We picked leaves from outside for our Wreath of Gratitude. We then became scientists who studied the same leaves focusing on parts of the leaf like the edges and the main veins and small veins.

As artists, we practiced drawing our leaf before we drew it again. Then we used liquid glue to outline the shape and veins of our leaf. Learning about warm and cool colours and complementary colours, we learned about the technique of blending using pastels to colour in and shade from dark to light with our best tools – our fingers! Our fine motor skills got practice in so many ways with this art project and we exercised our artistic thinking skills too.

Check out our creations!
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Yesterday, we met with our big buddies from Division 1 for the first time! Big and little buddies got to know each other by recording their similarities and differences on a Venn diagram based on the Buddy Interview questions. They were encouraged to come up with some of their own questions to ask of each other as well.

What we saw were genuine smiles. We heard lots of chit chat with giggling and laughing too. With some students away, not everyone was with the buddy they have been assigned to but they all had a good time getting to know someone new. 

We worked on one of our core competencies: communication. Click here to view.

We are already looking forward to our next big buddy time next Thursday!

As part of our thinking about gratitude, we used Kidspiration software to help us organize our brainstorming. 

Click on image to enlarge.

Then we wrote about which one resonated with us most. Using ChatterPix Kids (free iPad app), we used our creativity by having our leaves come alive to speak for us. The leaves were chosen because we thought they were special; these leaves were to become a part of our Wreath of Gratitude. We presented our compilation of ChatterPix videos at our Celebration of Learning last Friday. Click here to check out a few samples.

Students really enjoyed creating their own videos. During this time, our Superintendent, Gina Niccoli-Moen, was visiting our class. She was thrilled to see how engaged they were in this activity. A few students had the opportunity to share their work with her.

We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your Thanksgiving long weekend. We are grateful to be blessed to teach your child this year!

We have been learning all about patterns – both repeating and growing patterns. Students are expected to be able to name the core pattern of a repeating pattern (grade 1 & 2’s) and to describe the pattern rule for a growing pattern (grade 2’s). Click here to learn more about what we are learning about.

Ways to support at home:

• Notice and talk about patterns around the home and in nature.

• Build repeating patterns with items at home. Ask ” What is the core pattern?”

• Build growing patterns at home. Ask “What is the pattern rule?
  • HINT: Growing patterns have the same sentence frames: “Start with ______. Add [number] [item] each time.

• Check out the patterns we made at school. Use the samples to review. Then cover up the “answers” and practice finding the core pattern for repeating patterns. Similarly, use the samples to practice naming the pattern rule for increasing patterns. To pause the auto-play, hover your mouse over the image.

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What patterns can you create at home?