What's going on...
For more information about what's going on at W. O. Mitchell Public School, visit: https://sites.google.com/site/womitchellschool/
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Last updated on June 28th, 2018
June 28- School is out for the summer!!! I will try my best to get this silly website to upload the pics from May and June and even try to post the slideshow tomorrow. It has been a great year and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of your children grow. Thank you very much for spoiling me today and for the last week. You are all too kind. I hope you all have a fabulous summer. Stay safe and we will see you back here at WOM in the fall!
June 26- REPORT CARDS ARE COMING HOME- CHECK BAGS FOR ENVELOPE. Also, if you have not returned the french reading folder, please do so ASAP.
I would also like to send out a huge thank-you for attending our celebration last friday, the children did amazing and we are so proud of them!
June 20- We are starting to wrap things up for the year. There will be lots of crafts, work and clothing coming home in the next few days. I will have all of the KJSA/B lost and found items on display on Friday for you to browse and find!
We are three weeks behind in the last literacy program that I've been doing with the SKs so I will send home all of those worksheets and you can do them over the summer as one more way to keep the French flowing.
This is also the last week for my French Reading Program. All the children will be bringing home their last book and I will start collecting them next Monday.
We are also done Library for the year so please return all library books.
****WE HAVE DECIDED TO POSTPONE OUR SUMMER FUN DAY UNTIL TUESDAY, JUNE 12TH!****
Thank you for your co-operation! The weather looks much better next week!
June 5- Don't forget about tomorrow's BAKE SALE!!!
*We may move our Summer Fun Day to Tuesday, June 12th depending on the forecast. Executive decision to be made tomorrow. I will update tomorrow afternoon.
June 4- I have updated the Important Dates page with some upcoming Spirit Days. There are two events that will need to be updated as colours and topics are decided.
June 1- Well here we are in June already!! And only 18 school days left...but who's counting!!
Just two things to post about:
1. Recently, we have found that there is an increasingly large amount of pee on the washroom floor in the classroom, as well as on the seat and it is particularly worse when the KJSA class is present. This is from the boys who are standing up to pee. We continuously have conversations about what the steps should be when using the bathroom but there are quite a few students who need much more practice, specifically with the courtesy of lifting the seat and flushing the toilet. If you are the parent of a boy who is standing up to pee, I encourage you to please practice at home what the steps should be to proper toileting.
2. As we grow closer to the end of the year, I will be looking for either a temporary or permanent home for our classroom fish Zag. In the past, I have tried to transport them home to Smiths Falls, however, the commute is rough and I live in the country where they don't seem to thrive on well water. If you are interested in taking Zag, please let me know. Thanks
May 28- I have posted a few items to our Community page. There is the information regarding summer International Languages & Camps Programs as well as the link to Ontario Parks Fun Pass.
I have also updated the Important Dates page with some of the events going on in June. There may be a change of date to our Outdoor Fun day.
May 25- Our caterpillars have started to form their chrysalis/cocoons. It is such an incredible thing to see happen in real time and the reactions and interest from the children.
I am going to start sending home any school supplies that were sent in back in September that we will not be needing this year so you can either use them at home or hold on to for next year.
We have added a Lego table to our room and have started to explore different sounds using tubes. A large group of the kids are also very interested in things that roll, as well as momentum and inclines/ramps, etc.
*I've added to the Wish List baby doll items such as a crib, highchair, stroller, etc. Thanks in advance :)
May 17- Tonight is our Kindergarten Open House for the new families joining our WOM community next September. Please let any of your neighbours know that may have a child that will be entering JK next year. We will start at 6:30 in the library and then visit the four classrooms to participate in different activities.
Ms. Hubbard and I are sending home forms tonight for you to order your Champions baseball tickets as we have officially wrapped up the month of this reading incentive. Great job to all the students.
My classroom has come up short on playdough as several colours have dried out and I didn't have enough volunteers to assign anyone to June. We would love to have more donated as currently we only have a container of blue. Thanks in advance.
An ENORMOUS thank you to all of you who donated time, money and delicious food to our Staff Appreciation Luncheon yesterday. It was incredible.
May 4- I have added some Important Dates for you to check out. This weekend I will try and upload more pics. Next week I will be trying to go through cubbies and send home extra winter clothes.
May 2- Here we are in May already, and the weather is finally warming up. Looking ahead for the next couple of weeks, this is what is going on with KJSA/B:
Literacy: JKs will continue working on letter recognition, phonetic awareness and vocabulary pertaining to Spring, insects and the parts of plants.
SKs are continuing with the Jolly Phonique program, their reading program and the same vocabulary pertaining to Spring, insects and the parts of plants.
Math: We are spending quite a bit of time focusing on Number Sense.
JKs will be working on ordinal numbers, one-to-one correspondence and number recognition
SKs are starting addition up to 10.
Science: We will be raising butterflies from the larvae stage hopefully starting tomorrow.
We are growing several plants in the class with hopes to plant them outside in the coming weeks. We have planted seeds for several types of flowers, kale, carrots, and parsley.
Dramatic Play: We have turned this area into their own school. They have made lists of all the things they would need in order to role-play as teachers and students. This has been an excellent opportunity to promote literacy, writing skills, and many other wonderful skills.
Unfortunately, our white gold fish Zag has passed away. We are trying to figure out what went wrong and the students have several ideas as to what happen (the water was too cold/hot, too much food/not enough, something bad in the water, sickness, etc.)
Apr. 23- It seems as though Spring is finally here!! It may be time to refresh your child's emergency clothing.
*It seems it is time for a friendly reminder to PLEASE not send your child with toys from home. We do not permit them here at school. They pose distractions and quite often tears as they frequently get lost, stolen and/or broken.
Looking ahead for the next few weeks:
Math: Spatial Awareness and Number Sense (number recognition, ordinal numbers and addition)
Science: Earth Day activities, living vs non-living things, the parts of a plant and their 4 main needs
Literacy: JK- letter recognition and phonetic awareness
SK- Jolly Phonique program including activities for weeks #2, 3
*I am going to attempt to post our photos from March and April again with hopes that the glitches with the app have been resolved. Fingers crossed.
Apr. 12- Next week there is some special activities going on at WOM to promote and support Earth Day including a plastic bag drive. Please send in your plastic bags for collection and recycling.
Tomorrow is the deadline to order T-shirts.
Thanks to everyone who sent their child in green or in a jersey. I know it is a tough conversation and it was so incredible to see how much our country has stepped up and shown their support in time of tragedy.
Apr. 10- Here's a few reminders and updates:
1. I have sent home a letter regarding a reading program/incentive with Ottawa Champions baseball. Please look it over so you understand what we are doing.
2. All of the school's LOST and FOUND items are now on display in the hallway outside of the office. If you are visiting the school, please take a look and see if you can claim anything. We have also placed our Kindergarten lost and found items outside our cubby area in the foyer.
3. Friday is the deadline for our Kindergarten t-shirt orders.
4. Thursday we are encouraging staff and students to wear their favourite hockey jersey to show our support to the Humboldt Broncos.
5. Spirit Day is Friday and it is wacky socks and sandals.
Literacy: We have started a new Jolly Phonique program to help with letter sounds and high frequency vocabulary. This program also has music that accompanies but I have to figure out a way to upload it to our website.
Math: We are exploring types of measurement. Length/distance activities include using non-standard measuring tools like cubes, our hands, blocks, etc. Our capacity activity is a tea party, and our mass activity is weighing different pets using a balancing scale and wooden cubes.
Science/Inquiry: Lots of questions about our fish. We have also been planting different types of seeds including various types of flowers, carrots and parsley.
Apr. 4- Dear Parents,
We are enjoying the arrival of Spring (for the most part!!). A huge part of the kindergarten program includes outdoor exploration and at this time of the year, that means playing in water and mud. Please check the weather before school and make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play (splash pants and rain boots). It would also be helpful to send in some extra socks, pants and mitts!
Apr. 3- I hope everyone had a great long weekend either celebrating Easter and/or just enjoying time with your family.
We have officially completed our Le château du roi program so please keep the yellow duotangs. We will be starting our home reading program this week. Because of the holiday, I may not get to everyone this week but by next week we will have all of our Year 2 students commenced.
I have updated our Important Dates page.
We will be moving on to more measurement activities in Math.
Mar. 27- There's a few things I want to bring to everyone's attention.
-This is our last week for the current homework program for the Year 2 students and next week we will commence our Home Reading Program.
-We now have 2 pet fish in my classroom. They arrived last night and the students are very excited. We will be naming them in the next two days. They have many questions about them as well so I am hoping that this creates questions that will lead us in many directions such as living things, the changes of state, water cycle, etc.
