Welcome to Grade 2/3!

1. Welcome to Grade 2/3! Mrs. Rosanna Rossi-Gioiosa

2. Welcome & Thank You! • Thank you for taking the time to come out this evening!! • During the first month of school I focus on getting to know your children. • Gifts, talents, strengths, weaknesses. • We have been working on classroom routines and expectations.

3. Grade 2/3 Split: • How can the teacher provide an adequate programme when she is trying to teach 2 separate grades? This class has a wonderfully equal split. There are 11 grade 2 students and 11 grade 3 students. They get along well (so far), and we are and will continue to work on their independent working skills. Much of what we do in class , is together. A combined approach for some subjects is allowed (Science, Religion, etc.). Even though our discussions may include both groups, the seat work often varies , and certainly the expectations for the two groups will differ (math as an example).

4. Daily Schedule

5. Entrance Entrance Once students enter the school they are expected to do the following: • Unpack back-packs. • Enter the classroom and place lunch pails on the shelf. • Go to their desks and unpack their courier bags, placing agendas open on their desks for a quick check. • Begin Bell Work (Journal/ Silent Reading/ Review work from prior day). • Announcements. • Follow schedule for the day.

6. My ExpectationsAgenda: • We fill in agendas everyday at the end of the day. The agenda is signed by me to ensure information is written accurately. • I check agendas every morning, and students receive a stamp if agenda is signed by parents. • If you have any questions, concerns, issues, please write a note in the agenda (unless private issue).

7. Homework Reading Log: • Students are expected to read every night and record what they read in their reading logs. • Grade 2 and 3 logs are different. • 10-20 minutes of reading each night. However, if your child has other homework, you can shorten that time.

8. More About Homework…. • Due to the fact that children work at different levels, it is impossible to assign the same amount of homework for each child each night. The students are given time in class to complete their tasks, however if your child is not able to finish the task it may be sent home. The following chart is suggested as a general guide regarding time spent on homework each night:

9. Religion Our faith is embedded in all that we do. Prayer: • Many forms and expressions throughout the day, • Have regular moments of prayer throughout the day, • Lessons centered on faith formation, scripture, celebration of the Eucharist/Mass • Celebration of the Liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter… • In grade 2, all children are preparing for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. We will emphasize eating at the Lord’s table. The grade 2 children will participate in activities with the grade 2 students in the other class to prepare them for these special events.

10. Family Life Strands covered this year: • Created and Loved by God: • Rooted in the Christian belief that God creates, loves, and sustains each person. • Living in Relationship: • Crucial role of the family in shaping the lives of children. • Facing realities in families and responding to the needs of the child. • Celebrate their families, uniqueness of each family. • Special occasions • Created Sexual: Male and Female • Development of babies before birth. • Growing in Commitment • Being dependable within our community and family. • Living in the World • Explore aspects of the world that make it a good place for them . • Differences and similarities of people from all over the world.

11. Math: • I have outlined our Math Program in the package sent home this evening. • Strands : • Number Sense and Numeration • Patterning & Algebra • Geometry and Spatial Sense • Data management & Probability • Measurement • We will begin with Patterning. • Each month I will send home in the newsletter what we will cover in Math and how you can support your child at home. • I teach both Grade 2 and Grade 3 Math Curriculum. • I will usually begin my lesson with Grade 2 concept, then assign work and then extend with Grade 3 material.

12. Language: Nelson Language • Writing: The writing program follows the 6 Traits of Effective Writing. We will focus on: • Ideas • Organization • Voice • Word choice • Fluency • Conventions. Approaches: • Teacher-Scribed/Modeled: teacher scribes-teacher comments on words and sounds as they are written down, children see spoken language turned to print. • Shared Interactive Writing: teacher and students jointly compose a text-model it on a specific piece of literature or write for a specific purpose (eg. personal letter). Teacher focuses on spelling patterns, sentence variations, word choice, etc. • Guided Writing: children compose with help. Receive guidance, assistance and/or feedback. Then children can focus on specific strategies, and begin to revise, polish.

