It's hard to believe that it's the end of January already! Now for the second half of the year !
This week's spelling words concentrate on the "ong" family and on words that are from the latest class booklet (Huge Dog, Huge Dog, What Do You Hear?" (The class booklet is this night's Golden Envelope selection again and can be kept at home.)
If you haven't dropped in to see the art show yet, it's on until 5:00 tonight. (It's in the gym.) There are some really cool projects on display. Take advantage of this Arctic weather we're having to treat yourself to a little culture!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
January 28, 2011
Spelling test results are in the front pocket of the agenda, along with the astronomy event note.
Students are bringing home a copy of the words they've written for a little classroom book. You'll find this literary miracle in the Golden Envelope as a replacement for the regular take-home books. In case the sheet of paper went AWOL on the way home, the words are:
Twinkle, twinkle, take a look. We hope you like our little book.
Twinkle, twinkle, little shark. Can I meet you at the park?
Twinkle, twinkle, little bug. Wipe your feet upon the rug.
Twinkle, twinkle, little dino. Would you like to fight a rhino?
Twinkle, twinkle, little chick. I just heard that you are sick.
Twinkle, twinkle, litte Sam. Would you like to eat some ham?
Twinkle, twinkle, little bath. Are you walking down the path?
Twinkle, twinkle, little mouse. I just love your cozy house.
Twinkle, twinkle, little ants. Do you like my hockey pants?
Twinkle, twinkle, little snail. Are you on a big fat whale?
Twinkle, twinkle, little rat. I wonder if you have a hat.
Twinkle, twinkle, little rose. I could pick you with my toes.
Twinkle, twinkle, little fish. I wonder if you have a dish.
Twinkle, twinkle, little fox. Do you have the chicken pox?
Twinkle, twinkle, little girls. How would you like some curls?
Twinkle, twinkle, little turtle. Is your name Bert or Myrtle?
Twinkle, twinkle, Classroom Four. We've made a book that we adore!
Students are bringing home a copy of the words they've written for a little classroom book. You'll find this literary miracle in the Golden Envelope as a replacement for the regular take-home books. In case the sheet of paper went AWOL on the way home, the words are:
Twinkle, twinkle, take a look. We hope you like our little book.
Twinkle, twinkle, little shark. Can I meet you at the park?
Twinkle, twinkle, little bug. Wipe your feet upon the rug.
Twinkle, twinkle, little dino. Would you like to fight a rhino?
Twinkle, twinkle, little chick. I just heard that you are sick.
Twinkle, twinkle, litte Sam. Would you like to eat some ham?
Twinkle, twinkle, little bath. Are you walking down the path?
Twinkle, twinkle, little mouse. I just love your cozy house.
Twinkle, twinkle, little ants. Do you like my hockey pants?
Twinkle, twinkle, little snail. Are you on a big fat whale?
Twinkle, twinkle, little rat. I wonder if you have a hat.
Twinkle, twinkle, little rose. I could pick you with my toes.
Twinkle, twinkle, little fish. I wonder if you have a dish.
Twinkle, twinkle, little fox. Do you have the chicken pox?
Twinkle, twinkle, little girls. How would you like some curls?
Twinkle, twinkle, little turtle. Is your name Bert or Myrtle?
Twinkle, twinkle, Classroom Four. We've made a book that we adore!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
January 27, 2011
Reminders:
1. For tomorrow's spelling test, the words will be given in sentence format again, so there will be a check for capitals and periods.
2. I forgot to hand out today's note. It's regarding an upcoming astronomy event at the Activity Centre. I'll send the note home tomorrow. (Sorry.)
3. We tried a divergent thinking activity this morning. As a class, we brainstormed to see how many white things we could think of. Our goal was to think of 10 items. We came up with 51! Some of the ideas included swans, bunnies in winter, milk, Santa's beard, sheep, dandelion seeds .... it was amazing how creative the class was! (If anyone thinks of more things to add to our list, we'd love to hear your ideas!)
1. For tomorrow's spelling test, the words will be given in sentence format again, so there will be a check for capitals and periods.