-We have also been doing some planting and I am looking into having some raised gardens made for us.
-I have also introduced my pet dragon egg. This was given to me as a gift and the children are fascinated by it. They will all take an oath to take care of it, make a home for it, name it, and make sure it stays clean.
-We have had some ongoing confusion with library books, so please, if you have returned a library book and receive a late notice for it, let me know and I will hunt the book down to show the librarian. I apologize that this has caused inconvenience.
*Lastly, I have been having technical difficulties with the app version of our website on our classroom iPad for over two weeks now and it will not let me post pictures, specifically the gallery of pics from our Olympic Day. I have sent a message to Weebly's tech support and I'm hoping to hear from them soon to troubleshoot the matter. Please bear with me as I work through these glitches. I haven't forgotten, it's just not working!
Mar. 19- Welcome back and I hope everyone had a very good March Break including lots of fun and relaxation too.
I am in the process of uploading all of the pictures from February and have at least 4 different galleries/albums. There will be one for each of the two classes and then one for the 100th Day of School and one for our Olympic Day.
This week we are doing more patterning in Math and trying to extend them past a simple ABAB style pattern.
We are doing the letters W and X.
Mar. 7- Here's a few important reminders:
Sugar bush: Tomorrow is the big day and it is calling for snow. Please make sure your child is here by 8:00 a.m. sharp as the buses are leaving promptly by 8:15 a.m. We are encouraging you pack an extra pair of socks, underwear, mitts and pants if there's room. Other than that, your child needs their lunch and water. Unless there is a pressing message, there is no need to send the communication bags in.
Spirit Day: Don't forget that Friday is our superhero and princess day.
Library: There is no new books coming home this week as we prepare for March Break. Ms. Mercier will use this time to reorganize the books in/out of circulation and prepare for our return.
Mar.5- In order to make sure we are reading to start our home reading program for April 1st, we are condensing the last 6 letters of the alphabet into three weeks. This is too much as there are very few words in French that start with U, V, W, X, Y and Z. Please note that the homework sheets that are coming home today and tomorrow for the letters U and V, the letter U does NOT have a small cut and paste sheet attached. Please have your child draw the number one and can draw their favourite uniform (police officer, firefighter, soldier, nurse, doctor, etc).
Field Trip- Please note that we had many offers to volunteer for the trip and have strict numbers for seating on the buses. If Mrs. Hubbard and I have not contacted you already, we did not have enough space to take you up on your offer, however, we have made notes of who could not attend and have saved those names to help out with our Scientists in School Day which will be happening in the spring. Thanks so much.
In addition, there are still just a few forms we are missing so please get those in.
Spirit Day- This coming Friday is our next Spirit Day. There is a note coming home today regarding it and our chosen theme. Please have your child come in their favourite superhero and princess costume or pjs, tees, socks, etc.
Feb. 27- Thank you very much to all of you who donated money, cakes or baked goods to the Education Foundation. It is such a worthy cause. The children all enjoyed treats from the bake sale and we even had a winner in the KJSA class of a beautiful forest cake.
I have updated our Important Dates page as several new activities have been brought to my attention.
Feb. 21- We have another big, exciting day ahead of us tomorrow as we celebrate the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The weather hasn't agreed with our plans so we will be having our events in the gym and on the stage. Each child has been placed of a team of a different country and will rotate through 9 different stations including a hot chocolate station. We will be doing some crafts as well throughout the day for the Olympics and reading a non-fiction story about what they're all about.
There are many students coming home with wet clothing today from playing on our rapidly-melting snow hill! Please send in new emergency clothes if your child is one of them. For this reason we are also getting short on grocery bags, so if you have an abundance and wish to get rid of some, we'd gladly take them.
The children have also turned the dramatic play area in my room into a grocery store so please send in empty food boxes and containers.
Feb. 15- Well we've made it through a super exciting, crazy energetic week! Yesterday's Valentine's Day festivities were a big success and everyone was full of beans when they left. Today we celebrated our 100th day of school! This morning we made crowns and magic wands, followed by sorting our collections of 100 things into groups of 10. During our middle block, the children from both classes were put into four groups and we rotated through 4 different activities. Once activity they stacked 100 cups into a tower, in the second activity they created a picture of what they think they will look like at 100 years old. The third activity had students doing a fitness circuit of 10 different exercises 10 times each. Lastly, they painted 100 gumballs in a machine. During the last block, we had a scavenger hunt looking for 100 hearts. It was a very busy day, but very fun-filled with lots of counting! I hope everyone has a great long weekend and a Happy Family Day. I will post an advertisement I saw in the school for a family dinner special on Monday.
Feb. 11- I’ve been having some technical difficulties with the Weebly app, and after several attempts, I’ve finally got our pics from January posted on the Photo page. The app is still not letting me add titles but I’ll keep trying. Happy viewing!
*please don’t forget to either send in or email your family photos!!
Feb.8- There is lots of work, art, etc coming home this week as we get ready to start many new things. Please look in the communication bags for a note regarding next week's 100th Day of School celebrations. The KJSA class has started to use a wall in our classroom to create a city. They are very detailed with what this community needs to be successful and are using lots of creativity to make all the different elements. Next week is a VERY bus week, so please check out our Important Dates page to see what all is happening.
In Math, we are starting to explore 2D and 3D shapes.
*I will be sending home a letter requesting you to send in a family photo either in hard copy or by email. We will be using these photos to learn not only how families are different but also the vocabulary in French. Feel free to go ahead and start sending those in ASAP and I will send the letter home tomorrow. Thanks.
Feb. 2- Well as it turns out Wiarton Willie saw his shadow this morning so I guess it means 6 more weeks of winter. No surprise there with the weather we've had. UGH!! We also were saddened today to say goodbye to Ms. Ainsley as she leaves on Maternity Leave. We wish her luck, health and happiness with baby #2 but we will miss her tremendously :(
Next week we will be starting a few new things:
*In Math, 2D and 3D shapes as well as continuing with numeracy activities that lead up to 100th Day of School.
*Science- we are opening a new science area and if you have any plants, large stones, or anything that your child would be interesting to discover and explore, please feel free to send it in.
*Dramatic Play- we will be opening a post office and setting up a card and letter writing station.
*Language and Literacy- next week is the letter Q and we are really honing in on our oral communication.
Please check out our Community page as I have posted the information regarding the Middle French Immersion Open House being held at Bridlewood Public School.
Jan. 30-I apologize for having been away today and yesterday as I have been very sick with a cold since Friday. I will be back tomorrow. I also apologize if the homework sheets may have not come home to either classes as the supply teachers couldn't locate them. I will make sure they are sent home tomorrow if that hasn't already been done. I am also updating our Important Dates page as I have been informed of several new upcoming events that you should know about.
Jan. 24- This week we have been continuing with the letter O. We are dabbling in some investigations into the 5 senses as well as animals that hibernate and migrate during winter. We have made some changes to the classroom with our dramatic play area becoming an animal hospital and our new relaxation nook in our reading corner. I am adding a few things to our Wish List so please check it out. As well, I am updating our Important Dates page.
*Next Tuesday, January 30th, Ms. Shiply will be making a vegetable soup with the KJSA class. Please send in a vegetable to contribute to the soup. (carrots, celery, peppers, onion, zucchini, canned tomatoes, canned corn, beans, etc)
Jan. 12- Looking ahead to next week:
-I will be removing and sending home all the work from the first 13 letters of the alphabet to make room for the last 13 letters
-We will be starting several new units:
Math- Graphing/Data Management
Science-Animal Adaptation in the Winter
Health/Science-The 5 Senses and Healthy Eating (4 Food Groups)
*I am in search of a Kaleidoscope...if anyone has one we can borrow it would be greatly appreciated.
Jan. 11- Well that was quite the "Snow Day"!!! I have a couple of important public service announcements courtesy of our office and Kinder team:
1. When it is a snow day, if you are bringing your bus student to school, please let us know how you will be picking them up at the end of the day. You can either tell us in person or write a note in their communication bag.
2. When dropping off a late student, please proceed to the office to sign them in and leave them there or sign yourself in at the office and bring them at the entrance to the Kinder cubby area. We are encouraging students to get ready by themselves which will help you to get on your way.
Jan. 8- Welcome Back and Happy New Year!! As we get started back I just wanted to fill you in on a couple of things that we will be going here in Kinderland!! In Math, we will be doing some graphing and numeracy activities. This week is the letter M and we are writing about our winter break. We will be discussing and learning a lot of animal adaptations and how different animals survive winter.
