Hello everyone!
LAST WEEK
We had so many exciting things happening in our room last week (and I was sorry to miss the first 3 days, but both of my children were quite sick)! Our study of 'healthy habits' got off to a great start with Ms. Bhullar and Mr. Cummings stepping in to deliver the planned activities. Ms. Blake and Shanice were also on hand to ensure things ran smoothly.
The children really enjoyed the lesson that our dental hygenist students (Dilal and Jill) delivered on healthy/unhealthy snacks. It was very hands-on and we still have the posters, the song and the 2 HUGE TEETH in our room! We will use these materials again this week as we complete our investigation of proper dental hygiene.
We will also be continuing our look at 'healthy habits'. In writing, students will be drawing and writing about their 'fab(ulous) food'. We will be focusing on 'stretching' words out in order to spell them phonetically.
In reading, we will continue with "My Fruits and Veggies". We are also beginning our sight word "Word Worm"! Sight words are common words (about 25) that good readers recognize automatically. A firm grasp of these sight words (the, and, a, is, etc.) helps lay the foundation for early reading.
Our math focus this week will be on sorting foods based on various characteristics and concepts (healthy/unhealthy, long/short, heavy/light, more/less). Many of these are key concepts for Kindergarten.
We will be working on a new painting technique called 'dot painting' in which a fine instrument (a q-tip) is used to apply paint to a surface (a large carrot cut-out!). The technique requires fine motor dexterity (and patience!).
We will finish the week with a science experiment involving boiled eggs, cola, toothpaste and toothbrushes! Be sure to ask your child on Friday what it was all about!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
Book order forms will be sent home tomorrow (Monday). They are due back on Monday, December 5. It's a bit earlier this month, but I want to ensure that all orders arrive before the holidays!
SHOW AND SHARE
November's Show and Share is winding down. We should be back on track by the end of this week and ready to begin a new round in December!
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Please watch for further details re: the CHPS Holiday Concert scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 7pm.
OTTAWA FOOD BANK FOOD DRIVE
The Kindergarten Team is organizing a school/community-wide drive for the Ottawa Food Bank again this year. Last year, we raised over 600 pounds of food and we hope to raise even more this year! Watch for more details in December's school newsletter.
HEALTHY HABIT CHARTS
Please help your child complete his/her 'Healthy Habits" and "Brushing My Teeth" charts. Each child will receive a "Healthy Habits Hero" certificate...designed by Ms. Blake!
Thanks for helping with this important self-reflection.
Please be sure to check the blog regularly over the coming weeks, as things continue to get busier and busier!
Thanks for checking in and have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
November 21-25
Welcome to another week!
INTERVIEWS
Thanks to all of you for making our parent-teacher conferences such a success! I always look forward to the chance to sit with you and discuss your child's successes and next steps. I hope the experience was as positive for you as it was for me. For those of you who were unable to attend, please just give me a call (613.224.7922), or send a note in your child's Note Tote to re-schedule. We can also chat over the phone, if it's more convenient.
PLEASE WELCOME SARAH BLAKE
Sarah is an ECE (Early Childhood Educator) student from Algonquin College who is completing a placement with us over the next 5 weeks. Sarah comes with a valuable set of skills and insights and a pile of warmth and energy! The children have welcomed her and are already very comfortable seeking her attention and assistance. Sarah's roles include observing, designing, implementing and evaluating several activities (linked to our curriculum and planned with my supervision), assisting with daily classroom procedures and working with the children in small group, one-one-one and eventually, whole group settings. Sarah has written a more detailed introduction of herself and posted it on our "Kinder News" bulletin board. Please stop by for a peek!
OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN
Along with Sarah, we have Shanice (our Brookfield High School co-op student) back with us after a brief hiatus. Welcome back, Shanice!
Emily, our Carleton University volunteer, continues to come on Thursdays (when her course-load permits!).
This Wednesday we will have our dental hygienists students, Dalal and Jill, back from the Canadian Institute of Health to deliver their lesson on 'healthy and unhealthy' snacks. This ties in perfectly to our study of 'healthy habits', this week! Their lesson plan looks informative, fun and hands-on. Thank you Dilal and Jill!
As well, beginning shortly, we will have volunteers from the 'Ottawa Reads' organization coming in once, maybe twice a week to read with our students. More info to follow.
HEALTHY HABITS
Our focus this week is on healthy habits and a letter, as well as 2 charts will be going home tomorrow with all the details. Please help your child complete the charts ("Brushing Your Teeth" and "Healthy Habits") and send them back after a week, so they can obtain their 'Healthy Habits Hero' certificates!
Please also watch for "My Fruits and Vegetables" booklet. We will be doing a shared reading (big book) of this all week, and your child will bring home his/her own copy to read to you.
