Sarah's Show n' Tell

DSI XL - written and presented by Sarah

This is my DSI XL.  This is a gift I received from my parents on my 7th birthday.  They bought it in the USA.  I like it because it can take pictures and the games you play on it can make you smarter. 

Measurement Homework

Everyone has been given an oral time test.  They should be coming home with their scores today. 
We are moving to the measuring of objects, distances and space. Tonight, an introductory sheet is coming home that speaks about non-standard units of measure.  Most children's index finger is about a centimeter wide.  They will be using that to measure in their homework. We can use our finger when we don't have a standard measuring tool.  This will give us an estimate or approximation of an objects size. 

Brrrrrrr!!!!

So...our big discussion today was What to wear to school, so we can survive 5 months of cold recesses!

Recess time is 15 precious minutes for teachers to:

• use the washroom
• fill their stomachs
• make a phonecall
• speak to a colleague
• photocopy
• set up a lesson
• providing punishment
• spend extra time working with a student. 

So yes,...all students are expected to be going outside for recess on the cold winter days.

Recess time is also 15 precious minutes for students to:

• use the washroom
• fill their stomachs
• burn off energy
• visit with friends
• play some games
• laugh and have fun

So yes,...students need their 15 minutes just as much as teachers. 

So how do we solve the problem of being cold at recess?
1) wear a warm coat
2) wear waterproof boots
3) bring two sets of gloves/mitts to school
4) bring an extra pair of socks
5) wear a warm hat and scarf
6) wear leggings under your pants
7) bring snowpants if there is snow

mmmm....i get warm just thinking about all these warm items.  It's time to start coming prepared to school with all the items mentioned above. Otherwise, 5 months will seem like 10 and there will be a lot of sick puppies! (ps. I don't like being sick!)

Homework this Weekend...

Again this year, our School Council is organizing the basket raffle for the Holiday Concert.  A green notice is coming home today indicating that our class basket theme is EVERYTHING PINK!
Families are asked to donate a $5 item (pink of course) or simply send in $5 and the council will take the money and purchase an item on your behalf. Once all the items are collected, the fabulous School Council team puts together amazing baskets which are brought to SATEC the night of the concert.  You items or $5 contibution are asked be sent in by Monday, December 5th or earlier.

Time to Shine!

I've sent home an outline of the most recent at-home project for the kids.  It's completely open-ended, allowing them to be creative with their topic choices.  The topic will need to be researched at home and information gather can be displayed in any way they choose (poster, pamphlet, PowerPoint, handout, video, etc.) I will be posting the sign up sheet today, and their chosen date and time will be written in their agendas. 

Show and Tell Requirement

We are going to make Show and Tell more meaningful by adding a little writing assignment to it.  Everyone has been supplied with their Show and Tell outline. It will need to be completed and brought back to school on the day of their presentation.  It will then be typed up and put on the blog along with a photo of the item. 

New Spelling Words + Homework

Spelling Homework - Due Friday, Dec. 2  - put your spelling list in proper ABC order

Grade 2
stand
stamp
stick
stone
fast
last
best
rest
must
taste
listen
student

Grade 3
gas
game
gate
gave
garden
garbage
geese
giggle
gum
guard
guess
guest
guide
guy
guardian
language

Adam's Show n' Tell

Coral - Written and Presented by Adam

The coral came from Trinidad and Tobago.  I chose it because I know that the class will be interested in seeing the coral and learning about it.  I like it because it is rare and it is from the coral reef in Tobago.  My grandmother gave it to me.  She found it on the beach and gave it to me in 2009 when she came back from Trinidad.

Movember

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer. No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, getting them to act on that knowledge thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.
Clairlea students can participate in this event by wearing a moustache to school on Friday, November 25th.  On this day, students can also bring in any denomination of money that will be donated to Prostate Cancer Canada. Clairlea's goal is to raise $250!

No Homework Tonight!

Great News!

We are still on the hunt for a Santa Claus jacket and  Frosty the Snowman black top hat for the holiday play, but I think I've found just about all the costume items that we need.  Thanks so much to anyone who was willing or interested in contributing, but we've got it covered.

