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Tips for the Holidays

Dear all,
During the vacation continue to visit the following links to practice your math skills, spelling and phonics skills and to learn more about global warming issues. I encourage you to take part in the " Children's Climate Forum" by adding your reflections and your ideas. This is one part of taking action.
Last but not least, enjoy your holiday and have loads of fun!
See you in 2010!!
Hugs,
Nora

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/spellits/activities/activity3.shtml

http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/grade-2.html

http://globalwarmingkids.net/

Goodbye 2009....

Home Learning Program December 11th- 17th
How We Organize Ourselves Central idea: The neighborhood is an organization where people share responsibility to live harmoniously. Lines of inquiry: - how people in the neighbourhood depend on each other - how people in the neighbourhood share responsibilities - what makes a neighborhood a livable place	Notes · We will have a Christmas class celebration on the last day before the holidays (ie. Thursday, December 17). Children can wear Santa hats and bring in finger food and juice. · There will be no learning engagements for the holidays. The students are asked to read their library books and are encouraged to write their responses and entries in their book-in-the-bag notebook. Enjoy the holidays and see you in 2010!
Environment Tip/News: With the Copenhagen Conference on climate change underway, it’s time to realize we have to take action to save our planet. Visit http://globalwarmingkids.net and explore the site. You can also learn about climate change and global warming through the games at: http://managenergy.net/kidscorner/en/u11/u11.html
Friday PYP: Take a walk in your neighborhood and observe the different signs and billboards. Make a list of them and then classify them. What do you think is the function of each group of signs?
Monday PYP: Refer back to the signs you had already observed. Write a reflection on how they contribute to the neighborhood. Do they make it a safer place, a more organized place, etc….? Do you think your neighborhood needs other different signs? What are they?
Tuesday Math: Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/spellits/activities/activity3.shtml and learn some fun mnemonics and other tricks that will help boost your spelling!! In your Home Journal, write what you learned and which trick you think you will use in the future to spell words.
Wednesday Enjoy your day! Read a book and remember to prepare what you need to take to school the following day.
Thursday Math: Do the family involvement activities. Write a reflection about the math strategies you’ve been applying in your Home Journal.

Update

Our walk around the neighborhood was very interesting. The children observed how the place is organized. They took notes of signs that are there for safety. They asked questions to the sukleen guy and to the ACS guard about their roles and how they cooperate and share responsibilty. The children greeted the children and the teachers that are at the neighboring school (ACS) because neighbors communicate positively and are friendly to each other.
When back in class, the children worked on their observations and wrote their reflections. Tomorrow they will add their suggestions on how the neighborhood could be more harmonious.
They will draw a map of the neighborhood.
Next week, we will visit two neighborhoods: one in Seifi Village and the other in Hamra.
Details will be posted in time.

A Walk in the School Neighborhood

The children will go on a walk in the school neighborhood today or tomorrow depending on the weather. They have created their own checklist about what they want to explore.
We'll update you on our walk later on.
See you,
Grade 2 teachers

Home Learning Program December 4th -10th
How We Organize Ourselves Central idea: The neighborhood is an organization where people share responsibility to live harmoniously. Lines of inquiry: - how people in the neighbourhood depend on each other - how people in the neighbourhood share responsibilities - what makes a neighborhood a livable place		Notes * We are inquiring into the conditions that allow people to live in harmony with each other. The children will visit a neighborhood that they choose based on their inquiry and try to take action needed to achieve harmony. Environment Tip: Follow the link below to find out how to spend a green Christmas -- 10 tips for an Earth-friendly holiday. http://www.homemakers.com/life-and-balance/green-living-tips/a-green-christmas-10-tips-for-an-earth-friendly-holiday/a/2696
Friday PYP: Use the questionnaire you created in class to conduct a survey in your building and or your neighborhood. Bring in the results to share them in class.
Monday PYP: Create a map of your bedroom. Do not forget to give it a title and use a key to explain your symbols.
Tuesday Math: Estimate the time it takes you to read your book-in-the bag, to walk to your elevator, and to walk to the closest store in your neighborhood. Record your estimates then perform the actions and time yourself. Record the actual time for each.
Wednesday In class, you created a rubric for writing a letter. Write a letter to someone telling them about your wishes for the upcoming holidays.
Friday Math: Do the family involvement activities. Write a reflection about the math strategies you’ve been applying in your Home Journal.
Enrichment	Visit one of the links on the web to play math games.

Independence Day

Tomorrow we will have a celebration on Independence Day. Children chose to wear the colors of the flag. They will get to school things that are related to Lebanon such as Lebanese food, songs, traditional clothes, photos, etc.

Note that we will not post a home learning program this week.

Enjoy the holidays and Adha Mubarak everyone!

Our Weekly Home Learning Program November 13 - November 19
Our Program Transdisciplinary Theme: How we organize ourselves Central Idea: The neighbourhood is an organization where people share responsibility to live harmoniously. Lines of Inquiry: -The interaction of people in a neighbourhood and how they depend on each other - The common rights and responsibilities of people in a neighbourhood - The essential conditions required that would make a neighbourhood a liveable place		Reminders/Notes · Our first planner is over!! Thank you parents for being involved in your children’s learning! · We will start our new planner on Monday. We will mainly focus on what consists a neighborhood, how people live and interact in it, and how they share responsibilty in making their neighborhood a better place to live in. · This planner will extend till December 18. · The second grade teachers will continue to schedule conferences with parents throughout this month to discuss the students’ progress.
		Environment Tip/News: Water is a valuable natural resource. We must take great care of it as to preserve such a unique treasure that no planet in our solar system has. Use the following tips everyday: · Do not pollute water by throwing waste in it. · Do not let your water tap run free while you are brushing your teeth, bathing or washing clothes. · Use a half flush for the bathroom, as it saves water.
Friday Write a subtraction word problem using the numbers 9 and 12. Use ‘Draw a Picture’ strategy to solve the problem and show your work. Make sure to include an equation and a full sentence.	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
	Take a walk in your neighborhood and observe closely. Do you notice some things that you’ve never paid attention to before? Write these things down in your Home Journal and state whether they’re interesting or not and why…	Review your high-frequency spelling list and use it to play a spelling game. An adult can ditate to you, or you can write the words on your own and check their spelling when you finish.	Choose two people from your neighborhood who play a certain role, such as a neighbor, concierge, shop keeper etc… Now, write how other people in the neighborhood depend on them.	Use the numbers 17, 8, and 9 to make a fact family. Now choose 3 other numbers and create your own.
Read the book that you have with you and remember to fill in your reading log on a daily basis.

