Welcome to our 2017/2018 Classroom Blog!
Dear
Families,
Welcome to our 2017/2018 Classroom Blog!
I'm delighted to begin this online journey with your child and YOU - providing
you with updates and news of our exciting learning and upcoming
events from our "Classroom Community" to your "Comfy, Cozy
Home." This blog is another avenue for US all to communicate,
share, and celebrate your child's extraordinary learning in Grade 3/4!!
Please note, I will be updating my blog
weekly. Every Friday, there will be a new post
which specifically highlights the academic, social, and emotional
learning from that week. Yes, I will have detailed explanations with
pictures about your child's specific learning each week! Your child and
you are encouraged to visit it over the weekend :) This way, you will be
informed about what is happening in our class and help reinforce learned
concepts at home, too. Together, we will work as a dedicated T.E.A.M.
= 'Together Everybody Achieves More' to support your child's
academic, social, and behavioural goals.
As a teacher, I strongly believe in sound
parent-child-teacher communication and working closely to help my
students rise to their highest potential! Thus far, I have noticed my
students are all striving to put in their 'Level 4 Personal Best' in tasks set
before them. I am optimistic we will continue our learning journey
with purpose, passion, and productivity!
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity
to extend my sincere gratitude to all the parents who have already actively
supported and engaged in their child's learning at home thus far -
together, we can make a significant difference by working together. I
could not do this without your unconditional love and support; it is greatly
valued and cherished!
First
Day of School Pictures:
How lucky am I to be these amazing students teacher
this year!? Their smiles and enthusiasm
says it all J
Check us out on our very first day together.
Keep shining and smiling boys and girls!
School
Website:
Please visit our school website for news, updates, and
upcoming events.
Here is the link: http://not.scdsb.on.ca/
School
Council:
All are welcome at our first School Council Meeting on
Mon. Sept. 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the school library.
Classroom
Expectations:
Below you will find a variety of photographs which we
have worked on in class to establish our rules and routines. My top priority is to ensure your child is
safe at all times and that is why I will continually be reinforcing these
expectations. Please click on the
photographs below, have your child explain and share these ideas with you.
Class
Promise:
Every day after O’Canada and the morning
announcements, we as a class community read aloud “Our Class Promise” to help
us set a positive intention for our school day.
It has been going very well this week and students are saying it with
pride. There are hand actions that go
along with this, see if your child can show you these as they say the Promise.
Reach
for the Top:
I have shared with my students that I am never looking
for perfect, only their personal best.
Everyone is at a “different level” and that is something we must
respect, but we must all try our personal best to reach our highest
potential! It is my belief that practice
doesn’t always make perfect, but “PRACTICE ALWAYS MAKES PROGRESS!”
Mindfulness:
Perhaps your child has talked about doing “Brain Gym”
and “Meditation” in class? If so, yes we
have! Each day after lunch/recess, I
have been leading brain gym exercises followed by meditation. It serves as a tool for students to exercise
their brain helpers to improve their focus, concentration, and being more mindful
and present in their learning.
Eventually, I will have one student a day to lead our class in these
exercises which they’ll love!
Please refer to the picture below to see students’
responses about how brain gym and meditation helps us! Can your child state the “3 brain helpers”
and their function? If not right now, don’t
worry, I will be referring to these all year long so students will get a
greater understanding of these over the school year J
Outdoor
Learning:
We are very fortunate here at Nottawa to have an
outdoor classroom. It is located just
outside our portable! This year, we will
be taking our learning outside too and enjoy Mother Nature by our side.
Math:
This week, students received a math journal which they
will be using to write down their mathematical thinking. Students will be assessed based on their
knowledge, understanding, application, and communication skills. Getting the “correct answer” is not what I'm solely looking for. An emphasis will be on using
the 4-Block Problem Solving Strategy to assist students in communicating their
thinking. If they don't get the correct answer, that's ok! What is important is seeing the process and strategies they used in which they arrived at their answer. Partial marks will always be given for showing your work!
Your child wrote in his or her
math journal this week! Ask them to
answer the questions below:
- Math makes me feel …
- In math, I enjoy …
- In math, I need help with ...
Language:
This week, students also received a language notebook
which they will be using for reading and writing responses. Our writing learning goal is: We are learning
to write a “Recount” (retelling an event in sequence). Students had the opportunity to think and write
about a special event from their summer holiday. I learned so much from reading their
entries!! I am delighted to see everyone
enjoyed spending time with their family making special memories. Next week, we will be taking a closer look at these and sharing with a peer to receive constructive feedback (ways to improve). If you would like to read your child’s
recount, simply put a note in the agenda and he or she can bring it home for an
evening for you to enjoy!
Music
Recorders:
On Day 3’s, Mr. Morin will be teaching your child
music. He is beginning a unit on how to read music and play the recorder. Students are welcome to purchase a new
recorder from him for $6.00 or they may wish to sign out a used one free of
cost. If you do send in money for a new
recorder, please place the money in a zip-lock baggy labelled with your child’s
name on it as well as “music recorder.” Thank you :)
W.A.L.T.
Meet W.A.L.T. He is an important member
of our Classroom Community. He helps us consolidate our thinking and
learning. WALT stands for "We All Learned Today ..." I
encourage you to "WALT" at home and ask your child about their
learning from school!
Growth
Mindset:
What is
Growth Mindset? "In a growth mindset, people believe that their
most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
Brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a
love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great
accomplishment."
Studies
have been done to show the significant difference in a child's confidence and
belief in themselves and their abilities when they think in growth mindset
ways. Change your words. Change your MINDset. In our class, I
have dedicated a wall that teaches our children to train their brain to
thinking, speaking, and acting in ways that promote growth as opposed to fixed
mindsets.
Terry Fox who is an excellent model for Growth Mindset.
He taught us the importance of never giving up no matter what challenge
or obstacle is set before us. It's hard to believe any greater challenge
to face than cancer, yet he continued to believe and his powerful messages of
#courage #hope #perseverance lives on to this day! Terry's thoughts,
words, and actions will be emphasized daily :) We can be like Terry's
Mindset too, if we TRY.
Each
week, I will post a new Growth Mindset quote on my blog as well as in the classroom
for my students. If we begin thinking in positive ways, we will act in
it! We not only help ourselves achieve our best, but we create a
classroom community that emits growth!
"Oops, I made a mistake, let's celebrate! Making
mistakes helps me learn!"
Gratitude:
Thank you for taking the time to read my first blog
post. This will be one of many to come! I look forward to sharing
more weekly news, updates, learning and pictures in the next post! Please
visit my blog when you see "Blog Update" written in your child's
agenda. This indicates a new post for you and your child to enjoy
and celebrate their learning! I will be posting every Friday, so you
can read and see what we've been up to all week, YAY!
"Spread your LOVE each and everyday!" |
Namaste,
Miss Gill
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