December 20, 2010

Today's Journal newspaper gives some good information on tonight's lunar eclipse. Apparently, the last time a lunar eclipse coincided with the winter solstice was in 1638 and the next time is going to be in 2401. This eclipse really is a once-in-a-lifetime (actually, in several lifetimes...) event!

December 19, 2010

I thought I'd make a quick posting, just in case anyone is checking in.

First, let me congratulate everyone for their wonderful performance at the Christmas concert. The class did a spectacular job - and not just by my estimation: LOTS of people have remarked on what a super job the class did. Well done, everyone!

Secondly, even though no reading was sent home for the holidays, I hope all the students continue to read, and that care-givers read to and with them. The class has learned so much - it would be nice to keep that literary ball rolling over the break. Remember that there are lots of good books on the Tumblereaders link, and that our lovely public library will be open over the holiday.

Next, I'm sure many people already know that on this year's winter solstice (December 21), there will be a total lunar eclipse, but I thought I'd post a reminder, anyway. I'm not sure what time the eclipse is scheduled, but some of you might find a late bedtime worth the investment. Hopefully the skies will be clear for good views. (Maybe watching for the eclipse could be tied in with a "practise watch" for Santa's sleigh .... )

Finally, I wanted to wish everyone a very happy ho-ho-holiday! Remember to set out the Genuine Reindeer Food on Christmas Eve!

See you all next year!

December 16, 2010

Remember that there is no spelling test this week! Yeehaw!

We're ready for the concert tonight; the class had a SUPER practise today! Please make sure that your child is here by 6:30. They should wear their "Christmas finery" - girls with a skirt or dress or nice slacks and blouse if possible, and boys with nice pants or jeans and their best shirt. (Ties would be a nice addition, too, gentlemen!) The concert will begin at 7:00 and should be over before 8 o'clock. There will be a silver collection at the door and anyone who would like to bring a Food Bank contribution is welcome to do so - with our thanks!

December 15, 2010

The students are bringing home a book of their choice for the Golden Envelope today, as we didn't have time to introduce a new book from the series we've been working on. A short session the Tumblebooks link tonight might be in order. As well, spending 15 minutes on the "Adding Practise" link would reinforce what we've been practising in math for the last little while.

The Festival of Trees visit went very well. The trees are lovely and will remain on display until this Saturday - drop on in if you get a minute. It's a great fundraiser for the museum.

If anyone is able to send food bank items, we'll be collecting until this Friday morning. Thanks!

For our concert tomorrow night, please have your child at the school in our classroom by 6:30. The concert begins at 7 and should be all wrapped up by 8 o'clock. There will be a silver collection at the door. Proceeds go to our school's Foster Child and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard program.

December 10, 2010

Reminders:
1. Read "The Slide" from the Golden Envelope.
2. Practise adding facts from the Addition Practise link on the side.
3. We'll be visiting the Festival of the Trees at the museum first thing Wednesday afternoon. (There is no charge for this activity.)

The students performed very well in this afternoon's dress rehearsal! Stay tuned for Thursday night's performance, when we should really shine!

December 13, 2010

There is no spelling list for this week. (Merry Christmas!)

Reminders:
1. Our class will be performing in tomorrow's afternoon dress rehearsal. The rehearsal begins at 1:30. Everyone is welcome to attend. Students should dress in their Christmas finery - nice pants and shirts for the boys (a vest would be a nice touch, if anyone has one); Christmas skirts or dresses or nice pants and blouses for the girls. (The morning dress rehearsal begins at 9:00, if anyone is interested in watching that, as well.) The class looks wonderful - they should be a hit tomorrow!
2. We will be going to the museum Wednesday afternoon, right after attendance, to view the Festival of the Trees display. We should be back by 2:00 at the latest.
3. Our concert night is Thursday. Students should be here by 6:30.
4. Please monitor your child's Golden Envelope reading. The students who are practising these books regularly are really moving along well with their reading.


I've added an "Addition Practise" link to the links line-up. It would help all the first graders to jump on this link and practise their addition skills for a quarter of an hour or so. We've been practising adding using these steps:
A. Decide which number is bigger.
B. Hold the big number in your head. ("Glue" it in there.)
C. Hold up the number of fingers (or lay out some buttons or pennies or some other manipulative) that you need to add to the big number.
D. Count on from the big number.

An example would work this way:

8 + 3
A. 8 is the bigger number
B. Hold the "8" in your head - GLUE it in there!
C. Hold up three fingers. (Or choose 3 buttons, pennies, etc.)
D. Count on from the "8" - 9, 10, 11. The answer is 11.

The more experience the students get with this, the better they'll be able to add.

