Week 13 Update

Conferences:
This week was short and sweet due to our conferences on Friday. I want to send a big thank you to all of our families for attending. It was a fantastic day to celebrate our students successes and set some new goals for term 2!

Art Show: 

This past weekend I attended a training session at the Public School Board Office and I was so excited to see one of our own students art displayed in the Ron Mitchell room! Naturally, I had to snap a few pictures to bring back to share with our class! Wylie's "A Little Birdie Told Me" pastel art was chosen to help represent our school in the November Art Show at the Regina Public School Board Office. Congratulations Wylie!

How do Animals Help Us?
This week we explored how animals help people. Using pictures to help generate ideas, the students worked together in their table "teams" to determine why animals are important (eg., food, clothing, company, transportation...). We recorded our thoughts on a "bubble map" organizer.  Students then expanded on their ideas by turning their recordings from the bubble map into complete sentences.  We also took a closer look at how important the buffalo were to the First Nations people.

Here's a few examples of how animals help us...
"Chickens, cows and other animals give us food (eggs, meat and milk)". - Maggie
"Therapy dogs help us by soothing people" - Aidan
"If a person is blind a guide dog can lead you" -Edina
"Police dogs help us by helping people if they get lost" -Maddux

" If we didn't have bats there would be lots of mosquitoes"-Isabelle H. 

"Dogs and other animals keep us company" -Wylie

"Sheep's wool can make sweaters and neck warmers and toques and blankets." -Isabelle R. 

A Recipe for Friendship:
We have also been busy creating a recipe for "Friendship Pie". Each student wrote their own recipe including ingredients such as "a spoonful of smiles", "1 cup of kindness" or a "teaspoon of sharing". Students then wrote their own instructions/examples of how to be respectful and a good friend to others.

Food Hamper:

It's that time of year again! Each classroom is putting together a Christmas hamper for families in need and we need your help! Our classroom hamper sign up sheet is posted on the outside of our classroom door. Please place your name beside any items you wish to donate. The hampers will be delivered on December 18th to Albert and Thompson school. For those of you unable to sign up in person, I will be sending a note home with the remaining items needed for the hamper.

Important Dates and Reminders:
Monday, December 2:      Spelling Test
Monday, December 2:      Raising Media Smart Kids in a Digital World Parent Night
                                        at 7:00 PM in the Jack Mackenzie Library
Tuesday, December 3:      Scholastic Book Orders are due

Week 12 Update

Bats and Owls
On Monday morning we took in a presentation on bats and owls by Lori Milligan from the Outdoor Environmental Education Department. We learned about different types of bats and owls including their senses, hunting adaptations, behavior, hibernation, food and environmental issues.  The students even got to meet Albert, a real little brown bat!

We've Got Rider Pride!
Our class is very excited about the Grey Cup! This week we teamed up with the Kindergarten and grade 1 classes to show off our Rider pride and create our own "Rider Nation".  Each class helped decorate their own pod area.

On Friday afternoon we toured the school to see what the other classrooms came up with.  The students at Jack MacKenzie are very creative!

Mindfulness: Living in the Present Moment
On Friday, our class welcomed a special guest, Trina Markusson, into our classroom to share some Mindfulness techniques that we can use everyday.

What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness involves purposely focusing our attention and observing what is going on around us, including our thoughts and feelings. Sometimes our thoughts wander to focus on past events ("I should have...") or future thoughts ("What if...) which can make us feel anxious. Being mindful involves focusing on the present moment.We practice letting our thoughts "go" or settle in our minds,  and focus on daily activities  and experiences as they are happening. We also practice deep breathing techniques (or as the students call it, "belly breaths").   Research shows mindfulness training has the potential to improve attention and focus, self-management skills and lower anxiety and stress levels. We will continue to practice mindfulness in our classroom daily.