2. I forgot to hand out today's note. It's regarding an upcoming astronomy event at the Activity Centre. I'll send the note home tomorrow. (Sorry.)
3. We tried a divergent thinking activity this morning. As a class, we brainstormed to see how many white things we could think of. Our goal was to think of 10 items. We came up with 51! Some of the ideas included swans, bunnies in winter, milk, Santa's beard, sheep, dandelion seeds .... it was amazing how creative the class was! (If anyone thinks of more things to add to our list, we'd love to hear your ideas!)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
January 26, 2011
Reminders for tomorrow:
1. Skating! Please send appropriate clothing, skates, and helmets. Thanks again to all the parents who are planning to help out with skate tying and on-the-ice supervision.
2. There will be a cookie sale at recess tomorrow. (Sorry for the late notice on this one - it was just announced after the final bell of the day.)
3. A note went home today regarding next Monday's Student Led Conference featuring the art projects that have been created under Libby Weir's expert instruction and encouragement. The conference will run from 1:00 until 5:00. Please feel free to come to the room and pick up your child for a tour of the gym and hallways. Prepare to be shocked and amazed!
1. Skating! Please send appropriate clothing, skates, and helmets. Thanks again to all the parents who are planning to help out with skate tying and on-the-ice supervision.
2. There will be a cookie sale at recess tomorrow. (Sorry for the late notice on this one - it was just announced after the final bell of the day.)
3. A note went home today regarding next Monday's Student Led Conference featuring the art projects that have been created under Libby Weir's expert instruction and encouragement. The conference will run from 1:00 until 5:00. Please feel free to come to the room and pick up your child for a tour of the gym and hallways. Prepare to be shocked and amazed!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
January 25, 2011
Reminders:
Tonight is the Family Games Night from 6:30 until 8:00 upstairs at JES. Come on out for some board games, some computer games, or some Karaoke!
We're going to take advantage of the warm temperatures and the snow (before it melts away) and squeeze in another session of cross country skiing tomorrow morning. Please send a hat, a hoodie (if possible) and mitts tomorrow morning. Thanks.
Monday, January 24, 2011
January 24, 2011
This week's spelling list is a combination of "ould" and "ick" words. (Remember that the Friday spelling tests from now on will be given in sentence format, so that the students must remember capitals and end punctuation.
Remember that tomorrow evening there will be a Family Literacy Game Night from 6:30 until 8:00. There will be board games in the library, karaoke in the staff room, smart board games in rooms 212, 214, and 215, and the computer room will be open for 15 minute sign-in sessions.
We plan to go cross country skiing tomorrow at the soccer pitch. Please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing, including a hat, a hoodie, and mitts for this activity.
Thanks to the parents who are helping with the Brain Boost program again this week. We really appreciate you!
Thanks to everyone who is thoughtfully removing winter footwear before walking down the hallways. It's helping keep our socks dry - and our floors clean!
Remember that tomorrow evening there will be a Family Literacy Game Night from 6:30 until 8:00. There will be board games in the library, karaoke in the staff room, smart board games in rooms 212, 214, and 215, and the computer room will be open for 15 minute sign-in sessions.
We plan to go cross country skiing tomorrow at the soccer pitch. Please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing, including a hat, a hoodie, and mitts for this activity.
Thanks to the parents who are helping with the Brain Boost program again this week. We really appreciate you!
Thanks to everyone who is thoughtfully removing winter footwear before walking down the hallways. It's helping keep our socks dry - and our floors clean!
Friday, January 21, 2011
January 21, 2011
The spelling test results are in the front pockets of the agendas. We've added a new ingredient to the tests: writing the list words in dictated sentences so that I can check to see if students are using capitals for the beginnings of sentences and adding correct end punctuation. Most students did a very good job on this!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
January 20, 2011
Everyone in the class is bringing home a copy of Carumba, a book by Canadian author Marie-Louise Gay. The TD Bank is giving a copy of this book to every first grade student in Canada. Enjoy your copy!
