Friday 28 November 2014

Dear Families,

Happy Movember!  Thank you to all the students and staff who participated in this Spirit Day today and raising awareness and funds to help find a cure.  There were many creative 'staches' which were great!  I have captured some pictures for each of you to enjoy! 
Alexander, Brody, Conrad, Layla, Emma, Karina :)
 
Stace (Gr. 4), Ms. Doka, and ELMO ;)

Mr. Leal & Mr. Daniels - creatively carved staches, amazing!!
Have a wonderful weekend with your loved ones.  It’s supposed to get warmer on Sunday 13C but then back to cooler temperatures when we return to school on Monday.  Thank you to the parents who’ve been sending in with your child extra mitts, hats, and splash pants just in case it gets too wet during a recess break.  Students are feeling warm and cozy J 

Character Recognition Assembly:
On Monday at 9:15a.m. we are having our 3rd recognition assembly at 9:15am celebrating November’s Character Trait of ‘Courage – We do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.  Congratulations to our recipients whom I will be sure to take a picture of and post on our blog next week!  I am so proud of my students for consistently striving to be the best they can BE in and out of the classroom. 

“There is within each one of us a potential for goodness beyond our imagining for giving which seeks no reward; for listening without judgement; for loving unconditionally.”

December's Character Trait is EMPATHY “We think about the feelings of others!”
Social Studies Inquiry-Based Learning – Roles & Responsibilities:

Welcome Mrs. Bell!

Sharing her Role & Responsibilities

Welcome Mrs. McQuay who shared her Role & Responsibilities
As part of our learning for the Roles & Responsibilities of various community helpers, Ms. Hartley invited Mrs. Bell (our principal) and Mrs. McQuay (our custodian) to visit and share their specific role and responsibilities.  The students then used the Q-Chart (aka ‘Question Chart’) to ask our visitors questions relating to their responsibilities. 
Some of the questions asked were:
“What tools do you use to do your job?”  “Why did you choose to be a principal/custodian?”  “What is your most favourite and least favourite part of your role?”  “Who inspired you to become a teacher/custodian?”  Ms. Hartley and I have been modelling ‘Questioning’ and some of the students are beginning to ask deeper questions in their Inquiry notebooks.  Thank you to Mrs. Bell and Mrs. McQuay for participating in our Inquiry, I know the students really enjoyed listening and learning from you!! 

Thank you Ms. Hartley for writing this down for us
***REMINDER:  Timeline Projects” which I sent home earlier this month are due next Friday (Dec. 5th).  If you require Bristol board, please let me know by indicating it in your child’s agenda.  I have posted below an example which may help some families, thank you to Alexander for bringing in your Timeline, it is serving as a model. 

Alexander's Timeline - thank you for giving us this model!
Math – Patterning
This week, I sent home a Math Note with our new Learning Goal and Success Criteria for mathematics which has a focus on Patterning.  I am encouraging parents to read over these notes with your child as I refer to them in class when we do our 3-Part math lessons (Minds On – activate schema, the Action - task, and Consolidation – class sharing).  For each math lesson I teach, I ensure I post the specific Learning Goal (“We are learning to …”) with the Success Criteria (“I can …”) for my students so they know exactly what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how they will achieve the learning goal.  Students are beginning to be actively engaged in this process J  Ask your child what his/her learning goal for math was each day.
     
Library Visit #4:
Our final visit to the library was a huge success!  Students listened to 3 entertaining read alouds, made a neat bear/den craft, mailed their letter to Santa (wihoo!!), and we had a mini-celebration for our amazing librarians who helped make our experience a meaningful and FUN one!  We look forward to seeing you again Ms. Janice and Ms. Glenda in the spring!  I have sent home your child’s very own library card, I’m encouraging you to visit our local library and enjoy signing out a book.  Your child will be very enthusiastic to share where we sat for stories and did the crafts.  I was very pleased with how the students behaved and represented our school!  I know the librarians were very impressed with their attentiveness and respect.  Way to go boys and girls!!!  Here are a few pictures from our visit: 

Thank YOU Ms. Glenda and Ms. Janice (local librarians)

Ask your child about this neat book called "Press Me"

Grade Ones ready to create!

Carissa & Karrington - working together to get the job done!

Crafty Emily & Ashlee

Miika, Joel, Alexander - what a neat book!

