January 22-26, 2018
A reminder that our field trip to Brennan Park is this Tuesday, January 23. Hot lunch is this Friday, January 26.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "z" sound (letter paper came home this week)
- field trip to Brennan Park
- water science experiments
- estimating quantities up to 10
January 15-19, 2018
Next Wednesday, Jaunary 24 is "Canadian School Spirit Day". Wear as much Canadiana clothing as you can and bring a donation to support the Bikes for Thailand program. Over the last few years, our school leadership group has raised over $2000 for Bikes for Thailand. Bikes for Thailand is a program that provides bikes for Thai children that would otherwise not have a way to get to school.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "ie" and "ee" "or" sounds. Can you think of any words with the "ie"sound inside? (ex. pie, tie etc.) Can you think of any words with "or" and "ee" in them? (see, for, etc.). Tell me about painting with coloured ice. What do you know about ice? What is your favourite thing to do at Brennan Park?
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "ie"vowel combination and"ee, or" sounds (letter papers came home this week)
- winter/snow science
- expanding and re-configuring Brennan Park project
- surveying peers and creating bar graphs based on collected data
- estimating quantities up to 10
Teach me the sound and action for the "ie" and "ee" "or" sounds. Can you think of any words with the "ie"sound inside? (ex. pie, tie etc.) Can you think of any words with "or" and "ee" in them? (see, for, etc.). Tell me about painting with coloured ice. What do you know about ice? What is your favourite thing to do at Brennan Park?
Week of: January 8-12, 2018
Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope everyone had a great winter break.
Please see the January homework calendar and school wide newsletter that came home this week.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "oa" sound. Can you think of any words with the "oa"sound inside? (ex. coat, boat etc.) What do you wonder about snow? What did you learn about snow? Tell me about bringing snow inside. What happened when you brought the snow inside?
What did you notice when you looked at the snow with a magnifiying glass? Show me how to make a good estimate. (Use coins, pieces of Lego, etc.). How do you check to see if your estimate was close?
Please see the January homework calendar and school wide newsletter that came home this week.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "oa" vowel combination (letter paper will come home early next week)
- winter/snow science
- the new year/hopes and wishes for 2018
- understanding and practicing the "fancy" word collaboarate (work together)
- the concept "paying attention even when a task is hard"
- estimating quantities up to 10
Teach me the sound and action for the "oa" sound. Can you think of any words with the "oa"sound inside? (ex. coat, boat etc.) What do you wonder about snow? What did you learn about snow? Tell me about bringing snow inside. What happened when you brought the snow inside?
What did you notice when you looked at the snow with a magnifiying glass? Show me how to make a good estimate. (Use coins, pieces of Lego, etc.). How do you check to see if your estimate was close?
Week of: December 18-22, 2017
I hope everyone has a great winter break! See you back at school on Monday, January 8th.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "ai" sound. What are some words that have the "ai" sound inside them? (ex. rain, main, pail etc.) Can you think of any words that start with the "j" sound? Show me how many ways you can make 5. Use pieces of Lego, coins etc. Tell me about shopping at the "Kids Only Christmas Shop". Explain what you during your classroom Christmas celebration.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "ai" vowel combination and "j" sound (see the letter papers that came home)
- continued learning about needs and wants
- kindness and giving to others
- continued our "kindness countdown" to winter break
- continued exploring the parts of 5 (ex. 2&3, 1&4, 2&2&1, etc.)
- participated in school wide Christmas carol singing
- shopped at the "Kids Only" Christmas shop
- participated in a class Christmas celebration (games and crafts)
Teach me the sound and action for the "ai" sound. What are some words that have the "ai" sound inside them? (ex. rain, main, pail etc.) Can you think of any words that start with the "j" sound? Show me how many ways you can make 5. Use pieces of Lego, coins etc. Tell me about shopping at the "Kids Only Christmas Shop". Explain what you during your classroom Christmas celebration.
Week of: December 11-15, 2017
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "b" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "b" sound? What are some of your needs? What is something that you don't need but you might want? How can we help people that don't have everything they need? Show me the Christmas cracker you made. What does the word "donate" mean?
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "b" sound (see the letter paper that came home)
- kindness and giving to others
- investigating the concept of needs and wants
- practice for the Christmas concert
- continuing exploring the parts of 5 using Cuisenaire rods
- Christmas crackers for Hilltop House with our big buddies
Teach me the sound and action for the "b" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "b" sound? What are some of your needs? What is something that you don't need but you might want? How can we help people that don't have everything they need? Show me the Christmas cracker you made. What does the word "donate" mean?
