Blog Oct 26-29

We had a very busy, short week.

We continued practicing counting by 5’s and 10’s and printing numbers to 100. Students also got some experience with their first word problem this week. It was a basic problem where there was only one answer. Students were encouraged to draw a picture and write a sentence to answer the word problem. This was practice to help us understand how to complete an open-ended problem in the future.

Our word family for this past week was ”ig”. Students continued with writing simple sentences and were given a picture prompt to help them write as many as they could about the picture. It was a Fall. I have emailed the Dolch sight words to you, so that you can support your child in learning these words.

We painted pumpkins by mixing red and yellow to create orange, and later in the week, we turned them into Jack-o-lanterns for our beautiful bulletin board. 

Students were quite excited about Halloween and enjoyed seeing a huge pumpkin that one of the grade three teacher’s dad bought in. It was over 150 pounds. Wow!

We were very lucky. Also, thanks to Mrs. Hoye, we had the chance to see all the costumes at our school. She did a video of all of us. We had some great costumes!

It was great to touch base with you all on Thursday night or Friday morning. Thanks for all your support in helping your child learn and grow. 

Happy Halloween! Stay safe and enjoy the special treats!

October 19th-23rd

Science: Students were excited to do our taste test this past week and to determine if the taste was sweet, sour, salty, bitter or umami.

Math: We practiced counting by 5’s and 10’s, as well as comparing numbers that are greater.

LA: Writing simple sentences on topics of "my weekend, family, I feel sad when". Also, all grade one students were given a picture prompt to write some sentences independently. This will be shared at our meetings later in the week.

Word family: “it”

Character: Books and discussion on "Respect" and "Responsibility"

We got to use laptops this week, but it took students a lot of time to log into the computers. Please allow your child to log into programs and homework as much as possible at home to aid in speed and accuracy.

 

Upcoming Events:

Monday: Picture Retake Day and Formal Uniforms.

Wednesday: Library Book Exchange and Acorn Art (mountain scene) will come home

Thursday: Early Dismissal at 12:00 and Parent-Teacher Meetings

Friday: No School/Teacher PD

 

October 13th-16th

Students were able to enjoy the first snowfall of the school year. Please make sure that you dress your child for the weather, as we go outside for Physical Education for 30 minutes each day. Please label your child’s gear.

 

In Social Studies, students started to learn about our community by discussing groups that they belong to and the benefits of those groups. We created a rainbow poster that included ourselves, family, school and community groups.

 

In Math, we continue with creating and extending AAB, ABB and AABB patterns. We are comparing numbers and deciding which is the greater number. We are also using these skills when comparing our class by the number of boys/girls, how we come to school, and the colour of eyes and hair. We practiced subitizing skills with turkey art.

 

Next week, we will be doing a taste test for a Science experiment. Items to be tasted are jelly beans, chocolate, strong tea, lemons, dill pickles, popcorn, pretzels, and raisins. All food items are nut and gelatin free. Please let me know if your child has allergies related to any of these items.

This week's Word Family: ad 

Upcoming reminders:

Monday: Wear your Formal Uniform

Wednesday: Return your library books

Friday: Return your homework

         Spelling test

 

EVERYDAY: Read on Raz-Kids or library books

 

October 5th-8th

We have been busy learning about Thanksgiving and Gratitude this past week. Students created a turkey by tracing their hand and then chose five things that they are thankful for. Students then practiced writing patterned sentences around being grateful.

Also, in Math, students created turkey pattern art. They had to give their turkey several feathers using fall colours and some of the patterns that we have been working on in class so far. (Please see pictures of one art and writing sample below.)

I hope that you get to spend some great quality time with your family this weekend and have the opportunity to count the many blessings that we all have. I am so thankful for all my students and supportive parents. Have a great long weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!

September 28th - October 2nd

In Language Arts, we have focused on the "an" word family. We have also continued with writing simple sentences on topics such as my weekend, my favourite animal, my favourite toy, and what I want to be when I grow up. We are focusing on sounding out the words we need to write and saying the word slowly in order to identify the sounds within the word. We use sentence frames to create our sentences and emphasize that words do not have to be spelled correctly. 

