February 1-5

Hello everyone!

Here are the new word wall words for week 18

one

two

so

under

laughed

KINDNESS IS COOLER - Class Project

While reading “Kindness Is Cooler Mrs. Ruler”, we came up with the idea of doing a kindness project. Each day, the children can write a kind deed they did on a foam heart and then we put them on our class door and all around our windows. They are really excited about this project. It’s nice to hear from some parents how their child is trying to be extra nice and helpful at home. They can write kind things they do at school as well. We talked about how 20 children in our class can reach 100 hearts by counting by 5’s and 20’s! That was fun! We figured out that if everyone did 5 acts of kindness we would get to 100!

In Health/Media, we continue to discuss and do various activities about the food groups, nutrition and healthy eating habits. Last week, we showed the children various cereal boxes and talked about the target audience and how they are influenced by the colours, pictures and words used on the boxes. We showed the children what a gram looks like then we had them guess how many grams of sugar were in each box. Then we compared white milk to chocolate milk and juice and soda pop to water. They were shocked at the amount of sugar that was in some of these things! We continue to discuss the importance of protein, fibre, calcium and the effects of excess sugar to their body and teeth. We will continue to look at advertisements (e.g. magazine ads, commercials ) and learn how the media can try to persuade us to go somewhere, buy something or watch something. When we look at magazine ads, we try to figure out who the audience and what the advertised product could be. The children are learning how to think about it and prove their thinking as well. We will take the same approach as we watch some commercials on the smartboard. Some of the advertisements are very tricky and the product is not at all obvious. It will be really fun to watch them try to figure out what the advertisements are about and how they came up with their answers!

In Gym, we are doing fitness stations to help improve their strength, coordination and agility. Through these and other activities, we continue to work on our fitness goal of performing an activity for 5 minutes in duration without stopping.

In Music, we will explore the percussion family of instruments. Students will also listen to a variety of songs and determine their tempo as well interpret the mood of the music played. We will add a music station to work stations for the next few weeks so the children can practice playing rhythms and further explore the sounds of the percussion instruments in our class kit.

In Language, we are shifting our main focus to recounts. Students will write a recount using sequential words such as First, Next, Then, After, Finally. We will talk about using conjunctions to lengthen sentences and how to use adjectives to describe the nouns they use in their writing. It is a good idea to have your child write regularly at home (e.g. shopping lists, letters to grandma, retell a story they read, write their own adventure etc.)

In Math, we are starting our unit on 2D and 3D shapes. We will also continue to solve word problems using pictures, numbers and words. It is a good idea to practice addition and subtraction facts at home when you have time.

In Science, the students are finished their research projects and will work on presenting their information to the class this week. Our next unit will be on Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures. This will link up nicely to our math unit on 2D shapes and the following unit on 3D solids.

Important Dates:

• School Council Meeting - Tues. Feb. 2nd 6:30-8:30pm
• Skating at Minto - Wed. Feb. 3rd 10:00-11:00am
  
• National Sweater Day - Thurs. Feb. 4th
• 100th day of School - Tues Feb 9 (it's actually on Wednesday but because of Ash Wednesday we are celebrating on Tuesday)
• Library Book Exchange -  Wed. Feb. 10th
• Ash Wednesday - Wed. Feb. 10th
• Cake Walk - Thurs. Feb. 11th
• Nanny Sue February Craft - Thurs. Feb. 11th 1:00-2:00pm
• Family Day - Mon. Feb. 15th - NO SCHOOL

**We are looking for parent volunteers for Nanny Sue’s February Craft. Please write a note in your child’s agenda if you can join us on Feb. 11th from 1:00-2:00pm. Thanks

The 3rd Annual Cake Walk is taking place on Thursday, February 11th all day in the gym. This is a School Council event that raises money for technology in our school. More information from School Council to follow.

If you send in $5 or more I will send home the entire sheet so you can help your child fill out their name on the 40 ballots (as you can imagine it takes the little ones a very long time to do this)

If at any time, you have any questions or concerns, please write me a note in your child’s agenda and I will get back to you.

Have a fabulous week

Tiffany Lawless

For your information post

I hope everyone had a great longer weeknd!

This week for the blog I thought I would go into a little detail about some of the expectations in Grade 1. These are the Language based expectations from the Ministry of Ontario Curriculum. Report cards are coming up and I’m sure many of you would like to have an idea of what is expected of your children.

When we, the teacher, are marking your children, we look at many different factors. The students marks are based on the work they can produce but we also orally assess the students to make sure they fully understand the concept.

I know I stated this during parent night at the end of September but I would like to state it again.

B is BEAUTIFUL!!! 

When your child receives a B they are doing a FABULOUS job!!!

Students will rarely see an A on their report cards and the reason being is A is given to a student who is CONSISTENTLY going above and beyond the expectations AND does so independently.

So here we go. The pictures I have added in this blog are real examples of Grade 1 student work and they come directly out of the ministry document given to teachers (also available online for you to look at anytime you wish). I have added two examples of each level to give you a better understanding.