How we organize ourselves

We are starting our second unit under the theme: How we organize ourselves.
We will be inquiring into the neighborhood, how it is organized, and how people live and share responsibilities to achieve harmony.


Central Idea: The neighbourhood is an organization where people share responsibility to live harmoniously. Lines of Inquiry: -The interaction of people in a neighbourhood and how they depend on each other - The common rights and responsibilities of people in a neighbourhood - The essential conditions required that would make a neighbourhood a liveable place

As a starter. Observe your neighborhood. Take a photo or create a map. Record your observations and your questions.

Our Weekly Home Learning Program November 6 - November 12
Our Program Transdisciplinary Theme: Who we are Central Idea: To achieve a balanced lifestyle we need to make wise choices in nutrition, hygiene, and physical and social life. Lines of Inquiry: · An awareness of our physical and social needs · The practical consequences of a healthy lifestyle on our general well being		Reminders/Notes · We shall work on this planner for one extra week due to last week’s absenteeism. · Make sure your child is dressed warmly on cold days. · Whenever you use a disposable plastic water bottle, please send the caps to school. We are collecting them for a project that supports the disabled in getting a wheelchair for a cheaper cost.
		Environment Tip/News: Shopping Bags: While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. Learn about the dangers of plastic bags and what countries around world are doing about it ("The Dangers of Plastic Bags" slide show from Teacher Vishal Mody).
Friday Estimating measurements is important in making some practical decisions. Here are two activities to do: Ask an adult to give you a string that measures one meter. Find at least 5 objects in your house that are exactly the same length. Record them in your Home Journal. Count the paces it takes from your bedroom to some other rooms in your house. On the attached estimate form write the actual distances.	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
	In your Home Journal make a list of all the things you can do to help at home. Make a list of 10 things you need help to do now. It may be at home, school or anywhere else. Bring the list in for sharing tomorrow.	In each planner, we take action based on what we have learned. In your home journal, write a reflection on how is it going with the action you’ve taken for this planner. Be ready to share your entry with the class.	Take a guess on how many times you can jump a rope before missing. Write your guess in your Home Journal. Then, pick a time this evening when you will have someone help you count and record the number of times you jumped the rope before the first miss. You can practice before the real counting, but when you are ready to do the final count, tell it to someone. Bring the number to school tomorrow to share it with the class. This will also give you a chance to so some exercise!	This is the time of year when many children get sick. Make a list of ways to prevent yourself from getting sick AND write how to get over being sick when you are. Bring the list to school tomorrow to share with others. Remember of the choices you can make to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Read the book that you have with you and remember to fill in your reading log on a daily basis.

Message

Dear children,

I miss each and every one of you.
I am sick with the flu and I am beginning to get better.
I hope that you are enjoying school days, learning and each other.
I'll post next week's work and hope to see you very soon!
Hugs
Nora

Halloween Snippets

Our Weekly Home Learning Program October 30- November 5
Our Program Transdisciplinary Theme: Who we are Central Idea: To achieve a balanced lifestyle we need to make wise choices in nutrition, hygiene, and physical and social life. Lines of Inquiry: · An awareness of our physical and social needs · The practical consequences of a healthy lifestyle on our general well being		Reminders/Notes · This will be our last week for our planner. We’ll be starting with How we organize ourselves. · Refer to the www.ic.edu.lb for new information and all updates.
		Environment Tip/News:Five Simple Ways to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch YES NO REUSABLE carrier (cloth bag, lunchbox) NO throw-away bags REUSABLE containers NO plastic wrap, foil or styrofoam THERMOS for drinks NO single-use cartons or cans CLOTH NAPKIN to wash and re-use NO paper napkins SILVERWARE to wash and re-use NO plastic forks and spoons
Friday It’s Halloween and many of us love eating all those treats we are offered!! But, have we ever thought of all the calories we’re getting and what do you think are the consequences? Go to http://kidshealth.org/kid/ closet/games/candy_game.html and play the game. Feed the Jack-o-lantern some candy and see how many calories he’s getting… In your Home Journal, write about what you learned from this game and list some other healthful treats that could be given on Halloween…. WHOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAWWW!!	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
	Go again to kidshealth.org and from the menu on the left, choose movies and games. Go to activities and challenge yourself with HEALTHSEARCH. Try answering all the questions, and then check your answers by going to the answer sheet. Write two interesting facts you learned.	In your Home Journal solve the following addition equations using the strategy make a ten. Show your work using the ten frame. 6 + 9 = 7 + 8 = 8 + 5 = 9 + 3 = 7 + 7 = 5 + 7 =	From the 2nd grade high-frequency worksheet that is found in your Home Journal, choose ten or more words you find the most challenging to spell and try a spelling bee with a family member. Keep trying till you get them all right!!	In your Home Journal, write how having friends is important in your life.
Read the book that you have with you and remember to fill in your reading log on a daily basis.