My Gift to you

                                                     Holiday Concert
The excitement of Christmas is upon us. The children performed at the Holiday Concert with enthusiasm and energy. As I'm sure they will tomorrow as well. Behind the scenes (the part you don't see), there is always a lot of hustling to get everyone in place, on stage, and in 'performance order' with their bells and sunglasses on!  Somehow it all works and you never quite know how but it comes together.

                                                        My Gift to you...
I have been trying to think of a way to do a blog give- a- way for Christmas. Then it hit me what I could do. I know the next few weeks are busy but I would like to give you the gift of time spent doing something fun with your child. So, I am willing to post my super, secret (about to be not so secret) Ms. Fink never fail chocolate chip cookie recipe. As you may or may not know....I like to cook. This recipe is a favourite at my family gathering...also known as `Fink Fest`.

                                                    Ms. Fink`s Best Chocolate chip Cookie recipe
1 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
Cream these 3 ingredients together

Beat in 2 eggs and 2 tsp Vanilla
Combine in 2 cups  of all purpose flour ( I have used whole wheat and it is fine too), 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt

Blend all of this into the creamed mixture

Add 2 cups oatmeal ( I use about 4 packages of the instant quick cooking oats but any kind works)

Add 2 cups Chocolate chips ( here is my secret... I buy the mini hershey kisses chocolate chips...you have to look carefully for this package in the baking aisle)

Optional - 2 cups nuts ( I add walnuts or pecans)

Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes.I make the dough about the size of small golf balls,  Let them continue to cook on the cookie sheet. I never let them brown in the oven.
                                             Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

                                                         Elf on the Shelf
Our elf Sparkle has been up to more antics this week. Here are some pictures for you!
                                                      Sleeping in our Kleenex box!

                                      Trying on the sunglasses from the Grade two performance!

Elf on the Shelf, Holiday performance, Letters to Santa

                                                                  Elf on the Shelf
I'm sure you have heard some talk about the antics of our 'Elf' named "Sparkle, Holly Elfa" by our class.
                                                           
Each day the students have found a letter on our smartboard and a strange hiding place for our elf. Of course our elf knits! Today she got into the band-aids and on Monday she was into the sparkles! It has been a little bit of fun as well as an opportunity for modelling 'letter writing'.

                                                             Santa letters
This week, our class used the laptops to write e mail letters to the North Pole. Using our Halton chatt system, we discussed how to send e mails, as well as how to write a basic letter. Using the graphic organizer below, we discussed how a letter is composed. We also discussed how Santa or the Snowman (students had a choice who to write to) would never enjoy a letter that starts with: "I want, I want, I want etc." Some of the letters are very cute. I will send the rough copies home for you to see. As well, all e mails sent will get a reply from Santa or the Snowman. It is always exciting when a student has a flag in their e mail box with a reply waiting for them. Great excitement in the computer lab!
                                              
                                                    Holiday Performance
The Holiday Performance is next Thursday December 13th in the afternoon. We hope you are able to come and see our students perform. Thanks for sending in the bells and props. I know the students are practising and excited...they often spontaneously break out in song while working in the classroom. It is those happy little moments that are the reason I like teaching primary children!

                                                    A funny story for you!
Today during gym, one of my students slipped a rubber chicken into my large purse. Not realizing it, when I went out to lunch today, I opened my purse, only to surprise the cashier (and myself ) with a rather large yellow rubber chicken! I had to explain, while laughing how a rubber chicken got in there. I'm still not sure if she believes me but the other teacher I was with believed every word!

Subtraction, Building Mountain Climbers` in Science

                                                      Subtraction Fact Strategies

We have started subtraction! Although we are starting it now, we will continue to do addition and subtraction all year to further consolidate those skills necessary for quicker computation and deeper understanding. If your child is struggling, don't worry as it is early days. I will be starting 'borrowing' or 'regrouping' with subtraction with the Grade Two students in particular. I will share more information about that as we get further into the unit. For now here are some great strategies to help your child with this skill:

1. Counting back - start with the bigger number and count back (11 - 3 + think 11, 10, 9, 8)

2. Zero Facts - when you take away all, 0 is left. 7-7 = ___think : take away all, 0 is left

3. Doubles - if you subtract half a number, think of the doubles pictures 14 - 7 = __ picture days in 2 weeks

4. Use a Ten-Frame - when subtracting 9 or 10, think of your 10 frame 10 - 4 = ____fill it up, take away
                                     4  and 6 are left
                                             



