Week #34: May 15th - 19th
Dear Families,
Wishing you a safe and wonderful Victoria long weekend with your family and friends! I've heard some students buzzing about going away camping and to their cottage. Here's to sunshine and blue skies! Have an absolute blast, but please continue to be safe :)
What will I be up to? Well, I'll be spending quality time at a cottage in Baysville, and also hopefully in my perennial and vegetable garden to get them ready for the summer months.
Have I shared that I also love gardening? Yes indeedy, I do! My family used to own a garden center at our motel which blossomed my passion for plants.
I surveyed the class and was delighted to see that the majority of my students have vegetable gardens on their property. This is amazing!! So perhaps you will be getting your hands and knees dirty too as part of your weekend plans ;) If you do, enjoy being outdoors and one with nature!!
JONAS:
It is with sheer pride and joy that I share with you that our very own Jonas has been recognized for the prestigious Character Education Award from the Simcoe County District School Board.
'Character Education is a deliberate effort to nurture universal attributes that transcend racial, religious, socio-economic and cultural lines. It is a whole school effort to create a community that promotes the highest standards of student discipline and citizenship."
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| I am so honoured to have nominated Jonas for his outstanding Character in and out of the classroom :) |
The annual Character Recognition Awards Evening is an opportunity to recognize students, staff, volunteers, and employees of a co-operative education employer who demonstrate good character in their daily lives.
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| Congratulations goes out to Mrs. Beattie and Corbin (grade 2) who were recognized too :) |
The awards were held last evening at the SCDSB Education Centre and it was my pleasure to be in attendance to see our Jonas receive his well deserved recognition.
Continue BEING WHO YOU ARE, Jonas. You're an exemplary model for what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to have TRUE CHARACTER. Excellent work kiddo :-)
POETRY:
Over the next few weeks, I will be teaching my students about Poetry in preparation for our Poetry Cafe. Yes of course, you are ALL INVITED, invitations to follow :) Stay tuned!!
Your child will be excited to write and share their poems with you!
Learning Goal:
We are learning to read, listen to, and write our own poetry using adjectives (descriptive words) to help our reader visualize and create a deeper meaning from our writing.
Success Criteria:
1. I can choose a topic for my poem that is meaningful to me.
2. I can use rich, descriptive (adjectives) word choice when I write.
3. I can include voice and expression in my writing.
4. I can help my reader create mental imagery (visualize) as they read my poem.
5. I can think with my head and heart to create a meaningful poem.
POETRY IS ... "Powerful Thoughts in Tiny Packages!"
Please have your child visit Google Classroom where I have posted a Poetry Reading Room and the link below to learn about the different types of poetry we will be exploring!
http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/poetry.html
IVY:
To help connect to our learning of Poetry, Ivy made me an acrostic poem that means the world to me!!
Check out the content of its message, it essentially is a consolidation of what I've been trying to instill in the students all year :)
Thank you Ivy for taking the time and energy to think of me and to meaningfully connect your thoughts and words into a heartfelt action!
MATH:
Your child will have received his or her Data review sheet earlier this week. In it, I have selected a variety of questions that will help prepare the students for their upcoming assessment on Wed. May 24th.
A very special shoutout goes to our twins Kaia and Brynn who both diligently completed their review sheets already with such detail and pride. Their efforts are AWE INSPIRING!!
Thank you to the Geier girls' parents and grandparents who are instilling the value of hard work in you both!!!
I have also provided graph paper so your child can ask a survey question, make a table, collect the data, graph it, and interpret their findings.
We have done this in class so please know your child will be familiar with this :) Check us out below as we collected data from our peers about a chosen topic! Ask your child what his or her topic and question was.
Below, I have also written out the specific expectations of what I will be looking for when I assess students' KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING, THINKING/APPLICATION, and COMMUNICATION skills.
The expectations are as follows:
-sort data into appropriate categories by attributes and give their sorting rule
-collect data by writing a survey question that gives choices
-organize their data into tally charts, bar graphs and pictographs that match the data collected
-bar graphs must have 3 titles: the main title, x-axis title, y-axis title, an appropriate scale, the bars must be the same width and the same distance apart. All lines are drawn neatly and clearly
-pictographs must have a key that outlines the scale, a title, an appropriate picture/symbol for the graph, and pictures lined up in columns
-read graphs and data displayed to tell about what they know from the graph (interpret) making sure they give enough details and use math language
MULTIPLYING:
This week in our Daily Math, we came across a question that focused on multiplying numbers by 10, 100, and 1,000.
