Tomorrow

Tomorrow is dress down day & wacky hat day for the entire school.  If you are participating you must bring a donation to school that will be donated to a person in need.  Thank you for your support.

Also, here is the calendar for December.  A paper copy with the newsletter will be going home tomorrow.  Please read the newsletter for information on our class Christmas Concert and other important information.

Holiday Events in Toronto

There is always a lot to see and do in Toronto.  As Christmas is approaching there are many family events available for you to take part in with your children.  

Some events are listed below, please click the links for more information and even more events & holiday ideas.

Skating at Natrel Rink (free)

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/venues/natrelrink/index.cfm?ref=fp

- skate rentals available on site

Toronto Christmas Market (free)

http://www.toronto.com/events/toronto-christmas-market/

Christmas in High Park ($4-7)

http://www.toronto.com/events/christmas-in-the-park/

A Victorian Christmas at Mackenzie House ($4-7)

http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/eea378997ab691ab852572f80049c569/2a8f87931b52466c85257c0d006dcaf9?OpenDocument

Crazy Christmas Extravaganza Concert ($5)

http://www.toronto.com/events/crazy-christmas-extravaganza/

The Miracle on Mercer Street - Musical Puppet Show ($14)

http://www.toronto.com/events/the-miracle-on-mercer-street/

Disney on Ice ($28+)

http://www.toronto.com/events/disney-on-ice-princesses-and-heroes/

Sesame Street Live ($35+)

http://www.toronto.com/events/sesame-street-live-make-a-new-friend/

Other Events, Guides & Resources:

http://www.toronto4kids.com/

Christmas Concert

Christmas is fast approaching!  The kindergarten Christmas Concert will be held during the day on Wednesday December 18.  

Please be sure to set the day aside to see your child preform.  More details will follow soon.

Learning Goals

This week we will be learning:

- the name & sound of the letter Ee

- words that start with Ee

- the value of the number 2 (JKs)

- the value of the number 7 (SKs)

- about weather: rain, wind, seasons

- about hibernation & animals that hibernate

Snow Pants

The first snow is here as well as colder weather.  We will still be continuing to go outside most days so please send snow pants to school with your child tomorrow so they do not get wet when we play outside.  Make sure their name is written inside the pants so we can make sure they don't get lost.

Enjoy the snow! :D

Brown Day & Milkshakes

Tomorrow is Brown Day!  Please dress in brown and/or bring in something that is brown. 

Also, a note went home about ordering milkshakes.  If you are interested you must send the order form back and the money tomorrow to pre-order them.  :)

(If you didn't receive a note you can order  a chocolate, vanilla OR strawberry milkshake to be delivered to your child for $2 on 3 different days - dates were on the note - if you don't have the order form send a note saying which flavour(s) your child wants & the correct amount of money or see me in the morning for the order form).

Welcome

On Monday we welcomed Ms. Frustaglio to our classroom as our permanent ECE! We welcome her to the St. Jude community! :)

Learning Goals

This week we are learning:

- the name & sound of the letters Cc & Kk (they make the same sound)

- words that start with Cc & Kk

- name and value of the number 1 (JKs) & the number 6 (SKs)

- the word can

- about things we can do

P.S. Please remember to send a fork to school if you order pasta.  I had purchased a pack of plastic forks which have already been used up (often by the same students) and I do not have any more forks in the classroom.  The best thing is to keep a fork in their lunch bags at all times so they have it if they need it. Teach your child to rinse the fork & put it back in their bag for you to clean at night & return it back to their backpacks. 

Conferences

Thank you to all the parents who made parent teacher interviews a success.  I know together we can help your child be the best they can be!

Progress Report

Just a reminder that tonight and tomorrow morning are parent teacher interviews so there will be no school tomorrow.  Please check what time your interview is at to make sure you arrive on time (a note was sent home on Monday).

At the interview we will discuss your child's progress report and you will receive a copy, with comments from our discussion, next week.  

When reviewing the progress report at the interview please take note of the following words:

- always

- usually

- sometimes

- occasionally

These words are key to understanding the report and recognizing areas of strength and growth for your child. 

Here are some photos of us making pizza today:

Pizza Party

We have been learning about more and less by making pizza's out of paper and painting toppings on them.

Tomorrow we will be making real mini pizza's for snack.  I will provide the crust and sauce for everyone but each child needs to bring to school 1 topping (ex: mushrooms, pepperoni, green peppers) and a small amount of cheese for their pizza tomorrow.

Thank you!  

Here are some photos from pepperoni pizzeria in out classroom:

Learning Goals

This week the students will be learning:

- the name and sound of the letter Ii

- words that start with Ii

- more, less & the same (with pizza toppings)

- how to make their own mini pizzas

- how to take & complete orders in our drama Center pizzeria 

As well, this week St. Jude's is hosting their annual book fair.  If you would like to purchase books plesae send money to school tomorrow or Thursday.  You are welcome to attend the book fair yourself on Thursday night or Friday morning before or after your interview. 

Interviews

Today a form went home with the date and time of your child's interview. Please make sure to check their backpack so you do not miss your appointment.

At your interview we will go over your child's progress report - how they are developing, strengths and areas of growth.  

If you are unable to make your appointment please see us right away to reschedule as we must meet with you to complete the conference form.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Numeracy

This week we have been learning about more, less and the same in math.  Students have been putting autumn leaves on trees in groups of more & less.

We have also been focusing on counting verbally and on counting objects correctly.  Continuing to practice at home will help develop and strengthen your child's skills.

Have a great weekend!

Literacy

Learning the letter names and sounds is the first step in learning how to read and comprehend literature.  We cannot stress enough how important it is to constantly practice and reinforce the letter names & sounds with your children.  

Many of the junior kindergarten students are having difficulty learning and remembering their letter sounds.  It is extremely important that you practice them at home with your child daily.  If you are unsure what sound a letter makes please ask us and we will be glad to assist you.

Singing the alphabet song does not mean they know their letters.  Randomly point to a letter and ask your child what letter it is: look on signs, in books, on cue cards you make (one letter per card) or anywhere else you see letters. 

For students in senior kindergarten it is important to practice reading strategies with them to help them learn to read and become confident readers.  Some strategies include: pointing to words as you or they read, sounding out words they don't know, looking at the pictures to help them figure out tricky words, or practicing sight words (it, the, and, etc.).

For further information on helping your child with literacy development please call or make an appointment to see us or ask us at the interviews next week.

Learning Goals

This week we are learning:

- the name & sound of the letter Nn

- words that start with Nn

- about feelings: happy, sad, angry, scared etc.

- to read & write the words like & no

- about numbats (an animal that lives in Australia)

Interviews

A letter was sent home today for you to request a time frame for your interview next week. All parents must meet with us as the progress report is in the form of a conference.  You will not revive a copy of the progress report until you come in for the interview. 

Please send the form back tomorrow to ensure you get the time you request as it is a first come first serve basis.

Library

Today we went to the Toronto Public Library to exchange our library books.  The library books are part of your child's reading bag.  The students are learning to sit quietly and read their books while the teachers conduct guided reading, lessons on making words, or conferences with small groups or individual children.

Yesterday the students participated in the annual dance-a-thon to raise money for our school.  They had a great time facing together!