5. Counting Up - when the numbers are close neighbours, count up...11 - 9 =   think 9, 10, 11---that`s 2

6. Think Addition - think of the related addition fact...if it is 13 - 8 = ___ think 8 = (what) = 13  8+5=13,
                                 so 13-8=5

                                                                Science: Building Mountain Climbers

                                                                           
                                                    
The Grade One students are learning about Energy! Recently, the students in both grades built their `Mountain Climbers`to demonstrate the use of `muscle power`to move their mountain climbers. If you know me...you will know that I occasionally suffer from `malapropism`. So, I kept admiring the students  `muscle men` or hairy mountain men`, only to hear a chorus of MS FINK, IT IS CALLED A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER!!!...Oh well, here is a video...

Interviews, Bullying Awareness Week and Trips

                                                                Interviews

As mentioned in the previous blog, this week is student-led interviews. The students have worked hard preparing their portfolios for you to view. We have added one sample piece of writing with a 'two stars and a wish' critique. This means we have discussed two great things about this piece of writing to share with you and one wish for how we will improve it for next time. There will also be one sheet with goals as well as some thoughtful writing about learning skills. I decided not to add math as it has been going back and forth regularly and you have had a chance to see the work and feedback I have provided. As well, you have worked with your child so are probably well aware of areas of strengths and need. Having said this, of course if you have any concerns or questions please feel free to bring them up at the interview. We have a very tight timeline (especially on the Thursday night) so I hope you will understand if I am keeping an eye on the time and will be keeping things flowing along.

                                                   Bullying Awareness Week

A focus this week has been on 'Bullying' or rather the fact that we are looking at ways to build awareness and understanding about the different forms of bullying behaviour and what to do if this happens to any of our students. A big focus has been on demonstrating 'kindness' and 'compassion' as a school. Did you know that our students created cards for the veterans? Did you know we are having a school wide canned food drive for 'Compassion House'?  It is so wonderful to see older students model the organization of food drives or lead assemblies for the younger students. We are looking forward to a school-wide assembly tomorrow and a group activity with Mr. Earl's class.

                                                          Trips

Safety Village for Grade Two is scheduled for December 3rd. Great fun driving around in those jeeps!

Next trip for Grade One will be in February at the Halton Children's Musem

Reports, Learning skills, and Chris Van Allsburg

                                                                   Progress Reports

Progress reports will be coming home on Monday November 19th. Inside you will find the progress report and a note letting you know when your interview will be. We have tried to coordinate sibling interviews where possible and have also tried to accommodate requests for time-slots as best as we can. The interview will start with you and your child looking at their portfolio. This folder will contain work that they have deemed as their 'best work' to show you. As well, each child will have a 'Learning Skills' booklet where they  have reflected on their own school performance and will share this with you. I have always found that the best dialogue comes from the discussion around learning skills because this is an aspect of the report card that a child can control. After this initial 10 minutes of student led conference, then I will join the discussion. At this time, if you would like to talk with me alone, then you are most welcome to do that. On the back page of the report there is a section for goals and next steps....please feel free to talk about this with  your child prior to coming to the interview.

                                                                   Learning Skills 
What are Learning Skills??? Well, on the front of the report card there is a section describing Learning Skills and Work Habits. Here are the headings:
                                      Responsibility
                                      Organization
                                       Independent Work
                                       Collaboration
                                       Initiative
                                       Self-Regulation
In class we discuss each of these headings and try to make sense of what these big words mean to us. Here is an example of a chart that we co-created. While I helped with the phrasing the students came up with the ideas.

                                                 
Here is a Grade one student sample of what it meant for them. Although I think there is some confusion on meaning still, I do get a kick out of the pictures of me! I love how skinny I look and the hair!

             
                                                               Chris Van Allsburg

You may have heard of the Polar Express or Jumanji! Did you know that Chris Van Allsburg is the author that has written both of those books (later made into movies). Well, our class LOVES the books he has written and I am amazed at how well the students listen to even the longest story. Of particular interest was the book 'Queen of the Falls' which was the story of a real woman that went over Niagara Falls in a barrel in 1908. Ask your child about what Chris Van Allsburg hides in all his books! They will know.

