Dear Families,

I hope you've had a wonderful week with your family and found ways to enjoy the fresh air all bundled up cozily as it's been chilly.  On Wednesday evening, Mrs. Czerny and I went to Nordic Highlands in Duntroon to go cross-country skiing.  We had an absolute blast!!  Last year, I took my grade 4 students there to learn this sport, it provides a challenge, amazing exercise and enjoying the great outdoors.  I love it!  This weekend, I am planning on being outside again to enjoy another winter activity, perhaps going skating!  I love spending wintery days with loved ones filling my heart and mind with JOY & LAUGHTER!  How will you be spending your weekend?

Measurement Learning:

This week, I sent home a math note with our current learning goal and success criteria.  I hope you had an opportunity to read this over with your child.  The students are having a lot of fun measuring objects in the classroom using non-standard units of measure such as their footprint.  We are learning to use the terms longer, shorter, and equal to when comparing various objects.  Today, we used string to measure around objects.  We always record our findings in a chart and share our discoveries.

Writing:

On Monday, your child received his/her very own writing notebook which will contain a variety of Recount writing pieces.  Our focus has been on this for several months and I am pleased to say, students are consolidating their learning from my lessons and are writing to their potential.  As always, we will continue to build upon and grow as the school year progresses J We have been spending time learning about the Writing Process which includes - brainstorming, using graphic organizers, editing, revising, receiving teacher/peer feedback, publishing, and finally sharing with the class.  It has been a joy to see their progress from September.  I have taken a few photos of their writing, if you wish to have your child bring home their writing notebook for you to see, please let me know in the agenda.

 

Family Literacy Day & Spirit Assembly:

Please check your child’s agenda this evening as I sent home a note regarding Family Literacy Day.  We will be celebrating it next Friday January 23^rd.  Students are encouraged to dress as their favourite storybook character.  On this day, students will be in mixed grade groupings to hear staff read their favourite picture book J After this process, we will be in the gym for a Spirit Assembly.  Mrs. Bell, Ms. Doka, the grade 7/8 leadership team and I are currently working hard on organizing this assembly with a focus on literacy!  Enjoy thinking about and discussing with your child who their favourite book character is so they will be prepared with a costume for this fabulous day!!  Thank you for your support in this spirit building and literacy initiative! 

Website:

Several students have mentioned that they received tablets over the Christmas break J  I’m encouraging you to put the app for RazKids and www.spellingcity.com (the latter is a word study program where your child can type in their key words and do a bunch of fun, engaging games.  It is known to be an award-winning game-based learning tool for vocabulary, spelling, writing and language arts.  Give it a try, I know your child enjoys using this program when they are at “Tech Time” when we do our Literacy Workstations!

Quote:

“The purpose of human life is to serve … to show compassion and the will to help others.”

PS:  Thank you Mr. Leal for all your help with uploading these pictures :)  We HONOUR YOU :-)))  Parents I hope you enjoyed seeing your child!

Namaste,

Miss Gill