Pictures

Sandbox fun! We took our measurement unit outside and used the
sandbox to help us determine how many scoops of sand goes in a bucket
and which scoop holds the most sand. 

What do we see in the sky?

At the pond

Music with Mrs. Martherus -Experimenting with the percussion family

A Windy Day -Using our Wind Wands

outdoor classroom/raz-kids

Outdoor Classroom -we are spending more and more time outside every day now that the weather is nicer. We are spending at least and extra half hour a day, sometimes an hour or more. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately. I would recommend sunscreen in the morning and a sun hat/ball cap for protection. You can also send sunscreen in your child's backpack if you wish. Twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays) we are leaving the property to explore in our neighbourhood. We have been venturing to the pond nearby to observe and learn from the habitat there. These days we will for sure be outside at least and extra hour unless it is raining hard.

Raz-Kids/Home Reading -With the year wrapping up, our home reading program will be finishing the first week of June. Please return ALL books to the school the first week of June. The students have all been set up with a Raz-Kids account online (information will come home this week) so they can continue to read at home over the summer. This is an EXCELLENT resource that has questions and quizzes for the students to complete and reading for them to do. The accounts we are using are extras from other primary classes so I would ask that you register your child yourself, instead of emailing the teacher (you will see this option on the sheet that comes home explaining how to access it). Feel free to write me a note if you have any questions. Enjoy this excellent resource, I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the families that have used this before.

A few items

Outdoor Dress -Please continue to dress your child appropriately for the weather. Although the weather has been getting nicer, our yard is quite windy and often cooler then it seems. Splash pants, mitts and hats are still good to have and if it warms up later in the day they don't need to wear them. The children are outside for 20 minutes first recess, 40 minutes second recess and we are often outside an extra 30-40 minutes for "outdoor classroom" time.

Running Shoes-If you are sending your child with shoes that have laces please ensure that they are able to independently tie them. It becomes a safety issue as laces come undone frequently during the day. Thank you for your co-operation.

This Friday -Friday May 2nd is "Barron or Van Maren Day" where the students will have the opportunity to dress like their favourite (or 2nd favourite) male teacher. Van Maren wear would be track pants, sports jersey (usually soccer) and colourful running shoes. Barron wear would be a dress shirt, dress pants and tie.

Volunteers

Hello!
We have a couple of events coming up over the next two months which would require some parent volunteers. Please let us know if you are interested and we will accept on a first come basis.

Arts Days- We are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have artists come in to the school and do workshops with our students. The money raised by the school during our Boogie-a-thon has enabled all divisions in the school to have an arts day. We will have 3 artists coming in on Tues May 13th and Wed May 14th for the morning (until 12). The class will be split in half and one half will participate in 2 of the 3 workshops on one day, while the rest remain in the classroom, and the following day the other half will participate in the workshops, while the first group stays behind. We would like to have some parent volunteers to assist with the workshop if possible. You would need to be at school from 8:30 until 12 with a break while the students eat and have recess.

Outdoor exploration -As the weather has been getting nicer we have been spending more time taking our learning outdoors. We would appreciate parent volunteers to support this extra outdoor time, and venture into the surrounding neighbourhood with us (permissions forms have already been signed and returned). We usually stay out after first recess (10:40) so if you are interested in joining us in May and June please let me know what days you are available. If you are eager to participate but another time during the day works best please pass on the dates and times and we will do our best to accommodate.

Twisters -We will be going to Twisters on June 10th and June 17th (permission forms will come home closer to the date). We will be needing volunteers to come with us from approximately 1:30 to 3, more details to follow.

April News

Autism Awareness Day- Wear blue on Wednesday April 2nd in support of autism awareness day.

Toys -Due to the mucky weather we are suggesting that students keep home toys at home. We do not allow home toys in the classroom so the only time they can use them is outside where things tend to get dropped, or lost. With the change in weather it means that toys are getting muddy and wet so we would suggest the students keep them at home. Thank you!

Math -We have started our measurement unit and have been comparing lengths (longer, shorter, the same) as well as ways to measure things (using our hands, a string etc.). We will soon be moving on to experimenting with mass (heavier, lighter) and capacity (more, less).

Language -We are currently working on the last letter of the alphabet. We will spending the rest of the months (and possibly part of May) focusing on the vowels. Please continue to read every day with your child and to practice letters, sounds and sight words.

Book Orders -April book orders are due on Friday.

Snowpants and Extra Clothes -As the weather gets nicer we would still encourage you to send your child dressed in snowpants or splash pants as our yard is very wet, mucky and still snowy. The children are limited in their play without clothes to keep them dry. It is also important to ensure your child has a clean, dry change of clothes in their backpack that is seasonally appropriate as we are noticing the wetness is soaking through their snowpants. We will be spending an increasing amount of time outdoors as the weather gets nicer so appropriate dress is important. Thank you!

Lates -Please try your best to get your child to school on time as it is easier on your child to start the day with our regular routines and less disruptive. Thank you for your cooperation.