WEEK 15

Another full week, and gathering speed for Christmas vacation!

 Our sounds this week are alternative sounds for spellings we have already learned:
    Monday - the spellings of the "ie" sound - i_e and igh
    Tuesday - the spellings of the "oa" sound - o_e and ow
    Wednesday - the spellings of the "ue" sound - u_e and ew
    Thursday - the other spelling of the "oi" sound - oy

New words for the word wall - you and your

 Monday is Pajama Day
Thursday is Toque Day

I am away on Monday, and Ms Pat Brown will be in for me.

WEEK 14

A full week this week, and it;s the first week of December. Before we know it, we'll be on Christmas holidays!!

Our sounds this week are:
   Monday - au, aw
  Tuesday - video of the last few sounds
  Wednesday - alternate spellings of the ai sound - ay, a_e
   Thursday - alternate spellings of the ee sound - ea

New words for the word wall are: are and all

Special days for December that didn't get on the calendar -
  Monday, December  9 - Pajama Day
  Thursday, December 12 - Toque Day
  Monday, December 16 - Red and Green Day
  Thursday, December 19th - Santa Hat Day and BYOM (bring your own mug) for hot chocolate

WEEK 13

Well, this is a short week, but it promises to be a busy one!

 The sounds we are covering this week are "oi" (boil), "ue" (rescue), "er", and "ar". Words for the Word Wall are to and do.

We will have a K-2 Assembly on Wednesday, November 27th, at 11am. All are welcome!

 This week is also our annual PINK WEEK - anti-bullying videos, stories, and activities all week. We encourage all students to wear pink all week.    
    Monday - Pink pinkies (everyone will have the fingernails of their pinkies polished in pink
   Tuesday - Pink bubble gum will be handed out to all students. Pink lemonade will be on sale for 50c a glass at lunch time.
   Wednesday - A pink mint will be given to each student. Pink Jello cups for everyone as well. K-2 dance 6-6:45, 3-5 dance, 6:45-7:30, 6-8 dance 7:30-8:30
    Thursday - positive pink post-it notes will be found around the school. Assembly at 10:05 in the Gym. Pink lemonade on sale 50c a glass at lunch time.

There is no school on Friday, November 29th, as report cards will be coming home this week and we will have Parent-Teacher Meetings. The conferences will be Thursday, November 28th from 6-8pm and Friday from 9-11am. There is a sign-up sheet outside my classroom door if you're in the school. Otherwise, it will be first come, first served around any previously made appointments.

 Have agreat week!

WEEK 12

It's a busy time right now, with teachers doing report cards and all that goes with it.

Our sounds for the week are th and th (the and thanks), qu, and ou (as in sound).  There was a video today, Tuesday, reviewing the last group of sounds we have learned.  Please keep going over the sounds with your children.... practice makes perfect!

New tricky words for the week are:  me and we.

Report cards will come home next Monday, the 25th of November, and there will be a sign-up sheet outside my door to make your appointment for Parent-Teacher conferences on Thursday night, November 28th, from 6-8pm or on Friday morning, November 29th, from 9-11am.

WEEK 11

 The sounds for the week are: 
     - Tuesday   x  (ks)
     - Wednesday   ch
     - Thursday     th  and th  (the and thumb)

New words for the word wall are:  me and we

If you have a child coming to Kindergarten in the Fall of 2014, please bring your child with you and come to GMCS on Thursday night, November 14th, from 6-7pm.  There will be an information session for parents, and activities for the children.  If you know of someone, please spread the word.  Thank you.

 I will be away on Thursday, and Mrs. Andrea Morse will be at school in my place. 

WEEK 10

Well, the tricks and treats are over for another year!

This week we will be talking about the following sounds:  v, two sounds of OO (book, loose), watch the video regarding the last set of sounds, and begin the next set with y (like in yellow).

The words for the word wall this week are he and she.

