This week our focus words were: fish, wish, with, bath, much, such.

I am very impressed with the writing the students are beginning to do. They are keen to write sentences and are working hard to sound out words and reference texts in our classroom to help them express their ideas. Many of the students are eager to share their writing and illustrations during "Author's Chair". 

A big focus for us this week was making food together! Not only did we all participate in making a delicious soup yesterday but we also made bannock and butter. The children enjoyed the bannock and butter and all but a few hesitant vegetable eaters loved the soup! It was really nice to share these delicious treats together. I have included the recipes for the bannock and the butter below and have shared the link to the beautiful story, Stone Soup - definitely worth a read!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Avo5FJ250

Butter:

Pour 1 cup whipping cream and a pinch or two of salt into a small, tightly-lidded jar and shake vigorously for 15 - 20 minutes!

Bannock:

3 c all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 c vegetable oil

1 1/2 c water

pinch salt

2 Tbsps granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees C

In a large bowl, mix flour, bkg pwdr, salt, water, and oil. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes. Let it rest for a minute, then spread out onto a cookie sheet to 1 inch thickness. Poke holes into it with a fork.

Bake for. 15 - 20 minutes until the bottom is golden when you lift the bread to take a peek.

In Gym, Mr. V had the students do a combination physical-creative activity where they had to run laps, collect pieces of equipment, and then work with their group of 4 to create a Christmas-themed "art piece". The creativity was awesome! :)

This week. we also met up with our Grade 4 Buddies to do some art. The students created beautiful winter trees using watercolour paints, watercolour paper, and Sharpies.

Of course, the highlights of our week were the two Christmas Celebration concerts on Wednesday. Thank you to all of you who were able to attend. Having a big audience to perform for is very exciting and it was great to share some holiday cheer with all of you.

We will not have book exchange at the library this week. Your child can return their book or they are welcome to keep it over the holidays. Please return Home Reading books, if you didn't do so on Friday.

Some fun and exciting events next week:

Monday - 9 am Christmas Caroling in the Gym

Tuesday - Festive Sweater Day

Wednesday - 1:15 pm Christmas Caroling in the Gym

Thursday - Pajama Day

Friday - Last day of school before our Christmas Break!

The Magic of Christmas Fundraiser   This holiday season, McKenzie Towne students and staff are encouraged to support The Magic of Christmas.  Every Christmas Eve, The Magic of Christmas loads up Calgary Transit buses that are magically transformed into “reindeer buses”, with hundreds of gifts and volunteers dressed as Santa and his elves.  Then they deliver Christmas spirit into the homes and hearts of those who need it most.  From December 5th to Dec. 18th, please bring in new, unwrapped donation items (not food) and place them in the boxes located in the front foyer.  Please see the attached wish list for ideas of items to donate. For more information or to make a monetary donation, please visit https://www.themagicofchristmas.org/ Thanks for your support!