Category: Teamwork

Poppy Poppy

While it is not always easy to talk about Canadian history and war with young children, Remembrance Day presents a good opportunity to recognize the courage of those who served for our country. In class, we talked about the significance of wearing a poppy and about peace – what peace looks like, sounds like, and feels like.  We can give our children a reason to work towards a more peaceful world.

Here are some comments from the students:

“Peace is going to the playground.”

“Peace is sharing our toys.”

“Peace is feeling safe in school.”

*More comments will be available in students’ e-portfolios.

This is a great book for young children: The Peace Book by Todd Parr

The kindergarten and grade one students in Div. 8 & 9 did a wonderful job reciting this Remembrance Day poem at the school assembly.  Thank you to parents for helping your child practice the lines at home.

Poppy Poppy

Poppy Poppy, what do you say?
Wear me on Remembrance Day.

Poppy Poppy, what do you tell?
Many soldiers in battle fell.

Poppy Poppy, what should we know?
That peace on Earth should grow, grow, grow.

Poppy, we are but children small,
We are too little to do it all.

Children, you may do your part.
Love each other is how you start.
Play without fighting.
Share your games and toys.
Be kind and thoughtful,
To all girls and boys.

3D poppies on our class wreath
3D poppies on our class wreath; each class created a wreath for the assembly

 

Terry Fox Run & Orange Shirt Day

September 29th was our school’s Terry Fox Run, as well as Orange Shirt Day.  Ms. Price, our Aboriginal Resource Teacher, visited our classroom to tell us the story about Phyllis’ experience at a residential school.

Having Orange Shirt Day on the same day as the Terry Fox Run was a good opportunity to talk about Terry Fox’s Métis ancestry.  Thank you Parents for your donations to the Terry Fox Foundation.  As a school, we surpassed our goal and raised…

More photos from the run:

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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

 

At the beginning of the year when students are learning how to write their names, we always have fun reading the book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  All the letters climb up the coconut tree until the tree bends… “Will there be enough room?”  No, because all the letters fall out!  The book has a great rhythm and there’s even a song that goes with it.  See YouTube video below.

 

 

Students made coconut trees and added the letters of their names.  They learned how to use scissors and managed to cut out tree trunks (any size they wanted) and tree leaves!

The coconut trees are displayed on the hallway bulletin board outside our classroom!  Please come and take a look.

 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Look who’s in our room!

 

 

What’s Hatching?

Division 7 and 8 are studying a new theme this month. We are little scientists and we are learning about oviparous animals. Last week, three eggs arrived at our school. We will get to see how these eggs hatch!  The eggs are slightly larger than the ones we usually eat at home. They will take approximately three weeks to hatch.  The eggs are safely stored in an incubator in Ms. Gourlay’s classroom.  We will visit them every 2-3 days to make an observation about the eggs and write down some notes in our observation booklets, as scientists do.

eggs in the incubator

Ms. Gourlay and I are keeping it a secret.  What animal do you think is inside?  “Hopefully not a dinosaur,” said a kindergarten student.

Buddy Reading

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a restful winter break.  There is something about January.  The kids seem to bounce right back into the school routine with renewed energy for the new year.

Every so often, we have older buddies come into our class to read with our kids.  Today during our kindergarten literacy time, we had grade 2 and 3 buddies come to read with us. 

Reading is a necessity in any classroom, and getting some extra time to share a story with someone is a gift. We have all heard about reading being the secret to success. Students gain access to rich vocabulary and even simple stories contain complex aspects of relationships and events. While being read to, students are able to just relax and concentrate on what the story is about.  They gain by listening to critical language and enunciation skills.  There is no pressure to sound out words or memorize any information.  For the older kids, the more they read to their little buddies, the more confidence they gain in their own reading skills. The benefits are just too many to list. Plus, it’s fun and the kids love having buddies!

Most of these buddies were in my class for kindergarten and/or grade 1. It’s always so nice when they come back to visit their old classroom!

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