Hi!
I just had to share my view from my dining room window… (as well as get my Cherry WTW group to think about homophones!)
I ended up with 7 of them in the yard! It’s a nice view and reminds me of how serene it is out here BUT at the same tone I need to remember that too many deer can mean the addition of a scary predator! About two weeks ago a coyote ran through the yard! That was the first time a coyote has been in the yard (that I know of)…and hopefully the last! Studying animals and their habitats has me thinking about things differently. There is a reason that coyote was in the yard. Does it have something to do with a high deer population so close to the city, are they becoming less afraid of human activity, has there been a habitat loss and the coyotes are on the move?! I’m always on the search for tweets, photographs, cool facts, news stories, connections, human impact stories to share with the class. It is my hope that these types of conversations are happening in your home as well 🙂
Here is a recap of last week at school…
-We spent an hour each day working in our Literacy Circle/Ecosystem groups with 122. Ask your child what’s he or she is studying and what they have learned so far! We will spend the next week finishing the book as well as the independent projects that go along with it. We have a fun art activity planned once we finish learning about the ecosystems!
-We still have about 7 more Green Screen projects to record and post. Thanks for your patience. We WILL get them all finished!
-We made it outside twice this week for gym class! It has been so beautiful and I love it so I’m crossing my fingers this forecast of a storm is incorrect…or perhaps it will miss us!
-We watched some videos and discussed multiplication and why we would make the change from addition to multiplication. Don’t worry if this is new for you. We will be doing lots of practice! I recommend listening to the Multiplication Mash Up that I posted to Seesaw the other day!
-We talked about Canada’s North in relation to art, culture, language, animals, climate, food, population, the creation of Nunavut and more! I love that we understand that people live in the North (despite the cold, the high cost of groceries, long and dark winters, the distance to large cities, etc.) because of culture and language. The culture of Canada’s North is unique, interesting and important. These are things that make people feel at home. It is important to pass on stories and traditions to keep culture alive. I have yet to travel anywhere in Northern Canada… but one day I will get there!
-Wednesday was Pink Shirt Day (Manitoba participates in two Pink Shirt campaigns each year). Kindness Matters. You Matter. We ALL Matter!
-We’ve had two Genius Hour presentations and they were both great! It sounds like more students are ready to present on Friday (our next Day 2)
We were treated to some amazing movies!!!
A working clock!!! How “time-ly” since we’ve been working on telling time!!
-MTYP performed The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Montrose! It’s so incredible that they can perform such detailed plays with only a few props, costumes and actors. Job well done MTYP!
The Library has new furniture! As our Library transitions to a Centre for Inquiry and Innovation you will begin to notice some changes! The new furniture arrived on Thursday and needs to last a long time. We talked about what we need to do as a school to care for this new equipment and use it as it is intended to be used!
-Ask me this weekend is to do another food log. This time we will try and follow the guidelines set out by Canada’s Food Guide. Choose one day (Saturday or Sunday) and eat well! Afterward, write a response in your Home Reading folder about this experience. I look forward to eating well and comparing the experience with everyone on Monday!
Link to Health Canada
What’s coming up next week?
-More Literacy Circles with 122 (all week, an hour a day)
-Yoga and Library on Monday!
-Thursday, March 8 is International Women’s Day. Something we will chat about 🙂
-Book orders are due this week
-Friday is Genius Hour (come prepared to work on your project)
-We will also start to prepare for Student Led Conferences…no hints quite yet 😉
-If the weather cooperates we will continue to go outside for gym on Days 2 and 6 (if not more!)
One last thing I wanted to share with you…
I came across these stats online (Jane Baird’s Twitter account @janebaird123) and wanted to talk to the kids about it.
I read to the kids daily (unless there is a conflict in schedule) and as I’ve said before…it is my FAVOURITE time with them. I can read books that are more challenging because we take the time to learn new vocabulary, to explain concepts, to make connections, etc. I get to model accuracy, how to self correct, fluency and expression. We have discussions that demonstrate comprehension. The kids learn from each other’s predictions, questions and wonderings. I let the kids relax. They don’t have to sit if they don’t want to. I want them to be comfortable, it’s how I like to be when I read. If you aren’t reading to your kids, I suggest you give it a try. They aren’t too old. They love it! They want you to read to them (I asked and there were many hands up!). Take turns reading or model reading like we do in school. Read a favourite you had as a child or find a new favourite together. There are so many impacts from reading (writing, vocabulary, spelling to name a few). If you aren’t already doing so…make time for daily reading 🙂
Have a great weekend and GoJetsGo!
Until next time,
Danielle
