October Newsletter
What a great first month we have had! The students have been working hard to learn our routines, expectations and are making new friends within the classroom. I can’t wait to see what October has in store for us.
Thank you to those who were able to attend our Program Night. It was great to have so many in attendance.
In Math we have been participating in math talks to help us verbalize our math thinking as well as to learn from each other. We have been talking about how we see how many items there are. The strategies decided on so far are counting by ones, counting by twos (although this has not been explicitly taught yet so don't worry if your child is not doing this), and the most efficient one - counting on from ... A few students are also able to use the strategy we called Doubles, ("I know 5 and another 5 makes 10"). All students use counting by ones as a strategy. Many have begun to use the counting on strategy from amounts they readily recognize ("I see 3 in this group, so 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). As we continue to practise, all students should be using this more efficient strategy and choosing to count from the greater number (" I see 5, so 5, 6, 7). This strategy can be practised at home using a game that involves 2 dice.
The students have also been learning using our “Build” stations which consist of various activities to help us learn and practice math. Currently we are focusing on counting and representing numbers to 20 and have just begun to work on our patterning skills. Both of these concepts will continue on into October.
Buddy games allow the students to work together and learn from each other.
Using manipulatives allow students to explore various math concepts using items such as ten-frames, dice, counting animals, shapes, ect to further develop math understanding.
Independent math is where the students work independently on our math lessons.
Learning math is where students work with the teacher in a small group to expand our understanding or review concepts we might need extra help with.
Doing math with technology is using apps such as Zorbits, Prodigy, Osmo ect to extend and practice math concepts.
We have also recently begun learning about patterns. The math language children are learning to use is
-a pattern is something that repeats at least 3 times
-attribute (naming what is changing - size shape colour direction)
-pattern rule (AAB, AB, ABC, ABB)
-pattern core (where the pattern starts over again)
As October continues, so will the childrens practise with patterns.
In Language, we have been learning about our Daily 5 stations. We are working on our stamina for “Read to Self” and we are “Listening to Reading” either on Raz Kids. Our “Working with Words” activities are up and running as is our “Working on Writing” activity which is a journal. All of our Daily 5 stations are supported by your child's knowledge of the WWW we have been assigning each week. Practice at home reading and spelling these 4 WWW each week gives your child that extra boost to be that much more successful in his/her reading and writing here at school. In October, we will be beginning to look at making lists and re-telling stories.
In Science, we have begun to learn about the different seasons which has inspired an art activity using different textures and materials to create contrast in a piece centered around the summer season.
During physical education, we are learning about how to be aware of our surrounding while playing different games to ensure everyone stays safe and also expanding our friendships with various cooperative games. WE aer also practising throwing, catching, kicking, and stopping ball skills. In health, we have been learning how to use our WITS when dealing with conflicts and how to ensure we are ready to learn through our Zones of Regulation.
Finally, in Religion, we have been learning about our differences and similarities while building our listening skills with our Circle of Friends each day. The Parable of the Good Samaritan has allowed us to learn how to be good Digital Citizens. Lots of great learning this month.
You will see that I have sent home an assessment for math, language and our learning skills of organization and responsibility. I have checked off if your child “Can” do the activity or “Can’t yet” meaning it is something they will continue to work on. Please take a moment to go through these with your child and let me know if you have any questions.
Enjoy the fall weather!
Joanna VanZeeland-Power
Thank you to those who were able to attend our Program Night. It was great to have so many in attendance.
In Math we have been participating in math talks to help us verbalize our math thinking as well as to learn from each other. We have been talking about how we see how many items there are. The strategies decided on so far are counting by ones, counting by twos (although this has not been explicitly taught yet so don't worry if your child is not doing this), and the most efficient one - counting on from ... A few students are also able to use the strategy we called Doubles, ("I know 5 and another 5 makes 10"). All students use counting by ones as a strategy. Many have begun to use the counting on strategy from amounts they readily recognize ("I see 3 in this group, so 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). As we continue to practise, all students should be using this more efficient strategy and choosing to count from the greater number (" I see 5, so 5, 6, 7). This strategy can be practised at home using a game that involves 2 dice.
The students have also been learning using our “Build” stations which consist of various activities to help us learn and practice math. Currently we are focusing on counting and representing numbers to 20 and have just begun to work on our patterning skills. Both of these concepts will continue on into October.
Buddy games allow the students to work together and learn from each other.
Using manipulatives allow students to explore various math concepts using items such as ten-frames, dice, counting animals, shapes, ect to further develop math understanding.
Independent math is where the students work independently on our math lessons.
Learning math is where students work with the teacher in a small group to expand our understanding or review concepts we might need extra help with.
Doing math with technology is using apps such as Zorbits, Prodigy, Osmo ect to extend and practice math concepts.
We have also recently begun learning about patterns. The math language children are learning to use is
-a pattern is something that repeats at least 3 times
-attribute (naming what is changing - size shape colour direction)
-pattern rule (AAB, AB, ABC, ABB)
-pattern core (where the pattern starts over again)
As October continues, so will the childrens practise with patterns.
In Language, we have been learning about our Daily 5 stations. We are working on our stamina for “Read to Self” and we are “Listening to Reading” either on Raz Kids. Our “Working with Words” activities are up and running as is our “Working on Writing” activity which is a journal. All of our Daily 5 stations are supported by your child's knowledge of the WWW we have been assigning each week. Practice at home reading and spelling these 4 WWW each week gives your child that extra boost to be that much more successful in his/her reading and writing here at school. In October, we will be beginning to look at making lists and re-telling stories.
In Science, we have begun to learn about the different seasons which has inspired an art activity using different textures and materials to create contrast in a piece centered around the summer season.
During physical education, we are learning about how to be aware of our surrounding while playing different games to ensure everyone stays safe and also expanding our friendships with various cooperative games. WE aer also practising throwing, catching, kicking, and stopping ball skills. In health, we have been learning how to use our WITS when dealing with conflicts and how to ensure we are ready to learn through our Zones of Regulation.
Finally, in Religion, we have been learning about our differences and similarities while building our listening skills with our Circle of Friends each day. The Parable of the Good Samaritan has allowed us to learn how to be good Digital Citizens. Lots of great learning this month.
You will see that I have sent home an assessment for math, language and our learning skills of organization and responsibility. I have checked off if your child “Can” do the activity or “Can’t yet” meaning it is something they will continue to work on. Please take a moment to go through these with your child and let me know if you have any questions.
Enjoy the fall weather!
Joanna VanZeeland-Power