*Before you throw out all the Christmas cards you received, we would gladly take them off your hands and I can save them for our writing center for next year. Thanks in advance
Photos are up! If anyone has some good pics from the holiday concert, could you please email them to me so I can post them on the website?! Thanks in advance!
Dec. 23- Thank you for everything this week. For attending our Holiday Celebration, for sending in treats; for helping out in the classroom and of course, for the incredibly generous and thoughtful gifts. I feel truly blessed.
I am in the process of uploading all of the photos from both November and December. They should be all there by the day’s end.
Wishing you all safe and happy holidays and we will see you all in 2018! 🎄🎉
Dec. 19- We have had several parents ask if they can send in a treat for tomorrow's celebration. Of course you may! We will be coming back to the classroom after concert for hot chocolate, treats and to do a craft together. Looking forward to seeing everyone here tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Dec. 18- TOMORROW is Gingerbread House Making!!! Please send in nut-free candies that your child can share with the class for decorating. We are still looking to have approximately 5 more boxes of graham crackers to be donated as well. Thanks
Dec. 12- I have a few important announcements:
TONIGHT from 6-8pm there will be wagon rides here at W.O. Mitchell leaving from the Kiss n' Ride. What a beautiful evening for it! A real Winter Wonderland! I hope you can all make it.
FOOD DRIVE- The Social Justice Club is collecting food for the Food Bank and each class is earning points for their donations. Please send in non-perishable food items, baby item (food, diapers, formula, etc) and personal hygiene items. Thank you in advance.
Holiday Concert-By the end of the day, each child will be bringing home a hand-made invitation to our concert next Wednesday.
Gingerbread Houses- Next Tuesday, we will be making gingerbread houses in class. Please send in nut-free candies that we can use and share for decorations. I will make the Royal Icing, and Mrs. Hubbard and I are looking to have boxes of graham crackers donated for the walls. Thanks in advance.
I am VERY pleased to announce that we have finally hired a replacement for Ms. Maryann. Her name is Ms. Kylan and she will be with the KJSB class until the end of the year. Welcome Ms. Kylan! We are so glad to have you join our team!
Please check out our Wish List page
Dec. 8- This week has been very busy and I apologize that I'm just getting a chance to post now. Here is what's been going on and upcoming stuff:
*In Math, we are wrapping up this current unit of Spatial Sense and will be doing various Numeracy activities until the break. I also have a couple of Patterning activities mixed in there too.
*In Literacy, we are focusing on the letter Kk next week and we have, and will be, focusing on the vocabulary that goes with our outdoor clothing, Christmas and winter. Along with that, we are still doing work with colours, and I have created a writing centre for next week where children can make cards (not necessarily Christmas) and/or write letters (not necessarily to Santa).
*Sensory/Inquiry- next week we will have turned both tables into different types of Arctic bins. One will be wet and one will be dry. It will include a provocation about how and why certain animals live in such a cold climate.
*Please check for updates on our Important Dates page, Lost and Found page, and our Wish List page. Thanks, and have a great weekend!
Nov. 30- This week we have really focused on kindness and how we treat each other. I have ready the story "As-tu rempli un seau aujourd'hui" to both classes. In English, this book is called "Have you filled a bucket today". The message in the book illustrates everyone as having an invisible bucket that we are to fill with kind thoughts, words and actions. The story encourages us to be bucket fillers. It also describes our negative actions as being those that empty someone's bucket. When people's buckets are empty they feel sad, lonely or hurt. We are encouraged to always be a bucket filler, not a bucket emptier. Each child in our two classes is colouring their own bucket and we will be filling them with stickers. We have made a list of things that make us bucket fillers at school, such as:
*talking politely and nicely to each other
*sharing toys and taking turns
*helping tidy up
*sitting properly on the carpet
*behaving in the cubbies
*helping friends get dressed for outside
I have also started a class bucket and when it is filled (with marbles) I have promised to take the kids to play at Mattawa Park. Please feel free to use the terms filling your bucket and emptying your bucket at home to promote kindness and positivity.
If you are interested in purchasing the English version of this book or borrowing it from the public library, I will post a picture of it on the Homework page.
In separate news, please check out the Important Dates page as I have added some very important events coming up in December
Nov. 20- I have updated our Wish List page as I am looking to create a "Loose Parts" table.
This week we are focusing on the letter Ii. Because this is a trickier letter to grasp in French as it is pronounced like English's "Ee", I will be spending two weeks on this letter. I also only see KJSA once this week so we will need next week to continue with it.
One of our math focuses until the end of the month is Spatial Sense. This topic will be introducing many new words in French as we explore the concepts of inside, outside, up, down, in the middle, on, under, etc.
We will also be do some more Numeracy activities.
In one of our sensory bins, the class has created a fairy garden and have created their own fairies. It has turned out very cute.
Please see our Community page for information regarding our ECO Schools Recycling Event for household batteries
Nov. 17- Quite a few things to update you all about. Please also check out the Important Dates page to see deadlines and important dates.
*If you have ordered photos, they are coming home today. If you didn't order photos, you are still being given a copy of our class photo.
*Our last Scholastic catalogue before the Christmas break is also coming home today. If you are ordering gifts, please let us know and we will be sure to sneak your order home secretly.
*There is an order form coming home for School Council's Wreaths and Poinsettias.
*Please don't forget tomorrow's SHOP-A-PALOOZA! I hope to see you all there.
Nov. 14- The online interview booking system opens up tomorrow. I have sent the instructions home already. Please note: If your child is is KJSA (ladybugs) you are booking your interview with me (Angela Ferguson) and if your child is in KJSB (bumblebees) you are booking with Gail Hubbard. Under special circumstances and request, Mrs Hubbard and I can give you instructions as to how to book an interview with both of us together. Thanks
*URGENT* We are in strong need of baked goods to be donated to this weekend's WOM-A-PALOOZA. Please let me know if you can provide something. Thanks in advance 🍪🎂🍡
Nov. 13- I apologize for my absence on Friday, I was sick with a cold and had no voice. I am sad to have missed our Remembrance Day assembly.
There's a few things to update you all on:
1. I am sending home a letter providing instructions on how to sign-up for a Parent-Teacher Interview timeslot. Those of you who have previously been given a timeslot from myself or Mrs. Hubbard I have already placed your time in the system.
2. There is a Popcorn Day being run by School Council on Friday. It is $2 per bag. There is 3 flavours; plain, parmesan cheese, and cinnamon sugar. They are all gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and sunflower oil free.
3. The letter of the week is Hh. In most cases in French, the H is silent.
4. We are wrapping up measurement and will be spending the rest of the month of November focusing on Number Sense and Spatial Awareness. The latter topic will be introducing lots of new French vocabulary.
Nov. 7- I have a few things that I would like to bring to your attention.
1. Tomorrow I am creating a new page on our classroom website which will be titled "Lost and Found". I have a parent volunteer who will be uploading pictures of all the items that are hanging around our cubby area and need to go home. If you see an item that belongs to your family, please write us a note in your child's communication book and we will be sure to send it home. Thanks
2. There is an event called SHOP-A-PALOOZA being held by School Council. I have marked the date, but for more information please check out the poster that is now on our Community page.
3. Our next Spirit Day is this month. I have marked it on the Important Dates page.
4. I have received an email from the school board about the possible "risks" of using raw flour to make homemade playdough. We are to dispose of it. However, in the recipe I gave you all the flour is cooked on the stove. I am still trying to find out if this is ok as it sounds this way in the letter we received. If I'm told it isn't, I will ask those of you who have offered to supply playdough to please purchase the brand name version. You can get sacks of it at Dollarama. If you'd prefer to no longer participate, I will understand.
Nov. 6- The letter of the week is Gg. It has 2 different sounds, similar to English. Thank you to those of you who have sent in Kleenex boxes, egg cartons, and shoe boxes. They are greatly appreciated. This week we will be continuing with measurement in math, still covering length, but also moving into weights.
Nov. 3- I have updated our Wish List and I will be posting all of our October photos this weekend. Have a nice weekend.
Nov.2- This week we have continued to dive into measurement. We are comparing different objects and using the French vocabulary that goes with it such as, plus court (shorter), plus long (longer), et semblable (similar). We are using different things as measurement tools such as, unifix cubes, yarn, wooden blocks and chain links.
This week we are doing the letter F in literacy, the 2nd Year Kinders are starting to write in journals, and the Year 1 Kinders are practicing their names, letters, and numbers.
I hope everyone had a great Halloween and has worked the sugar out of their system!
