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.
  
  
  
  
  
   

A day in the life of a PLAY BASED PROGRAM

OUR DAILY SCHEDULE

Every morning we start the day off with Outdoor Learning. 

This provides students with the opportunity to share with their friends and teachers events that may have occurred the previous night.  Since the children are required to go outside twice a day, having Outdoor Learning time in the morning creates less transition time during the winter months. The cold weather has arrived.  Please dress your child appropriately (winter coats, hats, mittens and boots when needed).

Students enter the classroom and follow the same routine every day: hand in notes/notetotes, put their lunch pail in snack container and sign in by answering the question of the day. 

Circle Time

 

Learning circles are only 15 minutes in length.  Fifteen minutes is age appropriate for students to be able to sit quietly and engaged in the activity. 

 

 

 

Learning Centres

 

 

 

All centres are open.  Students plan and self regulate where they want to learn.  A snack table is open from 10:00 am till 12:20 pm for students to eat with their friends.  They know to eat their sandwiches and healthy food first. 

 

Clean Up

 

Students are expected to tidy up throughout centre time when they are travelling from one area to the next.  When the music plays all students participate in cleaning the whole room.

 

 

2nd Learning Circle

Outdoor Learning

2nd Nutritional Break

All students sit and finish their lunches with Mrs. Wood (our class lunch aid).

 

Dance and Movement

 

Learning Centres

Sharing/ Reflection Circle

Students sign up throughout the day to share items they have created, stories they want to tell, or to talk about some new learning.

Home Time

For students to depart safely, they are to exit the classroom and wait against the wall until a  teacher calls their name.   At this point, they may run to the guardian picking them up.   

Meet the Teachers

Meet your Child's Teachers

Throughout the day, your child spends the majority of his or her time in their classroom with 3 adults.

Mrs. Taylor - Homeroom Teacher

I believe that children learn BEST through inquiry in a play-based program. 

Never underestimate the value of play!

Miss Zilio

Miss Zilio is joining the Prince Edward's Early Years Team.  

Mrs. Taylor and Miss Zilio will be teaching partners. 

Her background specializes in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Brown

Ms. Brown has been part of the Prince Edward Team for numerous years.  Her role in the classroom is an Education Assistant supporting the students.   Ms. Brown goes beyond the call of duty with her hard work and dedication to the Breakfast Program and provides daily snacks to all the homerooms.

Mrs. Wong supervises the students daily during their first nutritional break.

Mrs. Flynn teaches the students in the Learning Commons (aka the Library).

She provides the students with opportunities using thh Smart board, book browse and centres.

You may recognize the following three friendly faces.  They cover Mrs. Taylor's preparation time at 9:00am.  They spend time with your child during Outdoor Learning and Morning Centres. 

Ms. McIntosh

Mrs. Mosco

Mrs. Lesperance

Stay tuned for my next post about your child's daily schedule!!