Weekly Update: December 8 - 12

The next couple of weeks are filled with holiday fun and as well as our ongoing learning topics in Grade 1.

We have three events coming up that require some support from families. The first is our buddy wreathmaking on Monday. We will be going with our big buddies for a trail walk to gather evergreen branches and assemble our wreaths together. Thank you for all of the extra wreaths that were sent in this week - we are ready to go! If you need an extra template, you can find it HERE. We are also collecting bows, cut holly, pine cones, dried oranges, etc. and any special items your child would like to add to their wreath. 

Our second special activity is gingerbread house decorating. If you are able to send in an item from our list to contribute (ex. icing, graham crackers, etc.), you can sign up HERE and send it in any time this week as I will be assembling the houses ahead of time.  Children are also welcome to bring in a labelled ziploc bag or container with candies to use to decorate their house if they like. Time to bust out the old Halloween candy (if there's any left)! Supplies can be sent in this week, as knowing our supplies will help when it comes to our gingerbread house design plans.  

The third special activity is our annual sock exchange. Each student is paired up to bring a pair of children's holiday socks to gift a classmate (see list HERE). We exchange them on December 17th, and have a sock dance party in the gym, which is always a good time. Thank you for all of your help as we aim to have some festive fun leading up to the holidays!

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day

• Math: practicing number patterns and counting by 5s and 10s.

• Trail walk and wreath making with our big buddies

Tuesday:  

• Literacy workshop: this week our focus is on the digraph "ch." Digraphs are two letters that make one distinct sound.

• Holiday Bookshop: Donations of $2 are appreciated to help with this LEPAC fundraiser. ALL children will be able to choose a book to gift.

Wednesday: 

• Yellow home reading folders and library books due today

• Outdoor Learning 'Beyond the Fence': looking for patterns in nature

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange

• New home reading focused on the digraph /ch/

• Patterned Santa art project

Friday: 

• Gingerbread house design planning

• Mathletics practice in the computer lab - thank you for sending in a pair of headphones (aux connection) to keep at school for the year.

• French with Mme. Cannady

• Fun lunch (sushi)

*Please see below for the full list of December dates to note in your calendar*

Weekly Update: December 1 - 5

It's hard to believe we are already in December! This month we will be focusing on math patterns, seasonal changes, and digraphs (ex. ch, sh, th, wh, ng). We are also looking forward to holiday activities during this season which include wreath making, special take home presents, ways to give back to the community, gingerbread house making, holiday sock exchange and more! We will be making wreaths with our big buddies this month, so please send back a cardboard cutout as soon as possible. Thank you for your help with this!

Please see below for the December dates and links for our gingerbread house sign up and sock exchange buddies. 

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day

• Journal writing: sharing about our weekend adventures using pictures and words.

• Winter branch art project

Tuesday:  

• Math: learning how patterns can be found and created with shapes, sounds, colours, numbers, and more.

• Literacy workshop: this week our focus is on the digraph "sh." Digraphs are two letters that make one distinct sound.

Wednesday: 

• Home reading and library books are due today

• Outdoor Learning 'Beyond the Fence'

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange

• Art and writing: what does the Christmas spirit feel, taste, look, smell, sound like?

• New home reading focused on the digraph /sh/. Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their little reading library and practice every night at home.

Friday: 

• Mathletics practice in the computer lab - thank you for sending in a pair of headphones (aux connection) to keep at school for the year.

• French with Mme. Cannady

• LEPAC board game night, 6-8 in the gym)

*Please see below for upcoming dates to note in your calendars*

Weekly Update: November 24 - 28

This week we are finishing up our focus on Salmon, as we reenact the journey a salmon takes from a little egg to spawning grounds during our outdoor learning time beyond the fence. To support our outdoor learning program, please keep an eye out for a fieldtrip form on Monday that allows us to visit the Lochside Trail, Outerbridge Park, and McMinn Forest throughout the year. 

We will also be starting a new math focus on patterns as we look at different types of number, colour, symbol, and shape patterns. What patterns do you notice in the world around you?

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Journal writing: 'Dragons Love Tacos!' (read aloud). What do you like/love?

• Buddy math games with Mr. O'Connor's class

Tuesday:  

• Math: building number fluency with counting collections

• French with Mme Cannady

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor learning: salmon run adventure! We will be applying our learning about salmon challenges and helpers to participate in a live action version of the salmon run beyond the fence.

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange

• New home reading focused on the digraph /th/ (this, that, etc.). Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their little reading library.

