News..

The Dress Shop have been very a huge success.  Students love to wear costumes, hats and high heels while learning.  Thank you for all the donations of clothing and costumes.

This week we made popcorn with Mrs. Kelly's class.  The student's are learning how to retell steps.  We used pictures, best guessed spelling and oral language to retell the steps of making popcorn.  You can practice this at home by retelling how to get ready for school or after reading a book ask your child to retell the main parts in the story.  

Next week:

• Students will continue to learn about patterns.  They are learning to create and extend colour, shape, size and directional patterns.  A favourite read aloud is called Pattern Bugs by Trudy Harris. 
• Students will continue to learn about the importance of healthy eating, and learn about the 5 food groups.  Please remember to send healthy choices in your child's lunch.
• Book orders were due on Friday.  I am extending this till Monday morning-- December 10th.  Last chance to order before the holidays! 

Things to discuss with your child about this week's learning experiences!

• Many students have been very creative with boxes, making doll house, kites, vehicles and the list goes on.
• We baked mini pizzas with Mrs. Kelly's class.  Next week, students will retell using pictures and oral language the steps of how they made their pizza.
• Working with numbers 1 - 10.  We asked students to show us different ways to represent a number.  For example: 5 , your child may print the digit five, spell the word five, draw 5 hearts, make a tally with 5 sticks, clap 5 times, or find 5 items.  Practice this at home with their favourite number. 
• A few students have been interested in Micheal Jordon.  On the smartboard, we read his bio, the students were interested to see how tall 6"6' really is.  We measured using large paper, two students drew a life size picture of Micheal Jordon.  Other students wanted to trace their own bodies and color themselves.
• We received a class computer that will remain in our classroom for the remainder of the year.  The computer has been a very popular spot in the classroom.  The students play games cooperating together to share the computer. 
• We are continuing to practise to indentify letters and their sounds.  Students had opporunities to practise writing their letters and numbers using finger paint, flour, sugar, playdough, shaving cream, and gel bags this week.  Continue to practice letters and sounds at home on a daily basis. 

A few Learning Expectations that were met this week:

 

Personal and Social Development

2.5 interact cooperatively with others in classroom events and  activities

 

Language

    2.8 demonstrate knowledge of most letters of the alphabet in different contexts

   4.2   demonstrate an awareness that writing can convey ideas or messages

    4.3 write simple messages

    4.5 experiment with a variety of simple writing forms for different purposes and in a variety of contexts

 

Mathematics

1.7 demonstrate an understanding of number relationships for numbers from 0-10 through investigation

    1.9 use, read, and represent whole numbers to 10 in a variety of meaningful contexts

NEXT WEEK,  our house centre will be changing to a DRESS SHOP.   We are asking for donations of adult gently used dresses, costumes (no weapons), costume jewellery, shoes, plastic hats, and purses.  Your donations will be appreciated by all the students and staff.

A great way to start the week....

What a great way to start the week...

Students collaboratively built this amazing structure.

(a school)

Student created graphs of their 'Most favourite' and 'Least favourite' holiday wish list.

These students were not afraid to get messy with shaving cream.  Tomorrow shaving cream will be added to the large textile bin.



Many students were using the large tweezers to sort beads. 

Physical Education is every Monday. 

Please send appropriate shoes with your child. 

Activites to try and talk about at home...

 

 

Miss Zilio and this boy made an airplane out of pipe cleaner!

What else could be designed using pipe cleaner?

 

 

 

Hot Wheel Ramps were new to the classroom this week. 

Students created various designs throughout the classroom.

 

 

Washing and caring for babies.

 

 

 

Ms. Brown played dominoes with the students.  Together they created domino letters and numbers, then watched them fall.

 

 

 

Spin Painting

Students created 'masterpieces 'using spinners.

 

Some students wanted to make tracks with cars in the paint!

 

 Ask your child about 'Elastic Painting". 

Sorry I have no pictures, I have had some camera problems this week :(

 

 

This girl created an 'attendance folder', inside she made a grid (similar to what we use). Pretending to be the teacher and using the pointer at the easel happens often during Learning Centres.

