Newsletter #12

November 28th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Hello Everyone!

On Monday the class practiced printing the lowercase letter ‘u’ and played with scarves in the gym. Later we worked in our journals and finished up our unit on hibernation. There was no library this week due to the book fair.

Tuesday we had a chance to browse the books at the Book Fair and then worked on rhyming. Later we continued our work with story telling in our Oral Language Groups.

Windy Wednesday was another full day. We made beautiful winter art, enjoyed centres and went to Math. After we had Amy visit again to do yoga with the class. The kids were able to follow along a little better this time and it was a lot of fun.

Thursday was a half-day to accommodate the student led conferences. The children all had a chance to practice each station during the day and were excited to show their families what they have been learning. It was so nice to see how proud each child was coming in to do the Student Led Conferences. It was a celebration of learning.

We have been working hard practicing our song for the Christmas Concert. The class will be preforming the song, “Little Toy Trains”. The concert takes place on the evening of the 17^th and we will gather in the classroom at 6:00pm to prepare.

Next, Tuesday at 12:45pm, I will be doing a winter wreath making craft with the class. I could use a couple extra helpers on this day. If you are able to come help, or if you have any nice greenery/winter items that you are able to donate to the wreath decorations, please let me know.

Next Wednesday our class will team up with an older class to go choose a tree from the Christmas tree farm for the school! It is an exciting tradition that the youngest class and oldest class get to do.

Re-Gift Fest is coming up on December 10^th! This is a wonderful Fulford tradition where families are encouraged to donate lightly used toys and household items and then the kids all have a chance to “shop” for a gift for each member of their immediate family (or those family members living in the same household). We encourage families to donate the same number of items as the number of people in their immediate family. It’s a nice lesson on giving that we all enjoy every year. If any of you would like to help wrap presents on Dec. 10^th, please contact Rebecca. 

Important dates to remember:

December 3^rd Wreath making (12:45pm)

December 4^th Trip to the Christmas tree farm.

December 9^th Re-gift Fest donations brought in

December 10^th Re-gift Fest “shop”

December 12^th Pizza Day!

December 17 Christmas Concert 

December 20 Winter Break begins 

Enjoy your weekend!

Warmly,

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 Some of the girls working on pattern bracelets. 

Painting during centres time.

The ongoing creation of the rock wall!

The girls wanted a picture with the sour grass we harvested.

"Mining" for crystals.

Forest play

  A family of quails in the garden.

 Playing with "puffy paint".

Newsletter #11

November 21^st Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Greetings Everyone.

Monday the kids talked about what November is to them and then wrote about it in their journals. We also practiced printing the lowercase letter s and went to the library. During last snack, I treated the kids to a popcorn “party” and we watched a program about lizards. This was a reward for filling our class bucket with kind deeds. 

On Tuesday, the kids were thrilled to find some of the forest paths flooded after a night of heavy rain. They worked together building bridges and exploring the waterways. Those without gumboots had to work around the flooded areas. We also made fall themed art and learned more about animal life cycles. 

Wednesday was our trip to the Shaw Ocean Discovery Center (aka Shaw Center of the Salish Sea). What a day! The kids all behaved very well and enjoyed riding on the double decker city bus! The aquarium was fun and we all enjoyed observing the local sea life. Thanks again to the parent helpers who came along, I couldn’t have done it without you.

On Thursday we had free choice in the gym, worked on math through a domino game and learned more about hibernation. Later, we continued learning about mindfulness and went to music class. It was a beautiful, sunny, day and we enjoyed going outside for the afternoon.

Next week is ‘Ii’ week for Show and Tell. 

Reminder: November 28^th is an early dismissal day for student led conferences. This is your child’s opportunity to share their learning with you. If you have not yet signed up for a time, please do so this weekend. Please arrive on time so you can visit each learning station with your child. These experiences/meetings are this terms report card.

Important dates to remember:

November 25-28 Book Fair

November 28^th is an early dismissal day for student led conferences

December 17 Christmas Concert 

December 20 Winter Break begins 

Enjoy your weekend!

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

 Morning table activities.

 

Learning about life cycles!

James reading a story.

Little bridge makers at work!

 Our trip to Sidney!

The double decker bus was a highlight!

We made it!

 

A beautiful day for a picnic.

                                                  Domino math

 Light table fun

 

Newsletter #10

November 15^th Edition of

The Kindergarten Class News

Happy Friday Everyone!

I hope you enjoy hearing a few notes about our week.

Monday was Remembrance Day, no school.

On Tuesday the class took some time adjusting back to school after the long weekend. I have started teaching them about mindfulness and deep breathing. We also worked on our counting, made shape creatures that were inspired by “The Gruffalo” and we had our Oral Language groups.

Wednesday we started learning about the core competencies through a book called, “The Six Cedar Trees” by Margot Landahi (a local teacher) and Celestine Aleck. We later connected to the animals represented in the book through drawing and writing in our journals. Wednesday was also our first yoga session with Amy Haysom. 

On Thursday we continued working with the Six Cedars book and Athena, Melissa and Nathan presented about it at Whole School Meeting. The kids also went to Music class and we enjoyed our time in the forest.

Friday was a school day to make up for the holiday Monday. We exchanged books in the library, worked on printing and played a math game about higher or lower numbers. The class has filled up our class “bucket” and has earned a popcorn party for all of the kind behaviour! We will have it on Monday. 

I have shared a signup link for our Student Led Conferences, coming up on November 28^th, with you. Please sign up for a spot. You will arrive at the class with your child at the designated time and then go through the learning stations with your child. A short meeting with me will follow the student-led portion of this activity. This is a celebration of the child’s learning and I will be focusing on making it a positive experience, if you have concerns you would like to address, we can set up another time to meet you shoot me an email. 

Important Dates to remember:

Nov. 18 Photo retakes

Nov. 19 District Reconfiguration Discussion at Fulford 6:30-7:00

Nov. 20 Trip to Shaw Discovery Centre

Nov. 28 Early Dismissal for Student Led Conferences (this is considered your child’s report card so it is important to be available on this day. 

Nov. 25-27 Book Fair

Dec. 17^th Christmas Concert

Dec. 20^th Winter break begins

Jan. 6^th School back in session

Have a great weekend!

Ara Van Riel

avanriel@sd64.org

Playing with numbers

Forest play

Morning stations

and sorting activity.

 Major building going on.

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