Layla, Conrad, Jake, Cassius, Hannah

Madi and Karina

Kaden, Brody, Cassius

Ava & Emma

Proud of her efforts!  Writing a letter :)

Karrington mailing her Santa letter

Ashlee carefully placing her Santa letter to the North Pole

Alexander who was our Helper of the Day presented Ms. Glenda with a Thank You card we made in class

Ms. Glenda reading our card!

Quote:
“If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal.  Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.”  -Nelson Mandela

Thank you Ava and Ashley for taking the time to make me such loving cards and a bracelet! 
I HONOUR YOU!

Namaste,
Miss Gill

Thursday 20 November 2014

Dear Families,
Monster creations!  Roarrrrrr!!
Winter is officially here!  With the colder temperatures, I am pleased to see that all my students are dressed cozily and warmly with winter attire (E.g., touque, gloves/mitts, coat, snow pants, neck warmer, etc…).  I am encouraging families to please have your child put in their backpacks an extra pair of socks and mitts/gloves just in case because I have had a few students come in from a fitness breaks feeling wet and damp from playing in the snow.  Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Bus Cancellations:
We have already had our first official ‘snow day’!  Wow, and it’s only Nov.!  I have had a few parents ask me this so I would like to clarify on here, too.  Please know that if we experience bus cancellations on a particular field trip day that the field trip will also be cancelled.  I will always do my best to reschedule the trip for another day if I am able to.  Thank you.

Library Trip #3:
On Thursday, we had our third visit to the local library.  I am always overjoyed with the excitement and enthusiasm that my students have on these adventures!  I am sure your child has already shared his/her Monster craft with you J  It is magnetic so perhaps you have it on your fridge?!  I am very appreciative with the organization, planning, and delivering of the weekly reading/craft that Ms. Glenda and Ms. Janice prepare for us.  We will certainly be making a ‘Thank You’ card for them.  Please note: Thurs. Nov. 27th is our final visit, have your child please return their book which they had the opportunity to sign out this week.  Thank you.  I will do my best to schedule another 4 visits in the spring (May-June) as this has certainly been one of the many highlights of our year thus far!  “The library is the place to be!”  Here are a few pictures I took from our visit:

Ms. Glenda reading and sharing 1 of 3 monster books :)

Alexander actively participating - way to go!

The Local Library - truly a charming, cozy space.

Alexander & Cassius sharing Ms. Glenda's monster models

Away they go ... monster creating!

Emma's creation :)


Roarrrrrrrrrrrr!

Ms. Doka's Jake and Joel with my Jacob!

Read Alouds - ask your child which one was his/her favourite and why?

Kaden, Brody, and Cassius ready to sign out their books with their new library cards!

I LOVE THIS!  This makes my heart soooo happy - Daniel, Kurtis, Miika engaged readers!

Writing a letter to Santa!  We'll be writing our own letters and then mailing them into this mailbox next Thurs.!

Carissa & Emily - reading buddies!
 Spirit Assembly:
Also on Thursday, we had our second Spirit Assembly.  The theme focused on ‘Movember’ so we did a whole school dance called ‘Do the Stache’ which the Leadership team members (which is comprised of Gr. 7/8 students) made up the lyrics and dance moves to - quite impressive!  I think our students are enjoying these assemblies as we’re building a sense of belonging and community.  When we have a Spirit day, I am encouraging all my students to please wear their house colours.  Students were going to write this into their agendas on Wed. but we had a snow day so they didn’t get a chance to do this.  Next time, I’ll ensure that I give them further notice.  While I’ve got you, I’ll let you know that …….. our next Spirit Assembly is on Fri. Dec. 19th (last day before the winter holidays), please have your child dress in house colours.  If you do not know their house colour and your child forgets as well, please write me a note in the agenda and I’d gladly let you know and make sure I write it down for you.  Thank you for participating in our ‘spirit building’ initiative!

Quote:
"Your thoughts become your words.  Your words become your actions.  Your actions become your destiny."
         
With all my heart & Namaste,
Miss Gill

Friday 14 November 2014

Dear Families,

Happy Camo Day Everyone!


Winter has officially arrived everyone!  I bet your child is excited about this as they get to run, jump, build and have fun in the snow!  My drive to school this morning was a bit tough, I really need to get organized and get my winter tires on.  Be safe on the roads everyone, the first snow fall tends to create a slippy drive.  Havea fabulous weekend with your loved ones. 

