Important May and June Dates to Remember

Can you believe there are only about eight weeks of school left?  This year has truly zoomed by.  We have a very busy May and June coming up and will be needing Parent Volunteers and Parent Drivers to help out with some upcoming activities and field trips.  Please check the dates below to see if you can help us out.  Thank you.

May 15^th   Galt Museum Field Trip 12:30 to 3:00 pm.

Please note: Parent drivers are NOT needed for this field trip as a bus is provided.  However, we do need parents to help supervise.  The bus leaves the school @ 12:30 pm.

 May 22^nd  Field trip to SAAG for “Art’s Alive” 8:30 to 11:00am.

***Parent Drivers are needed for this field trip.***Please email me or write in the agenda if you can drive. Thank You.

 

May 30^th Pow Wow at Nicholas Sheran School. This will take place outdoors and we will need a parent to help supervise as we will be walking over to NS school. Times have not been set but this usually happens in the morning.


June 3^rd   Pancake Breakfast 7:00 to 8:15 am. Everyone Welcome!

 June 17^th  Sports Day. We need a parent to run an event in the morning and an event in the afternoon. Please let me know if you would like to help.

 June 24^th Year End Picnic.  Parent help would also be much appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Mrs. Johnston

April  2014

 

 Easter holidays are coming soon!  I hope everyone enjoys a fun-filled and relaxing holiday.

We are having our Easter Party on Thursday, April 17^th in the afternoon.  We have most of the snack covered except for juice boxes.  If you are willing to send juice boxes for our party please write me a note in the agenda or email me.  Thanks.  And thank you to those who have signed up to bring something:

 

Fruit Tray – Makayla McKee

Veggies and Dip – Cody Daniels

Cheese, meat and crackers – Marah Stonehocker

Cookies or cupcakes – Anabelle McClung

Plates and Napkins – Maty Firth (we have already received these, thank you)

 

 

To give you an update:

Thursday, April 17th Grade one and two Sock-Hop (12:40 – 1:40 pm) *We have been practicing different dances for our Sock Hop.  Parents are invited to come and watch.

 

Thursday, April 17^th Easter Party (2:05 – 3:05 pm)

 

April 18^th to April 27^th : Easter Holidays- No School

 

Monday, April 28th - Come back to school!

 

 

Upcoming Events in May

Friday, May 9^th - No School - Professional Development for Teachers

 

Thursday, May 15^th  Field Trip to the Galt Museum.  Bus leaves the school @ 12:50 pm.

Monday, May 19^th Victoria Day Holiday

Thursday, May 22^nd Arts Alive  Field Trip to SAAG 8:30 to 10:30 am Drivers Needed.

Please contact me if you can drive for this trip.

 

Thank you.

Mrs. Johnston

 

January News

 

Welcome back! Hope you had a relaxing break with your family!

 

Our phonics focus for the month is long vowels, we will reinforce the difference between short and long vowel sounds and learn more about Magic E at the end of words which taps the vowel and makes it say the long sound, as well as Two Vowels Walking, the First One Does the Talking. These can be a little tricky and the kids need lots of practice both decoding and blending for reading AND writing. We will also focus on editing skills watching for spelling, meaning, capitals, spaces, and ending punctuation!

Sight Words for January

 

6-10	13-17	20-24	27-Feb. 31
he	away	eat	blue
she	come	please	came
we	three	be	make
one	green	me	take
two	see	saw	name

 

 In Math we are diving into our next big unit which is addition and subtraction to 12. Within this unit we will be using all kinds of tools to help the kids get a concrete grasp of how Mental Math works.  We are starting with the strategy of Counting On, as it is the easiest for most students. Chances are that some or many of your children are already using this strategy without knowing it. Counting on means that you start with the biggest number in an equation, and then count up. For example, in the equation 5+3, you want students to start with the “5″ in their heads, and then count up, “6, 7, 8.” This is to discourage students from counting like, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5…..6, 7, 8.” Students also need to be taught that if an equation looks like this: “2+6,” they still should start with the bigger number in this case “6″ and count up “7, 8.” 

 

The strategy of Doubles will come next, as it usually comes quite easily to students. Doubles are all around us; think of fingers and toes – 5+5, wheels on a car – 2+2, or the eggs in a carton – 6+6. When students know their doubles well, they should no longer have to think about the equation to solve it. Rather, the answer becomes automatic. This means that the student has developed automaticity. For example, when a student sees the equation 8+8, he should know that it equals 16 without even stopping to think. Building a strong foundation of doubles will help students with the next strategy, Doubles Plus One.

 

 

We are finishing up the Senses unit in Science. After that we will be starting a very hands on and creative Building Unit. The children will be transforming a variety of materials into recycled treasures over the next few months!

