Dear Families,
Can you believe we’ve already completed our second week of school after the break?! It is zipping by! Not surprisingly for our class though as we’re having so much fun learning and growing together! Have I shared just how lucky I am to be your child’s teacher? Being in this position is truly a dream come true for me :)
Oral Presentations for Procedural Writing Project:
Thank you to all students with the support of their families for working so diligently on their project. I'm hearing all the yummy recipes that you're in the process of creating together! It's going to be exciting to also see the students google slide presentations. Many of them are so creative and colourful!
Please note in order to access your child's google drive at home you must enter @scdsb.on.ca
At school, they are not required to do so as it automatically has this. I've had some parents wondering why they can't access accounts at home and this seems to be the common solution :)
Below you will find your child's presentation date. They had the opportunity to choose their own date yesterday. In class, we have discussed the criteria I'm looking for when presenting in front of an audience. They are getting familiar with this, and it is strongly encouraged that students practice their public speaking skills using the success criteria (rubric) that was sent home!
I would like to send out a big thank you to Mrs. Calvert and her team of volunteers for coming to our school on Wednesday to run this meaningful event for our students. Your time, organization, and kind nature is appreciated and we all had fun while thinking about the feelings of those who need a home.
As students listened to the story in class, I asked them to think about comparing and contrasting the experiences of the main character (Andrew) to themselves. Next week, we will be completing a writing activity using a Venn Diagram to compare the life of a homeless person to ourselves and note the similarities / differences. Stay tuned!
Science:
We had a very exciting science class this week! I'm sure your child came home and enthusiastically shared about Boat Building to learn about Buoyancy! I made this into a S.T.E.A.M. challenge. Ask your child what this stands for :-) I love how students noticed that in this acronym there is the word TEAM in it and when they did see this, everyone SHOUTED, "Together Everybody Achieves MORE!"
Check out your child as he or she worked together to build a boat only using aluminum foil. Their challenge was to build a buoyant boat that could hold the most mass (we used marbles)! Here they all are in the planning and designing stages!
Congratulations to our WINNERS - Connor, Lyric, and Sebastien for building their boat that could hold a total of 61 marbles!! Second place was a tie with Coleton, Brayden, Cayden and Becca, Harrison, and Emma's groups whose boat held 58 marbles! Great job by EVERYONE involved in this STEAM challenge!! Can't wait for the next one!
Dance:
Each year, we are so fortunate to invite certified dance instructors from our community (The Fleet Wood Dance studio) to help guide our students in dance. On Wednesday, we had a wonderful time during period 3 groovin' and bustin' our dance moves!
This dance program was run well. I reinforced with students that dance is all about embracing and celebrating our similarities and differences - be creative, be unique, BE YOU! There's no right or wrong way to dance - express your individuality!
We considered ourselves the Nottawa DanceHawks and we sure had a blast expressing ourselves through body and movement :-) At the end of this session when we got back to class, I ensured that we had a 10 minute mindfulness meditation as a whole group to bring our minds and bodies back to a calm and peaceful state. It was so soothing and relaxing.
Our next dance session will take place next week on Wed. Jan. 23rd from 11:30 - 12:10 p.m. Please have your child wear his or her comfortable clothing again so they are able to move with ease.
Field Trip:
On Tuesday afternoon, our class will travel to Blue Mountain to participate in the world ski cross riglet program. As you may know, the Ski Cross World Cup is coming back to Blue Mountain from January 23 - 26th.
This year, Ski Cross and Blue Mountain would like to bring students in grade 2 and 3 to participate in the Burton Riglet Program and meet some of this year's Ski Cross World Cup athletes!! How exciting :-) The Burton Riglet program will be a fun and engaging one for kids that allows them to try snowboarding in a gymnasium. We're really looking forward to this trip!
I sent home a note earlier in the week which indicates what your child should wear in order to participate effectively. In order for the kids to get the most out of the program, they are encouraging students to wear comfortable clothing that allows them to move, and rubber soled shoes (indoor shoes from school). Given this is an indoor program, there is no need for boots, snowsuits or hat/mitts.
