Paul Klee Art Project

In class last week, we learned about the artist, Paul Klee (pronounced, 'Clay'). He grew up in a musical family. His mom was a singer and his dad was a music teacher. Paul learned how to play the violin when he was very young. Still, he spent countless hours drawing at his Uncle's place. He loved both music and art. He had a tough decision to make. In the end, he decided to become an artist. He went to art school alongside many incredible modern artists. It was there that Paul learned that art doesn't have to look perfect (like photographs). He focused on creating artworks with beautiful colours and simple shapes. We used Klee's painting, Castle and Sun, to inspire our latest art project.  These paintings now hang proudly in our classroom art gallery. Take a look for yourselves.

Anik

August

Charlotte

Clara

Eli

Emma

Fin

Gloria

Irene

Jacob

John

Kristel

Luka

Marlo

Melissa

Mia

Nathan

Oliver

Paul

Oliver

Update

We've been very busy in class the last few weeks. The kids and I have prepare this update for you. 

Mr. Cressman - Hey kids, what have you enjoyed at school these last few weeks?

Nathan - We've been learning how to count by 2s, 5s and 10s.

John - We've been learning so much about solids, liquids and gases.

Charlotte - We've been learning how to write procedures (...like the one about "How to Brush Your Teeth!").

Melissa - We learned the difference between even and odd numbers.

Kristel - I went to the school library for the first time in a long time.

August - We played Frisbee Golf, and I got a 'pole in one'!

Eli - We enjoyed reading all the Scaredy Squirrel books.  So funny.

Gloria - We've been using JUMP math to learn math.  

Simon - We did some great science experiments (like the one using baking soda and vinegar to blow up a balloon).

Marlo - We read Peter Reynold's book, "ish", and drew 'ish' pictures.

Luka - We've been learning that liquid water can easily turn into solid or gas if you change the temperature.

Anik - We are really good at making paper airplanes.

Clara - We've been doing lots of reading and writing.

Emma - We enjoyed reading Mo Willem's Pigeon books (and enjoyed a few pigeon movies too). Lol!

Mia - Now we know what to do when there's a fire drill at school.

Nathan - We mulched the trees in the schoolyard... twice.

Anik - We made fresh lemonade and wrote about recipes.

Don't Let the Dog Eat Your Homework

Let me begin by saying that I believe that kids should be kids. Kids need time to play, time for soccer practice, time for dance rehearsals, time for piano lessons, and time with family and friends. While homework is important, it should not get in the way of kids doing 'kid stuff'.  Therefore, I don't plan on assigning a lot of homework.

Homework will be assigned on Monday each week and should be completed by Friday (leaving everyone with homework-free weekends). Homework will be posted on Google Classroom. Kids can complete homework online and submit online. Kids can also print the homework and work offline. Then scan or take a pic and upload it in Google Classroom. If that's too much trouble, print it, complete it and send it in to school for me to check.

Reading homework: Sometimes there will be a reading response activity for homework. Most of the time, I will simply ask students to read for about 15 or 20 minutes each night. Kids become better readers by practicing reading, so I just want them to read. I would also like to encourage kids have conversations about books with someone in their family. Talking about books builds comprehension. 

Math homework: There will often be a math assignment. It will closely reflect what we have been learning in class.

Writing homework: Sometimes there may be a small, creative writing assignment, something familiar, something like what we've been practicing in class.  And no spelling homework. We've got that covered in class.  

Other Homework: Once in a while, Social Studies, Science and Other Topics will be reflected in homework. 

What can you do to support your child with homework? Help your child make a homework plan - when and where homework will be done. Also be available to clarify instructions if needed. Encourage your child to work neatly and accurately.  Encourage your child to work independently. Gradually shift the responsibility of completing homework to your child.  

Parents often ask, "Should I correct the homework?"  I say, yes... and no. Just like a teacher, offer your child some feedback or suggestions for improvement.  At the same time, don't nit-pick every little error.  I don't want homework to become a battle between you and your child. 

So, there's no need for the dog to eat the homework. Homework in Grade 2 will be a breeze.

Grade 2 Curriculum

Here is a curriculum summary that will help you understand the ins and outs of what 2nd graders will be learning.

LANGUAGE:

Reading

- read and demonstrate an understanding of variety of texts

- read with growing fluency and expression

- demonstrate an understanding of texts by retelling stories or restating information

- practise reading comprehension strategies

- make connections to texts and express personal feelings about texts

Writing

- practise many different forms of writing - procedures, narratives, reports and more

- generate ideas & gather information for writing

- identify purpose and audience for writing

- explore spelling patterns and spell many high frequency words properly

Oral Communication

- practise various listening and speaking skills and strategies

- participate in formal and informal oral presentations

Media Literacy

- discuss the meanings of various media texts

- explain different conventions and techniques used in media texts

- create media texts

ARTS:
Visual Art:

-  create a variety of 2-D and 3-D art projects

-  use the elements of design (colour, line, shape, texture, space and form)

-  study artists, and discuss their styles and techniques

-  experience a variety of different art materials / mediums 

Dramatic Art

-  engage in a variety of dramatic play activities

-  communicate stories, ideas and feelings through dramatic play

MATH:

