Dear families,
I hope you're having a nice weekend. What beautiful weather we've been having this October!
This week we focused on the numeracy skill of Patterning. First, we talked about sorting and why and how we sort things. For example, we can sort by shape, size, colour, type, and many other ways. In the Computer Lab, Ms. Santiago guided the children's learning about sorting with the program "Sammy's Science House" which has several sorting activities. We then moved our learning to patterning, starting with the basic pattern ABAB. This week children played and explored at several centres in the classroom with various objects: sorting and then patterning stones of three different colours; using bingo dabbers on cardstock; threading and patterning orange, white and black beads (Halloween colours :) on pipe cleaners; different kinds and colours of dinosaurs and bugs; with various sizes and colours of popsicle sticks; with colourful wooden cubes, and with cube-a-links. The children also watched a Peep and the Big Wide World video about Measurement and Patterning on the Smartboard. The Juniors are learning the basic ABAB pattern and all the children are encouraged to describe and create more complex patterns such as AABAAB, ABCABC, ABBABB, etc. When we talk about patterns the children are prompted to explain their pattern using these letters. This is another important numeracy skill.
The children also glued the pattern of wooden sticks they created onto cardstock and made Halloween sticker patterns, writing the letters (A,B,C as appropriate) under the stickers. The children are encouraged to find patterns in our natural and man-made world (such as clothing) and to practise making patterns at home. We'll continue with patterning next week (but with a Halloween and Fall theme). In Literacy, Science and Art, the children are learning about Signs of Fall. They are encouraged to look for signs of fall in the natural world and have started reading and drawing Signs of Fall in a little booklet with their Reading Buddies. We are reading fiction and non-fiction books about the Fall as well. The children did a lovely job finishing their Fall Tree Art (on display in the hall), inspired by Barbara Reid's book, "Picture a Tree." They also learned about texture and used toothpicks to add details to the plasticine leaves. Once the weather gets a little chillier we've go for an Autumn Scavenger Hunt around the school to look for more signs of Fall.
The sight words of the week were THE and DO. The Jolly Phonics letter sound we are currently focusing on is "P."
The children had fun on Blue Jays Spirit Day, as well as Letter Day. LKS has spirit! The kids also enjoyed shopping for books at the Scholastic Book Fair in the Library! The classroom Scholastic Order is due next week. On Friday the children were treated to a performance of STOMP by the Grade 8 Music Class, and Ruby's Grandfather was our awesome Mystery Reader this week, reading "Harry the Dirty Dog" (a classic!) and "How to Babysit a Grandpa." Thank you so much!
I have booked a Scientist-in-the-Classroom visit for November 10 from 8:45-11:20. We will need 4 parent volunteers. If you have already signed up for a classroom craft party please allow parents who have not had this opportunity to volunteer on November 10th. Thank you.
A reminder that LKS is collecting non-perishable nut-free food for the Daily Bread Food Bank over the next two weeks before Halloween. Each teacher has a box outside his/her classroom for the food items. Thank you so much.
In Friday's mail bag you received the Special Person of the Day Calendars from November-June. If you need to make any changes and need to switch with someone, just email them and please cc me so I can make the change in my Day Plans. Thank you.
Next week we will continue our patterning, learning about Fall, and will start some fun literacy and numeracy Halloween activities and centres.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Mrs. Tyndall
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