We have a noon dismissal tomorrow.
Remember to study for tomorrow's spelling test and that we are having a "Celebrity Day" where students are invited to dress up as a famous character.
We have a noon dismissal tomorrow.
Remember to study for tomorrow's spelling test and that we are having a "Celebrity Day" where students are invited to dress up as a famous character.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
January 19, 2011
Remember that we have skating tomorrow.
There will be a cookie sale tomorrow at recess. Dig out those quarters!
There will be a noon dismissal on Friday. Also, students are invited (but not required) to dress as a celebrity Friday morning. The celebrity can be a famous sports person, an actor, a singer, a scientist - anything goes!
There will be a cookie sale tomorrow at recess. Dig out those quarters!
There will be a noon dismissal on Friday. Also, students are invited (but not required) to dress as a celebrity Friday morning. The celebrity can be a famous sports person, an actor, a singer, a scientist - anything goes!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011
The class did a super job cross country skiing today! We would like to get out to the ball diamond again, but will have to keep a weather eye out and wait for another good day. We'll aim for next week - stay tuned for a decision on which day(s) we'll try to go. If you get a chance, check to see if your child knows how to tie shoes - all the x-c boots have laces and it speeds things up if everyone knows how to tie their own.
We'll be going sliding at Centennial Park tomorrow afternoon. Please send sleds and ski helmets if you have them. We do have ski helmets to loan if people need them.
Remember that we have skating Thursday afternoon, so everyone will need to bring rink gear on that day. (Skiing, sledding, skating - isn't winter great?!)
We had another super art lesson with Libby Weir this afternoon. We go again tomorrow afternoon and once more Thursday morning. (The Picasso/Renoir/Group of Seven traits that are coming out .... oh my!) Libby just told me that if anyone has extra fabric that they'd like to donate to our class for tomorrow's art project, she'd accept it with thanks and appreciation.
Today's Golden Envelope reading book is from our basal reading series. If you get a chance, you can point out the use of quotation marks and the "y" endings on noisy, silly, smelly, grumpy, and lonely (to go with our spelling lesson this week) in the Twinkle Twinkle story.
I thought I should throw in a quick reminder that our class uses the side door by the bike racks. If students come in another door with their boots on, it can leave puddles, which are nasty for the people who've left their boots in the proper spot and who are walking in sock feet to their lockers. Thanks to all the parents who thoughtfully leave their boots at the doors, too. It really helps keep our socks dry!
I need to send another thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to prepare and deliver the school's brain boost snacks. We really appreciate your time and efforts.
We'll be going sliding at Centennial Park tomorrow afternoon. Please send sleds and ski helmets if you have them. We do have ski helmets to loan if people need them.
Remember that we have skating Thursday afternoon, so everyone will need to bring rink gear on that day. (Skiing, sledding, skating - isn't winter great?!)
We had another super art lesson with Libby Weir this afternoon. We go again tomorrow afternoon and once more Thursday morning. (The Picasso/Renoir/Group of Seven traits that are coming out .... oh my!) Libby just told me that if anyone has extra fabric that they'd like to donate to our class for tomorrow's art project, she'd accept it with thanks and appreciation.
Today's Golden Envelope reading book is from our basal reading series. If you get a chance, you can point out the use of quotation marks and the "y" endings on noisy, silly, smelly, grumpy, and lonely (to go with our spelling lesson this week) in the Twinkle Twinkle story.
I thought I should throw in a quick reminder that our class uses the side door by the bike racks. If students come in another door with their boots on, it can leave puddles, which are nasty for the people who've left their boots in the proper spot and who are walking in sock feet to their lockers. Thanks to all the parents who thoughtfully leave their boots at the doors, too. It really helps keep our socks dry!
I need to send another thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to prepare and deliver the school's brain boost snacks. We really appreciate your time and efforts.
Monday, January 17, 2011
January 17, 2011
Read! The people who are practising their Golden Envelope books each night are really starting to take off in the reading department. Remember if your child makes an error, ask them if the sentence or word looks right, sounds right or makes sense. As well, when your child comes to a problem word, ask them what they know about the word.
