Calgary Public Library Ultimate Summer Challenge!

Join the Challenge!

Blast off to free summer fun with the Ultimate Summer Challenge at Calgary Public Library! Kids ages 0-12 can explore a galaxy of reading challenge, activities and exciting free programs. Those ages 13-17 can join the Teen Takeover. All ages could win prizes that are out of this world!

2021 Ultimate Summer Goes to Space - YouTube is a 30 second trailer for the program. 

Beanstack How To - YouTube is 2 minutes long and shows how to register for the program using Beanstack or the Beanstack Tracker app and enter the draw for the grand prizes. 

Kids are also able to participate using the challenge map (available at the Library or online at https://calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/ultimate-summer-challenge/) but they won't be eligible for the prize draws unless they register with Beanstack. 

Online Learning Starts Tomorrow!

Hi Families, 

Tomorrow is our first day of Online Learning, Spring 2021 Edition!

Please watch for a School Messenger email coming this evening with details. 

Thank you!
Ms. Thomas

Walking Field Trip - Thursday, April 22nd

On the morning of Thursday, April 22^nd, Ms.Nodwell and I will be taking our class on a community walk to explore a local greenspace, and have an immersive experience in nature as we read the book, “Lessons from Mother Earth”, reflect on and share our gratitude for the land, in preparation for contributing to the whole school provocation:

The duration of our walk will be weather dependant, as it may impact the students sitting comfortably on the ground.  

Our route will be: 

Thank you families! As always, if you have any questions, please let me know. 
Ms. Thomas

 

 

Friday, April 16th, 2021

Hi Families, 

This week, we applied our understanding of non-standard measurement by planning and creating a hopscotch game. Ask your child about the different steps, any problems they encountered, and the end result. 

Writing:

Reviewing the 5Ws and applying our understanding to
"stretch" a sentence through shared writing opportunities.

Scaffolded opportunities to practice in small groups. 

Making connections to our novel study: Marvin and James.

Activating prior knowledge about insects.

Revising our ideas so they are connected, and make sense.

Sound Study:

Students worked in their table group with objects from the Montessori Pink and Green boxes.
First: Sort objects into short and long vowel groups. 
Next: Use the Montessori moveable alphabet to practice the spelling patterns.

Working with the Montessori moveable alphabet increases students' risk-taking with spelling, 
as the letters are easily separated, flipped, added or exchanged when errors are identified.
Different colours for vowels and consonants helps identify the relationship between the two in words. 

Short and long vowel Bingo! 

Our poem connecting to the Silent E spelling pattern can be found in Google Classroom --> Literacy --> Poetry Study. 

In addition, I introduced the students to a song from the Electric Company

to complement our understanding of how silent "e" changes the vowel sound. 

Social Studies:

Which bird is the symbol of Nunavut? Alberta? Nova Scotia?
Give an important detail about the bird that connects to its territory/province. 

Which flower is the symbol of Nunavut? Alberta? Nova Scotia?
Can you remember some of the uses by the indigenous group of the area?

In connection with our exploration of 3 Canadian communities, students have loved watching some short clips from Canada Crew. They asked that I post the link to share at home: https://www.tvokids.com/preschool/canada-crew-k-2-social-studies 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms. Thomas 

Yearbook!

Hello Lake Bonavista Families, 

Order your copy of the 2020-2021 school yearbook! Get the early bird price of only $22 before April 15^th. Please log in online to order your yearbook today which this year will feature pictures from our teachers.

 

The site is ybpay.lifetouch.ca

Your yearbook ID code for this year is:  11352721

Friday, April 9th, 2021

Hi Families, 

Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a lovely Spring Break! 

Our week started with a special Easter Egg Hunt, organized by our grade 1/2 student-teachers from St. Mary's University. We had a great time practicing introductory mapping skills, collaborating with a friend to locate the different eggs and accurately record the patterns. 

Your child will have brought home their Easter Egg Hunt map and
 recording sheet on Monday. Ask them if they can explain where
each of the eggs were, and which one was most challenging to find. 

Ms. Nodwell introduced us to "The Miniature World of Marvin & James" this week. We will be using the book for a whole-class novel study this month, building our knowledge of characters, setting, problems, solutions, as well as higher level comprehension skills: predicting, inferencing and applying our understanding. 

Ask your child what predictions they made using information from the cover, 
as well as connecting to other texts or real-life information. 

In other learning, ask your child about: 

- measurement: eliminating the words "big" and "small" when we talk about measuring
- measurement: comparing objects using "than" to create a statement
- measurement: ordering a set of objects according to length, height and width
- measurement: measuring with non-standard units 

- mapping: understanding different levels of community: country, province/territory and city
- mapping: identifying and labeling 3 Canadian communities on a personal map: Calgary, Halifax and Iqaluit

Working in small groups, students made predictions of which flag belonged to which community,
based on the colours and symbols, and connecting to prior knowledge and experience. 

Students shared their predictions, and offered detailed reasoning.

We then confirmed our predictions, and learned about how the colours and symbols
are connected to the characteristics of each province/territory,
such as land, resources, people and history. 

- sound study: short vowels vs long vowels
- sound study: spelling patterns for long vowels with silent "e"

- health: creating personal reflections on our Mindfulness techniques

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms. Thomas

Upcoming - Arts Commons Virtual Arts Education Program

On Monday, April 19^th, students in grade 1/2 at Lake Bonavista School will participate in an Arts Commons Virtual Arts Education Program, connecting with artist-in-residence Shirley Hill to learn about Blackfoot language and storytelling: https://artscommons.ca/learn-engage/school-programs/artist-in-residence/ This program enriches student learning within our Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum. 

 

Thank you to our Lake Bonavista School Council for generously providing the funding for this experience.