There is so much to catch up on! I am intending on still doing weekly updates but I have been fighting one nasty bug after another the last 3 weeks so have tried to take the rest that I need on the weekends in an effort not to miss class time! Here's what you need to know!
We've been working so many things in the last two weeks! In the photos you'll notice two different outdoor learning days - one where we spent the morning exploring erosion at Popson Park and this week where students had the opportunity to participate in a world wide contest with the Take Me Outside organization! Their challenge was the build a "snow pal". I taught them a technique for coloring snow with graters and chalk and they set off building beautiful creations! Cross your fingers that our entries take home a prize. Either way we've won, because we spent a beautiful sunny winter day outside creating, communication, connecting and engineering!
We've launched multiplication in math which has been very fun! The students are discovering the strategies of skip counting and repeated addition and getting the hang of some of the foundational principles.
We have been continuing in our information writing unit - they are doing a WONDERFUL job gaining new skills and applying them in their own writing. I have been SO impressed with their effort. Wow!
Floor hockey ended this week and we will launch badminton/racquet sports next week. That should be a blast!
We are continuing on with Tunisia and had two VERY special guest visitors come and teach about what it's like to be Arabic speakers and Muslims. A huge thanks to Ibraheem's mom and sister for providing us with such a special hour of their time. The students listened so beautifully and asked very thoughtful questions. Although Ibraheem's family is not from Tunisia, it gave us some insights into what the language and culture is like and we learned about the upcoming Islamic holiday, Ramadan which will start based on the moon in early March. Wishing all those celebrating, Ramadan Mubarak (a blessed Ramadan)!
This sparked lots of conversation about religion, God, celebrations, life, death and how we are in the world. My summary of our conversation is this: "There are so many ways to be in the world! Isn't it wonderful to learn and know about how people live. At the center of all these things is love. Love for one another, for goodness and for life." I hope you can carry on the conversation at home this weekend and share with your child what your beliefs/faith/values are as a family. By learning about others we expand our capacity to love and know each other and by taking the time to express our values we find a place to feel grounded and to grow!
A few important housekeeping items:
1. Please send all special absence requests (like new/early pick up time requests/excused absences/vacation plans) through the office, and cc: me in on them. Our lovely office team needs to be in the loop so they can account for where our students are! Thanks so much!
2. We have had VERY low attendance on Friday's this winter. I totally understand some absences for special reasons, but today alone we were missing 10 kids! As this has become consistent it is very difficult for teacher planning. We were planning on finishing a unit today and moving forward with our read aloud but that becomes difficult when almost half the class is gone. Now, I completely understand that there are many good reasons for absences, but do keep in mind the importance of our school days :) - there are no "fluff" days, everything we do here has so much intention!
3. We are looking for lots of bamboo skewers for MONDAY! Mars Month is launching and Mr. Tyslau needs your help in collecting materials. If you are able to contribute and send some for school on Monday that would be greatly appreciated. There is a whole list of other items we are looking for that was sent out earlier this week, but bamboo skewers is our most urgent request! Thanks in advance!
4. Save the date: March 14th from 5:30 - 7:30 will be a VERY special night here in our school but particularly our classroom. Set aside the night to attend our CELEBRATION OF LEARNING! More details to come, but we are very much excited about it! Earlier that day will be parent teacher interviews. I will email you if I would specifically like to see you, but otherwise you will be able to sign up and request a spot on March 6th (this Wednesday) if you are hoping to meet!
5. Keep your eyes peeled on TWO permission clicks this month ... one for our outdoor learning day (Mar. 20) and one for our Theatre for Young Audiences experience (Mar. 27). Thanks for your help getting those completed!
This week:
Monday: Second last crochet club! Thanks for all the enthusiasm from our awesome students. It has been so much fun to watch them learn! Mars month begins *skewers needed :)
Tuesday: The first meeting for Running Club is today at 8:10! Sign your kiddo up for this awesome experience. Every Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday at 8:10. Parents are encouraged to join too!
Wednesday: Outdoor school - JUST OUR CLASS! We will be in the neighbourhood from 2 - 3:50!
Friday: Happy Birthday Cali! Birthday circle will begin at 10:00 sharp! Platt parents, if you'd like to join us or send a snack, let me know! Report cards will also be released this day on Power School! Please let me know if you need help accessing power school and we can get you hooked up!
