Day 53
Our Weekly Spelling List - Week Twelve (Quiz will be next Monday)
Grade One (long a words) Grade Two (long i words)
1. made 1. bike
2. take 2. side
3. game 3. time
4. bake 4. line
5. gave 5. find
6. name 6. mind
7. gate 7. kind
7. gate 7. kind
"Monday, Monday" was a song the Mamas and the Papas sang many moons ago.
Indeed it is a Monday and we're back in the class after yet another November weekend.
The leading image is there to remind us that this is a four day school week. Yeah!
I've decided to place the weekly spelling list near the top of the posting for ease of reference.
We catch the boys and girls finishing up their work in Block One as some of them begin to get dressed in their outdoor clothing for recess.
It's great to see the warm jackets, hats and mitts.
Please remember to label all clothing items.
This smile tells it all. Recess is so much fun!
It's so nice to see a little one who knows how to zip up her coat's zipper.
Thanks! It sure saves Mr. Hamer's fingers!
Another young friend has her agenda complete and ready to be placed in her schoolbag.
Remember, every Monday our homework package and newsletter arrives your home.
"I'm proud of my efforts around Remembrance Day!"
"Me too!"
"I worked very hard to write nice things about our veterans."
"I really wanted my poppy to turn out in a colourful manner."
"It's fun placing a new piece of work on our My Creation board."
"I coloured my background yellow."
"I really work hard to produce a nicely finished piece of work."
"Do you like my efforts? I do!"
"I've completed a different activity around Remembrance."
This student learned so much about the sacrifices made.
(Each sentence was brainstormed by the class and the students could select between three or four each time.)
Yes, we do wear a poppy so that we never forget.
We also learned of the contributions of animals in the war effort.
The children enjoyed colouring this unique poppy.
"My shirt says it all...I "LOVE" school!"
"Me too!"
"I take pride in my work."
"I love to share my efforts with my peers."
"We learned about the many symbols of our great country."
Mr. Hamer was invited to present a music lesson in one of the junior classes.
During the last block of the day, Mr. Hamer showed us a few things about the guitars he plays.
He told us that he learned to play guitar at the age of ten.
He said that he's been playing this instrument for 50 years!
At first Mr. Hamer was shy to play for anyone.
After a friend pestered him for many days to play guitar for her while she sang songs at the local high school variety show, Mr. Hamer finally gave in and played the three songs just so she wouldn't keep pestering him!
At that high school variety show, Mr. Hamer and his friend came in "First Place" as voted by all of the other acts in the show.
From that point on Mr. Hamer was never shy to play in front of people.
In fact, Mr. Hamer told us that a "talent" can only be considered a "gift" if you share your talent with others. I'll have to remember that very special saying!
Here's a picture of Mr. Hamer performing with a different guitar while his other guitars rest on the stands in back.
Mr. Hamer loves being with all of his musical friends. In fact, the man on the white bass guitar (farthest away) was asked to join a band when he was 17, but his mother wouldn't let him go off with "that crazy guy" who invited him to join that band. Well, that "crazy guy" was "Rockin Ronnie Hawkins" and the group of musicians evolved into a very famous band simply known as "The Band". Have a great evening everyone! Mr. Hamer OCT
Day 54
Oh look! There's no check mark in the Friday box! Yabba dabba doo!
Of course, we still remember that Friday is a day off for the children.
Today was day 54 of this school year. We had fun dreaming up different ways to show the number 54. The boys and girls were thrilled to learn about the brackets. When I told them they were now in high school, their posture stood up proud!
We've been working with patterns.
The girls and boys are quite adept at figuring out the pattern rule.
For this pattern, it is an easy one...AB. The "pattern core" is "red square, green triangle."
Blue car, red bunny, blue car, orange kite. Easy...ABAC!
Two identical figures can appear side by side in a pattern. We see an example of this with the "BB" section containing the two red circles in this ABBC pattern.
The children gathered in groups to create their own patterns.
They had fun drawing their images.
While working in groups.
Whenever needbe, they were able to consult each other for advice.
Working collaboratively is loads of fun.
With "purposeful" talk taking place all around the room.
Smiles abound.
