Monday, January 29, 2018

Week Twenty - Finishing Out January

Day 91

Our Weekly Spelling List - Week Nineteen (Quiz will be next Monday)
                            Grade One  (long o words)            Grade Two  (ar and or words)
                                      1.   boat                                  1.   far
                                      2.   road                                  2.   farm
                                      3.   soap                                 3.  part
                                      4.   goat                                  4.   hard
                                      5.   loaf                                    5.   corn
                                      6.   oats                                   6.   horse
                                      7.  toast                                   7.   story




Students had fun this morning going up to the SmartBoard and pointing out words from our new spelling list for the week.  When the student pointed to the word, the class all said that word out loud.  The students with the pointer were allowed to mix things up and not go in order.  Lots of fun!


Today we learned how to respond to comprehension questions following the reading of a story.  The "Better Answers" strategy assists the pupils in coming up with a full and rich response.  The answer above was brainstormed by the entire class.


The children underline the first part of their answer in red.  This is the section where they "reword" the question as the starting sentence to their anwer.
Why were the bear cubs afraid?
The bear cubs were afraid because...


The green section of the response is the "gist' or the "main idea".
"...their baby-sitter was Mrs. Grizzle."
This was the "main reason" why they were afraid.


The blue lines offer some supporting evidence and the purple line sums up the answer.
We'll be doing more of these types of responses as the year progresses.


Our Grade Two students continued with their work in their Reconciliation booklet.


Today we discussed who helps us learn about Jesus.


The page on the right is split into three sections.


It asks who helps us at home...


...at school...


...and...at church.


Lots of students produced great quality work on their weekly homework this past week.


Just a reminder for all students to complete their work and return it by the following Monday.


Tomorrow we will be reading "The Parable of the Lost Sheep".  (Luke 15:1-7)


We will also read this older version of the same story.


In the weeks ahead we will read the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)


This story deals with saying sorry, seeking forgiveness and amending yourself.


We all know the story of The Prodigal Son.  (Luke 15:11-32)


It is another wonderful Bible story dealing with forgiveness.

The children will also read The Parable of the Good Samaritan as part of their Reconciliation Preparation.


Just a reminder to our Grade Two parents.  A permission slip went home with your child's newsletter and homework portfolio.  They must have permission for them to attend our upcoming field trip to the Museum of History on Wednesday, February 21st.  You must fill out the entire form and sign it.  We will require a number of parent volunteers as well, so hopefully you can all make it out!  Not to worry, Grade One parents.  We will have our trips coming up as well.

Day 92



Mr. Hamer is out to a recording session, so it will be a quick blog update tonight.


As you can see, we visited a Grade One class to sing today.


The children loved all of the songs.



I used to teach Mrs. Gillam the guitar a while back and it looks like she hasn't forgotten a thing!



Students love showcasing their work.



Even if it is homework.



Here are some pictures from our Noah's Ark lesson.



Proud colourers!



Good decipherers as well!



Big smiles for a job well done.



Friendship.


Lots of fun.


Proud puppies.



And puppettes!



He's proud even though he's occupied!



Lovely work.



Cool jersey!



Teamwork.



Today we read the parable of The Lost Sheep.



The children learned that we can sometimes be lost when we don't follow the expectations of our parents and teachers.



They also learned that if we are truly sorry that God will always forgive them.



Mrs. Gillam just e-mailed me a few pics from this morning.



Lots of children.



Lots of fun songs with clapping.



Lots of followers!



Even Mrs. Gillam got in on the action!

Day 93



Let's check in on our New Year's Resolutions.



Where we say what we want to do at home this coming year.



And...in school.



What about how we want to treat our friends?



The children came up with some great promises.



That they made for themselves.



As with all promises, it will take effort.



And a willingness to change.



As well as some "stick to it-ness".



What's your resolution for the new year?



Today, we assembled in the gym.  That's our class in the foreground with our morning buddy class in the background.



To review the playground rules.



And to learn a new program about dealing with any conflict situations we encounter while at school.



Then the two classes came into our room in the portapack where we started to read this fun story.  More to come on the program and the story tomorrow!
Have a great evening everyone!  Mr. Hamer OCT

Day 94



Mr. Hamer had musical engagements Thursday evening so this posting will catch the blog up.  I will post Friday's efforts later in the day.