Thank you in advance in helping prepare your child for this field trip! I'll be sure to take some photos so you can see US in action!
Sonja:
Welcome back Sonja! We loved hearing about some of the Cuba adventures you shared with your family. Thank you for showing us Cuban money (pesos) and the beautiful necklace and shells you brought back. We missed you and are so happy you're back refreshed and recharged from the warm weather and sunshine!
Coleton:
Every day I provide lunch & learn for students who require extra support or time to complete their assigned tasks. Yesterday, I was delighted to see Coleton independently helping guide his peer in a math assessment. In our class, we're all teachers! Thank you Coleton for demonstrating leadership and seeking it out all on your own. I know Brayden really appreciated your support!!
Friendship:
These boys were excited to get their picture taken together. Some of these students are learning and working hard at cooperating during recess even when it's difficult during their Bay Blade competitions. There have been challenging experiences with this, but with a little help from their peers whom they look up to, they are smiling now and having a blast playing together!! Keep up the collaboration skills boys!
Karson & Harrison:
Thank you Karson and Harrison for yet again making me a heart-felt note. These boys wrote a message about their learning about homelessness.
It said, "You are the best teacher ever. We wrote you this card because we want to make a change to the homeless. We care a lot!"
Leah Denbok:
As stated in last week's post, I have been sharing Leah Denbok's book "Nowhere to Call Home" and it has really peaked the interest of my students, so we have been reading more of the stories presented in volume 1. I came across this interview below and it may give you more insight into who Leah is and the incredible work she is doing to create awareness and support for the homeless! She is a wonderful person who displays true character in her empathetic ways. We are inspired by her!
Mindfulness:
Finally, I would like to thank the incredibly talented Leah Denbok for capturing these images to help us understand that being homeless doesn't mean you're not human. All these individuals have thoughts, feelings, and emotions like everyone else. They deserve to be acknowledged and HEARD. Here is a touching tribute :)
As I've shared videos and books about homelessness in class, Adalyn beautifully said, "Miss Gill, when I see a homeless person, I may give money, but I think a smile would mean a lot to them too." To which I replied, "It certainly would Adalyn, a smile lasts a lifetime in people's hearts."
Can you believe we’ve already completed our second week of school after the break?! It is zipping by! Not surprisingly for our class though as we’re having so much fun learning and growing together! Have I shared just how lucky I am to be your child’s teacher? Being in this position is truly a dream come true for me :)
Oral Presentations for Procedural Writing Project:
Thank you to all students with the support of their families for working so diligently on their project. I'm hearing all the yummy recipes that you're in the process of creating together! It's going to be exciting to also see the students google slide presentations. Many of them are so creative and colourful!
Please note in order to access your child's google drive at home you must enter @scdsb.on.ca
At school, they are not required to do so as it automatically has this. I've had some parents wondering why they can't access accounts at home and this seems to be the common solution :)
Below you will find your child's presentation date. They had the opportunity to choose their own date yesterday. In class, we have discussed the criteria I'm looking for when presenting in front of an audience. They are getting familiar with this, and it is strongly encouraged that students practice their public speaking skills using the success criteria (rubric) that was sent home!
Wed. Jan. 23rd
|
Thurs. Jan. 24th
|
Mon. Jan. 28th
|
Tues. Jan. 29th
|
Adalyn
|
Shasta |
Karson |
Lyric |
Emma
|
Connor |
Coleton |
Cayden |
Allison
|
Charlotte |
Parker |
Becca |
Addy
|
Alex |
Ryan |
Harrison |
Brayden
|
Jimi |
Jeremy |
Sonja |
During the presentations, students will be providing specific feedback to their peers based on the criteria to help each other celebrate their stars (strengths) and arrows (areas to improve). Peer feedback will be sent home when all presentations are completed.
Bowls for Beds:
Bowls for Beds:
"One homeless person is one TOO many!" - Jimi
I would like to send out a big thank you to Mrs. Calvert and her team of volunteers for coming to our school on Wednesday to run this meaningful event for our students. Your time, organization, and kind nature is appreciated and we all had fun while thinking about the feelings of those who need a home.
