November 10 to 14, 2025

We Remember

Remembrance Day

This week, we will learn about the meaning of Remembrance Day, including why it is important for us to remember those who have come before us, as well as those who continue to serve in Canada in order that our country remain a peaceful and safe nation. 

On Tuesday, November 11th, we will honour Remembrance Day with a school ceremony in the school gym beginning at 10:45 a.m. 

Help Please:

The weather has certainly turned colder and wetter (snowy!) over the last few days and the forecast is calling for some very cold days this week. Your child should arrive at school in warm clothing such as a winter jacket, warm hat, mittens/gloves, and splash pants or snowpants for the wetter and snowy weather. Please send your child with extra mittens/gloves and socks and label your child's boots, jackets, mittens/gloves, etc., with their name to avoid confusion. Many children's rainboots and winter boots look the same, so labels inside the boots are very helpful.

Our Learning This Week

Math:

This week, the Grade Two students in our class will have an assessment of their learning about about the place value and representing numbers unit which we completed last week. 

We will then continue our number unit about Estimating and Comparing Whole Numbers. In Grade Two, we will be learning about several strategies to compare numbers less than 100, including how to locate numbers on partial number lines. We will also learn how to use place-value to order and compare 2-digit numbers.

Grade 2 Parent Summary Letter Locating Numbers on a Number Line link here

Grade 2 Parent Summary Letter Comparing and Ordering Numbers Using Place Value link here

In Grade 3, we will continue to learn how to round numbers to the nearest tens and hundreds. We will also learn how to build a number line using a scale. 

Grade 3 Parent Summary Letter Building a Number Line Using Scale link here

Grade 3 Parent Summary Letter Comparing Three-Digit Numbers Using Benchmarks link here

Language:

In Reading over the next few weeks, we will begin to work on strengthening our reading comprehension skills by discussing how making connections helps us understand what we are reading. We will practise using what we already know (our schema) to understand what we read. Sometimes the words or pictures in a text remind us of the things we already know, which help us understand a text and make predictions.  

In phonics, last week we learned about the long a vowel sound but ran out of time to learn about the long i vowel sound. This week, we will learn about the long i vowel sound as in the words ice, bike, side, ride, five, and kite. The long vowel sound is the same as the vowel's name, I. The vowel i says its own name, I, when there is a silent E at the end of a word. Reminder: The E does not make a sound so we say it is "silent" ("silent E" or "bossy E"). 

No new heart words this week.

Please have your child practise the heart words we have learned so far in class: the, I, a, said, to, do, of, see, he, be, me, from, you, what, have, look, book, are, was, your, want, go, no, so, goes, says, they, their, were, talk, walk, could, should, would, or, for, *who, *by, *my.

Spelling Check-In:

Please note that there will not be a Spelling check-in this week. We will postpone it until next week. 

Health and Physical Education:

We are finishing up our soccer lead-up skills unit and will begin to practise underhand and overhand ball manipulation skills in Physical Education. During our Health lessons, we will learn about the importance of healthy eating.

Next Steps from Progress Report Cards: How Parents Can Help At Home

Your child's Progress Report will be available for parents on the Parent Portal on Thursday, November 13th. Parents often ask how they can academically support their children at home. Here are some suggestions:

Math:

* Memorize doubles addition facts to the sum of 20.
Song about doubles addition facts

*Practice addition facts to the sum of 20 (e.g., 17 + 3 = 20, 9 + 8 = 17). Have your child explain his/her strategy out loud.

Reading:

*Daily reading out loud (students can access extra books via Sora on the Student Portal)

Book recommendations from the Ottawa Public Library

* After reading - ask comprehension questions such as, "Who are the main characters in the story?", "What is the problem in the story?", "Why do you think ____ happened?"; "Have you ever felt the way the main character felt?"; "Does anything in this book remind you of another book you have read?"; "What would be another good ending to this story?", etc. Have your child answer in complete sentences. Encourage your child to look in the text and show you where the answer to your question is.

