Grade 2 - Simple Machines!!!

The grade 2s have been working hard learning about simple machines.  I found a few great online games that they can play at home!

Here are some games and online resources:

http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/

http://www.softschools.com/science/simple_machines/games/


https://www.brainpop.com/games/simplemachines/


Enjoy,


Mrs. Onderdonk

Crazy Hat Day!!!

Friday March 27th is Crazy Hat (and Hair) Day!!!  Show your school spirit by wearing a crazy or fun hat, or wear a crazy hairstyle!

Reading Level Assessments

I have started re-assessing students' reading levels this week.  Their new reading levels will be written in their agendas, upon completion. 
I know students are working hard in our classroom during Guided Reading and Independent Reading times.  I hope your child can also find the time to log into www.raz-kids.com as often as possible.

It is so important that students read every day at school, and even at home.

Thanks!

Mrs. Onderdonk

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a lights-off event that began in 2007 to spread awareness about climate change.  Since then, more than 162 countries and territories participate in it. 


Earth hour will occur on Saturday March 28, 2015 between the hours of 8:30PM and 9:30PM. 


To learn more about Earth Hour, please visit: http://www.earthhour.org/

Here is a link for the Earth Hour official video we will be viewing in class: http://www.earthhour.org/official-videos

Our school will be recognizing Earth Hour during Periods 7 and 8 on Friday March 27th.  During this time, all lights and electronics will be turned off in our classroom. 

We hope you can participate in Earth Hour at your home on Saturday March 28th.  Students will be writing about their Earth Hour experiences on Monday March 30th - both the experiences in our classroom, as well as experiences at home. 

Thank you in advance,


Mrs. Onderdonk

Brampton's 2015 Spring Cleanup Campaign!

Over the March Break, I read about my local community's spring cleanup campaign.  I know the importance of being a "neighbourhood revitalization hero", so my family and I will be participating in this event. 

I have searched for information about a Spring Cleanup Campaign for Brampton, Ontario.  Guess what?  It is coming soon!


As noted on the following website,

"Become a ‘neighbourhood revitalization hero’! Join fellow volunteers for a park cleanup in your area and support greenspace health and better waste management practices in Brampton. Reserve your spot for any one of the provided cleanup locations and dates, by registering at a local recreation centre."

Here is a link for more information about the Spring Cleanup Campaign for Brampton, Ontario.

Spring Cleanup Campaign

Spelling City!

Boys and Girls,


Don't forget to visit https://www.spellingcity.com/ponderdonk/ weekly.  Your spelling words for this week have been posted.


Thanks!

Mrs. Onderdonk

Fun Websites to Visit this March Break!

Here are a few fun websites you can visit over the March Break:
Games about telling time:
http://www.maths-games.org/time-games.html

First Grade Science

Grouping Materials
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/6_7/grouping_materials.shtml

Characteristics of Materials
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/characteristics_materials.shtml

Sorting and Using Materials
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/sorting_using_mate.shtml

Second Grade Social Studies

Learn about the countries of the world with Arthur
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/connectworld/connectworld.html

Just for Fun - Learning to Type
Early: http://www.abcya.com/keyboarding_practice.htm
Ready for More: http://play.bbc.co.uk/play/pen/ghdxbnvx7h

Have a fabulous March Break...look out for more posts this week :)

Visit the Maple Sugar Bush at Jack Smyth Field Centre

The following information is courtesy of the Peel District School Board...

Visit the Maple Syrup Sugar Bush at Jack Smythe Field Centre

March Break program runs from Wed., March 18, to Sat., March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. The Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its Maple Syrup Sugar Bush.

The Sugar Bush program has been established for more than 15 years and provides families with an educational activity and a hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel District School Board teachers and staff during March Break.

Families are invited to get involved as spring comes to life in the following activities:

• help tap trees and empty sap buckets
• sample some freshly made maple syrup
• hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand
• learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations
• visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney

The cost is $5/adult and $4/child 12 and under (cash only). Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hot dogs for you to roast over an open fire.

Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta:

North on Mississauga Road, left on King Street (you will see Credit View Public School on your left), right on Winston Churchill Boulevard (you must pass Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left) and proceed to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site.

For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

Oh The Places We'll Go!

To end our Dr. Seuss 2-week unit, we read the story, "Oh the Places You'll Go".  Students were asked to write about what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Some students want to be doctors, while others want to teachers.  There was even a student who wanted to be a fairy!  Overall, it was an amazing unit and we had a great time reading and learning about Dr. Seuss.

Learning About Time

What We're Learning in March!

Happy Holi!

Happy Holi!

The colourful festival comes this year on March 6th.  Holi festival celebrates the triumph of good over bad, and has an ancient origin.  It is a colourful festival that bridges the social gap and renews sweet relationships.

On this day, people hug and wish each other "Happy Holi".

To learn more about HOLI, you can visit:

http://www.holifestival.org/

Raz-Kids

Congratulations to Agsiny in our class.  She has read 237 books on Raz-Kids, and is in 1st place in all of Grade 1. 

Well done, Agsiny. 


Remember - Reading everyday helps create lifelong readers!

Thanks!

Mrs. Onderdonk

March Break in Brampton

March break is almost here!  I have included a link to the Brampton Recreation site that lists all kinds of fun activities happening in Brampton between March 16th to 20th.  Some of the daily activities look like a lot of fun. 

City of Brampton - March Break 2015

Prodigygame.com

It looks like the use of prodigygame.com in our classroom is an absolute success!! Students love this math game that is programmed to adapt to your child's level. 

Below are the top 5 users (based on time logged in) in our classroom:

Congratulations to:

1.  Ranveer
2.  Jamel
3.  Harshini
4.  Sejal
5.  Neel

Keep up the good work, boys and girls!!

March Calendar

February was Black History Month

During the month of February, our school participated in Black History events that celebrated the legacy of black Canadians, both past and present.  Here are some photos of events our students participated in: