Pumpkins

Today we roasted pumpkin seeds and ate them!  We also made our own mini jack-o-lanterns at the paint Center.

Remember, tomorrow is the dance-a-thin to raise money for our school.  Please send at least $2 to school tomorrow to support all the good work happening at St. Jude.  As well, tomorrow is a dress down day so students can wear whatever clothing they want.

Pumpkin Carving

Today we learned about and explored our classroom pumpkin!  Tomorrow we will be roasting the seeds & eating them!

Be sure to ask your child specific questions about their day.  Specifically how they used their senses to explore our pumpkin.

Orange Day

Tomorrow is orange day!  

Please come to school dressed in orange and bring in something that is orange!

Our Senses

Throughout the week we have been learning about our senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching.  

On Tuesday we played a game where we listened to different sounds & tried to guess what we were hearing.  We also touched different objects around the classroom to describe how they felt (smooth, bumpy, soft, hard etc.).  

Today we explored our sense of sight (walking around blindfolded), our sense of smell (smelling different spices), and our sense of taste (tasting sour, salty & sweet things).  Then the students recorded which smell & taste they liked best.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is black day!  

Please come to school dressed in black and/or bring in something that is black!

This Afternoon

Today the students continued patterning at the math table where they made paper pattern chains.

This month the drama center is set up as a school so they can take turns "being the teacher".

We also learned how to use the smart board today to explore our sense of hearing.  The students then had a chance to use the smart board and to collaborate together to create different patterns. 

Learning Goals

This week we will be learning:

- the name & sound of the letter Aa

- words that start with Aa

- to create different types of patterns

- to see patterns in everyday life

- about autumn & weather

Development

As parents it is important that we continuously monitor and assist our child's progress throughout their development.  The Nipissing Developmental Screen is a well known and respected checklist to monitor your child's development.  

Please take a good and honest look at the checklist in regards to your child.  If you would like a paper copy of it please let us know & we will be happy to provide one for you.

By 4 years old:

By 5 years old:

Language

The school speech & language specialist will be visiting out classroom next week.  If you have any concerns about your child's language development please don't hesitate to speak with us so we can pass on your concerns.

As well report cards are quickly approaching and we will be holding interviews with all parents in November (more information to follow).  Most of the work we complete in class is done in small groups so we can assess the work your child is completing. Therefore, please continue to encourage your child to communicate their thoughts, ideas and opinions to build their confidence.  This will greatly enhance their ability to complete their work & to communicate their learning (which affects their assessments/report cards).

Learning Goals

This week the students will be learning:

- the name & sound of the letter Ss and words that start with Ss

- sight words: see & in

- to extend & create patterns with sounds, actions and manipulatives (blocks, counters, paint etc.)

Thanksgiving

Just a reminder that tomorrow is a PD Day and there is no school.  We will see everyone on Tuesday morning!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving! :)

Learning Goals

This week the students are learning:

- the name & sound of the letter Tt & printing it correctly (JK)

- words that start with Tt & writing sentences (SK)

- that a pattern is something that repeats over & over again

- to extend & create patterns

- about autumn/fall

- to be grateful to God (Thanksgiving)

Also today we went on a walk and used out senses to explore the season of Autumn.  We collected different coloured leaves and we brought them back into the classroom for further fun and exploaration.

Routines

It is important to establish rules and routines with your children at home. 

Having a few rules [ex: no hitting, saying please and thank you etc.] and tasks that your child has to do each day [ex: brush their teeth or make their bed] will help them develop responsibility and self-reliance.

Also, giving your child directions and multiple steps to complete a task will encourage there listening, thinking, and memory skills.  Listening to and following directions are extremely important for every aspect of life. Continue to encourage this with your children by practicing it daily. Not only are you greatly helping them but it also makes your life easier because they come to know what you expect and they learn to be independent.

Indoor shoes

Make sure your child has a pair of running shoes to keep in the classroom. When it is raining or snowing they will not be allowed to wear their wet shoes inside the classroom.

Have a great weekend spending time with your children!  They grow up so quickly so appreciate this time with them. :)

Vegetable Plants

Last year the students planted vegetable plants for Father's Day.  When we sent the plants home many of them were already growing vegetables.  Today one of the SK parents showed us the amazing amount of tomatoes they have been growing!  We are so happy to see that the plants are providing food for your families!  

Picture Day

Don't forget tomorrow is picture day! :)

Please make sure you are at school on time so you can be in our class picture as we don't know the schedule.  However, we do know that kindergarten classes usually go first to make sure they are looking their best!

Learning Goals

This week we are continuing our focus on sorting.  

Last week we sorted by colour (which was difficult for many of the JK's as they couldn't name the colours - this was very surprising).  Today & tomorrow we continue sorting by size: JK big & small; SK small, medium, large.  Later this week we will be sorting by shape.

Please continue to practice at home the concepts learned in school.  To sort at home you can use any items that have something similar (ex: shoes with laces & shoes without; clothes with stripes and clothes without etc.)