Pete the Cat

I had never heard of this toy, ORBEEZ, until this week.  I believe that they come in a plastic bag and that they are available in many colours.  They might be meant to be traded, but I am not sure.  The problem is that they contain a chemical and that a 'google' search revealed that as few as 12 being ingested can cause the need for the child to be hospitalized.  There are special needs students who would not understand the seriousness of this, in our school.  There is a preschool housed within our building, as well as the Brighter Beginnings program, with children as young as 2 1/2 years.  The possibility of children, birds or animals coming to harm because of these little jelly like balls is just too great, so please, PLEASE do not allow your child to bring these to school.  If they do appear, I will have to keep them until a parent comes to claim them.  It is for the sake of our children's health that this needs to be the rule.

Pete the Cat appeared just a few short years ago but has quickly become a favourite of young students!  We spent last week using his stories as a backdrop to many of our activities.

The students enjoyed our 'guided drawing' lesson, learning that simple lines and shapes can help us create more robust figures.  They each chose how to add details to the background.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, gave the children a chance to follow directions, practise cutting and gluing and then add details.  They turned out so cute!

Peanut Aware Zone

Thought you might like to see how our budding artists are starting to bloom! These little Wemberlies are from last Friday when we talked about the reality that worrying does not really help us achieve anything!  Instead, we should be willing to try new experiences!

Here's our own little art gallery with our framed 'dot' paintings along with two proud artists!

Our classroom needs to be a 'nut aware' zone this year as one of our classmates has a peanut/nut allergy.  I know how important protein is for growing bodies and how difficult it is to ensure that children get all the nourishment that they need with a packed lunch.  As a class, we talked about the ways that our classmate might have contact with peanuts through our lunches.  One little boy mentioned that we has 'WOW butter' and when I was shopping I found this one, which is actually made with sunflower and sesame seeds along with flax.  Please try to add a little note that just says that the sandwich is made with the alternative that will keep our little friend safe.

Just a reminder that sending a fresh fruit or vegetable every day for morning snack really keeps the children energized until lunchtime.  Please help avoid the 'sugar' rush that happens when a prepackaged snack such as 'fruit snacks' is sent.  The children are busy learning and really need your support to fuel their tummies to keep going!

Thanks so much!

International Dot Day 2014

I am sure that when Peter Reynolds wrote this amazing little book, he did not know that the impact that the line "Mark your mark...and see where it takes you?" would have around the world.  Around September 15ish, this day is celebrated, helping children in over 70 countries find out that they can do it!  Making their mark is worth the effort.  The story may focus on art, but the message is bigger than that.  You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.  What starts off small can grow and grow.

The students had the opportunity to see that their 'dots' could be colourful and beautiful and worthy of being framed.  I'll share the final display later this week.

Does this little angel look just a little more special today than usual?  I think so!  She had an amazing Sunday.  She was baptized!  God's blessings to her and her family!

Take a look in your child's Bee binder, or kanga pouch, or homework folder for this note. (All three were sent home today).  It explains our READ TO SELF program which is called Home Reading.  The children will be bringing home a book each night, Monday to Thursday.  

They will fill in the Reading Log with the book title, and then the adult who has heard them read (mom, dad, grandparent, babysitter) will sign their initials in the other box.  These get handed in each Friday, but it is best if the paper stays with the child in their book pouch.

The kanga pouch from last year is a great choice, but if you don't have one, try getting a plastic pouch with a zipper or snap like the one pictured above.  I find the best selection at Dollarama.

The pouch is to protect the book when juice, or water or some other liquid spills in the backpack.  It also helps the child know that this should be coming to school each and every day to be exchanged for a new book.  

I didn't take a photo of the homework folder, but it will be used to send assignments that need to be finished and brought back the next day (on the right side of the folder) and also assignments that have been completed and assessed and can be left at home (on the left side of the folder).  The feedback may assist you in knowing how you can work with your little one at home on a concept that is not quite solid yet.

Here's a little video of the story "The Dot"  Enjoy!

Nine days down!

It has been a busy week!  Who would have thought that we would see snow this first full week of school?  It was 30 degrees this time last year!  Keeping the children happy and healthy, no matter the weather is one of our goals.  When it looks like my class could use an opportunity to recharge, I often get them up and dancing using a short dance video on the SMARTBoard.  This one was from Koo Koo a Roo and the children loved doing the Dinosaur Stomp with them!

It's a fun way to learn to follow directions, and learn left from right!

We will have our library book exchange with Mrs. Mishio every Friday.  Please have your child pack their library books every Thursday night so that we can have new books on Friday.

