Artist in the School week

What an exciting week it will be!  This week we get to spend time each day with Randy Guest, our Artist in the School, who will be teaching us about film and videos.  We can't wait to show you what we learn.

This past week we spent more time working on our own blog pages.  Please check it out by visiting the KidBlog link on the right hand side.  Your child will know how to log in.  We are working on the etiquette for posting comments right now.  Students are encouraged to post comments that spark conversation rather than just general comments.

In Religion we have been studying the story of Jacob.  This is our artwork about his dream.  This week we begin learning about Joseph.

We are just beginning a new unit in Science about Position and Motion.  This will be a fun unit full of interactive activities and experiments.

Spelling homework

This week I have emailed the correct word sorts out to each parent. I have chosen to do this for a couple of reasons. 

- Some students tell me they have trouble remembering how to do their sort when they get home. 

- Some students tell me that they forget to take their words home. 

- And, believe it or not, some students tell me they can't practice their words because their parents don't know what to do. 

Regardless of the reason (excuse), each student is expected to practice their words during the week. 

Today I will send home a list of ideas for making spelling homework more interesting. For example: write silly sentences with your words, or write the consonants blue and the vowels red.

Reminders:
- An email was sent out by Mrs. McCrea explaining the NEW online registration process. If you have questions or require assistance registering your children for the upcoming school year please contact the office. 
- Boston Pizza Night - Feb. 4
- Trip to MTYP on Feb. 11 - please send in the permission forms

Short Week

This week we are blessed with a break on Friday.  As a result, spelling tests will be on Thursday this week.

Our trip to see Black Violin was a blast!  The students got to hear the violin played a variety of ways. The performers encouraged the kids to find something they love, practice it, and think outside the box. Just a few pictures of them dancing...

Today I want to share a couple of the iPad apps that we use regularly in the classroom.  If you have a device at home that supports these apps you may want to use them for extra practice, or homework.  I will try to share apps that I find with you more often in the future.

The first app that I absolutely love is for spelling is called Word Wizard.  The app sounds out the words so that the students have a visual and audio available for the word they are working on.

  

A fabulous app for math is  Number Pieces.  I love this app because you can manipulate the base ten pieces to create, add, subtract and change numbers.  It has a pen feature so you can write the digits.  It also trades the pieces for you.

 

This past week we spent time reviewing almost every part of Daily 5 to help get us back into routine.   This week we will review Word Work.  I will send home some ideas for practicing spelling words later this week.  The idea sheet will add some fun to your daily spelling routine.

This morning we used Kidblog to do our journal writing.  We will now do our journal writing as blog posts.  Students will be learning about online etiquette, creating interesting blog posts, and commenting on posts.  Please use the link on the side to check out our classroom page, which contains each individual page.



Last week the Grade 3s finished their unit on numbers to 1000.  You should have seen a copy of their test come home.  Please sign it and return it to school.  This week we will begin Addition and Subtraction to 1000.

The Grade 2s are just finishing a math unit on Numbers to 100.  They will begin a Measurement unit later this week.

Grade 2s are currently learning about body parts in French class.

In Religion we are currently learning about Jacob.

Have a fabulous week!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  It's great to be back after a relaxing and refreshing Christmas break.  It is clear from our journal activity this morning that everyone had a great Christmas break with friends and family. 

Today we did some review activities to get back into routine gently.  We spent some time talking about what our goals and expectations for the new year are.  Watch for our work on the bulletin board in the new couple of days.

Just a few reminders as we head back into the daily school routine

• It's a great idea to have an extra set of clothing in the locker.  Spills, wet snow, and accidents can happy at any time.
• Class begins at 8:45am.  I recommend that students be in the classroom by 8:40 so that they have enough time to organize their homework folder and agenda for the day.  Late slips are issued after 8:45am.
• Daily homework includes spelling (everyone received a new sort today), reading (at least 10 mins, 5 times a week), and violin practice.
• If you ever have questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me by phone, email, or a note with your child.

Happy 2015!  Looking forward to the next 6 months with your child!
Ms. Moss