This week we took part in the long anticipated S.T.E.M. project, the Packing Peanut Challenge! Based on the Design Thinking Framework, students designed a blueprint of a structure that has a purpose. We watched a video of some amazing architecture around the world for inspiration! Some ideas include a sports stadium, hotel, bendy bridge, water slide park, cat playground, bear den, surfer board boat, and a sponge theme park. On Friday students built their structures using only the peanuts and water. Compostable Peanuts dissolve in water so your child may be coming home with their structure to test if they actually "melt" in water.
In Social Studies we learned about the sixth Sacred Teaching - Humility, represented by the wolf. As a class we discussed what being humble is and understanding that we are all equal, with equal responsibility to be kind no matter our different roles. Students then created a sketchbook page outlying their personal roles and responsibilities in their lives.
In Writing Workshop students began completing their final copy of their snowman writing. This is the largest writing piece we have done this year (many students needed more than one page!) It is amazing how many steps are required to build a snowman. Great work room 8.
We have been learning more about sentence structure and what makes a sentence a sentence. Ask your child about the different kinds of punctuation and when they are used.
Students also completed their weekly Words Their Way sort.
Words of the Week him into time
has
look
two
more
write
go
see
Spicy
always
thought
while
Here are some books we read!
In mathematics we moved into representing addition with base ten blocks. Place value is something we worked on a lot at the beginning of the year and I am so pleased to see how students' understanding has grown. Grade 2s also began learning about regrouping using base tens.
We reviewed the "counting on" and "counting back" strategies, which show that starting at the bigger number allows for more efficient counting, and is very important to do when subtracting.
On Tuesday we had our monthly class Tea Time Tuesday. It is great seeing students get excited about practicing their practical life skills (even if they don't know they are doing it!).
On Thursday we went on a walking field trip with room 9. We observed nature using a familiar thinking routine including our senses.
For Valentines our act of kindness this year is writing Valentines for the animals currently in care at the Calgary Humane Society. We discussed that while the animals will not read the Valentines, a volunteer will most likely read it to them and place it on their enclosure, giving each animal the opportunity to have a visitor that day. Being in the shelter can sometimes be lonely! Here is a preview of some completed ones.
Our class will also be doing Valentines activities with our buddies and classmates next week!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ms. Greenhall
Important Dates
February 15 & 16 - Teachers' Convention - No School
Monday, February 19th - Family Day - No School
Wednesday February 21st - 100th Day of school
Thursday, February 22nd - Edo Fun Lunch
Thursday February 29th - Fish Creek Field Trip
March 21st (PM) & March 22nd (AM) - Student-Led Conference
Fish Creek Field Trip Thursday February 29th
We are going to Fish Creek - Shannon Terrace on Thursday February 29th. We will be doing a program so our time will be spent partially in a classroom, but mostly outdoors. It will be very important for your child to be dressed for colder weather. Thank you for those who have signed up to volunteer, I now have enough! Forms will be sent home next week, and the field trip fee is now online for you.
Valentines Day
In an attempt to make our school a greener place and reduce waste, our school will not be doing individual Valentine exchange similar to past years. Instead each class will be taking part in activities that focus on spreading kindness, connecting to the Montessori tenets of relationships, gratitude, courtesy, and acts of service. If you would like to send a special individual Valentines treat for your child to enjoy as a special snack, you are most welcome to do so. We are not able to share treats with peers in the classroom as there could be allergies, dietary restrictions, parental preferences, etc. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
