In Literacy this week, we focused on the four new sight words: do, has, my, you. When reading with your child at home, you may want to ask them to look for and point out these words in the book. The students have been excitedly pointing out many of the sight words we've been learning when we do our shared reading every morning, as well as when they read on their own for a few minutes after lunch.
We have now completed our printing practice of all 26 letters and will turn our focus to sentence writing. This week, the students practiced their ability to sound out words when completing "I see..." sentences in their notebooks to go along with a winter-themed picture. We have been doing a lot of work with listening for the beginning, middle, end and vowel sounds in words. I never expect them to be able to correctly identify all of the letter sounds. The hope is that they can begin writing words that the reader can understand. Often, we call this "inventive" or "kid" writing. It looks like this: For the word skateboard, you might see "sktbord". Please encourage your child to practice this type of writing when labelling a picture they've drawn or perhaps when creating a holiday wish list... :)
In Math, we were applying our knowledge of number lines to help us solve addition equations. We have also started to talk about even and odd numbers, and have been counting by 2s to 20, by 5s to 50, and by 10s to 100.
We met with our Grade 4 Buddies this week to do some Winter tree art. Your child will bring this home on Monday, as we needed the work to dry. Mrs. Miller taught them how to use a horizon line and to show depth in their art.
Please take time to share a family tradition with your child, as outlined in the pink note I gave you at conferences. Some children shared their family tradition this week. We will continue to share them next week. Please have your child practice what they will say with you prior to having them share with the class. You can email me a photo of your tradition at jllarmer@cbe.ab.ca, if you wish.
Now that we are into snowy and cold weather, please have your child practice zipping up their jacket, putting on their boots, and securing their gloves and mitts independently. I appreciate your support with this, as I cannot help all 22 children with these tasks.
Please have your child return their yellow folder every Monday, as well as their library book.
*Next week will be our last time to take out a library book before the holidays. All books need to be returned by Tuesday, December 16th.
Please set aside Thursday, December 11th at 1:30 for our Grade 1 Christmas/Winter Celebration. It will be a short and sweet sharing of holiday and winter songs - probably a half hour or so.
Here are some updates from the office:
Upcoming Dates
December 8 Picture Retakes
December 11 Grade 1 Winter Concert - 1:30pm
December 17 Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks
December 22 - January 2 Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
Festive events happening at school:
Dec 11 - Wear Red & Green
Dec 16 - Carolling
Dec 18 - Carolling
Dec 18 - PJ Day
Dec 19 - Story with Dr. Slater / Oranges from Parent Council
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 now to December 18, students and staff can bring in a 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: www.themagicofchristmas.org/donate
Thank you for your support. :)
