Dec 15, 2011

We made it through the concert!  YEAH!!!

We had a pretty easy day today doing a couple crafts and watching the Nativity Story.

Tomorrow would be a busy day as well.  We are having our Christmas Movie and Snacks Party and our Craft Party.  To sign up to bring food our help out with a craft please go to the following links:

Click Here to Sign-Up for Food

Click Here to Sign-up for the Craft Party

Dec 13, 2011

So today we spent most of the day either rehearsing for our Christmas Concert or watching others rehearse.  The kids are getting super excited and it should be a great show.

Tomorrow, we will be heading down to Keyano for our final dress rehearsal.  Because we are not eating at the regularly scheduled lunch time, please make sure you pack your child's lunch, not have it delivered, tomorrow.

As for tomorrow night, please have students at Keyano by 6:00pm and have them dressed in their "Sunday Best".

Dec 12, 2011

Today we began celebrating the 3rd week of Advent, Joy.  As a class we lit the pink joy candle and we are going to spend the week discussing things we are joyful for.  We were also very fortunate to share in 6H's liturgy, they put the Joy in our Hearts!

In Language Arts today we began learning about the story of the first Christmas.  We watched a movie about Jesus's birth and began our Nativity Sticker book.

In Science today we began the Colours unit.  The learning objectives for this unit are:

Dec 8, 2011

Just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow.

Today we learned the letter teams "er" and "ar".
When we learned "er" we rolled our hands like a mixer and for "ar" flapped our arms like a seal.

In religion we learned about how the Angel Gabriel came to visit Mary and tell her the good news about Jesus' birth.  We then made a nice angel craft.

Today we finished writing our letters to Santa and Mrs. Easton is going to take them home for John, the Elf on the Shelf, to deliver to Santa tonight!

For Art today we learned about the Legend of the Poinsettia.

Then we made our very own poinsettia flowers.  

Have a great weekend!!!

Dec 7, 2011

We learned two new vowel teams in Jolly Phonics today; "oi" and "ue".
We pretended that we were calling a ship over for the "oi" team and that we were pointing at our friends for the "ue" team.

 

In computers today we played some fun online Christmas Games.  Check them out by following the link:

https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/computer-class

During Math today we reviewed the concept of addition by playing a fun game called Dice 'Em Out.  Here is a video of us playing on the Promethean Board.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoynNSWPFd4

You can play this at home by writing the numbers 2-12 on a strip of paper for each player, adding the sum of 2 dice and then covering the sum.  If you roll a sum already coloured then you loose a turn.  The first person to cover all of their numbers wins!

Have a great night!

Dec 6, 2011

During Music today we celebrated the second week of Advent by going to a Liturgy in the gym presented by 6M.  We really enjoyed singing "This Little Light of Mine".

In Language Arts today we started our letters to Santa.  I told the students how teachers and Santa talk a lot since he often asks us if kids are naughty or nice.  We also are going to get my daughter Emmi's Elf on the Shelf John to deliver their letters to Santa super fast for them once they are done.

In Science today we played a fun game on the iPad called Poko Seasons where the students helped Poko dress in appropriate seasonal wear.  Check out the app by clicking on the picture below.

During centres today we had a lockdown drill.  This is where we practice locking ourselves in the classroom in case there is a situation in the school that would require students to remain safe in the classroom.  The students did great.

In Math today we continued with addition.  We specifically worked on writing addition sentences based on illustrations or stories.

Dec 5, 2011

Well I'm back from Edmonton and really enjoyed my professional development about using iPads in the classroom.  I learned some great new tricks and was introduced to lots of new Apps that I can't wait to try in the classroom.

Today in Jolly Phonics we learned the vowel team "ou"

When we learned this vowel team we pretended that we poked our finger with a needle.

In Language Arts today we created our very own Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  The students even got to design Rudolph by choosing what colour each part of him would be and then completing cloze sentences about Rudolph.  Check out Dominik's reindeer below.

In Math today we worked on doubles facts.  That is when you add two of the same numbers together, for example 2+2=4 or 5+5=10.  We practiced doing them by working with dominos.

 

I will be testing the second set of flashcards, the Primer Dolch Words, at the end of February.  I have attached a copy of the flashcards for you to print at home or you can review them on line by following one of the links below or by downloading the Dolch Sight Words App for your iPod/iPhone/iPad:

https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/slideshows-1
http://www.youtube.com/user/ae2056?feature=mhee#p/u/3/DqRVqyACeXM

For each set of flash cards you should set up a baggie or a box for your child to store them in.  Every night have your child choose one of the sets to practice (please ensure that they do not choose the same ones every night).  A really great time to go through the flash cards is before bed.  Please only practice flash cards for about 3-5 minutes, if it is taking longer than this to get through a set please let me know and we will come up with a plan to reduce the time.

