Hello and welcome to May! I apologize for the formatting this week. The blog site has changed some things and I can't seem to publish it in the format I've written it?! Sorry for the jumble...I'll have it sorted out by next week. Last week...
The children were introduced to a number of new math and literacy centres (More/Less game, matching beginning sounds puzzles, rhyming cubes, Word Worm sight words and playdough). We continue to explore spring and the changes it brings. We have started a 'daily weather' segment with the SK weather correspondants! Students get an 'on-air' introduction and then are handed the microphone to 'report' to the class. They love it and they're learning to observe the weather changes and use appropriate vocabulary to describe what they see!
We ended our week with a look at 'shadows'. We read some non-fiction ("What Makes a Shadow?"), got up and moved around and discovered we could see some shadows in our room and then we read a poem called "My Shadow". After hearing the poem a few times the children were asked to draw how the poem made them feel. These pictures will be entered into Scholastic's Poetry Month Contest! We then set up some 'shadow making' centres using the overhead projector, as well as a blanket and some flashlights. The children experimented with hand shadow puppets and learned that the closer their hands were to the light source the bigger the shadow!
This week...
We will continue with the centres we began last week so that students have a chance to visit each one. We will also be setting up a 'shapes and figures' centre where children will be encouraged to examine and descibe the characteristics of shapes and 3-D figures. We will also be reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books about birds and the life cycle of robins. We will investigate how robins make their nests and discuss the 'homes' of other animals, as well. On Friday, if the weather cooperates, we will head out to the field to gather natural materials to make our own 'nests' for our wooden birds!
I will be sending home a copy of the poem "My Shadow" for you to enjoy with your child. I will also be sending their artwork for the contest home for you to sign (I will not enter it in the contest if you choose not to sign).
Please watch for the book "Shape Monster, Shape Monster" to come home (by next week) and please enjoy reading it with your child.
EDI SURVEY
A reminder notice will be going home at the end of this week to return the survey sent out a few weeks ago. If you've already returned the survey, thank you, and please disregard the reminder!
SCHOLASTIC ORDERS
The May orders will be sent home next week and will be due back on May 18th.
MAY BIRTHDAYS!
We have a lot of friends celebrating birtdays in May! Happy birthday to....
Malak May 12
Ida May 27
Cameron May 29
Julissa May 30
Arianna May 31
Thanks for checking in and have a great week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
April 16-20
Welcome to another week!
Before we see what's in store for the week, I'd like to send a BIG THANK YOU to Jack L. for bringing in the Easter pencils to share with all of his friends--how nice!
And, a BIG THANK YOU to Maahira for bringing in treats to share with all of her friends! What a thoughful group we have in SK!
This week...
The children had a guest teacher yesterday as I was in a "School Improvement Planning" workshop with our Primary Division team. The focus was on teaching our students how to approach texts using 'critical thinking' skills.
EDI SURVEY
Your child will be bringing home a large envelope today containing an important survey (the Early Development Index) for you to complete and return. All SK students in Ontario are completing this survey. It is completely confidential and my role is simply to facilitate the distribution and collection of the surveys. More detailed information about the survey is included in your package. Thank you for your attention to this.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
This week is National Volunteer Week and the SK's will be writing thank you cards to all of our wonderful volunteers (Gillian and Andre who come to read with us every Tuesday, and Emily, who helps out on Thursdays). We are so lucky to have such committed volunteers!
HIP HOP with MISS REBECCA!
Last Thursday, Rebecca (who is a Algonquin College student completing a placement with Mr. Dunn in Grade 8) joined our gym class and taught us some 'hip hop' dance! The kids LOVED it and Rebecca couldn't believe how attentive the kids were. We learned lots of new moves! We can't wait to learn more from Rebecca this Thursday!
LOOKING AT PICTURES WITH THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY
Today, the students will take part in the NAG's school outreach program called 'Looking at Pictures'. Many children participated last year, as well. It is a wonderful workshop that allows children to view and discuss various works of art with a volunteer 'expert' from the gallery.
EARTH DAY
April 22 is Earth Day and the SK's will be reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction this week which focuses on natural resources, recycling, reducing and reusing, as well as water usage. Please enjoy reading the booklet that comes home with your child this week. Ask your child to think of ways he/she can help take care of the earth (simple things that they can do and feel proud of include: helping with the recycling and composting, turning off the tap while they brush their teeth, using both sides of the paper when they draw, turning off computers and lights when not in use, tc.). Have fun!
