Blog for November 27

Week of  November 24-27

Learning Intentions:

I can start every sentence with a capital letter.

I can use capitals for names, places, and days of the week.

I can end my sentences with the right punctuation (., !, ?).

I can find and fix mistakes in sentences from a story.

I can rewrite sentences to be clear, correct, and easy to read.

 

This week in Literacy, students learned how to use capital letters and punctuation correctly as we started a unit centred on the Gingerbread Man story. We read and watched versions of The Gingerbread Man and used a decodable version of the story to spot and fix sentences that were missing punctuation (periods, question marks and exclamation points). They practiced starting sentences with a capital letter, using capitals for names and places, and found misplaced capitals in sentences related to the story. Next week, we will be working on how to find and fix capital letters and punctuation mistakes in sentences.

 

Learning Intentions:

I can read and show numbers in different ways.

I can use tens and ones (and hundreds in Grade 2) to build numbers.

I can break numbers apart to show what each digit means.

I can write numbers using place value, such as the expanded form. (Grade 2)

I can explain my thinking when I compare and build numbers.

 

This week in Math, students continued with their unit on Place Value. Grade 1 students explored numbers up to 100 and learned to represent numbers in different ways. They have also been practicing subitizing, which means quickly recognizing how many objects are in a group without counting them one by one. This is an important early numeracy skill that supports mental math and number sense. Grade 2 students worked with numbers up to 1000 and learned how to break numbers apart using expanded form. We used songs, videos, stories, math games, and independent activities to help students strengthen these skills in fun and engaging ways. 

 (Grade 1)

Supporting Students at Home

Spelling: 
At the end of the week, students will bring home spelling words for them to study for the following week. Please support your child and help them practice the words.

Math:
To continue building place value understanding at home with numbers up to 100 (Grade 1) and 1000 (Grade 2), numbers up to 100 (Grade 1) and 1000 (Grade 2). Discussions surrounding place value, such as “In the number 142, what number is in the tens place?” Asking your child to explain how they know or why they arrived at that answer will instill confidence and deepen their understanding of numbers.

Here is our Metis mural and a work page from the Metis Culture unit.

 Have a safe and wonderful weekend!

 

 

Weekly Update Nov 17-21

 

Learning Intentions:

·       I understand the purpose of a map and different elements of a map (legend, compass rose, etc)

·       I understand the directional terms (north, east, south, west)

·       I can tell you about the Prairies and identify it as a physical region in Canada

·       I can tell you about the Arctic and identify it as a physical region in Canada

·       I can explain the importance of landmarks

·       I can explain the importance of landforms

·       I understand that some natural landmarks have indigenous names

 

This week in Social Studies, the students continued their unit, My World. The students explored maps and different parts of map while also learning a fun song to help remember the directions (Never Eat Soggy Waffles!). They looked into Indigenous landmarks within Canada such as Big Rock or Okotoks Erratic. We also learned about Metis culture and symbols. Below is the beginning of our "Beadwork Flower People" mural, honouring this Metis traditional art.

Next week, the students will learn about the Prairies and the Arctic as physical regions in Canada. They will continue to look at some additional physical regions and will end their My World unit on Thursday with a check in.

Learning Intentions:

·       I can learn how to swim!

·       I can listen to and follow instructions to keep myself and others safe

·       I can explore different forms of movement such as swimming

This week, all the student ventured off to Sir Winston Churchill for swimming lessons. The students were very brave and had a blast in the pool. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this week-long field trip possible! We appreciate you!

 

Learning Intentions:

·       I can tell you what place value is

·       I can identify numbers up to 1000 (Grade 2)

·       I can identify numbers up to 100 (Grade 1)

·       I can use base ten blocks to help me represent different numbers

·       I can use a place value chart to represent different numbers

 

The students started their unit on Place Value this week. The grade ones focused on understanding and representing numbers to 100 in various ways, while the grade twos focused on numbers to 1000. Through songs, videos, stories, games and independent activities the students practiced these skills this week. We will continue our Place Value study next week.