Dec 1, 2011

So I am in Edmonton today at a great professional development session about using iPads in the classroom. What a great way to share ideas and resources with other teachers. I look forward to bringing everything I earned back to 1E. Have a great weekend!

Nov 29, 2011

In Jolly Phonics today we learned the letter Qq.  When we learned this letter we remembered that Qq and Uu stick like glue.
When we learned this letter we pretended that we were quacking like a duck.

In Language Arts today we read the story "Olive the Other Reindeer" by  J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh.  We then applied for jobs to become reindeer by filling out a Reindeer Job Application.

In Science, we began learning about Summer.  We watched a National Geographic movie all about Summer and we especially enjoyed watching a time lapse of a caterpillar turning into butterfly.

In Math today we worked on addition problems to 8.  We came up with different ways to get a sum of 8.

Have a great night.

Nov 28, 2011

So I finally have my voice back and was glad to be back at school today.  My daughter spent the last 5 days saying "Mommy, just talk louder", if only it was that easy :)


At the beginning of the day today we began celebrating Advent.  We lit the purple candle which symbolizes Hope.  We then sang our Advent song:

Light one candle for hope,

One bright candle for hope,

He bring hope to every heart,

He comes, He comes.

In Jolly Phonics today we learned two digraphs (when 2 consonants combine to make a new sound) the voiced sound of th and the voiceless sound of th.
When we learned these digraphs we pretended that we were sticking our tongue out like silly clowns.

In language arts today we continued to learn about Advent.  We made a list of things we are hopeful for this Advent and then made our own Advent wreath with our own hope sentences.

In Science, we learned all about baby animals and when they are born.  We found out that most animals are born in the Spring.

In Math today we began our Addition and Subtraction to 12 Unit.  Check out the objectives for this unit by following this link:  https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/math-activities

Have a great night.

Nov 22, 2011

Don't forget Student-Led Conferences are tonight from 4pm-7pm.  The following people signed up for tonights slots:

In Jolly Phonics today we learned 3 new word families; osh, ash, ush.
When we learned these word families we came up with the words Dosh, Josh, crash, cash, hush and push.

These are the last of the word families but please continue to review them by either printing up the word family flashcards at https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/flashcards or by watching the slideshow on YouTube below:

In Language arts today we read the story "Shapes of Stone".  We learned all about how Inuit people make Inukshuks to help lead hunters home from the hunt.  We also talked about how the Inukshuk was a symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

In Science today we continued to learn about Spring.  We watched a National Geographic movie all about the changes that occur in nature when spring comes.

This afternoon we had centres.  The students are getting a lot better at working on centres independently and although we continue to work on volume level they are getting better.

Have a great night and I look forward to seeing you over the next couple of days.

Nov 21, 2011

In Jolly Phonics today we learned the digraph (when 2 consonants combine to make a new sound) sh.
When we learned this digraph we pretended that we were "shhhhhing" a baby.

We also learned the word family ish.

We thought of words like fish, wish, dish and swish. 

In language arts today we did a rhyming activity after listening to the song "Down by The Bay".  The students came up with their own rhymes which you can check out at Student-Led Conferences.

In math today we finished up our numbers 1-20 unit by doing a unit test.  They should be corrected and coming home tomorrow.

Have a great night!

Nov 17, 2011

Just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow!  Also, if you have Purdy's orders please come by my house tonight between 4 and 7pm.  Check your email for my address and a map.

Today in science we did a cool experiment where we put 2 thermometers outside, one buried in snow and one on top of the snow.  The students were amazed when we found that the temperature of the thermometer in the snow was higher than the one on top of the snow.  We learned that snow acts like an insulating blanket and helps animals in their caves or burrows stay warm in the winter.

In Jolly Phonics today we learned the digraph (when 2 consonants combine to make a new sound) ch
When we learned this digraph we pretended that we were a choo-choo train.

This afternoon we had our success assembly at school.  The following awards were given to students in our class:

• Congratulations to Agamroop Khinda in 1E for getting his first ever goal in hockey and moving up to the next level in swimming lessons.
• Congratulations to Lucas Caines in 1E who just passed a level in swimming and recently got his yellow belt in taekwondo.
• Congratulations to Brinda Tailor in 1E who  has just passed the turtle level in swimming.
• Congratulations to Savindu Thalagal in 1E who  has just passed the turtle level in swimming.
• Recognition goes out to Kaitlyn McPherson in 1E who did a nice deed when she shoveled her neighbors driveways without being asked.  Way to be a good neighbor, Kaitlyn!

