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							                  2U Newsletter
Reading: Using fiction books, we focused on the strategy of Asking Questions. Strong readers are
curious while they read and ask questions from beginning to end in order to find deeper understand-
ing of the text. We discussed the difference between thick and thin questions. Thick questions are
the ones we strive for as they help us determine the author’s meaning or purpose . E.g. I wonder
what the author was trying to ell us when…
We are now using folk tales from around the world to utilize all previous skills and add Determining
                        Importance as another reading strategy.

                          Writing: We have been practising friendly letter writing within the
                          class by writing to one another, Nursery Rhyme characters and to Ms.
                          Glynn (former student teacher). Our emphasis has been on form, organi-
                          zation, expanding on ideas and using descriptive language. We have read
stories written in letter format and levelled sample letters to be clear on what is expected.
Word Work: Each day students are making corrections to morning messages. Errors are planned
to focus on certain no—excuse words and spelling tips. We have explored past tense
words and how consonants following a short vowel are doubled when ED is added. E.g.
plan ….planned

Oral Communication: Through drama activities and work presentations, students have
practised using strategies of an effective speaker—speaking with clear purpose, organi-
zation, clarity of speech, use of expression, descriptive language, body language and use
of visual aids.



Math
With an emphasis on communication in math, students have been working to use a variety of
strategies to solve math problems with single and double digits. Number lines, 100 charts, base
tens, ten frames, coins, and mental math are all acceptable tools. Learning to demonstrate how
they use these tools is important and verifying their answer with a second strategy is even more
key to their success. Hopefully the math Drop-By was helpful in increasing your understanding.
Our current focus is on 2 dimensional shapes (polygons) and deepening their understanding of
their properties. We will be describing their locations in relation to one another, patterning and
measuring them as well.
                 Science: As you know, we have been learning about simple machines and
                movement. The big idea s of this unit (what the children should come to learn)
                are:
                Movement is the change of position of an object. Simple machines help move
                objects. Simple machines make up more complex machines.
                As we move towards the end of the term students will be asked to demon-
                strate their learning in a task that will encompass all the activities and dis-
                cussions at home and school.


Social Studies: Through the research of different celebrations, the comparison of family
origins and the making of family trees have all helped to deepen students understandings of
traditions, generations and celebrations. We have made many observations regarding differ-
ences and similarities of different cultures and families and come to appreciate Canada’s di-
versity. Thank you to those who have sent various examples of cultures within our communi-


Artsaround—Wa a Gwaan—a Jamaican greeting we have learned during our ‘visit’ to he
Caribbean island. We explored the beauty of the country’s landscape and culture of reg-
gae music. At the end of each month, we complete a brief writing about our learning and
illustrate the weather, required clothing, landscape, flag, recreation and the language of
each country. We have now travelled on to China where we are learning an entertaining
song called Chan mali chan.

The Arts
In grade 2 students are asked to communicate through their artwork by planning
their intended message (feelings they want to show, elements and technique
they will use). Students have been given opportunities to choose techniques, and
materials while illustrating what celebration means to them, creating their na-
ture art and planning a group picture for a class calendar (featured at the spa-
ghetti dinner). The next challenge will be to plan and use polygons to represent a
chosen virtue! We’ll see what happens!

                Music and Drama/Dance
                Our focus the past month has been on identifying music from different cul-
                tures, singing in tune and with unison, moving to music utilizing elements of
                dance (space, time, relationship, energy and body - shape, control),
                Students have done themselves proud at assemblies, singing our monthly vir-
                tue songs despite some tricky melodies I’ve thrown at them. February’s song—
                TACT—has been added to the website.

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