 

Supporting Students at Home

·       Spelling – At the end of the week, students will bring home spelling words for them to study for the following week. Please support your child and help them practice the words.

·       Math – We are continuing to look at understanding numbers up to 100 (Grade 1) and 1000 (Grade 2). Discussions surrounding place value such as “in the number 142 what number is in the tens place?” This will help support your child as they continue to practice these skills at home.

Ms. Renette's Gr. 1/2 Blog, Nov 3 to 7

I can use a 100 number chart to understand number patterns.

I can count forwards and backwards from different starting points on a number line.

I can count by 5s and 10s.

In Math, students have been developing their number sense through number lines, games, and assignments. One activity involved arranging a number chart in their Journals of numbers between 1 and 100 (grade 1), and 1 and 120 (grade 2). 

Learning Outcomes:

I can identify the subject in a sentence.

I can identify the predicate in a sentence.

I can create complete sentences that make sense.

Spelling words for Nov 14:

This week in Literacy, we learned about the subject and the predicate parts of a sentence.
A subject tells who or what the sentence is about.
A predicate tells what the subject is doing or what is happening.

To explore this, we sang songs, watched videos, and played games. Students had a great time mixing and matching to create sentences! This hands-on activity helped us see that sentences need both parts to express a clear idea.

This is a read aloud book that we enjoyed called "Don't Trust Fish".

I can depict and describe landmarks and symbols in my community.

I can depict and describe landmarks and symbols in my city.

I can depict and describe landmarks and symbols in my province.

I can depict and describe landmarks and symbols in my country.

A major Social Studies unit, called My World, has begun! Students are exploring the different geographical locations that they inhabit. It is interesting how many identities we have as citizens as community members, Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians. Sometimes we are reminded of these shared identities when we watch a ball game from coast to coast. Or, we think about how geography can impact us when we drive through mountain and prairie landscapes. 

We are continuing to build their vocabulary with terms such as landmarks, symbols and characteristics. 

Questions we explored included:

What is a community?

What is a city?

What is a province?

What is a country?

What makes a geographical location distinct?

How to support student learning at home:

Have students practice skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. They can also practice counting backwards and forwards to 100. Ask your child to recall symbols and landmarks in their community, city and province. 

Please try to remember to send the communication folders each day with your child. That way, important forms and school work will be protected and easier to find.

Grade 1/2 Blog for Ms. Renette

WELCOME BACK! :) 

Learning Outcomes:

I can carefully observe and describe what I notice.

I can ask questions that begin investigations.

I can describe how an investigation helps answer a question.

I can record my observations during an investigation.

I can collect and record data.

I can compare data and share my ideas.

This week in Science, our class has been exploring bats while practicing our scientific thinking skills. Students have been observing closely, asking curious questions, and learning how scientists investigate the world around them. We are building the idea that Science is about wonder, discovery, and learning from the world around us.

Ask your child:

“What surprised you most about bats?”
“How do bats use sound to find things in the dark?”

 

Learning Outcomes:

I can find what number comes before and after another number.

I can notice and explain patterns in a hundred chart.

I can use words like 'before,' 'after,' 'between,' 'more,' and 'less' to explain my thinking.

 

This week in Math, our class explored number patterns using a hundred chart. Students worked with hundred chart puzzles, skip counting, and mystery number challenges to build their confidence with ordering numbers. The hundred chart helps them see patterns in numbers, such as how numbers increase or decrease by one when we move across or backward in a row and increase or decrease by ten when we move up or down a column. 

October Art:

 

Spelling:

We chose not to proceed with a spelling check this week, as it was Halloween. Please use the following lists to help your child practice their spelling words for next week.

Halloween Photos:

Happy Halloween and Go Jays!

IMPORTANT: PICTURE DAY is next Monday, November 3.

Grade 1/2 Blog for October 3

 Learning Intentions: 

I can listen to and watch stories about Terry Fox to learn more about his life and legacy.

