December Updates...

It is hard to believe it is December already!  As the weather continues to get colder please make sure your child is dressed warmly and has extra mitten & socks in their backpack. Please also make sure your child has an indoor pair of running shoes for gym and to wear inside the classroom.


Reading
Students are learning that effective readers think as they read.  They are learning how to use their schema to make meaningful connections to the big ideas found in  texts.  We are making 4 different connections: Text to Self, Text to Text, Text to World, and Text to Media.  We will be combining some of the strategies that effective readers use when they come to an unfamiliar word.


Writing
We are working on using capitals and punctuation marks at the end of our sentences and spelling our word wall words (sight words) accurately.  Phonetic spelling is still fine for unfamiliar words, as we become stronger writers!  We are working on snowman stories and also on letter writing to Santa.


Math
For the next couple weeks and following our holidays, we will explore how to measure linear distances using non-standard units of measure.  The learning goals for this unit are to:

• Make comparisons between objects (longer, taller)
• Order lengths of objects (shortest to longest)
• Measure objects using non-standard units (e.g. paper clips, straws, crayons, etc.)
• Practice the language of measurement using words such as longer/shorter, as tall as, more/less, far/near.
• Make and check estimates (e.g. Was your estimate close to the number of paper clips used?)

Ways to Help at Home:

• measure different objects around the home using hand spans
• compare shoe sizes or heights of family members
• talk about things that are benchmarks for centimeter (width of little finger) or metre (really big step)

Thank you for your support.  It's a busy and exciting time of year in grade one/two!


Mrs. Novak

Home Reading Program

This year in Grade One and Two, we will be working hard using reading strategies that will help your child comprehend text better.  Our class will work on a variety of reading strategies throughout the course of the school year.  We will work on each strategy multiple times.  The goal for your child is to be able to apply all of the strategies independently before, during, and after reading.  I have prepared a home reading folder for each family to help your child in his or her quest to become an effective reader. 
Home Reading Folders will be sent home on Friday.  Please take a peak and try to read at least one leveled reader with your child.  A Treasure Chest Prize will be awarded each time your child read's 10 books!  




Thanks so much for your support!




Mrs. M. Novak