Looking Ahead:

Tuesday, November 11 - Remembrance Day

Thursday, November 13: Progress Reports available on Parent Portal

Friday, November 14 - Library books due

November 17-21: Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Thursday, November 20 - St. Gabriel Parent/Teacher Interviews

  November 3 to 7, 2025

Treaties Recognition Week and International Inuit Day:

November 2-8 is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario.Throughout the week, our school will explore the importance of treaties and increase awareness of treaty rights, obligations, and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Treaties are formal, legally binding agreements (promises) between two separate nations. Treaties between the British Crown (the federal and provincial governments of Canada) and Indigenous peoples were signed and people were promised land reserves, healthcare, schools, and tools, equipment and supplies for hunting, fishing, farming. In return, the government had promises of peace, law, and order. At school, we will learn about the significance of treaty rights, treaty relationships, and their relevance today. We will learn about International Inuit Day, which is on Friday, November 7th. We will continue our learning journey throughout November (and throughout the year), as November is Indigenous Education Month at the Ottawa Catholic School Board. For more information about treaties in Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/treaties

Our Learning This Week

Math:

We will soon begin our new number unit, Estimating and Comparing Whole Numbers. In Grade Two, we will learn several strategies to compare numbers less than 100 and learn how to locate numbers on partial number lines. We will also learn how to use place-value to order and compare 2-digit numbers.

Grade 2 Parent Summary Letter Comparing Two-Digit Numbers link here

Grade 2 Parent Summary Letter Locating Numbers on a Number Line link here

In Grade 3, our focus over the next week will be on rounding a two-digit number to the nearest ten using number lines and base ten materials. We will also learn how to build a number line using a scale. 

Grade 3 Parent Summary Letter Rounding to the Nearest Ten link here

Grade 3 Parent Summary Letter Building a Number Line Using a Scale link here

Language:

Our next phonics lessons will focus on long vowel sounds. This week, we will begin by learning about the long a vowel sound, as in ape. The long vowel sound is the same as the vowel's name, A.

The vowel a says its own name, A, when there is a silent E at the end of a word, like in the words made, tape, cake, and same. **Usually, when there is a silent E at the end of a word it makes vowels say their names, or long vowel sounds. The E does not make a sound so we say it is "silent" ("silent E" or "bossy E"). 

After our long a vowel sound, we will learn about the long i vowel sound as in the words ice, bike, side, ride, five, and kite. The long vowel sound is the same as the vowel's name, I. The vowel i says its own name, I, when there is a silent E at the end of a word. Reminder: The E does not make a sound so we say it is "silent" ("silent E" or "bossy E"). 

New heart words: who, by, my

Please have your child practise the heart words we have learned so far in class: the, I, a, said, to, do, of, see, he, be, me, from, you, what, have, look, book, are, was, your, want, go, no, so, goes, says, they, their, were, talk, walk, could, should, would, or, for, *who, *by, *my.

National Veterans Week: November 5-11:

We will take some time later this week and next week to read about and determine important information about Remembrance Day and peace. 

Looking Ahead:

Mon., Nov. 3- Pajama Day at St. Gabriel

November 6 - Library books due

November 7 - International Inuit Day

November 7 -  P.D. Day (no school for students)

November 8 - Indigenous Veterans’ Day

November 17-21: Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

November 11 - Remembrance Day
November 13: Progress Reports available on Parent Portal

November 20: Parent-teacher interviews

 October 27 - October 31, 2025

Halloween will be this week on Friday, October 31st. The students are invited to dress in their costumes on Halloween. We ask that no scary or violent costumes be worn. Also, no props, weapons, or masks at school please. If your child wishes to include face painting with their costume at school, we ask that the paint is minimal and does not cover the entire face. These costume details are fun for trick-or-treating after school but not appropriate for school. You are strongly encouraged to label your child's Halloween costume pieces in case something is misplaced during the day. If you are concerned about damaged costumes, your child is invited to dress in Halloween colours (orange, purple, or black) instead of a costume.

