Hello families,

We are continuing our exploration of animal adaptations. We learned the purposes of feathers and how they help a bird adapt to its environment. 

We've recently been learning about the legend of the dreamcatcher and the significance of the feathers, the beads, the web, and the circle. Check out the sketchbook page below.

On Earth Day last week we discussed the importance of taking care of the earth and the things we can do to make sure it is clean and healthy. 

We also discussed why people refer to and view the earth as Mother Earth.

Today we put all of our knowledge and learning of dreamcatchers and our land based learning into a beautiful watercolour art piece proudly displayed in our classroom! 

Ask your child to share their learning about dreamcatchers with you!

 

Hello Room 8 families,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend with their family and/or friends!

This morning we explored the animal adaptation - FEATHERS! We read the story Feathers are not just for flying by Melissa Stewart and discussed all of the things feathers can do for birds.

We learned that feathers are for:

- keeping warm

- shade

- blocking the sun (like sunscreen)

- soaking up water for the baby chicks to drink

- cleaning up dirty beaks

- distracting predators

- cushioning eggs in a nest

- camouflage 

- walking on snow

- digging

- carrying building supplies

- making squeaky chirping noises to attract mates

- floating 

- diving

- sliding

And of course... flying!

In math we are continuing our exploration of addition and subtraction! We are continue to practice strategies like counting on, counting back, making ten, as well as compensation and decomposition. 

Did you know that Friday, April 22nd is Earth Day? Here is the math game we learned today that involves addition and subtraction. Ask your child about it!

Reminders:

- Please send your child with their own spoons and forks to school (as we do not provide them).

- If you do not have your police clearance please contact the office as we plan on having one or two in school and out of school field trips before the end of the school year and will need parent volunteers.

 Hello Room 8 families,

What has been going on in Grade 1? Well...

In the winter we learned about behavioural animal adaptations which are what animals do to help it survive in its habitat such as hibernation and migration!

Now that it is spring and lots of the animals are out of hibernation or back from migration we are focusing on structural animal adaptations which is when animals have physical features (body parts) that help it do well in its habitat. 

Some adaptations we've discussed so far are animal:

Teeth

    

Claws and Webbed Feet

Beaks

Check out below some of the new work choices we have that focus on a bird's structural adaptations. Ask your child what they've learned so far and maybe to explain these photos to you!

Library Books

Today students are bringing home their library books! We have library every Monday afternoon, so books should be returned on or before Monday each week. Students can keep their books for 1 week. 
 
Today we discussed how to be responsible with the library books (i.e. Being gentle, keeping them in a safe place, not losing them, etc.) If books are damaged or lost, there will be a cost to replace them. We are so excited to finally be sending library books home again for students to enjoy with their families! 

 

Upcoming Dates:

April 14th - Fun Lunch Booster Juice

April 15th - No School Good Friday

April 17th - Easter Sunday

April 18th - No School PD Day

April 22nd - Earth Day

Kind regards,

Mrs. Amber Melindy 

admelindy@cbe.ab.ca

Hello families,
 
I am happy to share that we will be starting “Guest Reader” on April 11th. This is an opportunity for students to read a story aloud to the class. We have discussed what makes a good read aloud – here is our success criteria. 
·       Using different voices (expression)
·       Speaking loud and clear
·       Choosing a short story (between 5-10 minutes – not a chapter book)
·       Showing the pictures
·       Reading fluently (this means practicing!)
·       Choosing a “just right” level 
 
Students are able to choose a story from home or from the classroom to read aloud to their classmates. Students should be prepared to share their story on their designated Guest Reader day. 

This is an optional activity. Students may choose to watch for the first month, and then may feel more comfortable sharing a story with the class in May or June.
 
I will send home a calendar each month so students can practice at home and be prepared for their turn. Thank you for helping your child to practice and feel comfortable and successful! 
 
Thank you, 
Mrs. Melindy