This morning we edited the very wacky words in our message so that it made sense! We found the rhymes in our "This and That" poem, and colour coded the punctuation. We had to be flexible when it was time for our library exchange, because the library sign-out system was not working! So instead we went on a /th/ hunt around our classroom and school -- the grade ones did an awesome job of this!! We had an unexpected fire drill during a grade one superstorm to learn about Aboriginal contributions and traditions, which we continued after the phys ed. Nice job staying calm and quiet, grade one! After music in the afternoon, we enjoyed 7 stations learning about Aboriginal ways of knowing colour. A HUGE thank you to our wonderful and patient parent volunteers for running these!!!
Sight Words (We are working with these to reinforce short vowels, and/or in weekly poems)
/th/ words:
the this that then with
Mail Pockets
- No new mail went home today -- we also did not exchange our home reading books today because
Home Reading Bags
Your child has begun bringing home their home reading bag! The goal is to share 15(ish) minutes of reading together each night, which is recorded in the provided reading log. The book levels brought home are based on one-on-one standardized reading assessments. We talked about choosing "just right" books -- to build fluency and confidence, we want to be taking books that are mostly easy, needing help with just a few words.
Also included in the bag is a double-sided sheet of practical tips for busy families to support literacy development (especially for those days where it's hard to find time, or your child is needing a break from their 'just right' books), and a book mark with reading strategies, which will be taught during in-class guided reading sessions. Please keep the bag and its contents in your child's backpack to return to and from school each day, even if they have not had a chance to finish the current books. Students will be given an opportunity each day to exchange their books if needed. Please always feel free to email me with any questions. Thank you so much for helping to build your child's reading skills and confidence!
Please and Thank You
- Thank you very much to our sight word and science station volunteers this week!
- Please consider contributing a pumpkin the week of the 24th - 27th for hands-on math activities exploring different types of measurement and estimation. Ideally, we would love to have a few more pumpkins, different shapes and sizes. Thanks!
- We would gratefully welcome snack contributions (a veggie plate, fruit, and one treat) for our Halloween Party the afternoon of the 31st -- please email Melissa if you would like to bring something. We would also much appreciate one or two volunteers to help with serving and tidying snacks that afternoon.
Home Reading/Sight Word Volunteers
Students have begun taking out Home Reading books this week. We would love to invite morning home reading and sight word volunteers! Home reading volunteers are invited to come read with students one-on-one from 8:30 - 9:00 Monday through Thursday. If you can commit to a weekly time, great, but drop-ins are certainly welcome, too! If you would like to help with word rings, that is flexible time-wise. Please email myself or Melissa if you would be interested in supporting our literacy program in this way. Thank you!
Winter Clothing Drive
Dear Students and family members of Prince of Wales school,
Mrs. McKay’s POWer hour is all about giving back and helping other. The first group of people that we have chosen to help live right in our city. We will be collecting winter coats, boots, hats, scarves, mitts, and snow pants that are gently used. These items will be for Syrian Refugees from Keeler school in Calgary, where Ms. Georg is now teaching. The refugees have left their homes with nothing but themselves. (Think about it if you did not have a warm winter coat walking out into the snow). Please bring in sizes for age 4 and up. Please help out! Donations can be brought to Mrs. McKay’s classroom,
Please have all donations here by November 4 2016
-The members of the Give power hour
Halloween
Our school will be celebrating Halloween the afternoon of Monday, October 31st. Students are invited to come to school dressed in their costumes. The morning will be a typical daily schedule. Our class celebration will be in the afternoon, including a Halloween sing-along with Paulo, snacks, and fun activities! Thank you for using your best judgement with costumes (no weapons at school).
Upcoming Dates
October 19- Aboriginal Ways of Knowing Colour Kit
October 24-October 28-Pumpkin Math Week
October 26-Little Caesar’s Fun Lunch
October 27-Halloween Dance (evening)
October 31-Halloween Party (PM)
Daily Challenge
What was something you learned about Aboriginal ways of knowing and using colour this afternoon?