• Math focus: number and symbol patterns

Friday: 

• Mathletics in the computer lab - thank you for sending in a pair of headphones (aux connection) to keep in your child's cubby for the year.

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

Weekly Update: November 17 - 21

We finished up another great week with a fantastic trip to Goldstream Park.  Our class participated in learning about the life cycle of salmon, explored the nature house, watched a salmon dissection, and observed salmon spawning in the river. A big thank you to the nature house naturalists for their expertise, and to all of the parents that were able to help on this very wet and westcoast trip.

This week we will be learning about the important connections between living and non-living things in a salmon forest. What animals live alongside the river? How do different animals, plants, and objects interact in the forest?

In reading news, well done to all of our growing readers! I am really noticing how the extra practice with home reading is impacting your children as they grow their skills as readers. If you have any questions about home reading or would like some tips and tricks for helping your child, please let me know. Thank you for your home support!

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Musical math and number practice

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

• Buddies with Mr. O'Connor's class: alphabet art!

Tuesday:  

• Science: What are the helpers and challenges that salmon face during their journey?

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor learning: learning about the parts of a leaf and the science of leaves in the fall.

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange

• 'Salmon Sky View' story and art activity

• New home reading focused on the long vowel sounds (i.e. go, no, we, be). Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their little reading library.

Friday: 

• NID (no school)

Weekly Update: November 10 - 14

This week we will be sharing our thinking about what peace can look like, sound like, and feel like. We have been practicing creating peace around us by using kind words, including others, and using safe bodies. This is a great discussion to continue at home, as navigating friendships and play can be tricky at this age, and something we can be working on every day. 

This week we will  will be taking our learning into the field when we visit Goldstream Park on Thursday.  We will be going on this trip rain or shine, so please ensure that your child has warm layers including a jacket, rain pants, gloves, toque, handwarmers, etc. We will be having an early lunch before we go, but please pack a pocket snack or two in case they get hungry.  If you would like to join us on this trip, please let me know. If you are riding the bus with us, please wait for us in the Sunspace by 11:15. If you are meeting us at Goldstream, please wait for us in the main parking lot at 12:00.

And finally, we have been noticing a lot of little treasures coming in to school lately, including special gems, Pokémon cards, and Beyblades. We do ask that students keep these items at home as they can be distracting and it can really unravel their day when they become broken or misplaced. If they do come in we ask that they please stay in their backpack all day. Thank you for your help with this!

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Remembrance Day Assembly. Students that take part in cadets, girl guides, scouts, etc. are welcome to dress in uniform (and families welcome to join). We will be singing a song at the assembly, and families and community members are welcome to join us in the gym (10am).

• Buddies with Mr. O'Connor's class

Tuesday:  

• Remembrance Day (no school)

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor learning: learning about the story of 'Salmon Boy,' and the lessons he learns from the Salmon People. This is a legend that comes from the Shíshálh Nation, as told by Donna Joe.

Thursday: 

• Field trip to Goldstream Park (11:30 - 2:00)

• Library book exchange

• New home reading focused on the short /u/ sound. Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their little reading library.

Friday: 

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

• Mathletics (see information below)

• Art and science: who lives in a salmon forest?

• Fun lunch (White Spot)

Weekly Update: October November 3 - 7

A big thank you to all of our family volunteers for helping to make our Grade 1 Craft-O-Rama a success. The kids had a wonderful time making fun and not-so-spooky crafts. 

This week we will be focusing on math strategies and making 10, as well as starting our inquiry into salmon and salmon forests. We have a field trip coming up on November 13, when we will be traveling to Goldstream Park to learn all  about the salmon run. Field trip forms have now been sent home. Thanks to our Lochside PAC, there will be no charge for this field trip. 

Of note, if you're like me and have an excess of Halloween candy lying around, set some aside in a labelled bag for your child's gingerbread house that they will be decorating at school in December. The small sizes of Halloween candy are perfect for this! 

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Journals: "I went" sharing in our journals as we write and draw about Halloween.

• Buddies with Mr. O'Connor's class

Tuesday:  

• Science: who and what lives in a salmon forest?

• Math exploration: making and breaking 10

• Early dismissal (1:48)

• Book Fair (in LLC)

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor Learning 'Beyond the Fence': we will be learning about the life cycle of an oak tree and planting sprouted acorns together.

• Early dismissal (1:48)

• Book Fair (in LLC)

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange

• New home reading focused on the short /o/ sound. Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their reading library.

