Winter

I firmly believe that it is easier to write about something that you

know about or have some experience in.  One of the areas that the

students are working on writing about is 'how to' or sequencing.

They had never been in the staff room before, thus all the looking about!

We came in to make some hot chocolate!

The students had to listen carefully and watch all the steps to know

what they would be writing in their own 'How To...." booklets.

There was the added bonus of getting a cup of hot chocolate in the deal.

It was yummy, they tell me!

The students have been writing quite a bit this month.

It is a long process for them, and the work is divided into smaller,

more manageable chunks.  For the final product, it is important

that they are able to read their own writing.  They are often

surprised that they don't know what they were trying to say!

As you can see, I have a real bunch of students who

are climbing the ladder of success.

They loved their opportunity to try out the various equipment during

their first gymnastics lesson.  It is easier for them to be successful

because of the safe environment they are in.

On Friday, the Grade One students 'buddied' up with their

friends in Grade Three and each student created a Valentine card

for a veteran who has served, or perhaps a current member of our

Canadian Military.

The Grade One students had a few sentences to choose

to add to their heart.  This kiddo added them all, I think!

The Grade Three students wrote directly from their heart

sharing their thoughts about the service our military personnel gladly give 

so we may live freely.

We're going to be writing another "how to" piece, this time about

making a snowman.

As we spent some of our class time outside, the students learned that

not all snow is created to stick together.

Try as they might, the snow would not form a ball and roll along

gathering more snow.

We might just have to watch a video instead of having a hands on experience!

Fall is in the air!

The students worked on finishing up their multi medium art

projects that were started with the painting of the background.

They were able to add a photo of themselves with their hands

high above their head.  In this scene, it looks like they are

throwing up the beautiful Autumn leaves into the air.

The leaves were made using their pincer grips to tear tiny pieces of

construction paper.  They turned out lovely and are proudly hung

in the hall for their friends to see.

They were very focused,

and really wanted to take them home.  They will be saved for

their scrapbooks.  By the by, I have 16 scrapbooks.  Did you remember

to send one in for your child?

Friday was also the first of the four Yoga lessons

that are part of the extracurricular activities that our

class will be taking part in.

Miss Teagan led the students through a number of poses.

encouraging the students to breathe

and try to enjoy the various ways their bodies were being stretched.

They were so 'into' the experience!

Here's the 'turtle' pose,

and the 'tree' pose

and the 'cobra' or 'snake' pose.

This is a catch up on life in our classroom...

Sometimes life in the classroom is far too busy!  I realize that we shared our 100th day bottle activity in the classroom way back on February 21 but I didn't get this photo onto the blog.  Here it is now!

The final bear that we used as the jumping off point for our reading and writing lessons is the sweet little bear named Corduroy. (The students didn't know that the word corduroy was the name for a particular type of fabric!  You never know where learning will occur)  The students worked very hard on learning how to use elaborate detail, to describe a character or a setting.  They will be working on this aspect of writing throughout the year, and started by describing the toy bear and the setting of the second book, the laundromat.

The RCMP school liaison officer stopped by on the day we all wore pink shirts in support of the campaign to stop bullying, and brought a friend, who offered each student a free hug!

Thank you to the REAL Foundation, a group who supports our Catholic school district in ways that allows our students to experience the joy of being Catholic through concerts and retreats.  On Shrove Tuesday, Face to Face ministries worked with all the students at our school to see that we are meant to Know God, Serve God and Love God.  The photos aren't the best because of the lighting in the gym, and all the movement.

The students raised the roof, lifting their voices in song.

They showed their joy by dancing.  They loved it!

Another huge thank you is owed to Mrs. Phelan and her junior hight students who flipped pancakes ALL MORNING LONG in order to feed our entire school population.  So many of the students told me that they love pancakes.  

There was juice and fruit to round out the meal, which is always part of the day before LENT begins.

Aren't these puppies the cutest?  This was a fun activity to kick off our next set of books that will lead our reading and writing activities in March.  Who is the star of these stories??

It is Clifford, of course!

 
I have noticed that there are not many parents who are taking the time to read the blog, so here's the deal.  I have a prize for each student in my class who can tell me on Monday morning, where I spent the afternoon on Faith and Wellness day.  The pictures should offer you all a clue!  I would love to be able to give away 22 gifts!!