In math, a picture is worth a thousand words!

We add and subtract to 100. We are not borrowing or carrying. To see examples how we do operations in grade two, please have a look at these pictures. Our goals are applying mental math strategies, and showing/explaining or solutions. Do you know the answer? If so, prove it!

We can add tens and ones. We can jump on a number lines in different ways.

For 8+5, we can make ten first, then add the rest.

Here are the math strategies we have been learning this year. Each student has a bookmark with these strategies in their desk for reference:

Math Strategies bookmark.

These are examples from last year. We can use or draw base ten blocks. We can think about tens and ones.

We are also working with 3-dimensional shapes. We can build them. We make connections with 2-dimensional shapes.

Cylindre.

In math, children need to show how they find solutions to addition and subtraction questions. They have learned many strategies, such as ‘amis dix’ (making ten), number families (2+3=5, so 5-3=2) and doubles. An open number line is a tool to show how we can apply these strategies when working with numbers to 100. More than one solution makes sense, depending on the strategy that works for you or works best for that question.

Applying mental math strategies for 34-18, or 18 + ? = 34, shown on an open number line.

Spring is in the air, but in our hallway we are enjoying a little more winter with Happy Penguins and Polar Bears under the Northern Lights.

Upcoming dates:

• Wednesday, Feb. 26
  • Pink Shirt Day
• Friday, Feb. 28
  • Pancake Breakfast & Pyjama Day
  • Scholastic Orders Due

Thanks to all the parents who supported children by sending in costumes and props for our fairy tale presentations! Thank-you also to all who attended. Presenting in French for adults helps our students build confidence and showcase their French.

Here are some details about what we have been working on since then:

French

• Our focus has shifted to writing. Students are reinventing fairy tales to become the authors and illustrators of their own book.
• Our focus is on the letter g and different sounds it can make in French.
  • This week, our focus is on the hard g sound as in gate.
  • The g is hard when followed by an a or an o as in galaxie and gorille.
• Children used chrombooks to support French once this week using the Lalilo program.
• Children can now read to themselves independently for 17 minutes. Bravo! I am proud of their huge gains after reading for only a few minutes in September.

Math

• We are learning about 3-dimensional solids.
  • We can name them: sphère, cylindre, cube, prisme, pyramide, cône.
  • We make connections between 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes.
• We are adding and subtracting to 100.
• We use mental math strategies for computations.
• We can think of tens and ones when adding 2-digit numbers, and move on a number line or hundred chart by taking big jumps.

Science

• We are learning about physical and chemical changes of matter. 
• We classify changes.
• We experiment, observe, and record our observations.

Social Studies

• We learn about Carnaval, a yearly winter festival in Quebec City, Quebec.
• We learn about Indigenous Peoples in Central Canada.
• We are learning about diverse communities through our Show and Tell Presentations.

Physical Education

• We are playing whole class games that use throwing and catching skills.
• We play an Indigenous game, where the head of snake tries the tag the tail.

Grade 7 Fundraiser

Upcoming Dates:

• Thurs., Feb.13th
  • bake sale- items are 2$.
• Fri., Feb.14th
  • Wear red, pink or hearts.
  • Baby Finley Visit.
  • Valentine’s Day- bring Valentines to distribute to the whole class for students who wish.
• Mon., Feb.17
  • Family Day- no school.
• Wed., Feb.19
  • Wear Blazers colours: blue, orange & white to support their visit to Lloyd George!

Health

• We have been learning about how to take care of our teeth!
• We have listened to non-fiction books and stories about teeth.

Gym

• We notice signs in our body that indicate we are exercising vigorously.
• We play tag games
• We stretch and balance.
• We play badminton!

French

• We are listening to fairy tales with modern messages.
• We are reading and preparing to perform a play in a small group.
• We make connections to stories.
• We learn about when the letter c makes the soft c sound like an s.

Math

• We can name many 2-dimensional shapes.
• We explore the attributes of shapes.
• We draw shapes.

Science

• We find examples of matter in its 3 states in our world: solid, liquid and gas.

Next week:

• Skating Wednesday.
• Unplug & play all week!

Skating is coming up soon!

Children need to bring:

• a well-fitting helmet (ice, snow or bike helmet ok)
• gloves or mittens (mandatory)
• skates in a labelled bag please

Snow pants are optional. Your child may want snow pants if they are a beginner. No hockey sticks or pucks during our skate. We will have a pleasure skate, but not play hockey.