This is an example of a level 1 (D range student)

This is an example of a Level 2 student (C range)

This is an example of a Level 3 student (B range)

This is a Level 4 student (A range)

Reading Levels:

When testing your children on their reading levels the teachers use what is called a PM kit. The kit has books at all different levels starting at 1 (the lowest) and ending at 30 (the highest).  By the end of grade 1, your child should be reading at level 15. Since we are halfway through the year they should be reading at level 7 or 8 right now. 

Their reading mark is also based on reading level and comprehension of that text as well as word wall word recognition . 

If a child can read a level 8 book with minimal mistakes but cannot recall or comprehend what they read, then they are not considered a level 8. They would still be at a level 7. The child must me able to read and comprehend the text to fully understand and grow.

I will be sending home your child’s reading level this week. These are not a secret and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

I hope this has helped and maybe given you an idea of how we as teachers mark your children.

Thanks!

T.Lawless

January 25-29

Hello everyone!

Here are the new word wall words for week 17:

1. first
2. then
3. of
4. all
5. over

In Health, continue to discuss and do various activities about the food groups, nutrition and healthy eating habits. The students continue to learn about protein, fibre, calcium and the effects of excess sugar to their body and teeth.

In Gym, we continue to practice catching and throwing skills as well as jumping, skipping, hopping and galloping. Through various activities, we are also working on sustaining their fitness level for 5 minutes in duration without stopping.

In Music, we continue to learn about about beat, rhythm, tempo, musical instrument families and listen to music and interpret its mood.

In Language, we continue to learn about procedural writing. This week, we will make lemonade together and then write the procedures for making this delicious drink! We didn’t get to it last week.

We will continue to write a recount each Monday in our journals using sequential words such as First, Next, Then, After, Finally.

In Math, we are reviewing addition and subtraction facts to 10.

In Science, the students are still working on their research projects and will work on presenting their information to the class this week using an application on the Ipads.

Important Dates:

• Library Book Exchange -  Wed. Jan. 27th

If at any time, you have any questions or concerns, please write me a note in your child’s agenda and I will get back to you.

Have a great week!
Tiffany Lawless

January 18-22nd

I hope everyone had a great weekend! If you haven’t done so, please send in an extra pair of socks for your child to leave in their storage bucket. It is good to have an extra pair in case their socks get wet.

In Health:

We have been discussing and doing various activities about the food groups, nutrition and healthy eating habits. The students are learning about protein, fibre, calcium and the effects of excess sugar to their body and teeth. 

In Gym, we are still practicing catching and throwing skills as well as jumping, skipping, hopping and galloping.

In Music, we starting to learn about about beat, rhythm, tempo, musical instrument families and listen to music and interpret its mood.

In Language, we continue to learn about procedural writing. Last week, we wrote the procedures for Washing Our Hands and Getting ready for recess. This week, we will write the procedures for Making a Snowman and Making Lemonade.

We will continue to write a recount each Monday in our journals using sequential words such as First, Next, Then, After, Finally.

In Math, we did our unit on telling time to the hour and half hour using analog and digital clocks. We made a human clock on the carpet and told time to the hour and half hour with the students. We are reviewing addition and subtraction facts to 10 this week.

In Science, the students are still working on collecting information on their season. They will present their information to the class this week.

Important Dates:

• Kindergarten Registration - Week of Jan. 18-22nd
• Library Book Exchange -  Wed. Jan. 27th
• P.D. Day - Friday, January 22nd

Our first skating session was a lot of fun! It was wonderful to see the children get better at their skating skills as the session went on. Here are the dates for our next free skating sessions at Minto Sports Complex:

*Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:00-11:00am

*Wednesday, February 24th at 1:00-2:00pm

**Volunteers who plan to go on the ice are required to wear skates . Our school could lose the free ice if we don’t abide by this rule. Thanks for your cooperation.

If at any time, you have any questions or concerns, please write me a note in your child’s agenda and I will get back to you.

Have a wonderful short week!

Tiffany Lawless

January 11-15

Happy Monday!!

Well, it was an exciting first week back at school! The children had so many fun things to share with their friends. Our visit from Spartacat was fabulous! He was very kind to sign a card for each child and deliver us some delicious pizza! The students couldn't have been happier!

Thank you to all those parents who came out the game! I hope you all had as much fun as I did!! (even though we didn't win :( )

We had a great discussion about The Magi and their visit to baby Jesus! We are back to Ordinary Time in our church calendar which is represented by the colour green.

Here are the new word wall words for this week:

1. next
2. long
3. saw
4. school
5. new

We have studied 66 word wall words (1st 13 weeks of words). The children were assessed on the words they know. I have sent home their results last week for you to see. Please sign and send back to school. Any highlighted words are ones that they still need to practise. Please take time and practice them at home until your child knows them by sight. I will re-test in 2 weeks. Thanks for your cooperation in helping your child during this important learning time.

In Health, we will be discussing and doing activities about the food groups, nutrition and healthy eating habits. In Gym, we continue to practice catching and throwing skills as well as jumping, skipping, hopping and galloping.

In Music, we will be starting to learn about beat, rhythm, tempo, musical instrument families and listen to music and interpret its mood.

