What's New Newsletter October 29 - November 2, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of October 29 – November 2, 2012

*Reminders – Fall Supper coming up on Saturday, November 3

                       - HOT LUNCH Pizza Day – Friday, November 2

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!               AVA                       October 29

                                                  MAYA                   October 31

PUMPKIN PARTIES                                                                                                                       

Our Pumpkin Party is on Wednesday, October 31 in the afternoon.  If your child would like to dress in costume, please send it to school in a plastic grocery bag.  The children will be changing into their costumes after lunch recess at 1:00 pm.   Please remember that the costumes need to be appropriate – no weapons, blood, scary masks…                                                                                                                        

The snack parents for this party are - Alexis, Annabelle, Ava, Chinh     

Also remember that our school is Nut Safe - Thanks!

MEASURING MUFFIN                                                                                                     

Last week we traced around Muffin and counted how many squares she covered on a piece of grid paper.  She was very patient with us as she was traced 20 times.

PUMPKIN GLYPHS                                                                                                                       

We made some pumpkin glyphs of ourselves last week.  A glyph is a symbol or a code that means something else.  We choose symbols for whether we were a boy or a girl, in grade one or two, how many people are in our family, our hair colour and our favourite colours.  Come and check out the pumpkin glyphs in the hallway, read the codes and see if you can figure out who made which pumpkin.

What's New Newsletter October 22 - 26, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of October 22 – 26, 2012

*Reminders – Annual Fall Supper coming up on Saturday,

                        November 3                                    

                        Tickets are available to purchase, auction items still needed

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TOUCH BOOKS                                                                                                                       

Last week I sent home a pink note asking parents to help their child find 6 small items at home and then bring them to school in a Ziplock bag labeled with their name.  If your child did not bring their items to school last week, please do so ASAP.  Thanks.

CLASS REP’S                                                                                                                        

Each of the classrooms in the school have a parent representative.  These parents are responsible for phone call reminders about up-coming events for the PIP.  Our classroom does have one parent already but they are looking for another.  If you would be interested in volunteering for this position, please contact the PIP or Sandra in the office.

MISSION PROJECTS                                                                                                                  

 An information letter was sent home to the school families regarding a new mission project we are working on this year for CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief).  We are collecting items to fill a “Living and Learning” kit to send to needy children.  Each month we will be collecting one item for the kits.  This month, October, we are looking for SCRIBBLERS (Hillroy - any size).  Please DO NOT send coiled booklets, they are difficult to pack and ship.  Thank you for your help and support!

PUMPKIN PARTY                                                                                                                                                       

This year our Halloween Pumpkin Party will be held on Wednesday, October 31 in the afternoon.  The children can dress up if they wish but we ask that the costumes be appropriate. (NO – weapons, blood, scary masks, etc…)

What's New Newsletter October 15 - 19, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

Week of October 15 – 19, 2012

*Reminders – Field Trip to MTYP on Tuesday, October 16 – afternoon

                       - NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 19 – Teacher In-service

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MUFFIN MATH                                                                                                                                                         We have a new friend in our classroom.  Her name is Muffin and she is a 3 month old guinea pig.  We had a vote last week to choose a name for her.  We had lots of suggestions (Obiwonkinobi, Mario, Lego, Chocolate, Cookie, Sunshine, Fox, Bob, and many more.)  In the final vote, Muffin won.  We are getting to know each other and will be using math to find out all about guinea pigs.  How many blocks long is she, how much does she weigh, how much does she grow?  We have also been sharing little bits of our lunch with her and finding out what she likes to eat (carrots, apple, celery, cucumber, and her favourite so far … grapes!)

FEELY BOOKS                                                                                                                                                                                         I am sending home a letter today about a little book that we are making in class about the sense of touch.  Please read the pink note and help your child find their items at home.  Please send the feely items to school this week (next Monday at the latest) because I would like to make our books next week.  Thanks!

CLASS PARTIES                                                                                                                                                 Each year our class has a number of parties to celebrate the holidays.  I usually divide up the class alphabetically between the holidays and ask each family to bring treats for one of the parties during the year.  If that day does not suit you, perhaps you can trade with another family.  Don’t worry, I’ll put reminders in the newsletters.  Please let me know if this plan does not work for you.

What's New Newsletter October 8 - 12, 2012

What’s New in One and Two?

   Week of October 8 – 12, 2012

*Reminders – NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 8 – Thanksgiving

                    - Permission slips for MTYP Field Trip on Tuesday, October 16

                    - Scholastic Book orders due on Friday, October 12

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HOMEWORK                                                                                                                                      The homework will be coming home today instead of the usual Monday.  The children only have four days to complete it this week.  It is due on Friday and the grade two spelling test is on Friday as usual. 

SPELLING 

The spelling lists that we have been working on so far should be review words from grade one (sight words and word families).  At the end of October we’ll look at how each child has done and start some students in a more challenging spelling program, depending upon where they will be most successful.   

READING                                                                                                                                   I know that many children (and parents) are eager move up the alphabet into harder level books as quickly as possible.  Trying to read books that are too challenging does not help your child learn to read but instead causes problems.  A “just right” Goldilocks book is one that your child can read with at least 95% to 98% accuracy to start with.  Reading is more than just de-coding words.  They also need to be able to re-tell the story with details, answer comprehension questions, and make personal connections to the story.  As well, they need to work on reading aloud with expression, fluency, correct phrasing, rhythm and following punctuation.  They also need to enjoy and comprehend what they are reading.  Please read and re-read the small beginner books on more than one night to practice the other important reading skills.