SPRING BREAK BEGINS!!!

Have a safe and happy SPRING BREAK. There is no school from Thursday March 23-Monday April 3. Have a restful holiday. 

We are so excited for GYM after break as we are going to do Inuit Games and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!!!! 

I look forward to seeing you tonight or tomorrow for Student-Centered Conferences!

Tuesday March 21, 2017

Math
In math we continued to look at using regrouping to add and subtract double digit numbers. We reviewed subtraction rules for stacking:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayFAh4VNMFA

We practiced drawing our tens and ones to show the problem and if the ones made a new 10 then we had to stick them together and move them into the ones house!

Yesterday we used string to make the cats cradle game. Here are a few videos so I can practice doing the game at home. It helps us relax or calm down sometimes at school. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpHTPnrYLzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM53k3pKCqg

Monday March 20th, 2017

Today we did our Grade 2 Regrouping to work on:

• A PLAY
• A DIARAMA
• A BAKERS BLANKET

Ask me what I did in my group.

Today in the Diarama group we made Arctic animals with plasticine. 

Look at my Arctic Puffin!

Math 

Today in math we looked more at the idea of regrouping when we are subtracting and adding double digit numbers. We discussed some important rules for stacking:

Bigger number on top

Start with the ones

If the number being taken away is bigger than the number it is being taken from then we need to REGROUP/BORROW/EXPLODE a Ten or Make a Ten

We practiced doing this with addition. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsEbrWV00E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buyaqe_L5-Y

We also built two double digit numbers using base ten and then had to decide which number was greater than, less than or equal to. 

Literacy

We practiced reading like a news reporter and reviewed some important fluency strategies. We can't wait to read to you using all the strategies we have learned to improve our fluency. We will be using  a news reporter background and some fun props! 

We also practiced reading our Arctic Myths from memory like true "Oral Storytelling" and some of use got to use the app Explain Everything to tell our story using our Arctic story picture and the story we have planned, written and rehearsed. 

RECYCLE

Electronic Recycling!!

Our Electronic Recycling drop-off will be tomorrow from 9am-3pm! Our bins have been delivered and if you do have any thing you would like to drop off today you are welcome to put them in the metal bins provided (next to the parking lot, on the west side of the school ). Bring your old TV's, VCRs, DVD's, printers, CD players, fax machines, etc. Let's keep these old electronics out of the landfill!

Vocabulary, Problem Solving and Re-Grouping!

Literacy:
We have been working on Expanding our Vocabulary and paying attention to words we are not sure of, underlining or highlighting them and then using dictionaries to figure out the meaning. Even if we sound out a word perfectly we must also understand it so that we will understand the story. We have been learning how to use a Dictionary. 

As we practice our Fluency by reading our Newspaper articles about current events we are also practicing Expanding our Vocabulary so that we sound like an expert, understand what our articles are about and learn so many new, exciting and interesting words!
Tomorrow you can bring another article in to practice these skills and then add it to our GRADE 2 BREAKING NEWS board!

As a class in our own words this is how we can improve our FLUENCY:

• Eye Contact is important when you read to an AUDIENCE-Shubhangi/Jonah
•  Expression when you read! Change your voice to be excited, concerned, confused, scared, curious, happy, worried, interesting, mad, angry-PUT FEELING IN YOUR VOICE-Maguire, Jack, Sophie, Kaden and  Lindsay
• I can read the words EASILY and ACCURATLEY!! -Aidan, Jonah
• I know words from SIGHT (just using my eyes!)-Brandt
• If I get stuck on a word I can go back to the beginning and RE-READ and see what makes sense! Aidan/Jonah
• I can use PUNCTUATION to remember to stop and take a breath so my reading isn’t too fast! –Carter
• I can remember to read at a regular pace so that I am not too slow. If my reading is really slow I might sound like a robot. People will get bored and stop listening-Nirat, Kaelee
• I can use PUNCTUATION like EXCLAMATION MARKS and QUESTION MARKS to add EXPRESSION to my reading-Jagger/Ella/Aidan
• I can use a dictionary to figure out tricky VOCABULARY.  If I don’t understand the words I might not sound like I make sense. People listening might not understand either. Then if they ask you a question you will be able to answer it!-Tommy, Piya and Brandt.

Today we had our first day of re-grouping.

Some of us went to Mrs. Vogan and Mrs. Devereux to make Baker Blankets!

Some of us went to Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. Lagrana to create a Diorama!

