Rain, rain and more rain…
Happy rainy weekend,
I hope everyone stays cozy and dry this weekend!
As usual, we have been busy in Division 9. Here are a few highlights…
Math: We have been playing some place value games together in math. I have been challenging the students with some higher numbers and with some beginning word problems. They have really been rising to the challenge! I’ve been so pleased. We will continue to work on number sense for another week or two before starting some addition strategies. AT HOME: If you want to play with numbers there are so many ways to explore number at home—
- Count stuff! Count items and group them in 10s, talking about what numbers would go in the tens place and ones space
- play place value war- get a pack of cards. With 2 people, each person flips 2 cards. Make the biggest number possible. Whoever gets the bigger number wins and takes the cards. (I suggest for grade 1s perhaps using cards 1-6, unless they would like a challenge!)
- Look at numbers everywhere- identify the number, what do the numbers mean?
- Make numbers in different ways…. in pictures, in tallies, in word problems, in groups of tens and ones
- Online games- I really like Starfall and they have some free ones
Writing- Division 9 has been writing up a storm. It’s been so fun to see and read. We are continuing with our story workshop which as been great. We read ‘The Perfect Square” by Michael Hall and then did our own versions of: what can you create with just one square? We have also been working on our spelling program ‘Word Play’. For each set of words I will send home some spelling practice homework, but at this point it is optional as your time at home allows. It’s a great idea to practice at home but more important to read, read, read! Enjoy reading and playing with words.
One particular highlight for me was introducing Indigenous seasonal rounds- the deeply traditional and sacred activities that would and do take place during the Fall in Indigenous communities in and around our local region. The children were so engaged and learned a little about collecting salal berries and salmon to dry for the upcoming winter months. We even tasted some dried blueberries and cranberries as part of our discussion. We will continue learning about this in the next couple weeks.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Thanks, too, for sending bozes for the kids! We have a rather large project coming up using them! A few things to note:
Photo retakes are TOMORROW, Oct 18th
If you have dried lentils, pulses, barley, rice to donate that would be great! We are making weighted snakes for self-regulation. Not all students need them but they can be very grounding for many and most are keen to have one of their own. If you have sent materials, thank you! And if not, it’s no problem– I am working to acquire enough for all, but it is taking some time. In addition to the grains/pulses we need long knee socks, if you are able to bring them. No holes though please 🙂 They have to be able to hold a couple pounds of rice!
Lastly, I am pleased to start using Seesaw this week and for you to be able to see an ongoing portfolio of your child’s day. Individual invites will be sent home this week and off we go! As I mentioned, this is the first time I have used this particular platform so bear with me as it gets underway! Am very excited to give it a try and give you a window into a day in the life of your child at school.
Take care, and with gratitude,
Ms. M