Weekly News November 23rd
Monday morning we worked on some 1:1 counting correspondence during choices. I took some short videos of students counting objects which I will be posting on their portfolios soon. After choices we ventured out into the fog for a walk to the woods. Students extended their story telling repertoire by adding one more element - So, or the solution to the problem. We are now 4/5 of the way into our story telling framework which students will use through the rest of the year - and beyond! We use our hand to anchor the story telling - starting with the thumb we have Somebody / Wanted / But (problem) / So (solution). I hope to add the final piece next week. Videos of students storytelling will also be added to their portfolios. During lunch eating time on Monday we watched a video of Watty Piper's The Little Engine that Could. We talked about how the Little Blue Engine had a growth mindset because he kept saying "I think I can, I think I can".
After Fine Arts with Ms. Wood on Tuesday morning we spent some time sorting out some of the math bins. Some students remembered about having a sorting rule. So far most people feel comfortable sorting things by colour... I will begin to challenge them to find other attributes to sort by in the coming weeks. We had snack and then headed to the gym for the special performance. It was really amazing - they made all their instruments from pieces of scrap - metal or plastic. It was a little loud at times but everyone really enjoyed it - especially two boys from our class who got to go up and help make some special music! In library Miss Julie read us a book about community. We picked some new books and then headed back upstairs for centres.
Wednesday we didn't get out for the walk that I'd hoped but the rain did let up enough for us to join Ms. Mousseau's class outside before snack. We enjoyed digging into the puddles and experimenting with some river and stream creation. It was early dismissal so the day just flew by and before we knew it we were saying our goodbyes!
Thursday I was unexpectedly absent but I heard the day went quite well. The guest teacher opted to skip the lockdown drill which is probably best as I'd prefer to be the one preparing the students for it. She did a sorting activity with the class and reported that it was a good day.
Friday we started with Fine Arts - practicing for the winter concert on December 20th. Ms. Wood says everyone is doing well at learning the songs. You will get some more information soon about what students will need in the way of a costume (I think it's just snow gear). After Fine Arts we moved right into story workshop which was all set up and ready to go. There were five choices - a space theme, an ocean theme, a wilderness theme, a monster play dough theme, and felt stories on the carpet. Students really enjoyed playing with the new materials. We will be using the same five choices every Tuesday and Friday from now until Christmas. The first couple of times we expect the students to explore with the materials and ultimately (maybe by spring!) we hope that they will begin to record (through pictures and possibly orally) some stories they are creating in their play. We had a lot of tired people today so after lunch we had a good "Rest, Relax and Read" time before centres. I sent the December book order forms home today. If I can get them ordered by December 4th I should be able to get them back before Christmas. Remember - I'm happy to keep any surprises and pass them directly to you.
NEXT WEEK - November 26th - 30th
Monday - Walk day
Tuesday - Library Day - please help your child remember their book
Wednesday - possible walk day
Thursday - walk day
- hot lunch orders due (hamburgers Dec 7)
Friday - Curriculum implementation day - no school for students
After Fine Arts with Ms. Wood on Tuesday morning we spent some time sorting out some of the math bins. Some students remembered about having a sorting rule. So far most people feel comfortable sorting things by colour... I will begin to challenge them to find other attributes to sort by in the coming weeks. We had snack and then headed to the gym for the special performance. It was really amazing - they made all their instruments from pieces of scrap - metal or plastic. It was a little loud at times but everyone really enjoyed it - especially two boys from our class who got to go up and help make some special music! In library Miss Julie read us a book about community. We picked some new books and then headed back upstairs for centres.
Wednesday we didn't get out for the walk that I'd hoped but the rain did let up enough for us to join Ms. Mousseau's class outside before snack. We enjoyed digging into the puddles and experimenting with some river and stream creation. It was early dismissal so the day just flew by and before we knew it we were saying our goodbyes!
Thursday I was unexpectedly absent but I heard the day went quite well. The guest teacher opted to skip the lockdown drill which is probably best as I'd prefer to be the one preparing the students for it. She did a sorting activity with the class and reported that it was a good day.
Friday we started with Fine Arts - practicing for the winter concert on December 20th. Ms. Wood says everyone is doing well at learning the songs. You will get some more information soon about what students will need in the way of a costume (I think it's just snow gear). After Fine Arts we moved right into story workshop which was all set up and ready to go. There were five choices - a space theme, an ocean theme, a wilderness theme, a monster play dough theme, and felt stories on the carpet. Students really enjoyed playing with the new materials. We will be using the same five choices every Tuesday and Friday from now until Christmas. The first couple of times we expect the students to explore with the materials and ultimately (maybe by spring!) we hope that they will begin to record (through pictures and possibly orally) some stories they are creating in their play. We had a lot of tired people today so after lunch we had a good "Rest, Relax and Read" time before centres. I sent the December book order forms home today. If I can get them ordered by December 4th I should be able to get them back before Christmas. Remember - I'm happy to keep any surprises and pass them directly to you.
NEXT WEEK - November 26th - 30th
Monday - Walk day
Tuesday - Library Day - please help your child remember their book
Wednesday - possible walk day
Thursday - walk day
- hot lunch orders due (hamburgers Dec 7)
Friday - Curriculum implementation day - no school for students