We took this opportunity to do a deeper dive into this concept as I have covered multiplication.
We watched the video below and it gave us a clearer understanding so I please ask you to also review the video below to help consolidate this skill with your child and then ask them to solve the following: 25x10 = 25x100 = 25x1,000 =
PRIMARY TRACK & FIELD DAY:
Thank you to Mrs. Garvan and her Leadership Crew for organizing and facilitating such a fun-filled day for our Primary Classes!
Since we watched and cheered on the various participants for the 400M final last Friday, the kids have been so eager to learn about track as they see and hear the older kids running and jumping their hearts out!
Throughout this week, I've taken the kids outside for gym and DPA to practice some of the more challenging events that they'll face in grade 4 such as the Long Jump & Triple Jump.
Over the long weekend, you may wish to ask your child how to perform these events. They'll be eager to show you if they haven't already.
The triple jump requires a bit of footwork coordination, and most students are GETTING IT because of their determination, willingness to F.A.I.L., and NOT GIVING UP.
Check us out below as we all thoroughly enjoyed the various events such as: 100M dash, running long jump, triple jump, 200M dash, standing long jump, ball throw, soccer, and the FUN ZONE!
Thank you parents for having your child so well prepared with running shoes, shorts, t-shirts, hats, water bottles, a healthy lunch, and sunscreen on :) This was valuable in setting our day up for success!
A shoutout to Benner (3rd) and Isla (1st) who placed in the top 3 for the 400M race in their age category! They're both models of winning with a gentle grace and positivity!!
BENNER:
Thank you to Benner and his family for providing freezies for our class at the conclusion of our track & field! This was a coooool treat for us to enjoy after our fun-filled day! Mmm :-)
The Leal family's continued thoughtfulness and generosity is appreciated beyond measure! Thank you for consistently thinking about the feeling's of others :) WE HONOUR YOU!
IVY:
Thank you Ivy for extending your gratitude to Mrs. Garvan who's a critical part of creating so many fun events for our students!
Ivy made a special note of thanks for Mrs. Garvan, kept it in her shoe until she saw her outside, and quietly gave it to her :) This act of kindness is valued and you made her day!!
SIMCOE COUNTY MUSEUM TRIP:
A friendly reminder that on Thurs. May 25th, the grade 3's will be going to the Simcoe County Museum to help reinforce their learning in Social Studies about Early Settlers / Pioneer life.
If you have volunteered to join us on this trip, thank you very much! You may meet us at the regular 9:20 a.m. bell at our portable and then you may decide if you'd like to join us on the bus or drive and meet us there. Either way is fine :)
Students are asked to pack a lunch, dress for the weather, bring a hat, and sunscreen. The kids and I are looking forward to this academic field trip :)
MARY POPPINS:
It is with such joy that I share the oh so soon upcoming musical that our staff and students have been working tremendously hard on since November!
Our last musical was Annie Jr. which was in 2019 (pre-COVID) so we have been really excited to put on another one!!
I have had the pleasure of assisting after school rehearsals such as stepping in to read lines for absent students and/or set changing during scenes. I've really enjoyed connecting with the children and am in awe of their dedication and skillset :)
As a youngster, I was cut from choir and didn't make the lead roles for any of my Connaught musicals of Wizard of Oz, Little Mermaid and Aladdin so I'm kinda living vicariously through the kids now ;) (lol).
A massive thank you to our staff team of Mrs. O, Mrs. Hammond, Ms. West, Mr. Morin, and Mrs. Johnson who are collectively putting the musical on!
Without their commitment, this opportunity could not happen. So thank you for consistently being here for our students and providing this long lasting memory for their elementary days :-)
If you wish to attend the production of our Mary Poppins Jr., check out the flyer below for details. Any questions regarding tickets, please call the office as they are handling all the logistics moneywise.
Can't wait for the show!!
FUN FAIR:
Another exciting event coming BACK TO OUR SCHOOL since the pandemic is our Annual Family Fun Fair!! It will take place on Thurs. Jun. 15th.
HELP NEEDED:
Each year at this event, school council members put together a silent auction table with many great prizes!
K-6 classes are putting together large themed baskets for the Silent Auction table (see photo below).
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| This note was sent home in the agenda today :) |
Each family is asked to please bring an item for the class basket. The basket theme for our class is: SPORTS. That's right, with me being a huge sports enthusiast along with many of the kids in the class, it's only fitting that we chose this ;)
We would appreciate all items by Fri. Jun. 9th to allow time for wrapping the baskets. Thank you in advance for your support & contributions in this endeavour! See you at the Fair in June everyone :)
BLUE MOUNTAIN TRIP:
Jot this down please, on May 31st, our class will be going to Blue Mountain for our day of FUN at Blue!!
