An Introduction to Combined Grades

I had a number of parents ask me about how combined grades classrooms are set-up and how they run. After searching the ministry website, I have posted a pamphlet entitled, "An Introduction to Combined Grades" in pdf format on the left panel under "All about Curriculum". There is a brief summary of what a combined grade is and ways that it can benefit your child and how you can help his/her learning.

If you can't find the link for any reason, here it is again:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/combinedClassrooms/index.html

Hope this helps!
Mme Dungo

Word on the Street! Sunday, September 26, 2010

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, Sunday, September 26 there is a Book Festival happenning in Toronto at Queen's Park called, Word on the Street from 11am - 6pm.
Here, you will find multiple stages by participating publishing houses, vendors and world markets. This year features KidStreet, a special place where children can listen to storytellers, check out the latest children's authors and make crafts. It is free and fun for the whole family. Please check out the link here for more information: http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/toronto

Hope to see you there!
Mme Dungo

Patterns! Patterns! Patterns!

The children have decided that in our weekly update we should share what we are doing in the classroom on the blog and so, ta-da, we have our latest Math Bonanza on Patterning!

The overall expectations for patterning in the Math curriculum for this term are:

Grade 2 - identify, extend, and create repeating patterns, growing patterns, and shrinking patterns

What does this look like?

One example is:

-identifying and describing through investigation growing and shrinking patterns generated by repeated addition or subtraction on a number line and hundreds chart

ex. 90, 80, 70, 60, ... are in a straight line on a hundreds chart, the pattern rule is "starting at 90, we subtract 10 from each term each time"

Grade 3 -describe, extend, and create a variety of numeric patterns and geometric patterns

What does this look like?

One example is:

-create a number pattern involving addition or subtraction, given a pattern represented on a number line or a pattern rule

ex. Sample problem: Make a number pattern that starts at 0 and grows by adding 7 each time

We will be having a wrap-up test next Thursday, September 30, 2010

It will consist of 5 questions. Each version of each question has been answered before in previous and ongoing math lessons. I will be providing a review sheet and problem to review for Thursday.

Questions? Please email, call or write a note in your child's agenda.

Enjoy our great work!

Lily, Reim and Nishaline working on an increasing number pattern using a number line. (See expectations above)
Colin, Alyssa, Adam, Nikita and Mathusa showing off their number patterns.

Below: Ayesha, Nigel, Alexandra, Nicholas and Jadyn working on showing both their increasing and decreasing number patterns on their number line.

To the left: Justin figuring out if he has all his terms in his number pattern.

Who knew math could be this much fun?

Enjoy the weekend!

Mme Dungo

Forms, forms, forms!

Please make sure that all forms, i.e. Medical, Walking Excursion, etc. (they were given in a brown envelope the first week of school) are to be filled out and given in AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as they were due last Friday.

Please also submit the Getting Acquainted Forms that were given curriculum night.

My thanks!

Mme Dungo

Class Photos Tomorrow - Tuesday, September 21

Just a reminder that Class Photos will be taken tomorrow, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21. Looking forward to seeing you fantastic and fabulously dressed :)

Parents, please make sure that you have submitted your photo slip request for poses and backgrounds.

Many thanks,
Mme Dungo

Curriculum Night and the start of Weekly Homework!

Thank you parents for coming last Thursday to our Curriculum Night. For those who were not able to make it, please make sure that you check in your child's backpack for the Curriculum Night package.

Weekly Homework will begin tomorrow!

Each grade will be receiving in their "etude des mots" green folders:
1. 2 pages of printing/writing practice
2. review of the "sound of the week" and its pages
3. a short story or poem focusing on the "sound of the week"
4. two sentences (for Grade 2s) and three sentences (for Grade 3s) that will be their dictee (spelling test) on Friday

Due to the difference in level, each grade will be receiving differentiated word study pages.

They are due FRIDAY of every week. If for any reason your child is unable to finish the package, please write a note in his/her agenda, email or call the school or if you have any questions, please, please contact me.

In addition, the children are encouraged to read 15 min in French every night.

Weekly Math Problem Folders will commence NEXT week, September 27. We'll start slowly but surely so that we can all get used to our routines.

Thank you for your support!
Mme Dungo

Notre premiere semaine est finie!

We are enjoying our time in Salle 112 this first week. The children are learning the new routines at school and in the classroom. We are also being encouraged to speak in French as much as we can to practice and help our other classmates speak in French as well.

For homework this weekend the children are asked to read for 15 minutes in French, finish up an activity to familiarize them with the dictionary and to finish some review sheets in mathematics.

We have also enjoyed some great presentations in class regarding the children's Me Voici bags. In them, they have gathered small objects and placed them in their decorated bags of what they like to do, to eat, and to learn! They then share what is in their bag with the rest of the class so that we can better get to know them :)

In my bag, there was:

-a book (because I love to read!)

-a pencil (because I love to write :) )

-a small token from Bulgaria from Nikita (because I love to collect souvenirs from when I or others travel abroad)

-musical notes (because I love to sing and play the piano).

Bon week-end tout le monde!

Mme Dungo

Nishalinie's bag! One of Nishalinie's objects that she could not fit in her bag was a skateboard! She brought it to school and showed off some neat tricks on the carpet.

Liam's bag! If you look closely it says, "Rock et Roll"! Inside was a list of songs by his favourite band, like "Monster".

Bienvenue a l'annee scolaire 2010-2011!

Welcome to another great year at Clairlea Public School! Our first day was exciting, full of BINGO, games, reading strategy, discussion and a wee bit of homework.

As we look forward to the year, please let me remind you that our school hours have changed:

Morning entry: 8:40
AM recess: 9:55-10:10
Lunch: 11:30-12:25
PM recess: 1:40-1:55
Dismissal: 3:15

Homework for the first week of school:

Please note that we are using Green Two-Pocket Folders for Homework Folders this year.
Any notes, permission forms, money, etc. can be placed in that folder and returned to school. The children are expected to bring it in and place it on their desks at the beginning of the day.

This week, the children have a small story to re-read every day based on a small boy who can't sleep on the eve of the first day of school. He is woken up by an owl and escapes into the yard and finds it lying there wounded. I'll let your child fill you in on the rest.

If you need anything at all, please call me or email me at: jesselyn.dungo@tdsb.on.ca I will be able to reply within 2 business days.

Thanks again for your support and I look forward to meeting you in the school yard and on Curriculum Night, Thursday, September, 16!