Friday, September 28, 2012

Spelling Words (Oct 1st-5th)

*Spelling tests are sent home in a duotang each week.  Please sign, and return to school.  I also encourage you to review former spelling words ~ these are the most commonly used words when we start reading, so the more exposure the better. Thanks!

Grade One Words
me
we
go
up
the
and

Grade Two Words
from
stop
just
every
give
giving

Isis and the Seven Scorpions

We were fortunate enough to be able to listen to and watch a performance of "Isis and the Seven Scorpions".  The story involves a professor and his students on a trip to Egypt, and the professor is bit by a scorpion.  The students try to solve clues, to help them save their professor.





Photo of the Day ~ Savannah

Artwork inspired by
"Leaf Man"
by Lois Ehlert

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Grade 1 Patterns

In Math, the Grade 1 students are taking patterning.  It was far too nice out to do this inside, so we took our supplies outside and enjoyed the beautiful day! Here is some of what we worked on...
Drawing patterns outside!
Creating patterns using
pattern blocks!






Photo of the Day ~ Owen

Being silly on our
In-Motion run!

Important Dates ~ October

October 1st - 5th
Spirit Week

October 8th
Thanksgiving
No School

October 15th-19th
Education Week
Events scheduled
More details to follow

October 15th
Early dismissal
2:00pm

October 22nd-26th
Show and Tell Week

October 24th
Retakes

October 29th
Early dismissal
2:00pm


Picture Retakes

Picture retakes have been scheduled for October 24th.
Please let me know before the 24th if you are needing to have retakes done.

Spirit Week

The SRC has planned a Spirit Week for next week.
Each day will have a dress-up theme.

Monday, Oct 1st
Pajama Day

Tuesday, Oct 2nd
School Colour Day

Wednesday, Oct. 3rd
White Day

Thursday, Oct. 4th
Crocs Day

Friday, Oct. 5th
Animal Day


Photo of the Day ~ Keanan

Working neatly on our
"What a Weekend" writing.

Photo of the Day ~ Gavin


Heading out for recess.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Terry Fox Walk

On Thursday afternoon at 2:30 we will be participating in the Terry Fox Walk. After the walk we will grab a cookie and juice and go back to our classroom.  You are welcome to walk with us on that day.

There will be a penny parade set up in the hallway, and students are also encouraged to bring donations or pledges on the day of the walk.  Pledge sheets were sent in your child's backpack today.

Thank you for your support!

The blogs are back!

First thing this morning I took the Grade 2's to the computer lab to start blogging.  What a great way to start a Monday!

Feel free to comment on any of the blogs, and pass along the link to family members.  Posts, and comments, must be reviewed/approved by me first, so there will be a delay before you see it on their blog.

Part of the responsibility of having a blog is to carry on a conversation with those who comment. The students are very excited to hear what you have to say!

http://kidblog.org/MrsEldersClass2012/

Thanks so much!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Spelling Tests

Beginning on Monday, I will start introducing spelling words each week.  Words will be posted on the blog and we will practice these words during the week.  Additional practice using these words at home would be appreciated.

Spelling words will be words that are frequently used in writing or seen while reading.  Many of these words are known as "sight words", meaning that they can't be sounded out, but must be recognized when looked at.  The words will increase in difficulty as the year goes on.

When we have our spelling "test", students will be asked to write out the words we have been studying during the week.  Depending on the level of the student, the time of the year, etc. I will have different expectations for the "test".  The first and last sound in a word may be all that your child can hear/write at this point, and that is absolutely fine.  We work towards hearing/writing all the sounds as the year progresses.

On the test I will often mark the word(s) correct, even if some of the letters are missing.  Again, if a student shows me the first and last sounds of the word, I will consider that success!

Spelling tests will be on Friday of each week.

Spelling Words (Sept. 24th - Sept. 28th)

Grade One Words
I
a
see
one
two

Grade Two Words
her
him
his
them
after
walk

Star of the Week ~ Tyler

Add caption
This week our star is Tyler.  His favourite place to be is at home, and he loves to play with this John Deere tractor.  Tyler loves to eat sushi, bacon, and rice.  His favourite movie is "Milo and Otis" and he loves animals.  Tyler brought the class apple flavoured popcorn AND he donated the movie "Milo and Otis" to our class!  Thanks for sharing Tyler!

Photo of the Day ~ Carter G.

Otis and Trooper visiting
our classroom today!

Photo of the Day ~ Gavin

Reading at the carpet.

Photo of the Day ~ Braxon

Finding patterns
in beads.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Heard around the room today...

"Mrs. Elder, why does my backpack smell like dog food?"

Student 1: "Mrs. Elder, why can't we have a snake for a class pet?"
Student 2: "Because Mrs. Elder would just scream and cry all day, that's why!"

A few reminders

1) Don't forget that picture day is this Friday!

2) Book orders, if you wish to order, are due on Friday.

3) Please make sure your child has a pair of socks at school that can be used for inside shoes and/or gym shoes.  We have a growing aroma in our room... haha

4) If you have any supplies left to send to school please do this as soon as possible.  Scrapbooks and library bags seem to be the items needed most in our room.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Shoes Tied

We have been working every day trying to help students learn to tie up their shoes.  Many students are improving but extra practice at home would be great.  Thank you for your help!

Photo of the Day ~ Nicholas

We "cleaned up" our fish bowl today.
We exchanged 10 little fish for a
large 10 fish.

Book Orders

Yesterday your child came home with Scholastic Book Order catalogs.  If you are interested in ordering, please return the order form and cheque (I am not allowed to accept cash) by Friday, September 21st.

Orders placed in our classroom help earn "free credit" with Scholastic to order items (books, posters, etc) for our classroom.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Supplies to send

If you have not sent a library bag for your child, please do so as soon as you can.  We go "shopping" at the library, and the books stay at our desks in these bags.  The reusable grocery bags work well, or any other type of sturdy canvas bag.

Please send a paint shirt as well.  It helps to eliminate the possibility of ruining good clothes while painting.

Registration Forms and Fees

Thank you to everyone who has sent back the registration forms.  If you have not yet returned them to school, please do so as soon as possible. 

Remember as well that there is a $15 fee for all students that must also be sent to school.  This fee covers various SRC events, and the Christmas Dinner.

Thanks!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

5K and Open House

Just an update...

The 5K and Open House is rescheduled for Tuesday, September 11th.  Events and activities will follow the same schedule as was previously planned.  Hope to see you all there!

Quotes from the classroom

"I am pretty sure the power plant just ran out of coal."

"I hope the power comes back on soon because I can't eat cold spaghetti for lunch!"


Once the power came back on, just in time to go home...

"Yahoo! At least now we can go home and watch TV!"

"Thank goodness Mrs. Elder can go and get the latte she has been wanting all day!"

The Day Without Power...

We did buddy reading, under Mrs. Elder's desk,
which was right by a window.
Buddy reading by the window.

They found the best spot, right beside
the big window.

Less light, but a comfy seat!
Our Smartboard...
the old fashion way!