Click on square in bottom right hand side of document by the magnifying glasses to get a full size version of the calendar that can be printed.
![]() It's the end of September already- how did that happen?! I know the rest of the year is going to pass just as quickly as September has.
Just a reminder that tomorrow, Thursday Sept. 26, is photo day. Please return the pose selection slip in the morning if you have not done so already. If the slip is not returned the background and pose is selected by the photographer. We will be one of the first classes to have our pictures taken so clothes and hairdos should still (fingers crossed) be neat. If the proofs are not to your liking retakes will be taken Tuesday Oct. 29. Smile!
![]() One of the programs used in our classroom to introduce and learn letters is called the Animated Alphabet. Animated-Literacy is a comprehensive, researched based, multisensory approach to reading, writing, and oral language instruction that moves students from the earliest stages of literacy to fluency and independence in reading and writing. Phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, comprehension, and fluency are all key elements of the program. Although it seems as if one letter a week is introduced, the other letters are not excluded as the most current research shows that teaching letters in context is a much more effective method than teaching them in isolation. Removing letters from their meaningful context removes the meaning and purpose from the letter. Fluent letter recognition is one of the (if not THE) best predictor of reading success (Adams, 1990). When your child brings the Animated Alphabet song that they have coloured home, encourage them to sing the song (words/tune on the bottom) with the actions they can remember a few times during the week and show you the American sign language finger sign with the letter sound. Remember this oldie (actually, I think most of you are too young)? Click on the pictures for a larger version.
![]() We made it! Our first full week and boy were we tired this afternoon (me included). Just a few notes and reminders:
![]() By now I am sure you have heard plenty of garbled stories about the book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, which we read last Wednesday morning. To our surprise there was a note at the end of the book from Chester Raccoon inviting us to find him somewhere in the school. So off we went, following the clues, meeting new people and seeing new places in the school. We were sad not to catch Chester as we were so certain that we would, but he did leave us each a heart for our hand and some chocolate muffins before returning to the book. Boy do I wish I could have bottled the energy, excitement and joy generated by this activity (to be imbibed by me at a later date, probably around Xmas). We have since read the book twice more (hoping we would find another note but alas), watched a youtube version and acted it out with Chester puppets we made. We have also learned to sign 'I love you' so if your child has been making punk rocker 'devil' finger signs at you they are actually trying to show you how much you are loved. The school is required to conduct two lock down practices during the year and our first one will be done before the end of the week. During the procedure an announcement will be made over the PA system that just says, "Lock down." Because we are required to keep our classroom doors locked at all times in case this procedure needs to happen for real, all that needs to be done is shutting the blinds, closing the doors and keeping the children as quiet as possible. I will be explaining to the children that we need to practice in case there is an emergency in the school that requires us to stay inside our classrooms. Because they are four and five year olds and have active imaginations they will inevitably come up with all sorts of situations in which this procedure might happen. Please rest assured that at no time will I be elaborating on reasons for which we might have to activate the lock down procedure. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Hembling at the school.
![]() Wow! What a week! Yesterday afternoon things got a little crazy which is to be expected as we are still 'in training' but today was great. The fire drill went as well as can be expected and even though the weather was extremely hot we all ran one lap around the school in honour of Terry Fox. A few housekeeping items:
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Mrs. Bowden &
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