Recounts.

This week we started to learn how to write a recount of a personal experience. The children have discussed the importance of including the "who", the "where", the "when", and the "why". We have also looked at how to put our thoughts down in order.

So what did we do? First of all, we needed a personal experience to write about so... we all went a mini-excursion to Edge Park! The children were asked to pay special attention to what they saw, what they smelled, what they heard. When we came back to the classroom, we reflected upon what we had experienced and we used our recount rules and processes to record our shared experience.

Here is what we came up with:

Lundi matin, Madame Paré et la classe sont allées à Edge Park. Il a fait beau, donc nous n'avons pas porté nos manteaux. Nous avons quitté l'école en ligne et nous avons été silencieux. Tout d'un coup, quand Mme a ouvrit la porte, la classe a couru et a rigolé. Pendant notre visite au parc, nous avons vu des papillons jaunes, des oiseaux, et deux bébés. Nous avons entendu les voitures et les élèves qui rigolaient. En plus, nous avons entendu des élèves qui criaient " Madame ! "  Toute la classe a joué.   On a été très bien amusé !  C'êtait excitant et on veut y aller une autre fois !

Running towards Edge Park.

Almost there...

First sight of the park!

Je suis un lapin au parc Madame!

On joue sur le bascule.

On explore.

Regarde-moi Madame ! 

On s'amuse avec les balançoires.

On monte et descende la colline.

On a vu des bébés.

Voici notre belle classe !

On explore la petite forêt.

Regarde parmi les arbres !

On retourne à l'école.

Madame - regarde tout le sable dans mes souliers !

The students are also working on drawing pictures of their favourite moment during our mini-excursion. Here are some that were finished today:

Homework and book bags.

HOMEWORK PROGRAMME

Our homework programme will begin this week and run through to the end of the year.  Your child will be given a homework folder and the work inside will coincide with a sound being studied in class.  Each week, students will have some reading and writing exercises to do at home.  The homework will always be read through, described, and discussed before going home.  The following week, students will have opportunities to ask questions if they are unclear or stuck.  Work will always be discussed before going home: the material will never be new.

Homework folders are sent home every Friday.  They are due back the following Thursday.

A reminder that homework is part of our assessment for report cards, and I will be tracking work that is incomplete or late.

BOOK BAGS

This week we will also start our book bags.  Every week, students will be assigned a book and may choose a second book from our class and/or school library.  My expectation is that every child practise reading each book every day at home.  I encourage you to sit with your child while s/he reads, and ask questions (What was this book about?  What did it remind you of?  Or, predict what it will be about?).  Your involvement in the reading programme will be very important in supporting, motivating and encouraging your child to read daily. 

Each book bag will have a tracking sheet where students will write book titles and the date that they are due back.  I ask that you sign the tracking sheet every week, as confirmation that you have read with your child.  A big thank you for your anticipated support and involvement, in our reading programme.

Book bags go home every Friday.  They are due back the following Thursday.

Call for volunteers.

I'm hopeful that our homework and book bag programmes will start at the end of this week and am looking for a parent or guardian to come in once a week to help to organize it. If you have the time and the interest, could you please write a note in your child's agenda, or send me an email? Thanks!