Seems a long time since that first day of school but being a bit worried about all the newness of the class, grade, and what is expected can still give a child a case of the 'jitters.'  We shared the things we are a bit worried about and then had a glass of 'jitter juice', to wash all those worries away.

Wemberly worries about everything!  We made 'text to self' connections with her.  The children heard the story (the text) and then thought of how they were a bit like Wemberly (self).  We shared these, wrote about them, created our own little Wemberly and then painted a background for these little mice.

The children found out that painting is not really the same as colouring.  They were very focused, concentrating on doing their best.  The final results look lovely!

Tomorrow is International Dot Day.  We'll be celebrating!  The answer to 'What did you do at school today?', should be 'So much!!!'

Keeping Healthy...Having Fun

Did you notice that the note for September 5th said "Special Event"?  Thanks to Mrs. Lampka who organized eight activities for our students to participate in during the afternoon.  Here at our school, which has the APPLE School designation, we look for ways to ensure our students are learning to eat well and be active to start the habits early and avoid issues later.  

The children were willing participants in everything we tried.

This morning, the Rise and Shine binder was introduced.  It is an interactive way for the students to participate in our Daily Calendar activities, which provides great mathematical practise in ways that relate to the real world.

Today, we focused on the date and number of days we have been in school.

The children listened to the story "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" and had the opportunity to create the same type of tree with all the letters put in order.

We have 'reverse recess', which means that the children play outside for 15 minutes and then come in to eat their snack.  Our hope is to make the healthy choice, the easy choice.  For this snack I ask the children to choose a fresh fruit or vegetable.  The natural sugars in these snacks give the children the energy to get through the rest of the morning.  Remember that all the students may have water in the classroom, as long as the bottle is one that has a locking  spout so that it cannot be knocked over and spilt.

OOPS!  I made a mistake.  My 'before school' supervision is on Tuesday, so that is the morning that the students will have to wait outside until I can come in to unlock the door.  On Wednesday, I have supervision at the morning recess.  Sorry for the confusion.

I will be sending home the Scholastic book orders tomorrow.  The company is always the most generous to classrooms in September, allowing teachers to use 50% of the monies towards purchasing books for the class.  If there was ever a month to order, this would be it!  If you are ordering, the cheque is to be make out to Scholastic Canada, Inc.   I will send in the order on Friday, September 12.  Don't forget that is our Welcome Back breakfast.

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!

September 2nd brought a wonderful group of Grade Two students to my classroom (with a few more added the very next day)!  I am delighted to be in a Grade Two classroom again...my absolute favourite age!  Twenty five new little ones to love and watch grow!

Here is my welcome board right outside the classroom door.  I will be assessing the children's knowledge of the alphabet and the sounds of the letters using this timeless book!  

At my Open House the week before classes began, I took a few photos of the children to add to this area.  They have the best smiles.

As you walk into the classroom, this bookshelf is to the left.  It houses the book boxes for Daily Five, and is one of the shelves that have our levelled books, where the children will 'shop' for books to Read to Self and take home for Read to Someone.

This shot gives you an idea how full the room will be with 25 little bodies.  I had 3 tables last year and 5 this year.  We will all have to like our neighbours and learn to share.  The Word Wall is in-between the window.  Words posted there are 'no excuses' words....and must be correctly spelt in all written work.  These are words that were learned in Gr. 1 and we will add words to the wall as we learn more in Gr. 2.

I am now standing with my back to the windows, looking back into the classroom.  The closer blue boxes are the second shelf of books and the furthest blue boxes house the student's individual supplies.  Tables are wonderful for co-operative learning and really fit in with the manner in which Alberta Education is requiring us to develop an Inquiry based curriculum.  It also means that I need to find another way to house the student materials.

Students will work individually, in pairs, or in small groups with the teacher at this little round table.

 This allows me to ensure that individual needs are met and examine the progress of the students so that I can ensure that they are improving in the area that they need to work on.

Opposite the round table is the second small rug area.  The pillows and benches allow for more small group work areas within the classroom.  Co-operative learning will be encouraged.  Do you like Fancy Nancy?  She came back with me from FAO Swartz in New York!

Working on Calendar Math daily will allow the students to see how knowing numbers is important in realistic daily activities.  The SMARTBoard is just to the right (you can see one of the grey speakers).

Here's one of my teaching stations, and just out of the range of the picture, on the floor, is our second little carpet.  I do mean little, because 25 kids cannot fit on it!

It's true!

The students' future is so bright, they have to wear shades!

I want to thank all those wonderful teachers who share their work on the internet.  I so appreciate the ability to use your beautifully made products in my classroom!  Doesn't this little guy just beam with pride at being a second grader??