Handouts and Suggestions

Here you will find materials and ideas to support what is happening in the classroom. These are all optional. Some students may benefit more than others from the review and practice.


Go to the bottom to see what was added most recently.

Added October 4

Here is the tool students are using for self assessment of Learning Skills. On the first day we only considered Responsibility. On the second day we assessed Responsibility and Independent Work. We will continue adding more as the month progresses. Students will then be able to set Learning Skills Goals when they have a clear picture of what they do well already and what specifically requires further development.

self check learning skills

Added October 4

If you have large sets of objects around the house, you could support your child in math by having him/her take inventory for you.

Provide your child with the form you find here, some zippie bags or elastics, a pencil and some of your time.


Counting objects (bundles of 10)

Added October 4

Playing a game with dice (we used 20 per group in the classroom) is another way to support number sense (adding to 10). Ask your child how to play the game - hopefully he/she can explain. If not, the 20 dice are rolled, player one finds a combination of dice that equal 10 and removes them. Player 2 does the same and so on until no more dice can be removed. The total of the dice remaining is your score. You can play any number of times and try to beat your lowest score. You could ask your child to record the combinations that equal 10 to extend the task.

Added October 4

If your child is working on building instant recognition of more words, you may find these games valuable. It is my experience that they make a nice switch from concentration. There are two different games that can be used with any set of word cards. Have fun!

ROLL AND READ

Added October 19

Have a look at what we did in STEM today!

MAKING A MARBLE RUN - photos and reflections

Added October 23rd:

As students are writing more and more, they will be expected to consider how best to write a recount. Please review this post to get a better idea of what your child is expected to be able to do.


Thanks!

Writing a Recount about a Personal Experience In Grade 2

  1. Recounts can tell the details of your experience in a logical order.
  2. Recounts answer the 5 Ws (Who? When? Where? What? And Why?)
  3. Recounts are written in past tense.
  4. Recounts include how you felt about the experience (usually at the end).

Other considerations:

  • Each sentence starts with an uppercase letter.
  • Each person’s name starts with an uppercase letter.
  • Each sentence ends with a punctuation mark ( . ! )
  • Words from the word wall are spelled correctly.
  • There are usually 5 or more sentences.
  • Words like First, Then, After that, and Finally are used to show the order that events took place.
  • There may be something that was said (in quotation marks).
Problems - Big and Small

Added October 23rd:

BIG AND SMALL PROBLEMS

We are working to gain a better understanding of when to tell an adult and when to handle a problem between friends. Kelso's Choices will become more familiar as the year progresses.

Take a look at what Kelso's Choices are and when they may come in handy.

Added November 4

We are beginning our unit on Geometry - Look around and see what you can see in your home, at the park, or somewhere else. Here are some photos of shapes found just in our hallway by a few Shape Experts we know.


If you take photos of what you find, send them to Ms M (mcgarveyj@hdsb.ca )

The Shape Experts

Use Geometry to make a symbol of Remembrance Day. Pause the video as you go. There are many other videos that show instructions for making a paper crane. Find one that makes sense to you. Lots of geometry words, (shape words, position words).

Use a square of paper (printing paper works, but wrapping paper may be even better it is thinner and coloured on one side).



Added November 11

Kelso's Choices - here are the suggestons of what you may do if things become difficult at recess or while working with friends in the classroom. These are all strategies to help keep things peaceful and positive in situations that may easily become loud and hurtful.

We will be using this graphic and having lessons to support these strategies in the classroom.

Thinking about shapes....do all pentagons look alike? No. Must all octagons look like a stop sign? No. Using straws and pipecleaners, students have created and changed the shape of many polygons. Each had straight sides. Each had the same number of sides as vertices (e.g., a hexagon has 6 sides and 6 vertices). But, by shifting it around we could change something that looks like the Decagon on this chart into a shape that was more like a star (but we knew it was stilll a decagon).

Try using straws and pipecleaners at home to make 2-D shapes. It is lots of fun and hands-on learning!


I wonder if you could make your own geoboard. Perhaps it could become a family project? A piece of soft pine, a ruler (or square) some nails, a hammer and a clothes peg to keep your fingers safe.

Safety glasses would be a good idea too.

Don't forget the rubber bands. Maybe you can find some colourful ones?

Added November 29:

Are you interested in Simple Machines? Do you like to play video games?

Here is an Inclined Plane game that may be something you will enjoy.


More Simple Machine Ideas from TVOkids



Added December 15:

Science Max videos have become a class favourite. They are available on youtube and really are very informative and inspiring! Science Max, Season 1 on TVOKids


Added December 15

We also love GoNoodle. This is a place to find dance routines, language movement games, yoga routines, etc. Kids can go here to rev up or calm down. There is something for everyone!

https://www.gonoodle.com/ WooHoo - we are up and running again!!! It has been a long time!

Have fun as a family (if you have the space...it is worth making the time). You can sign up for free!!