Friday, January 12
Happy New Year Families!
I hope your holidays were happy and stress free. Mine were wonderful - it actually felt like I had a month off.
During our short week the students continued their exploration in geometry. They made observations about 3-D shapes by examining the shapes to determine a shapes attributes. They played games, in pairs, revolved around how to sort a group of shapes based on their attributes. This was done with actual 3-D recyclable items and then with pictures of 3-D shapes. They also played a board game where they had to identify the name of the 2-D shape they landed on. They have been really excited about this unit and have really enjoyed learning through the hands-on activities of gaming.
The students shared about their winter holidays and what they received from Santa for Christmas, during our sharing circle. Then they wrote and drew about it as well, and were reminded to read their own writing to their self to make sure that their sentences made sense and that they had used proper capitals and a period at the end of their sentences. They also wrote some New Years resolutions, based on the the 4 numbers in our new year of 2018. We will take their goal writing and use it to create a dazzling piece of written art work, which will be posted on our bulletin board for you to read during our next interview time.
Students are writing Valentine letters and cards, in our Daily 5 centers, as well as working on the words of the week and New Years word searches. They also have the option to write "Small Moments" books at the writing center. As I continue to read daily with the students at our guided reading center, during the Daily 5, I urge you to continue reading with your child every day at home. According to the Fountas and Pinnell reading levels, grade 1 students should now be reading at a D/E level for this time of the year. This includes comprehending what they have read. I also encourage you to ask your child various questions about the story such as retelling, making connections and exploration of the characters, setting, plot and message of the story.
In Social Studies we discussed the importance of family and what a family tree is. The students have made some beautiful and very creative arm & hand tree, which are waiting in their visual journals for adornment of little apples that will open up to reveal the face of a family member. I can't wait to see them all finished!
In gym, the students started the gymnastics unit. They are over the top about it! Here is a note from our gym teachers regarding participation during the gymnastics unit.
We have begun our gymnastic unit in our regularly scheduled physical education classes. This unit lasts until the first week of February. To begin this unit, we review safety procedures with each class. When participating in gymnastics we ask students to be dressed and prepared to participate. We ask you to consider the following:
• Clothing that allows freedom of movement (no special uniforms or outfits are required – sweats and a t-shirt work best).
• Loose fitting/baggy clothing may get caught on equipment when climbing.
• Tucking shirts in may help to prevent an accident.
• All jewelry that could get caught on equipment should be removed (left in classrooms or left at home). e.g. watches, rings, necklaces, etc
• Students with long hair should have their hair tied back. Tying hair back with elastics (scrunchies) is recommended.
• Students may wear shorts under clothing if they wish.
• Students continue to wear indoor running shoes (first preference). Students may also participate in bare feet or with gymnastic slippers.
Thank you for helping your child come to school dressed safely for gymnastics!
Mrs Sedgewick and Ms MacMillan
AND FROM MS. THOMAS:
Artist of the Week
The Beach Boys:
The Beach Boys are a most commonly known for pioneering the “California Sound”, otherwise known as the surf rock sub genre. Through the 60s, The Beach Boys evolved from a “youth-culture” themed pop group, to being highly sophisticated rock innovators with critically acclaimed albums like “Pet Sounds”.
Have a super weekend and stay warm!
Julie
I hope your holidays were happy and stress free. Mine were wonderful - it actually felt like I had a month off.
During our short week the students continued their exploration in geometry. They made observations about 3-D shapes by examining the shapes to determine a shapes attributes. They played games, in pairs, revolved around how to sort a group of shapes based on their attributes. This was done with actual 3-D recyclable items and then with pictures of 3-D shapes. They also played a board game where they had to identify the name of the 2-D shape they landed on. They have been really excited about this unit and have really enjoyed learning through the hands-on activities of gaming.
The students shared about their winter holidays and what they received from Santa for Christmas, during our sharing circle. Then they wrote and drew about it as well, and were reminded to read their own writing to their self to make sure that their sentences made sense and that they had used proper capitals and a period at the end of their sentences. They also wrote some New Years resolutions, based on the the 4 numbers in our new year of 2018. We will take their goal writing and use it to create a dazzling piece of written art work, which will be posted on our bulletin board for you to read during our next interview time.
Students are writing Valentine letters and cards, in our Daily 5 centers, as well as working on the words of the week and New Years word searches. They also have the option to write "Small Moments" books at the writing center. As I continue to read daily with the students at our guided reading center, during the Daily 5, I urge you to continue reading with your child every day at home. According to the Fountas and Pinnell reading levels, grade 1 students should now be reading at a D/E level for this time of the year. This includes comprehending what they have read. I also encourage you to ask your child various questions about the story such as retelling, making connections and exploration of the characters, setting, plot and message of the story.
In Social Studies we discussed the importance of family and what a family tree is. The students have made some beautiful and very creative arm & hand tree, which are waiting in their visual journals for adornment of little apples that will open up to reveal the face of a family member. I can't wait to see them all finished!
In gym, the students started the gymnastics unit. They are over the top about it! Here is a note from our gym teachers regarding participation during the gymnastics unit.
We have begun our gymnastic unit in our regularly scheduled physical education classes. This unit lasts until the first week of February. To begin this unit, we review safety procedures with each class. When participating in gymnastics we ask students to be dressed and prepared to participate. We ask you to consider the following:
• Clothing that allows freedom of movement (no special uniforms or outfits are required – sweats and a t-shirt work best).
• Loose fitting/baggy clothing may get caught on equipment when climbing.
• Tucking shirts in may help to prevent an accident.
• All jewelry that could get caught on equipment should be removed (left in classrooms or left at home). e.g. watches, rings, necklaces, etc
• Students with long hair should have their hair tied back. Tying hair back with elastics (scrunchies) is recommended.
• Students may wear shorts under clothing if they wish.
• Students continue to wear indoor running shoes (first preference). Students may also participate in bare feet or with gymnastic slippers.
Thank you for helping your child come to school dressed safely for gymnastics!
Mrs Sedgewick and Ms MacMillan
AND FROM MS. THOMAS:
Artist of the Week
The Beach Boys:
The Beach Boys are a most commonly known for pioneering the “California Sound”, otherwise known as the surf rock sub genre. Through the 60s, The Beach Boys evolved from a “youth-culture” themed pop group, to being highly sophisticated rock innovators with critically acclaimed albums like “Pet Sounds”.
Have a super weekend and stay warm!
Julie
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