If your child accomplishes something special at home and I will nominate them at the next Succes Assembly!

Have a great weekend!

Nov 16, 2011

Tomorrow is hat day at school.  We are raising money for UNICEF so wear your favourite hat and donate $1.

Today we learned the word families; ox and ix.
We thought of words like Moxies, box, six and pixies.

In math today we played a fun more and less game "a la" Headbands.  The students were each given a number between 0 and 20 to stick to their foreheads.  They were then given more or less clues from their friends to help them guess their number.  Here is a little video of myself and Noah playing the game.

Have a great night!

Nov 15, 2011

Don't forget that tomorrow is library day.

Today we learned the letter Xx

When we practiced it we pretended that we were using our x-ray cameras.
We also learned the ax word family.
We thought of words like axel, tax, Max and Baxter

In Language Arts today we learned a new choral reading.  It was called Little Smowman.

In Science today we learned about what different animals do in the winter.  We especially learned about animals who sleep during the winter.  Check out the clip we watched on youtube about the bear sleeping in his den.

In Math today we learned words like more, less, most, least, equal and exactly.

Have a great night!

Nov 14, 2011

I hope everyone had a great long weekend and that no one else was stuck on the highway yesterday like I was.  It was a long 8.5 hour drive home!

Today we learned the letter Yy.

When we learned this letter we pretended that we were eating yogurt.

The hard thing about Yy is that sometimes it acts like a consonant and other times it acts like a vowel (making either the "eeee" sound or the "iiiii" sound).  Check out the vowel rules link on our website to learn more about the tricky vowel rules and here is a little video you can watch on youtube about the letter Yy.

http://youtu.be/7LGnhqcqqNQ

In language arts and science today we focussed on the season of winter.  We wrote some sentences about what we like to do in the winter and watched a movie about birds in the Winter.

In Math we learned the word ESTIMATE.  Estimate means guessing a number without counting.  

Have a great night and don't forget to dress warm!

Nov 10, 2011

Just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow so have a great long weekend!

Today we learned the vowel teams oo  and OO

When we practiced it we pretended that we were a cuckoo clock.

We also learned the ook word family.
We thought of words like book, cook, rook and nook.

After recess today we had our schools Remembrance Day liturgy,  At the liturgy a movie of loved ones who served in the military was shown to the school.  You can watch it below

This afternoon we did a fun  art activity all about snowflakes.  The kids drew the snowflakes with white glue and then sprinkled them with glitter.  They are going to dry over the weekend and pictures will be posted next week.

Nov 9, 2011

Sorry for no post yesterday but I was home with a sick little girl!

Today we learned the letter Vv.

When we practiced it we pretended that we were driving a van.

In computers today we had a fun lesson planned where we got to explore some seasons and weather games on the internet.  Well all good things don't always go as planned and our computers would not connect to the internet.  So, give it a try at home by following the link:

https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/computer-class

This afternoon the ladies from Sparksman Transportation came in to talk with us about bus safety.  We also got the chance to practice evacuating a school bus.  It was a good chance to learn something that we will hopefully never need to use.  To learn more watch the video below1

Today in Math we worked on using ten frames to represent numbers between 11 and 20.  You can see the activity we did on the Promethean Board below:

Nov 7, 2011

So it was a little chilly this morning.  That being said, please make sure students come to school bundled up and that all of their gear is labelled with their name.

Today we learned the consonant pair ng.

When we practiced it we pretended that we were lifting heavy weights.

In Language Arts today we brainstormed a list of things to do in the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.  We are then going to use the list to create or own individual season's books.

In Science, we focussed on Autumn today.  We watched a National Geographic Movie all about things that happen in the Autumn.

In centres today, we are woking on a bunch of new activities.  At centre 11 we are using the iPads to go on our YouTube class channel (AE2056) and we are reviewing number words and word families.

In Math today we are working on representing numbers in different ways.  Check out what we did as a class.

Nov 3, 2011

First off, just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow :)

In Science today we focussed on the season of Fall.  We read a fun story on the internet.  You can read it at home by clicking on the following link:

http://www.sebastianswan.org.uk/autumn/bkau.html

Today in Jolly Phonics we learned the letter Ww.

When we were learning this letter we were pretending that the wind was blowing in the palm of our hand.

In Language Arts today we worked on inventive spelling.  We completed the sentence I was _________ for Halloween this year.  We then made a nice picture.  Mrs. Easton scanned them into the computer and made our very own digital flip book.  Check it out!