On Wednesday night from 6-7pm, the K-2 teachers invite you and your child to come to our  Family Math and Literacy Night  in the Great Hall.  While there you and your child can try some of the activities we use in the classroom to help them achieve the outcomes in the Provincial curricula for Math and Literacy.  You will also be given the opportunity to look through the documents we  use as a guide for teaching.

There will be a school-wide Remembrance Day program on Friday afternoon for all students and staff.

WEEK 9

There's a chill in the air out there!  Please remember to send your child with warm outdoor clothes for recess.  Mitts and hats are good items to send with their warmer coats - that playground is hardly ever warm, and there's usually a wind blowing.

This week we are watching a video on Monday, to culminate what we have learned from Book 4 of Jolly Phonics.  Sounds we'll do through the week are z, w, and ng.

New words for the Word Wall are I and the.  Please go over all of the words a couple of times a week - perhaps make up some flash cards that will help your child recognize the words we are concentrating on.  So far the list looks like this:
    - a
    - is
    - mom
    - dad
    - at
    - that
    - or
    - for
    - I
    - the

We are having a K-2 assembly on Wednesday at 11am in the Cafeteria. Family members are welcome to come watch.

 Along with Mrs. Jones' K/1 class, we will visit the Grand Manan Nursing Home on Halloween.  Permission slips are coming home today.  Please sign them and return them asap.  We plan to leave GMCS at 10am on Thursday, returning around 11:15.  In the afternoon we will rotate through each K-2 class with an activity in each room.  Please send your child with a costume for these events.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

WEEK 8

A full 5 day week this week - YAY!!

New sounds this week are j, oa (as in oatmeal), ie (as in pie), ee (as in peep), and or.

The words we will add to the word wall are or and for.

 I will be away on Wednesday to an appointment, and Ms. Pat Brown will be in for me.

WEEK 7

Well, I hope you're all enjoying (or have enjoyed) a great long weekend!

This week the sounds we will talk about are b, ai (as in aim), and j.

 Our tricky words are at and that.

 On Tuesday, October 15th, we will practice our Lockdown Procedure in school. During this practice, we lock our door, turn off the lights, close the shade on the window, and wait (I always read a story) quietly around the corner in the classroom until an administrator or an RCMP officer comes to the door, knocks, and gives the word that all is safe. We practice this just in case there is a threat in the school building - I give the children the example of a mean dog that gets in the doors. Someone may bring up the scenario of someone with a gun, and I also discuss this at the children's level of comprehension, so as not to scare them. We all need to be aware of the possibility of such an event - even on Grand Manan.

A beautiful day for a visit to the Grand Manan Fire Station - thanks to all of the Firefighters for giving us a great tour!

WEEK 6

This will be a short week, but a BUSY one!

The sounds we are covering this week are u (as in umbrella), f, and l (as in lamp).  New words for the word wall are mom and dad.

On Tuesday we will have our school pictures taken.

This week is Fire Safety Week, and on Wednesday we will take a trip to visit the Fire Station.

There is no school for students on Thursday, October 10th and Friday, October 11th, as teachers will be meeting to better address the needs of each student in the school.

WEEK 5

This week we will be beginning to practice our "tricky words".  These are words that occur regularly in reading, some of which can't be sounded out.  The words should be practiced nightly, and we will do many activities throughout the week to reinforce them here.  The words for this week are a and is. 

Sounds this week are d, g, and o (as in off and on).  On Tuesday we will watch the second video with Snake, Inky Mouse, Bee, and the rest of the characters, reviewing the second set of six sounds that we've completed - c/k, h, e, r, m, and d.

A calendar for October will be coming home as well, so look for a fun, active, learning-filled month!

WEEK 4

Time is flying by, and here we are, at the first week of Fall!

This week we are learning the following sounds: e (as in egg), h, r, and m. Thanks for helping your child review all of his/her sounds each night. The repetition is the key to solid recall.

