Friday April 28, 2023

We are focused on subtraction in math these days, with our students practicing their mental math by rolling dice, adding the dots and then subtracting one number from another.  It's pretty complex!  Ask your child if they can tell you which direction on the number line they go when they add and when they subtract.

We have had more students share their interview questionnaire with the class.  Some of our older family members remember growing up during World War II...what amazing stories they have to tell.  Thank you for connecting your child with their family history and helping them develop their sense of the past and their family traditions.

Wednesday April 26, 2023

 

Our two Grade One classes combined this afternoon for our Wednesday Workshop Time. It’s such a joy to watch the students collaborate on projects and hatch big ideas together. Paint, tape and staples are used in impressive quantities!  You never know what will be the next big topic…today a student shared her “How to play the xylophone” manual complete with a mini-model xylophone made of popsicle sticks☺️

Tuesday April 25, 2023

A notice went home today about a parent council-sponsored event for the Woodlands School families in June.  The Carnival hasn't taken place for several years, but it is making an exciting comeback.  Please check your child's backpack for the notice and further information.

Working on a special surprise today...

Monday April 24, 2023

A few of our students returned their interview questions today and shared them with the class.  One of our grandmas grew up in England and didn't have a yard to play in...so kids played in the street!  Another great-grandma was born in a village in Europe and has only been in Canada since 2021.  We love these stories and they really provoke great conversations!  Thank you for continuing to send in your completed interviews!

Friday April 21, 2023

Students have been asked to interview an older family member about life in the past...check their backpacks for the recording sheet and help them decide on which family member to interview (the older, the better)!  We have been comparing our modern day homes, toys, and clothes with pictures from the olden days.  

We would love to have our interviews completed and returned by the end of next week.  Thank you for helping us out!

Thursday April 20, 2023

We are experiencing some very tumultuous spring weather (like we always do in Calgary)!  We head out for recess in spite of the flurries, so be sure to help your child prepare for some pretty chilly outdoor time by sending warm coats, hats and mitts for those unpredictable days. 

Wednesday April 19, 2023

We had such a big response to our Drawing Club from the grade 1s and 2s that we couldn’t accommodate everyone. We had to do a draw for 30 names, so there were definitely some disappointed kids whose names were not drawn. Who knew there was such a demand for a drawing club?!?  At any rate, there is always tons of opportunity to draw and colour in class so I will make sure our little artists are happy. First drawing club meeting will be tomorrow, kids will bring their lunches to the learning commons at 11:45 and then draw, colour and sketch until the end of lunch hour. 

Tuesday April 18, 2023

Our story workshop time has become our favourite time of day.  It is such a pleasure to observe the creativity, independence and pride that is developing as each student explores materials and topics that excite them.  Walking around the classroom, I overhear conversations that demonstrate both social and academic growth as our young friends develop confidence in their abilities to imagine, create and share their projects.  One student shared in front of the whole class for the very first time yesterday...a huge accomplishment!

"The Bunnymobile"

"The Electrical Circuit"

"The Electricity and the Squid"

"The Easter Hunt"

"Astronauts"

Monday April 17, 2023

We started talking about families in the past today, as we start looking at past, present and future as a concept in social studies.  Ask your child to tell you how we looked at photos to determine whether they were from the past (a long time ago...not just yesterday), the present or perhaps the future.  What clues did the pictures hold for us?

Thursday April 13, 2023

We shared "The best thing about my family" today.  There were many interesting responses, and we observed that each of us had something completely unique to say.  Ask your child if they can tell you what they shared with the rest of the class, and maybe it will spark a discussion about all the ways your family is special and unique.

Forms and payment for the Family Dance on May 4th are being collected daily.  It will be a fun event for all and a great fundraiser for our Grade 5/6 Outdoor School!

Wednesday April 12, 2023

Our family bulletin board is finished and it turned out beautifully!

Each child made a popsicle stick version of each family member that lives in their home (including pets!) to add to their collage home.  There was a lot of hot glue involved to bring it together but we are so proud of the results.  We all added a caption to convey something we felt was important to say about families.

Tuesday April 11, 2023

We have been reading books by Janelle Cannon as our latest author study. Ask your child if they preferred ‘Stellaluna’, ‘Verdi’, ‘Crickwing’ or ‘Pinduli’ and if they can remember any interesting facts about the animals in each story. Janelle Cannon always includes non-fiction facts about the features animals at the end of the story. 

A reminder to return your forms and cash to the school if you plan to attend the family dance on May 4th!

Thursday April 6, 2023

We used popsicle sticks, paper, yarn and pipe cleaners to represent our families today.  These little people will join our collage houses to decorate our hallway bulletin board to showcase our learning about families.  So cute!

Enjoy the extra-long Easter weekend and we will see you back at school on Tuesday April 11th!

Wednesday April 5, 2023

Ten buddies were our math topic today...ask your child to show their super-fast recall of what numbers pair up to make 10!

We are building up to another long weekend.  Remember that there is no school on Friday April 7th and Monday April 10th!

Thank you for continuing to read with your children at home...I am seeing huge development!

Tuesday April 4, 2023

Today's math challenge was to roll two dice, subitize (or count) the dots and then mentally add ten.  The students are all working on their speed and accuracy to use the ten-plus strategy to become more proficient counters.  This is an easy activity to do at home with a couple of dice...add another dice to add a bigger challenge!

This is a short week with Good Friday approaching, followed by a professional development day for teachers on Easter Monday.  Students will go home this Thursday and not return to school for classes until Tuesday April 11th.

Monday April 3, 2023

We used dominoes and cards to practice our "ten plus" skills today with partners.  This gave us lots of fun practice at subitizing numbers and mentally adding ten.  Ask your child to show you how to do this with a deck of cards or a dice...they're building automaticity with counting this way!

A notice went home in backpacks regarding our Woodlands Family Dance on May 4th, sponsored and run by Parent Council as a fundraiser for the Grade 5/6 Outdoor School.  If you would like to attend, please return forms and payment in the envelope provided.