Ending Our Busy Week at Gould Lake

In Language, we read the poem "Joie de printemps" as our shared reading. We practised the "elle" sound in "La ritournelle" and "ile" in " Le bibliophile". We have started some new reading and oral activities in our reading centres. We had some funny read alouds that were great examples of personal journals. 

In Math, we continued to learn about money concepts and played some new math money games in our math centres. 

In Social Studies, the class did some activities around Earth Day on Wednesday.  In the afternoon, there was a Primary Earth Day assembly followed by the class going outside to pick up garbage with M. Manolakas during Phys. Ed.  

We also went to watch Mme Adamson's grade ones practise a French play earlier this week. 

On Thursday, we managed to fit in a dance practice before Mr. Mack came to talk with the class about his experience in Marocco last week when he participated in his fifth "Le Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert. Thank you very much for sharing this experience with us! 

Today, despite the cold, we went to Gould Lake and participated in the "Hide and Seek" program. We hiked to the pond in the morning and looked for animal life. After lunch, we went back into the woods to participate in a scavenger hunt about animals in Ontario. 

A little "Rock, paper scissors, hearts?"

Reading en route. 

Ready to hike to the pond. 

Getting ready to explore...

Looking for life...

It's a bit muddy!

Lots of wild life from the pond!

Instructions in the teepee

The sun finally appeared as we headed back to catch the bus!

Money and Tea Ceremonies

This week in Language, we read the poem "Une histoire à suivre" for our shared reading. The students practised the "ette" sound in "La chouette" and the "al" sound in "Le narval". Continuing with our focus on respect, I read "Le violon de Simon" and "Je suis un bon ami" to the class and we had some discussions about them. 

In Math, we worked on making money amounts using the smallest amount of coins possible. For some, this concept was pretty easy, but for others, it's been a struggle as they want to make the amount with the coins they are the most comfortable counting (mostly dimes and pennies). 

We did some class problem solving around making change. 

We spent some time doing interactive lessons on money on the Smartboard. There was a good link to the www.mathisfun.com website where we played some money games. 

Working on math in a guided group with Mme

A little group problem solving around money

Playing a math game

And another

Working on answers to game questions

In Social Studies, the class did some more activities on China. We watched a French video on YouTube about Chinese Tea Ceremonies. I've put the link to the video below if anyone would like to check it out. 

Here is a link to the French YouTube video that we watched that explained a Chinese Tea Ceremony.

http://youtu.be/dS2iFk7WwH0

The class was very excited to get a postcard from Mlle Carmichael, who is currently in Paris doing her third and final teaching placement in another grade two class. 

Because it will be Earth Day next week, the students have been asked to have litterless lunches all week, beginning on Monday. There is a note about it in the agenda. When we go to Gould Lake on Friday, they also ask that the students have litterless lunches, so this is a great week to do this. We will be having some Earth Day activities on Wednesday so students should dress appropriately for outside, boots if it is at all muddy.

There are some renovations being done on the building at Gould Lake, so we will be spending the majority of our time outside. Students should be well-prepared for this: boots, splash pants, raincoats, layers they can take off if it is warm. If the weather is supposed to be rainy, they may cancel our trip, so check agendas for any updates. 

Have a great weekend!

Quick Post

This will just be a quick update as I've been away sick for the last couple of days. In Language, we read the poem "Avril" for a shared reading. The classe reviewed the "qu" sound in "La queue". They learned the "esse" spelling pattern in "La princesse". We discussed how that spelling pattern is always found in words that are feminine. 

In Math, we began daily 5 centres on money. I will include some photos of the activities next week. There are several money games, a problem-solving booklet on money and a booklet on money that they will be completing in a guided group with me. We also began some money whole class lessons on the Smartboard. An area to practise at home would be different ways to make a dollar: 4 quarters, 10 dimes, 20 nickels, 100 pennies. 

In Social Studies, we did some activities on China. We've also been practising our dance for the May assembly. Next week, the class will be teaching the other grade twos the dance. 

Have a great weekend!

Easter Time

Although it's been a short week, we've done lots of work. Our shared reading was the poem "Une graine qui voyageait". The students reviewed the "gn" and "ph" sounds in "Charlemagne" and "Le téléphone". I read some books on exclusion and kindness as read alouds. We finished up our reading centres cycle earlier this week and I began doing GB+ reading assessments with the class again yesterday and today to see our progress since the end of January. I'm just over halfway through and hope to finish up on Tuesday. 

We will be starting a unit on money in Math next week. The students will be required to count and make money amounts to $1.00, add/subtract money amounts to $1.00, and make change for purchases that cost up to a dollar. They will continue to practise 2-digit addition and subtraction in their homework. 

In Social Studies, the students learned why Poisson d'avril (April Fool's Day) is celebrated. I enjoyed playing a few April Fool's jokes on Wednesday. Our schedule was full, they started the day at the very bottom of our behaviour chart, and some were a little surprised when I gave them some very difficult grade 4 math problems! We also learned about the celebration of Easter.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend with family!