Please be aware that the homework now is a two-sided page each week. Thank you.

Have a great week!

WEEK 3

Well, we're off to a great start - last week we learned 4 new sounds - s, a (like in ant), t, and i (like in ink). Three sounds this week, as after each 6 sounds we watch a video reviewing the sounds. It's a fast-paced program, but we have always been happy with the results. Please remember to practice all of the sounds each night - make a game of it. The new sounds for this week are p,and n. Wednesday there will be a review video, and on Thursday the hard c sound (like in cake), and k. Happy 5th birthday to Nevaeh on Wednesday! We've started Reading Buddies, and Ms Parker's Grade 7 comes again on Wednesday to do activities and read to the students - both classes are excited about it. Another note - I understand that Jayden Wright has the chicken pox, so I just wanted you to be aware that it may come your way. I hope we all enjoy the last week of SUMMER!!!!

WEEK 2

Well, that was a busy week - on to the next one!! Your children seem to be settling in well, and learing the routines in school. I am excited to see their smiling faces each morning.

  This week we will begin the Jolly Phonics program, learning each of the sounds in the English language. This will be done by Christmas break. Please read the information letter that comes home with your child's yellow duotang and Sounds 1/2 scribbler each afternoon. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

  Just a reminder about the student fee of $20. You can send in $10 now and $10 in January if it is easier for you. Thank you for your participation in this. If you are unable to use either of these options, I will write a note in your child's agenda when the activities this amount pays for come around, and you can send the $1, $2, or $3 at that time.

Here's to a great week! ;0)

Well, here we are at the beginning of a new adventure for you and your child!  I'm very excited to get to know your child and continue the learning that began at home with you.

You will be bombarded with information these first couple of weeks.  Please read through all of the sheets coming home to you carefully.  If you have any questions or concerns, please - do not hesitate to contact me.  The K-2 phone number is 662-7083, and we each have a phone in our rooms.

There will be homework coming home this week.  It is a good habit to start first thing, sitting for a time at home doing school work.  This helps your child make a connection between home and school.  The letter at the beginning of the homework folder helps explain expectations.

Because of the change in bus schedules (Grades K-8 leave school at 2:05) we hope to have some "clubs" between buses, allowing your child to come home on the later bus.  Stay tuned!

DISMISSAL ON FRIDAY, JUNE 21st WILL BE AT 12:00 NOON.......

FINAL WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!!!

Well, it's here..... the last week of school.  Happy and sad thoughts at it's end.  I've enjoyed watching each and every child in my class as they have grown through the year and will miss them next year.  As well, after meeting my students for next year, I'm excited for that to begin!

The schedule for this week is as follows:

Monday - regular day.  Please remember that the cafeteria is closed for the rest of the year, so your child will need to bring snack and lunch for the next week.

Tuesday - It looks like this will be another regular day, as it gives rain.  The raindate for the Anchorage trip is Thursday.

Wednesday - class until dismissal at 10:45, so teachers will be able to attend graduation ceremonies.

Thursday - sun!  trip to the Anchorage, leaving the school at 11:00am, leaving from the park on the buses at 2pm.  Come join us!

Friday - half day....not sure when buses will leave - will update this when I find out.
REPORT CARDS will come home!

Have a super summer!  and take care!

TWO WEEKS LEFT!!!

The weeks are getting busy with all of the year-end goings-on.

Please remember that on this Wednesday, June 12th, the Kindergarten students will stay home so that next year's class can come and see what a school day is like.  They will be coming at 9:30am and leaving at 1:30pm like last year.  So that means a 4-day week for Kindergarten students this week.

Friday, June 14th is the Field Day, and it sounds like it will be lots of fun!  We are hoping for great weather.  Your child should have sunscreen and a hat, as we'll be outside all day! 

Friday, June 14th, is the last day for the cafeteria, so you will need to send complete lunch with your child that week.

Plans for the last week of school...

