Week #7: Oct. 17th - 21st

Dear Families,

Can you believe we're soon entering into our last week of October?  Like, Halloween's only 10 days away!  Where in the world did this month go!?  Ahhh, time sure flies when you're actively learning, growing, and having FUN all at the same time!  

Please note, Monday's a PA Day so I hope your child enjoys some time to rest, relax, and do what they want to do ;) 

As you're aware, I sure keep the kids busy during the school week with regular homework, in-class multi-step tasks, and projects.  They deserve a day to themselves to play, play, PLAY!  

This being said, I highly encourage those students who require the day to finish up their autobiography assignment which is due Monday evening at 8:00 P.M.  Please remind your child to 'TURN IN' the assignment via Google Classroom.

CHARACTER RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY:

Exciting news!!  Since February 2020, I am delighted to share that our in school assemblies are back!!!  It is a wonderful opportunity for us ALL to meet as a school family in the gym to recognize the deserving recipients for displaying specific Character Traits of the Month.

This month at the assembly we celebrate COOPERATION which will be led by Mrs. Garvan's and Mr. Bowhey's classes next Friday October 26th at 2:15 p.m.  All families are welcome to attend!  

Please note, I will ensure I give notice to the parents whose child is receiving an award so you can hopefully make the time to come to the gym.  Look out for a note in the agenda!   

Looking forward to honouring and recognizing all students from K-8 for Cooperation.  I'll be sure to reveal our recipients in next week's blog update as well, stay tuned :)  

AUTOBIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all my students and families for all the hard work being put forth in class and at home on our very first assignment (project).  Students' slides are being thoughtfully prepared and I am very proud!  

I am excited to read your child's autobiography soon and get to know them on a deeper level!

AUTOBIOGRAPHY ORAL PRESENTATION DATES:

Beginning the week of Oct. 31st to Nov. 4th, your child will have the opportunity to present and share his or her Google Slides to the class.  They have each chosen a specific date on their own so please be sure to record this down into your home calendars.  

Mon. Oct. 31st	Tues. Nov. 1st	Wed. Nov. 2nd	Thurs. Nov. 3rd	Fri. Nov. 4th
1. Kaia	1. Isla	1. Logan	1. Kaleb	1. Molly
2. Lily	2. Brynn	2. Anna	2. Arie	2. Libby
3. Mae	3. Ivy	3. Cruz	3. Ellis	3. Ben
4. Jonas	4. Ayden	4. Benner	4. Will	4. Kieran

To help honour all my students' hard work and for them to gain valuable public speaking skills, we will be doing oral presentations.  

Below, you will find the criteria that I will be using to teach students how to be an effective presenter.  We will work on our presenting skills in class, and students are encouraged to do so at home too in front of family members.

LANGUAGE:

As you've seen, heard, and learned by now, our class has spent meaningful attention and energy on gratitude and acts of kindness.  As the famous saying goes ... "In a world if you can be anything, BE KIND!"

This week, I shared the story 'Have You Filled a Bucket Today?'  Below, I have posted the online version of the story.  

Being happy isn't just a feeling; it's something that you carry with you all day.  You can make yourself happy by making other people happy, and by accepting kindness from others.  You feel very happy and good when your bucket is full, and you feel very sad and lonely when your bucket is empty.  

This story reminds us of the very important fact that we aren't the only ones carrying a special bucket, and just as important, we aren't just responsible for our own buckets.  We're all responsible for each other's.  

A full bucket is important because it means you're happy and confident.  If you want a full bucket, you need to work together (cooperate).  You can't do it alone, you need other people to fill your bucket and other people need you to fill theirs.'

At the end of the story and a class discussion about finding ways to acknowledge and appreciate others acts of kindness, I had the students think of a special person (e.g., a classmate, sibling, principal, teacher, parent, pet, etc) in their life and write a message of gratitude (bucket filling note).  

These were heart-soaring!!  The feeling of JOY and HAPPINESS was felt as students delivered and received their notes :)  

I will encourage my students to continue this bucket filling tradition throughout the school year as I feel it is important to express and accept acts of appreciation! 