Oct. 30- What a messy Monday! We would like to apologize for any soaked clothing and/or boots coming home today. At second recess, the sun was out and the children needed some fresh air and physical activity so the ECEs took them outside. Unfortunately, the size of the puddles were underestimated!! Please send in new emergency clothes if your child has come home with wet ones.
Just a reminder that for tomorrow's Halloween celebrations, that children are to COME WEARING their costume and bring a change of clothes.
Oct. 27- This week has been a very busy one and filled with exciting new activities. We have been busy creating and building in the various centres in the classroom and the children helped decorate and set-up a haunted house. This week the letter was Ee. In math, we have start to use different non-standard types of measuring, using things like cubes, chain links, straws, etc. We will continue with this concept into next week when we carve our pumpkins.
The bake sale was a HUGE hit today, and I have no doubt that the school has raised lots of money to help Ms. A.G. and her family during this terrible time.
*Please don't forget about our dance tonight, BOOgie for a Cause. It starts at 6p.m.
*We have sent home a newsletter with information for you regarding Tuesday's Halloween celebrations.
Oct. 23- I have some important messages to get out to you about this coming Friday. Friday during the day there will be a bake sale with all the proceeds going to Ms. A.G and her family. This is being run by our Social Justice club. There will be "Runners" sent to the Kindergarten classes to bring us down. Students will be limited to 2 items but may purchase as many of the cake raffle tickets as they want. Bake sale items will range from 50 cents to $2. Raffle tickets are 25 cents.
DONATING BAKED GOODS
*If you can donate nut-free baked goods for either this event or the BOOgie for a Cause, please send them in Friday morning.
*Tomorrow is Ms. Maryann's last day with us at W.O. Mitchell. She has accepted a full-time position at John Young. We will miss her dearly!
Oct. 19- As most of you know, Ms. A-G, a teacher here at W.O. Mitchell is fighting cancer. School Council has generously offered to change the Fall Family Fun dance to a staff-run charity dance for in her honour. I have uploaded a picture with the details on the Community page. If you have already purchased tickets to the Fall Family Fun Dance, School Council will be reimbursing your money.
Thank you so much to whomever dropped off two pumpkins inside the Kinder gate. We are so grateful and can't wait to carve them! Until then we will be guessing and measuring their weight and size.
Oct. 18- Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is Picture Retakes. As before, the kinders will be the first class called down.
We still have only had one pumpkin donated for our classes. If you plan on visiting a patch this weekend and can generously donate one for us, please let us know.
In math, we have started some patterning and as always, incorporate numeracy into our everyday and small group activities. We will be moving towards some measurement activities the week of October 30th.
Oct. 16- This week we are moving on to the letter Dd. The new homework sheets are going home with KJSB tonight and tomorrow with KJSA. I will be removing any homework duotangs that haven't been used as we are on strict photocopy limits. This program is optional.
*Picture retakes are this Thursday.
*Mrs. Hubbard and I are still looking to have a total of 8 pumpkins donated for carving for Halloween. Please let us know if you can help. Thanks in advance.
Oct. 12- I have added a link to a very useful website on the Homework page. It is a very helpful tool with practicing printing, spelling, etc.
Don't forget that tomorrow is our first Spirit Day! Dress in your favourite sports wear!
Oct. 11- Just a few updates today. Yesterday Mrs. Hubbard and I send home this month's Scholastic catalogues. Please submit any orders by next Tuesday, October 17th.
Mrs. Hubbard and I are also looking to have 4 pumpkins donated for each class. If you are interested in donating, please write us a note in your child's communication book. Thanks in advance.
Oct. 6- Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Even if you don't celebrate this holiday, I hope you all enjoy a lovely long weekend with your family. Looking towards next week, there's a few things I want to bring to your attention. I have decided to continue next week with the letter Cc. I don't want to rush and this last week I only had KJSA once (because of the PD Day), and next week I only have KJSB once (because of the holiday).
We also have our first Spirit Day coming up on Friday the 13th. It's a sports theme or Sports team theme.
Our Math focuses for the month of October will be sorting, patterning and measurement.
Oct. 2- I hope everyone had a lovely weekend enjoying some fresh air and sunshine. I just wanted to let everyone know that there will only be 2 sheets in the homework duotangs this week. I also wanted to let everyone know that over the weekend I uploaded all of the pictures from the month of September. The gallery that says "A" is for KJSA or the Ladybug class and "B" is for KJSB or the Bumblebee class.
I have also added a few items to the Wish List. TIA
Sept. 29- As we wrap up the week, I want to give you some inside scoop as to what all we are currently covering in class. In literacy, we have now covered the letter A and B and will be moving on to the letter C next week. There has been vocabulary pertaining to both letters so far and emphasis on the sound they each make. In math, we have mainly focused on numeracy this month. This is a great review/refresher for the 2nd year Kinders and new vocabulary and concepts for the 1st year Kinders. In science, we have been doing lots of discovery with apples, including their cycle of life and learning their parts in French.
The Year 1 Kinders (or JKs) would greatly benefit from practicing the proper way to hold a pencil and learning to write their name and knowing the letters in their name. Of course, this is our focus here, but any extra practice would be great!
**Today we had a Kinder accidentally pull the fire alarm, so please don't be surprised if your child comes home talking about fire safety and asking about a safety plan at home. We usually spend a whole week on fire safety in the new year, however, seeing as it has come up now, I will mostly likely go with it.
Sept. 26-Hi Everyone! Just a few important reminders to let you know about:
*Tonight is Meet the Teacher from 5-6:30 p.m. We will meet outside for cake and refreshments at 5:00 p.m. and then head into the school at 5:45 p.m. to see the classrooms.
*Tomorrow is Picture Day. The Kinders will be done first thing in the morning. Our class heads down at 8:20 a.m.
*Tomorrow is Library Day for both classes. Please don't forget to send back books in the plastic bag.
*Homework duotangs have been updated for both classes now with the sheets for the letter B. By next week I will have a good idea of who is participating and who isn't and will remove anyone's duotangs that are still untouched.
Sept. 22- Welcome to the first day of Autumn! Just a things to update you all on. Firstly, yesterday was our first fire drill of this school year. The Kinders handled it like pros and there were only a few tears from the intense sound of the alarm. Bravo mes amis!!
Secondly, I have changed the date of the Terry Fox Run. It is Thursday, September 28th with a rain-date of Friday, September 29th.
Thirdly, the homework duotangs have come home this past Monday and Tuesday. I will keep an eye out for the next 2 weeks to see who has chosen to participate. If I see that you are not doing the activities at home, I will stop sending them as I don't want to waste the paper if you're uninterested.
Fourthly, please don't forget about next week's Picture Day on Wednesday, September 27th. The Kinder classes will be going first.
Lastly, here's a brief summary of what we've been learning about this week:
-practicing counting in French
-colours in French
-discovery of apples and making apple sauce (in the KJSA class)
-opened a Doctor's office in the dramatic play area
-the JK's are still needing lots of practice on how to hold a pencil correctly and spell their name.
Have a nice weekend everyone. Enjoy the beautiful weather.
Sept. 18-Today the Homework Duotangs for the Year 2 students in Mrs. Hubbard's homeroom class are coming home. (The Bumblebees or KJSB). This program is OPTIONAL. It is just additional exposure and practice with fine-motor skills, French phonics and high-frequency vocabulary.
The Homework page has been updated. For a detailed explanation and translation of each page in the homework scroll down past the picture of the phonetic sounds of pronouncing the French alpahbet. It is on the right-hand side and the accompanying music is on the left.
*Crowns may now stay home. Thank you all for your efforts to help us keep everyone organized.
Sept. 14- There's not a lot of new info to pass along this week but there's a few reminders.
*Hot lunch orders are due tomorrow. I've posted the link on the Important Dates page.
*We have had to re-schedule the Meet the Teacher night to accommodate our newly approved school re-org. It is now September 26th.
*The Year 2 students will be starting their French homework program next week. I will attach a message to their duotang.
*Check out the new addition to our Wish List!!
Sept.8- This is my first post of the year! I hope everyone has had a great first week at school and is getting settled in to new routines. Here's just a brief review of this website:
*The Homepage is treated like a blog. I will be posting on it one to two times per week giving you brief summaries of what we are doing in the French classroom, and also quick last minute reminders for upcoming important dates.
*The Important Dates page will have monthly lists of all the special events and dates that you need to know about.
*The Language Arts and Math pages have links to various online resources and games for your home use.
*The Wish List page will be updated regularly to list different items we either need or wish to have in the class.
*The Homework page is mainly for second year Kinders and will include brief explanations and translations of the homework program that I will be sending home in the next few weeks. The music that goes along with this program is also downloaded on to this page and each track number corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. (eg. A-track 1, B-track 2)
*The Community page is where I can post different events that are happening out within the Bridlewood and larger Kanata area. I don't live here so if you know of anything that's going on that I can post, please let me know!
