November 20-23

 November 24

Thank you to all parents for connecting during parent teacher conferences.  I hope you enjoyed the update on your child’s progress so far and the next steps for the second part of this term.  It is so wonderful to take time to reflect on the progress that everyone has already shown since the start of this year and I am so proud of each student and the growth they have shown already.  Grade one is always such a remarkable year, as big changes can happen in a relatively short period of time.  It was wonderful to hear the positive feedback regarding home literacy and we encourage you to enjoy reading at home.  I’m excited to continue this journey and what lies ahead as we continue through this year.

This week, we moved into exploring Science and the topic of Matter as students analyze properties of objects and investigate how they can be changed.  We began by talking and thinking about objects.  We then looked at a variety of different objects in the classroom and think about what they look like and feel like and what we notice.  We then drew a few different objects and then picked one object to think of words to describe it.  We were very good at thinking through a scientific focus.  We also began to think of our 5 senses as well.  We are excited for our field trip to the Telus Science Center this Thursday and will continue to explore more of these science ideas before we go.     

Learning Intentions:

I can identify measurable properties of objects.

I can make observations using various senses.  

November 15-17

 Patterns, Patterns Everywhere! 

In the past few weeks, we have moved on in our math to now to looking at learning about patterns.  We have been working on making and creating, describing, and transferring patterns in math.  Along with this, we have also been discussing different communities that we belong to, specifically our family.  On Friday, in a cross-curricular activity, we create a pattern based on the members of our family.  Students were asked to represent each member of their family (who lives directly in their house) with one colour.  They then had to build their ‘family’ pattern using interlocking blocks.  The pattern then had to be repeated 3 times, as a pattern is not a pattern if it does not repeat at least 3 times.  Students then transferred their block pattern to using beads and created a family bracelet.  They have brought home their family pattern bracelet and hopefully, they will share it with you.  

Success Criteria

I can create my family pattern with interlocking blocks, each block will represent a different person in my family.

I can create a family bracelet that has a different colour bead to represent every member of my family

I can repeat my family pattern ONLY 3 times using the beads.

I can string my beads on a lace to complete my family pattern.

I can tell a partner about the core of my family pattern

Other ways to work on patterns:

Look for patterns in your daily environment - when you are driving in the car, around the house, on clothing

Think of ways that your child’s life forms a ‘pattern’ and talk about this - eating meals, going to school, getting ready for school or for bed

Think about other patterns in our daily lives - seasons, day and night 

Find items around the house and make patterns!  We love pictures - you can send us pictures of your child doing some patterns too! 

 The Power of One 

As a grade one group we began the school year building our classroom community. As part of our School Development Plan in connection with our Wellness Curriculum, we read several books such as Don’t Eat Your Classmates, Our Class is a Family and Kindness is My Superpower. All of these books had the theme of kindness. Through lessons, discussions and reflections our students built an understanding of how we show kindness to ourselves, each other, and this place. Next, we read The Power of One. Students were asked to identify ways they show kindness and contribute to creating a respectful classroom community. 

Taking a closer look… When designing our next tasks we wanted our learners to recognize how every individual is unique and can make a difference. We wanted the children to be able to recognize those characteristics in themselves. Connecting to our work around Terry Fox and Phyllis Webstad, we looked at the characteristics that made each of these individuals unique. We brainstormed words and represented our learning through illustrations and words. Finally, through writing and discussion, we had students make the connection between the leadership characteristics in Terry and Phyllis and think about what characteristics they see in themselves and what characteristics they would like to show more of in themselves. Students planned their writing through pictures and then captured their thoughts in their writing. 

As an extension, we also created an art piece, using plasticine.  We were inspired by Barbara Reid and looked at her talents at creating art through plasticine.  We then each created our own “Super Me” and picked one of our power of one traits to show through this art piece.  

I can:

· I can identify 2 or 3 unique characteristics, that contribute to you creating a place of kindness   

 

· I can identify one way that I can create a place of kindness and respect