                            Looking forward to talking with all of you during parent teacher interviews!
                                   

Remembrance Day

As long as I have been teaching, I have always grappled with the concept of how to teach primary students about Remembrance Day. In Grade Two, we talk about 'Traditions and Celebrations' as part of the curriculum. The conversation usually involves pointing out to children that Remembrance Day is not a celebration but there are traditions that we do to observe the sombre occasion (the assembly being held this Friday at our school is an example of that).  At this point, I am usually staring at blank faces. So, how do I teach students even slightly what this day is about while walking that delicate balance of 'not scaring them' and 'making a lasting impression'?

     I usually start with a version of the story of Sadako. 

                                                              

        

There is a story book and a chapter book and Mr. Cann our wonderful school librarian has them all. If I am teaching Grade 3, I usually go for the chapter book but since I am teaching younger students I will be reading the picture/story book. This is a sad story as it is a non-fiction account about a little girl living in Hiroshima after the war. Although, the story doesn't get into too much detail the children are always interested in seeing the real pictures of Sadako's monument in Japan and all the paper cranes.

                                                                

 I look at this story as 'planting the seed of understanding' with my students. I have always found that as students get older they always come back to tell me about how they read the book again or in one case a student actually went to the monument and thought about me reading her this book in Grade Three (she is now in University...I feel so old). 

So tonight, as I organize interviews, proofread reports and make dinner...I am also folding these....just to help students remember...

Hallowe'en, Hurricanes and Kerpoof!

Thanks to 'Hurricane Sandy' we have had indoor recesses all week. A good thing too as a few of my smaller grade one students might blow away in the wind! However, the lights have stayed on and we used the smartboard to enjoy what we like to call "Ms Fink's movie theatre" which only happens during indoor recess.

                                                               Hallowe'en

Tomorrow is Hallowe'en and as is the Florence Meares P.S. tradition we will have a parade right after announcements! Your child is welcome to come to school dressed in all or part of their costume. If they do not wish to dress up, then this is fine too. We will enjoy some fun activities and crafts throughout the day! 

I will be giving your child a glowstick bracelet to keep them safe on Hallowe'en night. Shhhh, if you are reading this in advance. They will last 24 hours but if you want to keep them a bit longer then put them in the freezer. Watch out that a pet doesn't get them...not sure what part glows if eaten by a dog or cat...yikes!

                                                                   Kerpoof 

Are you bored with the regular way to study spelling? The 'LOOK' , 'SAY', 'WRITE' method is helpful but occasionally you might want to shake it up a bit. Try the spelling section on the scholastic program "Kerpoof". If you spell a word and it is a word that can be an object then the students can create a printable picture. No log in is necessary. Just google the word 'Kerpoof' and magically you are there!

I think this is our new favourite book...the children made me read one page over and over today!
                                                               

Hope everyone has a spooky Hallowe'en. Please remember if you are sending treats in lunches they must be peanut free!

Peter and the Wolf - A little drama

                                                     Peter and the Wolf Trip
     All the Grade 1 to 4 students enjoyed their trip to see Fred Penner perform a dramatic retelling of the story of Peter and the Wolf. There were some great opportunities to sing-a-long as well as listen to a band create the sound effects to further dramatize the story. Mrs Kirk, our music teacher arranged this trip to enhance the work she does with our students when using music to create mood and effect.
                                                        We love Phoebe Gilman books!
     In language, we are learning about the author and illustrator Phoebe Gilman who has written many well known stories. We learned that she was a Canadian author who lived in Toronto and that she came to Ms Fink's class when she was first teaching. Her books include the Jillian Jiggs series, The Balloon Tree, Something from Nothing, Blue Ben,Grandma and the Pirates and so many more. We are working on the goal of 'retelling' so will be learning how to identify parts of a narrative story (setting, characters, problem, solution) using sequencing as a way to work through this process. When you are reading with your child, please feel free to ask about the setting, characters or how a problem is solved as you go along. This will really reinforce what we are doing in class.
      As well, we will also be examining fiction, non-fiction and info-fiction in the near future. Info-fiction would be a book that contains both true and made up aspects such as the Magic School Bus series which carries a fictional storyline (Ms Frizzle and the bus that flies) as well as the learning aspects which include real facts. So if your child identifies a book as 'info- fiction' you will now know what they mean!
                                                         Home Reading started this week! 

