February 3rd - 7th

We have had a crazy week at school this week! All this cold weather has meant that we've been indoors for recess and lunch all week, so it's been a little nuts! The class has been doing a really great job of managing their energy and we've had some extra gym time to try and help them get their wiggles out! They've been real superstars this week!

We have been working really hard on writing stories using the elements of story (setting, characters, problem and solution) and most of the class has completed their first story! We will be practicing adding more details to the story to make them more interesting and to support the plot. They are creating stories based on their own ideas and using classroom tools to help them with their writing. I'm noticing that they are getting much better at spelling their sight words correctly which makes their writing easier to read. They have worked so hard! I can't wait for you to see their stories!

Here are some other highlights from the week:

• we have practiced new Dakelh words that focus on animals and have reviewed our conversation words

• Our future student teacher (who starts on Feb. 24th) came for a visit and to meet the class this week!

• our class is challenging themselves to write 100 Valentine cards between now and next Friday! We are focusing on how to write the inside of a card and adding a tidy decoration on the front!

• we have been using counting rods to help develop their mental math skills and fluency. This will help them use their thinking power on more complex Math tasks moving forward! Soon we will be learning about addition and subtraction with numbers to 100 (gr. 1) and 1000 (gr. 2)

• every week we practice phonics skills and this week's focus has been to notice and use r-controlled vowels (ar, or, er, ir, ur) as well as the vowel blends aw and au. The students are getting much better at noticing them in oral language activities

• as a class, the students have been working SO hard on their R.E.D folder books and I appreciate the time families are taking to read with their child every night! I'm noticing some wonderful improvements in their reading skills. I have been so impressed!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Mrs. Parkinson