Save the Date!

Grade 2/3

The Newsletter: Newsletters will be sent home to inform you of the
material we will be covering as well as any other information you may
need to know about.

The Agenda: The agenda is where your child will record any homework,
assignments and special events. Please INITIAL the agenda daily. This is
a good form of communication between home and school and allows
you to be aware of your childs daily activities and projects. Short
messages, such as appointments etc., can also be written in the
agenda.

Housekeeping Items: You are not required to send in any school supplies
for your child. The school board supplies all of the materials necessary
for your child to be successful at school. Your child will need a pair of
indoor, non-marking, running shoes.
I am providing a list of items that would make our school day more
comfortable. This list of course is optional.
Kleenex
Band-Aids
Lysol Wipes (for wiping desks and chairs)
September 17th
School Mass
Meet The Teacher
September 19th
PA DAY
S T . P E T E R C A N I S I U S
Welcome!
I hope that everyone had an
enjoyable and restful summer.
It is hard to believe that a new
school year has already
begun!
This year is very exciting for me
as I am beginning a new
journey with the St. Peter
Canisius Community, teaching
Grade 2/3!
I am looking forward to a
wonderful, fun-filled year of
learning, inquiry and
discovery!
If you ever have any
questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me at the
school.
Also, please expect another
newsletter soon detailing the
focus of our learning for
September and October.
Sincerely,
Ashlyn Sabatini
Fi rst Day of
School !
September 2
nd



CURRICULUM NOTES
Mathematics
Throughout the year, both grades will explore different components of the five strands of
mathematics (Number Sense and Numeration, Measurement, Data Management and Probability,
Geometry and Spatial Sense, and Patterning and Algebra).
Language
In reading, the children will explore a variety of material to develop reading skills and
comprehension. Different strategies such as guided reading, shared reading, mentor texts, read
aloud, independent reading, Daily Five and CAFE will provide ample opportunity to practice these
skills. Through diagnostic assessments such as DRA and running records, the children will work in
small groups to read a story at their own instructional reading level (guided reading groups), with
the focus on text features, reading strategies and comprehension skills. Each week a story, poem,
passage, etc. will be explored extensively through shared reading, read aloud or mentor text
activities to develop reading, writing and comprehension skills. Readers theatre, author studies
and genre studies will also be explored over the year. Independent reading will occur daily.
Children will be encouraged to self-select the material to read based on interest and good-fit
books.

Each week the children will be exposed to 5 focus words. These words will be explored over the
week through a variety of activities. At the end of the week the words will become part of the
word wall. Many of these words then become no excuse words (that is, there is no excuse for
misspelling these words). Your child will write the focus words in their planner each week so
that he/she can review them at home with you. They will have a focus word quiz every Friday
starting next week. As well as focus words (word wall), the children will explore word families and
making words on a weekly basis in the classroom. Grammar and phonics will be an integral part of
our language program. Mini-lessons and activities will help develop the essential skills needed for
writing. Each day the children will participate in writers workshop, a step-by-step process to
teach essential forms and traits of good writing. These will be explored through literature, mini-
lessons, modeled writing, guided practice and independent writing. Regularly, the children will be
given the opportunity to write creatively on topics of their own choice.

Oral communication and media literacy will be an integral part of all areas of the curriculum
through daily question and answer, presentations, etc. Regularly, the children will take part in a
variety of small group activities to extend and expand their abilities in listening and speaking, as
well as other areas of curriculum.



CURRICULUM NOTES
Science and Technology
In science, the four strands of the curriculum (Understanding Life Systems, Understanding
Matter and Energy, Understanding Structures and Mechanisms and Understanding Earth and Space
Systems) will be explored through four major units. These units will be created from the grade
two and three curriculums separately. Experiments, discussion, hands-on activities, projects,
exploration and building technology will all be part of the science program.

Social Studies
In social studies, the two strands of the curriculum (Heritage and Identity, People and
Environments) will be studied in three units created from a combination of the grade two and three
curriculums.

The Arts
Throughout the year, the children will explore music on a weekly basis with the itinerant music
teacher. In visual arts, the focus will be on a variety of skills with activities related to topics
being studied and special occasions/holidays. Drama and dance will be an integral part of other
areas of the curriculum such as learning math concepts, re-enacting a story in reading, role-playing
in religion, liturgical dance, etc.

Health and Physical Education
The children must have a pair of indoor shoes (non-marking soles please) to be worn when inside
the school. Throughout the year, the children will be taught Health and Physical Education by the
itinerant Phys. Ed teacher, Mr. ONeil. As well, DPA (daily physical activity) will be incorporated
into the curriculum through a variety of fitness activities, games, sports, etc.

Religion and Family Life
Religion will focus on friendship, community and belonging to each other and to God. Stories from
the bible, mentor texts, components of the Mass, specific prayers and major liturgical events will
also be explored. Time will be given to help prepare those children in grade two making their First
Reconciliation and First Communion. In Family Life, the five themes we will explore are: Created
and Loved by God, Living in Relationship, Created Sexual Male and Female, Growing in Commitment
and Living in the World.