I hope you enjoyed the long weekend!
We've been starting all new units recently, since Mr. G wrapped up units in all subjects before he left. Here's a brief overview:
Language
As you know, we usually work in reading clubs during our reading time every morning. However, I'm currently working on meeting with each reader individually so that I can see just how far they've progressed over the year. Keep up the good reading work at home!
Special Request: If you're reader is currently working on the RED level, please only take one or two books at a time and send them back immediately after mastering. Do not hold on to a bunch. We have very few books left at school and several students on that level.
This week we will begin our final writing project of the year. It will be to plan and write a story with a beginning, middle and end. To support us in this task, we will begin by brainstorming together and completing our own planning templates to help us consider who our characters are and where the story takes place. The hardest part is usually thinking of an idea to run with. We will help each other, and you can help too by talking with your author about what could happen in their story. Thanks!
Math
Last week we started our second measurement unit. This time we are tackling linear measurement as well as weight. We thought about why it's important to learn to measure and came up with quite a few jobs that involve frequent measuring, such as being the cashier that weighs items at the grocery store, being a carpenter or construction worker building houses and designing and making clothing.
So far, we have measured various classroom items using a variety of non-standard units (such as toothpicks or our feet) and we know that the smaller the unit, the more we need. We also learned how to use a ruler with centimetres to measure a length precisely (this is a grade 2 requirement, but some grade 1s are super into it). We will continue to practice measuring length, height and distance this week.
You may remember that I measured everyone way back at the beginning of the school year. Well, we've been re-measured and we all grew by between 3 and 6 (!!) centimetres over the past 8 months. Good job with those veggies!
Grade 1 Science
Our final unit of the year is Living Things. We began by brainstorming all the things we could think of that are alive, and eventually found that they fit into 3 basic categories: plants, animals and humans. We then discussed how we know that these things are alive. What do they have in common? We came up with a list of 5 or 6 things that all living things do, in some way. Ask your scientist what some of these things are. We are even learning a clever little song to help us remember them!
We will spend some time now looking deeper into each category of living thing.
Grade 1 AND 2 Science - PARENTS' EYES ONLY
Since both grade 1s and 2s have science units involving animals, Mme Boukas has invited us to be part of a special event that she is planning for her class. Please see the message below and email me this week if the cost would not be doable for your family. Please don't tell the kids, as it is not confirmed. We know we have spent a lot of $$ on trips this year and want to know if you mind contributing to one last thing.
From Mlle Boukas:
I'd like to have an animal handler come into our classroom near the end of June to wrap up our unit on animals. The package consists of a presentation including 8-10 exotic animals (native to either Africa or Australia; decision TBD) with an opportunity for students to interact with the animals as well. The cost would be approximately $8-9 per student.
If everyone is OK with this cost, then I will go ahead and book the presentation, then provide you with the exact amount required. Please let me know by the end of the week if you are NOT comfortable with the cost. Lastly, PLEASE don't mention this to your child, as I would like to keep it a surprise for the end of the year! :) Tentative date for this presentation is June 22.
Thanks!
Words of the Week
Grade 1: Our final sound review for the year!
We have learned that many times, the final consonant on
French words is silent, and normally this would be true in the word “allons”. However, when the final consonant is an s, and the next word begins with a
vowel, we usually make a liaison. In
other words, we use the s to connect
the two words - it’s easier to say that way. This occurs here, in the phrase
“allons-y” (=let’s go).
allons-y, crayon, continue, rond, un pont,
foncé, long, onze, monde, ballon
Bonus words: ils font, ils vont
Grade 2: This week is VERY different. The only job to do is sentences - 2 a day. The trick is, I would like students to practice turning positive sentences into negative sentences using the words "ne" and "pas". We practiced this at school today. We know that there should probably be a word (the verb) in between the "ne" and "pas", so if you find them together, say it out loud and see if it really makes sense. The sentences get progressively difficult as you go down my list, so start at the top and we'll do some more practicing at school. It's good to know how to correctly place the "ne __ pas" words within sentences. We usually know how something should sound, but it's still a very common mistake. Here are the sentences to re-write:
Je veux
aller au parc.
Je peux
jouer le violon.
Bleu est ma
couleur préférée.
Une heure a
100 minutes.
J’aime les
bananes et les pommes.
J’ai 10
ans.