September 14, 2016

Have you ever heard of the Lotsatathalon?  Probably not, because we created it ourselves.  This week, students have been working on locomotion stations and today they had a blast carefully completing all 9 of the locomotion events in order and racing to the finish line.  

In Math we continued our exploration of two attribute patterns.  Students played a game where one student created a pattern core and their partner had to complete the pattern.  There are some amazing things happening in our pattern unit!  

We were over the moon excited today when students successfully achieved 11 minutes of stamina during the Daily 5 rotation that included the two activities we have learned thus far, Read to Self and Word Work.  Way to go 1-2E!! 

September 13, 2016

Today students worked through 10 stations and explored locomotion in gym.

During Math, we took our basic knowledge of attributes, patterns and pattern core and extended it!  Students amazed me with their ability to identify two attributes and use them in a pattern.  For example: (blue circle, red stick, red stick), blue circle, red stick, red stick, blue circle, red stick, red stick.  Great work!!

In Social Studies we used the compass to explore direction.  You can try this at home tonight.  
Using the map below, identify:
1. What is north of the library?
2. What is west of the supermarket?
3. What is south of Ariana's house?
4. What is east of Catherine's house?
5. Make up even more questions and see if you can stump your 1-2E child.

September 12, 2016

This morning we played a favourite game - Ladders.  You too can play this game at home, all you need is two dice and this gameboard. The players take turns rolling two digit numbers and placing them in order on the ladder.  Ask your child to share this with you, I know you will love it!

Last week, students successfully achieved 10 minutes of Read to Self, so today they were elated to launch another Daily 5 activity.  Word Work provides students with an opportunity to review Word Wall words in a fun way.

In writing, students journaled about their favourite type of book to read.  I was excited to read about the variety of literature that is of interest to my students!  Tomorrow I encourage students to try and find these books in the library tomorrow.

Math was interrupted by a fire drill, but students did a great job of identifying the pattern core on the patterns they created with unified cubes.

Reminder: Tomorrow is our second library day, please ensure your child returns his/her books in the morning.

September 9, 2016

This morning was our first Character Assembly.  Check out Mrs. Kloschinsky's blog for information about the content covered this week.

Oh, Social studies was so fun today!  Both grades are launching their year with a mapping unit.  We learned the terms; map, globe and compass.  Students were challenged to come home and show you the compass on your phones and identify North, East, South and West.  This is a fun activity that you can do anywhere.  I challenge you to make North (Never), East (Eat), South (Sour) and West (Worms) part of your daily vocabulary over the next couple of weeks.  

September 8, 2016

This morning in Math, we learned another new math word!  We now know sort, attribute and pattern.  Ask your child to explain what each of these words mean and to show you how to make a pattern using LEGO.

We had a Fire Drill this morning during Music, students did an amazing job exiting the school in a speedy and safe manner.  

In Art, we talked about the beautiful work of 19th century artist, Wassily Kandinsky. Students looked at the properties of one of his very famous pieces of work, "Concentric Circles". We then discussed fall trees/leaves and all the colours we see in the fall. Students used all this knowledge to create fall tree masterpieces.

September 7, 2016

Today we played Two Foot Tag and Tic Tac Toss in gym.  

During Daily 5, we reviewed the carpet bell procedures and posted our Carpet Bell I Chart.  We also discussed two ways to read: Read the Pictures and Read the Words.  Students achieved 6 minutes 44 seconds of stamina today, we are getting closer to our 10 minute goal!  Your child is bringing home a note today that provides a general overview of the Daily 5 program, throughout the year, additional letters will come home as we learn new CAFE techniques (comprehension, accuracy, fluency and extended vocabulary).

In Math, students learned the word attribute and then sorted various math manipulative based on attributes.  Ask your child tonight if they can tell you what the terms sort and attribute mean.  

Today was the first Grade 1 & 2 character assembly of the year.  

September 6, 2016

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend!  Today we dove head first into the curriculum and began learning routines that will shape the rest of our year.

This morning we had our first library class with Mrs. Rogers.  Tuesday will be library day and Mrs. Rogers allowed each student to take home one book today.  Please ensure your child returns his/her book prior to Tuesday, so that a new book can be signed out next week.  

We learned another math game today, War.  Students are excited to share this game with you tonight. All you need is one deck of cards and two willing participants.  Have fun!

We also launched Daily 5 today by discussing the carpet bell.  Students chose 5 books for their bags and began Read to Self.  It was amazing to watch as they achieved 3 minutes of on task reading, we are excited to build more stamina as the week goes along.  

Our day ended with a lesson on sorting.  Ask your child what it means to sort (place the similar items together).  I encourage you to have your child sort objects at home by various attributes (colour, shape, size, type, etc).  This concept the foundation for the Patterns and Relations unit in both grades.