• Early dismissal (1:48)

Friday: 

• Field trip forms due (Goldstream Park, Nov. 13)

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

Weekly Update: October 27 - 31

This past week we took part in 'Get Outside' Day, and took our learning activities outdoors. Our fall scavenger hunt had everyone looking high, low, and all around for the signs of fall.

Halloween is this coming this Friday, and we have lots of exciting activities planned throughout the day. A reminder that students are welcome to wear their costumes if they would like, but we ask that masks and accessories stay home. On Halloween morning, we will be having a Halloween Craft-O-Rama from 10-11 am. Each of the Sunspace Grade 1 and K/1 classrooms will have tables set up with different fun and spooky crafts for all of the kids to create and enjoy. If you would like to volunteer to help at a table, we are looking for  some parent/grandparent helpers. Everything will be set up and ready to go, so just email me if interested and I'll sign you up! We also ask that kids bring in a reusable bag labelled with their name to transport their creations home.

In the afternoon, we will be having a school-wide costume parade, so that we can see everyone's costumes. If you prefer not to wear a costume, or would like to wear orange and black, please do what works best for your child and family.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held November 5-7 to coincide with our early dismissal days. A sign up was emailed home last Monday morning to sign up for a time to discuss your child's start of Grade 1. I look forward to meeting with all of you soon.

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Journals: "I have" sharing in our journals

• Buddies with Mr. O'Connor's class! 

Tuesday:  

• Not-so-spooky storytime and art

• New literacy skill unlocked: our focus this week is on short /i/

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor Learning 'Beyond the Fence': we will be having fun with storytelling and retelling with the classic book, 'Room on the Broom.'

• Halloween safety talk with Constable Omoding

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange

• New home reading focused on the short /i/ sound. Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their reading library.

• Lochside's Halloween Dance, 5-7 PM 

Friday: 

• Happy Halloween!

• Halloween Craft-O-Rama (10-11am) - email Ms. Miller if you would like to be a parent volunteer

Weekly Update: October 20 - 24

What a wonderful week we've had, sharing what we are thankful for in nature, colour-mixing pumpkin art, and starting our Grade 1 reading program. I hope that your child enjoyed bringing home their mini book and home reading folder yesterday. The students were so excited to share how they did with their new reading! Their 'mini book library' (shoebox) can now stay at home as I will send home a new book each week. 

We  have some exciting activities coming up in the next few weeks, including a Halloween craft-o-rama on Halloween morning (October 31) and a fieldtrip to Goldstream Park (November 13). More information will be coming out next week, but mark your calendars if you would like to join us as a parent (or grandparent) volunteer.

This weekend is the start of Diwali, a celebration that many in our Lochside community take part in. We will be reading books, doing art, and participating in activities to learn all about Diwali. If your child would like to share anything about Diwali or wear special clothing to celebrate, they are more than welcome!

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Happy Diwali to everyone at Lochside celebrating the festival of lights this week!

• Science: what do animals do to get ready for winter? 

• Making nature Rangoli with our big buddies in Mr. O'Connor's class

Tuesday:  

• Art: making diyas (clay lamps) as we learn about Diwali

• Design a pumpkin! Our class is designing a pumpkin for the Library for Halloween! What book character should we make?

Wednesday: 

• 'Take me Outside Day': we will be doing outdoor learning and literacy Beyond the Fence as we look for signs of fall.

Thursday: 

• Photo retakes today

• Library book exchange  - please return your 2 books so that you can take out new ones!

• New home reading focused on the short /e/ sound. Take a look for your child's yellow folder for a new practice sheet and a mini book coming home to add to their reading library.

Friday: 

• NID (no school)

Weekly Update: October 13 - 17

This past week has been focused on gratitude, with the children taking part in sharing ideas, listening to stories, and creating fall garlands of gratitude to take home. We hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

As we move through October, we will be adding to our schedules with some new routines including literacy workshop time and our weekly home reading program. Literacy workshop is a designated small group time spent working on specific literacy skills needed to read and write proficiently. To support each student's reading development, home reading will also begin this week, as it correlates with the weekly reading skill we have been working on. Home reading will be sent home every Thursday (and can be returned the following Wednesday). These days align with our new library book return and exchange to make it easier to remember. Yellow home reading duotangs will include information about the home reading program, parent tips, a word mapping page, and 1-2 pages for your child to read every night. Students will also bring home the mini book they have been using all week to add to their mini home library. These can be kept at home and re-read throughout the year. Research shows what a BIG impact daily reading has on growing literacy skills, and how important family support is to this process. Please reach out if you have any questions once we begin home reading. 

