WEEK 16

Well, here we are at the last week before Christmas break - already!  This will be a busy week,  for sure!

The last two alternate sounds - "er, ir, and ur", and "au and aw" - will be covered, as well as the tricky words come, some, and as.

Our Christmas Concert will be tonight, Monday, at 7pm.   Please have your child in our classroom by 6:45.  We are one of the first classes in the program.
 
Tomorrow, Tuesday, is Green Day, so join in the fun and be green!  ;0), On Wednesday, wear a Santa hat, and Thursday you can have a drink of hot chocolate for free!
Friday, December 21st, is the last day before Christmas break, and will be a full day of school.

Tom joins me in wishing each of you a happy and safe holiday season, with best wishes for the New Year!   See you all here back in school on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013!

WEEK 15

Well, the countdown is really on for Christmas.  This next week we will be practicing for the Christmas Concert, which will take place Monday, December 17th, at 7pm.  On that evening, please have your child in the classroom by 6:45pm.

The week will also have special days - Monday the 10th is PJ Day (wear your favourite pjs), Thursday the 13th is Toque Day (wear your winter hat all day!).  The following week looks like this - Monday the 17th is Red Day, Tuesday the 18th is Green Day, and Wednesday the 19th is Santa Hat Day. 

We will also be trying to do some work --lol.  The words for the week are you and your, and we will be looking at alternate spellings for some of the sounds:  ue and ew, ir,er and ur, oi and oy, and ou and ow.

The last day of school before the Christmas Break is December 21st, and it will be a full day of school. 

WEEK 14

Well, here we are in December!  There aren't too many days until Christmas holidays are upon us.

We have just a few more sounds to learn, and this week we will do the alternative sounds that go with "ai" - ay and a_e (we call this the magic e, as it jumps over the consonant before it to make the a say it's name), "ee" - ea , and "ie" - igh, toughy y, and i_e.   New words for the word wall are "are" and "all".

I have sent home your child's report card today, and with it a note for you to send back to me about when you might come to see me, if you feel the need. 

The Elementary drama club will present their play, "When Pink Flamingoes Feel Blue", on Wednesday night, Dec.5, at 6pm, and then again for Grades K-5 on Thursday morning, Dec.6, at 9am.

WEEK 12

Well, I missed all the children last week, being in Florida with my father-in-law in hospital.  It will be good to get back to them this morning!

The sounds we are covering this week are: "qu" (quack), "ou" (sound), and "oi" (noise).  Tricky words for the word wall are: be and was.

This week is "PINK WEEK" at school, with the emphasis on bullying - what it looks like, what it feels like,  what we can do to help people being bullied, and what we can do to help bullies stop bullying.  There will be videos shown each day, lots of discussion, and pink treats (bubble gum and pink mints), pink lemonade, pink jello, and pink bracelets.  Look for a pink pinkie today (nail polish on a fingernail).

Thursday night, November 22nd, from 6-7pm, the pre-K students and their parents are asked to come to the school for the first meeting with teachers and district staff.  The children will get a chance to do activities in the K-2 classrooms with their parents after the parents meet with district staff.

WEEK 11

This will be a short week, due to the Remembrance Day holiday on Monday, November 12th. 

Sounds for the week are: ch, sh and th.  Tricky words for the word wall are me and we.

We review our sounds regularly, please help us out by helping with these at home.  I can't emphasize enough that practice helps so very much.

Thanks to those of you who came out to the Curriculum Night on Wednesday, Nov 7th.  We had a pretty good turnout.  It is becoming an annual event, so look for it again.

I will be away on Tuesday, November 13th.  Ms. Pat Brown will be in for me.  It is also "Take Your Kid To Work Day" in the high school, and my class will have Shea Linton helping Ms. Brown throughout the day. 

WEEK 10

This week we will be doing three sounds - the "00" (as in look and foot) and "oo" (as in moon and stoop), which counts as one sound, as it uses the same letters, OO.  The other two sounds are y (as in yogurt) and x (ks) as in exit.  We are nearing the end of our sounds, and will finish them up before Christmas.  Try making some simple words with the sounds your child is learning, to help him/her put the sounds together to make meaning for him/her.  Our words for the word wall are he and she. 

Wednesday night, November 7, from 6-7pm, the K-2 teachers are hosting a Curriculum night.  Please bring your child and let them show you the types of things we do in class.  You will have the opportunity to see the reasoning (curriculum outcomes) behind why we teach what we teach, and your child will love showing you. 

Mrs. Jones has shared a slideshow on her blog from pictures taken on Halloween. 