*The Photos page is where you will find pictures of your child engaged in learning and play.
June 26- REPORT CARDS ARE COMING HOME- CHECK BAGS FOR ENVELOPE. Also, if you have not returned the french reading folder, please do so ASAP.
I would also like to send out a huge thank-you for attending our celebration last friday, the children did amazing and we are so proud of them!
June 20- We are starting to wrap things up for the year. There will be lots of crafts, work and clothing coming home in the next few days. I will have all of the KJSA/B lost and found items on display on Friday for you to browse and find!
We are three weeks behind in the last literacy program that I've been doing with the SKs so I will send home all of those worksheets and you can do them over the summer as one more way to keep the French flowing.
This is also the last week for my French Reading Program. All the children will be bringing home their last book and I will start collecting them next Monday.
We are also done Library for the year so please return all library books.
****WE HAVE DECIDED TO POSTPONE OUR SUMMER FUN DAY UNTIL TUESDAY, JUNE 12TH!****
Thank you for your co-operation! The weather looks much better next week!
June 5- Don't forget about tomorrow's BAKE SALE!!!
*We may move our Summer Fun Day to Tuesday, June 12th depending on the forecast. Executive decision to be made tomorrow. I will update tomorrow afternoon.
June 4- I have updated the Important Dates page with some upcoming Spirit Days. There are two events that will need to be updated as colours and topics are decided.
June 1- Well here we are in June already!! And only 18 school days left...but who's counting!!
Just two things to post about:
1. Recently, we have found that there is an increasingly large amount of pee on the washroom floor in the classroom, as well as on the seat and it is particularly worse when the KJSA class is present. This is from the boys who are standing up to pee. We continuously have conversations about what the steps should be when using the bathroom but there are quite a few students who need much more practice, specifically with the courtesy of lifting the seat and flushing the toilet. If you are the parent of a boy who is standing up to pee, I encourage you to please practice at home what the steps should be to proper toileting.
2. As we grow closer to the end of the year, I will be looking for either a temporary or permanent home for our classroom fish Zag. In the past, I have tried to transport them home to Smiths Falls, however, the commute is rough and I live in the country where they don't seem to thrive on well water. If you are interested in taking Zag, please let me know. Thanks
May 28- I have posted a few items to our Community page. There is the information regarding summer International Languages & Camps Programs as well as the link to Ontario Parks Fun Pass.
I have also updated the Important Dates page with some of the events going on in June. There may be a change of date to our Outdoor Fun day.
May 25- Our caterpillars have started to form their chrysalis/cocoons. It is such an incredible thing to see happen in real time and the reactions and interest from the children.
I am going to start sending home any school supplies that were sent in back in September that we will not be needing this year so you can either use them at home or hold on to for next year.
We have added a Lego table to our room and have started to explore different sounds using tubes. A large group of the kids are also very interested in things that roll, as well as momentum and inclines/ramps, etc.
*I've added to the Wish List baby doll items such as a crib, highchair, stroller, etc. Thanks in advance :)
May 17- Tonight is our Kindergarten Open House for the new families joining our WOM community next September. Please let any of your neighbours know that may have a child that will be entering JK next year. We will start at 6:30 in the library and then visit the four classrooms to participate in different activities.
Ms. Hubbard and I are sending home forms tonight for you to order your Champions baseball tickets as we have officially wrapped up the month of this reading incentive. Great job to all the students.
My classroom has come up short on playdough as several colours have dried out and I didn't have enough volunteers to assign anyone to June. We would love to have more donated as currently we only have a container of blue. Thanks in advance.
An ENORMOUS thank you to all of you who donated time, money and delicious food to our Staff Appreciation Luncheon yesterday. It was incredible.
May 4- I have added some Important Dates for you to check out. This weekend I will try and upload more pics. Next week I will be trying to go through cubbies and send home extra winter clothes.
May 2- Here we are in May already, and the weather is finally warming up. Looking ahead for the next couple of weeks, this is what is going on with KJSA/B:
Literacy: JKs will continue working on letter recognition, phonetic awareness and vocabulary pertaining to Spring, insects and the parts of plants.
SKs are continuing with the Jolly Phonique program, their reading program and the same vocabulary pertaining to Spring, insects and the parts of plants.
Math: We are spending quite a bit of time focusing on Number Sense.
JKs will be working on ordinal numbers, one-to-one correspondence and number recognition
SKs are starting addition up to 10.
Science: We will be raising butterflies from the larvae stage hopefully starting tomorrow.
We are growing several plants in the class with hopes to plant them outside in the coming weeks. We have planted seeds for several types of flowers, kale, carrots, and parsley.
Dramatic Play: We have turned this area into their own school. They have made lists of all the things they would need in order to role-play as teachers and students. This has been an excellent opportunity to promote literacy, writing skills, and many other wonderful skills.
Unfortunately, our white gold fish Zag has passed away. We are trying to figure out what went wrong and the students have several ideas as to what happen (the water was too cold/hot, too much food/not enough, something bad in the water, sickness, etc.)
Apr. 23- It seems as though Spring is finally here!! It may be time to refresh your child's emergency clothing.
*It seems it is time for a friendly reminder to PLEASE not send your child with toys from home. We do not permit them here at school. They pose distractions and quite often tears as they frequently get lost, stolen and/or broken.
Looking ahead for the next few weeks:
Math: Spatial Awareness and Number Sense (number recognition, ordinal numbers and addition)
Science: Earth Day activities, living vs non-living things, the parts of a plant and their 4 main needs
Literacy: JK- letter recognition and phonetic awareness
SK- Jolly Phonique program including activities for weeks #2, 3
*I am going to attempt to post our photos from March and April again with hopes that the glitches with the app have been resolved. Fingers crossed.
Apr. 12- Next week there is some special activities going on at WOM to promote and support Earth Day including a plastic bag drive. Please send in your plastic bags for collection and recycling.
Tomorrow is the deadline to order T-shirts.
Thanks to everyone who sent their child in green or in a jersey. I know it is a tough conversation and it was so incredible to see how much our country has stepped up and shown their support in time of tragedy.
Apr. 10- Here's a few reminders and updates:
1. I have sent home a letter regarding a reading program/incentive with Ottawa Champions baseball. Please look it over so you understand what we are doing.
2. All of the school's LOST and FOUND items are now on display in the hallway outside of the office. If you are visiting the school, please take a look and see if you can claim anything. We have also placed our Kindergarten lost and found items outside our cubby area in the foyer.
3. Friday is the deadline for our Kindergarten t-shirt orders.
4. Thursday we are encouraging staff and students to wear their favourite hockey jersey to show our support to the Humboldt Broncos.
5. Spirit Day is Friday and it is wacky socks and sandals.
Literacy: We have started a new Jolly Phonique program to help with letter sounds and high frequency vocabulary. This program also has music that accompanies but I have to figure out a way to upload it to our website.
Math: We are exploring types of measurement. Length/distance activities include using non-standard measuring tools like cubes, our hands, blocks, etc. Our capacity activity is a tea party, and our mass activity is weighing different pets using a balancing scale and wooden cubes.
Science/Inquiry: Lots of questions about our fish. We have also been planting different types of seeds including various types of flowers, carrots and parsley.
Apr. 4- Dear Parents,
We are enjoying the arrival of Spring (for the most part!!). A huge part of the kindergarten program includes outdoor exploration and at this time of the year, that means playing in water and mud. Please check the weather before school and make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play (splash pants and rain boots). It would also be helpful to send in some extra socks, pants and mitts!
Apr. 3- I hope everyone had a great long weekend either celebrating Easter and/or just enjoying time with your family.
We have officially completed our Le château du roi program so please keep the yellow duotangs. We will be starting our home reading program this week. Because of the holiday, I may not get to everyone this week but by next week we will have all of our Year 2 students commenced.
I have updated our Important Dates page.
We will be moving on to more measurement activities in Math.
Mar. 27- There's a few things I want to bring to everyone's attention.
-This is our last week for the current homework program for the Year 2 students and next week we will commence our Home Reading Program.
-We now have 2 pet fish in my classroom. They arrived last night and the students are very excited. We will be naming them in the next two days. They have many questions about them as well so I am hoping that this creates questions that will lead us in many directions such as living things, the changes of state, water cycle, etc.
-We have also been doing some planting and I am looking into having some raised gardens made for us.
-I have also introduced my pet dragon egg. This was given to me as a gift and the children are fascinated by it. They will all take an oath to take care of it, make a home for it, name it, and make sure it stays clean.
