Weekly News December 7th
Monday was William's last day with us at Crofton Elementary. We were sad to say goodbye but we wish him well at his new school in Nanaimo. In recognition of his last day he got to chose our destination for the walk. Ms. Mel's class and Ms. Mousseau's class joined us for a walk to the Queen Street park. We had a fun play together and made it back in time to do calendar before lunch recess. I have set up a playmobil advent calendar for counting down the days until we break for Christmas. Everyone will have at least one turn at opening a box and we can all play with the scene as it gets set up. In the afternoon we did centres in our room until the other classes were ready to play. We opened the Christmas bin and started decorating our room a little bit. We are going to all contribute to the decor. At the end of the day everyone had an opportunity to say goodbye to William and tell him what they'll miss or what they'll remember about him.
Tuesday we started with Fine Arts and then moved right into Story Workshop. After snack and calendar we opened the number 4 box in the advent calendar. We now have two deer, a trough and a pig... definitely an animal theme! We had a look at the patterns we've been doing on the calendar and tried to make our own patterns with math manipulatives. Some students got it right away and others will need a bit more practice with making a pattern. Our whole class was ready for outside recess a little early so we had a bit of extra playtime on the upper playground. In library Miss Julie read us a story about sharing. During centres a few industrious students dug back into my Christmas bin and also made some awesome decorations to make our room more festive.
Wednesday morning we took advantage of the sunshine and headed for the woods. On the way we found that the water in the ditch had pretty much gone - there was lots of interest in the culvert and what could be seen when looking through. We had a good, long play in the woods. Someone found an oyster shell half buried in the dirt and there was lots of different ideas of how it might have got there. I remembered the garbage bag this time so we collected all that we could - including some old metal bed springs and some recycling and old plastic bags. There were some interesting questions and speculations about why the water in the woods wasn't frozen when it was so cold and everywhere else we saw water it was frozen. On the way back we 'skated' on the frozen puddles. We did a bit more pattern practice in the afternoon before centres. Most students can now make an AB pattern. Thursday morning Ms. Mousseau's class came into our room and we all learned the last part of our story telling frame - Then. We now have Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then (starting at the thumb and working to the pinky we can use our hand to remind us of all the parts.) We then went for a walk in the alley and worked on telling a complete story with a character, an intention, a problem, a solution and an ending. Most students were very motivated to tell their stories! You can look for them on the portfolios soonish. I'm planning to keep adding to a story telling post so that you can see progression over time. The monthly move for health this time had a choice between going outside (in the cold!) for a run, and staying inside (nice and warm) for yoga. Thankfully I was assigned to stay inside! We had fun! During lunch eating time we watched the classic Frosty the Snowman movie - just like I remember it!
Friday was wacky hair day - and I had fun with it! It was awesome to see so many students (parents!) put effort into this fun spirit day. After Fine Arts we had a bit of time before it was our turn to shop for gifts in the gym. It was lovely to see so many students choosing story workshop options or patterning play during that time! We had. a very successful shopping trip and everyone found great gifts to put under the tree. A notice went home Friday about the costumes for the Winter Concert. In an after school meeting Ms. Wood and I decided that we won't be wearing boots but we will need all the other items on our list (pictured below). I'm helping with the concert and there is also a photo below with a list of items I'm looking for... if you have anything from the list to loan us we would very much appreciate it! I was struck at the end of the day but the student contributions to our class decor... I love love love when the students start to take ownership of the room and it becomes a reflection of them!
I have now posted the first term summaries up on the portfolios as well as posts on 1:1 correspondence and the phonological awareness. Please check in on your child's portfolio for up to date information on their progress. These portfolios will be the primary method of reporting student progress this year. I will not be sending home a report card before the end of the year.
We will continue to walk in all weather - please make sure your child has appropriate footwear and clothing.
