Hi Families,
We had a wonderful day today!
In the morning, students spent time circulating between Ms Gierl's class, Mr. Link's class and our classroom to participate in different science explorations and challenges. Ask you child about the 3 different activities, and what new discoveries they have.
We got together with our buddies to share and practice our letters, words and books from our "Read to Teacher" lessons, as well as teach our buddies some Monster Math!
In the afternoon, we changed into our costumes and enjoyed parading for the school and families! Thank you for coming and joining our audience!
Tomorrow, students are invited to wear their pyjamas to school. They may also wear slippers, and bring either a stuffy OR blanket. Stuffies should be no bigger than your forearm (elbow to finger tip measurement) and blankets should be lap blankets, not full bed blankets, please. Students are also invited to bring a boardgame to share with buddies in the afternoon. Please label all boardgames with your child's name.
Thank you everyone!
Ms. Thomas
Wednesday 31 October 2018
Conflict vs Rude vs Mean vs Bullying
Hi Families,
Thank you for your supportive response to the email I sent earlier in the week.
I wanted to provide some additional information for families who have asked in regards to the difference between conflict, rude, mean and bullying behaviour.
Also, I wanted to share an article with you offering a perspective I believe in when dealing with children and bullying behaviour: https://www.stopbullying.gov/blog/2013/10/23/why-we-dont-use-word-bully-label-kids.html
As well as: https://www.bullyingbb.com/2013/02/24/new-research-kids-are-overusing-the-word-bullying/
As always, I am available for conversation and questions.
Ms. Thomas
Thank you for your supportive response to the email I sent earlier in the week.
I wanted to provide some additional information for families who have asked in regards to the difference between conflict, rude, mean and bullying behaviour.
Also, I wanted to share an article with you offering a perspective I believe in when dealing with children and bullying behaviour: https://www.stopbullying.gov/blog/2013/10/23/why-we-dont-use-word-bully-label-kids.html
As well as: https://www.bullyingbb.com/2013/02/24/new-research-kids-are-overusing-the-word-bullying/
As always, I am available for conversation and questions.
Ms. Thomas
Saturday 27 October 2018
Halloween Reminders!
Hi Families,
At Lake Bonavista School, we love celebrating Halloween!
Some reminders for our upcoming school celebrations:
- Costumes are to be worn in the afternoon only. Children will have an opportunity to change at lunch.
- Our school-wide Halloween Parade happens in the afternoon, starting at 1:00pm. Families are welcome to come watch. Seating available in the gym.
- Morning kindergarten kids will do a mini-parade in the morning.
- Lake Bonavista School requests that costumes are
ones that children can change into independently, that
do not interfere with learning and include school
appropriate imagery, visuals and accessories.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Ms. Thomas
At Lake Bonavista School, we love celebrating Halloween!
Some reminders for our upcoming school celebrations:
- Costumes are to be worn in the afternoon only. Children will have an opportunity to change at lunch.
- Our school-wide Halloween Parade happens in the afternoon, starting at 1:00pm. Families are welcome to come watch. Seating available in the gym.
- Morning kindergarten kids will do a mini-parade in the morning.
- Lake Bonavista School requests that costumes are
ones that children can change into independently, that
do not interfere with learning and include school
appropriate imagery, visuals and accessories.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Ms. Thomas
Thursday 25 October 2018
Jo Boaler and Mathematics
For our Professional Development day tomorrow, teaching staff have been asked to read the article, "Fluency Without Fear: Research Evidence on the Best Ways to Learn Math Facts" by Jo Boaler.
Jo Boaler was named by the BBC as one of the 8 "people whose ideas are challenging the future of education".
If you're interested in math, or have questions about the way math instruction has changed and continues to change, I would highly recommend visiting Jo Boaler's website, or just reading the article itself (I've linked both below). It offers significant clarity around the concept of number sense vs rote memorization, as well as offering take away activities for home and classroom use.
I took Jo Boaler's online course through Stanford last year and found it truly inspiring, and hope some of these resources pique your interest, and excite you about mathematics:
Jo Boaler's youcubed website: https://www.youcubed.org/
Fluency Without Fear article: https://www.youcubed.org/evidence/fluency-without-fear/
Parents' Beliefs about Math Change Their Children's Achievement: https://www.youcubed.org/resources/parents-beliefs-math-change-childrens-achievement/
6 Ways to Support Your Child's Mathematical Development: https://www.youcubed.org/resources/6-ways-support-childs-mathematical-development/
Thursday, October 25th, 2018
Hi Families,
Thank you to all families who were able to come and be in the audience for our assembly today. The students were all so excited to share their learning with you!
