January Newsletter

Inquiry Projects

This month both classes are exploring the properties of snow by bringing snow into the classroom and investigating it outside!  We will experiment with melting snow and ice and mixing snow with other materials.

Our other area of interest is winter and arctic animals!  The students were excited to see photos of the new baby polar bear at the Toronto Zoo!

Math

This month we will focus on measurement.  The children will explore non-standard (for example, measuring with hands or paper clips) and standard units of measurement (for example, measuring with a thermometer or ruler).  To support this unit at home, try making snow angels outside and measuring the length and width using footprints.  Try it with each family member!  Inviting your child to cook or bake with you is another wonderful opportunity for hands on learning about mathematics!

Important Dates

January 17^th – Trip to Forest Valley

January 24^th – PA Day (no school)

February 17^th – Family Day (no school)

February 20^th – Trip to the ROM (information will be sent home soon!)

February 21^st – Jump Rope for Heart

Trip to Forest Valley

January 17^th – all day!

We are traveling to Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre via school bus!  Please make sure your child is dressed for a day of outdoor fun!  Layers and warm clothes are required.

ALL students (including daycare children) need a waste free lunch and a water bottle.

Parent volunteers are welcome to join us!  Please speak to your classroom teacher or ECE if you are available for the day.

February Report Cards

This term only JK students will receive report cards in February.  As always, you are welcome to contact us at any time for an update on your child’s progress.

Class Pet

We will be welcoming fish into our classrooms this month as our new class pets!  Our first fish will be platys, which are a friendly breed of fish that give live birth!  We look forward to learning about pet care with the children and seeing where their curiosities lead us.

Class trip to Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre

On Friday, January 17th we will travel by school bus to Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre.

Permission forms and information about this trip were sent home today, Monday January 6th.  If you did not receive a form or require a second one let us know as soon as possible!

The cost is $8 per student.  Please speak to your classroom teacher or ECE if you are unable to pay but would still like your child to attend.

Fortunately the weather is forecast is mild next week!  It is still important to dress warmly for this trip.  Snow pants, snow boots, warm jacket, hat, mittens and scarf are necessary.  Dressing in layers is also ideal for keeping warm (for example, a t-shirt, with a long sleeve cotton shirt, with a sweater over top).

Students will need to bring a waste free lunch (no garbage).  Please send a water bottle in your child's lunch.

We will depart school shortly after arrival and will return before our usual dismissal.

Parent volunteers are needed!  Please let your classroom teacher or ECE know if you are available to travel with us!

Snow: Our January Inquiry

This month the children's interest in weather and the seasons has lead us to investigate snow.  So plentiful and widely available!

Some the the children's questions include what snow is made of and where does it come from. We will also be experimenting with bringing it indoors and mixing it with other materials.

Today we added snow to our water table and noticed it change throughout the day.

In the morning the children described it as hard, cold and icy.  They noticed their hands quickly got cold when touching it!

Later in the day, the snow was described as slush, water, melting and softer.  The children were able to handle it longer as it changed to water!

Meanwhile, we still have our usual learning centres open and full of curious, engaged students!

Painting

Literacy and Fine Motor skills

Reading

Dramatic Play

Mathematics

Science

Scientist in Schools Workshop - I Am a Scientist!

Just before the holiday our Kindergarten classes enjoyed a half day of fun experiments and investigation with Scientist Sara!

A BIG thank you to all the parents and grandparents who volunteered to help run this fantastic program.  Our next workshop is scheduled for April and we will be looking for volunteers again!

Here are a few of our Junior Scientists at work.

A Few Reminders...

Thursday, December 19th @ 2:10 - Our students will be preforming at Poetry Cafe in the gym and inviting family members to our classroom to see their poetry work.
Parents are welcome to sign their child out after the presentation.


Friday, December 20th - First day of winter holiday, no school for students.
School resumes Monday, January 6th!  Have a wonderful winter vacation!


Arts and Science Fees are now due!  $20/child or $30/family.
Our students thoroughly enjoyed the Rumplestiltskin show at the beginning of December and will experiment with Scientists in the School December 18th.  
Please return your form and fee as soon as possible so our students can continue having these wonderful experiences!

Roywood's Parenting and Family Literacy Centre

The Kindergarten students had the pleasure of visiting the Parenting and Family Literacy Centre this week!  We explored their learning centres and enjoyed snack and circle with some new friends.  The PFLC is open daily from 8:15-12:15 for all children under 6 and their caregivers!  That means Mom, Dad, Grandparents or Babysitters can drop in at any time for fun, learning, socialization and preparing your youngster for Kindergarten.  The program is 100% FREE and everyone is welcome!  We hope to see many more younger siblings there next time we visit!

**Please note:
-the PFLC will be open Dec 20th when there is no school for Kindergarten students
-the PFLC will be closed Dec. 21 - Jan. 5 for the school's winter holiday.

Structures

We're beginning a new unit on structures.  Today we introduced cups as a new material for building with!