Reminders
*No spelling check-in this week because of the short week.
Monday February 18: BC Family Day. No school for students or teachers. Enjoy the day with the people you love!
Wednesday February 20: Winter Fest outdoor activities in the afternoon. Please ensure that your child has outdoor clothing to participate outdoors all afternoon.
Friday February 22: Professional Development Day for teachers. No school for students. I will be participating in an FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) workshop in the BVE library for the day.
Student-Led Conferences
March 6-7th: Early dismissal days.
Please see the form that came home with your child today (Friday February 15th) or attached here: StudentLed Parent Letter
Language
Students have settled into their Daily 5 routine. They have successfully learned ‘Read to Self’, ‘Work on Writing’, ‘Word Work/Study’, ‘Read to Someone’, and ‘Listen to Reading’. Each day during our Daily 5 time, students choose the order in which they want to practice their literacy. Students generally have time for 3/5 options each day. I am able to conference individually with students or in small groups each day and set goals for reading and writing.
***WORD WORK/STUDY: word study work will be changing this term. Students will continue to work within their level on short vowels, blends, digraphs, long vowels etc. in class, but will also work on 8 specific high-frequency words each week that will be tested on Fridays. These 8 words will be written in their agendas each Monday so that you and your child can practice at home.
HOME READING
Snuggle up and read with your child!
I cannot stress enough how important it is for students to reading at home. The purpose of a home reading program is to help “grow readers”, children who read competently and independently purely for the joy of reading! I encourage students to read for a minimum of 20 minutes each night. In each home reading bag there is a reading logbook that can be filled out each night.
Books
Any book can be included and recorded as part of the classroom Home Reading program. These include personal books, magazines, comic books, graphic novels, books from the classroom or library (school or public). In the case of novels, each chapter (or 20-minute reading session) can count for an entry in the logbook.
Record Sheet
When your child has read for 20 minutes, completed a book, or 1-2 chapters, they can fill out an entry in their logbook. Please help them to do this.
Book Exchange
Home Reading bags/books/logbooks can be returned to school whenever your child has finished reading the books they have brought home. Students will choose new home reading books at their level to take home.
Care of Books
I ask for your assistance in ensuring that the books are handled with care, as most of the books in my classroom library are from my personal library. Some of the classroom books are old and with your cooperation they will be enjoyed for many years to come! Please keep the books in a safe place and transport them to and from school in the plastic bag I have provided.
I hope you and your child will enjoy the time spent together as you explore the magical world of books!
Writer’s Workshop: This week students will continue learning about the components of a story. Students will use a planning strategy to map out their own story to write. Students will work through the writing process (as taught in class) to produce a final copy that they will share aloud with their classmates.
French Pilot Project: Every Wednesday afternoon. Students are learning basic French language through songs and games.
Library: Tuesdays at 11:10am.
Read Aloud: We are reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets written by J.K. Rowling.
Math
I recently ordered many new Montessori math manipulatives to support various mathematical concepts. Ask your child about the materials they are using to learn and practice.
We are finishing up our geometry projects on both polygons and geometric solids.
Banking: Our classroom bank and currency has been up and running for a few weeks now. Students have been learning how to handle money, earn money (through classroom jobs, care of materials, being your best tickets), save money and make change in the classroom. Students will be able to purchase for time for work they really enjoy, such as ‘listen to reading’, ‘drawing time’, ‘read to self’, ‘work on writing’, and ‘read to someone’ time.
Science
Salmon Study: All of our Chinook salmon eggs have grown into fry. This week students will continue to study this stage of the life cycle. Ask your child about the salmon! They have so much to tell!
Social Studies
We are continuing to study ourselves with the hope that understanding ourselves will lead to a greater understanding of the people in our community and the world. This week we will be focusing on, “It’s OK to be different”. Next week we will begin discussing what it means to be a good friend and how to build successful, healthy relationships.
Trips to the Museum
April 11th: Sinixt – students will learn about the First Nations people who lived in their community.
June 14th: Students will piece together a timeline of the history of Revelstoke.
Arts Education
Music: Wednesdays, 8:30am with Mrs. Snider (Please direct all questions regarding the talent show to Mrs. Snider)
Gym
Mondays (nature walk through the back woods with myself), Tuesdays (Mrs. Snider), Thursdays (Mr. MacKenzie): 8:30am
Classroom Community
This week we will continue Play is the Way. Students will be learning various games to support the core competencies outlined in the curriculum.