MATH:

Earlier this week, students wrote a place value assessment which I am in the process of marking and will send home in the coming days.  I shared with my class that this year assessments will emphasize celebrating our stars (strengths) and arrows (areas to improve/continue to work on).  

I will provide lots of class time for assessment completion as well as provide lunch and learn time to support their achievement.  I am very proud of everyone for doing their personal best in our place value unit!  

A big shout out to all those students who completed EVERY practice question that I sent home for review.  Your responsibility and dedication to your academics is exemplary and appreciated!  Check out the smiles of these hard working mathematicians :)

PARENTS' GUIDE TO MATHEMATICS:

Are you curious about the new math curriculum and how you can support your child's growth as a mathematician?

Working as a T.E.A.M. ("Together Everybody Achieves MORE!") will make a difference and support your child's learning by making math a regular part of your day-to-day life at home.  You can help your child(ren) make connections between what they learn in school and everyday experiences at home and in the community.

WE CAN:

• find ways to incorporate math at home
• inspire a love of learning and better understanding of math
• talk to your child about their math schoolwork
• show an interest in what they are learning in class
• help make learning fun by finding real world applications of what they are learning together

For more ways to support your child's math at home, please visit ontario.ca/page/support-your-childs-math-learning

I really appreciate the weekly support in your child's Math Practice Homework!  I can tell the various students who have practiced concepts at home because their confidence has increased and they are willing to guide others with their knowledge and understanding.  

Thank you parents for taking the time out of your busy schedules to invest in your child's academics.  It truly makes and is making a difference!!

NEW MATH UNIT:

Beginning next week, our new focus in math will be on Geometric Reasoning.  

Below are the Specific Expectations:

• sort, construct, and identify cubes, prisms, pyramids, cylinders, and cones by comparing their faces, edges, vertices, and angles
• compose and decompose various structures, and identify the two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects that these structures contain
• identify congruent lengths, angles, and faces of three-dimensional objects and mentally and physically matching them, and determine if the objects are congruent

Please note, a math note will be sent home in your child's agenda next week!

GYM:

This term in gym, we will be focusing on cooperative games to build upon our collaboration, sportspersonship, and agility skills.  Our class family is filled with athletic and enthusiastic athletes!! 

Thus far, I have taught the students how to play "PIRATES" which they have thoroughly enjoyed playing while we are in the gymnasium :)  It gets our hearts pumping and the adrenaline going!  

Ask your child how to play it and what strategies their team used to be successful!  As some are aware, I'm a big sports and exercise person, so seeing my kids participate in gym so keenly and using team work, warms my heart!  There's never a dull moment in gym class - smiles all around!!

BEN:

Thank you Ben for taking the time to create this Canadian flag to help honour our hero - Terry Fox!  It is now posted proudly in our classroom and will be there for years to come.

Ben sweetly came up to me yesterday and said, "Here Ms. Gill, I made you something."  This brought instant emotion to my eyes and heart.  How blessed am I?!

I really appreciate you being so considerate to not only think of me, but more importantly magnificant Terry Fox and how he's OUR change maker.  You're inspiring us to also think about what we can do to make a difference!!

LIVING IS GIVING and it's up to us to continue making changes to help create a better and brighter world for one and all.  Aww, we're all so grateful to learn and grow with you, Ben!!  Meegwich :)

MINDFULNESS:

Take a moment to reflect on how important teamwork is to a group as well as an individual. This video comes from GoNoodle’s Think About It Channel. 'Think About It' helps children think, reflect, and set positive intentions for your day.

After viewing the video, please ask your child:  What is the author's message?  What character trait is being displayed?  Explain a time when you've been a team player with a family member and how it made you feel :)

Remember everybody, 'TOGETHER EVERYBODY ACHIEVES MORE!'

GROWTH MINDSET:

"Instead of - this is too hard, TRYING THINKING - this may take some time."

From my heart to yours ... MEEGWICH,

Ms. Gill