Even though it was a short week I feel like we accomplished a lot! We were busy with our first writing samples of the year. I am looking forward to reading all about the life experiences the kids have chosen to write about. Writing samples are done twice a year and they are a good indication for both teachers and students to see their strengths and areas of improvements when writing. We have started to “Tune In” to our Migration unit of inquiry. The students did a picture walk in partners looking at different images of people migrating. There were many discussions about what was happening in the pictures and why the pictures were taken. In the coming week students will hear migration stories from the teachers. Our next step after the teacher stories will be the students/families migration stories so expect some questions about the past!
We have started another read a loud in the class. The students voted on another R.L. Stine book from the Goosebumps series. “The Blob that Ate Everyone” is making some of us actually have goosebumps while reading it!
I enjoyed meeting most of you at the Open House last week. If you were unable to attend we can meet another time just send me an email to arrange a time.
If you are a fan of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas or you are an avid reader you will love this utube clip! I have listened to it a few too many times already! Enjoy the music and listen carefully to the words they are great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6D9jiEYxzs
I found this great web site called Reading is Fundamental. There are links to interesting articles for parents and educators on different topics such as motivating kids to read, choosing a good book, literacy rich environments, and book recommendations. There are also a number of age appropriate activities for children. If you have a moment, take some time to explore the web site. I just realized that inside the word FUNDAMENTAL is the word FUN! What a great way to introduce it to the kids!
http://www.rif.org/
Just a reminder that Open House is on Aug. 25th. I will be giving a short talk about the class and our routines and then you will have some time to get to know the other parents and take a look around the class. I am looking for a class parent or parents so if you are interested please let me know on the 25th. I will also be looking to sign up parents for “Reading Tuesdays”. Come and read to the class a book of your choice maybe something you read when you were in grade four, or a favorite book from your childhood. The kids love having parents read to them and it gives them a break from their teacher!
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Richy our class bear. We decided on his name last week and this past weekend was his first visit to a student home! Each weekend Richy will accompany a student home for the weekend. The student is expected to look after Richy and report back to the class. All kids will have the opportunity to take Richy home and write about their experiences with him. When he comes to your home enjoy playing with him, he likes the outdoors and really enjoys cooking!
Most student’s came this morning in their pajamas.
It is now Friday March 26th and most of you are off enjoying a holiday with your family. If you are not sorry to rub it inJ I would like to say thank you for all your best wishes and lovely gifts for our new addition to our family. I have enjoyed teaching your children and have especially enjoyed watching them grow and develop into responsible and respectful students. I have every confidence that the transition to middle school will see many successes. I have also enjoyed working with the parents of this class and will miss the connections I have made. Please feel free to come by any time next year just to let me know how things are going. I will be in the same room! Ms. Niznik will have a great time in room 2009! She will bring her energy and enthusiasm that will mix very well with our class. Take care and all the best for the rest of the year. I will see you all at graduation on June 3rd.
The weekend a friend bought me a book that I have totally bonded with. It is entitled “Reading Magic”. The author is Mem Fox who is well know for her popular children books. In the book Mem Fox explains why reading aloud to young children has an incredible impact on their ability to read and on their entire lives. As an expectant mother I am looking forward to reading and bonding with my child and hoping a love of reading will develop. As a teacher I have found this book invaluable to reinforce the importance of read-a-louds and making time for literature circles, CMC times and silent reading times. If you ever get a chance while wondering around a book store take a look for this exceptional book.
Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.We had a great time on Thursday preparing and making a healthy and fun lunch. On the menu was Cranberry Cooler, Tacos, and fruit dip with fresh fruits. Thanks to Noa and Kayla for the wonderful recipes. Also thanks to the parents and helpers who were able to get all the ingredients together in such a short time. The lunch was a great success and no one left hungry! (or ill) After lunch and the clean up, we settled down and watched the movie Matilda. Peter (Abigail’s father) has read us the book during his many visits to the class. The class wanted to watch the movie and we decided to make comparisons between the book and the movie. These comparisons lead to great discussions about why a director would change parts of books and how an author would feel about these changes. We also talked about how important it is to visualize when reading and how movies take away that skill. The last connection we made was to our Child Rights Unit. Ask your child what they thought the connections were.
Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.
Friday February 12th represented Red Hand Day around the world. Since 2002 the Red Hand Day has been celebrated annually and worldwide; it draws attention to the situation of child soldiers. On Red Hand Day public protest, demonstrations and other activities take place. The Red Hand Day’s symbol is a red hand which has been used all over the world by many organizations in order to say NO to child recruitment and the use of child soldiers. The hands we traced and the messages that we wrote will be sent to the United Nations to show our support for this cause. Take a look at some of the pictures we took while making our red hands.
Joanna
mcelhinneyj