This week's spelling list is concentrating on the "y" endings. This letter is a chameleon - it sometimes takes on the long "e" sound (as in the words from today's list), itsometimes sounds like a long "a" (as in the words day and may), it sometimes sounds like a long "i" (as in the words try and fry) - and it sometimes sounds like the beginning of the word yellow. Today's list uses the "y" as a long "e" sound. The students should recognize that the y's in the list act like a "Magic E", jumping over the letter to its left and making the vowel say its own name. (That's why some of the words have double consonants - so that the y will not be able to make the vowel say its own name.
We had our first round of art with Libby Weir today. We're planning to use today's project as a surprise gift, so please don't ask what the project was! We have art again tomorrow afternoon, so remember to leave the fancy clothes at home....
We're planning on cross country skiing tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Please ensure that your child has a warm hat, mitts, and ski pants, if possible. Also, if your child has a warm hoodie to wear under their winter coat, please send the hoodie along. (Cross country skiing can be a very hot, sweaty undertaking and the students often beg to take their jackets off. I don't mind if they do this, as long as the weather isn't too cold, and they have a hoodie.
As well, we'd like to try sledding (again, weather permitting) at the ball diamond park Wednesday afternoon. Please send sleds and helmets (if you have them) for this activity. We'll leave the school right after lunch and will return before 2:15.
Our school is hosting a Family Games Night Tuesday, January 25 from 6:30 until 8 pm. Your child will be bringing home a note tomorrow regarding this event.
There is a noon dismissal this Friday. Cross your fingers for great snow and warm weather to enjoy it in!
This week's spelling list is concentrating on the "y" endings. This letter is a chameleon - it sometimes takes on the long "e" sound (as in the words from today's list), itsometimes sounds like a long "a" (as in the words day and may), it sometimes sounds like a long "i" (as in the words try and fry) - and it sometimes sounds like the beginning of the word yellow. Today's list uses the "y" as a long "e" sound. The students should recognize that the y's in the list act like a "Magic E", jumping over the letter to its left and making the vowel say its own name. (That's why some of the words have double consonants - so that the y will not be able to make the vowel say its own name.
We had our first round of art with Libby Weir today. We're planning to use today's project as a surprise gift, so please don't ask what the project was! We have art again tomorrow afternoon, so remember to leave the fancy clothes at home....
We're planning on cross country skiing tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Please ensure that your child has a warm hat, mitts, and ski pants, if possible. Also, if your child has a warm hoodie to wear under their winter coat, please send the hoodie along. (Cross country skiing can be a very hot, sweaty undertaking and the students often beg to take their jackets off. I don't mind if they do this, as long as the weather isn't too cold, and they have a hoodie.
As well, we'd like to try sledding (again, weather permitting) at the ball diamond park Wednesday afternoon. Please send sleds and helmets (if you have them) for this activity. We'll leave the school right after lunch and will return before 2:15.
Our school is hosting a Family Games Night Tuesday, January 25 from 6:30 until 8 pm. Your child will be bringing home a note tomorrow regarding this event.
There is a noon dismissal this Friday. Cross your fingers for great snow and warm weather to enjoy it in!
Friday, January 14, 2011
January 14, 2011
Our class will be working with Libby Weir, a local artist, on some art projects next week. We get the benefit of Libby's expertise for an hour every day! Some of the projects promise to be messy, so you might want to consider leaving fancy clothing out of next week's wardrobe selection.
On Monday, January 30, we will showcase our learning experiences with Libby by hosting a school-wide student-led conference. The conference will begin at 1:00 and run until 5:00 and will feature the creations that students will have completed with Libby. The artwork will be set up in the gym. Please feel free to come and "borrow" your son/daughter from class for a few minutes so that they can show you their work. Or, if it works better for you, you could come and see the art projects after school until 5:00.
It's too bad that the weather didn't cooperate and let us go sliding this afternoon. We'll take a look at our calendar and try to reschedule for another time. Stay tuned!
