Community Walk / Save the Rainforest!

Today we went on a community walk to see all the wonderful things that are around our school. We actually had a job to do. We were headed to the local CIBC to drop off our colouring contest pages. Since we had been learning all about the rainforest. We wondered how we could help save the rainforest? One way we learned we could help was by not littering and by recycling. So the students deceided that during our walk we could collect garbage and do our part. We had a great walk and when we finally arrived at the CIBC we had realized we forgot the papers at school !! Oh no!! But the employees were so kind at the CIBC they allowed us to go into the vault and see where all the money is kept! Wow what a great experience!

"A, A, apple..."

We are so excited to share the amazing things we learn in our class! This video shows one of our favourite things to do!  Practice our letter sound correspondence!!  Enjoy our "A, A, apple..."

FLIP FLOP ICE CREAM SHOP!

Our dramatic play area was magically transformed into an ice cream shop. Wow the students loved making and scooping ice cream! The students really had to display their understanding of one to one correspondence when ordering and scooping the ice cream. Each scoop cost $1 so if a child ordered three scoops, they needed to pay 3 loonies and the ice cream worker needed to scoop 3 scoops of ice cream! It was amazing to see. But sometimes it did get tricky when someone orderd a 12 scoop super ice cream!

NS1.7 demonstrate an understanding of number relationships for numbers from 0 to 10, through investigation.

We thought we would share a few of our latest centres! The students are really great at Centre time! They really have the hang of it. Centre time is really a time for practice the skills they have learned. For example, working on their counting skills or their fine motor skills.

The take apart centre was such a great way for students to work on their fine motor skills. They worked really hard to take apart each of the items. They learned how to be safe by wearing the proper equipement. They used real tools!! They truly enjoyed this centre. They even suggested new items to bring to the centre. So we are on the hunt for any old, broken phones, cell phones, toasters, keyboards, or any other electronic. Remember it wont be coming back!!

Wow! Do you remember using a portable walkman! Well I do and the students in our class were amazed when I brought this type of equipement into our classroom. They love to use them for their own personal listening centre.

All of the ideas that come out of the children as they explore and build with blocks. Its amazing to see!

Under Construction! The Three Little Pigs!

The students have been very interested in pretend and make beleive. So to go along with this interest we began to learn about fairy tales. One Thursday, I brought in three large appliance boxes and asked the students what we should do with them. After much debate it was decieded that they should be made into the "three little pigs" houses. This turned into asking the students what types of materials we need as well as which box should be the straw, stick and brick houses. The students complete surverys to figure out which box should be witch house. They also completed lists and attached them to the houses so Mrs. Lucier and I would know what we need to complete the construction of these houses. As you can see from the photos it was a lot of work and the children were all engaged in the process. After the houses were constructed the children began to act out the classic tale. It was amazing to see. Without any guidance from Mrs. Lucier or myself they took on the roles of all the characters. The expression they used was remarkable! Finally the students decided they needed costumes to become the characters, well a paper nose did the trick! What a wonderful learning experience for our class!

WOW!

I will apologize in a advance for not posting in a very long time! It has been crazy with March break and Easter. But do not worry we have lots of photos to share and I will be sure to have them up by the end of the week! Our class has been rocking! We are so excited to share all the amazing things going on in our class!

New Face!

Wow! I am really behind the eight ball this month! We are so blessed to have a new student teacher with us! His name is Mr. Girard and he is a faculty of education student from the University of Windsor! He will be with us for 4 weeks! The class is very excited to have him with us and we know he will do amazing things with our students! Welcome to St. Joseph's Mr. Girard!

WOW!!

Wow its been a while since I have posted. Life has just been so crazy these past few weeks. I have lots to share! But it will come in stages! I am actually going to work backwards and start by showing off the most recent exciting events that have taken place in our classroom!

ROCKIN PARTNERS! The students have always had quiet/independent reading time but yesterday they learned about something new! They learned about ROCKIN PARTNERS! This was an exciting time for them to work read together with a partner! What a great time was had! The pictures tell all!

Baby Ayla's 2nd Visit

Our second visit with baby Ayla was amzazing. Our students abosuletly love her! It is amazing how much she has changed from our very first visit! If you have any questions about the Roots of Empathy Program please click on the top of this post and it will bring you to our Roots of Empathy Page!

Using the "Paint" program to create shape designs

During the month of January and February we are learning all about 2D shapes and 3D shapes. The students have recently been introduced to the "Paint" program, which they love. The students are beginnign to create their very own shape designs using the paint program. Look how amazing the students are! We will continue to add each week as students complete their work!

Christmas Fun!

Christmas Fun! on PhotoPeach

Santa's Visit!

Wow! It has been such a busy Holiday season! Sorry it took me so long to post all the wonderful and amazing things our class was able to do over the holidays!

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Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL and MERRY CHRISTMAS! I know I did! Quality family time is so nice! I'm thankful God sent his son into the world as an infant who later died to save me from my sins! How awesome to know one day I will see him face to face!
What a week! It is our first week back from Christmas Holidays, and it has been super busy trying to get the kiddos back into our routine and get them prepared for winter. Yikes! I do love this time of year though when the "Christmas Magic" happens and the students are so ready to learn. This is the best teaching time for me!

Gingerbread Madness!

We are doing all things gingerbread this week and the kids are having a blast! They are all loving the retelling activities. Ms. Fantuz, our wonderful volunteer decided it would be a great treat and learning experience for the class to make gingerbread cookies. The students had a wonderful time learning about all the ingredients needed to make the cookies, as well as discovering how to read a recipe. I can honeslty say their favourite part was decorating and eating their gingerbead men! Thank you Ms. Fantuz for your generosity and giving of your time to our class!

Dad's Garage!

Dad's Garage! on PhotoPeach

Scientists!

The students have been learning about changes in seasons! So as "Scientist" we went outside to make some observations in our science journals! We also brought bags to colelct artifacts that may help us to understand the change in season. The students really took on the role of the scientist and could be found collecting fallen leaves, pinecones etc. Also many were making sketchs and labelling in their science journals. We returned to the classroom to discuss their findings. We will continue to explore cylces for the next month.

Phonological Awareness-Rhyme Recognition

This is the time of year that I look ahead at the phonological awareness skills sequence to carefully plan my instruction. When I look at what I assess in my first quarter, I am looking to see which of my students can recognize rhyme. We will then move on to completing rhymes, then producing rhymes.


Why is phonological awareness important?


Research states there is a high correlation between phonological awareness and later success in reading and spelling. Students must be able to hear and manipulate sounds before they can relate them to print... so I gotta make sure my kiddos can develop this important skill.

Mrs. Lucier always comes up with fun ways to teach new skills. Below you will find pictures of students practicing their rhyming skills!

Glenhilda Arrives!

Glenhilda arrived on Halloween! on PhotoPeach

Road Trip!

This digital slideshow created with Smilebox

On Thursday Oct 27 our class travelled to Auto Motion for a ROAD TRIP! It was awesome! The students were able to sit in a smart car, look under the hood of a car, and watch them detail a car in the garage! Thanks again to Gil at auto motion for taking them time to show our students around!