Open publication - Free publishing - More 1e

For Art today, we made a picture of trees throughout the seasons.  We stamped red, orange, and yellow leaves on the fall tree, we glued on cotton balls for the winter tree, on the Spring tree we glued pieces of tissue paper on to make leaf buds and on the Summer tree we made leaves with paint.

Have a super weekend!

Nov 2, 2011

In Music this week we have been discussing and singing songs about Remembrance Day.  Today we listened to a wonderful song called "A Pittance of Time" and watched the video below on YouTube.

Today in Jolly Phonics we learned the letter Zz

We also learned that in Canada we call it "zed" not "zee"!

When we were learning this letter we were pretending that we were buzzing like bees.

During centres today, Mrs Easton continued to do assessment.  Please continue to practice the word families and the preprimer words.

Nov 1, 2011

Today we started talking about weather and temperature in Science.  Every day we are going to graph the weather and chart the temperature.  Check out what we did today.

Today in LA we learned the vowel team ee and the consonant blend or
We practiced the sounds by pretending we were donkeys.

We also worked on unscrambling the sentence Halloween fun really year. was this 

We figured out that it said "Halloween was really fun this year."

During centres today Mrs. Easton started with reading one on one with each student in the class.  She even recorded it on her iPhone.  Look forward to getting your own copy of the reading assessment sent to you as soon as Mrs. Easton is done reading with the whole class.

In Math today, we worked on the concept of conservation of number.  That means, no matter how you represented a number it always is the same.  For example you can show 12 apples in a bag by having 6 red and 6 yellow apples or by having 3 red and 9 yellow apples.

Oct 31, 2011

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

We had lots of fun today!

But we still learned a couple of things!

We learned the vowel team ie.

We pretended that we were saluting.

We also learned some Halloween safety rules:

1. Don't eat candy that has been open
2. Trick or Treat in a neighborhood you know.
3. Go trick or treating with an adult you trust

Oct 27, 2011

Just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow.  Also, Monday is Halloween and I am looking forward to seeing the kids in their costumes.  Please send students to school dressed in their costume but please leave out any props that are dangerous or could be lost (ie. swords, guns, etc...).  The party and the dance will be in the afternoon.

Today we learned the vowel team oa.
When we learned this vowel team we pretended that we made a mistake and said "oa, oa"

In Social Studies today we continued to review the concept of responsibility.  Check out some of the things that we know we are responsible for at home and in our community below:

Next week I will continue to do testing for report cards.  Over the weekend it might be helpful to review the PrePrimer sight words.  These words can also be practiced by clicking on the Slide Show link on our class website, printing them up as flashcards (see the flashcards link) or watching the video below.

Have a great weekend!

Oct 26, 2011

We have filled up our good behaviour marble jar.  So, we are having a bring your favourite stuffy to school day tomorrow.  The students are really excited and it should be really fun.

Today we learned the letter Jj
When we learned this letter we pretended to jiggle like jello.

We also learned the word families ub and ob.
We made words like hub, tub, Bob and lob.

That means, please add page 32 and 33 to your word family flash cards.

https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/flashcards

In computers today we had lots of fun playing Halloween games online.  Check out the Computer Class link on our website to play them at home.

In Math today we worked on place value and ten frames.  The students are really beginning to understand the concept of tens and ones.  Check out yesterday's post to see the work we are doing.

During centres today I continued with testing.  Today the students demonstrated their knowledge of the word families we have learned so far by going through the video below.  These word families can also be practiced by clicking on the Slide Show link on our class website.

Oct 25, 2011

Today we learned the long vowel team ai.
When we learned this team we pretended that we had an earache and couldn't hear.

We also reviewed the vowel team rule "When 2 vowels go a walking, the first vowel does the talking" and we watched the video below.

In Social Studies today we learned about the value of responsibility.  We learned that responsibility is doing the jobs that we are supposed to do.  Two things that we discussed being responsible for at school are to, clean up our classroom and listen to the teacher.

This afternoon in Math we continued to work on Place Value.  Check out the activity we did as a class on the Promethean Board by watching the video below:

Oct 24, 2011

Today the new Kanga Pouches came in.  Students will now being using these for homework bags.  They need to bring them back to school everyday.  If you did not send in your Kanga Pouch from last year then please send in $6.50 to cover the cost of a new one.  

Today we learned the letter Bb.

We pretended that we swinging a baseball bat.

We also learned the word families ab and ib.
We made words like fib, tib, lab and Abbi.

That means, please add page 31 and 32 to your word family flash cards.

https://sites.google.com/a/fmcsd.ab.ca/grade-1/flashcards

In Language Arts we learned a new Halloween poem.

In Math today, we continued learning about ten frames and we started using our place value mats to represent numbers.

Have a great night!