This week, we went further into our investigation about communication building relationships. Grade 2 got together for a Skype chat with Dr. Chris who works at a deaf university in Maryland, USA. We first examined the map to see where she was and just how far that is from Singapore! Then we talked about the time difference, because it was our Wednesday morning, but Dr. Chris' Tuesday evening! Dr. Chris is not deaf but her husband is deaf. We met him as well, and they both answered some very interesting questions the students had prepared. They even showed us how they communicate using sign language. We came back to the classroom to reflect on that wonderful learning experience and then practiced the alphabet using sign language. Next week we will be writing letters to Dr. Chris and her husband to say a big THANK YOU! Before our Skype call with Dr. Chris, we had watched and discussed some video clips about Helen Keller and Koko the gorilla. They both used non-verbal communication to build different types of relationships. Students reflected on these ideas using a See-Think-Wonder routine. Work on Writing was introduced in Daily 5 and students began independently working on their own writing. We made 'Heart Maps', full of words and pictures we love, to help give us ideas when we don't know what to write about. Students also began writing their own recount, either of an experience they had or a retelling of The Gruffalo story. We have been working so hard on using capitals, full stops and sequencing/time order words. This was just another practice and a chance to put all the pieces together on their own. Next week, we will identify parts of our writing that were fantastic, as well as some areas we need to work on. Students continue to increase their stamina during Read to Self, and they are becoming very independent readers who are striving to read for longer amounts of time. This allows me the opportunity to read with individual students or groups of students each day. We will continue introducing different reading strategies to help with comprehension, accuracy, fluency and to expand our vocabulary! Thanks to those students who brought in their homework from last week. We are adding many new and interesting words to our wall! In math, we were consolidating our understanding of place value, writing and reading number words, even and odd and writing numbers in expanded form. Students participated in a 'write the room' activity which got them up, moving and on the hunt for different numbers. Next week, we will begin to focus on various addition and subtraction strategies. We had two sessions in the tech lab this week! Mr. Gallagher introduced online portfolios to Grade 2 and helped the students get started, adding their picture and a little bit in the 'About Me' section. We also had time to practice logging into Mathletics and choosing different activities. I will continue to monitor and adjust student levels throughout the year. Elections for our Grade 2.1 student council representatives will take place next Thursday on the 17th. Any student who is interested has been asked to prepare a small 'speech' to explain why he or she should be elected. Some of the expectations include: - model and promote the Learner Profile - model and promote the 4 Be's - meet during lunch/recess every other week - come to meetings prepared We will be going on a field trip on 23 September to the Botanic Gardens. A letter with more information was emailed home on Thursday, and a copy is placed on this blog under 'Parent Info'. Please remember to help your child log onto the classroom blog in order to access homework each week. Student take home folders have been working well, as this is our first week with our new system. It's helpful to keep everything in one place. I look through them each day, so I am able to collect any papers, lunch orders, book orders or money brought back to school. However, I have noticed many students did not take out or cut up their words this week. As a reminder, students will have one copy of words that stay at school each week. They have a second copy that goes home on a Monday, and these words are for home. They can stay at home and be cut up, sorted and practiced throughout the week. One last reminder: Scholastic book orders have gone home. Some are still in the student take home folders, so make sure to check. They need to be returned by Tuesday the 15th of September. Thanks for your support and have a relaxing long weekend. Ms. Luttrell
3 Comments
Ms. Skrtic
9/13/2015 02:48:25 am
Hi G2.1
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G2.1
9/20/2015 08:52:34 pm
Hi Ms. Skrtic,
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Ms. Skrtic
9/24/2015 02:00:37 am
Dear G2.1, Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWe are 7 and 8 year old students who live in Singapore. Our teacher, Ms. Luttrell, will be helping us write blog posts throughout the year! Archives
June 2016
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