The learning shared in our assembly was supported by the MindUP! curriculum, developed by the Hawn Foundation and Scholastic.
MindUP is for classrooms, teachers and home! https://mindup.org/
MindUP is grounded in neuroscience, activated by mindful awareness, inspired by positive psychology and a catalyst for social-emotional learning. We used complementary resources to support different lessons:
We will continue to use the MindUp! curriculum throughout the year to support further development of safe expression of feelings, self-awareness and self-regulation, as well as perspective taking.
Interestingly enough, Telus Spark will be offering a new youth science program aimed at de-stigmatizing mental health, and managing stress: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/new-youth-science-program-at-telus-spark-aims-to-destigmatize-mental-health/ar-BBOSLRc
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
Tomorrow is a Professional Development Day (PD Day) for teachers.
No school for students. See you Monday!
Thank you to all families who were able to come and be in the audience for our assembly today. The students were all so excited to share their learning with you!
The learning shared in our assembly was supported by the MindUP! curriculum, developed by the Hawn Foundation and Scholastic.
MindUP is for classrooms, teachers and home! https://mindup.org/
MindUP is grounded in neuroscience, activated by mindful awareness, inspired by positive psychology and a catalyst for social-emotional learning. We used complementary resources to support different lessons:
 |
| We developed our vocabulary for different feeling through modeling, skits and personal experiences. Being able to accurately label our feelings empowers students with self-regulation. |
 |
| Understanding abstract concepts like anxiety was supported through beautiful picture books like "Hey, Warrior" by Karen Young |
 |
| Students created characters to represent their amygdalas using water colours. They accompanied their art with writing, identifying what their amygdalas are responsible for. |
We will continue to use the MindUp! curriculum throughout the year to support further development of safe expression of feelings, self-awareness and self-regulation, as well as perspective taking.
Interestingly enough, Telus Spark will be offering a new youth science program aimed at de-stigmatizing mental health, and managing stress: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/new-youth-science-program-at-telus-spark-aims-to-destigmatize-mental-health/ar-BBOSLRc
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
Wednesday 24 October 2018
Sensory-Friendly Halloween Party
Did you know that Southcentre Mall hosts a special Halloween event to accommodate the needs of children with autism, mobility challenges and other special needs?
Find out more here: https://globalnews.ca/video/4578942/calgary-mall-to-host-annual-sensory-friendly-halloween-party-2?fbclid=IwAR1J7cIELXnXLiomWuaKXmG6Ps_jW-gCdtNduzYlixYm6JopbjELcBwXbP4
Find out more here: https://globalnews.ca/video/4578942/calgary-mall-to-host-annual-sensory-friendly-halloween-party-2?fbclid=IwAR1J7cIELXnXLiomWuaKXmG6Ps_jW-gCdtNduzYlixYm6JopbjELcBwXbP4
Friday 19 October 2018
Friday, October 19th, 2018
Hi Families,
For the remainder of the week, a lot of our time was consumed with putting our assembly together. We are nearing the finish line and look forward to sharing our work with you next week! If you are able, please join us at our assembly on Thursday, October 25th at 10:15am.
To support our work, could you please have your child practice and share their song with you? The lyrics are in their Poetry Folder: "My Brain is So Very Important". Thank you!
This weeks poem, "Fall Mixed Up!" is available to view online with your child. Watch it a couple of times to pick out different ridiculous details in the illustrations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMC5awr-N1Q
In math, we continue to explore three main ideas: patterns, data collection and sorting.
With patterning, we are currently focusing on exploring repeating patterns, and developing our vocabulary to include: repeating pattern, core, attribute, element. In the below repeating pattern example, the core is AB (the "chunk" that repeats), the attribute that changes is colour, the A element is green, and the B element is yellow.
As we become broaden our understanding of patterns, we will look at patterns with more elements, more complex cores, and translating patterns into other attributes and modes, such as shape, number, direction, size, material, and even sound and action.
Can you look for patterns in your home to talk about with your child?
We've looked at a variety of ways to collect, represent and organize data.
Are there real-life examples you can share with your child, either in your home or connected to your work?
