Dear Families,

I apologize for my later post on a Friday night, I found out at the end of the day that our school was being locked at 5:30p so I had to scoot out of there.  I took my notebook home and have written this post cozily by my fireplace listening to the Spa tunes on Stingray Music, ahhh bliss!    

Can you believe that we’re soon upon our last week of January next week, wowza!  Time sure flies when you’re having a blast!  Your child truly brings me such joy and happiness daily.  We are all thinking, learning, and growing with each other – an uplifting feeling! 

Family Literacy Day:

Happy Family Literacy Day!!

Today as a whole school, we celebrated Literacy Day!  It was a real treat seeing all the creative, wonderful book characters!  I have shared with my students that ‘Reading is Power,’ and it is a tool that must be embraced, cherished, and celebrated J  Thank you to everyone who dressed up as their favourite book character!  It was great to try to figure out who your child was portraying J  I was Jeremiah from the book Jeremiah Learns to Read.  One of my all time favourite books!  Ask your child about this read aloud and what the author’s message is (what was the author trying to teach us?)

In addition to literacy celebrating, I am delighted to share with you that every day, I meet with one group to do a Guided Reading lesson and every child is READING!!  I have let my students also know that everyone is at a different level and that is OK, as long as we’re learning and growing at our own pace.  I have had a few parents ask this so I am going to share it on here now, the expected reading level by the end of Grade 1 is level 15/16.  I am optimistic that we CAN and WILL reach this goal.  Thank you to all the parents who continue to reading diligently with your child every evening and having them complete the 1 page of Word Study Homework, it is making a significant difference in their learning and growing!!!   

Spirit Assembly:

Our school’s leadership team did an excellent job organizing an assembly linked with celebrating reading!  They made a green screen presentation about the famous Dr. Suess book called Green Eggs and Ham.  All students were so engaged during this presentation and loved seeing the older students perform.  Following this, we had a house challenge where each team had to unscramble and answer a question about the book.  Congratulations to the Blue House for finishing first, then Yellow House, after that Green House, and finally Red House!  It was a fun challenge and everyone displayed character throughout it J  At the end of the assembly we played a powerful song called “Gotta Keep Reading.”  I have shared the link to the song, take a moment to listen to it with your child, ENJOY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psby0mI6ZLY

Brody, Cassius, Nolan, Alexander and I at the Spirit Assembly!

Ben and Leah in their representation of Green Eggs and Ham using our school's green screen.  Amazing work!

Yellow House's Challenge

Collaboration at its best - goooo Chargers!!

Working together to get the challenge done!

Congrats Blue House on finishing first!

Yellow House came in a close second place!

Ms. Doka & Mrs. Draper also demonstrating spirit and honouring literacy!

Jeremiah!  Some students called me this for the day, and that was okydoky :-)

More Engaging Measurement Learning:

This week, we have been continuing exploring, investigating and recording our linear (length, width, height) measurements.  Students used a strip of long white tape paper to measure their height and then used used non-standard units to measure and compare their heights.  They have also been introduced to a metre stick as a benchmark when comparing heights of various objects to themselves and others.  Please ask your child how many centimetres are in a metre?

Ava & Brody measuring Alexander's height

Karina & Kurtis measuring Miika's height

Nolan & Jacob measuring Ashlee's height

Carissa & Emma measuring Kaden's height

They did it!  Cassius, Conrad and Layla all set to measure now using non-standard units to measure/compare their heights

Emma & Kaden get Karrington's height

Away they go!  Using links to measure a peer's height.

Ashlee using foot prints to measure

Carissa & Kaden use straws to measure

Lovely Layla using snap cubes and is a focused counter to ensure she is accurate :)

Karrington using straws to measure

Minds On: ordering heights from tallest to shortest

Ava using links to measure her height

Procedural Writing:

Beginning our Procedural Writing

In writing this week, I have been doing a modelled lesson on writing a Procedure.  The purpose/goal of this form of writing is to provide instructions on how to do or make something.  I had the students work in pairs to create a construction paper snowman step by step, and then as a whole class, we came up with the title, a goal, the materials needed, and steps/instructions to build the snowman.  The students are enjoying this process and when we have our creations completed along with the writing piece, I will be sure to post our results!  Stay tuned J 

Music with Mrs. Czerny:

In music, Mrs. Czerny has had the students learn how to use boomwhackers!  They are enjoying this new musical instrument and have been very successful in learning familiar songs such as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.  On Wednesday, I returned early from my planning time and acted as an audience member to watch them play this song.  I was SO IMPRESSED!!  They did and so beautifully.  Thanks boys and girls for using these instruments safely, effectively, and joyously!  Mrs. Czerny spends a lot of time and energy into preparing fun and engaging lessons, this is cherished by one and all, thank you!!!  

