Our last vowel is 'u'. French 'u' is a little tighter-sounding than our English 'u'. You have to kind of pinch your lips up like a fish. Ask your student if they remember the word Salut from our message this morning. Maybe they can teach you!
Other words with 'u' include: tu, tutu, tortue, musique, chaussure (shoe)
Look out! Several letters change, or dull, the sound of 'u'. For example, you may remember that 'u' is good friends to 'e' and together e+u just makes 'e'. Also, we will see the sound "ou" later. The 'o' rounds out the sound a bit so it isn't as tight. When 'u' is followed by 'n', as in lundi, the 'u' sound is also not as bright, but matches the sound in the word un (as in the number 1).
I haven't bothered the kids with all these rules, but it might be good for you to know.
In math this week we are working on measuring time. We have already learned about the different hands (les aiguilles) and that the shortest hand measures hours. Students have already learned to read time when it is right on the hour, and later we will work on the half hour. They learned to say: Il est [trois] heures. Keep your eye on the clock and try to catch your child when it's coming up to the hour to get them to read you the time in French!
In science this week we have begun a neat group activity of actually building the seasons using craft materials. Ask your child who's in their group and what season they are building! Next week we will all present our work in French and attempt our first self-evaluation of how we worked with our team.
In other news, choir is in full swing and has been really fun (at least for me) so far. Our non-choir students have been taking their activities and books to Mme Droney's class and have been doing great independent work. Bravo!
Tomorrow we will have another special visit from the Toronto Star. You received a little note yesterday - please let me know if you would prefer that your child NOT be featured in any photo or video.
Thursday is Pizza Day! Almost everyone has ordered pizza, so those kids do not need a lunch, but everyone will still need snacks and maybe a drink.
Finally, I hear that several of us will be attending a birthday Friday afternoon. As always, please let me know if your pick-up plans have changed for Friday. Thanks!
Have a great week,
Tamara