September 13, 2024

Hello families,

This week all grade 1/2 classes have been very busy completing government assessments with students in literacy and mathematics. Here is what our class did in-between these!

We took part it two sit spots, one inside and one during our walking field trip with our big buddies. It was great to see students explore and get excited about nature. There were so many ladybugs out on Friday!

As we explore the ideas of community and identity, we read some of the questionnaires that were sent home earlier in the week. Thank you for filling these out with your child! The kids absolutely loved guessing who each person is and learning new things about their peers. We will continue sharing these into next week. We also read the book The Name Jar and created name art using different attributes such as font, size and color to represent our identities.

In literacy we reviewed the letters S & T as well as what vowels and consonants are. At the end of the week students practiced writing CVC (consonant- vowel-consonant words) using the letters we have covered so far. Grade 2 students were challenged to find the secret word using all the letters in the jumble and create sentences with difference starters.

We also began reviewing/learning about 'Daily L.A." which is a chunk of time in our day where students participate in literacy centers. We began with the read to self and read with a partner stations.

Reads of the Week

In mathematics we continued to create patterns using color/shape as well as number patterns. Grade 1s practiced counting by 1s forwards and backwards within 20 or 100, while Grade 2 students reviewed skip counting within 100 and 1000 depending on their math level. We also played an addition dice game to practice our subitizing and addition fact fluency skills.

In Social Studies/Science we started to explore the Medicine Wheel and it's connections to our world. We began our learning with a focus on the red section to the South, representing summertime and the heart. This closely aligns with our current learning of grace and courtesy which includes care for self, care for others, and care for place. We will be learning about each section of the Medicine Wheel by following the seasons throughout the year. Aligned with the CBE Indigenous Education Framework, students will also be learning about the Sacred Medicines and how they are used in smudging and other Indigenous practices.

Grade 1 Science and Social Studies Outcomes:

I can understand that changes in environments include seasonal changes
I can use my senses to observe and understand my environment
I can describe the connections we have to Indigenous and diverse cultures found in our communities
I can explore ways in which Indigenous peoples and diverse cultural groups contributed to the origins and evolutions of our community over time

Grade 2 Science and Social Outcomes:

I can investigate Earth, it's relationship to the sun, and how it supports life through seasons
I can describe the components of Earth and the roles and responsibilities of humans to be caretakers of the land
I can describe how the presence of Indigenous origins is reflected in the community today
I can explore the cultural characteristics of Indigenous communities

We have been making ripped paper art for our sketchbook covers. They look beautiful so far!