Friday, October, 19 2012

            We are now fully into Halloween and today we made many decorations for our classroom.  Next week we will also be carving out a pumpkin! Remember that Fancy Dress Day (Halloween) is October 31^st.  In the morning we will be having a parade and then sing some songs in front of everyone.  All parents are welcome to join us in the morning for this exciting day.  It will also be extra special because Chaline has her birthday that day!! 

This week we learnt about the “F” and “My Ff Book” went home today.  Remember to read this book with your son or daughter a few times over the weekend.  The weekly sight words also directly correspond with the letter books.   In Math we kept learning about patterns and next week we will start to look for patterns around the school and community. 

Just to clarify some things, if I send home an art project, math sheet or anything else it can stay at home.  Only the letter books (Aa, Bb, Cc etc) need to be returned.  So if you see some papers in the clear folder then you can keep them at home.  You could always ask your child about it or get them to explain it to you.  This is always a good chance for them to share what they did in class with you. 

            Reading Tips

Make Reading Fun

Reading aloud can be a lot of fun, not just for parents but for all family members. Here are some ways to get the most out of reading to your young child:

·                       Read with drama and excitement! Use different voices for different characters in the story. Use your child's name instead of a character's name. Make puppets and use them to act out a story.

·                       Re-read your child's favourite stories as many times as your child wants to hear them, and choose books and authors that your child enjoys.

·                       Read stories that have repetitive parts and encourage your child to join in.

·                       Point to words as you read them. This will help your child make a connection between the words he or she hears you say and the words on the page.

·                       Read all kinds of material – stories, poems, information books, magazine and newspaper articles, and comics.

·                       Encourage relatives and friends to give your child books as gifts.

·                       Take your child to the library and look at interactive CD-ROMs and the Internet, as well as books.

·                       Subscribe to a magazine for your child. He or she will love receiving mail!

·                       Read books in your native language, it doest always have to be in English. 

           The more you enjoy the reading experience, the more your child will enjoy it!!!!

What we did in our centres this week.

Literacy Centres

1.      Computer Halloween stories “Tooth Fairy Witch” “Monster Mash”

2.      Making names and sight words from letters

3.      Phonics Ff

4.      Making apple books

Math Centres

1.      Pasta sorting and classifying

2.      Lego patterns (AB and AABB patterns)

3.      Pattern necklaces

4.      Making jack-o-lanterns from play dough

Word of the week:  I am

Student of the week

The student of the week is Hugo.  He is improving so much with his speaking abilities and he is always raising his hand to share his thoughts with the class.  Ms. Vicky and I are very proud of you Hugo!!

Reminders and Notices

1.      Mini books that get sent home need to be brought back to school

2.      Remember to bring back library books by Tuesday

3.      October 26^th Monthly assembly

4.      October 31^st Fancy dress day (Halloween)

5.      November 1-2 Mid-semester break

6.      November 6-7 Parent teacher meeting

7.      November 14 Fun day

8.      November 22  American Thanksgiving lunch at school

As 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

Learn from the masses, and then teach them. 

Mao Tse-Tung