- develop a positive attitude towards mathematics

- describe ways in which math is used in everyday life

- use concrete materials, tools and drawings to explore math

- clearly communicate solutions to math problems

Number Sense

- read, represent, compare and order whole numbers to 200

- count by 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 25s and 50s

- explore fractions

- recall addition facts up to 18 and related subtraction facts

- add and subtract two-digit numbers using various strategies

- explore the concepts of multiplication and division

Spatial Sense

- measure length, mass and capacity using non-standard and standard units

- investigate geometric properties of 2-D shapes

- use units of time to describe duration of events

Financial Literacy

- represent amounts of money up to 200¢ using coins and up to $200 using coins and bill

Data

- sort data according to various attributes

- collect, organize, and display data using simple charts and graphs

- read, describe and interpret information in data

- predict the probability of an outcome in everyday situations and games

Algebra

- describe, extend and create a variety of numeric and geometric patterns

- determine pattern rules

- explore the concept of equality in numerical equations

- read, write and execute code

SCIENCE:

Growth and Changes in Animals

- investigate characteristics of animal groups and specific animals

- understand lifecycles of a variety of animals

- assess ways in which animals impact the environment and how we impact animals

Liquids and Solids

- investigate properties of matter and the 3 states of matter: solids, liquids, gases

- explore how water easily changes from one state to another

Air and Water

- investigate the effects of air and water in the natural environment

- understand how air and water are used by living things to meet their basic needs

- assess the impact of human actions on the quality of air and water

Simple Machines

- investigate the 6 simple machines: lever, inclined plane, pulley, wheel, screw and wedge

- demonstrate an understanding of how simple machines help people

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Family and Traditions

- develop an understanding that Canada is a country of many diverse cultures

- learn about different types of families

- explore significant traditions and celebrations and how they are passed along through generations

Global Communities

- gather information about different communities and countries from around the world

-discover how people in these communities meet their needs

- explore countries, continents, physical features and bodies of water on maps

- compare own community to a community in a different region of the world.

Introducing...

 Introducing... the kids of Room 211...

Anik

August

Charlotte

Clara

Eli

Emma

Fin

Gloria

Irene

Jacob

John

Kristel

Luka

Marlo

Melissa

Mia

Nathan

Oliver

And their fearless leader,

Mr. Cressman

P.S.  Simon and Zoah... we're excited to have you join our class.   We can't wait to meet you.  We'll insert your portraits here soon.  

Learning about Numbers

In class, we are busy learning about numbers in math.  We have discovered that our numbers system (the Base Ten Numbers System) revolves around the number 10.  We are becoming more comfortable with place value in 2 digit and (more recently) 3 digit numbers.  We are comparing numbers and ordering numbers.  

I used hungry alligators to help kids with comparing numbers.  As you can see, the mouths of the alligators closely resemble the greater than > and less than < math symbols.  

I'm also encouraging kids to use math words to describe their understanding.  So when someone tells me that 47 > 38, I ask, "how do you know?  Can you use math words to explain it?"  "Oh, 47 has more tens than 38. Got it."

To make it more engaging, I've am also trying to make math meaningful. For example, instead of just ordering random numbers, we're ordering Lego Movies based on how many minutes they are or books based on how many pages they have or ordering kids based on how many centimeters tall they are.  

Learning About Matter in Science

We started our first science unit this week... learning about the properties of Matter.  Today we learned that everything in our world is made of matter.  We also learned that there are 3 states of matter - Solids, Liquids and Gases. (And yes, the connection between gases and farts was immediately made and the giggles were uncontrollable.  Haha.)  We also discovered that all matter, even gases, have mass and all matter takes up space.  We will soon dive deeper into what makes matter a solid or a liquid or a gas.  Throughout the unit, I will endeavour to provide lots of hands-on experiences so kids can understand the BIG ideas of matter.

Paper Airplane Fun

In class, we are learning how to write 'procedures' - Telling someone the steps about how to do something. We will engage in writing many procedures over the next several weeks. For example, we made paper airplanes in class last week and then worked together to write this procedure...

Paper Airplane Fun

Do you know how to make a paper airplane?  I will teach you how to make the best paper airplane ever.  You’re going to have so much fun making paper airplanes.  So, let’s get started.

Steps:

1. First, fold the paper in half.  Then open it up again.

2. Then, fold the corners down to make it look like a house.

3. Next, fold the corners down again.  I will look like a ‘tent’.

4. Now, fold the ‘tent’ in half.

5. Finally, you’re ready to fold the wings.   

 

You did it!  You made a great paper airplane.  There’s just one thing left to do…  let it FLY!  I hope you have lots of fun with your new paper airplane! 

Procedures are organized in a special way.  They begin with a title and opening paragraph which are designed to grab the reader's attention and introduce the writing.  This if followed by the step-by-step instructions that clearly tell the reader what to do.  And then the writing wraps up with a closing paragraph to give the reader something to think about.  

You can help at home by sharing procedures like recipes and game instructions with your second grader. 

 

Photo Day

Have you heard?  Thursday, September 23 is Photo Day at Jackman. That should give kids plenty of time to practice their smiles! 😀 FYI, there will only be individual pictures taken this year, no class photos. 

Save the Date

Save the date!  I will be hosting Curriculum Night for the parents of 211 kids on Tuesday, September 28.  That's just two weeks away.  

At curriculum night, I will meet with parents (virtually) to share my plans for the class this year and highlights of the 2nd grade curriculum.  

I will host 2 ZOOM sessions, one at 4:30pm and another at 6:30pm. Choose which session suits you best.  A Zoom link will be shared closer to the time.  

Looking forward to meeting with you.