Happy Thanksgiving. I was going to send our gratitude trees home for thanksgiving, but I loved having them in the class, and want to give students a chance to read what others wrote.

This morning, there was a segment on the news about gratitude. They listed some of the benefits in children of recognizing what they are grateful for. Those benefits include improved happiness, increased life satisfaction, improved sleep, increased motivation to improve relationships, and generally able to focus on the positive instead of the negative.

If you're looking for ideas to focus more on gratitude at home, a candid approach is best. Let your children hear you talking to others about what you're grateful for, or try keeping a gratitude journal. I personally keep a gratitude journal and try to write one thing I'm grateful for every night. It's not an easy practice, but it is extremely powerful. It doesn't have to happen every day, and doesn't even have to be formal journaling. When I have done this activity with children in the past, it can be helpful to take a '5 senses' approach. What did you smell today that was nice? Did you taste something yummy today?

Yesterday, we spent a whole day talking about what we are greatful for. This is always my favourite project to do with students, as they come up with so many amazing things! This is a group brainstorm we did, that I had to cut off after 20 minutes so we could start the project. I'll post a picture of their finished projects tomorrow! 

We also did an experiment to examine how matter changes form in class today. It's very easy and can be done easily at home! 

Just a reminder to bring dictée duotangs to school tomorrow. We will be starting our home reading program tomorrow, which will also be kept in the duotang. 

 
 
 

In math, we have been working on patterning. We do lots of number patterns, but it's fun to go back to colour patterns too! 

 
 
 

Yesterday, we did our terry fox run. The students ran so well!  We listened to a song about terry. You can find the song and YouTube video here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nwpzXxU7VWk

I spent the morning at musqueam cultural center as part of my professional development. I had a wonderful time, and  learned so much. If you're interested, they have a great exhibit at their cultural center that has many artifacts from the culture.  If you have some spare time, I'd highly recommend checking it out! 

Here is some beautiful art the kids did last week. Feel free to stop by and see it in the hallway 

 

 

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our turn to provide goodies for the bake sale!

 

 

Here are some pictures from last week. 

 

 
 
 
 

Thank you for your patience as I get the blog back up and running. While technology can be a wonderful thing, there are always technical glitches. I seem to have everything sorted out and will be able to post more often.

Just a reminder that tonight is the open house at douglas annex. Please come stop by, come say hi, and see the classroom. I will be here if you have any questions about our class.

As you hopefully have seen, dictee duotangs come home on Monday. Please help children remember to bring them back on Friday so they can do their test. Remember that it's not your job to put it in your child's backpack. Instead, you can help them remember.

See you all tonight!

Mme Jessica

Dear division 1 of 2016-2017,

Welcome to your class blog! I will be writing here as often as I can remember.

If you're not feeling confident in checking all the time, you can sign up to have an email notification every time I post. The box is to the right ---> We have been so busy so far. Lots of writing, math, and art. I'll post pictures soon.

I know the September re-start can be challenging for all of us. I came across this article that gives great perspectives into the beginning of the year for children, and provides some great strategies to help get over the September grumpies. You can read it here. I think the biggest thing to remember, is to keep to an early bed time!

Summer Suggestions Document

I hope everyone is enjoying the first few days of summer break! I was back at the school yesterday and the portable feels so lonely and quiet without the kids.

As promised, here is the electronic version of the document included with report cards. If I see other links of interest, I'll try to post them here.

What can I do to help my child over the summer?

I am often asked what parents can do at home to help their child continue learning over the summer, and to make September re-entry easier. Here is a list of things you can do that will help tremendously!

First off, let them have a break!! We work very hard during the year, and they deserve a break. Try to find a balance between play time and learning time. Also, try to be creative, and make learning as authentic as possible. There are lots of ideas in here for authentic learning. 

*I will post a version of this on the blog so you can click the links instead of having to type them*

French and English Language Arts

- Write Mme Jessica an email!! I’d love to hear about what the students are doing over the summer. I’ll try to check my school email once a week during the break. mme.jessica.chapelski@gmail.com

- Writing about what they do on vacation is always engaging for children! It can be fun to have a special journal to write in (you can get neat note books at a dollar store). 

- Since they will be learning English and French next year, it is good to alternate languages each journal entry. 

- To keep up with French, it is a good idea to listen to French radio, watch French TV, change the language on movies to French, read French books, etc. 

- Alphaboxes (see the worksheet at the end of this document). Pick a category and think of a word for each letter of the alphabet. 

- Use story starters to create a story! (I will post some pictures and links on the blog)

- Read, read, read, read, read!!! It can be fun to visit other libraries and see what kinds of books they have. I recently visited the Brighouse branch of the Richmond library (right by Richmond Center) and they have a FANTASTIC selection of French books!

- Here is a selections of books: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/books4boys/agegrade_middle.php

http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2013/06/graphic-novels-for-3rd-grade/

- Don’t forget to sign up for the summer reading club at your local library. Students were given information in class. 

- Have your child read brochures in both languages when you go on a trip somewhere. 

- Have them research things to do and see during the summer (this is a great way to practice reading non-fiction)

- If you are cooking, have them read the recipie

• Online scrabble in French: https://duplika.ca/

- Have them do a personal interest project. Pick something they’re passionate about and have them research about it. It helps to start with a question 

Math

Often, we think of math as worksheets, but there is so much more to it!

• Give them an answer and have them make up a question: 

- Practice multiplication: http://www.teachingwithsimplicity.com/2013/06/10-ways-to-practice-multiplication-facts.html

- Make up something like this: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Minecraft-Inspired-Multiplication-Practice-Watch-Think-Color-CCSS3OAC7-700183

- Play card games: http://mathcoachscorner.blogspot.ca/2013/05/math-games-with-deck-of-cards.html

- If you are baking, have them half or double the recipie

- If you are traveling, have them estimate how much money you will need as a family, or as an individual

- Play games such as monopoly or cribbage

- Make your own list of activities for the ‘number of the day’

Other ideas...

http://spoonful.com/crafts/outside-art-projects

www.scholastic.ca

• We learned all about plants this year. If you have a garden, involve your child in garden work. 

• ‘I’m bored’ games http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Grade+teacher+bored+game+makes+playthings+household+basics/11099029/story.html