Hi everyone! I hope you have a wonderful Easter break! 
See you all on April 8th!

Here are some important days if you are marking your calendar for April and May! 

Monday April 8th- Classes resume!
Thursday April 11th- Character Ed. Assembly @ 12:30

Thursday April 11th- World Autisim Day- wear blue!

Monday April 22nd- Earth Day
Wednesday April 24th- Grade 4/5 Airband competition

Thursday April 25th- Spirit Assembly @12:30

Friday April 26th- Professional Learning Day no school

Tuesday April 30th- Helen Schuler field trip! 1-230pm

Tuesday May 7th- Family Assembly -Grade 1s perform

Friday May 10th- PD Day no school

Monday May 20th- Victoria Day no school

Thursday May 23rd- Spirit Assembly @ 12:30

Tuesday May 28th- Galt Museum Field Trip (TBA)

 

We are all good for treats on Thursday March 28th's Easter Celebration! Thanks to all the parents who've volunteered!  Remember our Easter Sock Hop is at 12:30 on Thursday if anyone would like to attend!

Fairy Tales Song

Our Drama  song performance!
March 21st, 2013

If I were to write my own report card comment, it would probably say....

"While Anna has good intentions to keep weekly posts on her classroom blog, she sometimes finds other distractions before she realizes it's been ONE MONTH since her last post!!"

Wow! Where has the time gone?!  I have to send out an apology for letting the blog go so long!  I'll do my best to stay on top of it!

Speaking of Report Cards, your student will be bringing home their report card on Friday!  For me, the March reporting period are the easiest ones to write and assess, because the students have seen so much growth since the beginning of the year.  We're all readers, writers, and it's so neat to see the students function as a group.  We all also have things to improve on and so it becomes a report of "here's everything we're doing really well, and here's everything we need to improve on and continue to do".  

When you get a chance to look through your child's report card, it is yours to keep. You do not need to return it to school, or bring it for our "Celebration of Learning". In an effort to go green, you can return your envelope if you wish and I will reuse it again in June.  

Included in the report card envelope are instructions for our "Celebration of Learning", which will take place on Thursday March 21st from 530-7:30.  This is done on a drop in basis, and you do not need to book an appointment.  The students will be prepared with what they choose to show you, and the evening is just as it's titled, a celebration. It's a time for them to proudly show off the things we've done at school, and they are EXCITED to have you. While attendance is optional, I strongly urge you to come and celebrate with us, as these students have so much to be proud of.  If you are unable to come at that evening, please email me with an alternative date and time outside of school hours and I'm sure we can make something work!

If you have other students at MMH, please read the instructions carefully, as some grade levels are using Conference Manager to book times for their celebrations. 

Of course, if you prefer a traditional interview to discuss your child's report card, this is always an option. Please contact me so we can plan for a time to meet on either Friday March 22nd, or at another date and time.  

Here's all the happenings for Grade 1A:

In Language Arts, we've continued on with our Daily 5 program where we practice our reading strategies, writing, as well as working with words.  We did a neat writing activity where students had to write about who was "worth more than gold" to them, in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day. Students also wrote their predictions on what they think Mr. Bryant does all day as a principal.  We're also learning about Fairy Tales, and what makes a fairy tale.  

This is Eva as the "Sneaky E".  Sneaky E is sometimes found at the end of words.  He makes vowels say their own name.  He's super sneaky because he doesn't make a sound...

In Science, we are continuing with our Building Things unit which is tied to our Fairy Tales unit.  For the next little bit, your student might be bringing home bits and pieces of recycling that's hot glued, taped, tied, or somehow stuck together!  This unit is so much fun as it's largely based on exploring different ways to build things and to build structures that serve different purposes. 

In Math we are learning about 2D shapes and 3D objects!  We're becoming experts in describing them and sorting them. It's a perfect time to do this unit as it also connects with our Building Things unit.  After we will revisit representing numbers but on a larger scale, as well as adding and subtracting.  

In Social Studies we've wrapped up our comparing and contrasting Urban and Rural communities.  We have worked on our mapping skills as we've practiced "birds eye view", and will soon begin our unit on Taking Care of our Earth.  

In gym class, we've finished up our unit on floor hockey and had our first lesson with the indoor tennis rackets!  These lessons are coupled with dance lessons.  Movement is a big part of the Arts curriculum, and the students LOVE it! We've been practising specific circle and line dances, in preparation for our Easter Sock Hop which will be held on March 28th (time TBA).  

In conjunction with our Arts program, the Grade 1 students have had several lessons from a group of UofL Drama students.  These students planned different activities for the class, and a mini in school performance which will happen next Thursday March 21st.  Students will be performing their song to other classes.  

Grade 1s and their guest Drama teachers.

In Health, we've had Kristine Savage, our Making Connections liaison through the counselling office come and teach them "Fun Friends" lessons. These mini lessons are 6 consecutive weeks, where students talk about friendship, feelings, body language, and basically how to socialize with those around them.  Our hope is that students take the strategies discussed and really put them to use in the classroom and on the playground.  

I realize this is not for a few weeks away, but on Tuesday April 30th, we will be having another field trip back at the Helen Schuler Nature Center from 1-1:30 and will be needing drivers. If you'd like to come to learn about Spring time and the changes in nature, OR if you're able to pick up/ drop off, please email me to let me know!

That's all for now! Here are some dates to add to your calendars and there's some pictures at the bottom for you to check out as well.  Have a wonderful weekend!  

Important March and April Dates:
Thursday March 14th- Spirit Assembly @12:30- Wear Green!
Friday March 15th- Report Cards sent home
Thursday March 21st- Celebration of Learning 5:30-7:30pm
Friday March 22nd-  No School, alternate interview date
Thursday March 28th- Easter Celebration and Sock Hop 
Friday March 29th- Easter Break  begins

Monday April 8th- Classes resume!
Thursday April 11th- Character Ed. Assembly @ 12:30
Monday April 22nd- Earth Day
Thursday April 25th- Spirit Assembly @12:30
Friday April 26th- Professional Learning Day no school
Tuesday April 30th- Helen Schuler field trip! 1-1:30


Here are some pictures of our trip to Home Hardware last month!

Some pictures from our 100 Day Celebration last month!