International Week

Friday, February 25, 2012

That was a very tiring but extremely exciting week.  International week was a lot of fun and we learnt so much from so many countries around the world.  We got to taste pasta in Italy, watch a traditional Austrian dance, see beautiful birds from Brazil, write our names in ancient Egyptian, play some Canadian games and hear an old Australian horn.  In our class we had a blast sharing all we learnt from India.  We wore scarves and bindis, sang a song about the Indian flag, made rangoli and ate Indian rice.  So as you can all tell it was a fun, busy and tiring week.  I really want to thank Ms. Aggrawal for her support and making that delicious rice (biryani).

            Starting next month we will start our unit on Space.  It’s a fun unit and I am brainstorming a possible field trip that we could go on that would incorporate space/planets etc.  In math we will be investigating measurement, 3D shapes and basic addition.  In science we will continue to do various science experiments and compare planets in our solar system to earth.

            There are a few new families that are not aware of the Pre-K homework booklets.  They are simple exercises that can be done in less than 5 minutes a home.  This is not mandatory and if you are interested please let me know.  I will start March homework next week. 

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.      Writing the word wall using magnetic letters

2.      Computer story “Bella goes to India”

3.      Review letters A-R

4.      Getting ready for international week

Math and Science Centres

1.      War card game

2.      Grab and guess game

3.      Using the blocks to make numbers

4.      Dice graphing game

Student of the Week

The student of the week this week is Natasha.  She did an excellent job during international week by teaching everyone that came to our class about India.  Natasha also, was very well mannered and listened well when we went around to the various classes.  Kris and I are very proud of you! 

Reminders and Notices

1.     February 27^th and 28^th there will be no school due to Peace Day.

2.     Please return the word rings once you have finished with them.

3.      March 12-16 is Spirit Week (more details will follow)

4.      Pre-K music scavenger hunt will be March 28th

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Kris and Braedon

Mailing letters to Ms. Vicky and making Austrian hats with our buddies

Ian's Birthday Party

100th Day of School and Valentines Day

Friday, February 17, 2012

Wow that was a very busy week for the Pre-K class.  Tuesday was the busiest with Valentines Day and 100^th day of school.  For Valentines Day our amazing grade 3 buddies wrote and made us some fantastic cards.  We also wrote Valentines Day cards to each other.  For our 100^th day of school we counted 100 candies to see how far they would go, ran for 100 seconds, counted 100 foot steps, made a 100 loop paper chain, made a 100 finger poster and decorated pictures of how we all will all look when we are 100.  Following this we had some cake and other goodies.  It was a great day and everyone had a blast.

We have now begun to spend our time learning about India.  Next week is international week and we will be decorating our classroom with Indian pictures.  Also, on Wednesday and Thursday we will be sharing what we learnt with the entire elementary school by showing how to make traditional art.  We will also be rotating through other elementary classes to learn about the countries they studied. It is going to be a great week to learn about many different places in the world.

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.      Writing the word wall using magnetic letters

2.      Computer story “Bella goes to India”

3.      Reading and colouring our Rr books.

4.      Phonics book Rr

5.      Making Valentines Day cards

Math and Science Centres

1.      War card game

2.      Grab and guess game

3.      Using the blocks to make numbers

4.      Dice graphing game

Student of the Week

The student of the week this week is Arnav.  He is new in the Pre-K class and is fitting in very well.  Arnav always raises his hand and has lots to share with the class.  Way to go Arnav!!!!

Reminders and Notices

1.     February 27^th and 28^th there will be no school due to Peace Day.

2.     International week will be from February 20^th – 24^th.

3.     Please return the word rings once you have finished with them.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Vicky, Kris and Braedon

Valentines Day Cards and Decorating Lanterns

Going to the Zoo!

Friday, February 9, 2012

The second time trying to go to the zoo was a major success!  We all had a great time seeing all of the different animals and having a fun day out together.  I want to thank Joyce (Valerie’s mom) for driving us to and from the zoo.  We have many more field trips coming up and if you are interested in coming along and or driving please let me know.

It was a very busy week in the Pre-K class.  We have started our new unit on Valentines Day, 100 days of school and multiculturalism.  Also, on Wednesday our buddies helped us paint some lanterns.  Next Tuesday we will be having our 100^th day of school party.  We will be doing many activities all based around the number 100. 