Week of: December 4-8, 2017
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "l" and "f" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "l" sound? The "f" sound? Show me some ways to make 5. Use any small objects as counters. (ex. 3 counters and 2 counters make 5 etc.). Explain the counting rods you used to make 5.
Tell me about a present you could give that you don't need to buy at a store. Explain the "kindness countdown".
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "l" and "f" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- kindness and giving to others
- gifts we can give that don't need to be purchased at a store
- exploring the "parts of 5" using Cuisenaire rods (counting rods)
- creating decorations for the Christmas concert
Teach me the sound and action for the "l" and "f" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "l" sound? The "f" sound? Show me some ways to make 5. Use any small objects as counters. (ex. 3 counters and 2 counters make 5 etc.). Explain the counting rods you used to make 5.
Tell me about a present you could give that you don't need to buy at a store. Explain the "kindness countdown".
Week of: November 27-December 1, 2017
Thank you to everyone who came to parent/teachers interviews this week. It was great to discuss your child's learning with you.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "o" and "u" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "o" sound? The "u" sound? Show me some ways to make 5. Use any small objects as counters. (ex. 3 counters and 2 counters make 5 etc.). Tell me about Writing Day. Who did you write to? Tell me about a story your wrote during Writer's Workshop time.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "o" and "u" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- making pancakes (in preparation for pancake breakfast)
- exploring the "parts of 5" ex. 5 can be represented as 3&2 or 4&1 or 2&3 etc.
- Writing Day-exploring the lost art of writing cards and letters!
- reading with our big buddies in the library. They helped us write a book recommendation to let others know about our favourite books.
- practicing our writing skills through our "Writer's Workshop" program
Teach me the sound and action for the "o" and "u" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "o" sound? The "u" sound? Show me some ways to make 5. Use any small objects as counters. (ex. 3 counters and 2 counters make 5 etc.). Tell me about Writing Day. Who did you write to? Tell me about a story your wrote during Writer's Workshop time.
Week of: November 20-24, 2017
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "d" and "g" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "d" sound? The "g" sound? Do a 3D shape hunt around your house and tell me the names of the shapes you see. What does it mean to have "optimism". What does the word "yet" mean? (I can't do it right now, but that doesn't mean I'll never be able to. I can practice and not give up).
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "d" and "g" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- continuing to build 2 and 3 sound words with the sounds we have covered (ex. "it", "map" etc.)
- exploring with 3D shapes
- comparing and contrasting 2D and 3D shapes
- number recognition, counting quantities
- optimism ("When you do something new, think: "I can try and give it your best shot!")
- the power of the word "yet" ex. I can't read YET but I can practice my letters and sounds...
Teach me the sound and action for the "d" and "g" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "d" sound? The "g" sound? Do a 3D shape hunt around your house and tell me the names of the shapes you see. What does it mean to have "optimism". What does the word "yet" mean? (I can't do it right now, but that doesn't mean I'll never be able to. I can practice and not give up).
Week of : November 13-17
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "m" sound. What are some words that begin with the "m" sound? Do a shape hunt around your house and tell me the names of the shapes you see. Go for a walk and look for signs of animals preparing for winter (geese flying south, animal tracks etc.).
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "m" sound (letter paper will come home next week)
- beginning to build 2 and 3 sound words with the sounds we have covered (ex. "at", "hip" etc.)
- investigating and describing 2D shapes
- number recognition, counting quantities
- sketching a local animal and describing what it does to prepare for winter
- creating "Think-a-ma-Jinks" with our big buddy in Mrs. Fanzega's class
Teach me the sound and action for the "m" sound. What are some words that begin with the "m" sound? Do a shape hunt around your house and tell me the names of the shapes you see. Go for a walk and look for signs of animals preparing for winter (geese flying south, animal tracks etc.).
Week of: November 6-10
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "e" sound and the "h" sound. What are some words that begin with the "e" sound? "h" sound? Tell me what "peace" is for you. Do a shape hunt around your house and "record" (draw) any interesting shapes you see. Tell me about the Remembrance Day assembly.
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "e" and "h" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- recognizing initial sound in words (ex. ball begins with the "b" sound etc.)
- exploring with 2D shapes
- number recognition, counting quantities
- story development through Writer's Workshop (our writing program)
- peace and what it means to us
- Remembrance Day
- local animal behaviour in preparation for winter
Teach me the sound and action for the "e" sound and the "h" sound. What are some words that begin with the "e" sound? "h" sound? Tell me what "peace" is for you. Do a shape hunt around your house and "record" (draw) any interesting shapes you see. Tell me about the Remembrance Day assembly.