On Monday, January 30, we will showcase our learning experiences with Libby by hosting a school-wide student-led conference. The conference will begin at 1:00 and run until 5:00 and will feature the creations that students will have completed with Libby. The artwork will be set up in the gym. Please feel free to come and "borrow" your son/daughter from class for a few minutes so that they can show you their work. Or, if it works better for you, you could come and see the art projects after school until 5:00.
It's too bad that the weather didn't cooperate and let us go sliding this afternoon. We'll take a look at our calendar and try to reschedule for another time. Stay tuned!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
January 13, 2011
Reminders:
1. Spelling test tomorrow
2. Read!
3. We'll go sledding tomorrow ONLY if the weather improves. You can send warm clothes, helmets and sleds and we'll cross our fingers for warmer weather tomorrow afternoon.
The class has been fitted/sized with cross country ski boots and skis. Again, we'll wait for warmer weather before we try out a x-c ski adventure. It's great to have the snow - now we just have to organize the right mercury level!
The Clifford books that the students brought home yesterday are for the students to keep. Enjoy the addition to your family library!
1. Spelling test tomorrow
2. Read!
3. We'll go sledding tomorrow ONLY if the weather improves. You can send warm clothes, helmets and sleds and we'll cross our fingers for warmer weather tomorrow afternoon.
The class has been fitted/sized with cross country ski boots and skis. Again, we'll wait for warmer weather before we try out a x-c ski adventure. It's great to have the snow - now we just have to organize the right mercury level!
The Clifford books that the students brought home yesterday are for the students to keep. Enjoy the addition to your family library!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
January 12, 2011
Reminders:
1. Read! The students' reading should be smoothing out nicely so that they don't sound like their words are separated into by long pauses. We always say in class that reading should sound as though you are speaking to someone and should not be "robotic".
2. We are still looking for Gatorade drink lids. We need 7 more. If anyone can help us out, we'd appreciate it!
3. We go skating tomorrow afternoon. The arena is booked for our class from 2:00 until 3:00. Thanks for sending helmets and skates - and thanks in advance to all the parents who will be helping out on the ice and with skate tying.
1. Read! The students' reading should be smoothing out nicely so that they don't sound like their words are separated into by long pauses. We always say in class that reading should sound as though you are speaking to someone and should not be "robotic".
2. We are still looking for Gatorade drink lids. We need 7 more. If anyone can help us out, we'd appreciate it!
3. We go skating tomorrow afternoon. The arena is booked for our class from 2:00 until 3:00. Thanks for sending helmets and skates - and thanks in advance to all the parents who will be helping out on the ice and with skate tying.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
January 11, 2011
Reminders:
1. Read!
2. Practise some addition facts - the second link on the side is a good starting point. It allows the students to choose their own level (from adding 0 to adding 9) and also gives two options for playing: Level One is a one minute timed challenge and Level Two lets you finish all the questions and then lets you know how long it took to do it. The students are getting better at adding all the time. It's great to see the progress!
3. Thanks to the people who sent snowman "hats". We need lots more, so if you 've got any empty Powerade or Gatorade containers, we'd love to have the clean lids from them.
1. Read!
2. Practise some addition facts - the second link on the side is a good starting point. It allows the students to choose their own level (from adding 0 to adding 9) and also gives two options for playing: Level One is a one minute timed challenge and Level Two lets you finish all the questions and then lets you know how long it took to do it. The students are getting better at adding all the time. It's great to see the progress!
3. Thanks to the people who sent snowman "hats". We need lots more, so if you 've got any empty Powerade or Gatorade containers, we'd love to have the clean lids from them.
Monday, January 10, 2011
January 10, 2011
Reminders:
1. Study spelling. This week's words don't follow a pattern as most of the previous lists have. Instead, they are common words that all the first graders should be able to read and spell automatically.
2. We will be skating again this Thursday afternoon. Thanks in advance for sending skates, appropriate clothing, and helmets, and for all the parents who will help us out at the arena.
