Dear Families,

It was another windy, snowy, and cold morning for us.  On my morning commute, I experienced a few white out conditions, but arrived to school safely.  Mrs. Cznery and I carpooled together.  I do hope your commute to your workplace was safe.  I hope your child enjoyed their PD Day.  I’m looking forward to reading about their experience when they do a ‘Recount’ in their journals next week.  Also, happy ALMOST February 1^st!  Monday marks Groundhog Day ... what are your predictions?  I hope Wiarton Willie will be kind to us ;)  

Twin Day:

Yesterday, it was TWIN DAY!  Ms. Bumstead and I were twins for the day.  We wore brown shoes, dark blue jeans, a black sweater and wrapped a cozy scarf around our necks.  It was great to see all the ‘Twinsies’ at school.  A cheers for school spirit – hip, hip, HOORAY!  Thank you to all those that participated!  Here are a few photos of those who participated, enjoy!

Kurtis, Conrad, Miika - hockey twins!

Daniel & Nolan - camo twins!

Emma & Karrington - coordinated twins!

Layla & friend - long sleeved twins!

Ava & Karina - black attire twins!

Kaden & Jake - gentlmen-like twins!

 Character Recognition Assembly:

On Monday, we will be recognizing all the Honesty recipients for the month of January.  I always adore attending these assemblies with my students because it gives our school community an opportunity to celebrate those who demonstrate character in their thoughts, words, and actions.  We’re very blessed to be surrounded by so many students and staff who demonstrate good character on a daily basis.  I will be sure to post a picture of our class’ honesty recipients on next week’s blog post.

More Engaging Measurement Learning:

This week, we have been continuing exploring, investigating and recording our linear (length, width, height) measurements.  However, this time, students learned how to use a ‘standard measuring tool’ - a 30cm ruler.  They selected classroom objects to measure the lengths and recorded their finding in centimetres.  The students enjoyed this task as it felt “real” to them and they made connections to their families and how parents use measuring tape to measure household items.  Making that home to school connection is vital and speaks volumes about your child’s ability to connect his/her learning beyond the classroom.

Learning about length & width

We did it!

Karrington measuring the length of her book

Emma measuring her pencil - how many centimeters was it?

Layla measuring a kleenex box

How many centimeters is your name tag, Conrad?

Volunteers in the Classroom:

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of having Brendan (former NLCPS student) a Grade 10 high school student volunteer his time in our classroom.  Brendan worked with students during our Literacy Workstations.  The ‘Green’ group enjoyed reading to him!  Afterwards, Brendan came to me and said, “Wow, Miss Gill!  I was very impressed with how your Grades 1’s use such expression as they read.  It was a joy to be part of.”  Yes Brendan, my students have been working hard at solidifying their skills and reading with expression/fluency is an important skill which we’ve focused on all year.  Thank you for being part of this process and supporting our learning, it is valued and cherished!!  Here are some pictures of students working accountably during their workstations …

Thank you Brendan for your time, energy, and support in helping my learners read!

'I Inquire' workstation!

'We Write' workstation

'Tech Time' workstation using our NEW Ipads (thank you school council and Mrs. Bell for this)

'Guided Reading' workstation

Miika tracking his reading

Jacob making meaning from his reading

Snowshoeing:

We're ready to snowshoe Mrs. Czerny!

On Thursday as per the note you received in the agenda, Mrs. Czerny took the class outside to go snowshoeing!!  I know everyone was so excited to take on this new endeavour and it was a huge success J One of my favourite winter activities is snowshoeing, so I was happy to see that the wee Ones got this opportunity.  YAY!  They played some cooperative games as well as learned the basics on the proper use of and handling the shoes with care.  Mrs. Czerny shared a pic with me of the kids trying to catch a snowflake on their tongues – cute! 

Quote:

“Be kind always.  It is always possible.”

Namaste,

Miss Gill

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