On Friday, November 9th, we will have a school-wide Remembrance Day service for the students.  On that day the cafeteria will be open, but students will eat in their classrooms as the chairs will be set up for the program in the afternoon.

WEEK 9

Wow!  Halloween already!  This will be a week of excited children, I know.

Sounds we are covering this week are z, w, ng, and v.  Tricky words are I and the. 

On Wednesday, October 31st, we will be going to the Grand Manan Nursing Home to visit the residents.  Coporal Prime of the RCMP will be there to talk about Halloween safety, and we will read a story and do a few poems and songs.  We plan to leave the school around 10am and will return shortly after 11am. 

Because of the Nursing Home trip on Wednesday, we will go to the library tomorrow, Tuesday, instead of Wednesday.

Wednesday afternoon the K-2 will do an activity in each classroom, ending in homerooms for a Halloween treat. 

I am sending an extra note home with homework this week, to help you know what your child is expected to know at this time in the school year.  I am pleased, on the whole, with all of the students in my class - they really are a great bunch!

WEEK 8

This week we are learning the following sounds - oa (as in  boat), ie (as in pie), ee (as in meet), and or (as in fork).  The words for the word wall are or and for. 

We will have our second "show and tell" tomorrow, Tuesday October 23rd, after recess.  If your child has something he/she would like to bring, that's fine, or if they just want to tell about something, that's okay too.

On Friday we'll have an assembly - at 1:15pm.  Family and friends are invited to attend.  It will be held in the cafeteria, and we usually have something from each class.

WEEK 7

Wow - that was a short week last week, and a busy one.... Thanks to all the moms who came to help us out at the Fire Station last Wednesday.  If your child didn't get his/her homework completed, you can work on it this week. 

This week we will be talking about the sounds, b, ai ( as in pail), and j .  The new sight words for the week are at and that.  We will also watch the third Jolly Phonics video, a review of the last 6 sounds.  Keep practicing at home, as every time your child does this he/she will further down the road to reading!  Thanks for your continuing efforts in this - i do appreciate your involvement.

I will be away on Thursday for a couple of appointments, and Ms Pat Brown will be in for me. 

WEEK 6

October is in full swing - last week we had a practice evacuation drill on Friday.  This week is a short one, but busy. 

Sounds this week are u (as in umbrella), l (lollipop), and f (fly).

Last week we began our Word Wall, and learned a and is.  This week we will put the words mom and dad on the wall and practice printing them.

The Kindergarten classes will visit the Grand Manan Fire Station on Wednesday, from 12:45-1:45.

School pictures will be done on Friday, October 12th. 

WEEK 5

Happy October!  There's lots going on this month, as you will see on the calendar that comes home on Monday.
We are busy each day with counting activities.  Monday is Day #19, and we're counting to 100 towards having our big Day 100 Celebration.  We're also working on sorting and basic patterns in Math.

In Language Arts we will learn 3 new sounds this week:  d, g, and o (as in off and ostrich).  The way Jolly Phonics works is that we learn 6 sounds, then have a review video.  We will watch our second review video on Tuesday.  There will be no new sound on Tuesday, but please continue to review all of the sounds learned to date.

Next week is a short week, as Thanksgiving is on Monday, and Tuesday is a Professional Development Day for teachers - no school for students on that day, either.  The first week in October is Fire Safety Week, Province-wide, and on Wednesday afternoon the Kindergarten classes will visit the Fire Station.  On Friday, October12th, school pictures will be taken.

WEEK 4

This week we are learning the following sounds - e (as in egg), h, r, and m.  I appreciate your cooperation in going over the sounds with your child each evening - the repetition is very important for their learning to be concrete.  They should be able to tell you the sound by looking at the letter in the half-scribbler as well as the pictures they have coloured.

We will have "Show and Tell" on Friday at 10:50am.  Your child can bring one item to share with the class.  If you intend to bring something for your child to share, please write a note in his/her agenda.  Thanks.

WEEK 3

Well, the school year is in full swing!  We have had one fire drill, one lockdown drill, and today the bus evacuation drill took place.... Lots for everyone to remember!
This week we will be doing the p, n, and ck sounds in Jolly Phonics, as well as our first review video (the first 6 sounds) on Wednesday.  The children are having fun learning the sounds and actions each day.
Library will be Tuesday this week, as the library staff is having meetings on Wednesday.
I have to be away for an appointment on Wednesday, and will prepare the children for the supply teacher.
Fridays we have Reading Buddies with Mrs. Turner's Grade 4 class.  Friday is also our Terry Fox Run Day - Grades K-2 talk about Terry Fox, who he was, and what he did, and then we walk around the school to help the children do their part. 
A cafeteria menu will be sent home this week.  There is a two-week menu, this being week 1, next week will be week 2, and so on.  This being the third Wednesday of the month, there will be a chicken dinner on Wednesday the 19th.

