mrsbarker.ca - Millgrove 2B

Measuring Length

1/19/2019

We’ve been learning all about measuring length this week in our math classes and the highlight of our measuring was comparing the lengths of our limbs, torsos, and heads. We found that if we used different units (such as small snap cubes vs. popsicle sticks) our measurements were different (but still indicated the same length). You can watch the video below and play the games that are linked to learn more about measuring length

Surface Tension

1/19/2019

This week in Science we performed several experiments with water that explored its property of cohesion. Cohesion means that water molecules are attracted to each other which makes water droplets tend to stick together. Because of cohesion, there is surface tension at the surface of water, and we were able to do all sorts of neat tricks with the water because of the unique property of this liquid!

The Safety Lady

1/18/2019

We've been very lucky to have the Safety Lady visiting our classroom over the past couple of weeks to teach us about safety around our homes and school, along with first aid. She is a true safety expert and she has made her Wednesday visits to our classroom extremely engaging and informative. This week she's coming to teach us all about fire safety. You can expect the students of 2B to be extra vigilant about their own safety and the safety of those around them now!

Snow Globe Art

1/12/2019

Today we made illustrations of snow globes in Art class. The students had fun making creative choices about what to fill their snow globes with, and they turned out great! They had to be extra careful because they drew their outlines in sharpie, and you can see their excellent focus in the photos below. You can see your child's snow globe art on Seesaw.

Exploring Liquids

1/12/2019

Our class has been busy experimenting with various liquids this week since we started our new unit on Exploring Liquids on Monday. There are a lot of hands on experiments to conduct, and the students have already had lots of fun learning about different liquids and their properties. In this unit, we will be learning how to:

Recognize and describe liquids
Understand that liquids can change to other states
Compare water and other liquids
Compare the amount of liquid absorbed by different materials
Responsibly take care of clean water
Evaluate how well different materials contain liquids (such as waterproof and non-waterproof materials)
Predict that water level in open containers will decrease due to evaporation
Predict that wet surfaces will dry faster with wind or heating
Recognize that water is a part of many materials and living things

Keep an eye out for more of our experiments on liquids over the next couple of months, and watch the videos below if you'd like to keep up with some of the concepts we're learning in class and see 2B's slow motion liquid race!

People and Culture Across Canada

1/11/2019

In our first unit in Social Studies, we learned about the land in the communities of Iqaluit in Nunavut, Meteghan in Nova Scotia, and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. We will now revisit the communities and focus on people and culture in those communities—the Inuit, the Acadians, and the Ukrainians. Through stories, activities and research, we will:

Learn about individuals who have contributed to the development of the communities
Learn some cultural characteristics that members of each community share
Learn how traditions are shared and passed on

Your child will be better able to make connections with material presented in class if he or she has experiences and knowledge to draw on. Here is how you can help:

Discuss your cultural background and find specific places on a map
Discuss any specific traditions in your home
See if you can learn more about the cultural background in your own home and/or that of Inuit, Acadians, or Ukrainians (museums, art galleries, libraries, television specials, and the Internet are excellent sources of information)

We invite you to share your cultural background with us. Would you be willing to come to class and share some information? Do you have any materials you could lend us?
Here are some specifics of what we are looking for:
Traditions—Are there any traditions, celebrations, special foods or recipes, special games or objects you could show or talk about?
Language—Is there another language spoken in your home? Perhaps you and your child could share some simple words or books in that language with the class.
Music or Art—Do you have any music or art that reflects your culture? Can you show us any traditional clothing?

You can watch the video above to see a glimpse of the lovely people in Iqaluit!

Measurement

1/11/2019

In Math we have started a new focus on the topic of measurement. In this unit, your child will learn to better use a calendar and develop an understanding of linear measurement, distance around, and mass. The learning goals for this unit are to:

Learn about days in a week and months in a year
Read a calendar to find the date
Estimate, measure, and compare lengths using non-standard units such as paper clips, straws, and snap cubes
Estimate, measure, and compare the distance around an object using non-standard units
Estimate, measure, and compare masses using balance scales and non-standard units such as beads, blocks, and snap cubes
Solve everyday problems about measurement

You can play the games below with you child and help your child achieve these goals with these activities:

Have your child compare and order objects in your home using words such as longest/shortest and heaviest/lightest, and ask your child to explain how they compared them
Make a weekly calendar with your child and talk about the family schedule and what happens on each day of the week
Have your child identify the day of the week and the date tomorrow and yesterday
Mark a calendar for the current month with your child to show the dates of any holidays and special events
Make a chart of the months of the year and record the birthdays of family members and friends
Choose 3 objects in your home that you and your child can measure and order by length (such as kitchen utensils or sports equipment) using units such as paper clips or unsharpened pencils
Ask your child to explain why you need to use the same units for each length when ordering lengths
Your child can measure objects and distances in your home using their hand span, arm span, giant steps, or heel-to-toe steps
- Encourage your child to estimate before measuring
Have children use non-standard units to measure around the wrists and ankles of different family members or friends and have them compare and order the measurements
Have your child estimate the masses of objects at home
- For example ask, "About how many of these spoons are as heavy as this bowl?"
Invite your child to practice measuring length, height, distance around, and mass while helping to purchase new clothes or recording their growth

Christmas Stories

12/27/2018

2B had been working hard the past couple of weeks of school on Christmas stories for their families. We focused on crafting interesting plots and making our ideas clear to our audience (who were the students’ families). They made the wrapping paper, cards, and everything, and were very proud of their creations. We hope you enjoyed their lovingly authored Christmas stories!

Carol Sing

12/22/2018

Our class loved having the traditional Millgrove Carol Sing three mornings this week, and it was so special as always to join together in familiar songs. Many songs were from this year's Christmas concert, along with many Christmas classics, and the school came together as always. There are few places more Christmasy than Millgrove during the week before winter break.

2B wishes you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄

Christmas Party

12/21/2018

The last day at school before winter break was a fun one in 2B with games, a movie, and lots of delicious treats sent by generous families. We have a caring and friendly group of students in our class, and it's always a treat to celebrate together!