3. If the weather smartens up, we will be going sliding Friday afternoon at the ball park hill. Please send warm clothing and sleds for this activity.
4. Read! (Don't forget about the Tumblebooks site. If your child reads a book from the site, please have them take the follow-up quiz (if it's available) and try a follow-up game (if it's available.)
We are making snowmen Wednesday afternoon and are looking for Gatorade or Powerade lids to use as snowmen hats. If you have any clean lids that you could donate to our class, we'd appreciate them. Thanks!
1. Study spelling. This week's words don't follow a pattern as most of the previous lists have. Instead, they are common words that all the first graders should be able to read and spell automatically.
2. We will be skating again this Thursday afternoon. Thanks in advance for sending skates, appropriate clothing, and helmets, and for all the parents who will help us out at the arena.
3. If the weather smartens up, we will be going sliding Friday afternoon at the ball park hill. Please send warm clothing and sleds for this activity.
4. Read! (Don't forget about the Tumblebooks site. If your child reads a book from the site, please have them take the follow-up quiz (if it's available) and try a follow-up game (if it's available.)
We are making snowmen Wednesday afternoon and are looking for Gatorade or Powerade lids to use as snowmen hats. If you have any clean lids that you could donate to our class, we'd appreciate them. Thanks!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
January 6, 2011
Thanks to all the parents who helped out at the arena today. It's amazing how many good skaters we have - and how much improvement first graders can make in one short hour on the ice!
Reminders for tomorrow:
1. January book orders are due.
2. Spelling test
3. Read the Golden Envelope book.
If you haven't already checked out the new Addition Practise link, try it out.
Reminders for tomorrow:
1. January book orders are due.
2. Spelling test
3. Read the Golden Envelope book.
If you haven't already checked out the new Addition Practise link, try it out.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
Remember to bring your skates and helmet for skating at the Activity Centre tomorrow afternoon. We'll leave the school around 1:40 and will dismiss from the Activity Centre. (Students who have to return to the school can do so with the teachers.) Any volunteers who would like to help tie skates are most welcome to do so - with our thanks!
Book orders are due Friday.
Keep reading those golden envelopes books!
I've added a new link for more adding practise. The new link is called "Addition Game" and has opportunities to connect with subtracting practise, as well. Check it out!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Reminders:
1. Study spelling.
2. Skating on Thursday. We'll leave the school around 1:40.
3. Book orders are due Friday.
1. Study spelling.
2. Skating on Thursday. We'll leave the school around 1:40.
3. Book orders are due Friday.
Monday, January 3, 2011
January 3, 2011
It's hard to believe that it's 2011 already! Happy New Year to everyone!
Reminders:
1. Study spelling.
2. A few people have not yet returned the November report card. Please do so ASAP. Thanks!
3. We will be going skating Thursday afternoons in January at the Activity Centre. Please send skates and appropriate clothing on those days. Helmets are mandatory as well, so if your child has a hockey helmet, please send that as well. (We do have helmets at school for those who need to borrow one.) Any parents who are available to help tie skates are welcome to come along - with our thanks! Dismissal will be from the Activity Centre. Those students who need to return to the school for the Out-of-school-care program can return with the teachers.
There are a few students who do not have skates. If anyone has some skates that they'd be willing to lend, please let me know and we'll try to find a fit for those skateless students. Thanks.
4. Book orders are due this Friday.
Reminders:
1. Study spelling.
2. A few people have not yet returned the November report card. Please do so ASAP. Thanks!
3. We will be going skating Thursday afternoons in January at the Activity Centre. Please send skates and appropriate clothing on those days. Helmets are mandatory as well, so if your child has a hockey helmet, please send that as well. (We do have helmets at school for those who need to borrow one.) Any parents who are available to help tie skates are welcome to come along - with our thanks! Dismissal will be from the Activity Centre. Those students who need to return to the school for the Out-of-school-care program can return with the teachers.
There are a few students who do not have skates. If anyone has some skates that they'd be willing to lend, please let me know and we'll try to find a fit for those skateless students. Thanks.
4. Book orders are due this Friday.
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