Important Message about Culturally Sensitive Halloween Costumes: 

Please make sure to consider a thoughtful approach about whether the costume is culturally sensitive and appropriate. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, cultural appropriation is, “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect the culture.” Halloween is a fun event and with some creativity and imagination, parents can help their child(ren) choose a costume that aligns with a culturally sensitive Halloween. Being proactive can help all of us to avoid uncomfortable situations at school and in our community and can help us ensure that Halloween is a fun event where all students feel safe and honoured. Looking forward to seeing all the creativity!

Halloween Treats:

In addition, please do not send in edible treats to be handed out to the students due to allergies and many students' dietary limitations. Remember to save your child's candy/treats for home consumption as we will be focusing on healthy eating in class as part of our healthy eating unit. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and fun Halloween! 

Our Learning This Week

Language:

In Writing, we will continue to practise our recount writing skills. Next Monday, the students will be asked to recount their Halloween experience if they participate, or another personal experience (e.g., a birthday, a special family experience, a time they got hurt, etc.). We are working on adding more adjectives and details to our writing to 'bump it up'. 

In grammar and word work, we will continue to learn how to use adjectives. Our next UFLI phonics lesson will be about another consonant digraph sound. A consonant digraph is two consonants that come together to make one sound. Our next UFLI phonics lesson is about the -nk sound pattern, as in the words sank, thank, drank, bank, think, pink, sink, honk, sunk, junk, plunk, stunk.

New heart words: there, where

Please have your child practise the heart words we have learned so far in class: the, I, a, said, to, do, of, see, he, be, me, from, you, what, have, look, book, are, was, your, want, go, no, so, goes, says, they, their, were, talk, walk, could, should, would, or, for, *there, *where.

Math:

Over the next couple of days, we will finish up our unit about place value and representing numbers in different ways. We will soon begin our new number unit, Estimating and Comparing Whole Numbers. In Grade Two, we will learn several strategies to compare numbers less than 100 and learn how to locate numbers on partial number lines. We will also learn how to use place-value to order and compare 2-digit numbers. In Grade 3, we will learn the same skills but with numbers to 1000. 

Spelling Check-In:

For each spelling check-in (Mondays), you can help your child learn how to spell each of the heart words we have learned this year "by heart". The spelling check-in on Monday, November 3rd will also include words with the spelling patterns we have recently learned: -ng, -nk.

Homework:

This week, your child will bring home some homework. Your child's homework will be due back at school on Monday, November 3rd. 

Other homework ideas:

- Daily reading out loud to a parent for 10-20 minutes (students can access extra books via Sora on their Student Portal). A good suggestion is for you to "take turns" reading aloud with your child - for example, you read a couple of pages, then your child reads a couple of pages. Your child will benefit from hearing you read aloud as you can model what fluent reading sounds like. 

Looking Ahead:

Friday, Oct. 31: Halloween - dress in orange, purple, black or costume

Friday, Oct. 31: Gr. 2/3 library books due

Saturday, Nov. 1: All Saints Day

Sunday, Nov. 2: Daylight Savings Day - Turn back clocks

 October 20 - 24, 2025

Now that Fall has officially arrived and the mornings are cool, please make certain that your child is dressed in layers and has warm clothes like a coat each day. The weather is often unpredictable and some children have not had adequate clothing at recess. Putting an extra pair of socks in your child's backpack is also a great idea for when little feet get cold and wet.

We Scare Hunger Campaign

From October 20th to October 31st, please consider having your child bring non-perishable food items to school to be donated to the Foodbank. Examples of items to bring: dry pasta, cereals, rice, canned soup, crackers.

Curriculum Update

Language: 

In Writing, the children are learning about the features of recount writing and the students are using these features to write their own personal recounts (for example, their Thanksgiving recounts). We will review how to write a good opening sentence when writing a recount. 

