Daily Events

Tuesday June 18th

We are just moving through the last two weeks at a great speed.  Only 3 days left this week and 4 next week.  We are gettng close to finishing out storybooks.  They should be done by the end of the week.   In math I gave the class a series of open ended questions for them to work on.  We had questions like, "You have 10 coins, what are some of the possible totals you can have?"  The question has many answers and forces students to think outside the regular structure.  In the afternoon we played a drama game called toy store, and then the class had music.  After recess we had a read aloud and then had science.

Monday June 17th

Today we started with some grammar bellwork and then moved to part 2 of our spelling bee.  We finished the first round and moved to the final 5.  Devin, Greer, Jordyn, Ryan K. and Dylan were the last last group.  We continued until Ryan and Dylan remained and finally Dylan ended as our winner.  Great job by everyone.  In the afternoon we had art were we did a pastel drawing of a flower.  We ended with science and then a read aloud.  Information was sent home about the primary play day.

Friday June 14th

I can't believe we only have two weeks left of school.  I don't think I'm ready for the year to be over so soon.  Today was fun.  We started the day with our spelling bee.  The kids did great and we went a long time before some people got eliminated.  The spelling bee will continue on Monday because we just ran out of time.  In the afternoon we worked on our story books and then the class had health and Gym.  We ended with our Friday clean, a read aloud and then our weekly draw.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Thursday June 13th

We had more grammar bellwork to start the day and then went to writing our storybooks.  After recess we had gym and then got together with Mrs.Behm's and Mrs.Fowlie's classes to prepare an activity for an assembly.  In the afternoon the class had music and returned for math where we did a problem solving question.  The last two periods were for watching a documentary about plant survival skills.  I think most of the kids were bored with it, but it had some great information and I think the images were fantastic.

Wednesday June 12th

The day started with grammar bellwork and then we worked on our storybooks.  After recess we went to the computers.  While the class worked I had individual students work with me on something for Mr.Whitmarsh's retirement.  In the afternoon we had independent reading, a read aloud and then some problem solving in math.  After recess the class had gym and then we ended looking at what nature and plants need that are the same and different.

Tuesday June 11th

We started with some grammar bellwork and then began to make our own picture books.  This activity will continue for the rest of the week and possibly into next week.  After recess we worked on problem solving strategies.  This has been a problem area for the kids all year.  Today was no different.  They really struggle to understand what to do with a question that doesn't specifically give them steps to follow.  We will continue problem solving in math.  In the afternoon we had computers, then music.  We ended the day with science.

Monday June 10th

I hope everyone had a great 3 day weekend.  We cam into class today and started with a read aloud.  The 2nd half of Language was doing an activity to prepare for a Spelling Bee.  The class is going to have a spelling bee on Friday.  I am hoping it will be a fun activity to help students think about spelling.  I have sent home a GIGANTIC spelling list.  It is words that kids in Grade 2 and 3 should be able to spell.  They are simple words, but are commonly used.  Don't feel you need to practice all of them.  After recess we played a math multiplication game.  In the afternoon we had art, then science and finally a finish up period.

Thursday June 6th

After three straight days of EQAO writing I thought the class could use an easy day.  We had a short journal writing activity and then had a movie morning.  In the afternoon we finished work and then the class had health and gym and we ended the day with a desk clean.  Remember that tomorrow is a PA Day.  I will see the class on Monday.

Wednesday June 5th

Our last EQAO day was the best day.  The class was very focused and they got through the last language section easily.  The class finished in time to go to gym.  We then had a "fun" period before lunch.  In the afternoon we did the last math section.  We finished quickly again then had recess and an extended outside time.  We returned to class for snack, a time to tidy and then a bit of a read aloud.  Overall I was very proud of how hard everyone worked.  EQAO is not a normal daily activity and the class really rose to the challenge.

Tuesday June 4th

Day 2 of EQAO was challenging.  In the morning we had the first math section.  There were a couple difficult questions and we took the whole morning to write.  After lunch we worked on the first part of Language book 2.  It went smoothly and we finished in time to go outside for a little physical activity.

Monday June 3rd

Day one of EQAO is done.  The kids did really well.  They have worked so hard to be prepared that I think once we got started they could actually relax.  The first section took us most of the morning.  We had a very short time to head outside to get some fresh air and exercise.  The afternoon session finished around 2:30 and we had 45 minutes to play soccer and enjoy the cool, but sunny afternoon.  Thank you to Mr.Tufford for providing a good home for the grade 2s. 

Friday May 31st

The last day of May.  Amazing that time has gone so quickly.  Today we worked on a longer reading assignment for EQAO prep. and the grade 2s continued with Flat Stanley.  After recess our class, along with Mrs.Behm's and Mrs.Fowlie's classes went for a walk to observe different plants.  It was hot, but very nice to be out getting some exercise.  I had a great time chatting with Michael.  In the afternoon we reviewed different number sense concepts in math.  This was the last of our EQAO preparations.  After recess we worked on finishing up art, then cleaned and organized the class.  Have a great weekend.  Remember to have a book to read if you finish EQAO early.  The Grade 2s will be with Mr.Tufford during the assessment, but will join our class as soon as we complete each section.

Thursday May 30th

This was a busy morning.  We started with bellwork and then the Grade 2s went for social studies and the grade 3s stayed for EQAO prep.  We reviewed procedure writing.  After recess we looked at measurement in math.  We went over capacity, mass, length, temperature, perimeter and area.  In the afternoon we had some reading time and then some students shared items from home.  The class then had health and gym and we ended with time working on our posters.

Pictures

Here are some pictures from Jump Rope for Heart

Language

Our Reading program will focus on comprehesive strategies.  We started with Making connections, then moved to visualizing, questioning, infering/predicting and then determining importance.

Writing started with recounts, then descriptive sentences, then reports, letter writing, persuasive letters, procedural writing and finally Narrative writing.

Math

Our math schedule is patterning, representing numbers, data management, addition and subtraction, measurement, addition and subtraction with greater numbers, 2D Geometry. Area and grids, multiplication and division, 3D geometry, fractions, probability and transformational geometry.

Grade 3 math practice: http://math3.nelson.com/studentcentre/studtryout.html

Science

Our four units  for Grade 3 science are Forces and Movement, Strong and Stable Structures, Soils in the Environment and then Plants

The four units for Grade 2 science are Living Things in Nature, Air and Water, Properties of Liquids and Solids and movement

Social Studies

The Grade 2 Social studies units are Traditions and Celebrations and Communities Around the World

The Grade 3 units are Early Settlers and Rural and Urban Communities.

Visual Arts

We will do a balance of 2D and 3D art this year

Dance/Drama

We have been working with Mr. Tufford's class on dance and drama. 

Music

Mr. Brown will be teaching the class music this year.  Music will be on Days 1 and 3.

Phys. Ed./Health

Mr. Webb teaches Gym and Health.  

Websites

Moodle: www.reach.ddsbschools.ca

Grade 3 Math practice: http://math3.nelson.com/studentcentre/studtryout.html

We are currently in Chapter 9.

Another great reading site: http://my.abdodigital.com/login/

Username is: durham

Password: research12

Reading Logs have been coming in.  I am so pleased with how excited many of the students are with their reading.  If you complete a log and need another I can send one home or you can print up at new one.  The_Wild_Reading_Log.pdf

In our computer time we have been working on some typing skills.  You can practice at home at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/