Remembrance Day Assembly:
On Tuesday, all staff and students participated in a Remembrance Day assembly to express our love, honour and gratitude to all those who have, are and will serve our country.  We truly are blessed to live in such a safe, caring and beautiful Canada.  As you know, each day as a whole school we sing O'Canada, as a teacher, during this time, I ensure that my students and I demonstrate our utmost respect and take time in our own way to say 'thank you' for being part of a wonderful community, country, and world.  I am so proud of my students for their efforts in singing “The Little Red Poppy” song with such love and compassion.  Parents who were able to attend, thank you for joining us and sharing your energy and time.  To all the staff members involved in organizing this Remembrance Day honouring, thank you for all your hard work!!!  At the end of our assembly, I had the students come back to our learning community and we brainstormed and wrote about “How We Can Bring Peace to Our Classroom.”  I was very impressed with some of their responses.  We always strive to maintain peace in our learning and cooperative play.  Here are a few pictures I captured from this assembly and of student work:

Primary Division singing; "The Little Red Poppy" song.  Thank you Mrs. Cznery for organizing this special event!

Remembrance Day art work

Peace DOVES :-)

Listening attentively and ready to perform

Lest We Forget

Mrs. Bell's thoughtful words of remembrance

Grade 4 students laying their wreath

Grade 3 students laying their class wreath

Respectful remembering participants

A tribute to each of the World Wars

Layla's mom, thank you for attending!

Grade 6 students reading "Flanders Field"

Hannah's peace wreath

Ashlee's ideas for how she will bring "Peace" to our learning community

Carissa & Conrad peaceful students

Ashlee & Nolan working together to get their job done :)

Layla & Kaden ready to honour their peace ideas

Lovely Layla!

Brilliant Brody!

Brody's Peace ideas, great work!

Student-Led Conferences:
It was a true pleasure meeting with all my students' families this week.  Thank you for taking the time to attend and help celebrate and enjoy all your child's achievements thus far in the school year.  I am extremely proud of each learner as they diligently led the interview beautifully by sharing their self-assessment through their "Star" and "Arrow" pieces of work.  It was their chance to shine and they certainly lit up our hearts and minds!  Throughout the Conferences, I experienced many heart-warming moments with parents and I deeply appreciate and value all your positive and constructive feedback.  I will use it to continue to provide my best as an educator for your child's academic, social, and behavioural needs.  Meeting the needs of my students is of utmost importance to me and I will always work hard to ensure they receive a compassionate, caring, and safe environment to learn in.  Again, thank you for your support, cooperation, and understanding.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

The 4 Parts to a Recount:
In Language, we have been going deeper into our thinking when we write a personal Recount (retelling a special event).

Our Learning Goal for a Recount is:  We will learn, write, and remember the 4 parts of a recount. (Thank you Grace for helping our class develop this learning goal).

Success Criteria:
_ I will include a title for my recount.
_ I will explain the orientation (when, who, where, why?).
_ I will have a logical sequence of events (what happened? First, then, next, finally).
_ I will evaluate and provide a personal comment (how do the events make the writer feel?).
Using this Learning Goal and Success Criteria, students will complete a Recount and they will share their writing with a peer and provide each other feedback.  I am looking forward to reading and celebrating their growing writing skills!
Websites to visit:
www.spellingcity.com is a program that will assist in our “Word Study Program,” it's both interactive and FUN!  Please give it a try with next week's words :)
Both of these math websites offer games, questions to help build upon math skills that we're currently working on and it follows the Nelson math resource I'm using in class.
Camo Day:
On Wednesday we celebrated Camouflage day!  It was fabulous to see a lot of students and staff members in their camo!  I’m not a hunter, but wearing the clothing was quite fun!  Check us out J   

"Let there be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin with me!"

Library Visit #2:

We are using our 5 Magic Rules for Listening to Ms. Glenda :) as she reads an Owl story
On Thursday, we went to the local library again and this time each student received his/her very own library card, they were very excited about this process!  They even got to sign out a book, please ensure that it is returned by Thursday so your son/daughter may get another book!  Did you check out their Owl craft?  They thoroughly enjoyed creating these, I thought they turned out beautifully, sooo cute!  Trip #3 here we comeeeee ;) 
Quote:
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle which you may know nothing about.  Be kind.  Always."

Namaste,
Miss Gill