Happy Monday!

We had a great day back today after a weekend away.  The students started off their day copying down their weekly spelling words and working in their spelling books.  They worked on long 'e' words (grade one) and vowels paired with 'r' (grade two).  After spelling the children began their final summative project for our current Unit of Inquiry.  The students have been asked to write a story where they are the main character.  The story can be a real event that has happened in their lives, or can be completely fictional.  In today's class the students brainstormed a list of possible story topics, and then the students had to choose their favourite topic to write their story about.  It was important to choose a topic they have lots of ideas for, as the story needs to be about a page long double spaced.  Tonight's homework task is to brainstorm ideas for their story now that they all know their topic.  I have also asked that students get started on their rough copy.  The rough copy doesn't have to be completed tonight, but I wanted some ideas recorded.  During our IB Unit of Inquiry today the students also spent some time reflecting on how they have grown as students so far this year.  They spent some time reflecting on the work they have completed, and designed plans for improvement.  In the afternoon the children got a chance to paint their own landscapes of a Canadian spring just like we saw with The Group of Seven.  We all felt spring in the air today, so it seemed like a great time to get our creative juices flowing!  Ask your child tonight to tell you about their paintings.  They also went to french class.

Homework: Read for 15 minutes and record in the reading chart, practice weekly spelling words, Spelling Workbook pages 93 - 96 (grade one) pages 89 - 92 (grade two), and complete rough copy brainstorm.

Important information:  Tomorrow and Wednesday are gym days.  The week of March 5th, we will see gym days return to Monday and Wednesday as usual.

I have sent home envelopes with most students today containing some work that has been completed throughout the school year so far.  Some of this work goes way back to our first unit!  Each student had a conference with me today and we discussed the work, and reflected on how the student has improved so far this school year.  The students each picked out 3 pieces of work and we created a portfolio for them with the titles 'My Best Work', 'The Piece I Worked Hardest On' and 'Something I Would Like to Improve On'.  Please keep en eye out for the envelope of work.  It does not need to come back to school and can be added into your records at home.

Thursday, March 1st is the next casual day.  If your child has paid their $2 they may come to school dressed in any casual clothing they would like.

Pizza forms have gone home with all children tonight.  Please keep your eye out for them.

All children have brought home a permission form regarding an upcoming Reptile Show that is taking place at SJA on March 8th.  The event will give the children great information that will be used in an upcoming 'Charcteristics of Animals' unit.  Please make sure the signed permission form and $5 are brought into school by March 1st.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson

Grade One              Grade Two

1. we                       1. farm
2. eat                       2. corn
3. meal                    3. hard
4. tree                     4. park
5. three                   5. part
6. feet                     6. horse
7. heat                    7. more
8. neat                    8. far
9. glee                    9. floor
10. really               10. warm