We made great applesauce today thanks to the help of our classmates with September birthdays and 2 volunteers.  We could really taste the cinnamon.  They used a really neat tool that took away the core and peeled the apple all at once.  For the students who didn't use it, we watched a short video showing how it works.  Earlier in the day we learned a math game called Make 10 using Power of 10 cards.  We then made our own cards.  Before lunch we listened to a story called Have you Filled a Bucket Today?  We talked a lot about how when our buckets are full when we are in the Green Zone.  Ask me about the Zones.  Look below at the chart for clues. 

We will be making applesauce tomorrow to celebrate our September birthdays and the beginning of Fall.   The ingredients in the applesauce will be apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar.  Please send Mrs. McLarty an email or note in the blue folder if you do not want your child to try some. 

Today we learned a new poem.  
                 Autumn 
The green leaves are turning 
To yellow, red and brown 
And when the wind comes 
Whistling by, they'll 
all 
   come 
         sailing 
                 down 

A note about our October book sharing: 
Students are only asked to show their favourite book(s) and explain why it is special to them.  They do not need to read it to their classmates.  (If they want to read a short book that is okay too.)
​

Today we were very fortunate to have Tessa from the Calgary Zoo teach us today outside in our naturalization area.  The program was called Wild about Weeding.  She taught us about plants and what they need.  We already knew they need light, water and soil.  In particular, she talked about the importance of plants needing space and how some plants can't grow very well when weeds are taking over their space.  She showed us 2 types of weeds that are common in our naturalization area: dandelions and quack grass.  Then we got to use gloves and shovels / rakes to dig up weeds!  It was sunny, warm and fun!  

Ask me about making a 20 bead counting string this afternoon.  Maybe I can count by 5s to you too!

Important notes:
1) Picture Day tomorrow
2) Please return Entertainment book or payment ASAP. Thanks! 

Thank you to all the families that came to parent teacher interviews on Thursday / Friday.  It was wonderful  have the opportunity to meet and learn more about your child.  On Thursday we had a fantastic Terry Fox Run.  We began with an assembly in the gym watching a video of Terry talking about his desire to do something that would help and make a difference.  He most definitely did!  35 years later we are still working hard to find a cure for cancer.  The children ran and walked as fast as they could.  Excellent effort!  
In the afternoon we worked on a math problem about leaves and patterning.  
Mica and Pat collected leaves that had fallen from the trees on the playground.  Some leaves were red, yellow and orange. 
They wanted to make a pattern with the leaves they had collected.  What patterns could they make?

Our Terry Fox Run is tomorrow.  Please ensure your child has appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather.   A special request for the Terry Fox Run: 
Students will receive a big sticker to wear on their shirt (see picture ).  We are asking that students bring a piece of paper with the name of who they are running for.  If they do not have a family member or friend that has been affected by cancer, they can run for Terry or for A Cure for Cancer.   After their run on Thursday they will receive a small tatoo.  We are also still collecting Toonies for Terry.  Thank you! 

Today we practiced our "popcorn" words using sailboat spelling.  Ask me to show you how to write a word as a sailboat.  We also heard about 2 other student's families and explained the patterns we found around the meeting area.  What patterns can you find at home?  

This afternoon we had a fire drill.  We did a good job getting out of the building and meeting on the field.  The sound was loud and alarming for many.  Yet, we worked together to take care of our classmates and wait quietly.  Earlier in the day we had music, gym and learned a new poem called The Nicest Place.  Many felt that one of the nicest places in our home with our families.  Before the fire drill we began drawing a family portrait.  
Today we also learned about the RazKids reading computer program.  We read a few books together on the SmartBoard to learn how it works.  Login information was sent home today so students can enjoy reading in a different way at home, if desired. 

 A special request for the Terry Fox Run on Thursday: 
Students will receive a big sticker to wear on their shirt (see picture below).  We are asking that students bring a piece of paper with the name of who they are running for.  If they do not have a family member or friend that has been affected by cancer, they can run for Terry or for A Cure for Cancer.   After their run on Thursday they will receive a small tatoo.  We are also still collecting Toonies for Terry.  Thank you! 

Today we learned our new popcorn words.  We practiced them on our whiteboards and using play dough.  They are:
* and
* he
* school
* red
* yellow

In Science, we observed our class tree and noticed that the leaves and berries are changing colour.  Then we learned about the different stages of a fruit tree.  We sequenced the different stages of a life cycle of an apple tree.  In gym, we played 'skunk tag' and then practiced running on the grass for the Terry Fox Run on Thursday.  After listening to 2 students share lots of interesting details about themselves and their families, we painted using water colours.  We worked on making a wash to use as a background for a picture.  We did a great job sharing materials and being creative.  

Important notes:
1) Toonies for Terry are being collected this week.
2) Please return Entertainment books if not purchasing.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be open in the Learning Commons on:

Thursday, September 24th from 4 – 8 p.m., and
Friday, September 25th from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Methods of payment this Fair will include Cash, Credit and Cheques, but not Debit.

We had a wonderful morning!  We enjoyed:
* new book tubs for morning reading 
* listening to 2 students share about their families 
* body break movements 
* finishing our Summer Senses and Terry Fox work
* building, creating, sharing, painting and using technology for "pickle" time

Important Reminders:
1) Parent viewpoint form sent home today.  Please return prior to Parent - Teacher conferences next week.
2) Our door has changed for drop off and pick up to alleviate congestion in the hallways / stairs.  Students will now be entering and exiting through Door C  at the compound (same doors as Kindergarten last year).  
3) Entertainment Book fundraiser ends on Monday.  Please return the book if not purchasing it.
4) Scholastic orders due Monday
5) Toonies for Terry are being collected next week.

Today 3 more students shared pictures about their families.  We enjoyed seeing them look so happy in the photos and talking with confidence.  In the morning we practiced writing our popcorn words neatly in the lines of our new literacy book.  We learned about tall letters (h), short letters (a, e, r) and fishing letters (y) which are letters that go below the line.  Before recess we had gym / music flip-flop.  Ask me what we did.
In math we went into the meeting area near the learning commons and looked for and drew various patterns.  Students were very observant! 

Important reminders:
1) Volunteers needed for Terry Fox Run next week.
2) Please sign up for Parent- teacher interviews 
2) Scholastic due Monday