WEEK 2

Well, here we are at the start if the second week of school for your child.  Everyone seems to be adjusting well, although I know we are all tired at the end of the day!  Today we are starting the Jolly Phonics program.  Your child will bring home a yellow duotang each day except Friday.  The explanatory letter is in the bag with the duotang.  It is essential that children practice the sounds we are learning on a daily basis to really learn the letter sounds.  We are not stressing letter names this term, just the sounds that are the key to writing words.
Homework also is coming home today, and should be returned by Thursday, Friday at the latest.
Mrs. Turner's Grade Four class are our Reading Buddies this year, coming on Friday mornings for 1/2 hour.
We'll have our first fire drill tomorrow (Monday) at 10am.  We are practicing going out quickly and quietly and lining up n the parking lot.
We'll have our first library day on Wednesday.
If you haven't sent in extra clothes for your child, please send in a set.  If you can, I'd also appreciate it if you would put his/her name on the bag in marker.  Thanks!

Welcome to school!  It's a brand new year and I'm welcoming a whole new class of Kindergarten students - I hope you are all looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and exploring!
There were many papers that came home yesterday, and I hope you weren't overwhelmed by them all.  Please take a minute to look through them and return the appropriate sheets. 

We had a great day yesterday, and I think I was probably as tired as the kids were!  If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.

WELCOME!

The end is near!!!

Well, time is flying by fast, and June is almost here.  Every year when June comes I wonder where the time has gone!

This week we are doing the letters Ww and Xx, and will finish Yy and Zz next week.  Our words this week are made, their, does, and goes.  Next week we will also have the final week of homework for the school year.

Please see the calendar I sent home for special dress-up days for the first 6 school days of June - this Friday is Hat Day.  This Friday is also our Spring Carnival Fun Day, that you received and have returned permission slips and money for. 

I made one mistake on the calendar, that being the date for our Anchorage Park trip - we will go on Wednesday, June 20th, with the rain date being Thursday, June 21st.  We always take bag lunches and eat when we get there around 11am.  Then we all go to the beach and play until the buses come to pick us up for a 2pm dismissal.  So children will need the following for that day:  a hat, sunscreen, towel to lay on (we allow them in the water up to their knees - some always get a little wet), lunch, lots to drink (water and juice), proper clothing - possible extra ones, toys they will use on the beach (kites work well, too)

Mrs. Ruthi Ingersoll and I will be doing year-end assessments with my Kindergarten class over the next week.  I appreciate your child's continued attendance.

Another full week ahead -

We are covering two letters again this week - Ss and Tt, and the words could, would, and should.

Homework will look a bit different this week, as I sent two sheets to do in their homework duotang.

Have a great week!

Welcome May!

This is a 5 day week!!!  YAY!!!!

We will be covering two letters this week, Qq and Rr, as well as the words want, saw, and put.

We now have 9 members in the 25 Club, students who have read at least 25 books and have chosen a book to keep from my personal library.  Keep reading kids!!  Every book you read counts!  And just listen to yourself really reading!!  What an accomplishment!

farewell to April

Tomorrow we welcome May and all that comes with it - the return of GREEN (grass, leaves,plants), showers, flowers, the return of the hummingbirds, and so much more! A new beginning!

This week we are talking about the letter Pp and the words other, were, and because. By now your child should be able to read a number of words from memory. It is important to keep reviewing the list I sent home in the last report card, to reinforce the learning of the words students need to be successful in Kindergarten.

This is another short week, with students having Friday, may 4th off, as teachers go to Subject Council in various places around the province.

When your child brings the abc bucket home, please help him/her put a few items in it and return it the next morning.

Spring is here!

Well, it is really looking like Spring out there these days - hearing the birds singing later in the day, watching the grass turn green - all of these things, and many more, mean SPRING!

This week we are talking about words that begin with the letter Nn. New words for the word wall are any, many, and had.

We have started a new project in class, called Writer's Workshop, where your child is learning skills to help him/her throughout their years in school with their writing and reading.

This is another four day week, Friday being a Curriculum Day for teachers.

April is upon us!