 In Social, we are continuing our mapping unit which includes learning cardinal directions, finding Lethbridge on a map, landmarks, and rural vs. urban communities and more!

 

 IMPORTANT:  The theme for Spirit Day has changed.  It is now toque and hat day!  (We are going to save the sports day for during the Olympics!)

If your child is arriving at school prior to the bell in the morning, please do not leave them in front of the school.  We have supervisors outside on the playground and it is a much safer area to be.  In instances when it is too cold, supervisors will be outside shooing students into the bootrooms.  Thanks so much!

 UPDATE: We have a special presentation by SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOL on Thursday January 30^th.   I will need five parent volunteers to come in and help out with Science centres for that afternoon. If you are interested please send me an email! Thanks so much!

 

 

DECEMBER NEWS

 

Christmas Concert

 

December 12, 2013 6:30-7:45 pm

 

Our Christmas Concert this year will be held at Southminster Church located at 1011 4^th Ave. South (across from the Yates Memorial Centre). All the children at MMH will be working with Les Bucherons, which is an artist in residency program to create and perform a selection of songs and dances all with the theme “Vive Le Francophone Culture!” This will be a bit different than the traditional “polished” Christmas concert, but will wonderful just the same!
Each family with students attending MMH will receive TWO tickets, as seating is limited at the church. (Families that require more than two tickets (i.e. a family with more than two parents involved), are asked to submit their request in writing to Mr. Bryant by Tuesday, December 10th.) Tickets should have come home in your child’s agenda TODAY.
Grades K-5 performers are to arrive at Southminster between 6:00-6:15 p.m. and can be dropped off at the east side entrance (on 11th Street on the east side of the building). Students will then be taken to designated spots to get organized to perform. All “ticket holders” will then enter Southminster through the front (main) doors.
The actual performance will take place from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
The second option will be to join a “web cast” of the concert! No matter where you are in the world, you will be able to log on and view the concert LIVE from the comfort of your own home! Details of exactly how to join in on this web cast will follow.
As we have done in the past, we will have a silver collection to help offset rental costs. This year we are also asking each family to bring a donation of non-perishable food items that can be donated to a local food bank. These can be dropped off in the main lobby as you enter the church.

 

Children are asked to come dressed in their “Sunday best”.

 

Next week we will be wrapping up our bear unit! We spent a lot of time this past week learning about different types of bears, and each student got to choose a bear to do mini research on! The students are SO PROUD of their bear projects! We will be sending those home next week for you to enjoy.

If you’re looking for stocking stuffer ideas, many students are running low on working markers and some of our crayons and pencil crayons are getting pretty tiny. Just an idea! J

 

Our Christmas party will take place on Thursday, December 19 in the afternoon. If you volunteered to bring a snack on that afternoon I’ll be sending out a reminder note to you shortly.

 

Wednesday, December 18 is GRADE ONE GRINCH DAY! Students are invited to dress up in green or as the Grinch or a Who on this day, and the whole day will be centered around the Grinch Who Stole Christmas! It’s a total blast!! As an extra special addition to our Christmas party the following day, the Grade One teachers would like to show the “Jim Carey version” of the movie. If you have an objections to your child seeing the video, please send me an email or a note in the agenda ASAP.

 

For gym class for the next two weeks, (if the temperature ever goes above -20) we will be snowshoeing! Please be sure to send snow pants and boots with your child if possible for the next while.

 

Your child is bringing home an extra special HOMEWORK project in their agenda today. As a way to encourage the spirit of giving, we are having a SECRET Home Made Card Exchange! It is a personal, inexpensive way for the children to experience the season together. Be creative, use any materials you like! Some ideas are: stickers, stamps, felts, paint, crayons, wrapping paper, construction, cardboard, old cards, fabric, beads, magazine pictures, glitter… Your child is bringing home a brown envelope that the card MUST be returned in. This makes sure everyone gets a card that is approx. the same size. The children may decorate the envelope if they wish. Please do NOT seal the envelope.

 

We have drawn names to see who makes cards for whom. The name of the student you will be making a card for is on a small piece of paper in the envelope. Please stress to your child that this is a SECRET until the day of our card exchange.

 

Cards MUST BE RETURNED TO SCHOOL by Monday, December 16, and will be exchanged on the last day of school. Thanks so much in advance for participating!!

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

 

December 9: Les Bucheron arrives at MMH.

 

December 12: Christmas Concert at Southminster United Church

 

December 13: French Canadian Sugar Shack!

 

December 16: Homemade Christmas cards due.

 

December 16-20: Carolling at 8:30-9am in the gym.

 

December 18: GRINCH DAY! Dress up like the Grinch or a Who if you wish! Or… dress like Christmas! Presentation from Westwinds Gymnastics in the pm also.