I can ask questions about Terry Fox to show my curiosity.

I can write, draw, or record facts I learn about Terry Fox.

I can share ways I show perseverance in my life.

I can celebrate Terry Fox and perseverance through art.

This week, students have been learning about Terry Fox and the importance of perseverance. They gathered and recorded information about his life by reading stories, watching videos, and asking questions. Students practiced organizing their learning using words and drawings to demonstrate their understanding.

 

To connect this learning to themselves, students reflected on what perseverance means and how they show it in their lives. Then they designed “Perseverance Shirts,” using colours, symbols, and words to share their ideas.

 

Through this project, students increased skills in listening, recording information, sharing ideas, and expressing themselves creatively, all while being inspired by Terry Fox’s determination and courage.

 

To conclude our learning about Terry Fox, the students led the assembly before the whole-school run on Friday. They had a great time showing determination and perseverance while running and walking laps. 

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                                            We hope to see you all soon!

September 26 Blog

 Learning Intentions:

• I can tell the steps I use to do an investigation.
• I can explain why we do an investigation (to learn, to test, to discover).
• I can ask questions when I am curious about something.

This week, we started our first unit in Science on the Scientific Method. We learned about the different steps to take when investigating including observations, hypothesis, experiments and conclusions. The students participated in their own investigation where they went to the schoolyard to look for signs of plants changing/wilting. They found many different examples and were able to relate it back to the season of Fall!

 

Learning Intentions:

• I can listen to stories about other people and their cultures.
• I can reflect on how our history has impacted people’s lives.
• I can explain why the season of Fall is important to Indigenous groups.
• I can tell you about Orange Shirt Day and why it is important to recognize. 

In Social Studies this week, the students explored the Fall Equinox and Orange Shirt Day. Throughout their exploration, they learned about what treaty means and how it impacts people living in Canada today. They also made connections to Stone Soup when discussing the importance of the Fall Equinox for many Indigenous groups. The students listened to various stories and participated in many discussions around Orange Shirt Day and how residential schools left an impact and continue to leave an impact on the Indigenous community today. The students took time to reflect on these lessons and created a message of love, healing and support focusing on “Every Child Matters.” The messages will be shared with an Indigenous community center nearby.

Supporting Your Students at Home:

• Spelling – Please continue to support your student on their spelling journey! Lists are sent home on Friday after the previous Spelling Test.
• Math – We are wrapping up our Patterns unit shortly, and will be starting Skip-Counting. Please continue to practice counting at home with your child. Counting by 5s and 10s is a great place to start once your child can count to 100 independently.
  

See you on Wednesday!

September 19, 2025

 Learning Intentions:

• I can express my ideas creatively using patterns.
• I can create a picture using different sizes of dots.
• I can use different colour combinations to make my dot art more interesting.

September 15 was International Dot Day. We read the book "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds. Students used felt to make various sizes of dots and then layered them to create their own dot works of art! When combined, they add beauty to our hallway and are unique like each child.

This week we concluded our study of "The 7 Habits of Happy Kids" by exploring habits 5, 6 and 7. Habit 5 is called "Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood" or listen before you talk. Habit 6 teaches us to "Synergize" or that together is better. Finally, Habit 7 encourages kids to "Sharpen the Saw" or that balance is best in all aspects of our lives. These important ideas will be revisited throughout the year so that we don't revert back to our old habits. 

 Learning Intentions:

• I can listen with my ears and my heart.
• I can work well with others and be a team player.
• I can take care of my heart, body, mind and spirit.

Students were able to check out books from the library this week. Just a reminder that Grade 1 students can take out 1 book and Grade 2 students can take out 2 books each week. Books are to be returned by the next library visit. Our library day is Wednesday.

Buddy reading!

You can support your students' learning at home by helping them practice their spelling words with pencil and paper or on a whiteboard. Help them develop the habit of "Sharpen the Saw" by encouraging them to make healthy choices, to exercise regularly and to get a good night's rest.