We will also be learning about the different food groups, everyday and sometimes foods, dental hygiene, hand-washing, and the importance of exercise and sleep! We have lots of hands on activities planned to help students grasp these important concepts. Please continue the discussion at home and at the grocery store!
WRITER'S WORKSHOP
The Kindergarten class had their first ever Writer's Workshop and it was a great success! This ties into our School Improvement Plan, which is focusing on writing this year. I am using reading and writing guru Lucy Calkins' series "Units of Study for Primary Writing: A Yearlong Curriculum", "Launching the Writing Workshop" as my guide. Each workshop begins with a brief 'meeting' during which time I introduce a new concept and model it for the children. Our first workshop focused on building enthusiasm and helping students identify themselves as 'authors'. I then modelled how writers:
1.CHOOSE A TOPIC they CARE about
2.THINK about the topic
3.TALK about it
4.SKETCH it
5.WRITE about it (this includes scribbles, random letters, beginning sounds/letters, words and labels, sentences).
There is a WIDE range of writing ability at this stage, so each child's instruction is scaffolded and supported. The key is that each child FEELS successful and FEELS like a writer! We will move onto structure and mechanics at an appropriate pace.
The students have special hard hats that say "Writer at Work" that are ONLY worn during Writer's Workshop. This helps keep this time special!
SHOW AND SHARE
Thank you so much for partipating in this month's activity. The children are doing an AMAZING job with their patterns! I can't believe how quickly they grasped the concept of 'core of the pattern'. They are eager to have their chance with the 'briefcase' and they take it very seriously! We will turn all of their hard work into a class book that will then travel home! (Please note that the "Book of Peace" I mentioned last post did not get done. Our "Hands of Peace" quilt took a bit longer than anticipated. We did, however, have a very poignant discussion about how each of us could bring peace to our classroom, homes and communities.)
Thank you for checking in and have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
INTERVIEWS
Thanks to all of you for making our parent-teacher conferences such a success! I always look forward to the chance to sit with you and discuss your child's successes and next steps. I hope the experience was as positive for you as it was for me. For those of you who were unable to attend, please just give me a call (613.224.7922), or send a note in your child's Note Tote to re-schedule. We can also chat over the phone, if it's more convenient.
PLEASE WELCOME SARAH BLAKE
Sarah is an ECE (Early Childhood Educator) student from Algonquin College who is completing a placement with us over the next 5 weeks. Sarah comes with a valuable set of skills and insights and a pile of warmth and energy! The children have welcomed her and are already very comfortable seeking her attention and assistance. Sarah's roles include observing, designing, implementing and evaluating several activities (linked to our curriculum and planned with my supervision), assisting with daily classroom procedures and working with the children in small group, one-one-one and eventually, whole group settings. Sarah has written a more detailed introduction of herself and posted it on our "Kinder News" bulletin board. Please stop by for a peek!
OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN
Along with Sarah, we have Shanice (our Brookfield High School co-op student) back with us after a brief hiatus. Welcome back, Shanice!
Emily, our Carleton University volunteer, continues to come on Thursdays (when her course-load permits!).
This Wednesday we will have our dental hygienists students, Dalal and Jill, back from the Canadian Institute of Health to deliver their lesson on 'healthy and unhealthy' snacks. This ties in perfectly to our study of 'healthy habits', this week! Their lesson plan looks informative, fun and hands-on. Thank you Dilal and Jill!
As well, beginning shortly, we will have volunteers from the 'Ottawa Reads' organization coming in once, maybe twice a week to read with our students. More info to follow.
HEALTHY HABITS
Our focus this week is on healthy habits and a letter, as well as 2 charts will be going home tomorrow with all the details. Please help your child complete the charts ("Brushing Your Teeth" and "Healthy Habits") and send them back after a week, so they can obtain their 'Healthy Habits Hero' certificates!
Please also watch for "My Fruits and Vegetables" booklet. We will be doing a shared reading (big book) of this all week, and your child will bring home his/her own copy to read to you.
We will also be learning about the different food groups, everyday and sometimes foods, dental hygiene, hand-washing, and the importance of exercise and sleep! We have lots of hands on activities planned to help students grasp these important concepts. Please continue the discussion at home and at the grocery store!
WRITER'S WORKSHOP
The Kindergarten class had their first ever Writer's Workshop and it was a great success! This ties into our School Improvement Plan, which is focusing on writing this year. I am using reading and writing guru Lucy Calkins' series "Units of Study for Primary Writing: A Yearlong Curriculum", "Launching the Writing Workshop" as my guide. Each workshop begins with a brief 'meeting' during which time I introduce a new concept and model it for the children. Our first workshop focused on building enthusiasm and helping students identify themselves as 'authors'. I then modelled how writers:
1.CHOOSE A TOPIC they CARE about
2.THINK about the topic
3.TALK about it
4.SKETCH it
5.WRITE about it (this includes scribbles, random letters, beginning sounds/letters, words and labels, sentences).