We've just begun learning the WITS program when encountering conflict anywhere in school.  As you can see, the word WITS is an acronym.  We will be reading stories where the main characters could use the this program and we will hold in-class discussions around the stories.  The whole school is working on this great initiative.



Just a reminder, if you can volunteer for our Pancake Breakfast on Shrove Tuesday, that would be great!  Also, thanks to those parents in Grade Two who have already volunteered to attend our field trip to the Museum of History.  It will be a fun one, for sure!



Just a few pics...



...from around the room...



during snack time...



..when the students...



...prepare for recess...


...and enjoy...



...food and treats parents have sent...



We have been learning how to decompose numbers.


Of course, decompose means to "break down" and that is precisely what we are doing with the two digit numbers...in a variety of ways.



Under teacher guidance, this lad was able to complete the mini-assignment.



Two new chairs arrived for the class.



They swivel.  They also help the children focus better when conducting their work.



Another peek...



...over at...



...our My Creation Board...



...reveals...



...some more...



...of our...



...New Year's Resolutions...



...Great work, students...



Now, the big question!



Are you keeping your resolution?
Check in later to see activities from Friday!
Have a great weekend!  Mr. Hamer, OCT

Day 95


Indeed, it is February.  So...did the groundhog see his shadow meaning there will be six more weeks of winter?  Well, depending on which groundhog you listen to from Canada and the United States. I've read that some saw their shadows while many didn't!  Is it "fake news" or real!  Hehehe!



Back in class, the students showcase some of their favourite activities of the past few months.



For both lads it seems like this Christmas activity was a popular one.



Deciphering the correct word and colouring the Christmas ornament.



This young lady went to town...



...with her "Better Answers" worksheet.



As did this lad.



After we had brainstormed the best answer as a class.



"I like spelling!"



And...we like your work.



"I like math."



So do we.


Speaking of math, learning how to tell time to the hour and the half hour is part of our measurement unit.



Yup, that was 4:30 on your clock...or "half past four".
We know because the blue minute hand was facing down to the large 6 and the shorter red hour hand was halfway between 4 and 5 but had yet to go past five.


The hour hand points directly at the 10 and the minute hand is straight up pointing to the 12.



It must be ten o'clock!  Right you are!



A bit of "down time" with the chrome books.



Finds this trio immersed in activities.



While the "pink" bunch share what they have learned.



Hey, cool looking puzzle!



Because we have said good-bye to January, we went to the blog to see all of the fun learning activities we conducted back in January.



We brainstormed a number of ideas and how to write them.



Then it was back to our desks to finish the write-up.



With great colouring as well.


Sharing smiles.



Sharing supplies.



Sharing looks at the camera.



Checking out how to spell one of the words.



Working away.



Coming closer to the SmartBoard to verify a brainstormed sentence.



Dedication.



Devotion.



A great class!



Due to the temperature extremes, it was indoor recess.



Mr. Hamer's outdoor lunch duty would have been assigned to the junior yard.  This means he has the junior hallway to cover when it is an inclement duty.



Lots of fun things to see on the bulletin boards.



Check out the neat Canada shirt.



I love recess duty as I get to check in on some former students of mine.


Seems like card games...



...are the activity of choice for some of the junior crowd.



Or doodling by more former students.



I remember this party game!



Good old Twister gets you all bent out of shape!



Connect Four is fun to play.



Check out the cool creations.



Some more former students.



Fun at the good old blackboard...or is it green?  Hehehe!



A new purchase for the junior classroom.  Yes, you can cycle while doing your work at your own desk if you so desire!



Just hanging out...



...can be fun...



...when you are with friends...



...and cool learning buddies!



Back in class we are nearing the end of the day and the children are getting ready for hometime soon.



But, time for a quick fun game on the computer as a reward for a great week of learning.



"What are you playing?" the young boy asks.



"We're concentrating so hard!"



A great learning activity.



With paper folding.



Yes, the chrome books offer another dimension to the teaching/learning environment.



After the students left, I found a nice little present on my teacher's desk.
Gotta go and get ready to head downtown where the choir will be singing the national anthem at the Ottawa 67's OHL hockey game against the Peterborough Petes.
Go 67's Go!  Mr. Hamer OCT