December 8 to 12, 2025

This week is the second week of Advent. We will pray, sing, and read versions of the Christmas story, and light the second purple candle on the Advent wreath, symbolizing peace. The students continue to perform acts of kindness to prepare their hearts for the coming of Baby Jesus. Ask your child about our class Advent calendar. 

St. Gabriel Christmas Market December 17th

Our annual Christmas Market is returning. Students will have the opportunity to choose special gifts for their family members using donated items from our community. As we did last year, a minimum $2 donation is required to participate. This contribution supports our Advent outreach project, helping families in need during the holiday season. We kindly request that donations be submitted by December 16th in order for students to participate. 

For the market, we are collecting gently used or new donations of items such as candles, decorations, jewelry, hats, scarves, books, toys, puzzles, mugs, kitchen gadgets, bath products, and wrapping supplies. 

Donations accepted in the front foyer until December 12th.

 Parent volunteers are also needed for gift-wrapping on December 17th (morning & afternoon).  Sign up here

Thank you for helping us spread Christmas joy by supporting our Advent outreach initiative!

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 Using Doubles here 

Link to Grade 2 Parent Letter about Adding By 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 having your child explain their 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 Solving Problems Using Mental Strategies for Adding and Subtracting Numbers Less Than 100 here

Language:

Our writing focus will continue to be on practising different types of descriptive writing, using adjectives and interesting vocabulary to paint a picture when describing something or someone. 

Our phonics lessons will be about the -ce ending. We will learn that -ce says /s/ such as in the words rice, trace, twice, space.

No new heart words this week. Last week's Heart Words: one, once

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, *one, *once.

Physical Education:

We will continue to work on our underhand and overhand throwing skills. 

Homework: Reading Practice Folder

Last week, your child brought home a Reading Practice Folder. Thank you for reminding your child to return this reading folder to school each Monday. 

This folder will contain the weekly phonics homework practice sheets. They will be kept on the right side of the folder. The folder will also contain an additional book for your child to read with you. This book is chosen by your child and may not be at their reading level. It is meant to develop their reading comprehension skills and a love of reading. Please help your child by asking them comprehension questions (see suggestions in folder) after reading the story together. Thank you for supporting your child with their reading practice. 

Important Dates:

Dec. 7 - Second Sunday of Advent

Dec. 12 - From 1:00 - 2:00 Grade 2/3 parents invited to to Mrs. Maidment's classroom to help make Christmas cards for seniors residence

Dec. 12 - Last day to bring in toiletries donations and book donations Dec. 14 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Dec. 17 - Advent/Christmas Liturgy at 1:00 p.m.

Dec. 19 - Last day of school before Christmas holidays

Dec. 22 - January 4th - Christmas Break: School closed

Jan. 5 - First day of school after Christmas break