On Monday I will send home the word rings.  Could you please spend some time helping your son or daughter go over the new words.  For the newer parents in the class the word rings are all of the sight words that the students learn put onto a metal ring.  Since we learn one or two new words every week the word ring will grow and grow.  On occasion these word rings will go home and could you please quiz your child on the words.  High frequency words are essential to know and use in both reading and writing.   When children have a number of high frequency words under control they can read them in text and then focus their attention on solving new words.  The same occurs in writing.  Please return the word rings after a few days at home so we can add more words to them.  Also, each word has a corresponding hand signal I do for them.  If you child gets stuck on a particular word you can come and see me and I can show you the corresponding hand signal.  For the newer students it will be a lot to learn, so perhaps choose only a few words to teach them. 

Thanks for your support!

What we did in our centres this week

Literacy Centres

1.      Writing Valentines Day messages to our buddies.

2.      Computer story “Subway Ride”

3.      Beginning sounds Valentines Day cut and paste activity

4.      Phonics book Qq

5.      Making Valentines Day cards

Math and Science Centres

1.      Cut and paste missing numbers

2.      Grab and guess game

3.      Valentines Day graphing

4.      Painting country flags

Student of the Week

The student of the week this week is Andy.  For only being here a very short time he has shown tremendous growth.  Andy is always polite and tries his best at everything he does.  Great job Andy we are all so proud of you!

Reminders and Notices

1.     February 27^th and 28^th there will be no school due to Peace Day.

2.     International week will be from February 20^th – 24^th.

3.     100^th day of school party and Valentines Day is February 14^th.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Vicky, Kris and Braedon

             We regret to inform you but Ms. Vicky is going to take a few weeks off due to personal reasons.  We are lucky enough to have Mr. Harris’s wife (Kris) come in until Ms. Vicky returns.  If you have any questions you can drop me an email or come by to see me.

Thanks

Ms. Vicky, Kris and Braedon 

Does it float or sink experiment?

Weekly Centres, Chinese Week and Gym Picnic

Zoo trip cancelled

Dear all,

Due to the rain and cold weather we have decided to postpone our zoo field trip until next Friday February 10th.  Sorry for the confusion and disruption, mother nature wasn't on our side today.

cheers
Braedon and Vicky

Friday, February 20, 2012

I hope everyone had a terrific and relaxing Chinese New Year.  I heard many adventures of all the places you went, saw and did over the break.  If you would like to share any photos of your holiday you can send in a flash drive, CD, or an email of your pictures.  Your son or daughter would really enjoy the opportunity to share them with the class.

            This is going to be another busy month.  With Valentines Day, 100^th day of school, Lantern Festival and international week there will be lots going on. 

For international week, every class in the elementary department has picked a country that they will study and showcase to the rest of the school.  The Pre-K’s have decided on India. From February 20-24^th we will be taking a closer look at everything to do with India.  More details will follow but this is going to be an amazing learning opportunity not only for the Pre-K’s but the entire elementary department!

What we did in our centres this week

Literacy Centres

1.      At the Zoo cut and paste sight word books.

2.      Computer story “Penguin Penguin”.

3.      Guided reading with a teacher.

4.      Phonics book PP

5.      Zoo animal acting using masks.

6.      Sorting animal flashcards in alphabetical order

Math and Science Centres

1.      Tangram blocks making animals.

2.      Tangram shape construction computer game.

3.      Monkey scales using 2 numbers to make it equal.

4.      Tracing 3D shapes.

Student of the Week

The student of the week this week is Wayne.  During library Ms. Welz saw Wayne always participating, paying attention and not moving around.  He was also helping others find books to take home.  Congratulations Wayne, we are all proud of you.

Reminders and Notices

1.     February 27^th and 28^th there will be no school due to Lantern Festival.

2.     International week will be from February 20^th – 24^th.

Like always, if you have any questions or concern you can always write me an email at bsharp.his@gmail.com or come by and speak to me in person.

Cheers

Vicky and Braedon

Zoo Trip Reminder

Hello Pre-K families,

Just a reminder that the zoo trip is tomorrow, Friday February 3rd.  We will be leaving the school around 9:30 and returning around 1:30.  Please pack a suitable lunch to eat outside, its going to be a great day!

cheers
Braedon and Vicky