The Grade 2 students are also working on "What is a sentence?", including how to write a complete sentence using capitalization and correct punctuation (e.g., a period, question mark, exclamation mark). In addition to reviewing how to write a complete sentence that makes sense, the Grade 3s are also learning how to write a paragraph.

During our grammar and word work lessons, we will review common nouns and proper nouns and begin our focus on adjectives. 

In phonics, uur next lesson is about the digraph -ng, as in the words king, long, ring, rung, rang, sing, sang, song, sung, hang, thing, wing, bring, swing.

New heart words: or, for

Please have your child practise the heart words we have learned so far in class: the, I, a, said, to, do, of, see, he, be, me, from, you, what, have, look, book, are, was, your, want, go, no, so, goes, says, they, their, were, talk, walk, could, should, would, *or, *for.

Math:

We have completed our Grade 2 and Grade 3 units on patterning (repeating patterns with changing attributes, and increasing and decreasing number patterns). Both grades participated in an assessment of their learning last week. Our next Math unit for both grades is about representing numbers. In Grade 2, students will learn how to read, represent, compose and decompose whole numbers up to and including 200, using a variety of tools and strategies, including base ten materials, and describe ways they are used in everyday life. In Grade 3, students will focus on the same skills but with numbers up to and including 1000. Both grades will also explore what makes a number odd or even.

Link to Grade 2 parent summary letter representing tens here

Link to Grade 3 parent summary letter representing hundreds here

Religion:

We have been learning that we belong to a classroom and school community, our family, and God's family. On Tuesday, we will have a visit from Fr. Kevin from St. Isidore Church who will spend some time with the Grade 2/3 and 1/2 classes and answer questions about the Sacraments.

Looking Ahead:

October 20 - 31: Food drive for Food Cupboard

Monday, Oct. 20: Spelling check-in

Tuesday, Oct. 21: Pizza lunch

Friday, Oct. 25: Library books due

Friday, Oct. 25: School Photo Day

 October 14 - 17, 2025

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! This is the time to reflect on and thank God for our many blessings. I am so thankful to have your children in my class!

Our Learning

Math:

We have almost completed our Grade 2 and Grade 3 units on patterning (repeating patterns with changing attributes, and increasing and decreasing number patterns). Both grades will complete an assessment of their learning later this week. Our next Math unit for both grades is about representing numbers. In Grade 2, students will learn how to read, represent, compose and decompose whole numbers up to and including 200, using a variety of tools and strategies, including base ten materials, and describe ways they are used in everyday life. In Grade 3, students will focus on the same skills but with numbers up to and including 1000. Both grades will also explore what makes a number odd or even.

Language:

This week in Writing, we will review how to write a personal recount (recounting a personal experience). We use an anchor chart/criteria chart for the features of a recount (title, opening, events, closing/conclusion, past tense verbs, time order and sequence words such as first, next, then, after, finally, the next day ... etc.) to write about something we did on the Thanksgiving weekend. At home, you can help by asking your child to recount an event to you using the order and sequence words first, next, then, after that, finally. In our study of media, we will continue our unit on how to be good digital citizens and how to be safe when using online tools, using the school board's unit: Samaritans on a Digital Road. 

Reading/Spelling:

Our next UFLI phonics lesson is about the digraph sound /wh/, at the beginning of a word, as in the words which, whim, whip, when, whiz, and the digraph sound /ph/, as in the words phone, graph, Phil, Steph.

This week's Heart Words: were, walk, talk, could, would, should

Please also review the following "heart words" that your child would have learned last year: the, I, a, and, said, to, do, of, see, he, be, me, from, you, what, have, look, book, are, was, your, want, go, no, so, goes, says, she, we, they, their, *were, *walk, *talk, *could, *would, *should.

**Next Monday, we will have a "spelling check-in" so please help your child review how to spell the heart words learned so far. See the list above.

Homework:

This week, your child will bring home some homework. The Grade 2s will bring home UFLI phonics homework to reinforce the learning from the last two weeks' phonics lessons about digraphs. The Grade 3s will be given a homework sheet about common nouns and proper nouns to reinforce our learning about nouns from last week. *Please see this video about common and proper nouns here.