Hopefully the weather will be cooperating and it'll be a bright and shining day for US! However, what ever the weather brings, I know we're going to be appreciative of this opportunity and have a blast!
Please ensure your child is prepared by dressing for the temperature, pack lots of water, and snacks. I also encourage talking with your child about responsible and respectful behaviour during a trip of this nature.
It is very important that we stop, look, and listen when we are asked to do so to ensure everyone is SAFE and CARED FOR :)
TedTALK:
I get so excited with inspiring messages and videos! This week, I came across this awe-inspiring TedTalk and it literally left me jumping for joy because the content of its message is exactly what's been the focus for the 'climate & culture' of our classroom.
Key words such a GRIT, RESILIENCE, F.A.I.L., and GROWTH MINDSET are all concepts your child is familiar with as we've discussed the importance of them. YahooOooOOoOo!
The strongest predictor for success is "We have to be willing to F.A.I.L., to be WRONG, to START OVER AGAIN with lessons learned."
As your child's teacher, I promise to continue instilling a growth mindset, utilizing their challenges as opportunities to progress, and encouraging a never give up attitude until goals are achieved!
That's right, we got this boys and girls!!
Now please enjoy listening, watching, and feeling the heartfelt talk by Mrs. Angela Duckworth :)
HEALTH:
Speaking of Mindset Matters, from the beginning of the school year, we have been learning about and practicing mindfulness to strengthen and empower our mental and emotional well-being.
What is it?
Mindfulness is awareness of present experience with acceptance.
What is the purpose of mindfulness?
When we are mindful, we are focusing our attention to the task at hand and we are not entangled in the past or the future, nor rejecting or clinging to what is occurring at the moment. This kind of attention to the present moment without worry generates energy, clarity, and joy.
How do you practice mindfulness?
Mindfulness can be practiced every day in an informal way, where any mental event can be an object of awareness. By directing our attention to our breathing, listening to ambient sounds in the environment, labeling our emotions, or noticing body sensations while brushing our teeth.
Watch the video below for more insightful information :)
After viewing this video, please have a discussion with your child about the following image. Ask: What do you notice?
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| What is the illustrator's message for its' audience? |
MINDFULNESS:
The video below takes you through what being in the moment means. #Mindfulness is all about living in the PRESENT MOMENT, that is why it is a gift.
We live in an age of distraction and many of us spend the better part of our lives planning over the future or ruminating over the past.
There are so many times I hear others speaking about some space in the future, making stories, building plans. Yet, one of life's sharpest paradoxes is that our "future" hinges on our ability to live in this very moment.
"We're living in a world that contributes in a major way to mental fragmentation, disintegration, distraction, decoherence," says Buddhist scholar B. Alan Wallace.
Life unfolds in the present and yet we let the present slip away like quick sand: unseized, unrelished and totally squandered in our worries about the future or in our quest to understand the past.
John Kabat Zinn says, "Ordinary thoughts course through our minds like a deafening waterfall". And deafened we are: to the sound of the bird, to the falling rain, to the laughter of our child, to the thunder of the cloud, to the hello of a friend."
"We course through life blinded by a future and yes, blind we are: to the beauty of the spring, to the flight of a bird, to the yellow in the flower, to the hopes in our child, you the mischief in that laughter."
This moment is very powerful! This video's quest is to bring the wonderous "moment" to you so that you and your child can cultivate a sense of awareness in you.
This MOMENT just needs to be still and you can feel the SILENCE WITHIN. All you need to do is "breathe"...
Now please listen to the video and discuss some of the ways YOU CAN BE MORE PRESENT in your thoughts, words, and actions today and EVERYDAY!
I encourage you to try some of the suggested mindful strategies and enjoy living your best life not only this long weekend, but for your whole life!
GROWTH MINDSET:
Thank you Isla for this week's mindset message. It links beautifully to Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous words - "Love is the key to the world's problems!"
"Why choose hate when you have love as the better option?" - Isla
When we choose love over hate, we are happier, kinder, more optimistic, and gentler with others. So I urge you especially in tough times to please have love within your thoughts, words, and actions. I promise you, YOUR LIFE will be FILLED WITH JOY!! Meegwich :)
Respectfully,
Ms. Gill
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