Finally, we've continued to develop our understanding of attributes through a variety of sorting activities. Starting with whole group activities where students guessed my sorting rule, they soon became adept at identifying common attributes between groups.
Using the app Book Creator, students worked in pairs to document their understanding of attributes and sorting in a "Sort the Street" book:
Most recently, they explored the school looking for real-life examples of sorting:
Sorting is everywhere! Can you go on a sorting hunt in your house? Where are things sorted? Where do things need to be sorted?
In your child's mail folder this evening, please find their photo proofs. Make ordering simple by ordering your portraits online, using your Picture Day ID and child's first name to get started. If you prefer to order on paper, an order form has been sent home as well. Photo orders are due by Wednesday, October 30th.
For the remainder of the week, a lot of our time was consumed with putting our assembly together. We are nearing the finish line and look forward to sharing our work with you next week! If you are able, please join us at our assembly on Thursday, October 25th at 10:15am.
To support our work, could you please have your child practice and share their song with you? The lyrics are in their Poetry Folder: "My Brain is So Very Important". Thank you!
This weeks poem, "Fall Mixed Up!" is available to view online with your child. Watch it a couple of times to pick out different ridiculous details in the illustrations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMC5awr-N1Q
In math, we continue to explore three main ideas: patterns, data collection and sorting.
With patterning, we are currently focusing on exploring repeating patterns, and developing our vocabulary to include: repeating pattern, core, attribute, element. In the below repeating pattern example, the core is AB (the "chunk" that repeats), the attribute that changes is colour, the A element is green, and the B element is yellow.
As we become broaden our understanding of patterns, we will look at patterns with more elements, more complex cores, and translating patterns into other attributes and modes, such as shape, number, direction, size, material, and even sound and action.
Can you look for patterns in your home to talk about with your child?
We've looked at a variety of ways to collect, represent and organize data.
 |
| Using two-sided counters gives us data about questions with two answers, like yes and no. |
 |
| Snap cubes give us a concrete representation of bar graphs. We can SEE information easily. First, we all used one colour to cast our book choice vote, then, grade 1 and 2 students got different colours so we could get different information. |
Are there real-life examples you can share with your child, either in your home or connected to your work?
Finally, we've continued to develop our understanding of attributes through a variety of sorting activities. Starting with whole group activities where students guessed my sorting rule, they soon became adept at identifying common attributes between groups.
Using the app Book Creator, students worked in pairs to document their understanding of attributes and sorting in a "Sort the Street" book:
Most recently, they explored the school looking for real-life examples of sorting:
Sorting is everywhere! Can you go on a sorting hunt in your house? Where are things sorted? Where do things need to be sorted?
In your child's mail folder this evening, please find their photo proofs. Make ordering simple by ordering your portraits online, using your Picture Day ID and child's first name to get started. If you prefer to order on paper, an order form has been sent home as well. Photo orders are due by Wednesday, October 30th.
Lake Bonavista School
Picture Day ID: QW018376YP
Retakes are currently scheduled for Monday, November 12th.
Thanks everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Thomas
Thanks everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Thomas
Tuesday 16 October 2018
Updates
The library is back open! We now have our library exchange on Monday afternoons
ADmazing Savings Coupon Book Fundraiser is now wrapped! Please send back any coupon books or payment that may be outstanding. Thank you!
Scholastic Book orders are due this Friday, October 19th.
Our assembly is on Thursday, October 25th at 10:15am. We would love to have you in the audience!
Thank you to all the families who have donated building materials to our classroom! You have been so generous in your donations, that I currently don't need any additional materials! Once we get a building project done, we may need some refills. Again, I'll keep you posted!
Thank you everyone!
Ms. Thomas
ADmazing Savings Coupon Book Fundraiser is now wrapped! Please send back any coupon books or payment that may be outstanding. Thank you!
Scholastic Book orders are due this Friday, October 19th.
Our assembly is on Thursday, October 25th at 10:15am. We would love to have you in the audience!
Thank you to all the families who have donated building materials to our classroom! You have been so generous in your donations, that I currently don't need any additional materials! Once we get a building project done, we may need some refills. Again, I'll keep you posted!
Thank you everyone!
