Hoppy Easter ;)

Dear Families,

In anticipation of Halloween next week, students are feeling very excited and enthusiastic!  I'm already hearing about the unique costumes students will be wearing!  If you would like to send me a picture of your child in his or her costume, please do so via my e-mail: pgill@scdsb.on.ca and I can include it in next week's post!

Art:

To get us into the spooktacular spirit, we've begun some Halloween art!  Students were asked to follow a guided drawing mini-lesson to create a 'Big Mouth Pumpkin.'  Their pumpkins were unique and very creative!!  We had a blast with this!!

Next week, we will be creating more Halloween inspired folding surprises!  All art pieces will come home for you to enjoy your child's creations!  Stay tuned :-)

Language:

This week, we revisited our Orange Shirt Day activities.  Students listened to two stories about young Indigenous girls who experienced residential school.  After listening to the stories, the task was to use a Venn Diagram and compare "Life as a student at Nottawa/Byng VS.  Life as a student at Residential School."  Students were asked to consolidate their learning from Orange Shirt Day to demonstrate their new understanding from this topic.  

If you haven't already done so, please take some time over the weekend to enjoy listening to your child's 'Every Child Matters' writing piece.  I sent these home in the agenda.  I'm so proud of their powerful messages!!  As well, you may wish to listen to the book below entitled:  When I Was Eight.  We read it in class and students gained a greater understanding of what Indigenous children went through and how they felt.

Recount Writing:

For the past few weeks, I have modelled and shared mini-lessons about Recounts which is "Retelling an Event in Sequence" (see picture below of the anchor chart we have posted in our classroom).  

This week, you will have received your child's Thanksgiving Recount with my feedback.  Students were encouraged to provide as much detail as possible about their Thanksgiving experience and to use sequence words such as first, then, next, after that, and finally.  We have so many hard working writers in our class!!

Please take some time to celebrate your child's strengths and next steps in this writing piece!  The goal is to help reinforce the parts of their writing they did well (stars) and to improve upon their next steps (arrows).  

Bucket Filling:

In class, we have focused meaningful attention and energy on gratitude and acts of kindness.  This week, I shared the story 'How Full is Your Bucket.' 

Being happy isn't just a feeling; it's something that you carry with you all day.  You can make yourself happy by making other people happy, and by accepting kindness from others.  You feel very happy and good when your bucket is full, and you feel very sad and lonely when your bucket is empty.  

This story reminds us of the very important fact that we aren't the only ones carrying a special bucket; and, just as important, we aren't just responsible for our own buckets.  We're all responsible for each other's.  A full bucket is important because it means you're happy and confident.  If you want a full bucket, you need to work together (cooperation); you can't do it alone.  You need other people to fill your bucket and other people need you to fill theirs.'

At the end of the story and a class discussion about finding ways to acknowledge and appreciate others acts of kindness, I had the students think of a special person (e.g., a classmate, sibling, principal, teacher, parent, pet, etc) in their life and write a message of gratitude (bucket filling note).  These were heart-soaring!!  The feeling of JOY and HAPPINESS was felt as students delivered and received their notes :)  

I will encourage my students to continue this bucket filling tradition throughout the school year as I feel it is important to express and accept acts of appreciation! 

Math:

Last week, students wrote a place value assessment which I have finished marking and will send home in the coming days.  I shared with my class that this year assessments will emphasize celebrating our stars (strengths) and arrows (areas to improve/continue to work on).  

I will provide lots of class time for assessment completion as well as provide lunch and learn time to support their achievement.  I am very proud of everyone for doing their personal best in our place value unit!  

Parents' Guide to Mathematics:

Are you curious about the new math curriculum and how you can support your child's growth as a mathematician?

Working as a T.E.A.M. ("Together Everybody Achieves MORE!") will make a difference and support your child's learning by making math a regular part of your day-to-day life at home.  You can help your child(ren) make connections between what they learn in school and everyday experiences at home and in the community!

WE CAN:

• find ways to incorporate math at home
• inspire a love of learning and better understanding of math
• talk to your child about their math schoolwork
• show an interest in what they are learning in class
• help make learning fun by finding real world applications of what they are learning together

For more ways to support your child's math at home, please visit ontario.ca/page/support-your-childs-math-learning

I really appreciate the weekly support in your child's Extra Math Practice Homework!  I can tell the various students who have practiced concepts at home because their confidence has increased and they are willing to guide others with their knowledge and understanding.  Thank you parents for taking the time out of your busy schedules to invest in your child's academics.  It truly makes and is making a difference!!

Reading Program:

Have you met Sora?  The school board's digital ebook/audiobook collection contains over 4,000 titles and are waiting to be checked out by our SCDSB students!  

Students simply download the app, use their SCDSB login and start reading FOR FREE on their phone or tablet :)  The collection can be accessed at:  meet.soraapp.com

Gym:

This term in gym, we will be focusing on cooperative games to build upon our collaboration, sportspersonship, and agility skills.  Our class family is filled with athletic and enthusiastic athletes!!  Check us out :)

Thus far, I have taught the students how to play corner ball (video posted below).  I had to modify this game due to the gym being closed, but we made the most of it!!

Ask your child how to play 'Corner Ball' and what strategies their team used to be successful!  As some are aware, I'm a big sports and exercise person, so seeing my kids participate in gym so keenly and using team work, warms my heart!  There's never a dull moment in gym class - smiles all around!!

Mindfulness:

Please ask your child:  What is the author's message in this video?  What character trait is being displayed?  Explain a time when you've been a team player with your family.

Growth Mindset:

"Instead of I give up, try thinking, I'll use a different strategy!"

Meegwich,

Miss Gill