Week of: October 30-November 3
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "ck" sound and the "e" sound. What are some words that begin with the "c" sound? "e" sound? Teach me how to break words into "Robot". (Choose any 2 or more syllable words to practice this). Teach me a dice game you learned at school. Tell me something that animals is Squamish do in the fall to get ready for winter. Ex. What does a squirrel do? A bear? A Canada goose? Explain the words adapt, hibernate and migrate.
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "c", "k" and "e" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- local eagles in fall (we had experts come to do an eagle presentation for us)
- local animals in fall and what they do to prepare for winter
- number recognition up to 10 and counting quantities (we played a variety of games to practice this skill)
- "Robot" language (orally breaking words into syllables and identifying the parts in words)
- Halloween festivities
Teach me the sound and action for the "ck" sound and the "e" sound. What are some words that begin with the "c" sound? "e" sound? Teach me how to break words into "Robot". (Choose any 2 or more syllable words to practice this). Teach me a dice game you learned at school. Tell me something that animals is Squamish do in the fall to get ready for winter. Ex. What does a squirrel do? A bear? A Canada goose? Explain the words adapt, hibernate and migrate.
Week of: October 23-27, 2017
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Teach me the sound and action for the "p" and "n" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "p" sound? The 'n" sound? Explain what you do during "Writer's Workshop" time. What does "persistence" mean? Practice counting around the house...count how many forks are on the table at dinner time, how many pieces of Lego you used to build something, how many buttons on your pyjama shirt....etc. etc.
- letter and sound recognition and printing : "p" and "n" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- leaf "study" (observing patterns and changes in leaves around our school)
- recognizing, creating and extending patterns
- counting quantities, number recognition
- continuing with our "Writer's Workshop" program (continuing to practice adding details to a picture to tell a story, adding letters/words to our drawings to write about our picture).
- the meaning of "persistence"
- practicing persistence at school (trying even when something feels hard)
- "Robot" language (orally breaking words into syllables and identifying the parts in words)
Teach me the sound and action for the "p" and "n" sounds. What are some words that begin with the "p" sound? The 'n" sound? Explain what you do during "Writer's Workshop" time. What does "persistence" mean? Practice counting around the house...count how many forks are on the table at dinner time, how many pieces of Lego you used to build something, how many buttons on your pyjama shirt....etc. etc.
Week of: October 16-20, 2017
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Tell me something you learned from "Firefighter Alana" when she came to visit. Teach me the sound and action for the "t" and "i" sounds. Show how you can print the "t" and "i" sounds. Explain how you painted with spray bottles! What did you notice about "Leaf", the tree outside your classroom?
- letter and sound recognition and printing : "t" and "i" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- recognizing, creating and extending patterns
- counting quantities, number recognition
- fire safety (we had a visit from the Squamish Fire Department)
- identifying changes in nature during each of the 4 seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
- observing and recording (drawing) changes in our class tree, "Leaf" during the fall
- experimenting with painting techniques
Tell me something you learned from "Firefighter Alana" when she came to visit. Teach me the sound and action for the "t" and "i" sounds. Show how you can print the "t" and "i" sounds. Explain how you painted with spray bottles! What did you notice about "Leaf", the tree outside your classroom?
Week of : October 9-13, 2017
A reminder that all hot lunch orders are due Monday, October 16. Late orders will not be accepted.
If you have not yet sent the $30 school supply fee and an emergency comfort kit, please do so ASAP.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
What signs of fall/autumn do you notice in nature? Show me how you can make a pattern (use Lego, blocks, coins, any found objects etc.).
Teach me the sound and action for the "s" and "a" sounds. Show me how you can print the "s" and "a" sounds (lower case only).
If you have not yet sent the $30 school supply fee and an emergency comfort kit, please do so ASAP.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- letter and sound recognition and printing: "s" and "a" sounds (see the letter papers that came home)
- recognizing, creating and extending patterns
- counting quantities, number recognition
- signs of autumn in nature
- adding details to drawings to convey a story
What signs of fall/autumn do you notice in nature? Show me how you can make a pattern (use Lego, blocks, coins, any found objects etc.).
Teach me the sound and action for the "s" and "a" sounds. Show me how you can print the "s" and "a" sounds (lower case only).
Week of: October 2-6, 2017
Thank you to everyone who came to run with us on the Terry Fox Run!
