Week 15 Update

Week at a Glance
Singing with Mr. Byrd
We kicked off our week on Monday with some Holiday singing with Mr. Byrd. Mr. Byrd played his guitar while we did some caroling - Falalalala- la- la- la -la!

Double Bubble, Double Fun:
We are working on "How To..." writing this week and what better way to write step by step directions than by experiencing the task itself! The students were blowing and popping away as they wrote the"First, Then and Last" steps to blowing a bubble, while making their writing as descriptive as possible.

Animal Investigation:
Our students have transformed into animal investigators this week! Students chose an animal they are interested in to research and write their own animal reports. The students have been very excited to share what they have learned about their animal with the each other. We have also been learning about how animals grow and change during their life cycles.

Spelling:Today's spelling test is the last test before the holidays. There will be no spelling words next week. I have noticed an improvement in spelling high frequency words and common sight words accurately in our journals and writing activities. Students love to share when they come across any of our "words of the week" during Read to Self and Read to Someone. Thank you for your involvement in studying the words of the week with your child at home! Remember, parents are teachers too!

Mystery Readers:
This week we welcomed our final 2 Mystery Readers into our classroom. On Tuesday we had a very special surprise Mystery Reader - Mrs. Sanchuck! The students had been wondering when our "extra special" Mystery Reader guest would appear and they were very surprised! It was nice for the kids to meet Mrs. Sanchuck and listen to a few stories read by their soon to be teacher! Mrs. Sanchuck read "Cupcake" by Charise Harper, "Lets Do Nothing!" by Toni Fucile and "Duck! Rabbit!" by Amy Rosenthal.

Our Friday Mystery Reader this week was Edina's mom, Edita! Edita read Hansel and Gretel. The kids were very engaged in the story and enjoyed some Christmas cookies that Edina and her mom made together! Thanks Edita!

Sneak Peak Into Next Week:

**Important** - Sledding Next Week
Next week the gym will be closed for the Christmas Concert. Students are to bring their crazy carpets, toboggans, snow saucers etc. to school for Phys. Ed with Mr. Hollinger on Tuesday, December 16th and  Wednesday, December 17th. Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for sledding. Luckily, next week is supposed to bring us warmer weather, but please dress warm (toques, mitts, scarves, snow boots, ski pants...).

Christmas Concert:
The staff and students have been working very hard to prepare for the Christmas musical production, Winterlude. The concert is on Tuesday, December 17th at 1:15 and 7:00.

Procedure for tickets:
Each family had until Friday, December 13th at 9:00 am to decide if they require tickets for the evening concert. The youngest child in the family will be able to pick up 2 tickets from their classroom teacher. Any tickets not claimed with be redistributed. Families who require more tickets must have requested extra tickets by Friday morning. Families will be informed on Monday, December 16th regarding the distribution of the extra tickets.

* Feel free to drop students off at the classroom anytime between 6:30 - 7:00. Please note that classrooms will not be unlocked until 6:30 PM. Hope to see you at the show!

QSP Pizza Party Prize:Our classroom is buzzing with excitement over our upcoming pizza party! Our grade 2 class sold the most QSP magazine subscriptions and won the Classroom Pizza Party Prize! Our party will be on Wednesday, December 18th at lunch .Pizza and drinks will be provided so students will not need to bring a lunch that day. A BIG thank you to Cindy Rogers for organizing the lunch.

Christmas Hampers:
Reminder that our Christmas hampers will be delivered on Wednesday, December 18th. You can send non-perishable items to school anytime before this date.  If you are donating perishable items,  please bring them to school on the 17th.

Class Potluck Dinner:Reminder that Aidan's mom, Amanda, is planning a class potluck dinner for our families on December 20th in our classroom. Students will not need to bring a lunch on this day. We hope to see you all there!

*Early Dismissal and PJ Day:
Just a reminder that there is early dismissal next Friday, December 20th at 2:30 PM. The kiddos in our class have officially declared our last day together as PJ Day!

Important Dates and Reminders:
Tuesday, December 17:      Christmas Concert (1:15 PM and 7:00 PM)
Wednesday. December 18: QSP Prize: Classroom Pizza Party Lunch
Wednesday, December 18: Christmas Hampers are Delivered to Families
Thursday. December 19:    Field Trip to the Royal SK. Museum
Friday, December 20:         Last Day of School - Class Potluck Luck, PJ Day, & Early  
                                          Dismissal (2:30)