Hi Families,
What a great week back from Teacher's Convention and Family Day long weekend!
We started our week with an incredible field-trip to the Leighton Art Centre. It was a beautiful day for a drive in the foothills, to get outside and enjoy the snow, and most of all, to learn from our art instructor, Jenna, about willow loom weaving and clay techniques to develop landscapes. Our finished art pieces will stay in our classroom until Student-Led Conferences in March.
Thank you to all our volunteers who were able to support out learning during our first off-site field-trip of the year!
 |
| Using a variety of colours and textures for willow loom weaving. |
 |
| Creating a landscape drawing in our mini Leighton sketchbooks. |
Our classroom Volunteer Google Doc has been updated with upcoming opportunities to volunteer: ArtFelt Studios, Scientists in School and Swimming. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me already about volunteering, it is so appreciated!
Link to Google Doc: Room 8 Volunteer Google Doc
On Wednesday, we celebrated Winter Walk Day, an opportunity to encourage students to be active outdoors in winter. Again, we had a beautiful morning to get outside. Walking alongside students, it was fascinating to hear them talk about the changes in snow as we walked along the perimeter of the field - you could easily tell which areas get more traffic than others!
Grade 2 students had their first Buddy Spelling Test, and brought home their papers to share with you. Even one word correct on their Buddy Test shows growth, and is celebrated. We have definitely been off schedule with our spelling program, but hope to establish a routine starting this upcoming week.
On Thursday, we had a visit from Green Calgary to introduce an upcoming topic of study: worms. Learning about worms connects grade 1 and 2 science topics, Needs and Characteristics of Living Things and Small, Crawling, Flying Animals. We learned how to identify cocoons, baby, teen and adult worms, as well as how and why to vermicompost with red wigglers. Students enjoyed getting their hands dirty, and exploring Nancy's compost bucket applying all we learned.
 |
| Nancy, from Green Calgary, teaching us about worm body parts using Squirm. |
 |
| Exploring some of the compost from Nancy's bin - what will we find? |
 |
| Close looking - is it a baby, teen or adult worm? How do you know? |
We have started the final book in the Elmer series, "The Dragons of Blueland". Each of the books in the series has included a map of the story setting. These maps are a wonderful way for students to retell the story, focusing on important events, make predictions, as well as develop their sense of geographical thinking as we introduce and practice cardinal directions.
 |
| Map of the Island of Tangerina and Wild Island from "My Father's Dragon". |
 |
| Feather Island from "Elmer and the Dragon". |
 |
| Our final map, from "The Dragons of Blueland". |
One World Drumming is currently visiting our school, providing students the opportunity to work with a drumming artist on the djembes. Our drumming sessions take place the first week in March. The program is being hosted in the gym, which means that our daily Physical Education will be taking place outdoors for the next two weeks. Please ensure your child continues to come prepared for the weather.
Upcoming Important Dates:
- Monday, February 24th: Bonavista Eye Clinic visit
- Friday, February 28th: PD Day, No school for students
- Monday, March 2nd - Friday, March 6th: One World Drumming sessions
- Monday, March 16th: ArtFelt Studios visit
- Thursday, March 19th: Student-Led Conferences (PM)
- Friday, March 20th: Student-Led Conferences (ALL DAY)
- Saturday, March 21st: March Break begins
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms. Thomas
