Patterns, patterns, everywhere!

Spirit Day

Spelling Words for September 28 - October 2

bed
mad
had
on
let
get
met
hot
at
put

Click here to see the list on line and play some games: http://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=1648962

Grade One Math

This week we started a new math unit on number relationships. Look in your child's Friday envelope this week for more information.

Number Relationships
Due: October 6

Please answer the following questions. In your math notebook, record your answers in pictures, numbers or words.

1. Collect 3 sets of 1-10 objects. For example: six stuffed animals, nine envelopes, two towels. Which set
    has the most? Which set has the least? Record your answers.

2. For the following numbers, draw a picture to match each numberal and print the number words:
        4, 6, 8, 3

3. Gather 20 small objects (buttons, coins, keys, marbles).
     a) Show 5. Show 1 more. Show 2 less.
     b) Make a group of 10. Make a group of 8 more. How many do you have? What is 2 more? What is 2  
         less?

4. Place 10-20 objects in a small cup. Estimate the number of objects in the cup. Record your answer.
    Count the objects. How many?
 

Calculators

Grade One: Please bring a calculator to school on Thursday. Please label your calculator. We will only be using the calculators for a few days and they will be sent home again.

We watched this video to help us remember our vowel rules:

October Hot Lunches

In the front pocket of your child's agenda, you'll find the order form for October Hot Lunches. Please send in the form and money by Friday, September 25.

Phys. Ed. Uniform for Friday

This Friday, please send your child in their phys. ed. uniform. We will be participating in the Terry Fox Run.

Students will be wearing their gym uniforms three days this week: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Spelling Words for September 21-25

he
me
go
so
no
a
an
of
or
for

Click here to play spelling games with this week's list: http://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=1574182

Grade One Book Review

Just a reminder that the first book review is due this Friday. Here is some more information that may help you:
1. Write "Book Review #1" on the top of the page. Please center it. Write the date in the top right-hand margin.
2. Your book review only has to be four sentences long. You may use the sentence starters glued to the cover of your notebook, but you may use your own words if you prefer. The sentence starters are there to help.
3. You can write the review on any book in your folder.
4. The book review replaces the one-sentence-a-night homework from last year.
5. You may choose to write the review in one night, or write a couple of sentences one night and the rest the next night.
6. On four day weeks, students will NOT be asked to write a review.
7. Please send in books and folder every Friday.

If you have any questions about the book review, please contact me: kwheeler@stjudesacademy.com

Curious?

Want to know what we're reading in class? Check out our bookshelf located on the sidebar.

For Monday:

• Please sign, empty and return Friday envelopes
• Sign and return spelling test (grade one)
• Bring in a smooth stone
• Return reading folder (grade one)

Stones

On Monday, please bring in a smooth stone. We will be painting stones on Monday. The stone does not have to be large - just large enough to paint initials or a small symbol. We are learning about the the first writing. Egyptians first wrote on stone. They used pictures called hieroglyphs. The Sumerians wrote on clay. Their picture-writing is called cuneiform.  Egyptians then learned to write on paper made of reed called papyrus. This week, we will be experimenting will all three methods.

Happy Birthday Quinn!

Happy Birthday to you! We hope you have a great birthday, Quinn.

Spirit Day

Friday is Spirit Day! Come dressed in your house colour!

KIP
Alex
Ephraim
Abel
Quinn
Larissa
Julia

TSPs
Clara Joy
Victoria
Shannon
Julian
Temi

ZBP
Carter
Stefan
Zackary
Aiden
Olivia
Klara

Grade One Reading

In your child's reading folder, you will find 2-3 books. Some children brought home only 2 books if the books were longer in length. If your child is reading a longer book, they do not have to finish it in one night; they may choose to read it over a couple of nights.

Homework

Today, SK begins writing homework. Please look inside your child's backpack for a writing notebook. There is a letter stappled to the inside front cover that explains the homework. Students are to write one sentence each night in the notebook and return it to school each day.

Reading homework begins for grade one today. Your child is coming home with a reading folder. All the books and information are in the folder. Book reviews are due each Friday, starting Sept. 25. Further explanation of the book review is glued to the inside cover of the reading review notebook.

If you have any questions, please contact me: kwheeler@stjudesacademy.com

Grade One Spelling

Each Monday, grade one students will be given a spelling list. The students will write their spelling words in their agenda and I will post the list on the blog as well. A spelling test will be given every Friday. Students will need to practice their spelling words at home. It's a good idea to practice every night. Here are some tips to learning words:
-write out the words, then cover the words and see if you can write them without looking
-write the words in the sand, with chalk on the sidewalk or write them in the air
-click on the following link to take a fun test and play spelling games: http://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=1507162
-have someone test you - ask them to say the words and you write them
-use letter magnets to spell the words

This week's list:
in
it
is
if
am
as
to
do
the
up
up

Family Tree Leaves and Photos

Thank you to all the grade one parents for sending in bristol board. The students are quite excited to start their family tree projects. This weekend, please help your child label their leaves for their family tree. They will need to label the leaves with the person's proper name and their title. They will  need one leaf per person. Please include mom, dad, siblings, aunts and uncles (if the aunt or uncle is married, their spouse should appear on the same leaf - see chart for clarification), grandfathers and grandmothers. Students may also choose to include cousins.

