January Curriculum Newsletter

Hello Families,

Please click on the link to view the January Curriculum Newsletter:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZZ-ahnSvaKtuKrmbUr_6b3e9mycg-1ggMoNnMoDGws8/edit?usp=sharing 

January 22-26

 
Hello Families,

We have loved being able to get outside, soak up the sun and play in the snow this week! Hooray for mild days!

We had 2 words of the week this week.  "Fact" and "Fiction".  We learned the difference between the two words and understand that "Fact"" means that it is something real or true.  "Fiction" is from "imagination" or is "made-up or not real".  We spent time examining different texts this week- noting whether they were fact or fiction, and looking for clues to help us make this determination.  Our challenge this week was to tell Ms. McLean in the Library if the book we chose this week was a "fiction" or "non-fiction (fact)" book.  We did amazing! She told us we were "Smart Cookies!"  

For Literacy this week we learned about the letter /f/.  We practiced writing it, printing it and identifying words that begin with the letter Ff.  We also reviewed the other letters we have been practicing, and used our letter sound understanding to attempt to label our illustrations in our writing books this week.  We also spontaneously decided that we all want to practice printing the whole alphabet in order as neatly as we can, so we practiced that quite a bit this week too. In phonics we have been practicing identifying initial and end sounds, rhyming words and segmenting words together.  We have also practiced clapping out words to count how many syllables they have.  

We started talking all about "Facts" during our carpet times this week- specifically facts about animals in Winter.  We looked at non-fiction books to find new information about what animals do in the Winter, where they may live (their habitat) and how they move around.  We learned new words like "Hibernate, Migrate and Adapt" and we made different actions for each word to help us remember.  You can ask your Kindergartener to show you the actions and tell you about each word.  We looked at lots of pictures of animals and worked with partners to make a prediction about what a specific animal does to survive the cold months.  We sorted all of the animals together and recorded our predictions in our journals.  As we continue to research and explore this topic, we will be able to see if our prediction is correct.  It is always exciting to take a guess and then investigate and gather information to discover something new!

In Math, we continued learning about 2D shapes and used new vocabulary to describe different shapes.  We can count the sides and corners of shapes and can tell the difference between a rectangle and a square or an oval and a circle.  We played a fun game where we traced shapes on each others backs and had to try to guess what it was.  We couldn't stop giggling.  We were also Shape Chefs creating delicious paper "Shape Pizzas".  The students can't wait to bring home their pizza to share.  

In center times the students we able to build tracks to race cars, participated in bowling, played memory matching games and letter bingo, created shape art and made tie-dye snowflakes.  We also have a new "Vet Centre" where students have been eager to take care of animals, make appointments, and bring their stuffed pets. 

During Buddy time this week, the Kindergarten students were able to demonstrate their sequencing skills as they could retell the Mitten story we read last week using our story strips.  Our Grade 4 Buddies were impressed with how well we remembered the different events that happened.  We also decided to go outside for a Buddy Build Challenge.  Working together in the snow we created Animal Habitats.  We had to work together to brainstorm, problem-solve and cooperate.  They all looked incredible.

Some News:

Report cards will be accessible on Powerschool by the end of next week.  Please reach out if you have any questions.

Valentines Day:  Students are welcome to bring Valentine cards to hand out on Valentines Day (February 14th).  We will not be sending out or posting a list of names- please do not address cards to each child (you can leave "To:" blank).  Your child can sign thier name on them of course:). We cannot have  candy/food sharing- so please refrain from sending treats.  We have 21 students in the AM class, and 18 students in the PM class at this time.   

Thank you for continuing to support your student's learning!

January 15-19

 Brrrr....

It was another chilly week outside! We continued to stay warm and cozy inside doing lots of learning and having lots of fun and enjoyed the beautiful sunrises and snowfalls from the comfort of our classroom

.  Our word of the week was "sequence" which means "putting things in the correct order- in a way that makes sense" and we practiced "sequencing" all week.

We practiced sequencing pictures to tell our own "picture stories", we noticed sequences throughout our day- with our daily schedule, the steps to complete our seat work, and how we complete our daily routines like getting ready for snack and putting on our winter gear.  There are so many events that have a proper sequence everyday!

We also practiced our sequencing skills as we did story retelling this week.  We read "The Mitten" by Jan Brett (she is the Author- another new word we learned this week).  We practiced moving like the different animals in the story- new words like "scurry" and "thundered" and "trotted".  We loved acting out the story and retelling it with our Kinder Theatre time.  We created our own sequence strips with the characters in our story.  We will be putting it with our own "Mitten" next week and then bringing it home to share it with our families.  

We continued to learn about shapes and spent time noticing shapes in the classroom and in the school.  The PM class went on a Shape Scavenger Hunt with their Buddies this week.  They also worked together to create a collaborative art project called "Shape City".  It required lots of team work and perseverence- it is all coming together in our hallway beautifully!  We are so fortunate to have such incredible Grade 4 Buddies who display such positive leadership skills- we always look forward to seeing them,

In centre time this week we explored colour mixing at the Science water table, and the PM class was able to make their own crystals (they should be ready by Monday).  We also learned how to make tie-dye prints using markers, water and tin foil to create color transfers.  We also built ramps, learned a new group game called "Don't Break the Ice" and worked together throughout the week to create what has been named "Castle City" out of blocks, squigs and a bunch of other random treasures in the room.  It somehow started through our play on Tuesday morning, and then the afternoon class added on to it.  Each day the morning class would make additions, and then the afternoon class would build on.  This went on this whole week with the students becoming more and more interested to see how it was changing and what was new.  It was super interesting to see the 2 groups of students "playing" with one another-even though they weren't actually in the classroom at the same time.  Chidren's imaginations and willingness to play and interact through play- is just fascinating.

The last big event that happened this week is that we were able to venture out into the BIG part of the Library to choose a new book on Library Day.  Ms. McLean taught us all about the sequence of how we can pick a book, use the special book markers to hold the book's space, find our own library card and then complete our check out.  We LOVED looking in all of the new sections and having Library time just like the big kids in the school.  Ms. McLean is just the best.  As a reminder, Library is on Tuesdays for the PM class and Thursday for the AM class.

Here are some highlights from our week: