Newsletter #18

January 31^st Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Hello again!

Our weeks seem to be getting very busy at this time of year! Here are just some of the things we did:

On Monday the kids enjoyed an entertaining performance by the Tiny Islands Jazz show. It was a full show! We also went to the library and did an experiment to with “blubber” to feel how penguins need the extra fat layer to stay warm in cold waters.

Tuesday we worked on the lowercase letter ‘b’ in printing, made mitten art inspired by the Jan Brett book, “The Mitten” and welcomed Glen (Drew’s dad) in to start a story making project.

On Wednesday we worked on writing in our journals, problem solved in math and continued working on our penguin books. Kaz came in to start teaching the class about how our bodies are our own and should be respected.

Thursday I was away at an Early Literacy In-service. The class worked on measurement in math, went to Whole School Meeting and had Music. Later they spent time outdoors and in the forest.

Next week will be “Nn” week for Show and Tell.

February is a very busy month. We will be starting a dance unit on Tuesday mornings run by Robbyn Scott, a clay fish project to replace the mural that is above the office doors run by Johanna Hoskins and two story workshops. It will be crazy and fun!

Important dates to remember:

February 5 Dance starts

February 14 Valentines Day

February 18 Family Day (no school)

February 22 School in session but early dismissal (11:30)

February 27 Pink Shirt Day

February 28 Spring Showcase 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

We found a cute little mouse in the forest!

Can you spot the mouse?

 Spring is budding!

Forest games

Centres time

Finding more critters in the woods.

Emma enjoying a sip of fresh water from the horsetail plant. 

Newsletter #17

January 25^th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Hi Everyone!

Another week goes by. Here is a recap of some of the things we did.

On Monday there was no school.   

Tuesday we worked on word problems in math and I was impressed with how many answers to one problem the kids came up with. Great thinking! We also worked on our printing and started making our own penguin books.

On Wednesdaywe continued learning about measurement by comparing smaller and larger items, and had free choice in the gym. Quentin came in and shared a First Nations legend about why clams spit water and we made native art. 

Thursday we continued learning about rhyming in our oral language groupsand Jace, Caleb and Rowan presented at Whole School Meeting. Later we worked on winter tree art outdoors and played in the forest. We are noticing the signs of spring all over the place!

Friday was crazy hair or hat day! It was a lot of fun to see what people came up with. Friday we worked on similes in our journals, went to the library and finished off our "winter trees". Later we made birdseed feeders in the outdoor classroom and set them out for the birds to enjoy.

Please Note: there have been a number of children over the last couple of weeks who have needed to use their spare change of clothes. It is very muddy and wet in our forest and boots are also still encouraged. Please be sure that your child has a clean pair of pants and underwear at school at all times. I had a few pairs of pants as backups but they have all been given out, at this point, and my supply is out. Also, if you have an old pair of your child's pants that you would like to donate to the school supply we would appreciate it. Thanks! 

Important dates to remember:

January 28 Tiny Islands Performance 

February 14 Valentines Day

February 18 Family Day (no school)

February 22 School in session

February 28 Spring Showcase 

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

      Enjoying the sunny afternoon in the forest.

Math puzzles

Q demonstrates his drawing skills.

  Math towers

Some of the crazy hair on crazy hair day!

 Making bird feeders 

A couple of monkeys 

Newsletter #16

January 17th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Hi Everyone!

Here is a recap of some of the things we did this week.

On Monday we practiced ball skills in the gym, worked in our journals and practiced our numbers. We also made very cute penguins in art and searched for different shapes in nature.

Tuesday we practiced writing the letter ‘m’ in printing and learned about the different types of penguins. We also had library today instead of Monday. Later we visited our special trees and made bark rubbings.

On Wednesday we started learning about measurement in math and worked on identifying the initial sound in a penguin themed game. Kaz read very realistic animal puppets accompanied a book about good choice making that!

Thursday we practiced throwing and catching in the gym and West, Drew and Harvey presented at Whole School Meeting. The kids also went to Music and we worked on rhyming in our Oral Language Groups. 

Our annual Spring Showcase is coming up on February 28^th. The page detailing this talent show went home today. Please have a look at it with your child and decide if they would like to perform something in front of the school or bring a creation to display. They do not need to participate at all and can choose to just enjoy the show.

Next week will be “Ll” week for show and tell. If your child has something beginning with the letter L to show on their day that would be great. I am not strict about this and they are also welcome to bring something they really want to share, even if it doesn’t begin with L. There have been some students who regularly miss their show and tell day so here is the list again as a reminder:

Mondays– Caleb, Chet, Drew, Emma and Elijah

Tuesdays– Galini, Aurelia, Harvey and Jace

Wednesdays– Jamie, Jasmine, Marrella and Poppy

Thursdays– Rowan, Silka, Stqe’ye, Violet and West  

Important dates to remember:

January 21 Schools closed

January 25 School Day

January 28 Tiny Islands Performance 

February 14 Valentines Day

February 18 Family Day (no school)

February 22 School in session

February 28 Spring Showcase 

Enjoy the long weekend!

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

Morning table jobs

Our penguin family!

Finding shapes in nature

Forest play

Initial sound game

Working with shapes

      

  

Newsletter #15

January 10^th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Welcome back Everyone!

I hope you all had a good holiday and are ready for a great new term.

On Monday the students were all very excited to be back at school. They were bursting with stories about their winter break and wrote about them in their journals. We visited the library, had free choice in the gym and learned about where penguins live. Later we talked about different ways to identify trees and made bark imprints using play-dough!

Tuesday we worked on printing practice, learned more about penguins and had vision, hearing and dental screening done by the Vancouver Island Health unit. We also made beautiful flower mandalas outside in the rain and sleet. 

On Wednesday we worked on math skills through a domino game, talked about storms and crated stormy art. The kids are all happy about being able to go all around the school grounds on their recess breaks now.

Thursday the class had Music and Whole School Meeting. Poppy, Violet and Jasmine presented their "rainy day" art. We also started up our Oral Language groups again and focused on categories. Later, we visited the bog and played "guess my tree". 

We continue to encourage the children to bring in any spare change to donate to Change for Community every Thursday.

Important dates to remember:

January 21 No School

January 25 School in session

January 28 Tiny Islands Performance

It was a great first week back. I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

Checking out some bones!

 Bark imprints

Forest play

Our class!

Shadow drawings

Making flower mandalas

Playing "guess my tree"