APRIL IS POETRY MONTH
April is poetry month and the SK's have been discussing some of the features of poems. We will continue to read a variety of poems (please feel free to send in some poetry books for your child to share) and we will also be participating in Scholastic Canada's "Picture a Poem Contest". I'll send home the infomation sheet for you to read, but there is nothing for you to do! We will be completing the pictures in class and then I will mail off the entries by May 19th.
That's all for now! Thanks for checking in and have a great week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
Before we see what's in store for the week, I'd like to send a BIG THANK YOU to Jack L. for bringing in the Easter pencils to share with all of his friends--how nice!
And, a BIG THANK YOU to Maahira for bringing in treats to share with all of her friends! What a thoughful group we have in SK!
This week...
The children had a guest teacher yesterday as I was in a "School Improvement Planning" workshop with our Primary Division team. The focus was on teaching our students how to approach texts using 'critical thinking' skills.
EDI SURVEY
Your child will be bringing home a large envelope today containing an important survey (the Early Development Index) for you to complete and return. All SK students in Ontario are completing this survey. It is completely confidential and my role is simply to facilitate the distribution and collection of the surveys. More detailed information about the survey is included in your package. Thank you for your attention to this.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
This week is National Volunteer Week and the SK's will be writing thank you cards to all of our wonderful volunteers (Gillian and Andre who come to read with us every Tuesday, and Emily, who helps out on Thursdays). We are so lucky to have such committed volunteers!
HIP HOP with MISS REBECCA!
Last Thursday, Rebecca (who is a Algonquin College student completing a placement with Mr. Dunn in Grade 8) joined our gym class and taught us some 'hip hop' dance! The kids LOVED it and Rebecca couldn't believe how attentive the kids were. We learned lots of new moves! We can't wait to learn more from Rebecca this Thursday!
LOOKING AT PICTURES WITH THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY
Today, the students will take part in the NAG's school outreach program called 'Looking at Pictures'. Many children participated last year, as well. It is a wonderful workshop that allows children to view and discuss various works of art with a volunteer 'expert' from the gallery.
EARTH DAY
April 22 is Earth Day and the SK's will be reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction this week which focuses on natural resources, recycling, reducing and reusing, as well as water usage. Please enjoy reading the booklet that comes home with your child this week. Ask your child to think of ways he/she can help take care of the earth (simple things that they can do and feel proud of include: helping with the recycling and composting, turning off the tap while they brush their teeth, using both sides of the paper when they draw, turning off computers and lights when not in use, tc.). Have fun!
APRIL IS POETRY MONTH
April is poetry month and the SK's have been discussing some of the features of poems. We will continue to read a variety of poems (please feel free to send in some poetry books for your child to share) and we will also be participating in Scholastic Canada's "Picture a Poem Contest". I'll send home the infomation sheet for you to read, but there is nothing for you to do! We will be completing the pictures in class and then I will mail off the entries by May 19th.
That's all for now! Thanks for checking in and have a great week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
April 10-13
Hello everyone,
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend with family and friends!I am glad to be back and am eager to begin our week...
LAST WEEK...
Although I was away, the children continued to investigate transportation and how things move. The week before, we performed some experiments with wheels and ramps. The children figured out that the steeper the ramp, the farther their cars travelled...bravo! The students also learned about 'wheels' and 'axles', sang the song "My Little Red Wagon" ("..one wheel's off and the axle's broken..", etc.) and then they made cucumber and pretzel wheels and axles (and ate them, of course!). Delicious engineering!
The children are also continuing their study of living things, specifically plants. Last week, children worked in groups to add a white flower to a vase of water along with some food colouring. They then drew what they saw (a white flower in coloured water). A few days later, students observed that their flowers had changed from white to the colour of their water! We read a non-fiction text called 'Roots' that confirmed what we discovered about how plants eat. Children then recorded their observations in their science books.
The SK's are also busy tending to their crocus flowers that they planted 6 weeks ago. Despite many curious hands and the temptation to touch, our crocuses ARE growing! We are using non-standard measuring devices (plastic links) to chart the growth.
THIS WEEK.. as we move into our study of 'spring', we'll experiment to learn how plants help create clouds and rain.
