Fall Fun!

Last week we had fun learning with the fall theme.  We strengthened our literacy and speaking skills by singing the finger play song All The Leaves Are Falling Down.  We also enjoyed a nature walk through the field where the kids were very excited to find pine cones.  We brought some of these pine cones into our classroom and some of the students enjoyed painting them during their free choice centre time.  We talked about the weather, and made some "windy" fall pictures.  The students also had fun using q-tips as their paint brush when they painted fall trees. 

Click on the following link to see some pictures from our fall themed week: Fall Fun 

Buddy Reading

We have been lucky enough to have leadership students from Riverview School read with us twice a week!  The students have been thrilled to have the "big kids" join us in our classroom.  I was so proud of how quickly our little people welcomed these teenagers into our classroom with open arms.

Click on the following link to see some pictures of buddy reading: Buddy Reading

Physical Education

This week we worked on ball skills in the gym.  We played a ball rolling name game, which encouraged the children to both speak in front of the class, as well as learn the names of their peers, while strengthening their hand-eye coordination.  We also worked on rolling, bouncing, passing, and catching the ball with two hands.

Self Regulation

We have continued to have lessons around our feelings and understanding emotions.  We have been discussing the Zone's of Regulation, and how you can feel blue (tired, sick), green (calm, happy, ready to learn), yellow (excited, anxious), or red (angry and out of control).  I have begun introducing the students to the idea that we can use different strategies to help move ourselves from zone to zone.  We have talked about when you feel yourself getting in the red zone and things are out of control, that you need to STOP and try to pull yourself out of this zone by doing deep belly breathing.  I will be introducing the students to different strategies throughout the school year to help them learn self regulation.

Dress for the Weather

Whether we like it or not, the snow and cold weather seems to be settling in.  Please send your child to school each day with a toque, mitts, and snow pants (if it is snowy) so that we can play outside!  Fresh air is so important and I like to try to get the kids outside daily if possible.  

Water Bottles Needed

We are still looking for 500mL sized water bottles with lids.  I am hoping to do a Halloween art project using the bottles during the week of the 24th.  I still need 10 more if anyone has some empty bottles they are willing to donate.  

Pictures, Coming Soon!

I officially have all of the FOIP forms signed, and I am ready to start posting pictures on my blog page!  I am just in the process of learning how to post entire albums, so that everyone can enjoy the MANY pictures we have taken so far this school year.  I am hoping to have the albums linked to my blog by the end of the week.  Thank you for your patience as I continue to learn about the world of blogging!

Coming Up

The next two weeks will be all about Halloween!

Halloween Party!

I am planning to have a Halloween party on October 31st.  I will run one party in the morning for the morning students, and one party in the afternoon for the afternoon students (the Tuesday/Thursday kids will be invited to join us for this fun day).  I will be asking certain parents to send snacks for each party we will be having throughout the school year.  This will ensure we don't end up with more food than we can eat.  Each family will get a turn to send snacks throughout the school year.  If I ask you to send a snack and you are unable at this time, please let me know and I will find another family to help out.