Please note Hot Lunch order forms went home this week. Hot Lunch orders are due on Monday, October 16.
Have a great long weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Why are animals special/important to you? What is your favourite animal and why? Show me a pattern with your body (ex. snap, clap, snap, clap, etc.). Show me how to print the numbers 2 and 3. Can you draw a picture that tells a story of something that happened in your life? How many words can you think of that rhyme with_______? (any one syllable word).
Please note Hot Lunch order forms went home this week. Hot Lunch orders are due on Monday, October 16.
Have a great long weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- rhyming (recognizing rhyming words and generating our own rhyming words)
- recognizing, creating and extending patterns
- numeral printing and recognition
- understanding what it means to be thankful and identifying things we are thankful for
- creating a picture that tells a story
- celebrating World Animal Day
Why are animals special/important to you? What is your favourite animal and why? Show me a pattern with your body (ex. snap, clap, snap, clap, etc.). Show me how to print the numbers 2 and 3. Can you draw a picture that tells a story of something that happened in your life? How many words can you think of that rhyme with_______? (any one syllable word).
Week of : September 25-29, 2017
Please join us for morning reading time (if you can) daily from 8:55-9:05ish.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Discuss Terry Fox and why he is a Canadian hero (read the little book your child brought home). Practice rhyming; make up silly rhymes together or sing rhyming songs. Ask your child what the words "precious and sacred" mean. Discuss the job of an "author" and ask your child about "Writer's Workshop" time.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- recognizing rhyming words and generating our own words that rhyme
- continuing the concept of sorting using a single attribute (size, shape, colour etc.)
- number recognition, counting quantity, and oral counting through our calendar routine
- learning and practicing correct pencil grip
- introduction to our "Writer's Workshop" program
- Terry Fox
- Orange Shirt Day (from the lens of "Every Child Matters; we are all precious and sacred")
Discuss Terry Fox and why he is a Canadian hero (read the little book your child brought home). Practice rhyming; make up silly rhymes together or sing rhyming songs. Ask your child what the words "precious and sacred" mean. Discuss the job of an "author" and ask your child about "Writer's Workshop" time.
Week of: September 18-22, 2017
Thank you to everyone who came to "Meet the Teacher" night on Thursday. It was great to watch your kids showing you around our classroom.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Tell me the letters in your name. Do you remember letters in any of your classmate's names? Explain how to play safely in the gym. Show me how you can sort (use Lego, coins, small toys, any objects around the house). Explain your "rule" for sorting ex. all the red pieces in one group, all the "not red" in the other group etc. Tell me about the fire drill and earthquake drill you participated in.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- learning and practicing the letters in our name and our classmate's names
- practicing safe moving in personal space in the gym
- getting along with others (ongoing practice of "The Golden Rule")
- learning how to behave in and use the school library
- learning how to sort objects using a single attribute (size, colour, shape etc.)
- learning our daily calendar routine (includes several math concepts including number recognition, counting,"more than, less than", ordinal numbers etc.)
- practicing how to stay safe at school should there ever be a fire or an earthquake
Tell me the letters in your name. Do you remember letters in any of your classmate's names? Explain how to play safely in the gym. Show me how you can sort (use Lego, coins, small toys, any objects around the house). Explain your "rule" for sorting ex. all the red pieces in one group, all the "not red" in the other group etc. Tell me about the fire drill and earthquake drill you participated in.
Week of: September 11-15, 2017
Welcome to our class! If you haven't already done so, please send in some inside shoes and a change of clothes ASAP. Please keep an eye out for the "Seesaw" email or handout and an envelope to return school supply fee in.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
Tell me the rules in your classroom that help everyone stay safe and happy (see above). Teach me "the golden rule" for grown ups and kids. Tell me some of your classmate's names. What did you do at play time? Who did you play with? Explain the "magic bucket" and how you can be a bucket filler.
Learning goals/themes for the week:
- becoming independent in daily classroom routines
- learning our classmate's names
- practicing our classroom rules. They are: 1. Be safe. 2. Do my best learning. 3. Let other kids do their best learning. 4. Take care of this place.
- practicing "The Golden Rule" (treat others and you would like to be treated)
- becoming "whole body listeners" (see the booklet that came home)
- waiting a turn and taking safe physical risks
- practicing being "a bucket filler" (ask your child what this means)
Tell me the rules in your classroom that help everyone stay safe and happy (see above). Teach me "the golden rule" for grown ups and kids. Tell me some of your classmate's names. What did you do at play time? Who did you play with? Explain the "magic bucket" and how you can be a bucket filler.