Centres, Apples and Buddies

Apple Pictures

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 

Hello,

Today we made apple crisp and many of the students really enjoyed it.  Below is the recipe if you would like to make it for your family.

Apple Crisp

Ingredients

5 cups apples (peeled/sliced)

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. water

¾ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup flour

½ cup rolled oats

1 tsp. cinnamon

½ cup margarine

Steps

1.       Heat oven to 375.

2.      Place apples in pan.

3.      Sprinkle with lemon juice and water.

4.      In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients until crumbly.

5.      Sprinkle over apples.

6.     Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until apples are tender.

Friday, October, 12 2012

            The Pre-K class has been busy this week with apple and leaf activities.  Today we made our second thing from apples, apple crisp.  We have now finished our apple unit and have begun our leaf and Halloween units. In math we are doing many things with patterns.  If you have some time this weekend ask your son or daughter to make and identify some patterns around your home.  On October 31^st we will be having a Halloween party.  Details will follow shortly but now is a good time to go out and start looking for a Halloween costume for your children. 

            On a different note, computer class will now be on Tuesdays and drama will be on Mondays.   We have also shifted our Friday kindergarten centres around, they will now be Friday morning.  There will be no letter book going home today because we reviewed all letters and books this week.

Reading Tips

What tips can I use to help my child learn to read?

Tip 1 – Talk to Your Child

Oral language is the foundation for reading. Listening and speaking are a child's first introduction to language. Talking and singing teach your child the sounds of language, making it easier for him or her to learn how to read.

Here are some things you can do to help your child build an appreciation for words and language:

·                       Tell family stories about yourself, your child's grandparents, and other relatives.

·                       Talk to your child as much as possible about things you are doing and thinking.

·                       Ask your child lots of questions.

·                       Encourage your child to tell you what he or she thinks or feels.

·                       Ask your child to tell you about his or her day – about activities and games played.

·                       Be patient! Give your child time to find the words he or she wants to use.

·                       Sing songs, such as the alphabet song, and recite nursery rhymes, encouraging your child to join in.

·                       Play rhyming and riddle games.

What we did in our centres this week

Literacy Centres

1.      Computer Halloween stories

2.      ABC puzzles

3.      Review of phonics A-E

4.      Reading from portfolios (Letter books)

Math Centres

1.      Pasta sorting and classifying

2.      Lego patterns

3.      Pattern necklaces

4.      Finishing our apple family trees

Word of the week:  Review

Student of the week

The student of the week is Ingrid.  She has come along way since August and is now fully participating within the class.  Ingrid is also becoming a leader in Pre-K, Ms. Vicky and I, are very proud of you!!!!

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 

Awareness Week Assembly

Awareness Week