We're Going to the Farm!

On Thursday October 30^th, the four kindergarten classes will be going to Whittamore’s Farm in Markham to explore and investigate life on the farm, growth and change in plants and other living things, and enjoy a wagon ride through the farm grounds.

Your signature granting permission is needed, along with the $10.00 trip fee by Wednesday October 14^th. Please place the signed permission form, emergency contact numbers, and cash in a sealed envelope or Zip-Lock bag.

A number of adult volunteers will be needed to supervise groups of children. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the relevant section of the permission form. Your child’s teacher may contact you a few days before the day of the trip. Teachers may not contact everyone who volunteers as the farm and Board busses can only accommodate a specified number of people.

We will be leaving the school at 9:00 a.m. Please ensure your child arrives at school on time so we can get ready to go as soon as possible! Pick-up time will be 3:15 p.m., as usual.

Packing and dressing for the day

-          A packed litterless, nut-free lunch is required. Please ensure that your child eats a good breakfast before arriving at school.

-          Your child will receive a small pumpkin so pack a grocery bag to make it easier to carry home!

-          Please ensure your child has a backpack appropriate for carrying their belongings for the day.

-          We will go to the farm rain or shine so dress your child for the weather – light layers are best! If there has been rain; rubber boots are recommended. Also, perhaps a coat or rainwear; a sweater; and pants instead of skirts as the farm can be mucky. If you wish, your child may also bring a change of clothes, however, please be aware that each student is responsible for carry his/her own belongings.

Thank you… Merci! J

Outside Adventures!

We have been busy all week long, learning lots and having fun! Since the weather has been so great, we have been doing a lot of learning outside the classroom! We have been artists, scientists, explorers, athletes, and inventors! The most exciting thing is we have found some class pets - les escargots! We brought them into the room to see how we can take care of them. Updates to come!
Here's a look at some of the things we've done:

A few reminders:

~ We are still missing a lot of family photos - please send them in as soon as you can!

~ Please ensure your child's belongings are labelled - we've had lots of mix ups and lost/unknown articles of clothing and lunch containers.

~ Dress your child for the weather - mornings are cool but afternoons have been quite warm - please send some layers :)

Here is a list of some of the vocabulary words we've been learning so far - please ask your child about these words! :

Bonjour                                Hello

Au revoir                             Goodbye

Comment ça va?              How are you?

Ça va bien!                         Fine!

Comme si, comme ça.   Not too bad…

Ça va mal.                           Not so good.

Puis-j’aller aux toilettes?      May I use the washroom?

Puis-je boire?                   Can I have a drink?

Peux-tu m’aider?            Can you help me?

Le corps                               The body

La tête                                  Head

Les yeux                              Eyes

Les oreilles                         Ears

La bouche                           Mouth

Le nez                                   Nose

La main                                Hand

Le pied                                 Foot

Les cheveux                       Hair

Les dents                             Teeth

Have a wonderful and restful weekend! See you Monday :)

Picture Day, Pizza Lunch, & Terry Fox

This Friday, September 26th, is Picture Day at Clairlea! A notice was sent home today on which you can choose your pose and the colour of your background. Please fill it out and return it no later than Friday! And come to school with your best smile and a nice outfit!

Just a reminder, this Wednesday is Pizza Lunch day. If you have ordered pizza, you do not need to send lunch with your child. If you didn't, I'm sorry but the orders have been placed! We will have the opportunity again at the end of every month :)

We're celebrating the life of Canadian hero Terry Fox this Wednesday. Students were given a newsletter and a donation sheet last week. Please return any donations as soon as possible. Thanks!

Thanks for Coming Out!