Boomwhacker performance

To the tune of ...

You did it!!  Lovely job everyone :)

 Quote:

“Kindness is like snow; it beautifies everything it covers.”

Namaste,

Miss Gill

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

Dear Families,

Happy HAT Day!  Thank you boys and girls for participating with such enthusiasm!

Wowie!  We certainly have been experiencing quite the weather and climate change, haven’t we?!  On Sunday evening, I was sooo excited to finally get back to school after a restful holiday and see your child’s bright eyes and smiles only to get up to a snow day on Monday.  Mrs. Czerny (LTO planning time teacher at our school) and I car pool together and we set off in the morning to get to school.  We made it safely and were greeted with a four students which was lovely.  We were both very pleased on Tuesday because it was a school day – yay! But then on Wed., it was another snow day.  I was in disbelief!  Another day of rest and relaxation, but let me tell you, I was anxious to get back!  I was relieved when Thursday rolled around and I was reunited with your child :)  But, here we are again, another snow day for today (Friday) – wowza!  I hope you’re all warm and cozy and do enjoy the extra-long weekend J  This all being said, I'm delighted to be back writing you all this update and keeping you posted on all our exciting learning to come and the adventures in our classroom in the year 2015! 

Empathy Recipients:

Empathetic Nolan & Brody - yay, boys!

"Love Can Build A Bridge!"  Thank you Mr. Anderson for taking our picture at the assembly, we adore singing and performing!

Congratulations to Brody and Nolan for being recognized for displaying Empathy – “We think about the feelings of others” in your thoughts, words, and actions.  You both have worked diligently hard to demonstrate this trait and I am so very proud of your efforts!  Continue to be your best selves in all that you do. 

At this assembly, we also had the opportunity to present our song “Love Can Build A Bridge.”  I was so proud of the students, despite being away for the holidays, they sang lovingly with their hearts and remembered all the lyrics and actions.  Way to go boys and girls!!  Thank you Mrs. Czerny for the beautiful slideshow that accompanied our presentation, the art work looked amazing and I know everyone enjoyed honouring these!

This month’s character trait is HONESTY – “We will always tell the truth.”  I have encouraged my students to always tell me the truth if they're experiencing any difficulty. Being dishonest only makes a problem / concern escalate and get bigger.  I look forward to reinforcing honesty is the best policy throughout this month through books, media presentations, and student action!  I am delighted to say, our class is filled with trustworthy students, how blessed we all are :)

Math Learning:

On Thursday, I introduced our new unit in mathematics which is Measurement.  I will be sending home a math note with the specific Learning Goal and Success Criteria with your child next week.  Stay tuned J

Measuring Objects:  Students worked in pairs to pick one object of choice from the class and use various non-standard and standard measuring tools (E.g., snap-cubes, paper clips, links, cm rulers) to measure the lengths of their object.  Once they completed this, we shared our thinking and compared the lengths.  They had a lot of fun with this!  Please take a moment to find your child’s work (see pics below) and ask them about this lesson. 

Brody & Emma - working together to get their job done!

Jacob & Karrington - thank you Karrington for being such a role model and leader for your partner!

Miika & Karina - measuring Karina's water bottle

Conrad & Cassius - measuring a school glue stick

Hannah chose to measure an alphabet chart :)

Emma & Brody measured the length of a ruler

Ava & Kaden - measured a math adding game

Ashlee & Nolan also chose to measure the alphabet chart

Alexander & Layla went to our special activity area and chose a toy basket to measure

Social Studies – Timelines:

I have displayed your child’s Timeline on our bulletin board outside of our classroom.  They look spectacular and many teachers and students have been admiring them!  All the hard work that has gone into these is greatly appreciated!  Ms. Hartley and I are in the process of providing feedback on these and their presentations J 

Quote:

“Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place!”

(Thank you Mrs. Roth for this thought-provoking and meaningful quote!)

Namaste,

Miss Gill