This morning we edited the wacky spelling mistakes of long o words in our message. We had literacy centers and guided reading, then searched for rhyming pairs and highlighted word wall words with actions in our Rainbow Song poem. After recess we shared and discussed a special book about kindness, "The Golden Rule," then used organic lines to create beautiful painted winter silhouettes on our tints and shades art. In the afternoon Constable Jan came to visit the grade ones and talk about our personal strengths. The grade ones had a lot of questions, and we missed our library block but will be going to exchange books tomorrow afternoon instead. We learned that "symmetrical" means equal on both sides, then used symmetry to make coffee filter snowflakes to decorate our door. After putting the finishing touches on our tints and shades art, the students learned how to play 'dreidel," which is a Chanukah tradition I grew up with.
Mail Pockets
- "Taking the Mystery Out of Room 10" -- parent info night form (with oldest and only students)
- Family and Cultural Traditions letter went home
Words of the Week
Each week we will focus on a set of high frequency words that we are using in our poems and morning message. Feel free to practice these and look for them in your own books! This week we are focused on the long o sounds: oa and ow.
snow grow own below follow show goal boat
Please and Thank You!
- Please email me as soon as possible to let me know what family tradition your child would like to share (see more information below).
- Thank you for returning school Library books for Wednesday (our scheduled weekly exchange time is Wednesday afternoon).
Cultural Traditions:
To help us learn about cultural traditions within our classroom community, we would like to invite students to share and teach about their own celebrations and holiday customs. This is not limited to winter holidays, nor is it limited to "official" holidays, if there is a special seasonal tradition your family enjoys. This could take the form of (but is not restricted to) a photograph, artifact, video, or poster. Please email me with the tradition or holiday that your child would like to share before Friday, December 8. A presentation schedule will be sent home the week of December 11. The sharing will take place the week of December 18. Your child should be able to speak about their holiday or tradition and answer questions.
Making Memories Family Night
On Thursday, December 14 from 6:30 - 7:30,
please join us for an evening of fun and community building!
Events include:
* Art walk
* Cookie Decorating
* Craft making
* Photo Booth
* Contribute to our Tradition Sharing Board
We Club will be providing lots of optional opportunities for giving back:
* Giving Tree
We have adopted a family of 13 from GW Skene. Stop by the Giving Tree and pick up a gift tag off the tree. Shop with your family to fill the need on the card and return the unwrapped gift and card by Monday, December 18.
* Fill a Sock, Fill a Need, Fill a Heart
You have probably seen the boxes and posters placed around the school for this initiative already. We are accepting donations to fill socks for the homeless at the Drop In Center to open on Christmas morning. Toothbrushes, gloves, mitts, hats, travel size toiletries, hair brushes, combs, gift cards (McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Subway), cough drops, candies, lip balm, travel mugs. (We already have lots of floss and tooth paste).
* Making Memories Sale
On the evening of the Making Memories Sale, our WE Club students will be selling ornaments and some other handmade items. All proceeds will be split between the Drop In Center, our adopted family and the Food Bank. The week before the Making Memories night, we will be showing off some of our beautiful handicrafts to entice some sales the evening of December 14th.
* Mayor's Food Drive
The Grade 2 students are organizing a food drive to support our local Food Bank. Please send in non-perishable food or money to be donated on December 15.
We look forward to sharing a fun evening together!
Volunteer Opportunities:
- We would love to welcome morning literacy volunteers into our classroom from 8:00 to 8:30 each morning. If there is one morning a week that works for you, wonderful, but drop-ins are always welcome, too! Just let me know the day before, please. This role will involve helping to create sight word rings, as well as reading one-on-one with students
- Our next Fish Creek ridge walk will be (tentatively, weather dependent) Wednesday, January 24 at 12:30 pm. We would appreciate 3 volunteers joining us on this leisurely walk to observe seasonal winter changes.
- Grade one will be attending the Calgary Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday, February 6! We are seeking 1 or 2 more volunteers to join us for the concert, and to explore the Arts Commons and Plus15 system downtown.
Thank you very much for considering! Please email Elysa ([email protected]) or Danielle ([email protected]) if interested to confirm your availability.
Save the Date:
Grade one will be enjoying a Family Traditions Brunch on Friday, February 9. Families are welcome to attend! More information to come later!
Spirit Week ~ Join us for some festive fun
The grade six mock government group, the Gray Wolves, have inspired a Spirit Week for the grade six classes. They have invited all classes to participate. All staff, students and volunteers and welcome to join in the fun! Each day is an optional event.
Monday, December 18: Pajama Day - wear your cozy jammies
Tuesday, December 19: Festive Clothes or (Ugly) Christmas Sweater
Wednesday, December 20: Crazy Hat Day - wear a hat, cap, toque, reindeer antlers, etc
Thursday, December 21: Fun Free Choice - wear your Pajamas again or RED & GREEN, or a sports jersey!
Guest Readers
On the last morning of school before the break (December 21), we are requesting volunteers to be ‘mystery guest readers’, anytime during the morning (8:00 AM-11:15 AM). This will be a surprise for the children. We would like to have parents come in with their favourite winter story to read to the class. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this, and/or to add your name to the schedule for the morning!
December 21:
All grade one students will be invited to wear their pajamas, bring a stuffy and/or blanket, and their favourite books to read! In the afternoon we will be enjoying a sing-along with Paulo, followed by snacks. Thank you for signing up to contribute items for the snack party!
Upcoming Dates
Dec. 14 - Making Memories Family Night, 6:30 PM
Dec. 19 - Carolling in the PM (families are welcome, more info to come)
Dec. 20 - Report Cards go home
- Boston Pizza Fun Lunch
Dec. 21 - Carolling in the AM (families are welcome, more info to come)
- Special Guest Reader day!
- Seasonal Celebration in the PM! Pajama sing-along and snacks
Dec. 22 - Organizational Day (no school for students)
Dec. 25 - January 5 - Winter Break!
Jan. 8 - PD Day (no school for students)
Jan. 16 - Calgary Humane Society Field Trip
Jan. 24 - winter Ridge Walk
Feb. 6 - Calgary Symphony Orchestra field trip
Feb. 9 - Grade One Family Traditions Brunch (more information to come, but mark your calendar, please!)
Daily Challenge
The long o sound can be made when magic e taps the o on its head, but it can also be made with 'ow' and 'oa.' Can you make a sentence full of as many long o (especially oa and ow!) words as possible?