Thank you to all who were able to come out last night! It was great to meet you all and touch base. We are having a great time getting to know the children and now you. In case you missed it, here are a couple of things we highlighted:
- Please check the blog on a weekly basis - we will be posting what is going on and any important information here so it is the best way to stay on top of things :)
- Please send in a change of clothes and a pair of indoor shoes! (running shoes are best as the children have gym or dance almost everyday) - lots of kids are still missing one or both of these things.
- Please send in healthy options for snack and lunch. If you need some suggestions for this, please refer to the welcome letter or previous posts. Also, please label your child's snack/lunch 1, 2 & 3. 1 = morning snack, 2 = lunch, and 3 = afternoon snack. We have a lot of students eating their whole lunch at morning snack time or leaving their whole lunch until afternoon snack time and many are complaining of being hungry or not having food. Please also remind your child of this process at home.
- Please read at home with your child. We don't focus very much on reading in the class because we are trying to build your child's French vocabulary. We are counting on you to work on reading at home.
- Please check your child's backpack on a regular basis for art work, notes from the school, or at times, notes from us.
- Our family tree looks very bare! Please send in a photo of your family so we can add it to our tree :)
- If you have questions or concerns please either send us an email or a note and one of us will contact you as soon as possible.

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Poem About Our Classroom: 'Just Playing ~ By Anita Wadley

When I’m building in the block room,
Please don’t say I’m JUST Playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play;
about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I maybe an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m JUST playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don’t let me hear you say “she’s JUST playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me “Reading” to an imaginary audience,
Please don’t laugh and think I’m JUST playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
don’t pass it off as JUST play.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
or some plaything at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in play
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it,
it is JUST play.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run,
and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m JUST playing.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I did at school today,
And I say, “I JUST Played”,
Please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I’m a child and my work is play.

Goals for Your Child's First Year in French Immersion

1. That student LOVE school.

2. That the students understand simple commands and conversation.

3. That the students have an emerging ability to speak French.

4. That the students can follow the basic rules and routines of the class and the school.

5. That the students use their imagination and creativity to perform to their utmost potential.

Proposed Units of Study 2014-2015

Below you will find some of the topics we will cover, activities and learning tasks we will attempt to accomplish as well as some of the assessment and evaluation strategies that will be used in our classroom throughout the year. (Topics are subject to change based on interests of your children)

Themes/Topics of Study:

-    Le moi (Me)

-         La famille (Family)

-         Seasons/ Days/ Months

-         The farm

-         Colours

-         Various holidays

-         The Body

-          Letters

-          Numbers

-        How things grow

-         Clothing

-         Positions

-         Shapes

-         Journal entries

-         Class discussions and activities

-         Play-based learning

-         Experiments and observations

 First Steps Writing:

-         use writing for various purposes (journals, letter writing activities)

-         independent and group reading

-         oral presentations

Assessment and Evaluation tools for language:

-         daily activities, class observations and class discussions

Topics in Math:

-         number sense and numeration

-         measurement

-         patterning

-         spatial sense and geometry

-         data management and probability

Assessment and Evaluation tools for math:

-         class observations, checklists, class discussions and activities

Science & Technology:

-         observation of our class pet

-         various experiments regarding natural occurrences

-         safe use of materials in the classroom and school

Assessment and Evaluation tools for Science & Technology:

class observations, class discussions, experiments and activities

Academic Readiness Goals to Work On

Fine Motor Skills

Ø      Puzzles

Ø      Buttons and Zippers

Ø      Writing name and other letters

Ø      Visual matching activities (match shapes, letters, numbers)

Ø      Identifying and copying basic shapes (horizontal and vertical lines, circles, squares, triangles)

Language

Ø      Vocabulary development both receptive and expressive

Ø      Learn colour names

Ø      Learn the name of various body parts (“point to your _____”)

Ø      Spatial terms (e.g. in, on, under, between, over, in front of etc.)

Ø      Encourage and model how to ask questions (what, when, where, why, how, who)

Ø      Listening to a simple story

Ø      Retelling a simple story (with a beginning, middle and end)

Ø      Simple sentences (expand on words said, if the child says “flower” say “Yes, that is a pretty yellow flower.”)

Number Concepts

Ø      Count by ones from 1-10, 10-20 etc.