As I stated in my September newsletter, I wanted to take some time to read with each student and check for both comprehension and decoding skills so I could truly understand your child's reading level and learning needs. Please encourage your child to exchange books as often as they like and make reading a daily part of your routine. If your child isn't enthused, you could try the trick my parents did with me (when I was little). Set your child's bedtime at the usual time but allow 10 minutes extra as 'reading time' each night. The opportunity to stay up just a few minutes longer just might do the trick!
   

Reading is Thinking

                                             
                                               
Grade One and Two have been working really hard on building our 'Reading Stamina'. This means we are trying to read in a variety of ways for longer periods of time.This can look like:
*Reading the room (using our livescribe pen),
*Reading a 'good fit' book or magazine
*Using an e-book on Raz Kids, Tumblebooks or Bookflix
*Sharing big books, lap books or reading charts
                                                15 minutes has been our goal.
Many people often think that reading should be 'silent' but in a primary classroom some children are not ready for that. Reading together quietly makes more sense as children have the opportunity to discuss, predict, decode and problem solve together. This has been remarkable in my classroom. I often see good readers in both grades mentoring stuggling readers. Some students have enjoyed reading to the class when an opportunity arises for a quiet moment to enjoy a book together. I particularly enjoyed one students rendition of 'The Hairy Toe' complete with a spooky voice and another child's read aloud of 'Pigs' by Robert Munsch. As I head out to my own book club tonight (We are reading the Paris Wife which is about Hemingway), I am looking forward to having my own discussion about books. After all...reading is thinking!
                                                       

What can I do with my library barcode?

You may have noticed that a new sticker appeared in the front of your child's agenda. On it is your child's library barcode. Why is this important? Well, it is the answer to the' BookFlix from home' issue some of us were having. Apparently this is the new way to access BookFlix. The best news is that it allows you and your child to access other on-line educational sites as well. If you follow this link, it will lead you to Mr Cann's (our librarian) Florence Meares web page for further information. http://bit.ly/QQEy9Z
Happy Reading!

Trips

It was a rainy day when our 11 Grade One students set out to go to Springridge farm. Ms Fink and many students had on their new, cute rain boots and we all set out for Milton. Despite the weather we enjoyed the 'Haunted House' with the dangling pool noodles (or Octopus legs...depending who you asked) and got lost in a maze of corn. We learned about different types of pumpkins, squash, farm equipment and saw lots of animals. The best part was getting to pick our own pumpkins to take home! We will have to visit again sometime to see the view. Unfortunately when we climbed to the look out, all we saw was a wall of fog. I'm sure another day we could see all the way to the CN tower. Despite the weather, we had a great wagon ride, learned a lot and had fun!

The Grade Two children were able to stay at school to enjoy a presentation called 'Math Jam'. This is a theatrical opportunity for children to learn about math concepts in a fun way. I was told by the students upon my return that it 'really rocked' which sounded like a great endorsement to me. Mrs. Lee kept the students with her class which provided a great opportunity to visit with other Grade Two friends.

October 24th is the big 'Peter and the Wolf' musical trip run by Mrs. Kirk. This is for all the primary students so our class gets to all go. Please remember to fill out the trip form when you have a moment (if you haven't already).

Upcoming trips: We have booked Safety village for Grade Two in December          
                       

Thanksgiving, and a few turkeys!

