Hi Everyone! Wow do I ever feel like I have neglected this blog! Before Christmas break just seems SO long ago!  I hope everyone had a relaxing and family filled holiday!  I had a wonderful time visiting my parents in Ontario, and low and behold after an amazing holiday, I came down with a wicked cold and sinus infection just as my plane landed back in Calgary.  I have to say a big Thank You for your well wishes and for having such an understanding class to come back to!  For a good week, every time I said "math" the students thought I said "bath".  Needless to say I am feeling much more like myself and ready to rock with our first big project being kicked off today...

The 3 SCHOOLS 1 BOOK project!!  

This project launched today with an amazing assembly!  The oldest student in every family took home a big that contained the novel and a reading schedule.  Please take a moment to read the note that explains the project if this is your first time with a 'One School, One Book".  I will also be linking the project website to this blog on Friday when it is up and running.   

I've copied a little note from Mrs. Fallwell's blog in regards to some of the sensitive topics that occur later in this book. These are also discussed on the back of the notice that went home in the bag as well:

"PLEASE NOTE:  I have read this novel and it is a very heartwarming and special story with an important message.  I am really looking forward to sharing this experience with my students.  Having said that, I urge you to pre-read the chapters before reading them to your Grade One student.  There are a few chapters that have some "sensitive" parts to them.  Nothing I certainly wouldn't read to my own grade one student, but things I was glad I read ahead of time, to be ready to answer any questions she may come up with when we read it together."  

During the project we will be doing an art project, several class projects and some collaborative work with another class at Dr. Probe school!

HOME READING
I am going to continue to send home reading during One School One Book.  However, please know that I understand busy schedules and evenings and that this novel is certainly adding one more thing to the pile. If for some reason home reading doesn't get completed one evening, please don't hesitate to simply put a note in the agenda and we can send it home again!  It is much more important to stick with the reading schedule for the project during this time.  Thanks so much!
Also, if you feel as though your child is getting through their home reading books too easily, (they should know MOST words but certainly not ALL the first time through)  please make a note in the agenda and I can move you up a level!
Having said that, please don't rush through levels or worry if your child is not moving through levels as quickly as some others.  Reading with expression, fluency and comprehension is SO important, and often this can't happen as well with large amounts of text in a story.

In Math, we are continuing our Addition unit.  We are learning about adding doubles, and to go with that, odd and even numbers. Soon there will be some flashcards and activities coming home to help with doubles addition facts.  Knowing doubles facts helps SO MUCH with addition and subtraction, and they only way to really learn them, is by memorization.  Students will be assessed on the following doubles facts early in March.  Please reinforce their knowledge of these and practice at home from time to time over the next month and a half.  

In Language Arts we are learning more about long vowels, consonant digraphs (like ch, sh, wh, th…) and blends (like br, sl, st, sp…). We will also start doing more writing activities.  Please remind your child to try and express themselves in full sentences when responding to questions. This will them form sentences in their writing as well.

In Science, we are continuing to learn about our senses and how our 5 senses send messages to the brain.  We have a guest coming in February from the CNIB.  This goes so well with our Senses unit in Science.  What a special opportunity for us to be able to visit with a visually impaired person and their service dog.

In Social, we have been talking about different landmarks in our city. We will now look at our province and our country.

That's it for now!  Thanks for checking in and I really look forward to hearing your thoughts throughout the "3S1B" project!  Here are some important dates to mark your calendars with at home.  

Important January Dates:

Wednesday January 16th- School Council Meeting @ 6:30

Tuesday January 22nd- after school skate

Tuesday January 29th- after school skate

Important February Dates

Tuesday February 5th- District Town Hall Meeting @630 at Victoria Park Gym

Thursday February 7th- 3S1B Project Ends

Friday February 8th- Professional Learning Day- no school for students

Wednesday February 13th- School Council Meeting @ 6:30

Thursday February 14th- Valentine's Day & 100th Day

February 18th- 22nd Family Break No school for Students