January 19th, 2023

Hello families,

This week we jumped into some outdoor learning, taking part in a sit spot in in our garden and hanging any ice ornaments that were not hung last week.

  
In gym we started floor hockey with Ms. Midgley's class! Students practiced how to hold the stick, stick handle, as well as some target practice. 


The past two weeks we have been busy completing Grade 1 literacy and numeracy government assessments. In between these assessments in math we reviewed placing numbers on a closed number line. One strategy students have learned is putting "benchmark" or "friendly" numbers on their number line. Benchmark numbers often end in 0 such as 50, 100, and 1000.  Once students have labeled their benchmark numbers on both ends and in the middle of their number line, it is often easier to figure out where the target numbers belong.


For the next step in number bonds we began looking at questions where the sum is given and students need to find the other addend. This requires the opposite of addition, subtraction! We also learned how to use manipulatives to find the addend to see the inverse relationship between  the two operations.


We also added some new addition and subtraction games to our daily math practice!



In writing our focus up to this point has been on personal narratives and some scientific writing. This week we began learning about fiction story writing. I introduced the idea of free writing and picture prompts. Free writes allow for low stakes writing and an opportunity for students to be creative with their ideas. We will be working on our writing stamina during free writes to see how long we can write for by the end of the year! This week was 10 minutes!

To hook students on story writing I first showed them this cute short. 

Here are the two choices of pictures prompts for students this week. Students who are not ready for free writing are practicing copying environmental print from books and other resources in the classroom. Ask your child what their story was about this week!







In word work  we finished learning all 7 digraphs. This week was  "ng" and ph" Ask your child what the sounds and actions are for each of the digraphs!



Words of the Week
will
up
other
about
out
many
then
them
these
so
Spicy Words
family
people
thought

We also reviewed the FLOSS(Z) rule we learned from last week. Ask your child what this means! We played some games and practiced sounding out words that use this rule. 



Here are some books we read!


In Science and Social Studies We learned about the 4th Scared Teaching: Honesty, which is represented by the Sabe and Raven. For the Science aspect, we did some research about ravens.  Our class learned that they are very smart! They use tools to get food and can also mimic noises. We created jot notes as a class and students used these to create a visual art piece of a raven.


In Science we also began doing some research for an upcoming S.T.E.A.M. project. We learned about what compostable packing peanuts are, and explored Calgary's composting program and facility online: Calgary Compost Tour. Ask your child why composting is so important and how packing peanuts are made!





Grade 1 outcomes: 
- I can describe ways that humans can help meet the needs of plants and animals through respecting the environment and taking part in responsible practices
- I can explore how seasonal changes in local environments can help support composting and the relationship between decomposers, plants, and animals

Grade 2 outcomes:
- I can describe how people show care for the land, plants and animals through responsible practices
- I can describe the relationship between decomposers, plants, animals, and humans
- I can explore how various natural resources interact with the Earth to support sustainability

Here are some responsible work choices that were made this week.






Have a great weekend,

Ms. Greenhall 


Important Dates

  • Tuesday February 6th - Room 8 Tea Time Tuesday (first Tuesday of every month). 
  • February 15 - 19th: Teacher's Convention - No School
  • Thursday, January 25th - Mary Browns Fun Lunch
  • Thursday, February 8th - Chopped Leaf Fun Lunch

  • February 15 & 16 - Teachers' Convention - No School
  • Monday, February 19th - Family Day - No School
  • Thursday, February 22nd - Edo Fun Lunch
  • March 21st (PM) & March 22nd (AM) - Student-Led Conferences



Hello families,

Looking to shop for books online through Scholastic year round? I have set up a scholastic account for our class! Happy reading!

Class Code: RC358893