Dear families,
Last week and this upcoming week will be all about Measurement and Winter, and I have turned our Dramatic Play Area into a Measurement Centre. The children are learning terms about measurement, such as length, height, width, and capacity. They are learning and talking about why, how, what we measure. I measured each child's height with red yarn and displayed it in our new centre as a starting point. The children are also using our balance to weigh and compare equal amounts of classroom items, and will take turns recording their results on a laminated sheet. They are measuring classroom items, and have built several structures which they are measuring with standard and non-standard units. We also watched an educational video about measurement by Edukids. Next week I will also open a water table so that they can measure capacity with various measuring cups. The children will be making a Measurement Folder for all their learning!
I think the snowflake crystals turned beautifully and I sent them home along with instructions how to make them at home. I also changed the science centre to be a Snowflake Centre. The children are using several different kinds of crystals to make snowflakes, also discovering what happens when they are made against the mirror background.
The children participated in a presentation and demonstration about Bus Safety which was very informative. Some were quite surprised we were "going somewhere on a bus!" I think they enjoyed exiting the bus through the back doors the most!
This upcoming week we'll learn all about Penguins, who live on the South Pole (Antarctica). I've frozen several plastic penguins in the classroom freezer to tie this inquiry into winter science! We'll put sugar and salt on the ice and guess/learn which will melt first.
The words of the week are COME and LOOK.
The Juniors will be receiving their first Progress Reports in early February. Interviews are booked online, and if there is not a time available that is convenient to you, please let me know and I will arrange for another interview time.
Thank you to Christopher's mom who was our Mystery Reader this week!
The next Scholastic Order is due January 29.
Many of the children bring in Valentine cards for their classmates. This is a great opportunity for your child to practise writing his/her friends' names. Please send in the cards by Wednesday, February 9 so that your child can read and sort them. Thank you!
I am busy preparing crafts for the 100th Day of School Party on February 11! Valentine's Day is on Family Day this year so we will not be having a separate Valentine's Day Party, but we will do lots of fun Valentines and 100th Day activities that week! Thank you in advance to the parent volunteers!
That's the news from Room 166. I hope you have a wonderful week!