There is a WIDE range of writing ability at this stage, so each child's instruction is scaffolded and supported. The key is that each child FEELS successful and FEELS like a writer! We will move onto structure and mechanics at an appropriate pace.
The students have special hard hats that say "Writer at Work" that are ONLY worn during Writer's Workshop. This helps keep this time special!
SHOW AND SHARE
Thank you so much for partipating in this month's activity. The children are doing an AMAZING job with their patterns! I can't believe how quickly they grasped the concept of 'core of the pattern'. They are eager to have their chance with the 'briefcase' and they take it very seriously! We will turn all of their hard work into a class book that will then travel home! (Please note that the "Book of Peace" I mentioned last post did not get done. Our "Hands of Peace" quilt took a bit longer than anticipated. We did, however, have a very poignant discussion about how each of us could bring peace to our classroom, homes and communities.)
Thank you for checking in and have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Eid Mubarak!
Eid Mubarak to all of our friends and their families! We have enjoyed hearing about the children's special celebrations. Please feel free to send in photos, special books or any other artefacts that will help your child share their personal experiences with us.
PHOTO RE-TAKES and CLASS PHOTOS
Re-takes and class photos will be done this THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10. Bring your smiles!
WATER BOTTLES
A friendly reminder to send your child with a small water bottle for snack time. It is disruptive having students leave the room for water. Thanks for your attention to this!
INTERVIEWS
Thanks to all of you for sending your preferred times back so quickly! I will send home a confirmation notice with your meeting time. Interviews will run for 10-15 minutes on Thursday, November 17, 12-7pm.
Thank you for checking in!
Ms. Cox
PHOTO RE-TAKES and CLASS PHOTOS
Re-takes and class photos will be done this THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10. Bring your smiles!
WATER BOTTLES
A friendly reminder to send your child with a small water bottle for snack time. It is disruptive having students leave the room for water. Thanks for your attention to this!
INTERVIEWS
Thanks to all of you for sending your preferred times back so quickly! I will send home a confirmation notice with your meeting time. Interviews will run for 10-15 minutes on Thursday, November 17, 12-7pm.
Thank you for checking in!
Ms. Cox
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November 7-11
Hello and welcome to another week!
I am pleased to tell you that I have noticed all of our hard work paying off! The children have been doing a fantastic job with all of our routines, procedures and problem-solving strategies. They are beginning to internalize the difference between telling (to get someone 'out' of trouble) and tattling ((to get someone 'into' trouble)and they are growing more comfortable and confident when dealing with conflicts and strong emotions. Well done!
Last week in science, we used the seeds from the pumpkin that we carved to discuss the life cycle of pumpkins. The children then completed a diagram of the life cycle and discussed what pumpkins need in order to live and grow. Their work is proudly displayed in our front hall (be sure to have a look) and thank you to Shania (a former CH student who volunteered for the day) for putting them all up! We also had fun graphing our 'Favourite Treat'. The children are learning how to look at graphs and tell about the information they reveal. Well done.
In math, we have begun focusing on patterning. The children helped me figure out different patterns we could make using big, sparkly leaves. Then, they created their own leaf patterns using 2 or 3 differnt colours. These patterns will be added to your child's portfolio.
We have a busy week ahead with fall and Remembrance Day as our focus. Our Shared Reading is called "Fall is...". Watch for your child's copy and enjoy listening while he/she reads it to you! We will also be talking about some of the characterisitcs of poetry as we learn the poem/song "Little Poppy".
We will be experimenting with different tools in Art class as we sponge paint negative leaf images. Students will also be making 3-D poppies.
In writing, students will be reflecting and writing about how they can bring peace to others. Watch for the "SK Book of Peace" to start making the rounds at the end of the month.
In science, we continue to talk about the seasons and the characteristics of each. We brainstormed a very long list of describing words for each season. Students also 'Paired and Shared' their favourite season with a friend. Pairing and sharing helps develop young learners oral communication skills, social skills, listening skills, as well as their re-telling skills (sometimes they are asked to tell what 'their friend' said...not as easy as it sounds!). Please continue to talk to your child about the changing seasons (falling leaves, geese heading south, cooling temperatures, shorter days, etc.).
NICKELBY TRAVELLING JOURNAL
What a success! Thanks for participating. The children loved this activity and they filled an entire notebook with their drawings, letters, words and stories. Bravo! This activity encourages early writing, helps children see that writing serves a purpose, helps them see the connection between their own experiences and writing and helps them feel successful and confident. All efforts are praised and as the year moves along, we will start focusing a bit more on the 'mechanics' of writing. Nickelby has had a wee rest, but the kids are excited to have him make the rounds again! Watch for the bag...
