General Happenings: Picture Post!

Just some pictures from this week! :)

Have a great, long weekend! :)

Announcements: Initiative Winners!

Congratulations to Grayson, Stefana, and Lily for showing awesome initiative! :)

General Happenings: Going Undercover in Room 110

At the end of every day, we have reflection time. I'm a big believer in self-reflection and setting goals, so at the end of every day, we set a goal for ourselves for the next day based on how our day went, and then in the morning, we discuss how we can achieve our goal. Our goals range from sharing our toys, staying tidy during lunch, keeping our hands to ourselves, etc. Today's goal was cleaning up after ourselves!

I haven't posted any of these types of videos this year... I did it sometimes last year when I took videos of kids at random points throughout the day so you can see if your child is on task. These videos aren't meant to single anyone out, but to either see if your child is on task and/or use as a discussion starter with your child to encourage self-reflection. This time it was during tidy up time! We reiterate every single day that cleaning up means picking something up and putting it away. Everything in our classroom has a spot... everything! We stress that tidying up is not a) continuing to play b) moving the toys around to make a bigger mess c) picking the toys up, moving them to another spot. Here's a glimpse inside our room during tidy up time.

Announcements: Library Day Confusion

We have been having a lot of questions about book exchange and when library books are due. Library exchange doesn't happen the same day every week. We are on a 5 day rotation and with PA days and holidays, it can be Monday one week and Tuesday the next. I have not put this on our monthly calendar because if for some reason the system is down and book exchange doesn't take place, then I have multiple notes coming in the next day asking why they didn't have their book exchanged, if it was lost, etc. which I then have to respond to when I'm not even their library teacher.

My advice is to keep the book for one, two, or three days and then send it back. If you are that curious as to the exact day it's due, you can cross reference it with the board's calendar. It takes place on day 3. Thank you.

http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Elementary-Calendar-5-Day-Cycle.pdf

Special Events: Balloon Day!

On Friday, we had balloon day! We learned all about our balloon words, the 25 sight words that "float" up in our books all the time. We learned our song, played some games, and even did a science experiment! We had a ton of fun :)

Special Events: Super Hero Day!

Some of us were all decked out for super hero day! :) Looking good!

Mathematics: Language around Addition & Subtraction

What does equals mean? Watch my newest math video below to hear my thoughts on it!

Announcements: Report Cards

Hi everyone,

Report cards were sent home today. I know this can be an anxious time, especially if this is the first report card you are receiving for your child. Report cards aren't meant to shock you in any way. I've tried my best to keep you in the loop of how your child is doing.

We are given so little space for each subject, sometimes it doesn't flow within each subject, so to help you out, I have given you a break down of what was commented on for each subject. Please note that this is simply a skeleton, and some things may have been modified.

Note:

• If you see a comment with no last name behind it, I have commented on it. If you see the last name of another teacher, you must contact them if you wish to discuss your child's mark. You can contact the office and ask to speak with that teacher.
• All expectations being commented on are based on the FDK Curriculum 
• I have 6 subjects to comment on for 28 children, so no, they will not be extremely individualized. However, I am more than happy to speak to any one of you regarding anything on the report card that I have commented on. I have let you know if I feel as though a interview is necessary. If I don't feel an interview is necessary, but you would like to sit down for one, we can of course arrange that.

JK REPORTS

Personal & Social

- transition into JK
- favourite learning centre
- ability to take turns
- completing their 5 jobs
- initiative/motivation

Language

- interest in reading
- letter/sound knowledge
- use of beginner reading strategies
- interest in writing
- writing ability

Mathematics (math has 5 "strands", we comment on 4 each report)

- interest in math
- Number Sense: knowledge of 1-1 correspondence (e.g., If there are 5 puzzle pieces in front of you, can you point to each one and count correctly to 5? Do you skip a number when counting? Do you count the same piece more than once?)
- Patterning: ability to create and extend patterns
- Geometry: making pictures using geometric shapes
- Data Management: ability to sort objects in 1 or 2 ways and describe how items were sorted

SK REPORTS

Personal & Social

- transition into SK
- favourite learning centre
- responsibility/leadership

Language

- interest in reading
- knowledge of popcorn words and learned sounds
- use of reading strategies
- interest in writing
- writing ability

Mathematics (math has 5 "strands", we comment on 4 each report)

- interest in math
- Number Sense: knowledge of less and more
- Patterning: ability to recognize patterns in our classroom/during the day
- Geometry: understanding and applying directional language (near, far away from, close to, in front of).
- Data Management: ability to sort objects in 2 or more ways and describe how items were sorted

ALL REPORTS

Science/Technology

- ability to notice changes in the environment
- interest in inquiry topics/asking questions related to current inquiry
- use of science materials in the classroom

Health

- ability to discuss what makes them happy
- knowledge of strategies that can be taken when feeling sad/anxious
- (for some) fine motor skills (pencil grip, etc.)

Literacy: The Audience Sounds!

Over the past two weeks, we've learned all about our audience sounds: oo and aw! They appear in a ton of words. Watch the video above to familiarize yourself with those sounds. Note: oo can also make the "uh" sound like in 'look' and 'book'.

Special Events: Valentine's Day!

Hi everyone!

Unfortunately I couldn't attend our Valentine's day party, but the kids were in great hands and had a ton of fun! Here are some pictures from our special day :)

We had a piñata! Thanks Nevaeha :)

We hope everyone has a great long weekend. Happy Family Day! :)

Jr. Dance Team: Dancefest 2016!!

Today was HWDSB's annual Dancefest! A showcase of all the amazing dancers we have throughout our board. My Jr. Jazz team from last year performed their dance "Primadonna", and they couldn't have done a better job! They looked like professionals up there!! They have worked SO hard praciticing during nutrition breaks and after school. Their hard work has paid off! Make sure you watch our performance below!

Here's our performance!

We sure had fun while we were waiting to get adjudicated!

Then we had the adjudication! We received the "Show Ready" award for being in unison, put together, and ready to perform! Woohoo!

Afterward we went off to some dance workshops! We got to participate in the "Cultural Dance" and "Groove" workshop. 

Congratulations girls, you did an amazing job performing and representing our school. So, so proud!!