Week #17: Jan. 9th - 13th
Dear Families,
It is with an open mind and heart that I wish you all an official Happy New Year as I haven't been able to see many of you in person yet.
It was an absolute highlight seeing your child's bright, enthusiastic, and warm smile on Monday! I am delighted to be reunited to continue our journey of learning and growing :)
I do hope you continue to access my classroom blog weekly as I will continue to provide detailed evidence of what your child is doing at school each week so that you too can help reinforce these concepts at home.
Together we HAVE and WILL CONTINUE to make a DIFFERENCE in your child's social, emotional, behavioural, and academic progress!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend! Stay safe on the roads if you have to venture out. It is snowy and icy out there!
CHARACTER TRAIT:
This month’s character trait is HONESTY – “We will always tell the truth.”
I have encouraged my students to always tell me the truth even if it's difficult! It's important for us to be accountable in our thoughts, words, and actions. By being dishonest, it only makes a problem / situation escalate and get bigger.
As we say in class regularly, "Every problem has a solution." And, we truly believe this! We can always work together to resolve any challenges and/or difficulty your child may experience, we go this!!
Below, I have posted two videos which outline the importance of honesty and how a young 10 year old boy chose to do the right thing. Give it a listen and enjoy its message, we sure did in class!!
In this episode of Ellen, we investigate the value of being truthful, 10 year old Nasim found a wallet, and what he did next proved that there is still plenty of good in the world. AMAZING!!!
HONESTY SPIRIT ASSEMBLY:
Speaking of honesty, Mrs. Kutcy's grade 1 class will be leading our Honest Spirit Assembly on Wed. Jan. 25th at 2:00PM. Please mark this date in your calendar. It is also a fun-loving spirit day as well called "Dress Like Your Teacher."
Many of the kids know I'm a sports enthusiast (soccer and basketball) and my favourite thing to wear when I can is sportswear (jogging pants, hoodies).
But for school, I love wearing shirts that have an INSPIRATIONAL SAYING ON IT (see examples below). I believe if we 'talk the talk,' we must also 'walk the walk' and I do by wearing attire with meaningful messages on them :)
If your child wishes to participate in this spirit day, please have them wear one of the following:
1. Sportswear from their favourite team (Raptors, Leafs, soccer jersey, etc...)
2. A t-shirt or sweatshirt that has a GROWTH MINDSET or INSPIRING MESSAGE on it to "Be Like Ms. Gill." Also with this - wear jeans, a pair of colourful/patterned socks, and blundstones (yep, this is my go to attire ;)
Here are some examples below ...
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| "Use your VOICE, SPEAK UP. Be an INFLUENCER!" |
Boy or boy, I just can't wait to see what the kids have on!! I'll be sure to post the photos of these shirts on Fri. Jan. 27th on my blog update.
MATH:
This week in math, students completed their Block 1 Check In Assessment which focuses on all the units of mathematics that I've covered from Sept. - Dec. (Number, Geometry, Patterning, Measurement).
These assessments are designed for me to 'check in' with your child's strengths (what they did well) and next steps (what they need further support with) within the strands of number, geometry, patterning, and measurement so we can continue to build and grow their skills!
For me, an assessment is used to celebrate your child's STARS (strengths) and ARROWS (areas to improve upon). Very little emphasis is put on the 'letter grade' when celebrating their achievement, but instead on what your child's demonstrating and then making a constructive plan to keep honing the skills that're not consolidated YET.
When these assessments come home, please review them with your child so he or she can show you their learning. Thank you as always for your support and raising your child's spirits up no matter the letter grade!
SCIENCE:
Students have been working hard with Mr. Morin to prepare for their upcoming science assessment which is taking place on Tuesday January 17th at 2:50 - 3:40PM. Please ensure your child is present for this entire period.
In preparation for this, Mr. Morin has stated that your child may make his or her own 'review cheat sheet' that they can use during the test. This is a valuable skill to develop which is picking out the important information from a textbook or worksheets and note take.
