September 7-11

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a nice week and all have a terrific weekend! Here are some highlights from the week. 

This week most students were able to finish up their Super Shoe and Cupcake projects, which will be hung up shortly to personalize and decorate the classroom.

Within math, we started our Skip Counting unit, which is an important skill for our upcoming Multiplication unit. During whole-group instruction, students worked on coming up with the missing values that come before and after a specific value. For example, a question might be: You are counting forward and say the number 48. Which numbers would come before and after 48 to complete the pattern? In this case, answers will vary such as ‘46 and 50,’ or ‘47 and 49’ but could even be ‘36 and 60’ or ‘30 and 96.’ We also touched upon using a hundreds chart to practice finding the difference from one number to another. If you have extra time, feel free to practice these skills. For the first question, any number can be the number in which the other numbers have to come before and after. This is a great resource you can use as a digital manipulative. 

Within literacy, students continued listening to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, where students worked on a visualization journal activity to ensure comprehension from the story. Additionally, students completed a spelling, as well writing assessment, where they wrote about their highlights from their summer and had the chance to add fictionalized elements to it. We also began to focus on digraphs (such as ch, ph, qu) within custom Wordle games. Next week we will hope to do some journaling and go on a walk on Thursday as part of Social Studies.

Another highlight of the week was Buddy-Time, in which students took part in some drama games with their grade two buddies. Students also built on their computer-skills by finishing their All About Me Posters, as well as practicing some basic typing skills. This Thursday also marked the first time visiting the library this year. Students are allowed to take two books; one of which will be brought home, while the other will be read during Silent or Small Group reading.

Other Tidbits of Information

Our school is raising money for the Terry Fox Foundation with our Toonies for Terry initiative. If every student and staff member at MTS brings in a toonie we will reach our goal of raising over $1,200. Our class goal is $46 and we have a terrific start so far! Potentially see if your child can complete a chore in exchange for a toonie they can donate 🙂

Ask your child about if they have enjoyed using headphones to help them focus. We currently have six noise-blocking headphones that students have been rotating through, throughout the day. If your child has benefited from using them, it might be worth considering purchasing a personal pair for them. 

If you have been sending your student with an apple or a cheese-string, please check in if they are eating it, as there is consistently either apple or cheese-string being left out by the coathooks and is being wasted, and we cannot figure out whose they are!

A Note From the Gym Teacher, Mr. Van Sluys

Starting Wednesday, September 16th, we will be introducing a regular community walk routine as part of our PE classes. These walks will provide students with an opportunity to be active, get outside, and enjoy our school community.

Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather on walk days. Parents will be notified at least 48 hours in advance whenever a community walk is planned.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with community walks, please note that an updated police clearance is required every year. Our Parent Council Volunteer Coordinator has sent out a Sign-Up Genius for those interested in volunteering.