"How do you like my intricate shapes, Mr. Hamer?"
"I like them a lot!"
Cutting and drawing.
Though challenging, cutting with scissors is a skill that can be learned with focus and practise.
"Can you guess my pattern rule?"
"Hmmmm...ABC?"
"Good answer!"
"How about mine?"
"Let's see...is it ABBC?"
"How did you know?"
"My pattern rule is a long one and I bet you can't figure it out!"
"Let's try...I see a purple rectangle, a red square, a violet diamond and a green square...that would be ABCD!"
"You're pretty smart!"
"I made an easy one for the parents because they might not know as much about patterns as we do."
"That's a toughie! Is it AB?"
"You got it...congratulations parents!"
"For my pattern, I gave you the core as well as two more repititions."
"Let's see...is it ABC?"
"You nailed it!"
When students finished their patterns they were given the opportunity to work on a Remembrance poppy stained glass.
"It's special to remember all those people who fought for peace in the world."
A lovely example.
"I worked carefully to stay within the lines!"
"Me too!"
Some finished stained glasses now glued on the black background.
Still more examples.
"We've deepened our colours to really make them shine in the sun!"
"We did as well!"
Time to come to carpet.
Where we shared some of our patterns with our peers.
They were asked to try and discern the pattern rule for each pattern shown.
Since we've also been studying our country in Social Studies, this wonderful T-Shirt is very fitting!
Check in tomorrow when we'll share some more patterns and stained glass poppies we made.
Have a lovely Tuesday evening everyone! Mr. Hamer OCT
Day 55
Three paper clips down this week with one more to go. Let's see, three plus one equals four...hmmm....but there are five school days in a week...aha...not this week...check out the paper clip for Friday with its happy face!
More of our stained glass poppies making an appearance.
They look really nice massed together.
Remember when you were a child and your mom and dad allowed you to rearrange your room?
Yup, it's exciting to do the same in the classroom.
The students quickly got down to work upon entering the class this morning.
The smaller pod of desks in the centre is where everyone wants to sit...kind of like the main desk in the control room of the starship Enterprise on Star Trek!
Girl, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy...
Lots of smiles on the go.
The "wing on the left".
Hard at work.
Then hard at snack before recess!
Twins...well, close enough!
With Buster Bear getting in on the action!
In Block Two we headed to the learning commons to conduct our book exchange and read with our Grade Five morning buddy class.
With Mr. Papineau...
...and Mr. Hamer at the helm!
Ms. Avila set out a posy of books for the children to select to read together.
Indeed, loads to choose from!
Having an older buddy to read with is wonderful.
The students really get into the books!
Some groups held three members.
A girl and a boy...
...make a great reading buddy team.
After the "shared reading" with the buddies, it was time to conduct our own book exchange.
Selecting books is very exciting!
Back in class we read a little longer.
A little bit of "Catch Up" time.
Some more of our pattern strips from yesterday.
We see an ABCD pattern rule.
Another ABCD rule.
ABAC! Cool!
ABC rule with the purple colour changing tone.
Large triangle, small triangle...etc.
ABBC pattern...creative!
ABCD...cool.
An AB pattern.
ABCD is a popular pattern rule.
AB. Nice!
Another AB pattern. Nice!
Thanks for checking in!
Just a quick preview...next week will be our annual Book Fair in the Learning Commons.
More information to follow! All the best, Mr. Hamer OCT
Day 56
Homer means what he says, "Whoo-Hoo, No School Tomorrow!"
Today I spent considerable time with many of the students conferencing to further assess their reading abilities. We use a selection of "leveled books" which indicate their benchmark. It is a joy following along with the children as they grow in their reading abilities.
While a number of students conferenced, the others enjoyed a bit of "down time" after working very hard throughout this first section of Term One.
While we use the chrome books to investigate many areas of the curriculum, sometimes the children enjoy checking out a favourite game offered through the devices.
This child is enjoying his game.
This little girl is learning more about Christmas trees.
Rapt attention for sure.
Not a sound in the room.
Which allows me to listen to each child carefully during our reading conference.
Some students prefer working in their yellow folder completing assignments.
It was off to the gymnasium this morning.
