Weekly News February 1st
As has become our Monday routine over the last few weeks, we started our day off with a walk to the beach. We brought our snacks and enjoyed the chance to try an unfamiliar route - but found ourselves a bit lost and had to go back to our usual path. While at the beach we had a snack, found some unique rocks, experimented with things that float and things that don't, and investigated how to make ripples and waves by throwing different sized rocks into the water. We made sure to leave enough time to have a brief play at the Queen Street park on the way back - it breaks up the long walk and we really enjoy the swings! Back at school we read some books about shapes and went on a shape hunt around the classroom. We also sorted and classified some more rocks that we found. After lunch we dedicated a full 20 minutes to reading so that we can achieve the school read-a-thon goal and make Mrs. Calverley wear a mask, snorkel, and flippers for a week!
On Tuesday we had a postcard from Melvin the monkey saying he is coming to visit us soon. Melvin is the main character in the social / emotional learning program that we are starting to use. He will help us learn about our emotions and how to manage them. After Fine Arts we took advantage of the sunshine and went down for some alone time on the lower playground. We played for quite a while and lots of students pushed themselves to try things that made them uncomfortable - like crossing the wiggly platforms. For work time we pulled out some math choices and practiced counting things. In library Miss Julie read us a story about a boy who celebrated Chinese New Year. When we got back from the library we found that there was a bird inside the school and it didn't know how to get out. This time of year we often have birds coming in through some elusive openings that the district has not been able to find. Now that we have many hammering experts, some people have begun to try pulling the nails out of the log - great dexterity and strengthening exercises!
Because Wednesday was early dismissal we had our centres time in the morning. We did a quick calendar and then our BFF's and dove right into play. We took a brief break to go outside for some running around time and then had a snack before Mr. Seymour came. He showed us pictures of all kinds of sea creatures and told us a story about some of them. Next week we will get to colour our choice of sea creature. After lunch recess and eating it was time to go home. The teachers didn't get to go home though - we had a meeting in the library instead.
After calendar on Thursday morning we opted for a play in the alley. There was some dam building on a small scale and some stick play on a big scale! We saw a Stellars Jay which someone observed was a sign of spring. Some people decided that they would be able to identify other Stellar's Jays in the future by the triangle shaped crest on the top of it's head. We still had a bit of time after the alley so we went for a short play under the trees at the back of the school and those who could find mud, did! It was our monthly move for health so after a warm up all together in the gym, students could choose between running / fast walking around the field or doing kid yoga in the gym. Most of our class chose yoga - probably because we'd already been outside so much! After lunch and BFF's we again gave a dedicated 15 minutes to reading - we are determined to meet (or exceed) our goals! During centres I brought out a spray bottle with water in it to experiment on the corn starch packing material that is in one of the sensory bins. It was pretty fun to spray them and see how sticky they got! We got a little carried away with the water and wound up with a starchy mess! I decided to throw some more of the packing material into the bin and see what happens - we will see if the interest in the investigation continues.
Friday was a full day - we started with calendar and then headed downstairs to the library for Fine Arts. Ms. Wood had a fun painting activity to work on - with a groundhog looking for its shadow! Students experimented with looking for the groundhogs shadow using Ms. Wood's iPhone flashlight. After Fine Arts we headed right outside and had a good play on the upper playground. There was some dedicated castle building today - the light rain helped the sand to stick together really well. After we washed up and had snack we worked on building our stamina for reading and then Melvin the Monkey came for a visit. He taught us more about the colour gauge - a way to think of our energy levels. We also practiced using our monkey breaths to calm ourselves - in through the nose and out through the mouth. This time of year is very exciting because students really start to consolidate their learning through the centres play in the afternoon. We had lots of sorting and patterning being done during centres time this afternoon!
For those who haven't heard yet, one of our families had a fire on Wednesday. They are unable to get back into their home and are looking for another place to live. If you hear of anything coming available please think of Ben and his family as we'd like to keep them in our community! I would be happy to transfer any donations of items (clothing, toys, household items, or cash) that may help the family of 6 (parents and four children) get back on their feet.
Please keep working on documenting the reading you do at home and don't forget to collect pledges for the PAC! Also, please remind any upcoming Kindergarten parents that registration for next year is now on - it really helps us to know how many students to expect.
Next week (Wednesday) is Global School Play Day. This is a worldwide initiative to support child-driven play opportunities. Students are welcome to bring toys / games / puzzles from home. The only criteria is that there be no electronics or toys that take batteries - this is child-powered play! Please label items with your child's name. (http://www.globalschoolplayday.com) We will be playing ALL DAY!!
We will continue to walk in all weather and sometimes on unexpected days - please make sure your child has appropriate footwear and clothing every day.