Ms. Thomas
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018
Hi Families,
Yesterday, we started with our new poem, "Fall Mixed Up!" to celebrate the unpredictable nature of weather in Calgary. Part of the Alberta science curriculum is exploring seasonal changes, which offers some unique challenges living where we do! When this poem comes home, it is meant more as a "read with me" poem, as it's original format is a picture book, and quite lengthy.
Many students came in after the weekend with a variety of leaves, which prompted our return to a variety of activities in our classroom that were paused while we waited for "normal" Fall weather to return!
Some students dipped leaves in melted wax to preserve the colour, and hanging them in our windows to complement our fall leaf verbs:
Others helped grind different colour leaves with our mortar and pestle, in order to break them up a bit for an experiment on leaf pigments:
After setting the leaves in rubbing alcohol, we used filter paper to do simple chromatography to extract the pigments:
We were able to extract yellow, orange, red, purple and green pigments!
Students also wondered if we could extract chlorophyll (green pigment) from different kinds of leaves, which prompted an additional experiment set-up with needle leaves (spruce), sheath leaves (grass) and angiosperm leaves (regular, "broad" leaves) . We'll keep you posted on our findings!
Thank you to all the volunteers who were able to join us on our field trip to Fort Calgary today! We had a wonderful time participating in two different programs:
Yesterday, we started with our new poem, "Fall Mixed Up!" to celebrate the unpredictable nature of weather in Calgary. Part of the Alberta science curriculum is exploring seasonal changes, which offers some unique challenges living where we do! When this poem comes home, it is meant more as a "read with me" poem, as it's original format is a picture book, and quite lengthy.
Many students came in after the weekend with a variety of leaves, which prompted our return to a variety of activities in our classroom that were paused while we waited for "normal" Fall weather to return!
Others helped grind different colour leaves with our mortar and pestle, in order to break them up a bit for an experiment on leaf pigments:
After setting the leaves in rubbing alcohol, we used filter paper to do simple chromatography to extract the pigments:
We were able to extract yellow, orange, red, purple and green pigments!
Students also wondered if we could extract chlorophyll (green pigment) from different kinds of leaves, which prompted an additional experiment set-up with needle leaves (spruce), sheath leaves (grass) and angiosperm leaves (regular, "broad" leaves) . We'll keep you posted on our findings!
Thank you to all the volunteers who were able to join us on our field trip to Fort Calgary today! We had a wonderful time participating in two different programs:
Calgary: A Prairie Community - Students will built a 3-D map of our city while learning about the founding groups, and the changes over time as each group settled in the area. Everyone dressed in traditional clothing, learned to say "hello" in a new language, and handled artifacts as they learned about what makes different cultures unique.
Building Calgary - Students discussed Calgary’s past and how
different types of buildings have been made and used. They worked together to build a model log cabin, then traveled through the museum to
further explore buildings and their materials.
We look forward to our next field trip for One Day Arts School at Arts Commons! Stay tuned for details!
Ms. Thomas
Wednesday 10 October 2018
Photo Day Ordering
Hi Families,
With Photo Day under our belt, here is some information from Lifetouch regarding ordering and retakes for you:
Make it simple by ordering your portraits online, using your Picture Day ID and child's first name to get started. If you prefer to order on paper, an order form has been sent home as well.
Lake Bonavista School
Picture Day ID: QW018376YP
Retakes are currently scheduled for Monday, November 12th.
Ms. Thomas
Tuesday 9 October 2018
Winter Clothing Lost and Found
Hi Families,
Since the cold weather started a couple of weeks ago, our Lost and Found bins have both managed to become FULL!
Would you mind taking a minute to label all your children's cold weather clothing with either their name or initials? Just a Sharpie on the label would really be helpful in being able to accurately identify your child's items, as well as prevent confusion and have another child take them home.
In our class alone, over half the students have black snowpants, so you can imagine the nightmare of trying to identify them once we factor in all seven grade 1/2 classes, and then include hats, mitts, jackets, boots...eep!
And if you don't care to use a Sharpie on clothing, some parents have opted to add a colourful piece of yarn to the tag instead. Anything to help make their clothing identifiable would be appreciated.
With gratitude anticipating the long winter ahead,
Ms. Thomas
Since the cold weather started a couple of weeks ago, our Lost and Found bins have both managed to become FULL!
Would you mind taking a minute to label all your children's cold weather clothing with either their name or initials? Just a Sharpie on the label would really be helpful in being able to accurately identify your child's items, as well as prevent confusion and have another child take them home.