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Thanksgiving Holiday (no school today)

Tuesday:  

• making our mini book libraries: please send in a shoebox by today!

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor learning Beyond the Fence:what are you thankful for in nature?

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange  - please return your 2 books so that you can take out new ones!

• 'Great Shakeout' earthquake drill

• First home reading sent home today: focus on short /a/

Friday: 

• Art project: pumpkins at night

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

• Mathletics in the computer lab

• Fun Lunch: Subway

Weekly Update: October 6 - 10

We have a wonderful week ahead planned as we continue to build our number sense through math exploration, review our letter sounds, and learning about harvest time on the farm. This week we will also create gratitude journals, as we take time to think, draw, and write about what and who we are thankful for. Our annual K/1 fun run - The Turkey Trot is this Thursday! This is always a fun activity the week before Thanksgiving.

We have now had a few rainy days here at Lochside, which have given us a chance to practice using our outdoor gear. If you haven't already, please send in labelled rain pants, a rain coat, extra clothes, and any other gear you think will help your child feel comfortable as we do go outside rain or shine. Thank you for your help with this!

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Journals: "I can" sharing. What CAN you do?

• Buddies with Mr. O'Connor's class

Tuesday:  

• Special Thanksgiving art project

• Literacy workshop starts - please send in a shoebox with a lid by today as we will be making little libraries for our upcoming home reading books next week.

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor learning Beyond the Fence  - How can we help to take care of nature?

Thursday: 

• Library book exchange  - please return your 2 books so that you can take out new ones!

• Turkey trot! Our annual K/1 fun run is this morning.

Friday: 

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

• Mathletics in the computer lab

Weekly Update: September 29 - October 3

This week we will continue to work on our letter sound review, number subitizing, and sharing the last of our 'all about me bags'. The kids have done such a great job sharing their interests as well as listening, making connections, and asking questions after these mini presentations. Well done!

Monday is Orange Shirt Day, and as we reflect on the challenging history and reality of residential schools, our class discussions will be on how schools should ALWAYS be a safe, caring, and welcoming place to be and learn. Every child matters, and should feel welcome at school. Students are invited to wear an orange shirt or an orange piece of clothing to school on this day. 

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Orange Shirt Day

• Family reading (8:45-9:00): Family members are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• Visual Journals: what does every child need to feel safe and cared for at school?

• Buddy activities with Mr. O'Connor's class

Tuesday:  

• National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (No school)

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor learning: we will be revisiting our 'sit spots' and using our senses to make observations.

Thursday: 

• Discussion topic: how can I be a bucket filler (a good friend)? We are actively practicing using "safe hands" and "kind words" in class as we build the skills needed to be a good friend.

Friday: 

• Art card project - coming soon!

Weekly Update: September 22 - 26

After two full weeks of school together, our classroom community is coming together nicely, as the students learn routines and enjoy learning and playing together. It was so nice to meet and connect with many of you at the family picnic/open house on Thursday, and watch your children share their new classroom with you! If you haven't had a chance to email me a family photo yet, please do so and I'll add it to our family wall this week.

In the upcoming week we will continue to focus on our classroom community and taking care of ourselves, each other, and this place (these are our Lochside Beliefs). We will also be starting a mini science study about apples and harvest time. Please send in an apple with your child on Friday for our experiments and a special treat!

With wet weather on the horizon, this is a gentle reminder to please send in rain gear for your child to keep at school. We will be going out rain or shine, so rain pants, a rain jacket, boots, and extra clothes that can be kept in your child's basket in their cubby make for successful outdoor adventures.

A quick note about school supplies - if you have not yet paid the $50 to the office (online HERE or by cheque), the office staff are hoping to have all school supply money in by the end of the September. If you need help with this or would like to pay in cash, they are happy to help you out, so stop by anytime.

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Non-Instructional day (no school for students)

Tuesday:  

• Zones of regulation: we will be practicing identifying our "zones", feelings,  and using tools to help us feel calm and regulated throughout the day. Parent information and zones magnet will be sent home today in backpacks.

Wednesday: 

• Outdoor Learning: safety and 'sit spots' Beyond the Fence.

• Collage art project, "all about me"

Thursday: 

• Math focus: recognizing and representing numbers in different ways.

Friday: 

• Photo Day!

• Apple day! Please bring 1 apple to school today.