NEXT WEEK - February 4th - February 8th - Read-a-thon Week 2
Monday - Walk day
Tuesday - Library Day
- Parent-Child Mother Goose - preschool program in the library from 9am - 10am
Wednesday - Global School Play Day! Students are invited to bring toys from home - no electronics
Thursday - Walk day
Friday - Hot Lunch - Burgers
On Tuesday we had a postcard from Melvin the monkey saying he is coming to visit us soon. Melvin is the main character in the social / emotional learning program that we are starting to use. He will help us learn about our emotions and how to manage them. After Fine Arts we took advantage of the sunshine and went down for some alone time on the lower playground. We played for quite a while and lots of students pushed themselves to try things that made them uncomfortable - like crossing the wiggly platforms. For work time we pulled out some math choices and practiced counting things. In library Miss Julie read us a story about a boy who celebrated Chinese New Year. When we got back from the library we found that there was a bird inside the school and it didn't know how to get out. This time of year we often have birds coming in through some elusive openings that the district has not been able to find. Now that we have many hammering experts, some people have begun to try pulling the nails out of the log - great dexterity and strengthening exercises!
Because Wednesday was early dismissal we had our centres time in the morning. We did a quick calendar and then our BFF's and dove right into play. We took a brief break to go outside for some running around time and then had a snack before Mr. Seymour came. He showed us pictures of all kinds of sea creatures and told us a story about some of them. Next week we will get to colour our choice of sea creature. After lunch recess and eating it was time to go home. The teachers didn't get to go home though - we had a meeting in the library instead.
After calendar on Thursday morning we opted for a play in the alley. There was some dam building on a small scale and some stick play on a big scale! We saw a Stellars Jay which someone observed was a sign of spring. Some people decided that they would be able to identify other Stellar's Jays in the future by the triangle shaped crest on the top of it's head. We still had a bit of time after the alley so we went for a short play under the trees at the back of the school and those who could find mud, did! It was our monthly move for health so after a warm up all together in the gym, students could choose between running / fast walking around the field or doing kid yoga in the gym. Most of our class chose yoga - probably because we'd already been outside so much! After lunch and BFF's we again gave a dedicated 15 minutes to reading - we are determined to meet (or exceed) our goals! During centres I brought out a spray bottle with water in it to experiment on the corn starch packing material that is in one of the sensory bins. It was pretty fun to spray them and see how sticky they got! We got a little carried away with the water and wound up with a starchy mess! I decided to throw some more of the packing material into the bin and see what happens - we will see if the interest in the investigation continues.
Friday was a full day - we started with calendar and then headed downstairs to the library for Fine Arts. Ms. Wood had a fun painting activity to work on - with a groundhog looking for its shadow! Students experimented with looking for the groundhogs shadow using Ms. Wood's iPhone flashlight. After Fine Arts we headed right outside and had a good play on the upper playground. There was some dedicated castle building today - the light rain helped the sand to stick together really well. After we washed up and had snack we worked on building our stamina for reading and then Melvin the Monkey came for a visit. He taught us more about the colour gauge - a way to think of our energy levels. We also practiced using our monkey breaths to calm ourselves - in through the nose and out through the mouth. This time of year is very exciting because students really start to consolidate their learning through the centres play in the afternoon. We had lots of sorting and patterning being done during centres time this afternoon!
For those who haven't heard yet, one of our families had a fire on Wednesday. They are unable to get back into their home and are looking for another place to live. If you hear of anything coming available please think of Ben and his family as we'd like to keep them in our community! I would be happy to transfer any donations of items (clothing, toys, household items, or cash) that may help the family of 6 (parents and four children) get back on their feet.
Please keep working on documenting the reading you do at home and don't forget to collect pledges for the PAC! Also, please remind any upcoming Kindergarten parents that registration for next year is now on - it really helps us to know how many students to expect.
Next week (Wednesday) is Global School Play Day. This is a worldwide initiative to support child-driven play opportunities. Students are welcome to bring toys / games / puzzles from home. The only criteria is that there be no electronics or toys that take batteries - this is child-powered play! Please label items with your child's name. (http://www.globalschoolplayday.com) We will be playing ALL DAY!!
We will continue to walk in all weather and sometimes on unexpected days - please make sure your child has appropriate footwear and clothing every day.
NEXT WEEK - February 4th - February 8th - Read-a-thon Week 2
Monday - Walk day
Tuesday - Library Day
- Parent-Child Mother Goose - preschool program in the library from 9am - 10am
Wednesday - Global School Play Day! Students are invited to bring toys from home - no electronics
Thursday - Walk day
Friday - Hot Lunch - Burgers