Our weeks since winter break have been chock full of exciting learning! Thank you for your patience with resuming regular blog postings.
Since the first day back, we have had the pleasure of hosting Miss Herman, a pre-service teacher from Ambrose University. We are so blessed with all the talents she brings to our classroom. She will be with us until February 8th, when she resumes her studies at the university. Miss Herman has been designing tasks to complement our BFG read aloud that incorporate art and creative writing, as well as taking us on virtual field trips to Tokyo, Japan to learn more about the home of our new penpals.
Today, we had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about mochi, a Japanese glutinous rice cake. Izumi and Manabu, parents from our classroom community, are originally from Japan, and showed us videos of making mochi using traditional tools, as well as cooked some for us to sample. We sampled toasted mochi, and had the option of wrapping it in nori, and dipping it in soy sauce. We all really enjoyed it! See if your child can identify some of the key ideas of mochi making using this art piece by Utagawa Kunisada:
Thank you to all the families who have extended this own connections to our learning of Japan - we love seeing pictures and videos, and hearing your stories.
In mathematics, we have been working on developing our number fluency through a variety of activities that have multiple entry points (i.e students at a variety of readiness levels can apply strategies they know or are working on). As report cards are coming home later this week, it may be helpful to understand what fact fluency is by referencing a document created by the CBE: http://school.cbe.ab.ca/School/Repository/SBAttachments/e28ab042-4bf6-44d8-9f6c-b7a15cf40045_Number-Fluency-Parent-Communication.pdf
We visited Nickle School this week and were read the published copies of personalized story books, using our names for characters, and our interests in plot lines. While at Nickle, our big buddies took us to mini workshops in the Maker Room, Gym or Music Room. We look forward to seeing them again soon!
Our gymnastic unit continues until February 8th. Today after school, teachers put out the Climber for use starting Monday. This is a highlight of the year for many students! Please continue to ensure your child is "Head to Toe, Ready to Go" each and every day!
Some reminders about classroom routines:
Phys. Ed. is daily.
Library exchange is on Wednesdays.
Healthy Hunger Fun Lunches are on Thursdays. Students still require a snack for the morning.
Home Reading can be exchanged at your convenience, but I highly recommend exchanging books once a week to keep reading material fresh. If you have not done so since winter break, please send in your child's Home Reading this upcoming week.
Poetry Folders are sent home at the end of each week.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Monday, January 28th - Clay for Kids glass fusing session
Thursday, January 31st - Report Cards go home
Friday, February 1st - No school
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Ms Thomas
