Playdough Request

We have been going through a lot of playdough this year! As such, we are hoping to have a couple of volunteers to make up some playdough so we can have a fresh batch? What we have now is getting quite dry and is very well used so I'm sure the kids would love some new stuff! I have a very easy recipe- and the kids love it! (Feel free to use it at home as well!) If you are willing, please send me a note to let me know. Thanks!

Smelly Play Clay
2 1/2 cups white flour (add a bit more if it seems too wet)
2 pkgs unsweetened Kool-Aid (you choose the flavour!)
1/2 cup salt
1 tbsp alum or cream of tartar
2 cups boiling water
3 tbsp vegetable oil

Mix together first four ingredients.
Add boiling water and stir.
Add oil and continue mixing until cool enough to handle. Knead dough until it isn't sticky (you may need to add more flour here).
Store in air tight container (Ziplock bag)

Special Dates Coming Up!

Save the Dates!

Thursday February 12th is Winter Activity Day at Clairlea! As the Junior/Intermediate students head out to ski or skate and the Primary students host their own Carnivale here at the school, the Kindergarten classes will be having our very own 'Valenter Activity Day' to celebrate Valentine's and Winter. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately to play outside!!! Our activities will include: games, a movie, treats, and fun! If you would like to send treats in for the class, please ensure there is enough for all of the students (29), it is nut-free, chick-pea- free, and Halal. Also, each child will be making their own 'mailbox' for Valentine's cards - if you would like to send cards with your child, please do not address them - it makes the handing out process very difficult! Thanks! 

Also, Friday February 6th marks our 100th Day at school this year! We have been working hard, learning to count to 100 (cent) in French. To celebrate, we are going to play some fun games, do lots of different counting activities, and asking the children to share a collection of 100 things. We'd like them to count them at home and bring them in for a show-and-tell. Please make sure the collection is small enough to carry! Some examples include: buttons, stickers, toothpicks, a picture, beans, beads, popcorn kernels, or pennies. The kids are really looking forward to it! 

Geometry Fun!

We've had a very busy week this week continuing to explore the wonderful world of Geometry! We've had lots of fun finding shapes around the classroom, sorting shapes, making shape monsters and doing a fun science experiment, making shapes out of pipe cleaners and turning them into crystals using Borax and boiling water!
Here's a quick look:

Don't forget! Tomorrow is a PA day - there is no school for students!
Also, next Friday is our trip to the Aquarium! The children are very excited about it :) Please make sure they have good shoes, backpacks, lunches and snacks so they can be prepared for a day of fun!
For those children that have siblings, you will notice that students in JK and Grades 1-8 will be getting report cards in a couple of weeks. In Senior Kindergarten we only give out Progress Reports in November and June. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to email us or call the school to set up an appointment.

Les formes

Happy New Year!
We have had a busy couple of weeks trying to get back into routines and school mode. Sorry for the lack of post last week! Your children have been very busy and excited to be back at school. We've had lots of reminders about keeping our voices down, leaving our sillies at home, and being nice to our friends. Please help us by encouraging these behaviours at home as well.
Since the break we've been learning all about shapes! We've looked for them around the classroom, talked about how many sides they have, and made some lovely art work with them. The students see them everywhere and are loving it!
Here are some of the new words they're learning:

Les formes             Shapes

Le carré                   Square

Le triangle               Triangle

Le cercle                  Circle

L’ovale                    Oval

Le rectangle            Rectangle

L’octogone             Octagon

Le pentagone          Pentagon

L’hexagone            Hexagon

Le losange              Rhombus

Le trapeze               Trapezoid

Une étoile               Star

Here's a look at some of the fun activities we've been doing:

Please make sure to send in permission forms for the Aquarium! I will be letting parent volunteers know who is coming as soon as I get them in. Thanks!

We're Going to the Aquarium!

On Friday January 30^th, the four kindergarten classes will be going to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada downtown Toronto to explore and investigate aquatic life, discover the fascinating world of sensational sharks, participate in an exciting workshop and make a mini-shark to bring home.

Your signature granting permission is needed, along with the $16.00 trip fee by Thursday January 15^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 Aquarium and Board buses 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 and snack is required. Please ensure that your child eats a good breakfast before arriving at school.

-          Your child will be making a mini-shark to bring home so please make sure there is enough space for this in the back pack they bring.

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

-          We will go to the aquarium rain or shine so dress your child appropriately  – please be aware that each student is responsible for carry his/her own belongings.