Thank you to all the families who sent in their order form with payment to purchase your child’s bowl that they painted. If you did not, that is perfectly OK too because by simply participating in this experience, it will make a difference in the lives of men, women, and their children who need our support!
It was a wonderful experience for my students to learn about the Home Horizon foundation. Everyone was excited, engaged, and enthusiastic! The kids’ designs were creative and unique! All the bowls are now sent away and will be put into a kiln (a furnace or over for burning, baking, or drying, especially one for calcining or firing pottery) which will produce a bright colourful bowl with your child's personalized touch! Amazing!!
Now, you may be wondering when you will receive your purchased cup J There will be an event on Sunday April 14th between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. at the Georgian Bay Hotel & Conference Centre, 10 Vacation Inn, Collingwood.
If you wish to attend please do so and you will receive the bowl there. However, if you are unable to go then the bowls will be delivered to our school at the end of April and I will hand out your child’s bowl to them. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you would still like to purchase your child's bowl, there is still time! Simply fill out the form that came home last week and return to school with payment by January 25th. If you require a new form, please indicate this in your child's agenda and I will be happy to provide this for you!
Language:
To connect to our learning about homelessness, I shared a powerful children's book titled: Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting. Listen to the story with your child and talk about the author's message :)
Science:
We had a very exciting science class this week! I'm sure your child came home and enthusiastically shared about Boat Building to learn about Buoyancy! I made this into a S.T.E.A.M. challenge. Ask your child what this stands for :-) I love how students noticed that in this acronym there is the word TEAM in it and when they did see this, everyone SHOUTED, "Together Everybody Achieves MORE!"
Check out your child as he or she worked together to build a boat only using aluminum foil. Their challenge was to build a buoyant boat that could hold the most mass (we used marbles)! Here they all are in the planning and designing stages!
Once groups built their boats, we took the time to test out their buoyancy!!
Congratulations to our WINNERS - Connor, Lyric, and Sebastien for building their boat that could hold a total of 61 marbles!! Second place was a tie with Coleton, Brayden, Cayden and Becca, Harrison, and Emma's groups whose boat held 58 marbles! Great job by EVERYONE involved in this STEAM challenge!! Can't wait for the next one!
 |
| 2nd Place Finshers! |
 |
| 2nd Place! |
 |
| 1st Place Winners! |
What is STEAM?
In collaboration with Mrs. Johnson, we will be doing monthly S.T.E.A.M. challenges with the kids in the library! STEAM is a real world focus. It is hands-on learning that applies to the world around us. STEAM builds and teaches creativity, problem solving, life skills, ingenuity, resourcefulness, patience, curiosity. It is what shapes the future as our world grows and changes.
STEAM represents Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. It is everywhere and in everything we do and how we live. From the natural world around us to the tablets in our hands that show us the world far, far away. STEAM builds inventors! Stay tuned for more information with when our next challenge will take place!!
STEAM represents Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. It is everywhere and in everything we do and how we live. From the natural world around us to the tablets in our hands that show us the world far, far away. STEAM builds inventors! Stay tuned for more information with when our next challenge will take place!!
Dance:
Each year, we are so fortunate to invite certified dance instructors from our community (The Fleet Wood Dance studio) to help guide our students in dance. On Wednesday, we had a wonderful time during period 3 groovin' and bustin' our dance moves!
This dance program was run well. I reinforced with students that dance is all about embracing and celebrating our similarities and differences - be creative, be unique, BE YOU! There's no right or wrong way to dance - express your individuality!
We considered ourselves the Nottawa DanceHawks and we sure had a blast expressing ourselves through body and movement :-) At the end of this session when we got back to class, I ensured that we had a 10 minute mindfulness meditation as a whole group to bring our minds and bodies back to a calm and peaceful state. It was so soothing and relaxing.
On Tuesday afternoon, our class will travel to Blue Mountain to participate in the world ski cross riglet program. As you may know, the Ski Cross World Cup is coming back to Blue Mountain from January 23 - 26th.