In Language, started procedural writing. We read a big book about How to Make Ice Cream and together we outlined the steps to Getting Ready for Recess. This week we will write the procedure for Washing Our Hands and Brushing Our Teeth. We will continue to use the following criteria:

1. I included a title
2. I stated a goal
3. I listed the materials needed
4. I wrote the steps in order
5. My steps make sense
6. I included detailed pictures
7. My steps start with a capital letter
8. My steps end with punctuation
9. I have spaces between my words

   10. I have a closing sentence

We will continue to write a recount each Monday in our journals using sequential words such as First, Next, Then, After, Finally.

In Math, we finished up our unit on data management by making and interpreting pictographs. This week we will start our unit on telling time to the hour and half hour using analog and digital clocks.

In Science, students will show what they know about our study of the Seasons as they work on their Seasons projects this week. All research and work on the project will be done at school.

Important Dates:

• CGE Assembly - Dignity of Person - Fri. Jan. 15 at 2:40pm
• Kindergarten Registration - Week of Jan. 18-22nd
• Library Book Exchange - Wed. Jan. 13th and then Wed. Jan. 27th
• Skating at Minto Complex - Wed. Jan. 13th (10:00-11:00am)
• P.D. Day - Friday, January 22nd

Minto Skating - Wed. Jan. 13th Session:

Parents who are volunteering to come help with skates and/or are going on the ice, please meet our class at the school foyer at 9:30am. We will all walk over together.

Here are the dates for our free skating sessions at Minto Sports Complex:

*Wednesday, January 13th at 10:00-11:00am

*Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:00-11:00am

*Wednesday, February 24th at 1:00-2:00pm

If at any time, you have any questions or concerns, please write me a note in your child’s agenda and I will get back to you.

Have a fabulous week!

Tiffany Lawless

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

January 4-8th

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Welcome back everyone! I hope you had a lovely holiday with your friends and family! It is exciting for the children that the snow has finally arrived! Please make sure they have a pair of indoor shoes that will remain at school. It would be a good idea to label hats, mittens, scarves etc. An extra pair of socks would be good to have at school and can be kept in their storage bins above their hooks.

Today I will be sending home a note to give you a few more details on the Spartacat Pizza Lunch on Wednesday and then how you will receive your two tickets for the game on Thursday Night (Sens vs. Panthers).

Some of the details I have right now is that Spartacat will come into our class on Wednesday and he will be providing the entire class with pizza from Pizza Pizza and juice. He will bring the tickets with him and I will send them home in an envelope in your child's agenda.

**** If you are unable to attend the game, please let me know****

PLEASE have your children wear ANY Sens gear they may have on Wednesday for when Spartacat comes in. If your child does not have any, no worries I have a few extra's (shocking I know :) ) or they can even just wear red and white.

Now on to the learning:

Please remember that it is very important that your child reviews the word wall words each night until they know them by sight. We have built up quite a bank of new word wall words so far. I will be assessing all the words learned so far as well as checking in with your child’s reading level to in the next two weeks.

In Language, we will be starting procedural writing this week. First we will start by making different lists then move into learning how to write the steps on how to do something (e.g. make lemonade, build a snowman, get ready for school etc.). Procedural writing requires the following steps:

1. I included a title
2. I stated a goal
3. I listed the materials needed
4. I wrote the steps in order
5. My steps make sense
6. I included detailed pictures
7. My steps start with a capital letter
8. My steps end with punctuation
9. I have spaces between my words

   10. I have a closing sentence

We will also refine our journal entries to use sequential words such as First, Next, Then, After, Finally etc. as an introduction to writing a recount (e.g.  Christmas Holidays, My Weekend).

In Math, we will finish up our unit on data management by making and interpreting pictographs. Then we will start our unit on telling time to the hour and half hour using analog and digital clocks.

Wednesday, January 6th is the Feast of Epiphany, when the Three Wise Men visit baby Jesus and bring him three special gifts - gold, myrrh and frankincense. We will read and discuss the meaning of this visit and each gift in greater detail.

In Science, students will show what they know about our study of the Seasons as they work on their Seasons projects this week. All research and work on the project will be done at school.

Important Dates:

• School Council Meeting - Tuesday, January 5th at 6:30pm
• January 6- Spartacat Pizza Lunch
• January 7..7:30 at Candian Tire Centre- Hockey Game Sens vs Panthers
• P.D. Day - Friday, January 22nd

We are fortunate to have 3 free skating sessions at the Minto Recreation Sports Complex again this year. We need parent volunteers to help out with skates and on and/or off-ice supervision. Our class will be going along with Mrs. D'Ettorre's class.

Here are the dates for our free skating sessions at Minto Sports Complex:

*Wednesday, January 13th at 10:00-11:00am

*Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:00-11:00am

*Wednesday, February 24th at 1:00-2:00pm

If you don’t want your child to skate, I will bring some activities with us for them to do while the class is on the ice as long as you give them permission to leave the school premises.

**Permission forms will go home on Monday, January 4th, 2016

If at any time, you have any questions or concerns, please write me a note in your child’s agenda and I will get back to you.

Have a fabulous week!

Tiffany Lawless