This week your child will bring home the booklet "Goodbye Winter" to read to you. We will be using a larger version of this book all week during our Shared Reading time. Children continue to focus on tracking the print left to right, identifying punctuation (periods), finding sight words and using different strategies to read independently (looking at the beginning sounds, using picture clues, finding small words inside bigger words, etc.).
We will also continue to listen for and create rhymes. I will be using different spring riddles to help children develop this important skill.
Children will be reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books focusing on spring and birds. Children will help me categorize each book as either fiction, or non-fiction. Please reinforce this concept at home as you read with your child.
In math, children will be working with partners to play our new 'more or less' game.
SHOW AND SHARE
Rather than our usual format for Show and Share, we'll be doing an 'at home' math activity that reinforces our understanding of 'more and less'. Please watch for the sheet and enjoy the activity with your child. It does not need to be returned to school.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Last week, all primry children were fortunate to have dental screening done at the school. Please check your child's Note Tote in case you received a notice for dental follow-up.
BOOK ORDERS
Please find April's book order forms in your child's Note Tote today. Orders are due on Friday, April 20th.
TREE JOURNAL
The children have been busy observing and documenting the changes they see in our maple tree out front. This month, the children have noticed that buds have appeared. The students are now doing a majority of the writing in our Tree Journal. Bravo!
MARCH AND APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to :
Khanya (March 7)
Jack K (March 22)
Danny (March 31)
Maahira (April 8)
Miriam (April 11)
Goodbye to Jack K. We are sad to see our good friend Jack K. moving away, but we know that he will love his new home and school. Be sure to send us a letter telling us about your new home, Jack! We will miss you!
Have a wonderful week and, as always,please stop by or call if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend with family and friends!I am glad to be back and am eager to begin our week...
LAST WEEK...
Although I was away, the children continued to investigate transportation and how things move. The week before, we performed some experiments with wheels and ramps. The children figured out that the steeper the ramp, the farther their cars travelled...bravo! The students also learned about 'wheels' and 'axles', sang the song "My Little Red Wagon" ("..one wheel's off and the axle's broken..", etc.) and then they made cucumber and pretzel wheels and axles (and ate them, of course!). Delicious engineering!
The children are also continuing their study of living things, specifically plants. Last week, children worked in groups to add a white flower to a vase of water along with some food colouring. They then drew what they saw (a white flower in coloured water). A few days later, students observed that their flowers had changed from white to the colour of their water! We read a non-fiction text called 'Roots' that confirmed what we discovered about how plants eat. Children then recorded their observations in their science books.
The SK's are also busy tending to their crocus flowers that they planted 6 weeks ago. Despite many curious hands and the temptation to touch, our crocuses ARE growing! We are using non-standard measuring devices (plastic links) to chart the growth.
THIS WEEK.. as we move into our study of 'spring', we'll experiment to learn how plants help create clouds and rain.
This week your child will bring home the booklet "Goodbye Winter" to read to you. We will be using a larger version of this book all week during our Shared Reading time. Children continue to focus on tracking the print left to right, identifying punctuation (periods), finding sight words and using different strategies to read independently (looking at the beginning sounds, using picture clues, finding small words inside bigger words, etc.).
We will also continue to listen for and create rhymes. I will be using different spring riddles to help children develop this important skill.
Children will be reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books focusing on spring and birds. Children will help me categorize each book as either fiction, or non-fiction. Please reinforce this concept at home as you read with your child.
In math, children will be working with partners to play our new 'more or less' game.
SHOW AND SHARE
Rather than our usual format for Show and Share, we'll be doing an 'at home' math activity that reinforces our understanding of 'more and less'. Please watch for the sheet and enjoy the activity with your child. It does not need to be returned to school.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Last week, all primry children were fortunate to have dental screening done at the school. Please check your child's Note Tote in case you received a notice for dental follow-up.
BOOK ORDERS
Please find April's book order forms in your child's Note Tote today. Orders are due on Friday, April 20th.
TREE JOURNAL
The children have been busy observing and documenting the changes they see in our maple tree out front. This month, the children have noticed that buds have appeared. The students are now doing a majority of the writing in our Tree Journal. Bravo!
MARCH AND APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to :
Khanya (March 7)
Jack K (March 22)
Danny (March 31)
Maahira (April 8)
Miriam (April 11)
Goodbye to Jack K. We are sad to see our good friend Jack K. moving away, but we know that he will love his new home and school. Be sure to send us a letter telling us about your new home, Jack! We will miss you!
Have a wonderful week and, as always,please stop by or call if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
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