-We have had some ongoing confusion with library books, so please, if you have returned a library book and receive a late notice for it, let me know and I will hunt the book down to show the librarian. I apologize that this has caused inconvenience.
*Lastly, I have been having technical difficulties with the app version of our website on our classroom iPad for over two weeks now and it will not let me post pictures, specifically the gallery of pics from our Olympic Day. I have sent a message to Weebly's tech support and I'm hoping to hear from them soon to troubleshoot the matter. Please bear with me as I work through these glitches. I haven't forgotten, it's just not working!
Mar. 19- Welcome back and I hope everyone had a very good March Break including lots of fun and relaxation too.
I am in the process of uploading all of the pictures from February and have at least 4 different galleries/albums. There will be one for each of the two classes and then one for the 100th Day of School and one for our Olympic Day.
This week we are doing more patterning in Math and trying to extend them past a simple ABAB style pattern.
We are doing the letters W and X.
Mar. 7- Here's a few important reminders:
Sugar bush: Tomorrow is the big day and it is calling for snow. Please make sure your child is here by 8:00 a.m. sharp as the buses are leaving promptly by 8:15 a.m. We are encouraging you pack an extra pair of socks, underwear, mitts and pants if there's room. Other than that, your child needs their lunch and water. Unless there is a pressing message, there is no need to send the communication bags in.
Spirit Day: Don't forget that Friday is our superhero and princess day.
Library: There is no new books coming home this week as we prepare for March Break. Ms. Mercier will use this time to reorganize the books in/out of circulation and prepare for our return.
Mar.5- In order to make sure we are reading to start our home reading program for April 1st, we are condensing the last 6 letters of the alphabet into three weeks. This is too much as there are very few words in French that start with U, V, W, X, Y and Z. Please note that the homework sheets that are coming home today and tomorrow for the letters U and V, the letter U does NOT have a small cut and paste sheet attached. Please have your child draw the number one and can draw their favourite uniform (police officer, firefighter, soldier, nurse, doctor, etc).
Field Trip- Please note that we had many offers to volunteer for the trip and have strict numbers for seating on the buses. If Mrs. Hubbard and I have not contacted you already, we did not have enough space to take you up on your offer, however, we have made notes of who could not attend and have saved those names to help out with our Scientists in School Day which will be happening in the spring. Thanks so much.
In addition, there are still just a few forms we are missing so please get those in.
Spirit Day- This coming Friday is our next Spirit Day. There is a note coming home today regarding it and our chosen theme. Please have your child come in their favourite superhero and princess costume or pjs, tees, socks, etc.
Feb. 27- Thank you very much to all of you who donated money, cakes or baked goods to the Education Foundation. It is such a worthy cause. The children all enjoyed treats from the bake sale and we even had a winner in the KJSA class of a beautiful forest cake.
I have updated our Important Dates page as several new activities have been brought to my attention.
Feb. 21- We have another big, exciting day ahead of us tomorrow as we celebrate the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The weather hasn't agreed with our plans so we will be having our events in the gym and on the stage. Each child has been placed of a team of a different country and will rotate through 9 different stations including a hot chocolate station. We will be doing some crafts as well throughout the day for the Olympics and reading a non-fiction story about what they're all about.
There are many students coming home with wet clothing today from playing on our rapidly-melting snow hill! Please send in new emergency clothes if your child is one of them. For this reason we are also getting short on grocery bags, so if you have an abundance and wish to get rid of some, we'd gladly take them.
The children have also turned the dramatic play area in my room into a grocery store so please send in empty food boxes and containers.
Feb. 15- Well we've made it through a super exciting, crazy energetic week! Yesterday's Valentine's Day festivities were a big success and everyone was full of beans when they left. Today we celebrated our 100th day of school! This morning we made crowns and magic wands, followed by sorting our collections of 100 things into groups of 10. During our middle block, the children from both classes were put into four groups and we rotated through 4 different activities. Once activity they stacked 100 cups into a tower, in the second activity they created a picture of what they think they will look like at 100 years old. The third activity had students doing a fitness circuit of 10 different exercises 10 times each. Lastly, they painted 100 gumballs in a machine. During the last block, we had a scavenger hunt looking for 100 hearts. It was a very busy day, but very fun-filled with lots of counting! I hope everyone has a great long weekend and a Happy Family Day. I will post an advertisement I saw in the school for a family dinner special on Monday.
Feb. 11- I’ve been having some technical difficulties with the Weebly app, and after several attempts, I’ve finally got our pics from January posted on the Photo page. The app is still not letting me add titles but I’ll keep trying. Happy viewing!
*please don’t forget to either send in or email your family photos!!
Feb.8- There is lots of work, art, etc coming home this week as we get ready to start many new things. Please look in the communication bags for a note regarding next week's 100th Day of School celebrations. The KJSA class has started to use a wall in our classroom to create a city. They are very detailed with what this community needs to be successful and are using lots of creativity to make all the different elements. Next week is a VERY bus week, so please check out our Important Dates page to see what all is happening.
In Math, we are starting to explore 2D and 3D shapes.
*I will be sending home a letter requesting you to send in a family photo either in hard copy or by email. We will be using these photos to learn not only how families are different but also the vocabulary in French. Feel free to go ahead and start sending those in ASAP and I will send the letter home tomorrow. Thanks.
Feb. 2- Well as it turns out Wiarton Willie saw his shadow this morning so I guess it means 6 more weeks of winter. No surprise there with the weather we've had. UGH!! We also were saddened today to say goodbye to Ms. Ainsley as she leaves on Maternity Leave. We wish her luck, health and happiness with baby #2 but we will miss her tremendously :(
Next week we will be starting a few new things:
*In Math, 2D and 3D shapes as well as continuing with numeracy activities that lead up to 100th Day of School.
*Science- we are opening a new science area and if you have any plants, large stones, or anything that your child would be interesting to discover and explore, please feel free to send it in.
*Dramatic Play- we will be opening a post office and setting up a card and letter writing station.
*Language and Literacy- next week is the letter Q and we are really honing in on our oral communication.
Please check out our Community page as I have posted the information regarding the Middle French Immersion Open House being held at Bridlewood Public School.
Jan. 30-I apologize for having been away today and yesterday as I have been very sick with a cold since Friday. I will be back tomorrow. I also apologize if the homework sheets may have not come home to either classes as the supply teachers couldn't locate them. I will make sure they are sent home tomorrow if that hasn't already been done. I am also updating our Important Dates page as I have been informed of several new upcoming events that you should know about.
Jan. 24- This week we have been continuing with the letter O. We are dabbling in some investigations into the 5 senses as well as animals that hibernate and migrate during winter. We have made some changes to the classroom with our dramatic play area becoming an animal hospital and our new relaxation nook in our reading corner. I am adding a few things to our Wish List so please check it out. As well, I am updating our Important Dates page.
*Next Tuesday, January 30th, Ms. Shiply will be making a vegetable soup with the KJSA class. Please send in a vegetable to contribute to the soup. (carrots, celery, peppers, onion, zucchini, canned tomatoes, canned corn, beans, etc)
Jan. 12- Looking ahead to next week:
-I will be removing and sending home all the work from the first 13 letters of the alphabet to make room for the last 13 letters
-We will be starting several new units:
Math- Graphing/Data Management
Science-Animal Adaptation in the Winter
Health/Science-The 5 Senses and Healthy Eating (4 Food Groups)
*I am in search of a Kaleidoscope...if anyone has one we can borrow it would be greatly appreciated.
Jan. 11- Well that was quite the "Snow Day"!!! I have a couple of important public service announcements courtesy of our office and Kinder team:
1. When it is a snow day, if you are bringing your bus student to school, please let us know how you will be picking them up at the end of the day. You can either tell us in person or write a note in their communication bag.
2. When dropping off a late student, please proceed to the office to sign them in and leave them there or sign yourself in at the office and bring them at the entrance to the Kinder cubby area. We are encouraging students to get ready by themselves which will help you to get on your way.
Jan. 8- Welcome Back and Happy New Year!! As we get started back I just wanted to fill you in on a couple of things that we will be going here in Kinderland!! In Math, we will be doing some graphing and numeracy activities. This week is the letter M and we are writing about our winter break. We will be discussing and learning a lot of animal adaptations and how different animals survive winter.
*Before you throw out all the Christmas cards you received, we would gladly take them off your hands and I can save them for our writing center for next year. Thanks in advance
Photos are up! If anyone has some good pics from the holiday concert, could you please email them to me so I can post them on the website?! Thanks in advance!