 Monday the 17th - a regular day (as regular as they get, anyway...)

Tuesday the 18th - trip to the Anchorage, leaving school at 11am and dismissing from
the park at 2pm.

Wednesday the 19th - graduation - buses will be bringing students home, leaving the  school at 10:45 am, allowing all teachers to attend the graduation  ceremonies  ;0)

Thursday the 20th - rain date for the Anchorage Park trip, otherwise a regular day

Friday the 21st - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - buses leave the school at a time to be  announced - I will update this blog when I find out.

NO MORE HOMEWORK!!! NOW IT'S JUNE!!!

Well, only three more weeks of school!  Where has the year gone? 

Here's what is going on this week:
SPECIAL DAYS!
     Monday - Hat Day
     Tuesday - Blue and Gold Day
     Wednesday - Neon colours Day
     Thursday - Twin Day (you and a friend dress the same)
     Friday -  Pajama Day

I will be testing  my students in the next couple of weeks for assessing their learning and doing report cards.

WEEK 36

The last week of homework for the Kindergarten year!!!!  Yay!!!

This week we will be talking about letters:

                                            Yy   and    Zz

The last four words for the word wall are:   made, their, goes, and does.

I will be away on Tuesday, May 28th, and Mrs. Andrea Morse will be in for me. 

On Wednesday, May 29th, we will walk to see the alpacas down the road, right after O Canada at 9am.  I hope the rain will be over by then.  If not, we will go the following Tuesday, June 4th, instead.

This Friday, May 31st, will be our Spring Carnival Day - with the movie "Hotel Transylvania" in the morning, and fun on the inflatables in the afternoon.  All permission slips and food "orders" are in and we're all ready to enjoy.  There are "dress-up" fun days as well, beginning with Friday the 31st with "Beach Day", where children (and some adults) will dress for the beach.  THERE WILL BE NO CAFETERIA ON THIS DAY.  IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT ORDERING A HOT DOG AND DRINK THEY MUST BRING THEIR OWN LUNCH.

I will be doing testing for report cards during the next few weeks, so your child's attendance is important.  Thanks for encouraging them to attend, even if they are getting weary.

WEEK 35

A four-day week this week, due to the Victoria Day holiday on Monday, May 20th.

Letters for the week:

                                                  Ww and Xx

New tricky words for the week are: 

                                         right, two, and four

There will be a K-2 assembly on Friday, May 24th, around 1:15.  You are welcome to come and watch the performances!

If you haven't sent in your child's permission slip and money for Fun Day on the 31st, please do so by Friday of this week.

Keep up the good work reading!  Only one more week after this one for homework - I know some of you will jump for joy!

WEEK 34

A full week!  YAY!!!    Here are the letters for the week ;

                                       Uu and Vv

New words for the word wall are :  could, should, and would

Please continue to read with your child and record those books - the students are SO proud and all smiles when they've reached one of the goals to get a new book from my book box!

Only a few more weeks of homework left!  Keep up the great work!

Permission slips and order forms are in homework bags for the Spring Carnival week.  Please complete and return with money asap, so food and treats can be ordered and organized.  Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE - ON THE CALENDAR I WROTE THAT THE CURRICULUM NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 8TH IS FROM 6-8 PM, AND IT IS FROM 6-7PM.

WEEK 32 and WEEK 33

I just realized I hadn't done my blog for this week - my apologies! The May calendar has come home today - not too many more weeks left!

The weeks are winding down and we have to double up on the letters to get them all in - I was supposed to start last week so, consequently, we will do three letters this week: Pp, Qq, and Rr.  New words for this week are other, were, and because.

This week is a four-day week, as teachers are having the annual Subject Council Day on Friday, May 3rd. 

Next week we will be doing Ss and Tt.  New words for next week are want, saw, and put. 

Next week will be another 4-day week as teachers will have a union meeting on Monday morning, May 6th, and meetings in the afternoon.

