Each class at St. Gabriel School is involved in a special Advent project to help those in need. Each class is invited to contribute so we can prepare a hamper for needy families from our adopted school, St. John the Apostle.
Each student is invited to bring in a few specific items for the food hamper. Additionally, a donation made through School Cash Online or given to your child's teacher in class would also be most appreciated. Monies collected will go towards the purchase of a grocery store gift card for each family, so the family can purchase perishable foods for each family such as meat, dairy, eggs, fresh fruit, and vegetables.
We encourage the students to get involved to truly experience the joy of giving. You can encourage your child to make a donation or to complete a chore to earn their own money to give to the cause, so that they experience the gift of giving. In our class, your child is invited to bring in one package of tea and 1 container of icing. We will be collecting the hamper items and money until Friday, December 15th. Thank you to those who have already contributed.
St. Gabriel Advent Project - Please see letter linked here
St. Gabriel Christmas Market - December 14th
Do you have treasures that you are not using or looking to re-gift? This is the perfect event to clear out some clutter before the holidays.
The Christmas Market is an opportunity for students to embrace the joy of giving and a platform for the school community to come together for a meaningful cause. By recycling gently used items, promoting sustainability, and contributing to charitable organizations, this event aligns with the values of eco-schools and reflects the spirit of the Christmas season.
How it works:
All students will have the opportunity to go shopping for a family member. It would be greatly appreciated if you could donate a twoonie ($2) or more for this initiative, as the monies collected will go to support families in need in the OCSB community. All the donated gifts will be put on display and the classes will take turns coming to “shop” for their family members. At the end of the day, your little shopper will bring home a pre-wrapped present ready to put under the tree. The monetary donations are being collected on SchoolCash online.
Donation of Gifts:
● We have found in the past when families donate the same number of gifts as your child(ren) will be taking home, it makes the shopping experience easier. The more gifts you can donate, the more choices our students will have.
● Items should be new or very gently used. Send only gifts that you wouldn’t mind receiving. This includes toys, games, books, DVDs, kitchen items, candles, jewelry, small tools, golf items, and picture frames, etc. ***NO textbooks, stuffed animals, or used hats (for hygienic reasons) or worn out items.
● Please keep in mind gifts for dads and older brothers/sisters, so, if you have a few extras, they would be greatly appreciated!
● Donations of wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, gift boxes, and tape are also needed.
● Drop off donations in the front foyer or send in with your child/children.
We will need parent volunteers to assist the children and wrap the presents on December 14th. A Google Form will be sent from the school in the next week. If interested in volunteering, you are welcome to complete the Google Form.
Thank you for your generosity and support during the Advent Season.
Our Learning
Math:
We will continue our exploration of addition and subtraction. Addition is the process of putting numbers together to find a sum. Subtraction is the process of finding how much is left or how much more is needed. In Grade 2, we are working on recalling and demonstrating our understanding of addition facts for numbers up to 20, and their related subtractions facts. We will practise using a variety of strategies such as using doubles, doubles plus one, doubles minus one, making ten, counting, etc. Here are some ways to show our strategies for the addition strategies for smaller numbers:
Link to Grade 2 Parent Summary Letter About Making Ten here
In Grade 3, we continue to explore strategies for adding and subtracting numbers less than 100 (e.g., using a number line, hundred chart, manipulatives such as counters or ten-frames, drawing objects, and using mental strategies). Later on, we will learn how to add and subtract larger numbers. We will also begin to work on solving word problems that involve addition and subtraction. We will focus on how to communicate and show our thinking (How did we determine our answer?; What strategy did we use? How can we explain our strategy?). We will also learn the steps to solving a problem, including writing the final answer in a complete sentence when solving a word problem. Please have your child practise adding and subtracting at home, with an important focus on encouraging your child to explain his/her thinking, as this is a challenging skill for many.
Link to Grade 3 Parent Summary Letter about Addition and Subtraction Strategies for Numbers Less Than 100 here
Link to Grade 3 Parent Summary Letter about Using Mental Strategies for Adding and Subtracting Numbers Less Than 100 here
Grade 2 and Grade 3 Math Homework:
Memorize doubles addition facts to the sum of 20 (e.g., 4+4, 5+5, 6+6, 7+7, 8+8, 9+9, 10+10), as well as the related doubles subtraction sentences (e.g., 8-4=4, 10-5=5, 16-8=8, etc.).
Language:
We will continue to practise different types of descriptive writing, using adjectives and interesting vocabulary to paint a picture when describing something or someone. In Reading, we will work on visualizing to help us comprehend what we read. We will also begin to look at the similarities and differences between fiction and non-fiction texts and identify the important features of non-fiction texts (e.g., provides information about a topic; often includes a table of contents, photographs, captions, diagrams, labels, maps, glossary, index, bold font, headings, etc.).
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.
Physical Education:
We will continue to work on our underhand and overhand throwing skills.
Important Dates:
Dec. 10th- 2nd Sunday of Advent
Dec. 14th - Christmas Market
Dec. 15th - Last day to bring in food hamper items
Dec. 17th - 3rd Sunday of Advent
Dec. 18-22 - Christmas Spirit Week at school
Dec. 19th - 12:45 p.m. - Advent/Christmas Liturgy followed by Parent Visit to Classrooms (1:30 - 2:30)
Dec. 22 - Last day of school before Christmas holidays