This year, Ski Cross and Blue Mountain would like to bring students in grade 2 and 3 to participate in the Burton Riglet Program and meet some of this year's Ski Cross World Cup athletes!! How exciting :-) The Burton Riglet program will be a fun and engaging one for kids that allows them to try snowboarding in a gymnasium. We're really looking forward to this trip!
I sent home a note earlier in the week which indicates what your child should wear in order to participate effectively. In order for the kids to get the most out of the program, they are encouraging students to wear comfortable clothing that allows them to move, and rubber soled shoes (indoor shoes from school). Given this is an indoor program, there is no need for boots, snowsuits or hat/mitts.
Thank you in advance in helping prepare your child for this field trip! I'll be sure to take some photos so you can see US in action!
Yard Behaviour:
Mr. Perry had an important announcement this week about keeping off the icy surfaces (we had a major fall and this student was taken to the hospital and it was discovered they had experienced a concussion), school boundaries, and abiding by our policy of HANDS OFF.
Please speak to your child about the importance of these rules, and if they are not involved in this sort of behaviour which many aren’t J, have them encourage their peers to make good choices. I have many wonderful leaders in this class who can help others make positive choices.
Please speak to your child about the importance of these rules, and if they are not involved in this sort of behaviour which many aren’t J, have them encourage their peers to make good choices. I have many wonderful leaders in this class who can help others make positive choices.
At Nottawa, it is our goal to ensure ALL children feel safe at all times. If your child is involved in an issue which involves hands on or put downs, please don’t hesitate to let me know via email, a note in the agenda, or a phone call as I don’t always see, hear, or know what happens during unstructured times such as recesses. I will always do my best to follow up to help my students. Thank you so much for your understanding and support in this matter.
Sonja:
Welcome back Sonja! We loved hearing about some of the Cuba adventures you shared with your family. Thank you for showing us Cuban money (pesos) and the beautiful necklace and shells you brought back. We missed you and are so happy you're back refreshed and recharged from the warm weather and sunshine!
Coleton:
Every day I provide lunch & learn for students who require extra support or time to complete their assigned tasks. Yesterday, I was delighted to see Coleton independently helping guide his peer in a math assessment. In our class, we're all teachers! Thank you Coleton for demonstrating leadership and seeking it out all on your own. I know Brayden really appreciated your support!!
Friendship:
These boys were excited to get their picture taken together. Some of these students are learning and working hard at cooperating during recess even when it's difficult during their Bay Blade competitions. There have been challenging experiences with this, but with a little help from their peers whom they look up to, they are smiling now and having a blast playing together!! Keep up the collaboration skills boys!
Karson & Harrison:
Thank you Karson and Harrison for yet again making me a heart-felt note. These boys wrote a message about their learning about homelessness.
It said, "You are the best teacher ever. We wrote you this card because we want to make a change to the homeless. We care a lot!"
Thank YOU boys for being the "CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD!!"
As stated in last week's post, I have been sharing Leah Denbok's book "Nowhere to Call Home" and it has really peaked the interest of my students, so we have been reading more of the stories presented in volume 1. I came across this interview below and it may give you more insight into who Leah is and the incredible work she is doing to create awareness and support for the homeless! She is a wonderful person who displays true character in her empathetic ways. We are inspired by her!
Finally, I would like to thank the incredibly talented Leah Denbok for capturing these images to help us understand that being homeless doesn't mean you're not human. All these individuals have thoughts, feelings, and emotions like everyone else. They deserve to be acknowledged and HEARD. Here is a touching tribute :)
As I've shared videos and books about homelessness in class, Adalyn beautifully said, "Miss Gill, when I see a homeless person, I may give money, but I think a smile would mean a lot to them too." To which I replied, "It certainly would Adalyn, a smile lasts a lifetime in people's hearts."
The next time you see someone who is homeless, please remember ...
Growth Mindset:
"Stop saying I wish. Start saying I WILL!" - Charlotte
Namaste,
Ms. Gill
Comments
Post a Comment