In our class alone, over half the students have black snowpants, so you can imagine the nightmare of trying to identify them once we factor in all seven grade 1/2 classes, and then include hats, mitts, jackets, boots...eep!
And if you don't care to use a Sharpie on clothing, some parents have opted to add a colourful piece of yarn to the tag instead. Anything to help make their clothing identifiable would be appreciated.
With gratitude anticipating the long winter ahead,
Ms. Thomas
Jacket Racket
Dear Parents,
Rooms 14 and 17 are leading a collection of winter clothing to be distributed to Calgarians in need. The clothing will be given to an organization called Jacket Racket. We will collect as much winter clothing (jackets, mittens, snowpants, etc) as we can. To do this, we are asking that all students at LBS bring in any winter clothing they are willing to donate over the next month. It is important that the items are in good, clean condition.
ADmazing Savings Fundraiser
We have now entered the last week of our ADmazing Savings fundraiser. Please have all books or money ($25 per book) returned to your classroom teacher by this Friday, October 12th. Thank you all for your support!
Friday 5 October 2018
Halloween Celebrations...Things to Keep in Mind
Hi Families,
At Lake Bonavista School, we love celebrating Halloween. Specific details about school wide and classroom celebrations will come closer to the date, but I wanted to put some general information out there, especially as the talk in the classroom is staring to buzz with costume purchasing and making excitement!
- Costumes are to be work in the afternoon only. Children will have an opportunity to change at lunch.
- Our school-wide Halloween Parade happens in the afternoon, families welcome to come watch.
- Morning kindergarten kids will do a mini-parade in the morning.
- Lake Bonavista School requests that costumes are
ones that children can change into independently, that
do not interfere with learning and include school
appropriate imagery, visuals and accessories.
Additional details to follow closer to the date.
Ms. Thomas
At Lake Bonavista School, we love celebrating Halloween. Specific details about school wide and classroom celebrations will come closer to the date, but I wanted to put some general information out there, especially as the talk in the classroom is staring to buzz with costume purchasing and making excitement!
- Costumes are to be work in the afternoon only. Children will have an opportunity to change at lunch.- Our school-wide Halloween Parade happens in the afternoon, families welcome to come watch.
- Morning kindergarten kids will do a mini-parade in the morning.
- Lake Bonavista School requests that costumes are
ones that children can change into independently, that
do not interfere with learning and include school
appropriate imagery, visuals and accessories.
Additional details to follow closer to the date.
Ms. Thomas
Photo Day!
Hi Families,Just a reminder that Photo Day is this Wednesday, October 10th!
Practice your big, beautiful smiles this weekend!
Ms. Thomas
Thursday 4 October 2018
Fort Calgary Field Trip
Hi Families,
Yesterday, you should have found paperwork for our upcoming field trip to Fort Calgary on Tuesday, October 16th.
If you had already contacted me about volunteering, I sent home volunteer paperwork as well.
Contrary to the information in the letter, the forms are due back on Tuesday, October 9th, as the 8th is a holiday.
If you did not receive the paperwork, or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you!
Ms. Thomas
Yesterday, you should have found paperwork for our upcoming field trip to Fort Calgary on Tuesday, October 16th.
If you had already contacted me about volunteering, I sent home volunteer paperwork as well.
Contrary to the information in the letter, the forms are due back on Tuesday, October 9th, as the 8th is a holiday.
If you did not receive the paperwork, or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you!
Ms. Thomas
Wednesday 3 October 2018
Terry Fox Run Update
Congratulations Lake Bonavista School for an amazing Terry Fox Run this year. You raised $240! In total as a school, we ran 1441 laps around our field. Each lap was 0.56 kms which is equal to 807 km. Did you know that Terry Fox ran 5 times as far as we did from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Can you calculate how far he ran? Great job to all! An update will come soon as to how we will celebrate our challenge success with Mrs. Jones and Ms Rasmussen.
Volunteer Email List
Hi Families,
This week, you should have received an email from Kathryn Molcak, our Classroom Volunteer Coordinator. If you did not receive her email, please let me know and I will help trouble shoot the situation.
Thank you!
Ms. Thomas
This week, you should have received an email from Kathryn Molcak, our Classroom Volunteer Coordinator. If you did not receive her email, please let me know and I will help trouble shoot the situation.
Thank you!
Ms. Thomas
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