 

December 19: Christmas party in the pm

 

December 20: Last day of school.

October 
 

Hi everyone! I hope you’re enjoying this fine fall weather!

As our first class party is coming up, I’ve listed the details below so you know what we’ll be up to on that date. I will send a little reminder home for those parents who signed up to send a snack. If you have any questions, you can email me ... rita.johnston@lethsd.ab.ca

 

Show and Share has begun in our classroom. Every Friday your child may bring an item from home that they would like to share with the class. It is helpful if you practice ahead of time so they have an idea of what to talk about when it is their turn to talk.

In Language Arts, we will continue to work on sight words , printing and word families.  A letter was sent home on October 3^rd which listed the sight words we have covered as well as the word families we have learned.

 

Have you heard of the Daily Five? The Daily Five is a framework used to teach Reading and Writing. Here is a link that provides a good summary of the approach. We will begin learning about the first element called “Read to Self” next week.
Click HERE to check out a power-point presentation on the Daily 5.

All grade one classrooms are using this framework to promote independence in language skills. Each day as a class, we will time how long we can “Read to Self” properly and then chart our progress. The students get really excited as we build stamina every day!

 

 

Home Reading
Thanks so much for participating in the Home Reading program.  The children seem excited about Raz-Kids. We will be using the program here at school during computer time and at other times when I may want to listen to a student read so don’t be surprized if you log in and your child has done some extra reading.

We will be working on the "I- PICK" component of Daily Five and students will be practicing choosing "just right" books. "Just right" books are not so challenging that the reader is solely occupied with figuring out the words, but not so easy that they are unlikely to learn anything new.  It is my goal to make sure that the books assigned on Raz-Kids or ones sent home are just right books for your child.
You can tell if your child is reading a "just right" book by listening to your child read a page or two. Here's what to watch for:
1. The reading should be fairly smooth.
2. Your child will have trouble with no more than three words on the first two pages.
3. Your child should be able to tell you what he or she read.
4. Your child should not appear uninterested.
Please continue to let me know in the agenda if the the book is too easy, too hard, or just right.

Remember to have your child take the comprehension at the end of each book on Raz-Kids.

 

In Math we have wrapped up the patterning unit and have started learning about different ways to represent numbers from 1 – 20.  The students have been practicing showing these numbers using pictures, tally marks, 10 frames, and rods and cubes. We have also been practicing saying the number sequence forwards and backwards by 1’s. We will begin skip counting by 2’s in the next few days.

In Social studies we have been learning about the groups that we belong to. We have studied our family, school, classroom, and other groups such as friends, teams, and clubs.  We have now started discussing rights and responsibilities that all children have.  In the next couple weeks we will begin learning about communities and mapping.

In Science, we will wrap up our Colours unit next week and begin a unit on the season of Fall.

Here’s our plan for Halloween Day:
8:45-11:30 am Halloween Centers; Students will travel to each Grade One classroom, participating in a different activity at each stop. These will include, art projects, games, smartboard activities etc. 15 min recess at 10am.
11:30-11:45 am Lunch Recess Break; We are going to switch things up a bit today so we are not rushed to eat and get dressed. Students will play outside early on this day. If you're wanting to take your child home for lunch on this day in order to help them get ready, you can come and get them at this time, and return them by 12:20 pm. Please let me know if this is something you are planning to do.
11:45-12:05 pm Eating Lunch; Students will eat lunch in the classroom PRIOR to putting on their costumes. Hopefully this will help to keep them clean!
12:05-12:25 pm Getting Dressed; Students will change into their costumes at this time and get ready for the Halloween Parade.
12:30-1:25 pm Halloween Parade The entire school takes part in a costume parade so we can see each other's awesome outfits! You’re invited to grab a spot in the hallway and watch all the classes go by!
1:25-1:55 pm Party/ Snack Time!

1:55-2:05 pm Recess

2:15-3:05pm Music/Movie with Ms. Nevels


Important Dates
Monday October 21^st Watch for an important letter coming home regarding Conferences to be held after the November Reporting Period.
Tuesday October 22^nd- Picture Retakes Day

Thursday October 24th – 9:30 am in class presentation from a local Firefighter

Thursday October 24^th – no school in the pm. Staff Retreat

Friday October 25th- No School- Staff Retreat

Tuesday October 29^th- Hot Lunch Day for Grades 1-3

Wednesday October 30^th- Hot Lunch for Grades 4-5

Thursday October 31st - Halloween Party

 

Tuesday November 5^th-“Motivational Magic” assembly @ 1pm

Thursday November 7^th- Remembrance Day Assembly @ 10:30
Friday November 8^th- Remembrance Day Break no school
Monday November 11^th- Remembrance Day No School
Friday November 15^th- Report Cards sent home