Play school with your child at home, listen to their words and hear what they have learned!

 

The Aerob-a-thon was a huge success. 

 

 

 

Our Aerob-a-thon took place on Friday, November 9th from 2:00 until 3:15 pm. Thank you to those families who took the time out of their busy schedules to raise money for our school and our classroom. We truly do appreciate it! A portion of the money will go to our classroom for supplies!

Our friends had so much fun dancing outside with the whole school. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Murray and Ms. Foris for coordinating the dances and the Grade 7 and 8 girls who lead us on stage!

AM 800 Visit

 

Class of the Week Photo with Leah Hanson

 

 

 

The students were very excited to have an Expert on Call from Am 800 in the classroom.  Leah Hanson brought a tape recorder with a microphone to show the students have voices are recorded on the radio.  Each student had the opportunity to say their name into the microphone.  Stay tuned for Friday's broadcast to be attached to the class blog!

 

All the students were very excited to eat their pancake breakfast from McDonald's!!!

 

 

 

Learning caught on camera -- Friday's Highlights

This boy made a spaceship out of Lego.  Together we observed the shapes (small and big rectangles) he created using yellow and black, drew them on paper, then adding a title - 'Spaceship'. 

 

 

 

Creating stories together

 

This boy found a 'garage' for his truck!

 

 

Tis the season for 'FOOTBALL'

Tracing patterns,

 

creating and making jersey's for their little football stars!

Happy Halloween!

We started off the week baking pumpkin pie with Mrs. Kelly's class. Students had the choice to sign up and bake, but everyone had a taste of delicious no crust pumpkin pie! MMMmmm..

Pumpkin Pie No Crust
Serves 8

1 can pumpkin (15oz)
1 can evaporated skim milk (12oz)
3/4 cup egg substitute (or 3 egg whites)
1/2 tsp. salt

2-3 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup splenda (or sugar)

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into a 9" sprayed pie pan. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, and then at 325 for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

This pie tastes Wonderful with cool whip.

This boy wanted to make a bat.  He used a black lid, construction paper and stickers for eyes.  He was so proud of his work!

Many students created books.  This week we read 'Five Little Pumpkins'.  Some students created their own versions of the story.

Miss. Zilio made green flubber with the students!

They loved the new texture.

Last week, we curved a couple of pumpkins, then baked the seeds.  This week we decorated other pumpkins.  Thank you to the families you donated pumpkins.  Some students practised their hand eye coordination using a hammer and nails. 

Hope everyone had a fun and safe 2012 Halloween.

If you have an extra photo of your child wearing their costume, please send it to school. 

Self photos are great writing opportunities.

 

I am proud to announce that we are

Am800's CLASS OF THE WEEK!!

On November 1^st, 2012 each child will receive a pancake breakfast from McDonald’s and an embroidered backpack.  Arms Bumanlag, on-air AM800 staff will visit the school and talk to the students.  The student’s voices may be recorded and aired on AM800.  Each student is required to fill out a ‘Full Release and Indemnity’ in order to participate and receive the class prizes.  Please return the forms on Monday. There are 2 spots that need to be filled out.

 

 

Literacy Bags

 

Literacy Bags have been a great success.  Students have been sharing some of their work.  Thank you to all parents for participating and working with your child.  If you have returned the first bag, another will be coming home on Monday!

 

 

Some success...

 

 

A Fire Truck

 

 

A Cat House

 

This is a bunny house with a diving board!

Students used various manipulatives from around the room!

 

 

Students took turns creating the class calendar.  We will add pictures and key words to help recall important events that have occurred in the classroom.

Going on a NATURE HUNT!

We found potato bugs, worms and snails!

 

 

 

We picked vegetables from the school's Community Garden. 

Later, we washed and cut them to share at the snack table.

 

 

 

We made a Text to Self and World Connection.  We read the story 'We're Going On A Nature Hunt' by Steve Metzger, and compared our adventures!