Ø      Understand common descriptive terms (big, bigger, small, smaller, little, most, a few)

Ø One-to-one correspondence

Ø      Concept of ‘half’

Simple Strategies for Creating Strong Readers

Without doubt, reading with children spells success for early literacy. Putting a few simple strategies into action will make a significant difference in helping develop children into good readers and writers:

     - Read from a variety of children’s books, including fairy tales, song books, poems, and information books.

     - Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on children’s literacy and learning.

     -  Invite your child to read with you everyday.

     - Read your child’s favourite book over and over.

     - When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help the child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word he/she is says is the word he/she sees.

     - Read many stories with rhyming words and lines that repeat. Invite the child to join in on these parts. Point word by word as he/she reads along with you.

     - Discuss new words. For example: “This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?”

     - Stop and ask about the picture and about what is happening in the story

     - Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Help make a difference!

Snacks and Lunch

Please, please make sure you send your child with lunch and two snacks! -  One for the morning and one for the afternoon. Lots of children are complaining about being hungry and many are eating their lunches at snack time. Please make sure you explain to them the difference between snack and lunch and clearly indicate which is which. 

Also, please make sure you are sending HEALTHY snack options. We've been seeing a lot of cookies, candy, and chips and we are really trying to encourage the students to eat and live healthy. If you need some suggestions or help in this area, please let me know.

Have a great weekend!

Library Books

Today your child is bringing home a library book. Please try to read it with him/her. We have library book exchange every Day 2. Currently Day 2 falls on Wednesday. It is very important that the library book is returned to school by Day 2. If books are not returned, your child may not borrow a new one. Lost books can incur a fine. Please enjoy the book, read it, put it back in the book bag provided and send it back to us!                 

Our Schedule

Here is a copy of what we do each week. Please refer to the Clairlea Calendar to know where each Day falls.

Week One, Scholastic, and Our Class List!

We've had a great first week in Room K3! The children are having fun getting to know the classroom and each other. Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding as we continue to work out kinks and figure everything out with construction and new programming. We're getting there!

Today we sent home Scholastic Packages. These magazines contain tons of great books, activities and resources for you and your child to use and do together. We will be sending these order forms home once a month to give you and your child the opportunity to look through them and make purchases whenever you’d like. We strongly recommend putting them to use as there are many fantastic learning opportunities for your child. You will notice that some are French and some are English- we've included both in order to encourage you to consider options that you will be able to read and/or do with your child as well as improve their understanding of the French language. Also, purchasing from the Scholastic orders greatly benefits our class as a percentage of each purchase comes back to our class in new books! :)
Stamped on the forms you will find a date by which we would like the forms returned in order for us to place the orders on time. Please send the correct amount in cash (exact change only – we cannot make change!) or make cheques payable to Scholastic as we will be placing the orders altogether in a lump sum. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions regarding these order forms. 

Finally, a couple of parents have asked for a list of the students in our class so I thought the easiest thing to do would be to post it here so it can be accessed whenever :)

Alexander
Alexandria
Alexis
Ali
Aria
Asiana
Brayden
Brian
Connor
Daniel
Evalyn
Evangeline
Finn
Hasan
Heaven
Henry
Jaya
Jayquan
Lennox
Lily
Micah
Robyn
Rubaiyat
Samantha
Sarina
Tasneem
Vivienne
William
Xavier
Zohar

Thanks again for a great start to the school year! We look forward to continuing to learn together :)

Welcome Back!

Welcome to all returning children and to those of you who are new to Clairlea! My name is Stephanie Bauman and I am very excited to be your child’s Senior Kindergarten French Immersion teacher. We have lots of changes at Clairlea with Full-Day Kindergarten in full swing so please bear with us as we work out some of the kinks of a new program. This year I have the privilege of sharing the role of teaching your child alongside Kayla Crewe, a certified Early Childhood Educator.

In this letter you will find important information regarding our classroom routines. Please check your child’s backpack each day and read all notices sent home so that you and your child do not miss important information and dates. Any information the office would like to convey is sent home in this fashion. As much as possible, we like to avoid sending paper home and more often post important information on the classroom blog: http://mllebauman.blogspot.ca/ . We also post what’s been going on in our classroom on the blog (the goal is to have a weekly update on what we’ve been up to) so please check it on a regular basis.