Below is an example. Isla's been working hard in class and at home on her review sheet and I'm so proud of her efforts.
Each student has brought home their science duo-tang so I encourage them to work on studying for science this weekend.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
It is with immense excitement and gratitude that I share how proud I am of my students working towards building upon their leadership skills in class.
Since the beginning of the school year, I have shared that in this class family, we are ALL TEACHERS and can learn and grow from one another.
This was an exceptional week where this was showcased every single day. Sometimes I wish I had a webcam in my room (obviously I can't, hehe) so parents could see their child first hand in leadership action, it's absolutely heart-soaring and a teacher's (and I think for parents too) dream come true!
The closest thing I have is sharing candid photographs where you can see the children genuinely and lovingly supporting each other because they CARE.
Check them out below!! Thank you boys and girls for sharing your time, energy, and indeed HIPPOCAMPUS to help others achieve their personal best too :)
GRAMMAR RULE #9:
Your child has brought home his or her grammar sheets. This week's focus was on 'naming yourself last when you are talking about another person and yourself.'
This can be a tricky concept to figure out when to use the word I or ME. Ask your child how to decipher this :)
Below are photos of your child working with a partner(s) on this grammar task.
MOVING EDGEucation:
What is it? Moving EDGEucation is an organization that is passionate about implementing social, emotional, and mental well-being strategies for educators to help students soar, grow, and thrive especially in today's modern digital era.
Integrating well-being MOVEMENTS throughout the school day is essential in fostering healthy minds and bodies so children and teachers are regulated (calm, focused, ready to learn) to do and be the best version of themselves!
I can't wait to participate with my students in this one day event at our school. It'll be a learning and growing experience for not only the students, but more importantly for us educators!
Watch this inspiring video below to learn more :-)
"You Can't Get It Wrong!"
WooHoo, we are all looking forward to our Moving EDGEucation Day on Fri. Jan. 20th.
Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing for moving and grooving on our dance day, yay!
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS INDIGENOUS CELEBRATION GAME:
On Monday morning, Benner enthusiastically came to me and asked, "Ms. Gill, did you watch the Maple Leaf's Indigenous Celebration Game over the weekend?" I replied, "No, I didn't. I hadn't heard of this before."
Then Arie and Ellis chimed in and said, "Yes Ms. Gill, it was so cool because there was drumming and their jersey's wear designed by an Indigenous artist."
Wow, my heart soared with joy!! As a class, we found an article (see below) describing the experience and learned about how the remarkable players of this team took time to LEARN and HONOUR Indigenous people and their culture.
Thank you boys for sharing and caring about our Indigenous People through your passion for hockey. This truly demonstrates the spirit of reconciliation & respect :-)
MAE:
Congratulations to our very own Mae for achieving 3rd place in The Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Poster Contest for the primary colour division. We're so happy for you!!
Your passion for art and determination to put forth your personal best is admirable :-) Way to go, Mae!
GROWTH MINDSET:
Thank you Benner for sharing this week's mindset message! It was inspired by the book We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio which teaches us the importance of CHOOSING KINDNESS.
Benner shared with me that when he was silent reading during our D.I.R.T. period, he was reading the book and thought this message would be meaningful for our class. Indeed it is Benner, thank you for sharing!
This story is about Auggie, who stands out because he doesn’t look like an "ordinary kid" even though he does all of the same things other kids do.
The message of the story is that he is not the only person who is different, but everyone is unique in their own way. Auggie tries to get everyone else to see that as well.
It is a story designed to spread kindness and inclusivity. AMAZING!!
MINDFULNESS:
Please listen to the song writer's message! What words and images help you understand what the song is about?
Let's start off the new year right by continuing to think positively in our thoughts, words, and actions!
From my heart to yours ... MEEGWICH,
Ms. Gill
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