Literacy and Numeracy bags started this week. 

The Literacy/ numeracy bags will be sent home periodically with your child. Feel free to do the activities when it best suits your family. Please support your child when needed and have fun interacting and playing alongside your child!


Quoted from the GECDSB website, "School is an extension of the home and parents play a vital role in the success of their child's experience. It's a proven fact; when children and parents talk regularly about school, children do better at school. When parents get actively involved, children not only get better grades, they are more motivated and have better self-esteem."


A few things to remember:

• All children are unique, have different abilities and are interested in different things. I have listed different ideas for you and your child to participate in. Feel free to change the activity as you see fit.
• It is okay if your child’s spelling is not perfect. Allow your child to independently sound out the words while writing. Encourage and assist them; this will provide them with confidence.
• Please do not feel rushed and think that the bags need to be returned the next day. Feel free to keep the bag at home to read the story with your child a couple of times. Have fun with your child!!
• Please return all the materials in the bag
• Please be kind to the materials, resources and bags. I have spent a lot of time and have used personal resources for these bags.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hestiate to call or inquiry.

Planting, Colour Experiments, Community Walk, Celebrating Our Learning and so much more

This week has been so busy, hence the one and only blog entry.  We have so many things to celebrate and acknowledge!! I'm not even sure where to begin...

Creating and Drawing

 

This boy built a truck, counted the wheels, drew the shapes, then used yarn to design his garage!

Dance and Movement

 

 

Students would line up the chairs and take turns modelling their dance move.

 

 

Following dance routines from the Smart board has become a favourite for many students!

 

Building and Constructing

 

 

Some of the student's creations are starting to get more elaborate. 

They are using materials from around the room.

 

 

Art

This girl is using materials from our BEAUTIFUL STUFF containers.

'Open Art' allows children to use their imagination and create whatever is on their mind!

 

 

 

OUR 1st COMMUNITY WALK

A BIG thank you goes out to Salon 1309.  This was our first community walk to a local business.  Students have been very interested and learning about hair styling and equipment hair stylist use.

Many expectations were covered through this community walk. 

Personal and Social Development

3.1 recognize people in their community and talk about what they do

3.2 recognize places and building within their community

Language

1.7 use specialized vocabulary for a variety of purposes

 

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered on our rainy adventure. 

We truly appreciate your time and help.  We plan on visiting many local business (based on the children's interest) throughout the school year.  

 

 

A thank you card for Salon 1309!

 

 

 

SCIENCE 

 

Planting seeds

Potting a variety of house plants

Another BIG thank you to LOWE'S for the generously donating plants, pots and soil to our inspired Reggio Emilia classroom. 

Related Curriculum Expectations:

Science and Technology

3.4 participate in environmentally friendly activities in the classroom and the schoolyard (e.g. plant and tend to plants)

3.3 identify ways in which they can care for and show respect for the environment

 

 

 

COLOUR INQUIRY

 

Next week, we will be continuing this colour mixing inquiry.

 

 

SNAILS

 

 

Object of the Day

When your child is the Special Person of the day, they will have learning to do at home. 

 In addition, they will be presenting an Object of the day with 3 clues.  Ally's mustache was a huge hit.

 

 

Dramatic Play

Our future teachers!

 

 

Celebrating our Learning with Parents and Grandparents

 

 

 

Thank you for all the parent and grandparents who were able to attend on Friday Morning.

 

A few key reminders to those you were not able to attend:

• The students share an area to hang their coats.  Daily children forget to hang their jackets and gather their own clothing.  Therefore, please LABEL everything.
• We engage and foster independence.  At home, please have your child practise putting on their own winter wear.  If possible send MITTENS, not gloves.  We have 25 students in the class, gloves would entail us to assist with placing 250 little fingers into 250 finger holes!!!!AAAHHHH
• Physical Education is currently on Friday's.  Please send indoor shoes on Friday's.  This will change when there is a holiday or PA day.
• We are a SCENT FREE classroom.
• Literacy/Numeracy bags will begin this week.  More information will follow.