13. Balanced Literacy Program • Reading: Students will: • Focus on a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts and have opportunities to use the reading strategies we use in the classroom (Reading Strategies found in the Reading Log). • This year the students will have 1-2 novel studies, in the form of a Book Club (my first attempt at Literature Circles in Grade 2/3!!). • Read Aloud-reading to children • Shared Reading-reading with children • Guided Reading-the core of the reading program. • Group children at the same level • Practice strategies for making sense of a story • Encourage reading for meaning • Allows the teacher to identify areas of need • Setting for instructional teaching of concepts. Can focus on an area with more direct teaching approach. 4) Independent Reading-reading by children (DEAR Time).

14. Reading Strategies (Can be found in Reading Logs) • Consistent with the reading strategies from previous years: • Look at the pictures: for clues. • Get your lips ready: say the first sound. • Chunk the word: look for word parts. • Skip it: skip the word, read on, hop back. • Try it again: try to reread. • Ask for help: after you have tried. • Flip the vowel: try the other vowel sound.

15. Reading Comprehension Strategies. • Make Connections-Text-self, text, world. • Ask Questions-before during and after reading. • Visualize-see pictures like a movie in my head. • Determine Importance-dig for details and important information. • Infer-make predictions, draw conclusions. • Synthesis-put it together, retell the text.

16. Word Study: Phonics, spelling and grammar are integrated daily, through mini-lessons and reading and writing activities. Topics include: • consonant sounds • verbs • nouns • adjectives • adverbs • punctuation • syllables • capitalization • contractions • suffixes • prefixes • Spelling: We will have a Spelling program this year. Every Wednesday the students will receive their word list, and tests will be the following Monday morning. The lists will be different for the Grade 2’s and the Grade 3’s.

17. Oral and Visual Communication: A variety of activities are used to enhance the children’s communication skills: group work, class discussions and sharing (Rock Star). The children will do small presentations during the year. • Media Literacy: The children will learn about various types of media and will create their own for different purposes (i.e. commercial, movie poster, advertisement). • Handwriting: There will be emphasis this year, on creating neat and legible work. In the second term, the Grade 2’s and 3’s will be introduced to cursive writing.

18. At a glance.We will begin with… • Writing: Sentence to paragraph writing. • Reading: Making connections while we read, elements of a story, reading buddies. • Oral Communication: Making connections to self while listening. • Media Literacy: Identify purpose and audience (ie. book covers, posters, comic strips).

19. Science • We are on a three-year rotation for science , this being year one. • Topics covered this term (in this order): • Soils in the Environment (Grade 3) • Growth and Change in Plants (Grade 3) • Properties of Liquids and Solids. (Grade 2) Our Primary Divisional Project-Strong & Stable Structures (will send home information regarding this task later in the year).

20. Social Studies Grade 2 • (T1) Changing Family and Community traditions. • Traditions and Celebrations. • (T2)Global Communities. • Features of Communities Around the World. Grade 3 • (T1) Communities in Canada, 1780-1850. • First Nations • Pioneers • (T2) Living and Working in Ontario. • Urban and Rural Communities

21. Physical Education Components of the Phys. Ed program: • healthy living, movement skills and safety. Topics include: • co-operative games • Gymnastics • creative and folk dance • outdoor games • ball skills related to volleyball, basketball and soccer. Please ensure that your child has proper clothing, both indoors and out, for gym classes as well as a pair of running shoes. Health: Topics include: • healthy eating, • food groups • oral health • real and fictional violence • decision making.

22. The Arts • Visual Arts: Visual arts is integrated throughout the curriculum. • Students will learn various art techniques, while covering the seven elements of design: • Line • Shape • Colour • Form • Space • Texture • Value • Drama and Dance: Also integrated throughout the curriculum. Topics include: • Role play. • Creating short dance pieces. • Class plays.

23. Assessment The students will be assessed according to the achievement levels set out by the Ontario Curriculum. These marks correspond to the A, B, C, D grade children will receive on their report card. • A=Level 4 (4- would be an A-, 4+ would be an A+) • B=Level 3 (3- would be a B-, 3+ would be a B+) • C=Level 2 • D=Level 1 Tests and/or assignments will be divided into sections according to the four categories: • Knowledge & Understanding • Thinking • Communication • Application • See home package for descriptions of these categories.

24. Classroom Website Please check our class website each night. • www.teacherweb.com/ON/NotreDame/MrsRossi-Gioiosa • Or you can access the website through the school board website at: www.ldcsb.on.ca/schools/dam

25. Questions? Comments? Thank you for your presence and support this evening. I look forward to getting to know you, and your children this year!