SHOW AND SHARE
Thanks again for helping with October's Show and Share! The children enjoyed bringing in items that began with their assigned letters. We will be compiling their work and photos into a 'travelling book' (one that they get to bring home and share with you)...enjoy!
This month's Show and Share focus is on Math, specifically, patterning. Please see the schedule that will be sent home tomorrow (Monday) and watch for the case. Again, don't worry if the case doesn't arrive on your child's assigned day (we get off track when kids forget the case, are absent, etc.). Everyone will get a turn. Thanks for your patience!
LIBRARY BOOKS
Please remember to send your child's library book each Thursday. If your child doesn't come home with a new book each week, it is because one wasn't returned. Please send in any overdue books. Thanks for your attention to this. The children are disappointed when they aren't able to sign out new books.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
November book orders will be sent home this week and will be due back by Monday, November 14th.
REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY
Carleton Heights will be holding a ceremony in the gym on Friday. It usually takes place from 10:15-11am and all parents and community members are welcome to attend.
Thank you for checking in and have a fantastic week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
I am pleased to tell you that I have noticed all of our hard work paying off! The children have been doing a fantastic job with all of our routines, procedures and problem-solving strategies. They are beginning to internalize the difference between telling (to get someone 'out' of trouble) and tattling ((to get someone 'into' trouble)and they are growing more comfortable and confident when dealing with conflicts and strong emotions. Well done!
Last week in science, we used the seeds from the pumpkin that we carved to discuss the life cycle of pumpkins. The children then completed a diagram of the life cycle and discussed what pumpkins need in order to live and grow. Their work is proudly displayed in our front hall (be sure to have a look) and thank you to Shania (a former CH student who volunteered for the day) for putting them all up! We also had fun graphing our 'Favourite Treat'. The children are learning how to look at graphs and tell about the information they reveal. Well done.
In math, we have begun focusing on patterning. The children helped me figure out different patterns we could make using big, sparkly leaves. Then, they created their own leaf patterns using 2 or 3 differnt colours. These patterns will be added to your child's portfolio.
We have a busy week ahead with fall and Remembrance Day as our focus. Our Shared Reading is called "Fall is...". Watch for your child's copy and enjoy listening while he/she reads it to you! We will also be talking about some of the characterisitcs of poetry as we learn the poem/song "Little Poppy".
We will be experimenting with different tools in Art class as we sponge paint negative leaf images. Students will also be making 3-D poppies.
In writing, students will be reflecting and writing about how they can bring peace to others. Watch for the "SK Book of Peace" to start making the rounds at the end of the month.
In science, we continue to talk about the seasons and the characteristics of each. We brainstormed a very long list of describing words for each season. Students also 'Paired and Shared' their favourite season with a friend. Pairing and sharing helps develop young learners oral communication skills, social skills, listening skills, as well as their re-telling skills (sometimes they are asked to tell what 'their friend' said...not as easy as it sounds!). Please continue to talk to your child about the changing seasons (falling leaves, geese heading south, cooling temperatures, shorter days, etc.).
NICKELBY TRAVELLING JOURNAL
What a success! Thanks for participating. The children loved this activity and they filled an entire notebook with their drawings, letters, words and stories. Bravo! This activity encourages early writing, helps children see that writing serves a purpose, helps them see the connection between their own experiences and writing and helps them feel successful and confident. All efforts are praised and as the year moves along, we will start focusing a bit more on the 'mechanics' of writing. Nickelby has had a wee rest, but the kids are excited to have him make the rounds again! Watch for the bag...
SHOW AND SHARE
Thanks again for helping with October's Show and Share! The children enjoyed bringing in items that began with their assigned letters. We will be compiling their work and photos into a 'travelling book' (one that they get to bring home and share with you)...enjoy!
This month's Show and Share focus is on Math, specifically, patterning. Please see the schedule that will be sent home tomorrow (Monday) and watch for the case. Again, don't worry if the case doesn't arrive on your child's assigned day (we get off track when kids forget the case, are absent, etc.). Everyone will get a turn. Thanks for your patience!
LIBRARY BOOKS
Please remember to send your child's library book each Thursday. If your child doesn't come home with a new book each week, it is because one wasn't returned. Please send in any overdue books. Thanks for your attention to this. The children are disappointed when they aren't able to sign out new books.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
November book orders will be sent home this week and will be due back by Monday, November 14th.
REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY
Carleton Heights will be holding a ceremony in the gym on Friday. It usually takes place from 10:15-11am and all parents and community members are welcome to attend.
Thank you for checking in and have a fantastic week!
Warmly,
Ms. Cox
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