Week #14: Dec. 5th - 9th

Dear Families,

Well, the cooler temperatures have arrived and it may be here to stay!  Let’s hope as with this weather comes fun in the snow!  

I hope you're keeping warm and cozy, hot chocolate by a fire would be ideal!  Mmm, toasty! 

Have a wonderful weekend with your loved ones!

Our Holiday Happy Mail for the elders at Sunset Manor

FRONT ROW VIP SEATING BALLOT:

Your child has brought home a ballot (see image below) that may be filled out.  The purpose of this is to get the chance to win front row VIP seating for next week's Holiday Concert.  So sweet :)

If you're planning on attending the concert, please bring this ballot with you on Wed. Dec. 14th at 6:00 P.M. to be entered into the draw!!  

NOTTAWA'S 12 DAYS OF GIVING:

It brings tears to my eyes as I write this, thank you to all the staff, students, and their parents who have already generously and graciously been bringing in LOTS of donations all week for our 'giving tree' which is located in the rotunda (by the office).  

This is why I am so, SO proud to be a Nighthawk!  We as a school family continue to think about the feelings of others and we do it with such care and compassion.  

Everyone's GIVING ways and generosity is inspiring to me!!  Thank you for being YOU :-) 

As you can see from the photos, leading by example, seamlessly transfers to our children which is heart soaring!!  They are learning first hand what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to be a genuine giver for those who need it the most.  This to me is the essence of humanity :)

MAKING EDIBLE CHRISTMAS TREES:
As part of Procedural Writing, we will be making edible Christmas trees in class and we will be writing about it!  

I will be providing most of the materials for this process, but if you would like, you may wish to have your child bring in some delicious toppings such as sprinkles, gummies, and other tiny sweets to put on their trees.  I know they're going to LOVE IT!  

Please send in toppings in a zip lock baggy with your child on Wed. Dec. 14th.

 

LANGUAGE:

This week in writing, we worked on thinking about peace and what it means to each of us.  During the holidays, my wish for everyone is to have peace in our thoughts, words, and actions.  

I believe peace is truly the answer to the world's problems.  

To get in this mindset, I provided students with a handmade dove to write a heartfelt poem or message about peace.  Doves are a symbol of love and a messenger of peace. 

We are still working on this task, but what we have completed so far is absolutely wonderful!

These peace doves will be turned into a holiday ornament which your child will bring home as a gift to share with you before the winter break.  The idea is to place it on your Christmas tree :-)

MATH:

This week, we continued working hard on using the 4-Block Problem Solving Method to answer some more challenging patterning word problems.  I sent some home earlier this week for you to review with your child and there is more for you to see next week too!

Thank you to the families who are taking the time to go over these math tasks that come home to help reinforce learned concepts and using the provided examples to help your child extend upon his or her knowledge/understanding, thinking/application, and communication skills.  It is making a difference!!

Below, you will see your child working diligently with a partner on their math this week!  It brings me such happiness to see my students working hard and helping each other :)

ASSESSMENT:

On Wednesday next week, we will write an assessment for patterns.  I sent home a review sheet along with the expectations so please have your child work on these questions over the weekend to help prepare.

As always, my assessments are an opportunity for students to celebrate WHAT THEY KNOW (stars/strengths) and WHAT THEY CAN WORK TOWARDS (arrows/next steps).  

GRAMMAR RULE #7:

This week, we continued our learning about Irregular Plural Nouns.  The English language has many 'exceptions to the rule' so we made sure to do a deeper dive into this and we're getting the hang of this!

Below, you will find your child working with a friend (they loved this) to help consolidate their learning of this rule :)

Grammar sheets have come home for you to view :)  Can you child think of any other irregular nouns that are NOT on the image above?

GYM:

Did your child come home this week and share about our new cooperative gym game called Hula-Hut!?  If not, that's a-ok, please ask them about this now.  

One of the main goals of the game is to build our skills in cooperation and collaboration!  Students had to work as a T.E.A.M. to build their 'huts.'  

See images below of us in collaboration action :-)

Students worked collaboratively in teams of 4 to build a 'hut' out of 6 hula-hoops.  The goal was to knock down the opponents hoops with a dodge ball.  Some of the kids I could tell play baseball as their throws were on target!  It was amazing to see!

Each team needed to strategize on who were the guards, throwers, and builders.  It was important to switch up the roles so everyone had an opportunity at each to help build their skills in these areas.  

We will have the opportunity to play this game again in gym class next week!

EVIE & MAE:

This week, we had the pleasure of having my former student Evie join our class family to participate in Brain Gym and Meditation.  

Evie and I share a special bond and she thrives off of being in a peaceful and calm environment.  So I was happy to have her come to our portable to join us for a little while.  

Evie is also an exemplary model for leading mindfulness exercises so the kids were intrigued to see how she led it.  Wow, she remembered EVERY STEP, it was impressive.

Mae was our helper of the day and she worked collaboratively with Evie at the front for Brain Gym.  It was a magical moment and I appreciate Mae letting Evie join her :)

I have shared with my students that I believe in 'Once your teacher, always YOUR TEACHER!'  I do my best to maintain my rapport with my former students.  I want to ensure they know that I care for them beyond being in my classroom walls.  

It is very important to me to be a safe person for the children of Nottawa where they feel seen, heard, and valued.  I promise to always be there for your child if and when they need :)

MINDFULNESS:

Thank you to those families who may or will be considering to donate to Sick Kids Foundation in lieu of a teacher gift for me.

SickKids isn’t just a hospital, it’s a place of legends and it is their mission to build a new one that can help them fight for even more kids!! Every monthly donor gets them closer to their goal.

Do you have it in you to give? Any donation counts and your contributions can help save a life. Thank you so much for your consideration :)

GROWTH MINDSET:

From my heart to yours MEEGWICH,

Ms. Gill