Some of us went to Ms. Olson and Mrs. Hansen to create a play!

Math:
Today we practiced using our personal timelines to figure out the difference between our age and one person from our family. We used a number line, an equation and a statement. We attempted to solve our problem using the open number line. From doing this we came up with some Math Rules or Math Thinking that can help us when we are solving problems. 

STACKING SUBTRACTION!

Math

Today we started looking at another strategy for doing subtraction. We used base ten materials to build a subtraction equation. We looked at what is the question actually asking us? We built the first number:

We talked about whether or not 25-18= was the same equation/question as the one above where we STACK the numbers...

We tried to take away 5-8 and we couldn't do it! We needed to EXPLODE a 10. 

When we EXPLODE a 10 we need to move it over to the Ones side! It can't live in the Tens anymore! 

Now that I have enough we circled the 8 ones we were going to take away! We circled the 1 ten that we need to take away. 

Now we figured out what do I have left after taking away 1 ten and 8 ones? 

Try one or two at home with mom or dad. Just draw it out and make a T-chart for your Tens and Ones. We will be practicing this strategy all week so that we have a new strategy to add to our MATH STRATEGY WALL and a new way to try to solve math subtraction and addition problems. Ask me what it means when I EXPLODE a 10?

SPACE

Today we painted our planets. We can't wait to show you what we have created at Student-Led Conferences. 

We had a lockdown practice today. We were surprised and had to practice some new things because we were in the Project Space. We did an EXCELLENT job!! 

PARENT COUNCIL TONIGHT!

*****UPDATE!!! Parent Council is tonight at 7pm not 6pm as previously posted. If you would like to come and see the Grade 2 team present about Math please come to the school tonight Monday March 13th at 7pm. 

Reading: 

Today we practiced reading our new articles with expression. We looked at ways that we could make our story more interesting and engaging for an audience. By adding headings like:
Did you know?
This just in....
Breaking news from Calgary Alberta: 
Can you believe that....
Extra Extra Read all About it!
We are so excited to record our news stories later in the week. We even have props to make it more authentic!!!


Writing
Today we self edited our Arctic Myths. We also practiced reading them orally. We are hoping to get so good at it that we won't even need to look at them when we do our next Explain Everything Application. 


Math:
In math we looked at some math stories that had problems to solve. With our partner our job was to READ it and then figure out and write down what the problem was? 

I can read the story
I can figure out what the problem is
I can decide what information I need to solve the problem
I can organize the information in a way that others can understand

Tomorrow we will continue with this so that we have a rubric to use when we are doing problem solving. 

News Reporting and Planet Art!

Monday March 13th, at 6pm is Parent Council. The Grade 2 Team will be presenting at Parent Council. 

***Reminder of our News Websites....please bookmark so they are easy to find and you can bring in a new article every Friday!! 


http://teachingkidsnews.com/

Look at this article and video on Trappist-1:

http://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/cool-3d-of-our-new-planetary-neighbours

Literacy:
We practiced reading new articles today. Next week we will highlight one or two things that we want to work on to improve our fluency. We also started pinning our articles from last week onto the Grade Two Breaking News bulletin board. As it starts to get full we can go to the bulletin board and pick an article that we want to read about and borrow it from the News Wall. 


Science Inquiry

We took a closer look at our Planets and solar system and practiced drawing them in detail, paying close attention to colour and texture. Next week we will get to make good copy ones to scale so that we can make a class Solar System. We will be painting good copies of our planet next week. Ask me what I noticed about how my planet looks? 

Here is a video on the process we will use next week to paint our planets. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bOx9R4yn8w

Math, Endings and Inuit Games!

***Reminder: You can now sign up for Student-Led Conferences that will be Wednesday evening March 22 from 4:15-8:15 or Thursday March 23 from 8am-12pm. Please visit the link below and sign up for a spot! 
https://webapps.cbe.ab.ca/MyAccount/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fmyaccount%2f

Grade 2 Breaking News!!
Today we finished recording all of our Newspaper Article presentation/readings. Most of us have uploaded our videos to IRIS. Our job now is to watch it and comment on 2 things that we did well that demonstrated our growing FLUENCY. We should also comment about 1 thing that we want to improve for next time. Please bring in a new news article for tomorrow! We will be practicing building up our fluency and presentation skills and we will be Newspaper Reporters again. Ask me what the hardest part was to remember during my presentation?