This week is a special one for more than one reason -
* TNB will be performing on Monday morning. Thank you for sending in $2 to help pay for this great adventure in learning. As well, children should bring their lunch, as the cafeteria will be closed for the day.
* There will be an assembly on Thursday. Some students from each grade level, K-2, will have the opportunity to share their speeches. Public speaking is part of our curriculum, and most of the students have fun preparing and delivering their speeches.
* Friday is a holiday, beginning the Easter weekend.

We are talking about the letter Ll, and the words why, where, and look this week in class.

Thanks for your interest in your child's education - it was great to see and talk with so many of you at Parent-Teacher last week. If you didn't get a chance to come see me, feel free to call and set up an appointment.

another short week

This week is another 4-day one, as report cards will be coming home Tuesday afternoon, followed by Parent-Teacher interviews on Thursday evening (6-8pm) and Friday morning (9-11:30am). Therefore there will be no school for students on Friday, March 30th.

In the meantime this week, we will be talking about the letter Kk, and the words what, when and okay.

WELCOME SPRING!!

Well, another short week this week - Friday there is no school for students as teachers have a day to work on Curriculum topics.

This week we are looking at the letter Jj, and welcoming the first day of Spring! As well, teachers are working on report cards, which will come home early next week.

Back at it!

Well, March Break is over and it's time to get back to work!

On Monday we will complete the work on letter Hh that we missed through the snow day on March 2nd. Then we will explore letter Ii. New words for the week are little, down, and on.

Mrs. Ruthi Ingersoll and I will be testing reading levels for the Kindergarten students and they will be bringing books home to read soon.

Report card assessments will also be going on throughout the rest of the month, and report cards will be coming home on the 26th of March.

Countdown to March Break!

Two more weeks of classes and then March Break is here - already! Where has the year gone?

This week we are talking about the two sounds of the letter Gg. Our new word wall words are live, give, and his. We continue to practice sounding words out, making sentences, listening for beginning, middle, and ending sounds in words - all of the skills that will help your child become a better reader.

In Math we have been learning the geometric solid shapes - sphere, cube, prisms and pyramids... this week we will build with them!

ATTENTION: BIG WEEK AHEAD!

Well - so this week is finally here - Valentine's Day AND Day 100. You have already received the information for activities on both of these days, but here it is, in a nutshell, again.

Valentine's Day activities will occur in homerooms Tuesday afternoon. I inadvertently omitted Ms. Baker and Mrs. Cruickshank (EA's in my homeroom) from my list for valentines. My apologies to them. If you would like to send a treat, please let me know.

Day 100 activities will begin after recess on Friday, February 17th. Projects are due in the day before (Thursday the 16th)Parents are invited to view the projects in the Great Hall from 1:25-1:50.

As well, we are talking about the letter Ff this week and the words for the week are and, have and like.

10 more days to Day 100!

We are exploring the letter Ee this week, as well as learning the words one, by, and from.

Next week will be our BIG week, with Valentine's Day on Tuesday and Day 100 on Friday (if there are no more snow days). Hopefully you and your child are working on his/her project for Day 100. Some ideas for projects, along with homeroom names for Valentine's Day, came home a few days ago.

Children should not crawl in cement!

The sentence above demonstrates the three sounds of the letter Cc - hard c, soft c, and ch, as Cc is the letter we are studying this week.

Words of the week are no, go, yes, and see.

There will be no school for students next Monday, January 30th, as teachers will be attending a "Curriculum Planning Day".

Please help your child find some items that begin with the letter of the week when it is their turn with the "Alphabet Bucket". Try to get him or her to think of things, and put them in the bucket.The items will be returned the afternoon of the day they bring them in.

Thanks for sending your child with hat, mitts, and snowpants - our playground is rarely without a brisk breeze..... and it IS Winter, you know.

WHAT BEGINS WITH B?

This week we are talking about the letter Bb - the sound it makes and words that begin with it.

In Math we are doing a variety of activities that will help your child recognize the numerals and be able to compare and discuss the amounts.

Please continue to visit the sheet sent home with words for your child to read. Remember, your child is new to this reading game and repetition is a key factor to their success.

welcome back to GMCS

A long break and now we're ready to get back at the task at hand...
We will be focusing on each letter of the alphabet, a new one each week, this term. We will be doing this in alphabetical order, so we are starting with the letter Aa this week. There will be a number of activities to help your child learn everything there is to know about Aa. I have asked for help from Reading Buddies - Ms. McQuaid's class on Mondays and Mrs. A. Brown's class on Fridays.

Our new words for this week are there, they, and can.

In Math, we are still focusing on learning numbers - amounts, recognizing and making the numerals, comparing amounts, and having fun doing so.

We will start a new series of lessons in You and Your World on Friday - this unit on Technology and Community.