Division 10's News of the Week

Good Morning,
I hope everyone got outside on Saturday as it was actually quite warm. There was this breeze that reminded me of a tropical breeze. In between writing report cards I went for a walk on the West Vancouver seawall and I couldn't believe my eyes when i saw some azalea shrubs bursting into bloom. Yellow flowers and pink flowers thinking it is spring already???? The weather is confused! Will the snow still be coming? I heard the hills are collecting snow??? Let me know if you see some!

We have been busy little beavers in the classroom this week. It was odd to actually have a full week at school. The kids were awesome!
We had two spelling tests this week, one on Monday (testing the week priors words) and one on Friday.They all did a great job. Keep reviewing the words from previous weeks, reading them and writing them so they become words that they just know (sight words).

I introduced two new units this week as well. The first was our unit of matter. We talked about what matter was? Where is matter? What can you do with matter? What things around our classroom were matter? Was a dream matter? a thought? So we discovered some simple rules to identify matter....ask your child if they know what those simple things are? The next day we talked about the three states of matter (solid, liquid and ice) and what some of their properties are. Their job was to look at several pictures and sort them into their categories. Over the next few weeks we will be discussing atoms and what atoms in a solid, liquid, and gas look like and we will also be doing a few experiments using solids, liquids and gas. The children are enjoying this unit.

We also started a new literacy unit. I started reading some books by Phoebe Gilman, an american born, but Canadian raised author. She is famous for many books but is especially known for her engaging, fun filled books about Jillian Jiggs, who is a little girl who loves to PLAY!! Jillian has a wonderful imagination and never says she is bored. She is such a delightful character that the children are loving to hear about. After I read a book the children are asked to summarize the story and then make a connection to what they have heard. Studies show that if children are able to make connections to what they have read or heard it will help them become a better reader themselves. They are doing a great job!

Wow, you should see our dance that Lisa is creating with the children! It is complicated and yet, the children are rising to the occasion. I have been so impressed by the children's ability and efforts that they have been putting in. I hope you are able to come to the show and have marked it in your calendar already. It is the Wednesday of the last week of school in the afternoon.That is December 14th. For this day we need our WHITE outfits. I understand that formal wear is difficult...and even white is difficult, but as it is a glow dance the white is critical. Today will be the last day I can take requests for the tights and then I will be giving the order to Kelly so that she can place the order so that we can get them in before the dance. Let me know if need a pair.

This week in art we talked about a famous Canadian singer who passed away, Leonard Cohen. He was 82 years old and the writer of many songs. They called him a poet, songwriter. He is known for his Shrek song...Hallelluah. He is also known for writing a song that I didn't know belonged to him, "Bird on a Wire". The other day when I was driving to school there were all these crows, sitting on a wire, appearing to look at the rising sun, or the sinking super moon and it inspired me for the art lesson that will be up next week. The children listened to both singers sing "Bird on a Wire" and before the art project we talked about the differences. It was really interesting to hear their perspectives!

As you can see we are busy in the classroom reading, writing, learning, talking and discussing. This is just a little snapshot of what we do!
Have a great Sunday and I will see you on Monday!