-Pacing
-Expression
-Accuracy
-Vocabulary
-Speaking voice
-Eye contact

Writing
Today we wrote our ending for our Arctic Myth. We thought about what our message was that we wanted our readers to learn. We practiced reading our finished stories from memory and practicing ORAL STORYTELLING like the original Inuit myths would have been told. 


In math we made our own giant number lines from 0-100. We then added our family members to it. We will be using this family number line to figure out the differences between family members ages and using this number line to do subtraction and addition problems on the open number line. 

Gym
In gym we learned some new Inuit games. Ask me which one was the hardest? Here is a link to the Inuit games podcast that we watched in class. 
http://icor.ottawainuitchildrens.com/node/39

Tuesday March 7, 2017

Liter-less Lunch Challenge!

"Inspired by the City of Calgary’s new Commercial Recycling Bylaw the Grade 1 students would like to invite the whole school to participate in “Litter-less Lunch Days” at Royal Oak! Every Wednesday, we would like to ask that the students’ lunch come only in reusable containers and/or bags. Our Litter-less Lunch Days will begin this Wednesday, March 8^th. Thank you for supporting our initiative!"

Physical Education

Gym: Gymnastics has begun!

Dear Parents

We have started our gymnastics unit in our regularly scheduled gym classes. This unit will run until the end of March. Safety procedures are being carefully covered with each class. While students in elementary school are not expected to change their clothing for gym, I do talk to them about being dressed in preparation to participate. Please consider the following when sending your child to school:

• Clothing that allows freedom of movement (no special uniforms or outfits are required – sweats and a t-shirt work best).

• Loose fitting/baggy clothing may get caught on equipment when climbing.

• Tucking shirts in may help to prevent an accident.

• All jewelry that could get caught on equipment should be removed (left in classrooms or left at home). e.g. watches, rings, necklaces, etc...

• Students with long hair should have their hair tied back. Tying hair back with elastics is recommended.

• Students may wear shorts under clothing if they wish.

• Students will participate in bare feet unless there is a medical reason (warts).

Please be aware that students have gym class each day. Students will be reminded that they must remain very quiet while participating on the climbing equipment. Sudden noises could startle a student using the equipment and result in a fall.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Thank you in advance for your understanding in helping to ensure the safety of our students.

Sincerely,

Helen Hennick

Explain Everything Application

Today we practiced using an Application called EXPLAIN EVERYTHING! We used a picture from our Arctic Myth and used it to record our story. We will also be using the application to show our Math Thinking tomorrow. Please continue to check IRIS as we are periodically adding our Fluency Video's and our Explain Everything Videos for Math Thinking and our Myth Re-telling. 

Monday March 6, 2017

Thursday March 9th will be the draw for the Hitmen Tickets. If you want to be in the draw please return your blue forms with the dollar donation by Thursday March 9th***

Reading
We practiced re-reading, pausing after periods, using a loud speaking voice and adding in expression to make our newscasting interesting! Today we filmed 4 more people and we worked on giving thenm praise for what they did really well and two things that they could work on improving for next time. The hardest part is eye contact!  Over the next week we will post our News Reporter Reading in Iris. Please watch it with me and ask me what I think I did well and what I would improve for next time.


RAZ KIDS: This is just a friendly reminder that I have updated all the student's RAZ-KIDS reading levels: 
https://www.raz-kids.com/ 
The username is ilagrana0 and the password is on the cards I have sent home twice, plus most of the kids know them by heart as they are a picture icon. 

Please use this resource a few times a week as an alternative to home reading and to suppliment their reading. It can be used in between home reading, on the weekends or as an extra way to enjoy reading and build their accuracy, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary skills. 

Writing
Today we continued to write our Arctic Myths. We worked on the PROBLEM in our story and build up the middle of our stories. We used sentence starters such as:

-Suddenly I heard a loud ________________
-Out of the corner of my eye I saw a _______________
-Before I could stop it I felt myself ______________________

Once we had described the problem we then talked about how our character felt:

-I felt so ___________ because 
-I was worried becuase _____________
-I knew this could be dangerous and was feeling __________ because
-My body felt ____________as the ____________ seeped through my clothes
-I was wondering if I would ______________________________out here in the________________

Science
In science we continued looking at important temperatures like body temperature, fever temperature, hypothermia temperature, an average arctic winter day temperature, room temperature and the temperature of permafrost! We picked 5 temperatures to record in our books and we had to find the number, draw a line and fill in the mercury with pencil crayon, write the temperature and then write down what the temperature was for. Ask me what 4 temperatures I decided to include. We also continued working on our good copy of our animal research for our flip flap flop books. We learned about different classes/groups of animals: 

http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/animal_classes.htm

Myths, Math and Buddies!

