district while strengthening our knowledge of Social Studies curriculum organization and implementation.   

Reminders: 

- Tomorrow is our weekly assembly.

- Return home reading bags containing: books, logs and word rings tomorrow.

October 4, 2017

Students have been working hard to transfer their knowledge of +/-0 and +/-1 into long-term memory for quick, rote recall.  Working on these strategies at home will help to strengthen your child's rote recall of their basic facts.  Additional information about basic facts can be found on Basic Fact Strategies and Basic Fact Games tabs of our website.  

In Science, students continued their exploration of liquids by using medicine droppers to see how many water drops they could pile on a penny.  Through this experiment, students learned that water has a high surface tension.  

October 3, 2017

Today students dove head first into our Exploring Liquids.  Students used their 4 senses (no tasting today!) to explore 8 stations and answer questions about liquids.

In Math, we moved beyond repeating patterns and used manipulative to create growing patterns.  You can create patterns at home with your child by using many materials you have in your pantry (noodles, chocolate chips, etc).  

  Please remember that tomorrow is early dismissal (2:21).