Thanksgiving

The Grade One students made some turkeys to decorate for Thanksgiving. The Grade Two students will be making their turkeys this week (they will be to decorate the window). I think the Grade One students enjoyed the 'stuffing' of their turkeys more than making the turkey itself since we used my hot air popper to make the popcorn....(known for flinging more  popcorn into the air than the bowl). Please remember that this weekend is a long weekend with a P.A. day on Friday (no school for children but school for teachers) and the following Monday off for the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope everyone enjoys a great time with their family and friends.
                                                                  Raz-Kids
Each student has been given a Raz-Kids account and I have put the log-in information into each child's agenda. I have also imported student information (if they are in Grade Two) or created an account (if they are in Grade One). Using the Smartboard, I showed the children how to navigate the site, read their levelled books and use the questions at the end to get points towards their Raz-Kids rockets. I will monitor each child's progress and change the level where appropriate. However, each child has access to the 'bookroom' so there are lots of opportunity for student choice for selected reading material. Raz-Kids is quite a highly motivating way to read. I always think that I wish there had been something like this when I was their age. I remember 'scratch and sniff' books came out when I was in elementary school but by the time you got it from the library, the scratch part was usually  scratched away and all that was left was a dirty mark....sigh!
I understand that Book -Flix is giving some people grief so will talk to Mr Cann to see what the problem may be and will communicate that to all if a solution is found.

Math Strategies for Addition

                                                              Open House...
Thank you to everyone who attended last nights 'Open House' and participated in our mini Scavenger Hunt. I also loved reading your 'put up' messages to your children. I wish I could post a picture of their little faces as they beamed, sat up a little straighter or  giggled as I read them aloud today. Each time I tried to stop and save a few, they would chant, 'more, more, more'. Now if I could only garner that much enthusiasm for everything :)

Tumblebooks- We had a chance to look at the Burlington Public Library site for more free books to read. There are a number of Robert Munsch books on there that are read by Robert himself. (I'm not on a first name basis with the man but Mr Munsch seemed so formal) You can access it by going to FM library links section or use this link:
http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp

                                               Math Strategies for Addition:

                                                       
Here are some of the basic strategies that I am introducing in class...

1) Counting On...put the big number in your head and count up ( 3 +9 = think 9...10, 11,12)

2) Turnarounds...if  2+9= 11 then 9+2 =11 !!

3) Zero Facts....when 0 is added to any number the number stays the same

4) Doubles ...picture 2 groups in your head...5 +5  

5) Doubles plus 1 ....think of the doubles picture and add 1

6) Almost Neighbours...when numbers are 2 apart on the number line, go to the middle number and double
     it...6+8 ___ go to 7 and double it....so 7+7+14, 6+8 must also be 14

Hope this is helpful to you as we move forward in our math units for both grades 1 and 2. I will provide subtraction strategies when we start that a little later in the year.

Talking Word wall and other discoveries!

I am lucky enough to have my former student teacher (Miss Clarke) from last year helping out in the classroom. I know she will be snapped up soon by some lucky school board (hopefully Halton) but in the mean time, we have the pleasure of her helping out in our Grade1/2 classroom. She has helped make into reality an idea that I had this summer. While perusing the internet, I discovered sound stickers that can be activated by a livescribe pen. This got me to thinking....what could the applications be for a primary classroom? So, with help from Miss Clarke, we designed a word wall with predictable space for the stickers and made my idea into reality. So, what does that mean for the students in my class? Well, it means simply that students are more independent when reading and writing as they can check words without having to ask the teacher. I have a few more ideas percolating in this old brain of mine but for now...I'll leave you with a few pictures of the 'talking word wall'. Perhaps when you come to the Open House on Tuesday September 25th, you can see it and hear it too!

Patterns in math - Making bracelets

September 20, 2012
Yesterday we learned about 'Patterns' for math. We learned that patterns must repeat 3 times before they are an established pattern. All patterns have an identifiable pattern core which changes depending on certain features (shape, size, colour, number and orientation). To put our learning into practise we made bracelets using beads. Ask your child about their bracelets...check to see if they know their 'pattern core'.

What an exciting day we had on Friday September 14th. Our Terry Fox run was supposed to be the last two periods of the day but the weather forcast called for rain late in the day. So a decision was made for the Terry Fox run to happen right away in the morning to avoid that dreaded rain. We went outside for a quick song and energizer and then we were off. Some students ran, walked, held hands, chatted and mostly had fun. Thank you to everyone who sent in a 'Twoonie for Terry'.
                                            

Welcome to our Classroom Blog!

Welcome to Ms. Fink's Classroom Blog!  

Welcome to my blog!  I will be using this blog to communicate with students and their families about classroom and schools news, reminders, and upcoming events!  

Feel free to explore the different tabs (above) to learn about our classroom and the exciting things we are learning!

Please check the blog as often as you can!

Ms. Fink