Dear Families,

The deep, chilly freeze continued this past week, brrr!  I hope that you’re finding ways to keep warm and cozy.  We are fortunate to have Mrs. McQuay (our custodian) who regularly comes in the early morning to check upon the temperature in our classroom and ensures that students and staff are comfortable and warm.  Thank you Mrs. McQuay for your consistent kindness and thoughtful ways, we appreciate you!

Report Cards:

This evening you will have received your child’s Term 1 report card.  I have reinforced the importance of focusing upon their STARS (strengths) and ARROWS (next steps, how to improve) as opposed to solely the letter grade.  As a teacher, it is my responsibility to assign a mark, however, I am encouraging my families to please read my comments as each student has demonstrated wonderful strengths (stars) and yes there are areas for further improvement (arrows) for everybody.  I know for me as an educator, I have many areas to improve upon so I can be the best I can be in and out of the classroom.  The growth of my students has been tremendous and as we enter Term 2, I have every confidence we will continue to blossom so that we’re well prepared for the next level (Grade 2). 

In the report card envelope, you will also notice that I have put in a notebook.  This is your child’s Writer’s Workshop notebook where they have written numerous Recounts (a journal of sorts).  Please take some time over the weekend to listen to him/her share the writing pieces.  I love conferencing with each child and hearing about all the exciting things they’re doing with YOU!  There are components in this Recount writing I’m looking for, ask your child about these (E.g., Title, Orientation – when, who, where, Sequence of Events – first, then, next, after that, finally, Personal Comment – how did the events make you feel?) 

You will also notice there are two sticky notes on their latest piece of writing (see learning goal picture below).  Your child has written a star (something they think they’ve done well in their writing which they should continue) and an arrow sticky (something they think they need to do next time).  The purpose of these are that I am now having the students give themselves “FEEDBACK” to help improve their writing skills.  Since September, I have been doing this with them orally, but now I want your child to be able to closely analyze their work to help them achieve their personal best!!  If we can get our students to see, hear, and feel their areas of strength and needs, I believe they will achieve their best.

Magic of Children’s Art Show:

First off, please check your child’s agenda for a note from Mrs. Czerny and I regarding this art show.

In Art, Mrs. Czerny has had the students create a magical painting which is inspired by artist Ted Harrison.  First, your child first sketched a winter scene in a sketch book.  Then, they painted the scene using primary and secondary colours.  After that, to ensure their painting ‘popped out,’ Mrs. Czerny also had them use a fine black tip marker to outline their lines of horizon.  Finally, during Language today, I had the students do an Artist’s Statement to accompany their painting.  I modeled the following sentence starters to help guide them:  

1. I really like ...  

2.  My painting reminds me of ...  

3.  It makes me feel ...  

The completion of this art project and artist statements ARE extraordinary!!  I have taken some photographs for you to marvel at as well.  

They will be on display in Collingwood at the library during March 3rd - April 28th.  If you are in the Collingwood area, please drop in to see your child's artwork.  The library is located at 55 Saint Marie Street, in Collingwood.  Work will be returned to New Lowell at the conclusion of the show.  We will have our own New Lowell showcase in May. 

 Math Journals:

As part of building upon our mathematical thinking processes, I introduced the use of math journals to my students.  Math is often mistaken solely for computation (figuring out the right answer), however, it is much more than that.  In fact, the steps on how we arrive at our answer is very essential too.  Displaying your work is important.  In math journals, I will be asking the students open-ended questions which don't necessarily have a correct or incorrect answer, instead, I am looking for their thinking.  For example, two of our entries focused on the following questions:  1.  What is your favourite number and why.  Use pictures, numbers, and words to explain your thinking.  2.  Think of a time of day (morning, afternoon, evening, night) and tell me in pictures, numbers, and words what you are doing.  By asking open-ended questions, I am setting up ALL my students for success because everyone can answer these questions.  Students who require more of a challenge, my expectation is for them to go deeper in their thinking by extending their ideas.  

I have taken a few pictures of some entries.  Please take a look, and perhaps as we get further into this journaling, I will send it home so you can see your child's growth.

Our New Learning for Math will focus on telling time to the hour & half hour

     

Quote:

“A smile and a kind word is all it takes to spread joy because happiness is contagious!”

Namaste,

Miss Gill