Blue Sky Morning

We are hoping to see some bright clear skies for this poem!

Blue Sky Morning

It’s a blue sky morning

With a wind that’s blowing fair.

It’s a leaf blowing morning.

There are dry leaves in the air.

It’s a gold sky morning

With a sun that’s blazing bright.

It’s an eye blinking morning.

There’s a blaring brilliant light.

Words of the Week

Grade 1
sun
run
fun
bun
pun
bonus word: sky

Grade 2
my
fly
sky
cry
try
bonus word: morning

Math Monday - Number Sense and Numeracy

Numbers are used to describe quantities, to count, and to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Understanding numbers and knowing how to combine them to solve problems helps us in all areas of math.

To try at home:

Count everything! Count toys, kitchen utensils, and items of clothing as they come out of the dryer. Help your child count by pointing to and moving the objects as you say each number out loud. Count forwards and backwards from different starting places. Use household items to practise adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.

Primary Colours

We have been learning about colours.

First we talked about primary colours.

Red


Blue


and
Yellow



The next day we mixed the primary colours. More on that in the next post!

Measuring

We have been measuring around objects. We used string to compare some lengths.
From the left to right:
table; rug; book; mug; wrist

We also compared the measurements of our heads. All of our heads were the same measurement! This was so surprising to everyone that the smallest person in the class had the same head size as the largest!

The exception was Ms. Brown. Ms. Brown's head is 3 (of Ms. Brown's) finger widths larger than the student's heads!

Ordering

We put the 12 months in order. Some students found this very easy, some found it very difficult -- even though they could all sing the song to me!

(I just noticed that someone missed July :)
I have some detective work to do tomorrow....

Everyone remembered this one too:

"Glue, glue, a little dot will do."

That is SO important!

Twelve months in the year

Our poem this week helps us remember the months of the year. When we sing this song, each person has to stand up when we sing the month that they are born in. It's really fun when we speed it up! (We sing it to the tune of "Michael Finnegan" or the "One little, two little" song).


Months of the Year

January
February
March
and April
May
June
July
and August
September
October
November
and December
There are twelve months in the year!


Words of the Week

Grade 1
and
hand
land
band
sand
bonus word: one

Grade 2
one
two
three
four
five
bonus word: twelve

O Canada

This week we are working on learning the words to our national anthem! We will also be discussing the meanings of the words.


O Canada

O Canada!

Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see the rise.
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Words of the Week

Grade 1
in
pin
win
tin
bin
bonus word: Canada

Grade 2
free
tree
three
see
bee
bonus word: Canada

Math Monday - Measurement

Remember:
We use measurements to determine the height, length, and width of objects, as well as the area they cover, the volume they hold, and other characteristics. We measure time and money. Developing the ability to estimate and to measure accurately takes time and practice.

To try at home:

Estimate everything!

Estimate the number of steps from your front door to the edge of your yard, then walk with your child to find out how many there really are, counting steps as you go. Estimate how many bags of milk your family will need for the week. At the end of the week, count up the number of bags you actually used. Estimate the time needed for a trip. If the trip is expected to take 25 minutes, when do you have to leave? Have your child count the number of stars he or she can draw in a minute. Ask if the total is more or less than your child thought it would be.

Keep a record of the daily temperature outside and of your child's outdoor activities. After a few weeks, ask your child to look at the record and see how the temperature affected his or her activities.

The Snow Queen

This week we went on our first real class trip. We took the school bus to the Markham Theatre to see a production of The Snow Queen.


Here is the synopsis:

Kai's heart has been pricked by mirror shards that have fallen from the hands of devilish trolls. His heart is frozen and he is abducted and taken to the palace of the Snow Queen where he is held captive. But Gerda's epic journey to find Kai takes her to the snowy wilds of Lapland and finally to her lost friend to see if she can warm his heart again.

(this wasn't the exact cast that we saw)

Ask your child what his/ her favourite part was. Many of them told me that they liked the singing flowers. They were loud and annoying! (They were supposed to be loud and annoying). At this age they seem to really like loud surprises and slapstick humour :)

All of the children in Room 15 were really well behaved on the school bus and in the theatre. Pats on the back for them all!

Poppy

This week we are discussing Remembrance Day.


We are talking about remembering people who aren't with us any more, and remembering the people who fought to keep us safe and free.

We are talking about what peace means and why peace is important.

Let us hope that these (and all) children will always live in peace....

Poppy

Poppy we are but children small,

We are too little to do it all.

Children you may do your part,

Loving each other is how you start.

Play without fighting,

Share your games and toys.

Be kind and thoughtful,

To all girls and boys.

Words of the Week

Grade 1
we
be
me
he
she

bonus word: you

Grade 2
girls
boys
toys
you
your

bonus word: children

Math Monday - Measurement

We use measurements to determine the height, length, and width of objects, as well as the area they cover, the volume they hold, and other characteristics. We measure time and money. Developing the ability to estimate and to measure accurately takes time and practice.


To try at home:

Measure items found around the house. Have your child find objects that are longer or shorter than a shoe or a string, etc. Together, use a shoe to measure the length of a floor mat. Fill different containers with sand in a sandbox or with water in the bath, and see which containers hold more and which hold less.

Compare and organize household items. Take cereal boxes or cans of vegetables from the cupboard and have your child line them up from tallest to shortest.

Days of the Week

This week, our poem is one that we already know very well orally. It is "Days of the Week" sung to the tune of "The Adams Family" We're working on remembering the order of the days of the week. They are a cycle -- a pattern.


Words of the Week
(when your child is doing any writing at home this week, please encourage him or her to use the words of the week! They can also try to find the words in the newspaper or in a magazine. If you would like me to send a newspaper section home with them, please ask me, I have lots!)

Grade 1
day
way
pay
say
may
bonus word: Friday

Grade 2
the
there
then
that
them
bonus word: Wednesday