Your child's homework will be due back at school on Monday, October 20th. 

Important Dates:

Tuesday, October 14 - Pizza lunch

Thursday, October 16 - School Thanksgiving liturgy 1:00 p.m.

Friday, October 17 - Grade 2/3 library books due

Monday, October 20th - Grade 2/3 homework due and Spelling check-in

   Week of October 6 - 10, 2025

Our Learning This Week

Math:

We will continue our study of patterning. This week, we will finish exploring repeating patterns and changing attributes. The Grade Twos will practise recognizing and creating repeating patterns. The Grade Threes will describe, continue, and create repeating patterns that change in more than one way.

Link to Grade 2 Repeating Patterns Parent Summary letter here

Link to Grade 3 Repeating Patterns Parent Summary letter here

Language:

During our grammar and word work lessons, we will begin to learn about the parts of speech called nouns. A noun is a person, place, thing, or animal. We will be exploring proper nouns and common nouns.

Reading/Spelling: Our next UFLI Phonics lessons (Reading and Spelling) will focus on reviewing the consonant digraphs learned last year. A consonant digraph is two consonants that come together to make one sound. We began last week by learning the -FLSZ rule. The -flsz Rule (or "Floss Rule") means that in a one syllable word, if a short vowel is followed by an f, l, s, or z, then the consonant is doubled, as in the words off, bell, pass, buzz. (see last week's blog post). This week, we will review the following digraphs:

1- /LL/ sound: Sometimes, when LL comes after the vowels A, O, and U, the LL changes the vowel sound, such as in the following words:

-all: ball, call, fall, hall, mall, small, stall, tall, wall

-oll: poll, roll, toll, troll

-ull: bull, full, pull

2- voiced /th/ (which comes at the beginning of a word), such as in the words then, that, this, them

3- unvoiced /th/ (also called "voiceless"), such as in the words thin, bath, thanks

4- -ck (When we hear the /k/ sound at the end of a word after a short vowel, we spell it with a ck, like at the end of the words duck, rock, black, sick, quack, stick, clock

5- /ch/, (which can come at the beginning or end of a one-syllable word) as in the words chin, chest, check, rich, such, lunch.

6- /wh/, (which comes at the beginning of a word) as in the words which, whim, when, whiz.

7- /ph/, as in the words phone, graph, Phil, Steph.

REMINDER: What Are "Heart" Words? 

Many common words present challenges to children because they are irregular in some way. These words contain letters or letter combinations that do not follow the most common letter-sound correspondences, and those must be learned “by heart,” hence the term “heart” words. Some words are permanently irregular (the sounds of the letters are unique to that word or to a very small number of words) and others are temporarily irregular (words in which we have not yet learned the letter-sound correspondences in the word).

This week's Heart Words: go, no, so, goes, says, she, we, he, they, their.

Please also review the following "heart words" that your child would have learned last year: the, I, a, and, said, to, do, of, see, he, be, me, from, you, what, have, look, book, are, was, your, want, *go, *no, *so, *goes, *says, *she, *we, *they, *their.

**At the end of next week, we will have a "spelling check-in" so please help your child learn how to spell and write the heart words learned so far. See the list above.

Religion:

This week we will prepare for Thanksgiving. We will discuss what we are thankful for and how we can use prayer to show that we are thankful.

Physical Education:

We have begun our soccer unit. We will continue to practise our dribbling and trapping skills.

In Visual Arts, we will continue our learning about the primary and secondary colours and the colour wheel. We have been exploring creating works of art using these colours. Ask your child about their beautiful Mondrian-style art work.

Important Dates:

Tuesday, October 7 - Wear your hockey jersey or red and white

Wednesday, October 8 - School photo day

Thursday, October 9 - Library books due 

Friday, October 10 - P.D. Day: No school

Monday, October 13 - Thanksgiving: No school