Math Homework

In math today, we were trying to get a better idea of what different spans of time feel like.  We did various activities for different lengths of time, including smiling for 60 seconds!  THAT was interesting, to say the least. 
Pairs of students began working on an activity that required them to think about more activities that take different lengths of time.  This incomplete sheet is now coming home as homework.  It is due tomorrow!

Show and Tell

After much demand, we are introducing 2.5 months of Show n’ Tell. See list below for your child's date to present.


The following points are to be addressed when putting together the show n’ tell presentation.

- Presentation lasts 5 minutes, this includes 3 questions from your audience.

- you spend 1-2 minutes explaining the following:

- where your items is from

- why you chose it

- what sentimental attachment you have to it

- who gave it to you or how did you get it.

- How long have you had it or when did you get it

(Notice, it’s the 5 w’s that you have to make sure you cover in your presentation)
Tuesday, Nov. 22 Adam

Tues. Nov. 29 Sarah

Thurs. Dec. 1 Madison

Tues. Dec. 6 Maria

Thurs. Dec. 8 Akin

Tues. Dec. 12 Kamal

Thurs. Dec. 15 David

Tues. Dec. 20 Rishikkesh

Thurs. Dec. 22 Cassie

Tues. Jan 10 Safwan

Thurs. Jan 12 Robert

Tues. Jan 17 Arsal

Thurs. Jan 19 Mia

Tues. Jan 24 Theron

Thurs. Jan 26 Zachary

Tues. Jan 31 Emma

Thurs. Feb. 2 Lyndsay

Tues. Feb. 7 Avri

Thurs. Feb. 9 Umar

Tues. Feb. 14 Sara

Thurs. Feb. 16 Chavez

Spelling List and Homework

Homework - use all the words in a short story

Grade 2
chip
chop
rich
which
much
such
bunch
lunch
branch
ache
children
stomach
push

Grade 3
jacket
jar
jeans
jelly
jet
job
joke
judge
jump
just
gentle
general
giant
giraffe
gym
jungle
gigantic

Spelling Website

http://www.spellingcity.com/ is a fabulous site for kids to practice and get to know thier spelling words.
Just enter the spelling words in the boxes and chose the various options.  Its easy!
There is an option to subscribe to the 'premium' package but the free package offers plenty of acitivites.

Holiday Concert

As most of you know, the Holiday Concert is upon us.  It is scheduled for December the 15th. 
This year, I gave the class 2 options.  One, we could sing a simple song, or two, we could sing FOUR songs while acting in a play. Of course they had to go and challenge themselves so, I have put my confidence in our precious young ones, and presented them with the opportunity to learn and deliver a Christmas play...in 4 short weeks.  YIKES!

So far, the eagerness and sheer excitement is outstanding. Most students showed interest in the different characters and were given the opportunity to audition for the parts they wanted.  The class proceeded to vote for those they thought would best suit the part and just like that, we have our incredible cast ready to go. Unfortunately there were some absent students and others who didn't get the part they hoped for. There is something for every student to do in the play and without them, it just wont work.  Every role is important and necessary.  Parents, please assist me in reassuring your son or daughter that they are important! 
In preparation for the play, all students are expected to practice their lines and/or actions regularly. 

In addition, the 4 songs we are singing are sung by all which means everyone needs to learn the songs for memory.  If you go to youtube.com, you can type in any of the songs and practice from home.
Our play list includes:  Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Deck the Halls.

Finally, we will be requiring costumes for the play and a pink request sheet came home this week indicating this request.  Thank you to Madison and family who have offered to lend out little heels for the mom in our play.  Any additional items from the list are welcome and very much appreciated.

To all the parents...thank you so much in advance for any assistance you provide to your child during this time. Our play is going to be great! 

Welcome David!

For those who are reading this blog, you are the first to hear about a new addition to our classroom tomorrow.  His name is David and he is from the Philippines!  I will need the help from everyone to make him feel welcome and at ease in his first few days at Clairlea.  Perhaps if you have time, a welcome card or picture can be made for him. :)

Writing Homework

Tonight an explanation of Procedure writing is coming home along with an assignment.  This will be due Monday! Tomorrow, your spelling homework is due and we will also have a test!

Stepping Back in Time...

Our Morning Tour at Pioneer Village