October 27th, 2023

Hello families,

Continuing with our pumpkin inquiry this week, we explored the lifecycle and parts of a pumpkin. Students also learned about scientific sketching and practiced their skills by sketching the gourds in our classroom. 




 








On Thursday we tested our pumpkins to see how much they weigh, their length and height, as well as if they float or sink!

On Friday we cut open up the pumpkins and counted the seeds. Students then explored the pumpkin insides to see if they could identify all the different parts. Pumpkin A had a total of 498 seeds and Pumpkin B  had 357 seeds!







In literacy students completed a writing "check in" about pumpkins to demonstrate their understanding of sensory words, and "sky, grass, dirt" letter organization.


We also began our spelling program! Did you know that grade 1 students should be able to read and write 125 high frequency words automatically by the end of the year and grade 2 students should be able to read 175 high frequency words, and write 300 high frequency words by the end of the year? During Daily L.A.  we've been practicing some of these high-frequency words! This week grade 1s practiced the first 5 words and grade 2s practiced the first 10 words. For students who need a challenge I will be adding in some "spicier" words for them to practice. We will be doing a spelling check in on Fridays and students will be bringing them home for you to see how they did.


Words Of The Week
in 
is
you
that
it
he
was
for
on
are
Spicy
people
there
because

In Writer's Workshop we  moved onto step 4: Revising and step 5: Final copy of our writing. The focus of this writing workshop for grade 1s is sizing and spacing, while grade 2s is adding detail. 


Here are some literacy choices students made this week.




In math we reviewed some of the Montessori materials students can use to support their skip counting. This includes the base ten golden beads, coloured bead bars, and 100s, 500s and 1000s charts.



The grade 2s also had the opportunity to lead a small group activity around place value with the grade 1s. Great leadership grade 2s!



Since we will be hosting the Remembrance Day ceremony with our big buddies, our class began discussing who veterans are and why Remembrance Day is important. On Thursday we had some buddy time where we wrote cards for the veterans expressing our gratitude for their service.







Veterans Essential items Drive
In the spirit on both generosity and building community, Rooms 7 and 8 are organizing an Essential Items Drive to support veterans.  All donations will help the Veteran Food Bank of Alberta provide everyday items to those who have honorably served in the Canadian Forces.  We appreciate any items that you can donate from the list.


Upcoming Zoo Field Trip
I am still looking for a few more volunteers for our Zoo field trip on November 27th. Please email me if you have a valid police clearance and would like to join us!


Have a wonderful weekend,

Ms. Greenhall


Important Dates:

  • Library Books - Can return and exchange as needed

  • School Picture orders due - October 30th

  • October 31st -Halloween 

  • November 1st - Pajama Day
  • November 6th - Photo retakes

  • November 8th - Room 7 & 8 Remembrance Day assembly

  • November 9th - PD Day - No School

  • November- 10-14 Fall Break
  • November 17th - Rock Your Mocs Day
  • November 27th - Zoo Field Trip - Volunteers Needed (send me an email if you would like to volunteer)
  • November 30th - Hat Day