Hi everyone!

Just a quick blog post about the next few days.  We have our Scientists in Schools workshop on Wednesday January 29th! I think the students are going to LOVE this! Thank you for those parents who were able to sign up to come help on that morning! 
*Scott Elford, Geoff Netzel, Kriss Guenter, Darli McAulay.
 
On Wednesday, we will also meet our new Ed2500 student from the University of Lethbridge! She will be with us on Monday and Wednesday mornings. 

A note from School Council:
Principal Paul Bryant has announced his retirement for June 2014.  If the parent community would like to put forth any input in regards to the new principalship (ie, progams/ iniatives you'd like to continue or add, etc) you can email Sharon Mezei until February 3rd, at sharon.mezei@lethsd.ab.ca. 

A reminder that after school skating begins on Tuesday February 4th, at Nicholas Sheran arena from 3:30-4:30. 

Lastly, I will be away on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th.  Please email me if you have any questions. 

Thanks!  Enjoy your weekend!
-Anna

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow! I can’t believe we are already back in the full swing of things for 2014!  December was such an exciting month as we planned and prepped for Christmas! It sounded like everyone had a fantastic break and it was exciting to hear about how the students spent their time with their families!

During that last week of December, I was SO spoiled from the students with wonderful cards and thoughtful gifts, which was so unnecessary!   Thank you so much.  It’s no secret that I love my job and I love Grade One, and the kindness and support from all the families is truly amazing!

Our Grade One group has already caught me a few times saying “2013”.  A new year means new beginnings so we talked about healthy resolutions that we could strive for! If you get a chance, come read your child’s resolution for 2014 on our bulletin board outside!

For the next little bit, we will be working on long vowel sounds.  We started with the “Sneaky E” who makes vowels say their own name.  For the next few weeks, your child will be bringing home different activity sheets about different long vowels- if you get a chance, try reading them over again with your student to help with retention. 

In Math, we are diving into some addition and subtraction strategies!  Last week, we discussed how when we’re adding, it doesn’t matter which order we add in, as the sum will stay the same. We also looked at how the sum is the greatest number in the equation.  This week, we’ll work on Math Doubles (1 + 1 = 2, 2 +2= 4, etc), and continuing to use counters as a strategy.  Some information on how you can help your child memorize their doubles facts will be coming home in the next few days. 

In Science, we’ve been learning about Winter and how animals adapt to survive the winter.  We’ve played some fun games in the gym where we’ve had to become animals to show hibernation/ migration, and we’ll continue with some winter activities until we start our next unit called Building Things. 

On January 29^th, we have a special program coming to Grade 1 called Scientists in Schools.  Here, we will have scientists from the UofL come to our class for a full morning workshop about Building Things.  This program will require 4 volunteers to come and help with centers in the classroom.   If you are able to come for the whole morning of Wednesday, January 29^th, please let me know asap and I can sign you up for a center!  It should be a very exciting morning!

Also, for the workshop on January 29^th, each student will need 1 newspaper (a whole edition, not just 1 page).  If you subscribe to a newspaper, and can start collecting newspaper editions for the class that would be wonderful! I can store them in the room so you can send them whenever!

In Social Studies, we’re looking more closely at our Community, and what makes our community so special.  Students are working in a Community Scrapbook where they get to describe their favourite places in Lethbridge. 

Although it’s a few weeks away, we are planning for some 100 Day activities.  100 day is a special day in Grade 1, as we pair up with the Grade 2s for 100 Day Centers in the gym.  This year, we’ll be celebrating 100 Day on Valentine’s Day!  We will need the help of 3 parents on this Friday. If you’re able to run a center on Friday February 14^th from 8-11am, please let me know asap!

During the last week in January, our class will be welcoming an Education 2500 student from the University of Lethbridge to our class! This student will be in our class on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and will come to learn about teaching for 8 weeks.  I’m sure our class will be excited to meet them when they begin their practicum. 

Here are your important dates for January and February so far! Remember to check this blog for date changes!

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful week!

 January

Tuesday January 14^th- Hat/ Touque Day! Spirit Assembly @ 12:30
Wednesday January 15^th- Hot Lunch for Grades 1-3
Thursday January 16^th- Hot Lunch for Grades 4-5
January 27^th-28^th- Miss Tsentouros’ away
Wednesday January 29^th- Science in Schools workshop in the AM

February

Tuesday February 4^th- After School Skate begins from 330-430 at Nicholas Sheran Rink- all families invited to attend!
Wednesday February 5^th- Winter Walk Day, Family Assembly @ 12:30
Friday February 7^th- PD Day No School
Friday February 14^th- Valentine’s Day/ 100^th Day of School Celebrations!
February 17^th- 21^st- Family Break- No School

Here are some pictures from this past week!

 

 

Hi everyone! I feel like there is a lot of information for the next two weeks of school so I thought I'd do a recap so everyone knows what to expect.

 

Today, we had our first rehersal with Les Boucheron! Ian and Gilbert are here from Edmonton, and they are coordinating our French Canadian Christmas concert!  Students will be meeting with them all week to practice for our Christmas Concert which is THIS THURSDAY from 6:30-7:15.  There is a green information sheet going home in your youngest child's agenda today, with information about the concert including drop off and pick up. If the green sheet has mysteriously disappeared from backpacks, please check the school website for information or email me if you have any questions. 

 

Students are asked to dress in 'Christmas Best'.

 

On Friday, we have a special assembly where Les Boucheron will perform for our school.  We will also have a "Sugar Shack" where students will get to try real maple syrup.  Students are asked to wear plaid shirts, toques, or 'sashes' around their waists for this Friday December 13th. 