The students had been asking to play soccer for a while now.
Corner ball.
Heavy action...so much so...it's all a blur.
Until I ask the boys and girls to "stage" a "freeze" action shot!
Lots of fun, for sure.
It also takes tremendous muscle control to hold that pose!
A good old episode of The Flintstones played while the children assembled for lunch time.
Our two very reliable lunch monitors from the junior grades.
Here's a fun Christmas tree game.
The girls enjoyed playing Santa.
Others were able to complete their poppy stained glass.
An easy art project which they are rather proud to have completed.
"Do you like mine?"
Yes we do!
A few more shots from Wednesday's visit to the Learning Commons.
Where we met our morning "buddy class".
Young and a little older share a book.
With the younger one of the pair reading this time.
While the older one reads here.
The children truly appreciate the help from their buddies.
Total focus here!
Over by the piano.
In the central pit.
Making a selection.
From the main table.
Friendship abounds.
Learning letter sounds.
Oh, oh! Here comes Ms. Avila! Mr. Papineau had better mind his "P's" and "Q's".
Tomorrow morning Mr. Hamer and his family will enjoy breakfast at Rideau Hall with our new Governor General, Julie Payette. Each year, the GG opens the hall and serves breakfast to Rideau Hall employees and their families. That's my daughter sandwiched between Mr. and Mrs. Hamer in behind our recently retired Governor General David Johnston along with a friend of the GG's. My daughter truly enjoys her work at Rideau Hall. Following breakfast I will head directly to school to enjoy a professional development day alongside all of the amazing teachers and staff at St. Bernard.
Please do enjoy a safe and relaxing three day weekend! Mr. Hamer OCT
Day 54
Oh look! There's no check mark in the Friday box! Yabba dabba doo!
Of course, we still remember that Friday is a day off for the children.
Today was day 54 of this school year. We had fun dreaming up different ways to show the number 54. The boys and girls were thrilled to learn about the brackets. When I told them they were now in high school, their posture stood up proud!
We've been working with patterns.
The girls and boys are quite adept at figuring out the pattern rule.
For this pattern, it is an easy one...AB. The "pattern core" is "red square, green triangle."
Blue car, red bunny, blue car, orange kite. Easy...ABAC!
Two identical figures can appear side by side in a pattern. We see an example of this with the "BB" section containing the two red circles in this ABBC pattern.
The children gathered in groups to create their own patterns.
They had fun drawing their images.
While working in groups.
Whenever needbe, they were able to consult each other for advice.
Working collaboratively is loads of fun.
With "purposeful" talk taking place all around the room.
Smiles abound.
"How do you like my intricate shapes, Mr. Hamer?"
"I like them a lot!"
Cutting and drawing.
Though challenging, cutting with scissors is a skill that can be learned with focus and practise.
"Can you guess my pattern rule?"
"Hmmmm...ABC?"
"Good answer!"
"How about mine?"
"Let's see...is it ABBC?"
"How did you know?"
"My pattern rule is a long one and I bet you can't figure it out!"
"Let's try...I see a purple rectangle, a red square, a violet diamond and a green square...that would be ABCD!"
"You're pretty smart!"
"I made an easy one for the parents because they might not know as much about patterns as we do."
"That's a toughie! Is it AB?"
"You got it...congratulations parents!"
"For my pattern, I gave you the core as well as two more repititions."
"Let's see...is it ABC?"
"You nailed it!"
When students finished their patterns they were given the opportunity to work on a Remembrance poppy stained glass.
"It's special to remember all those people who fought for peace in the world."
A lovely example.
"I worked carefully to stay within the lines!"
"Me too!"
Some finished stained glasses now glued on the black background.
Still more examples.
"We've deepened our colours to really make them shine in the sun!"
"We did as well!"
Time to come to carpet.
Where we shared some of our patterns with our peers.
They were asked to try and discern the pattern rule for each pattern shown.
Check in tomorrow when we'll share some more patterns and stained glass poppies we made.
Have a lovely Tuesday evening everyone! Mr. Hamer OCT
Day 55
Three paper clips down this week with one more to go. Let's see, three plus one equals four...hmmm....but there are five school days in a week...aha...not this week...check out the paper clip for Friday with its happy face!