Dec. 23- Thank you for everything this week. For attending our Holiday Celebration, for sending in treats; for helping out in the classroom and of course, for the incredibly generous and thoughtful gifts. I feel truly blessed.
I am in the process of uploading all of the photos from both November and December. They should be all there by the day’s end.
Wishing you all safe and happy holidays and we will see you all in 2018! 🎄🎉
Dec. 19- We have had several parents ask if they can send in a treat for tomorrow's celebration. Of course you may! We will be coming back to the classroom after concert for hot chocolate, treats and to do a craft together. Looking forward to seeing everyone here tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Dec. 18- TOMORROW is Gingerbread House Making!!! Please send in nut-free candies that your child can share with the class for decorating. We are still looking to have approximately 5 more boxes of graham crackers to be donated as well. Thanks
Dec. 12- I have a few important announcements:
TONIGHT from 6-8pm there will be wagon rides here at W.O. Mitchell leaving from the Kiss n' Ride. What a beautiful evening for it! A real Winter Wonderland! I hope you can all make it.
FOOD DRIVE- The Social Justice Club is collecting food for the Food Bank and each class is earning points for their donations. Please send in non-perishable food items, baby item (food, diapers, formula, etc) and personal hygiene items. Thank you in advance.
Holiday Concert-By the end of the day, each child will be bringing home a hand-made invitation to our concert next Wednesday.
Gingerbread Houses- Next Tuesday, we will be making gingerbread houses in class. Please send in nut-free candies that we can use and share for decorations. I will make the Royal Icing, and Mrs. Hubbard and I are looking to have boxes of graham crackers donated for the walls. Thanks in advance.
I am VERY pleased to announce that we have finally hired a replacement for Ms. Maryann. Her name is Ms. Kylan and she will be with the KJSB class until the end of the year. Welcome Ms. Kylan! We are so glad to have you join our team!
Please check out our Wish List page
Dec. 8- This week has been very busy and I apologize that I'm just getting a chance to post now. Here is what's been going on and upcoming stuff:
*In Math, we are wrapping up this current unit of Spatial Sense and will be doing various Numeracy activities until the break. I also have a couple of Patterning activities mixed in there too.
*In Literacy, we are focusing on the letter Kk next week and we have, and will be, focusing on the vocabulary that goes with our outdoor clothing, Christmas and winter. Along with that, we are still doing work with colours, and I have created a writing centre for next week where children can make cards (not necessarily Christmas) and/or write letters (not necessarily to Santa).
*Sensory/Inquiry- next week we will have turned both tables into different types of Arctic bins. One will be wet and one will be dry. It will include a provocation about how and why certain animals live in such a cold climate.
*Please check for updates on our Important Dates page, Lost and Found page, and our Wish List page. Thanks, and have a great weekend!
Nov. 30- This week we have really focused on kindness and how we treat each other. I have ready the story "As-tu rempli un seau aujourd'hui" to both classes. In English, this book is called "Have you filled a bucket today". The message in the book illustrates everyone as having an invisible bucket that we are to fill with kind thoughts, words and actions. The story encourages us to be bucket fillers. It also describes our negative actions as being those that empty someone's bucket. When people's buckets are empty they feel sad, lonely or hurt. We are encouraged to always be a bucket filler, not a bucket emptier. Each child in our two classes is colouring their own bucket and we will be filling them with stickers. We have made a list of things that make us bucket fillers at school, such as:
*talking politely and nicely to each other
*sharing toys and taking turns
*helping tidy up
*sitting properly on the carpet
*behaving in the cubbies
*helping friends get dressed for outside
I have also started a class bucket and when it is filled (with marbles) I have promised to take the kids to play at Mattawa Park. Please feel free to use the terms filling your bucket and emptying your bucket at home to promote kindness and positivity.
If you are interested in purchasing the English version of this book or borrowing it from the public library, I will post a picture of it on the Homework page.
In separate news, please check out the Important Dates page as I have added some very important events coming up in December
Nov. 20- I have updated our Wish List page as I am looking to create a "Loose Parts" table.
This week we are focusing on the letter Ii. Because this is a trickier letter to grasp in French as it is pronounced like English's "Ee", I will be spending two weeks on this letter. I also only see KJSA once this week so we will need next week to continue with it.
One of our math focuses until the end of the month is Spatial Sense. This topic will be introducing many new words in French as we explore the concepts of inside, outside, up, down, in the middle, on, under, etc.
We will also be do some more Numeracy activities.
In one of our sensory bins, the class has created a fairy garden and have created their own fairies. It has turned out very cute.
Please see our Community page for information regarding our ECO Schools Recycling Event for household batteries
Nov. 17- Quite a few things to update you all about. Please also check out the Important Dates page to see deadlines and important dates.
*If you have ordered photos, they are coming home today. If you didn't order photos, you are still being given a copy of our class photo.
*Our last Scholastic catalogue before the Christmas break is also coming home today. If you are ordering gifts, please let us know and we will be sure to sneak your order home secretly.
*There is an order form coming home for School Council's Wreaths and Poinsettias.
*Please don't forget tomorrow's SHOP-A-PALOOZA! I hope to see you all there.
Nov. 14- The online interview booking system opens up tomorrow. I have sent the instructions home already. Please note: If your child is is KJSA (ladybugs) you are booking your interview with me (Angela Ferguson) and if your child is in KJSB (bumblebees) you are booking with Gail Hubbard. Under special circumstances and request, Mrs Hubbard and I can give you instructions as to how to book an interview with both of us together. Thanks
*URGENT* We are in strong need of baked goods to be donated to this weekend's WOM-A-PALOOZA. Please let me know if you can provide something. Thanks in advance 🍪🎂🍡
Nov. 13- I apologize for my absence on Friday, I was sick with a cold and had no voice. I am sad to have missed our Remembrance Day assembly.
There's a few things to update you all on:
1. I am sending home a letter providing instructions on how to sign-up for a Parent-Teacher Interview timeslot. Those of you who have previously been given a timeslot from myself or Mrs. Hubbard I have already placed your time in the system.
2. There is a Popcorn Day being run by School Council on Friday. It is $2 per bag. There is 3 flavours; plain, parmesan cheese, and cinnamon sugar. They are all gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and sunflower oil free.
3. The letter of the week is Hh. In most cases in French, the H is silent.
4. We are wrapping up measurement and will be spending the rest of the month of November focusing on Number Sense and Spatial Awareness. The latter topic will be introducing lots of new French vocabulary.
Nov. 7- I have a few things that I would like to bring to your attention.
1. Tomorrow I am creating a new page on our classroom website which will be titled "Lost and Found". I have a parent volunteer who will be uploading pictures of all the items that are hanging around our cubby area and need to go home. If you see an item that belongs to your family, please write us a note in your child's communication book and we will be sure to send it home. Thanks
2. There is an event called SHOP-A-PALOOZA being held by School Council. I have marked the date, but for more information please check out the poster that is now on our Community page.
3. Our next Spirit Day is this month. I have marked it on the Important Dates page.
4. I have received an email from the school board about the possible "risks" of using raw flour to make homemade playdough. We are to dispose of it. However, in the recipe I gave you all the flour is cooked on the stove. I am still trying to find out if this is ok as it sounds this way in the letter we received. If I'm told it isn't, I will ask those of you who have offered to supply playdough to please purchase the brand name version. You can get sacks of it at Dollarama. If you'd prefer to no longer participate, I will understand.
Nov. 6- The letter of the week is Gg. It has 2 different sounds, similar to English. Thank you to those of you who have sent in Kleenex boxes, egg cartons, and shoe boxes. They are greatly appreciated. This week we will be continuing with measurement in math, still covering length, but also moving into weights.
Nov. 3- I have updated our Wish List and I will be posting all of our October photos this weekend. Have a nice weekend.
Nov.2- This week we have continued to dive into measurement. We are comparing different objects and using the French vocabulary that goes with it such as, plus court (shorter), plus long (longer), et semblable (similar). We are using different things as measurement tools such as, unifix cubes, yarn, wooden blocks and chain links.
This week we are doing the letter F in literacy, the 2nd Year Kinders are starting to write in journals, and the Year 1 Kinders are practicing their names, letters, and numbers.
I hope everyone had a great Halloween and has worked the sugar out of their system!
Oct. 30- What a messy Monday! We would like to apologize for any soaked clothing and/or boots coming home today. At second recess, the sun was out and the children needed some fresh air and physical activity so the ECEs took them outside. Unfortunately, the size of the puddles were underestimated!! Please send in new emergency clothes if your child has come home with wet ones.
Just a reminder that for tomorrow's Halloween celebrations, that children are to COME WEARING their costume and bring a change of clothes.
