Our 30x30 Challenge continues! I was glad to hear so many children were outside last weekend. Some wrote it in their Monday journal writing, and we added their entries on our challenge calendar wall. We would love to see pictures of students spending time in nature over the weekend - feel free to email me photos of your child in action!
This week, we played with shadows over three days - partner shadows, block tower shadows and character shadows, The students explored manipulating shadows so they grew taller, shorter, and moved in different direction.
We also dined "alfresco" (not "alfredo" as many students have mistaken it for!) for snack with Ms. Gray's class on Thursday and Friday, and then enjoyed reading quietly to ourselves in our Sit Spots.
We also have been able to enjoy outdoor gym a couple of mornings this week, learning the different games printed on our compound (hopscotch and four-square) as well as a couple of Bocce Ball variations, and marbles.
Thank you to school council for sponsoring the Netball program that we've enjoyed in Phys. Ed. this week. We were able to learn how netball is different from basketball, practice our skills, and even apply those skills in games. It was very tricky not dribbling, and trying to get the ball in the hoop without a backboard!
We have started writing our own poetry. Inspired by Shel Silverstein's "Bandaids", we wrote a patterned poem titled, "Ouch!" to share with you this week. It is an example of a list poem, as we share multiple ideas on the same topic. We hope you enjoy it!
On Tuesday, we were treated to a presentation teaching us about wetlands, the water cycle, plants and animals, and invertebrate adaptations. This in-class presentation complements our upcoming field trip to Ralph Klein Park on May 23rd, and is a part of the Mud Between My Toes program sponsored by ConocoPhillips. There was no charge to families for the in-class presentation or the upcoming off-site field trip.
Thursday, May 3rd was Arbour Day! In celebration of Arbour Day, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry provided tree seedlings for all Grade 1 students throughout the province. This is a long-standing tradition to teach the values of trees and their contribution to the Alberta way of life. Arbour Day celebrates the importance of trees and green spaces. It is an annual event held in Canada, the United States and many other countries that share a common vision of greener communities. Arbour Day is the longest running civid greening project in Calgary. To date, annual Arbour Day celebrations in Calgary have distributed over 500,000 tree seedlings to Grade 1 students.
Over the last two days, students have completed their April letters home. This month, grade 1 students continued to write printed letters, while the grade 2s sent emails through their student gmail accounts. If you did not receive an email from your grade 2 child, please let me know and I will try and problem solve.
Today we enjoyed a presentation from Miss Ireland's father, Farmer Steve, about raising chickens and other fowl. He shared a variety of eggs with us, but by far the students favourite egg was a "fart" egg. Fart eggs usually occur in young, newly laying hens as their bodies adjust to the rhythm of egg production.
Finally, we completed our May calendars this week and discovered that May is going to be a very busy and exciting month! We have 5 swimming dates, 3 field trips, 3 Fun Lunches and 1 birthday. *Whew!*
In your child's mail folder this week, please find:
- May Scholastic Book Orders. These are due back Friday, May 11th if you care to order. Cheque or online payment only please.
- Ralph Klein Park field trip forms (green). These are due back Monday, May 21st for review, photocopying and filing.
- Swimming forms (blue). These are due back Tuesday, May 8th so they can be delivered to Trico Centre for lesson assignments.
We are still (desperately) looking for volunteers for our upcoming field trip on Wednesday to Fish Creek Park. If you are able to join us for the day, please contact myself or Martine.
Thank you everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Thomas