More of our stained glass poppies making an appearance.
They look really nice massed together.
Remember when you were a child and your mom and dad allowed you to rearrange your room?
Yup, it's exciting to do the same in the classroom.
The students quickly got down to work upon entering the class this morning.
The smaller pod of desks in the centre is where everyone wants to sit...kind of like the main desk in the control room of the starship Enterprise on Star Trek!
Girl, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy...
Lots of smiles on the go.
The "wing on the left".
Hard at work.
Then hard at snack before recess!
Twins...well, close enough!
With Buster Bear getting in on the action!
In Block Two we headed to the learning commons to conduct our book exchange and read with our Grade Five morning buddy class.
With Mr. Papineau...
...and Mr. Hamer at the helm!
Ms. Avila set out a posy of books for the children to select to read together.
Indeed, loads to choose from!
Having an older buddy to read with is wonderful.
The students really get into the books!
Some groups held three members.
A girl and a boy...
...make a great reading buddy team.
After the "shared reading" with the buddies, it was time to conduct our own book exchange.
Selecting books is very exciting!
Back in class we read a little longer.
A little bit of "Catch Up" time.
Some more of our pattern strips from yesterday.
We see an ABCD pattern rule.
Another ABCD rule.
ABAC! Cool!
ABC rule with the purple colour changing tone.
Large triangle, small triangle...etc.
ABBC pattern...creative!
ABCD...cool.
An AB pattern.
ABCD is a popular pattern rule.
AB. Nice!
Another AB pattern. Nice!
Thanks for checking in!
Just a quick preview...next week will be our annual Book Fair in the Learning Commons.
More information to follow! All the best, Mr. Hamer OCT
Day 56
Homer means what he says, "Whoo-Hoo, No School Tomorrow!"
Today I spent considerable time with many of the students conferencing to further assess their reading abilities. We use a selection of "leveled books" which indicate their benchmark. It is a joy following along with the children as they grow in their reading abilities.
While a number of students conferenced, the others enjoyed a bit of "down time" after working very hard throughout this first section of Term One.
While we use the chrome books to investigate many areas of the curriculum, sometimes the children enjoy checking out a favourite game offered through the devices.
This child is enjoying his game.
This little girl is learning more about Christmas trees.
Rapt attention for sure.
Not a sound in the room.
Which allows me to listen to each child carefully during our reading conference.
Some students prefer working in their yellow folder completing assignments.
It was off to the gymnasium this morning.
The students had been asking to play soccer for a while now.
Corner ball.
Heavy action...so much so...it's all a blur.
Until I ask the boys and girls to "stage" a "freeze" action shot!
Lots of fun, for sure.
It also takes tremendous muscle control to hold that pose!
A good old episode of The Flintstones played while the children assembled for lunch time.
Our two very reliable lunch monitors from the junior grades.
Here's a fun Christmas tree game.
The girls enjoyed playing Santa.
Others were able to complete their poppy stained glass.
An easy art project which they are rather proud to have completed.
"Do you like mine?"
Yes we do!
A few more shots from Wednesday's visit to the Learning Commons.
Where we met our morning "buddy class".
Young and a little older share a book.
With the younger one of the pair reading this time.
While the older one reads here.
The children truly appreciate the help from their buddies.
Total focus here!
Over by the piano.
In the central pit.
Making a selection.
From the main table.
Friendship abounds.
Learning letter sounds.
Oh, oh! Here comes Ms. Avila! Mr. Papineau had better mind his "P's" and "Q's".
Tomorrow morning Mr. Hamer and his family will enjoy breakfast at Rideau Hall with our new Governor General, Julie Payette. Each year, the GG opens the hall and serves breakfast to Rideau Hall employees and their families. That's my daughter sandwiched between Mr. and Mrs. Hamer in behind our recently retired Governor General David Johnston along with a friend of the GG's. My daughter truly enjoys her work at Rideau Hall. Following breakfast I will head directly to school to enjoy a professional development day alongside all of the amazing teachers and staff at St. Bernard.
Please do enjoy a safe and relaxing three day weekend! Mr. Hamer OCT
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