NEXT WEEK - December 10th - 14th
Monday - Walk day (if possible - we're heavy into concert rehearsals)
Tuesday - possible walk day
- Library Day - please help your child remember their book
- Crofton’s Cozy Christmas (Div. 1 Fundraiser)
o 2:30pm–4:30pm in the gym
o Fundraiser to end childhood marriage
o Games, goodies, & fun in the gym *please come and support the Gr. 7's efforts
- PAC Meeting @ 6:45 pm
Wednesday -
Thursday - walk day
Friday - possible walk day
Tuesday we started with Fine Arts and then moved right into Story Workshop. After snack and calendar we opened the number 4 box in the advent calendar. We now have two deer, a trough and a pig... definitely an animal theme! We had a look at the patterns we've been doing on the calendar and tried to make our own patterns with math manipulatives. Some students got it right away and others will need a bit more practice with making a pattern. Our whole class was ready for outside recess a little early so we had a bit of extra playtime on the upper playground. In library Miss Julie read us a story about sharing. During centres a few industrious students dug back into my Christmas bin and also made some awesome decorations to make our room more festive.
Wednesday morning we took advantage of the sunshine and headed for the woods. On the way we found that the water in the ditch had pretty much gone - there was lots of interest in the culvert and what could be seen when looking through. We had a good, long play in the woods. Someone found an oyster shell half buried in the dirt and there was lots of different ideas of how it might have got there. I remembered the garbage bag this time so we collected all that we could - including some old metal bed springs and some recycling and old plastic bags. There were some interesting questions and speculations about why the water in the woods wasn't frozen when it was so cold and everywhere else we saw water it was frozen. On the way back we 'skated' on the frozen puddles. We did a bit more pattern practice in the afternoon before centres. Most students can now make an AB pattern. Thursday morning Ms. Mousseau's class came into our room and we all learned the last part of our story telling frame - Then. We now have Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then (starting at the thumb and working to the pinky we can use our hand to remind us of all the parts.) We then went for a walk in the alley and worked on telling a complete story with a character, an intention, a problem, a solution and an ending. Most students were very motivated to tell their stories! You can look for them on the portfolios soonish. I'm planning to keep adding to a story telling post so that you can see progression over time. The monthly move for health this time had a choice between going outside (in the cold!) for a run, and staying inside (nice and warm) for yoga. Thankfully I was assigned to stay inside! We had fun! During lunch eating time we watched the classic Frosty the Snowman movie - just like I remember it!
Friday was wacky hair day - and I had fun with it! It was awesome to see so many students (parents!) put effort into this fun spirit day. After Fine Arts we had a bit of time before it was our turn to shop for gifts in the gym. It was lovely to see so many students choosing story workshop options or patterning play during that time! We had. a very successful shopping trip and everyone found great gifts to put under the tree. A notice went home Friday about the costumes for the Winter Concert. In an after school meeting Ms. Wood and I decided that we won't be wearing boots but we will need all the other items on our list (pictured below). I'm helping with the concert and there is also a photo below with a list of items I'm looking for... if you have anything from the list to loan us we would very much appreciate it! I was struck at the end of the day but the student contributions to our class decor... I love love love when the students start to take ownership of the room and it becomes a reflection of them!
I have now posted the first term summaries up on the portfolios as well as posts on 1:1 correspondence and the phonological awareness. Please check in on your child's portfolio for up to date information on their progress. These portfolios will be the primary method of reporting student progress this year. I will not be sending home a report card before the end of the year.
We will continue to walk in all weather - please make sure your child has appropriate footwear and clothing.
NEXT WEEK - December 10th - 14th
Monday - Walk day (if possible - we're heavy into concert rehearsals)
Tuesday - possible walk day
- Library Day - please help your child remember their book
- Crofton’s Cozy Christmas (Div. 1 Fundraiser)
o 2:30pm–4:30pm in the gym
o Fundraiser to end childhood marriage
o Games, goodies, & fun in the gym *please come and support the Gr. 7's efforts
- PAC Meeting @ 6:45 pm
Wednesday -
Thursday - walk day
Friday - possible walk day