Please send photos of the following people:
your child
siblings
parents
aunts and uncles
grandparents

You may send in a group shot or individual pictures. Individual photos are preferable. Photocopies are fine. Please note that we will be glueing the photos to the bristol board. The photographs make the project more interesting to the students and help them to identify the people in their family. If you do not have a photo of a particular family member, that is fine. Please send in photos of as many family members as possible.

Please send in the leaves and photos on Monday.

Below are some examples of what the leaves should look like. If you click on the chart, a larger version will appear.

Grade One Math Homework

Thursday marks the beginning of math homework for grade one students. Each student will be given a math notebook. Students are to record their answers in this notebook. Answers may be in pictures, numbers or words. Record the date in the right hand margin. The title of the unit should be centred at the top of the page. Numbers should be in the left hand margin.

Unit 1 - Sorting and Patterning
Please complete the following questions and record them in your math notebook.
1. Sort laundry or grocery items into groups (e.g. all socks, all shirts). Tell how the items in each group are the same.
2. Go on a pattern hunt at home. See how many things you can find that have patterns (sweaters, socks, rugs, dishes). How many items did you find? Draw a picture of one of the items.
3. Make a colour pattern using different colour crayons or markers, such as green, green, yellow; green, green, yellow). Record your pattern.
4. Cut out pictures from newspaper flyers or magazines to make a pattern (vegetable, vegetable, fruit).
Due: Wednesday, September 16.

Grade One Homework

Math homwework for grade one will start later this week. Please check the blog on Thursday for more details. Each student in grade one will receive a math exercise book. The homework questions for the week will be posted on the blog.

Reading and spelling homework will start Monday.

Lunch Menu

In the front pocket of your child's agenda, you'll find a menu from Yummy Catering. If you wish to participate for the month of September, please fill out the form and return it along with payment to school by Thursday. The lunches are yummy and nutritious too. If you have any questions, please call 905-814-0202. A new menu will be issued for the month of October.

Grade One

Don't forget to bring in a piece of bristol board or poster board. You can find it at many stores, including the dollar store. Please make sure you bring it in by Thursday. Students will be making a family tree.

Friday Envelopes

Your child was sent home with a white enveope known as the Friday Envelope here at SJA. Every Friday, please empty the contents of the envelope, sign the back and return the empty envelope each Monday. Your child's work and school info will  be placed in the Friday Envelope each week.

This week you will find:
-math unit info
-an invitation to the reopening at Second Cup
-information about our new lunch program - more info to follow
-Scholastic order form

Math Homework

In this week's Friday envelope you'll find information about our current math unit.
SK - please complete the assigned homework and return the sheet by September 30.
Grade 1 - please check the blog under the homework section located on the sidebar starting Tuesday.

Grade One

As part of our unit of inquiry, we will be discussing family trees. More information will follow shortly. Each student in grade one will need to bring in a piece of bristol board. Students may choose any colour they wish. Please bring in the bristol board by Wed., Sept. 9.

Over the coming weeks, students will be asked to bring in a photo of :
-themselves
-siblings
-parents
-aunts, uncles and cousins
-grandparents
We will be glueing the pictures onto the posterboard. Photocopies are fine. Individual shots are preferrable, but a group shot is fine as well. If you don't have a photo of a particular person, please do not panic. Simply send photos of as many people as possible. Due dates will be sent out shortly.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please contact me by leaving a comment or by sending an email to kwheeler@stjudesacademy.com

Gym Shoes

If you haven't already, please bring an indoor pair of gym shoes on Thursday. These shoes will remain at school.

Your child should have the following shoes:
- 1 pair of outdoor shoes (shoes of your choice) that are worn to and from school each day
-1 pair of indoor running shoes to remain at school
-1 pair of indoor black dress shoes to remain at school

Essential Agreement

Today we discussed our Essential Agreement. We agreed that the following things would help us be successful in learning throughout the year:
1. To come prepared.
2. To listen when others are speaking (that means that we're quiet when Mrs. Wheeler is speaking).
3. To take turns talking - only one person can talk at a time.
4. To line up quietly.
5. To work hard.
6. To be kind and share.

For those of you who had children in my class last year, you'll remember the 6 stamps. This year, students will be receiving 6¢ for instead of 6 stamps - 1¢ for each item listed in the Essential Agreement. Today we sewed piggy wallets. If the criteria are met, students will receive 6¢ in play money at the end of the day to put in their wallets. Every Friday, students may use their money to purchase an item from the Friday Store. The store (prize box) will contain an assortment of items ranging in price from 10¢ to over a dollar.

Why I chose ¢ over stamps:
1. To help students become familiar with coins.
2. To help students become expert counters (counting by 1's, 5's and 10's)
3. To help students become experts in adding and subtracting.
4. To provide an opportunity for students to use money in a practical way.

If you have any questions, please contact me at kwheeler@stjudesacademy.com

The First Day

We had a great first day in SK/Gr. 1! SK learned that "i says ĭ for igloo". Grade one learned how to write e in cursive.