Oct. 27- This week has been a very busy one and filled with exciting new activities. We have been busy creating and building in the various centres in the classroom and the children helped decorate and set-up a haunted house. This week the letter was Ee. In math, we have start to use different non-standard types of measuring, using things like cubes, chain links, straws, etc. We will continue with this concept into next week when we carve our pumpkins.
The bake sale was a HUGE hit today, and I have no doubt that the school has raised lots of money to help Ms. A.G. and her family during this terrible time.
*Please don't forget about our dance tonight, BOOgie for a Cause. It starts at 6p.m.
*We have sent home a newsletter with information for you regarding Tuesday's Halloween celebrations.
Oct. 23- I have some important messages to get out to you about this coming Friday. Friday during the day there will be a bake sale with all the proceeds going to Ms. A.G and her family. This is being run by our Social Justice club. There will be "Runners" sent to the Kindergarten classes to bring us down. Students will be limited to 2 items but may purchase as many of the cake raffle tickets as they want. Bake sale items will range from 50 cents to $2. Raffle tickets are 25 cents.
DONATING BAKED GOODS
*If you can donate nut-free baked goods for either this event or the BOOgie for a Cause, please send them in Friday morning.
*Tomorrow is Ms. Maryann's last day with us at W.O. Mitchell. She has accepted a full-time position at John Young. We will miss her dearly!
Oct. 19- As most of you know, Ms. A-G, a teacher here at W.O. Mitchell is fighting cancer. School Council has generously offered to change the Fall Family Fun dance to a staff-run charity dance for in her honour. I have uploaded a picture with the details on the Community page. If you have already purchased tickets to the Fall Family Fun Dance, School Council will be reimbursing your money.
Thank you so much to whomever dropped off two pumpkins inside the Kinder gate. We are so grateful and can't wait to carve them! Until then we will be guessing and measuring their weight and size.
Oct. 18- Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is Picture Retakes. As before, the kinders will be the first class called down.
We still have only had one pumpkin donated for our classes. If you plan on visiting a patch this weekend and can generously donate one for us, please let us know.
In math, we have started some patterning and as always, incorporate numeracy into our everyday and small group activities. We will be moving towards some measurement activities the week of October 30th.
Oct. 16- This week we are moving on to the letter Dd. The new homework sheets are going home with KJSB tonight and tomorrow with KJSA. I will be removing any homework duotangs that haven't been used as we are on strict photocopy limits. This program is optional.
*Picture retakes are this Thursday.
*Mrs. Hubbard and I are still looking to have a total of 8 pumpkins donated for carving for Halloween. Please let us know if you can help. Thanks in advance.
Oct. 12- I have added a link to a very useful website on the Homework page. It is a very helpful tool with practicing printing, spelling, etc.
Don't forget that tomorrow is our first Spirit Day! Dress in your favourite sports wear!
Oct. 11- Just a few updates today. Yesterday Mrs. Hubbard and I send home this month's Scholastic catalogues. Please submit any orders by next Tuesday, October 17th.
Mrs. Hubbard and I are also looking to have 4 pumpkins donated for each class. If you are interested in donating, please write us a note in your child's communication book. Thanks in advance.
Oct. 6- Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Even if you don't celebrate this holiday, I hope you all enjoy a lovely long weekend with your family. Looking towards next week, there's a few things I want to bring to your attention. I have decided to continue next week with the letter Cc. I don't want to rush and this last week I only had KJSA once (because of the PD Day), and next week I only have KJSB once (because of the holiday).
We also have our first Spirit Day coming up on Friday the 13th. It's a sports theme or Sports team theme.
Our Math focuses for the month of October will be sorting, patterning and measurement.
Oct. 2- I hope everyone had a lovely weekend enjoying some fresh air and sunshine. I just wanted to let everyone know that there will only be 2 sheets in the homework duotangs this week. I also wanted to let everyone know that over the weekend I uploaded all of the pictures from the month of September. The gallery that says "A" is for KJSA or the Ladybug class and "B" is for KJSB or the Bumblebee class.
I have also added a few items to the Wish List. TIA
Sept. 29- As we wrap up the week, I want to give you some inside scoop as to what all we are currently covering in class. In literacy, we have now covered the letter A and B and will be moving on to the letter C next week. There has been vocabulary pertaining to both letters so far and emphasis on the sound they each make. In math, we have mainly focused on numeracy this month. This is a great review/refresher for the 2nd year Kinders and new vocabulary and concepts for the 1st year Kinders. In science, we have been doing lots of discovery with apples, including their cycle of life and learning their parts in French.
The Year 1 Kinders (or JKs) would greatly benefit from practicing the proper way to hold a pencil and learning to write their name and knowing the letters in their name. Of course, this is our focus here, but any extra practice would be great!
**Today we had a Kinder accidentally pull the fire alarm, so please don't be surprised if your child comes home talking about fire safety and asking about a safety plan at home. We usually spend a whole week on fire safety in the new year, however, seeing as it has come up now, I will mostly likely go with it.
Sept. 26-Hi Everyone! Just a few important reminders to let you know about:
*Tonight is Meet the Teacher from 5-6:30 p.m. We will meet outside for cake and refreshments at 5:00 p.m. and then head into the school at 5:45 p.m. to see the classrooms.
*Tomorrow is Picture Day. The Kinders will be done first thing in the morning. Our class heads down at 8:20 a.m.
*Tomorrow is Library Day for both classes. Please don't forget to send back books in the plastic bag.
*Homework duotangs have been updated for both classes now with the sheets for the letter B. By next week I will have a good idea of who is participating and who isn't and will remove anyone's duotangs that are still untouched.
Sept. 22- Welcome to the first day of Autumn! Just a things to update you all on. Firstly, yesterday was our first fire drill of this school year. The Kinders handled it like pros and there were only a few tears from the intense sound of the alarm. Bravo mes amis!!
Secondly, I have changed the date of the Terry Fox Run. It is Thursday, September 28th with a rain-date of Friday, September 29th.
Thirdly, the homework duotangs have come home this past Monday and Tuesday. I will keep an eye out for the next 2 weeks to see who has chosen to participate. If I see that you are not doing the activities at home, I will stop sending them as I don't want to waste the paper if you're uninterested.
Fourthly, please don't forget about next week's Picture Day on Wednesday, September 27th. The Kinder classes will be going first.
Lastly, here's a brief summary of what we've been learning about this week:
-practicing counting in French
-colours in French
-discovery of apples and making apple sauce (in the KJSA class)
-opened a Doctor's office in the dramatic play area
-the JK's are still needing lots of practice on how to hold a pencil correctly and spell their name.
Have a nice weekend everyone. Enjoy the beautiful weather.
Sept. 18-Today the Homework Duotangs for the Year 2 students in Mrs. Hubbard's homeroom class are coming home. (The Bumblebees or KJSB). This program is OPTIONAL. It is just additional exposure and practice with fine-motor skills, French phonics and high-frequency vocabulary.
The Homework page has been updated. For a detailed explanation and translation of each page in the homework scroll down past the picture of the phonetic sounds of pronouncing the French alpahbet. It is on the right-hand side and the accompanying music is on the left.
*Crowns may now stay home. Thank you all for your efforts to help us keep everyone organized.
Sept. 14- There's not a lot of new info to pass along this week but there's a few reminders.
*Hot lunch orders are due tomorrow. I've posted the link on the Important Dates page.
*We have had to re-schedule the Meet the Teacher night to accommodate our newly approved school re-org. It is now September 26th.
*The Year 2 students will be starting their French homework program next week. I will attach a message to their duotang.
*Check out the new addition to our Wish List!!
Sept.8- This is my first post of the year! I hope everyone has had a great first week at school and is getting settled in to new routines. Here's just a brief review of this website:
*The Homepage is treated like a blog. I will be posting on it one to two times per week giving you brief summaries of what we are doing in the French classroom, and also quick last minute reminders for upcoming important dates.
*The Important Dates page will have monthly lists of all the special events and dates that you need to know about.
*The Language Arts and Math pages have links to various online resources and games for your home use.
*The Wish List page will be updated regularly to list different items we either need or wish to have in the class.
*The Homework page is mainly for second year Kinders and will include brief explanations and translations of the homework program that I will be sending home in the next few weeks. The music that goes along with this program is also downloaded on to this page and each track number corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. (eg. A-track 1, B-track 2)
*The Community page is where I can post different events that are happening out within the Bridlewood and larger Kanata area. I don't live here so if you know of anything that's going on that I can post, please let me know!
*The Photos page is where you will find pictures of your child engaged in learning and play.