Report Cards and Conferences:
Report cards were sent on home on Friday, November 22. Conferences are on Friday, November 29th. You will find your scheduled conference time within the report card envelope. Please sign the conference slip and return it to school to confirm your interview time. Students will take their completed work home with them on the day of the conferences. I look forward to sitting down with you and your child to celebrate their successes, and discuss new goals.

Mystery Reader:

Our Mystery Reader this week was Kaitlyn's mom, Jennifer. The students learned about perspective as Jennifer read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. This version of the Three Little Pigs is told from the Wolf's point of view.  The students also enjoyed some "Three Little Pig" inspired cupcakes! Thanks Jennifer!

Important Dates and Reminders:
Friday, November 22:    Term 1 report cards are sent home.
Monday, November 25: Boston Pizza special lunch order forms are due
Friday, November 29:    Conferences
Monday, December 2:    Raising Media-Smart Kids in a Digital World Parent Night

* Please note the date for the Raising Media-Smart Kids has been changed to Monday, December 2, 2013*

Keep warm, cheer loud and have a fantastic Grey Cup weekend!
Ms. Cameron

Week 11 Update

Start Your Engines...
On Tuesday we had a celebration of learning by sending our home project race cars down the track! We had 9 students participate in making a car of their own, using materials found at home. We tested the cars on a ramp, on a smooth flat surface and on the story carpet. No two cars were the same and we had a great time applying our knowledge of forces and motion (push vs. pull and friction) to a real hands on experience with our cars.

Animal Growth and Changes:

We have been documenting what we already know about animals, and what we wonder about animals. These questions will help guide our learning during our Animals unit. Here are some of the students' responses...

Exciting News!

On Friday we had our final QSP assembly and we received a great surprise. Our class won a PIZZA PARTY for selling the most magazine subscriptions! We are very excited! Stay tuned for more details...

Congratulations to Alyssa for selling the second most magazine subscriptions in our school! Good Job Alyssa!

Congratulations again to Merrick who found the lucky golden banana and won an iPad. There were only 10 people who won this prize across Canada! WOW!

 Mystery Reader: 

This week's Mystery Reader was Alyssa's Dad, Lyle. Lyle read Farley Follows His Nose by Lynn Johnston. Having a Mystery Reader is always a fantastic way to kick off "Fun Friday!" 

Raising Media-Smart Kids in a Digital World: A Parent Engagement Night
The average 8 to 18 year-old spends 7.5 hours a day online. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, ASK FM, Pinterest, YouTube, Blogger: it's a new language and landscape for communication, learning and especially parenting. Today's socially networked society presents both exciting and challenging realities for parents and educators. Are you plugged in? Do you know how your child is spending their time online? How can we raise media-smart, caring kids today? Join our parent engagement night on Monday, November 25 to learn about how you can help your child become a safe, smart, and responsible digital citizen. We'll start at 7 pm in the Jack MacKenzie Library! All are welcome! Hosted by Shannon Sanchuck (Grade 2 Teacher) and Harmony McMillan (Grade 6 Teacher). RSVP is not required but appreciated, please email harmony.mcmillan@rbe.sk.ca.

Student Fees:
A friendly reminder that the online payment option for student fees is now up and running. If you have not already paid for your child's agenda and Math workbook, please do so at your earliest convenience.

Important Dates and Reminders:
Monday, November 18:          Spelling Test 

Wednesday, November 20:      Last day to bring clothing donations for Albert School
Friday, November 22:             Spelling Test
Friday, November 22:             Term 1 Progress Reports are sent home
Monday, December 2:            Raising Media-Smart Kids in a Digital World Parent Night
* Please note the date for the Raising Media-Smart Kids has been changed to Monday, December 2, 2013*
Have a fabulous weekend!
GO RIDERS GO!

Ms. Cameron

Week 10 Update

Field Trip Fun!

Our class had a BLAST at the Science Centre this week. The students applied what they know about forces to a variety of small experiments during our Everyday Forces workshop. We explored the Science Centre, and also took in an Imax Movie called "Kenya 3D: Animal Kingdom". We were the only class there and had the entire Science Centre to ourselves (BONUS!).  A BIG thanks goes out to our parent volunteers Cindy, Leanne, Sandra and Mirjana.