 

Tomorrow is Mr. Hargrove's last day!! We will miss having him in our class, but we are excited for him to continue on at the University.  Thank you for all you've done for our Grade 1 class Mr. Hargrove!

 

A reminder that for the last week of school, families are invited to come and sing Christmas Carols with us in the gym every morning from 8:30- 9. 

 

On Wednesday, December 18th, the Grade 1s will be having a "GRINCH DAY!" An invitation will be sent home explaining the day, as students are encouraged to either dress in Green, or Dress as a "Who" from "Who-ville".  We will be having Christmas activities all throughout the week. Parents who have signed up to bring snacks will be emailed a reminder. 

 

On Thursday December 19th in the afternoon, I would like to show the Jim Carrey Movie of "The Grinch".  Although this is a movie for kids, in order to do this, each student needs permission as it has some mature scenes.  Here is some information from a parental rating site:

 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this imaginative version of Dr. Seuss' beloved classic may be too intense and scary for the youngest or most sensitive kids. Ominous music accompanies the Grinch and his cartoon trouble making in multiple scenes. Jim Carrey, behind a rubbery green face, is the master of cackles and distorted facial expressions. A heroic little girl is in danger more than once. Kids who understand the difference between the real and the fantastical will delight in the chaotic, very funny mayhem. So will grown-ups. There are a few moments of crude humor along the way (i.e., the Grinch sticks his butt out and says, "Pucker up and kiss it," and several males ogle a buxom woman).





 

Last but not least, I also put an envelope with instructions about our class Christmas Card exchange! Please take a look through and email me if you have any questions.  Each student will be making a Christmas card for someone else in their class, and we're asking for all finished cards to be returned by Monday December 16th. 

 

Thanks! And have a good week!

December 9th- 13th- Les Bucheron's Artist in Residency program
December 10th- Mr. Hargrove's last day
December 12th- MMH Christmas Concert
December 13th- "Sugar Shack" at MMH - Wear plaid, toques/sash
December 16th- 20th- Carrolling in the gym everyday at 8:30
December 18th- "Grinch Day"-
December 19th- Grinch Movie in PMDecember 20th- Christmas celebration and last day before break!

Don't forget to check out the school newsletter which is found HERE. It has information about school council and school wide events including the Christmas Concert. 

Okay, it's official: There are 26 more days until Christmas!

Just a quick update on the Christmas Concert!

Each family will given 2 tickets to the concert.  These tickets will be STAPLED to your child's agenda on Wednesday December 4th.  If you need more for your family members, you need to submit your request to Mr. Bryant in writing.  We are also going to try and set up a live stream  of the Christmas Concert for people to enjoy at home.  Information about this will be sent out closer to the date.  The Christmas Concert is at Southminister Church on December 12th from 6-7:30 pm.  Students are asked to dress in "Christmas Best". 

Today we worked on letters to Santa! We will be mailing these letters to the North Pole on Monday.  We are crossing our fingers for Santa to write back to us!

Next week we will be wrapping up our bear unit! We spent a lot of time this past week learning about different types of bears, and each student got to choose a bear to do mini reasearch on!  The students are SO PROUD of their bear projects! We will be sending those home next week for you to enjoy.

Don't forget to check the calendar below for important dates! 

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Anna Tsentouros

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come to our Student Led Conferences!  The best part about it all is seeing their happy faces and how proud they are of their work. They get so excited to share with parents, and it wouldn't have been such a success without all of you! 

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

This is crazy to say, but there are 4 more weeks left until the Christmas break! Here are some events that you can add to your calender:

November 27th- MMH Family Assembly hosted by the Gr 5s
November 28th- Performance from Uof L Theatre 9:30-10:15

December 3rd- Hot lunch for Grades 1-3
December 4th- Hot lunch for Grades 4-5
December 6th- "Bear Day" classroom switchesDecember 9th- 13th- Les Bucheron's Artist in Residency program
December 10th- Mr. Hargrove's last day
December 12th- MMH Christmas Concert
December 13th- "Sugar Shack" at MMH
December 16th- 20th- Carrolling in the gym everyday at 8:30
December 18th- "Grinch Day"- TBA
December 20th- Christmas celebration and last day before break!

Don't forget to check out the school newsletter which is found HERE.  It has information about school council and school wide events including the Christmas Concert. 

We have a few parents from our class who attend School Council meetings, and act as our classroom representatives.  They are offering some information about the past meeting. This information will be posted on our blog, and if you have any questions about School Council, please let me know and I can put you in contact with them! 

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!
-Anna

Here's the latest from School Council: 

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick blog post for today!

Your student brought home their report cards today!  Check out last weeks blog post if you're unsure of the break down in the report card.  We will spend time  next week preparing the students for their Student Led Conferences, which is always so much fun for them. 

PJ and Teddy Bear day was awesome! This was a perfect way to kick off a bear unit for the Grade 1s! We'll spend time doing some bear writing, and learning about different types of bears.  Here's a picture of our class having a 'nap', in gym. 

We've had a wonderful past week welcoming Mr. Hargrove into our classroom.  Mr. Hargrove has been teaching gym and science!

Also, our school has started their Sock It To 'Em program! This is where students can bring in new socks to donate for those in need during the winter season. There is an enormous stocking hanging in the office, and our Caretaking team will collect socks to hang them from the stocking. 

Also, our school is collecting Pull Tabs! If you have any pull tabs from canned beverages, we would love to have them! We send them off to the Ronald McDonald House foundation. 

Thanks for reading, and looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Have a good weekend!
-Anna Tsentouros