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

Weekly Update: September 15 - 19

Our first full week together is complete, and we are off to a great start in Div. 6! This week we will continue to spend lots of time getting to know each other, building routines, and meeting other important learning partners in our school. This includes our class educational assistants (Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. T., and Ms. Rileigh), teacher librarian (Mrs. Molloy), library technician (Ms. Unger), French teacher (Mme Cannady), music teacher (Mrs. Alexander), and other important people in our learning community.

Thank you to everyone for sending in your forms and 'getting to know your child' information. This is always so helpful as I get to know all of the students. Please send the forms back at your earliest convenience along with rain pants and an extra pair of clothes (in a labeled bag) for your child to keep in their cubby.

To help everyone stay informed, I usually send out a weekly update every Friday, with information about the week ahead. Art posts and project work often go up on our website during the week as well, so feel free to bookmark this page to stay in the classroom loop!

Looking ahead:

Monday: 

• Our first family reading is today! (8:45-9:00): Family members and caregivers are welcome to come and join us for a shared reading time to start the day.

• International 'Dot Day': practicing creativity, courage, and collaboration with today's activities.

•  Heading out 'beyond the fence' to play around with a special name project with our big buddies in Mr. O'Connor's class.

Tuesday:  

• "All About Me" bags continue to be shared and sent home. 

• Math focus: representing numbers BIG and small in different ways

Wednesday: 

• Discussion topic: What makes our class a safe and happy community?

• Outdoor Learning 'Beyond the Fence"

Thursday: 

•  First library visit with Ms. Unger. Two books can be taken out each Thursday and returned the following Wednesday into our library basket. Please include a large bag or ziploc in your child's backpack on library days to keep their books clean and dry.

• Popcorn Day

• Welcome back school picnic and open house (4:30-6:30). I will be in our classroom between 4:30-5:30 with our outside door open if you would like to come by with your child and have a look around and say hello. 

Friday: 

• Terry Fox Run (1-1:30): families are welcome to come and cheer us on or join in on the main field. Students are invited to bring in a "toonie for Terry" to support cancer research.

• Music with Mrs. Alexander

School Supplies

This year our Grade 1 teachers are ordering supplies for students, as we are striving to make getting school supplies easier and more affordable for families. This will include everyday tools and supplies for each student. 

If you haven't already done so, please follow this link (click HERE) for an option to pay online, or send a cheque for $50 made out to SD63 to cover this cost. I have all of the supplies ready to go for the students in our class already, so I hope this makes things easier. ** If you prefer to buy your child's school supplies, please check in with me and I will give you a Grade 1 supply list.

Your child will also need to bring a pair of indoor shoes to school next week labeled with their name. These shoes are used for gym time as well so they need to be appropriate for running. Please send velcro or slip-on shoes in if your child is still learning to tie their laces so that they can be independent in changing their shoes at school. A big thank you in advance!  

Welcome Back!

I hope that everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer! I look forward to hearing all about it when the children return to school this week. The first few days of school are often full of feelings of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. Here is what to expect this week to help you talk through the transition back to school with your child:

Tuesday:

• The first day of school will only be from 8:40 - 10:15. 

• All enrolling students return and go to their classroom from last year. This gives us a chance to check in with families, take attendance, enroll new students, and help make up our new classes. What that means for our class is that I will see you at 8:40 at our usual lineup spot outside our classroom door. We will have a chance to check in, play together, and share about our summer holidays. We will not have a scheduled snack time, but you may wish to pack a pocket snack and water bottle for your child in case they get hungry. I can't wait to see all of your bright smiles!

• Buses will be running on schedule

Wednesday:

• Regular school hours for Grades 1-5, 8:40 - 2:48. One more day in our old classroom. Drop-off and pick-up at our classroom door as usual. Please do not bring in school supplies until Friday.

Thursday:

• Regular school hours for Grades 1-5, 8:40 - 2:48. We are planning on moving students to their new classrooms this afternoon. Morning drop off will be at our regular classroom door. Please send your child with snacks, a lunch, and a water bottle. 

• Please do not send in school supplies until Friday.

• UPDATE: The end of the day is a busy time - all grade 1 and grade 2 students will be going with their new teacher and classes to the main field.  You can pick them up there after checking in with their new teacher. If you chose a spot to meet, know that they will now be on the field at the end of the day. 

Friday:

• First full day in your new class (expected). Have a great day in your new classroom!

More information on the first week back to school can be found on our school website, and as always, do not hesitate to connect with me if you have any questions.

** More information on the first week back to school can be found on our school website.  Families, you will be notified of schedule changes through your school contact email and on the Lochside website. I will update our class website each day this week by 4pm as well. As always, do not hesitate to connect with me if you have any questions.