In Math, we have worked on making ABC patterns and number sense activities for numbers up to 7.

We have started the sense of sight in Science. We were able to touch and feel some braille books that I borrowed from the public library. This week, we are going to practice making letters for our names with braille. 

Reminders: 

Monday, 5th: Wear your formal uniform

Wednesday, 7th: Library book exchange

Thursday, 8th: Homework is due

Friday, 9th: No school 

Monday, 12th: No School

September 21st - 24th

September 14th-18th

We continued to become familiar with class and school routines. Mrs. Hoye selected some students to help create a school wide video on "expected and unexpected" behaviours. We had a class discussion and followed up with one of my favourite stories, HaveYou Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. This book talks about how everyone has an invisible bucket and we can fill it or dip into it. We want others to feel good or happy and we can do our part to help with that. Ask your child about this special book.

We continued with "Ways to Make" a special number and counting activities in Math. In Language Arts, we wrote about our weekend and continued with patterned sentences on other topics as well.

In the upcoming weeks, we will be starting "Our Five Senses" in Science and "Belonging to Our World" in Social Studies. Please let me know if your child has allergies, as there will be taste and smell tests later in the unit. We will be talking about what groups that your child belongs to, such as sports, school, family, worship, etc. in the next few weeks as well.

Homework will start this week. Your child will bring home a homework folder on Monday. Please check the homework page on this site for details. It is due on Thursday, September 24th, as there is no school on Friday, 25th.

Library books are due each Wednesday. Students will only receive one book in the upcoming weeks, as we are finding that we do not have enough books to hold for three days, before allowing students can choose new books.

Please find the French blog page. I will add it to my blog soon, so that you can access it more easily.  

September 8th-11th

We have had another busy week in room 11. We continue to practice all classroom and school routines. We were able to visit the Learning Commons on Wednesday and students bought home 1 or 2 library books. We will have library book exchange each Wednesday, so please be sure to return your child’s books, so that he/she can get new books each week.

Our new Physical Education teacher started having physical activities outside with all classes. Students have been having fun practicing Terry Fox laps and learning new animal poses. The French teacher has been focusing on greetings and colours. The music teacher has been teaching students how to sign O’ Canada in sign language and they have been using musical instruments to practice rhythm.

Students have been working on a Social Studies activity “All About Me” where they share how old they are, and their favourite animal, colour and thing to eat. We also created a self-portrait to add to our first day of school pictures. I will try and send you a copy of your child’s portrait throughout the week.

In Math, we worked on “Ways to Make” a number. Students are required to demonstrate understanding of a specific number by showing it in different ways. This has been teacher guided right now, but will become an independent activity soon. Students can use ten frames where they colour the correct number of squares, identify whether the number is odd or even, what number comes before and after, draw a picture of the correct number, draw a number line, dice, number of fingers up on the hand, and tally marks. More items will be expected as we learn new concepts, like addition and subtraction sentences. At this time of year, we also practice printing the number correctly and spelling the word.

Friday, September 18^th is our Terry Fox Run. You should have received an email from Mrs. Taylor. It is a casual day and students can bring donations.

Thanks once again for sending your child to class well rested and ready to learn. Have a great weekend!

September 1st- 4th

It has been a week of learning new routines and adjusting to our new school life. It is great to be back! Students are doing well, considering all the changes that are happening! I am certainly lucky to have such a great group of students!

 

There are a few reminders and things that can be practiced at home to make this transition more smooth.

·      Students should not be wearing sandals, boots or crocks, etc. to school. We wear our outdoor shoes for Physical Education classes and we want students to be comfortable when we have fun outside. (Outdoor shoes need to be easy to run in.)

·      Bring a pair of black athletic shoes or black dress shoes that have non-marking soles to wear with your uniform. Gym shoes are also required unless you have a pair of black ones to wear with your uniform. We may need them if we have a rainy day or when PE classes start in the gym again.

·      Practice doing up zippers, buttons and other snaps at home so that students can be independent at school.