School begins at 8:40 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Children need to bring a backpack to school each day as well as healthy snacks for snack time in both the morning and afternoon in addition to their lunch. The way snack works in our classroom is children are allowed to eat whenever they are hungry – once in the morning and once in the afternoon – so please be aware of your child’s eating habits and send the appropriate amounts of food. Please try to make it as clear as possible what should be for snack and what is for lunch. We don’t want your child going hungry!

Lunch time is 11:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m. All students are expected to go home for lunch unless their parents are working or attending school full time. However, if this is not possible, a supervised lunch program is run in each kindergarten classroom. Students who stay are expected to bring their lunch. Please note, all drinks, cutlery and straws must come from home and will not be provided by the school. If you have questions or concerns about your child staying for lunch, please speak directly with one of us.  

Healthy options only please! The Full-Day Kindergarten program strongly emphasizes the importance of healthy living and healthy eating and as such we like to use snack and lunch as an opportunity to discuss what is good for us and what is not. We would also strongly encourage you to send a litterless snack (we are an eco-school and try to produce as little garbage as possible) by using a lunch-bag or other container clearly marked on the outside with your child’s name so we don’t have any mix-ups. Water is strongly encouraged as most others encourage ants if spilled.

Some great ideas for snacks are: (Please keep in mind Clairlea is a nut free environment so please do not send any food with peanut butter or that may contain nuts)

       Apples- cut or whole     

       Orange- preferably peeled

       Banana

       Grapes

       Berries

       Melon

       Carrots and celery sticks

       Snow peas

       Cherry tomatoes

       Broccoli

       Cucumber

       Cheese and crackers

       Granola or Nutrigrain bars

       Yogurt

       Applesauce

Our classroom is a busy place where children are encouraged to get fully involved in their activities. Paint and water aprons are provided at school and worn by the children, but despite this, clothing may become soiled or damp. Please send a full set of extra clothes in a labeled plastic bag to be kept at school in your child’s cubby. Rubber soled shoes, are required for gym and outdoor activities. A pair of running shoes should be left at school this year. Please choose slip on or Velcro closures so that your child can put on and remove his or her shoes independently. Please do not send shoes with laces. Please write your child’s name on their shoes in a place that is clearly visible. Many children will have the same shoes as your child and this will help to know which shoes belong to which child. It is important to label all clothing, especially boots, shoes, outdoor coats, sweaters, hats, mittens and scarves with your child’s name.

Our classroom is full of wonderful opportunities to keep your child busy. Although we encourage children to share, we ask that toys and treasures from home are not brought to school. They are frequently misplaced, damaged, or a distraction which causes upsets. If something is needed for a special day, an invitation to contribute will be extended to all of the children in the class.

Another thing we ask you to send in is a photograph of your family. Part of creating a safe and welcoming learning environment for your child is to make them feel comfortable and at home. With this in mind, we are hoping to create a collage of our families to put up in our classroom.

It is our goal for the children to LOVE school and have fun. In order to do this, we strive to provide a positive learning environment that is safe for your child. An expectation of your child in the Kindergarten program is that she or he grows to be independent. To encourage this, you are asked to say goodbye at the Kindergarten gate and have your child enter the playground by him/herself. In addition, to ensure the safety of your child, please wait outside the Kindergarten playground until your child is dismissed by a teacher on duty. If you need to speak to one of us, please wait until the entire class has been dismissed. Students will not be released to anyone but the approved caregiver unless the school has been notified in writing or in person. As we will be establishing routines in our classroom, it would benefit your child to establish these positive routines and practices at home:

       Early and consistent bedtimes

       Read to and with your child often

       Nutritious eating habits

       Independence to dress and to help with simple household chores

       Use good manners (especially pleases and thank yous)

       Respect for oneself, others and things

       Spend time talking with your child and play games (alphabet, word, number games, puzzles etc.)

Don’t forget! You are your child’s first and foremost teacher!

Thank you for your support. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to getting to know you and your child.