*****Reminder: Monday March 6th is the last day to bring in Book Orders. 

So many people were very excited about what they have done so far or are planning to do over the weekend in googleslides to teach the class about their planet. Here are a few links for ideas: 
Planets For Kids - Solar System Facts and Astronomy

http://www.planetsforkids.org/
http://www.kidzone.ws/planets/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/space/what-is-a-planet/#planetary-lineup.jpg



Remember to log into googleslides you just need to log into googlechrome. Use your gmail address as your username and your password. Then you can go in to Googleslides and create one slide with a picture of your planet, a title and some interesting facts. Don't forget to include how many planets away from the sun it is and what it's average temperature is? You can either email me the link at imlagrana@cbe.ab.ca or you can share it with my by clicking on share and typing in imlagrana@educbe.ca

Writing
Today we wrote our myth beginnings. We used our graphic organizer and our myth planning pictures to come up with descriptive sentences about the setting, what we were doing, whether it was night time or daytime. We used our senses to add double scoop words to our writing.
I noticed ________
Off in the distance I heard_________
As I breathed in I could smell _____________
I watched as the ______________________
The Arctic air/ocean/water felt __________________
I felt ________ because I was _________________


On monday we will write our story problem using sentence starters and the five sense to build up our description 

Math
Today in math we looked at two numbers (39-Mrs. Lagrana's age) and (11-Mrs. Lagrana's daughter Izzy's age). We practiced using a number line to figure out the difference between 11-39. We could use subtraction or addition to figure this out. 

We made a giant class number line for our Ages and Timelines math Inquiry. We put all of our different strategies for subtraction onto it. We will use it to do our own timelines for our family info next week. 

Mrs. Lagrana challenged us to pick one family member and do an open number line to show the subtraction equation and then the addition equation. 












We also looked at how we can use addition as a strategy for subtraction. We can also use counting back in chunks (especially 5's and 10's).

Today in gym we started learning about Inuit Games. Below is a link that explains more about what they are and how to play:

http://icor.ottawainuitchildrens.com/node/39

http://icor.ottawainuitchildrens.com/node/21

To end the day we read with our Kindergarten Buddies. We practiced being fluent readers so that our Kindergarten buddy will enjoy the story more and be captivated by our expression, pacing, smooth reading and accuracy!!

Temperatures, Number Lines and Planets!

Today we had a theatre production by Evergreen Theatre. It was all about Dinosaurs and was based on a real story that was featured on the CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/hannah-new-horned-dino-1.3669423

SCIENCE
This is our brainstorm about hot and cold things. We came up with different things we thought would cause the mercury in a thermometer to rise (hot) or go down (cold). We then came up with estimates for what we thought that the temperatures might be. We then googled and found information about specific temperatures and average temperatures and recorded them in our visual sketch books.

This led to the class getting very excited as we discovered some amazing temperatures in space and the student's wanted to know more! They were so excited about the planets, space and the sun that we have challenged them to start googleslides at home on the planet they chose at school. Below is a list of who chose what. They will be adding to it at school but we have challenged them to use their google account to begin at home so that they can be experts and share their knowledge at school. Can they find an interesting picture of their planet? Can they find out some interesting facts about their planet? How far is it from the sun? What is the temperature of their planet? 


The Sun: Ella, Amy
Mercury: Jagger, Kaden and Jack
Venus: Maguire, Piya
Earth: Kaelee, Bethany
Mars: Nirat
Jupiter: Shubhangi, Lindsay
Saturn: Kengo, Prisha
Uranus: Carter, Ikrash
Neptune: Brandt, Aidan
The Dwarf Planet Sedna: Tommy
Black Holes: Sophie, Jonah

MATH INQUIRY
Today we made our family faces to use for our Timeline's in math. We will be figuring out where each family member sits on our numberline/timeline according to their age and using these ages to do some exciting math. In how many years will I be _____ using our family member's ages. 

MYTH WRITING

We completed a graphic organizer for our Myth Writing. Tomorrow we will start writing our Beginning now that all the planning is finished. We also learned our Inuktitut name for our animal characters.

http://icor.ottawainuitchildrens.com/node/15