Also, practice opening containers, Ziploc bags, etc. that are in your child’s lunch kit.

·      Practice tying shoes if your child has shoes with laces.

·      Practice standing an arm length away from another person. We are trying to do “Zombie Walking” when going through the hallways and outside for social distancing. Students need to hold their arms out straight in front of them and to stay that distance the whole time.

·      A leak-proof water bottle, as students can not drink from the fountain. They can refill only.

·      Go to bed early to get lots of rest and eat a healthy breakfast before coming to school in the mornings.

·      Bring your masks to school each day.

·      Please have your child stay home if they are sick. If your child has a pre-existing condition, we need a letter from your doctor, otherwise, we will contact you to pick your child up if they show any signs of symptoms associated with COVID.

 

Next week, I will include more academic activities in my update. Homework will start during the week of the 21^st. I will send an email prior to it coming to describe details and how to find it on my blog. I am looking forward to a great year! Please do not hesitate to email me with questions or concerns. There is no school on Monday, September 7^th. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! See you on Tuesday, September 8^th.

Welcome Back Video

 Please check out Mrs. Taylor's Welcome Back Video

https://youtu.be/1ygfSF5AiBM

Meet The Teacher Powerpoint

Please click HERE to view the Powerpoint regarding Meet the Teacher Grade One, Le Roi Daniels School on Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30.

We are working hard to keep everyone safe! 

Room 11

Welcome to a New School Year!

Hello Grade One Students and Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to Grade One! I’m so looking forward to being your child’s teacher this year. I know that we will have an exciting year of learning, questions, risk-taking, fun and play!

Please feel free to email or phone if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you this year!

 

Background:

I started my teaching career 29 years ago in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As a grade one student, I became fascinated with learning about other cultures, especially the Inuit traditions and artwork. In 1994, my husband and I were given the privilege to work in the Northwest Territories. While there, I was given the opportunity to teach all grade levels from grade 1 to 12 and later became involved with administration. One of the highlights of our time there was experiencing the culture and kindness of the wonderful people there and seeing a new territory of Nunavut emerge. Eighteen years ago, we made Calgary our home, after learning that our son had autism. Since then, I have worked with the CBE in grades 1, 2 and 3 in three different schools. I have a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Special Education. My family and I enjoy spending time going to amusement parks and bowling each week. I love teaching, and watching students develop and become their best selves.

 

A few reminders for Startup Week: 

 

·      Ice Cream Social on Monday, August 31^st from 12-2. Please check the alternating schedule sent by Mrs. Taylor for your time. I’m so looking forward to meeting you all.

 

·      Meet the Teacher is Thursday, September 3^rd at 6:30 by Google Meet. You will receive your meeting nickname, email address and password at the ice cream social.

 

·      If you have not already emailed me with your email address please do so. If you would like me to communicate to more than one email, please include this in your email.

 

·      Please let me know if your child is taking the bus or being picked up at the end of the day. If so, what is the bus letter and stop number?

 

·      You must have shoes that stay at school. You cannot wear your dress shoes to school and then inside. You can have a solid black pair of runners to wear for gym and dress shoes. They need to be non-marking soles. OR You can have both gym and dress shoes. Please label, as some kids can not recognize their shoes. 

 

·      Label all belongings before coming to school. Cardigans, etc. look alike and are tough for grade one students to identify without their name.

Have a Great Summer!

Wow! I can’t believe that our year is over! I am so impressed with how much you have grown over the past few months. You all deserve an A+ for all the “at home learning” that you have done.

Moms and Dads, you have done a great job of carrying out the plans for each week and sending in the completed work. You are amazing! I could not have done this year without you. Thanks for all your support.

Thanks for such a great year! I will miss all of you very much. Please drop by my room and say “hi” next year when we return to school. You should have received a special email from me earlier this week. Let me know if you did not receive the goodbye email.

I hope that you have an active and safe summer with your family.

Let the vacation begin! Take care and see you in September!

You will have access to Raz-Kids and Mathletics over the summer, 

so please, please, please read often over your break!!!