December 10, 2010

Spelling test results are in the pockets of the agendas. The students are also bringing home little Christmas booklets that they've illustrated and coloured. These can stay at home. Enjoy!

Thanks to those who've sent food bank items. We'll be visiting the museum next Wednesday afternoon to view the entries in the Festival of the Trees. The visit is free, but the museum is accepting food bank donations, so if you'd like to send an extra little something to support the museum's food bank drive, I'm sure it would be appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who returned skating forms, as well. If you haven't signed and returned your child's form, please do so asap.

The angel papers turned out very well! There are just a few that still need to be completed. Try to have them finished by Monday morning so we can add them to our bulletin board display. Again: thanks.

December 9, 2010

Reminders:
1. Spelling test tomorrow
2. Angel Paper is due tomorrow
3. Girls, if you haven't brought a big metal bowl yet, please do so asap (if you have one! If you don't have one, I can loan you one of mine.)

We will be going skating in the new year and require signed permission for this activity. I thought I'd get a jump-start on organizing for January by sending the note home today. It's rare that I'm ahead of the game like this - just go with the "January 3, 2011" date on the letter if you could! Thanks!

December 8, 2010

Tonight's Golden Envelope book concentrates on the "ai" sound. If you want to challenge your son or daughter, try to find as many "ai" rhyming words as possible.

Thanks to everyone who sent food bank items today. We'll be collecting items right up until the last day of school, so send non-perishables as often as you'd like.

The students all brought home an angel today. The angels are theirs to keep. In return, the students must complete the "My Angel" sheet in the front pocket of their agendas. They need to choose a theme for their angel - it could be an angel of hockey, or the kitchen, or baby brothers, or reading, or movies, or Christmas .... anything goes. Then they need to write about what their angel does; if it's a hockey angel, it could help them tie skates or score goals or skate like the wind or show good sportsmanship (or sportswomanship, I suppose). If you want, you can even take a photo of the angel in action and attach it to the sheet. The write-ups for the angels are due this Friday. I can't wait to see what everyone will come up with. Have fun!

We dove head first today into rehearsal for the Christmas concert. If today's practise is indicative of how well the class will perform next week, let me say this is one concert you don't want to miss. You're in for a Hallmark moment or two for sure. Everyone looks fantastic! (Girls, if you have a large metal mixing bowl at home, try to remember to bring it to school for tomorrow. We'll need to keep it to practise with until next Thursday's concert.)

I've added a link to a site that has a wide variety of Christmas activities. (FYI: Some of the choices on the site have religious themes; I'm letting you choose which activities you think appropriate for your child.)

December 7, 2010

Our school will be collecting items for our annual drive for the local food bank. If you would like to contribute, please send non-perishable items (canned food, boxed cereal, juices, pasta, etc.) as often as you'd like. Thanks so much!

Girls, please bring a large metal bowl to school for tomorrow, if possible. (We need the bowls to begin practising the movements for our Christmas concert number, so will be keeping the bowls here until next Thursday night. Thanks.)

Remember to study this week's spelling words and to keep reading in the Golden Envelope book program!

December 6, 2010

This week's spelling words are listed in the agendas. The focus this week is on "ow", as in the words "cow, how, now, wow, down", etc. We discussed the fact that this is only one way to make the "ow" sound and that "ow" sometimes can say other things (as in the words "owner" or "grow").

Today's Golden Envelope book is introducing the "ea" combination, while still reviewing "magic e" words. If everyone keeps up with this nightly reading, it will really help move the class along the road to becoming competent, confident readers.

Great job on the Sam journal entries! It's always great to see what has been added to Sam's catalogue of experiences!

Our class will be performing in next Thursday's Christmas concert (December 16th). There are no special costumes required - everyone can just wear their Christmas finery - but girls will need a LARGE metal mixing bowl and an apron (if possible).

December 3, 2010

Spelling test results and swimming report cards are in the front pockets of the agendas.

There were some super "Rock Stars" in class today! (The journals are going to have some interesting photos in them from this event!)

Keep reading those Golden Envelope books. Today's book is reinforcing the "squeally e" (ee) and "magic e" concepts.

Stay tuned next week for information on our Christmas concert number. Woooeeee.

Enjoy the weekend!

December 2, 2010

Reminders for tomorrow:

1. Spelling test
2. Swimming gear
3. Book orders are due
4. Rock Star Day
5. Noon dismissal

December 1, 2010

Reminders:
1. Swimming tomorrow
2. Rock Star Day Friday
3. Noon dismissal Friday
4. Book orders due Friday morning
5. Newsletters went home today. Check the front pocket of your child's agenda for your copy.

I've added a link to a "Reindeer Orchestra" on the side. Check it out - it's a hoot!