Remembrance Day:On Thursday we had our Remembrance Day assembly with St. Gabriel School. Isabelle H. and Maddux laid the class wreath on behalf of our Grade 2 class. It was a lovely ceremony. We have been practicing the Remembrance Day Pledge:

 We Pledge -
That as adults and children - 

We will do what we can - 

To solve conflicts -

And prevent wars -

Starting today, -
In my home, -

In my classroom, -

And on the playground, -

I will be a peacekeeper.

Mystery Reader:
Although it is a short week, we were very lucky to have a Mystery Reader on Thursday afternoon. Our Mystery Reader was Avi's mom, Kesar! Kesar read "Wait and See" by Robert Munsch. Thanks again to all of our Mystery Readers for making each day a little more exciting. The students love putting the clues together and guessing who the Mystery Reader could be!

Used Clothing Drive:
The SCC will be collecting used clothing to be donated to Albert Park School. Please send all donations to school with your child between November 12th to 20th. All clothing should be sent in a plastic bag and left in the front foyer of the school.

Student Fees:It has been brought to my attention that when paying the student fees online, there was only an option to pay for the agenda ($4.50) but not the Math Makes Sense Workbook ($21.50). I have been informed that the Math Workbook has now been added as a payment option. You can now pay both the agenda and math workbook online. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Important Dates and Reminders:
Friday, November 8, 2013:            No School (PD Day)
Monday, November 11, 2013:       No School (Remembrance Day)
Thursday, November 14, 2013:     November book orders are due.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013:  Pick up date for Albert School clothing donations

Week 9 Update

Invisible Forces: Pinwheels
We are just a few days away from wrapping up our final lessons on Motion and Relative Position. In addition to looking at invisible forces, we have been completing experiments about friction and gravity. Some students are still finishing their cars for the optional home project. Please send your child's car to school by Tuesday of next week. We have several cars "parked" in our classroom already, each one different from the next! The excitement towards the race is building in our classroom.

Halloween Fun
We had a fabulous day of fun during Friday's Halloween activities. In the morning, we teamed up with the K,1, 2 classes and traveled around the school to participate in various Halloween stations. Some stations included bobbing for donuts, witch hat toss, limbo, pumpkin bowling, toilet paper mummies, and a spider crawl freeze dance - just to name a few!

In the afternoon, our class attended the Halloween Dance followed by our class party. The students and I had an absolute blast! A BIG thanks to Amanda Scollan for bringing our classroom party to life, with help from Cindy Rogers. The party began with a  Halloween story and craft followed by numerous Halloween themed activities! The students had so much fun attempting to pin the nose on the pumpkin, bobbing for sugar cookies, visiting the Witch's Brew station and diving into some Halloween treats. Thank again Cindy and Amanda for making the afternoon so special!

We LOVE reading the pigeon books, written by Mo Willems. The students thought it was quite entertaining that their teacher was the pigeon for a day! 

Congratulations to Myla, who won first place in the pumpkin carving contest!

Here's a sneak peak of our class party...

Mystery Reader 
Our Mystery Reader this week was Isabelle's mom, Sarah! Sarah read Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer. Our Mystery Reader was the "cherry on top" of a fantastic week! Thanks Sarah!

              

*Student Fees:
It has been brought to my attention that when using the online payment method, there is currently only an option to pay for the agenda ($4.50), but not the math workbook ($21.50). I will send a note home in your child's agenda once I'm notified how to complete the full payment of $26.00. Please note there is a typo on the previous note/agenda message stating the  total fee is $25.00. The breakdown of the agenda and math workbook totals $26.00.  I apologize for the inconvenience.

Important Dates:
Wednesday, November 6, 2013:        Science Centre Field Trip
Friday, November 8, 2013:                  No School (PD Day)
Monday, November 11, 2013:            No School (Remembrance Day)


Have a great weekend!

Ms. Cameron