WEEK 31

A five day week this week - YAY!!!!

Our letter this week is "Oo", and the words for the word wall are of, more, and before.

We are celebrating Earth Day by talking about the three R's - reduce, reuse, and recycle.  We're also practicing a song for the assembly Friday (at 1:15pm).

WEEK 30

We have a short week this week, with Friday off for students, as teachers will have meetings.

Our letter this week is "Nn".  Words for the word wall are any, many, and had.

Keep up the great work in reading!  Many students now have received books for reading 25, 50, 75, 100, and MORE books!  This reading helps students improve their skills and build a love for reading.

Tuesday morning we (K-5 students and staff) will have the pleasure of watching the Elementary Drama perform their production, "Cinderella".  The public performance is Monday night, April 15th, at 6:30pm.  The troupe will travel on Wednesday to perform in the Drama Festival in Saint John.  Good luck to them all!  And a big thank you to Mrs. Jones and Ms. Toole for their direction and time spent with our students.

We were very excited to have a surprise visit from an OCTOPUS today.  Luke's dad caught it in a lobster trap and saved it to share with us.  It's parents doing things like this that make my job so neat - and it opens up another window of learning! Thanks, Keith and Alex, for bringing the octopus in to show us!

 

 

 

WEEK 29

A full week this week -

This week we are talking about words that start with "M".  Our new word wall words are who, which, and with.

I've been giving books to many readers lately, as the students reach the 25, 50, 75, 100, and beyond, goals.  Reading Club continues, and the children are becoming more confident and using lots of strategies when tackling a book.  Some students have read over 100 books, and I'm very pleased with that, as the more they read, the more skills they acquire, and they have a bigger interest in reading.  Keep up the great work, guys!

WEEK 28

We've had another wonderful Theatre New Brunswick (TNB) Young Company production this morning - this year it was "The Velveteen Rabbit".  It is a treat for all of us, young and "old" alike.

This week we are talking about the letter "Ll".  New words for our word wall are why, where, and look.  

It looks like it's going to be a good week, but still pretty cool, so please remember to send proper outdoor clothes for your child.

WEEK 27

Well, there WAS one more snow day - hopefully that will be the last, and we will see some real signs of Spring soon!

This week is a short one, as report cards come home today, and then we will hold Parent-Teacher Interviews on Wednesday evening, from 6:00-8:00pm, and Thursday morning, from 9:00-11:00am.   I hope to see you there.

This week we are talking about the letter Kk, and our words for the week are what, when, and okay.  As well, we will have Show and Tell tomorrow morning, after recess. 

I will be away Tuesday for appointments, and Mrs. Andrea Morse will be in for me.

WEEK 26

Wow!  The first day of Spring is coming soon - hopefully withOUT a snow day, right?

Today we welcome a new student, Damon Dugas, coming to us from Back Bay Elementary School. 

This week we are talking about the letter "Jj", and words to add to the word wall are on, little, and down.

We will also be starting new "reading club" groups tomorrow afternoon, so watch for your child's reading club duotang.

WEEK 24

Well, here we are at the end of February and starting March already!  Next week is March Break, and there will be no classes - a few days off before we hit the home stretch of the school year.

This week we are talking about the letter Hh.  New words for the word wall are his, live, and give.

Have a great break!

WEEK 23

WOW!  What a week we had last week - Valentine's Day AND Day 100!  I was pleased with the range of projects - good work!  It was a good mix of the variety of projects that can be produced to celebrate 100 days of school!

We've missed one day this week, so we have lots of work to do in the four remaining days.  We are talking about the letter "Gg" this week, and we are adding like, and , and have to our word wall.

I will be away on Thursday, and Mrs. Andrea Morse will be in my place for the day.

WEEK 22

...and what a week we have in store!

This week we will be talking about the letter Ff, and new words will be one, by, and from.