French

• We continue to read traditional fairy tales.
• We are writing in our journals.
• Our focus is the letter c. When followed by a, o or u, it makes a hard c sound as in cake.

The letter c makes the hard c sound (k) when followed by a, o or u, unless we see a cédille below the c.

Science

• We discussed how we find water in different states in our world. Children learned new vocabulary, and categorized ways we find water into solid, liquid or gas.

States of matter.

Self-reflection

• Children chose a new goal this week based on the grandfather teaching of the swan.
• Children write about how they succeeded with their goal in their reflection journals.

Math

• We continue to use efficient strategies to add and subtract.
• We add/subtract to 100: I have 42. I want 100. How many do I need?

Gym

• We have learned badminton skills, and play in partners.
• We play movement games with our stuffies on stuffie day!
• We play games outside with Mme Stafford’s class.

We are a week into the New Year, and this is what we are learning!

French

• Our theme is fairy tales. Children are listening to fairy tales, and reading fairy tales both individually and in small groups. We are learning about the genre, and noticing messaging in traditional fairy tales. Later in the unit, we will explore stereotypes and consider modern messages in fractured fairy tales.
• Our sound this week is the letter c when it makes the ‘k’ sound.
  • Canard, coccinelle, cube. If a c is followed by an a, o or u, the c makes the k sound.
• At home, your child may listen to fairy tales using this link.

Math

• We continue to build our use of efficient strategies for computation such as 7+8… we can double 7+7=14 and add one, 14+1=15.
• We explore the use of an open number line.
• We add and subtract tens to numbers such as 43+20=63.
• We can round a number up such as: 67+3=70.

Science

• What is matter? We will learn that matter is all around us.
• We will explore the states of matter: solid, liquid and gas.

Physical Education

• We are learning badminton skills.
• We apply the grandfather teaching of the swan to kind outdoor play.

Social Studies

• We have learned about the lands that we call Ontario.
• We learned a bit about Ottawa.
• We read a Mohawk legend explaining why the owl and rabbit have the physical traits we see today.
• We read an Algonquin legend about Niagara Falls.

Health

• Hygiene is our topic this term.
• We read about Prince Olivier qui ne veut pas se laver- we made connections with a story about a Prince who did not want to wash or clean up after himself.
• This week, a funny Robert Munsch story about hair will lead to a discussion about washing, combing, and brushing our hair to keep it neat and clean.

Please note that your child can bring a stuffie to class on Friday!

Welcome to the New Year! Thank-you for the heartfelt holiday cards and generous gifts. They warmed my heart, and I hope you had wonderful family time over the break.

Indoor Shoes

• Indoor shoes were sent home during the holidays. If you have not yet, please inspect them to make sure that they are in good condition and fit. Send indoor running shoes back to school.

Extra Clothes

• Extra clothes were sent home from lockers over the holidays. Please send a new labelled bag of extra clothes to school. Suggested items to include are:
  • Extra socks (socks get wet and snowy days).
  • Extra gloves or mittens (in case forgotten at home, lost or wet).
  • Underwear.
  • Pants.
  • T-shirt.

Skating

• Permission forms will be sent home today. Please sign, return and indicate if you can volunteer! Criminal record checks must be up-to-date in order to volunteer walking with us, tying skates, or skating. Thank-you!
• Skating dates will be: January 29th & February 6th.
• On Skating days, students will need:
  • Ice skates IN A BAG.
  • Gloves or mittens (mandatory on ice).
  • Helmet (mandatory- bike helmet or ski helmet is okay if your child does not have an ice helmet).

Calendar

• A January calendar is being sent home today.
• Show and Tell will begin this week.
• Show and tell topic: Something your child did over the winter break! In French please. Your child should prepare and rehearse in advance.

Headphones

• Your child needs headphones to use at school. Please label them and send them in a bag. Please send headphones that do not require charging, and fit over the ears. Thanks!

Lalilo

• Children were introduced to the web site, Lalilo, today. Children tried out their headphones, and participated in placement activities in order to tailor French activities in the program to your child’s individual needs.
• On Wednesday, children will take home their individual codes in order to try Lalilo at home at app.lalilo.com
• For weekly home reading, children will continue reading books IN FRENCH. If your child wishes to practice French on the Lalilo web site occasionally, your child may write “Lalilo” as the book title on home reading log. Please limit entries to twice a week, with the majority of homework continuing to be reading French books. Thank-you! Lalilo is meant to supplement rather than replace reading. There are many listening activities in Lalilo, so make sure that your child uses a device with sound and a microphone.