On Tuesday we will have a special assembly after noon hour in the gym for all K-5 students, including an oath-taking by all students to help prevent bullying. We, as a school, in partnership with the RCMP and other community groups, are involved in a new program, called W.I.T.S. - each letter standing for a strategy in avoiding bullying -
W - walk away, I - ignore, T - talk it out, and S - seek help. 
We have had RCMP officers in, reading stories and discussing bullying (what it looks like, what we can do to help, etc), and find it brings awareness to a problem that we want to stop.

Thursday is Valentine's Day, as I'm sure you are aware.  We will be having a small class party on Thursday afternoon, around 1pm.  If you would like to send in a snack or some juice boxes, it would be great.  Please write a note in your child's agenda so I will know.

Friday is DAY 100!  and what a day we have planned for your kids to celebrate!  Please send in his/her project on Thursday - we will have them displayed in the cafeteria in the afternoon on Friday for all to see.  Following recess on Friday (as long as we have no days off this week) we will have Day 100 activities in the gym, followed by lunch (as usual) in the cafeteria.  After noon recess we will have activities in each K-2 classroom, and will rotate through them, so every child gets to do all of the activities.  At 1:25, students and parents (and anyone else who would like) are welcome to view all projects in the cafeteria (Great Hall).  Thank you for helping your child prepare his/her project to show in school.  We have had some truly original ideas in the past, and I'm excited to see what everyone has dreamed up this year!

I would also like to say how well my class did during our "emergency" early dismissal on Friday.  They handled themselves well when I had to call all of their parents to make sure someone would be home for them.  One of the girls even carried out an armful of lunch kits as we were getting dressed - and they got their own agendas out of the basket, aware of the routine even though it was out of the ordinary.  Kudos to you all!

WEEK 21

Our letter this week is Ee, and we'll be searching everywhere to find words that begin with it...  Our new tricky words are so, my, and love.

The new calendar came home on Friday, and I hope you've had  a chance to look through it.  The list for Valentine cards is also included, as are some ideas for Day 100 projects, which are due on Day 99 (Valentine's Day).  Please take a minute to look through all of the papers that come home in your child's agenda - your child is doing some great work! 

Have a great week!

WEEK 20

I guess I missed WEEK 19 last week - my apologies.  Although, I did get lots done last week, including testing all of my students to find their reading level.  As a follow-up, the Kindergarten classes are joining with Grades One and Two in Reading Club, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:15-1:45.  The students are grouped with other students in the same level as they are, books are read and activities are done to strengthen their skills.  Something different and fun!

This week we are discussing the letter Dd.  Our tricky words last week were there,  they, and can.  This week's tricky words are no, go, see, and yes.

Please remember to send your child with snowpants and all the rigging - the days are a bit warmer now, compared to last week, and we are once again going out for recesses.

WEEK 18

This week we will be covering the letter Bb and words that begin with it.  I seem to be a week ahead on my tricky words in coordination with the homework, so we will review this week and not have new words until next week.  If your child brings the abc bucket home, help him/her to choose a few items that begin with Bb to share with the class.

Last week we celebrated Callie's 6th birthday, making her the oldest in our class.

Reading bags will be coming home each night, so please read with your child each night as well.  If he/she is finding it difficult, point out picture clues, beginning sounds, and sight words they should know.  You can take turns reading with them as well, you one page, your child the next, etc.  All of this practice will help your child become a confident reader!  Thanks for your participation in this great learning activity.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, here we are in WEEK 17!

This week we will be starting talking about the letters of the alphabet (this week it's the letter Aa), one letter each week, with lots of activities to reinforce our memories.  We will also be starting a new unit in Math, called "Exploring Geometry and Measurement".  Look for notes to come home on Wednesday regarding both Math and Language Arts.

Our tricky words this week are said, here, and it.  We will also be doing lots more writing in the new year, practicing using all of the sounds we learned last year!

Book orders are coming home on Wednesday, and are due back to me on Monday, Janyary 14th.