What a fun week we had, starting off with a Halloween celebration on Monday. Students were greeted after their morning routine with some fun and educational Halloween morning tasks. One of the favourite morning task of the students was the Witches Brew. This task combined number recognition with 1-to-1 correspondence, the ability to pair an object counted with a number, and following picture directions to make a witches brew. Other numeracy tasks such as counting a specific number of google eyes on different monsters, putting clothespin legs on spiders and matching 2 digit numbers to their base 10 blocks were completed by some students. There were different fine motor tasks such as stacking pumpkins on our "gate", from the story last week, putting spider rings on tubes, putting erasers into a container and tracing Halloween pictures. Finally, some students worked on matching different pumpkin shapes and sorting Halloween themed wooden shapes. We continued these tasks all week.
On Monday we had an opportunity to go on a community scavenger hunt, trying to find all the items on our list. It was so fun to see the house in the neighbourhood that has all the blowup Halloween decorations out on the lawn. On our walk we stopped and at each intersection to talk about the importance of looking both ways and listening for moving vehicles before we crossed the road. I would say that our first community walk of the year was a huge success, we even found everything on our list!
We ended our pumpkin inquiry learning all about the inside of the pumpkin. All students got an opportunity to help pull the fibrous strands and the seeds from the pumpkin pulp. Some students used their hands to pull out parts of the pumpkin and others chose to use a spoon to scoop out the parts. After the pumpkin was all carved out, we had the opportunity to work together to create two a jack-o-lanterns. Students were asked what shapes Mrs. Rachel should draw and cut out for the eyes, nose and mouth. Some of our students used our classroom AAC device to communicate their choice. Mrs. Rachel then put the pumpkins out on her doorstep in the evening to welcome the trick-or-treaters. Our story on Monday was a social story all about Trick-or-treating. Social Stories are visual stories that support and explain social situations and help students understand the expectations in these situations. Students were sent home with a social story strip to help them during trick-or-treating.
At times during the day, like after students complete 3 morning tasks, students engage in some free choice. During free choice students are supported in play by our EES team. Toys, books, blocks and mazes are just a few of the choices students can make. During each day, we try to rotate the choices that are available for students to expose them to a variety of different activities.
This is just a friendly reminder to families that we engage in outdoor activities every day, except when the temperature drops below -20 degrees with the wind chill, and indoor recess is announced for the whole school. Please ensure that students come to school prepared for the weather conditions. If you require assistance with any items, please do not hesitate to reach out, we would be happy to help. Please also don't forget to pack some extra socks!
Next week we will focus on Remembrance Day and preparing for the Fall Showcase. Students will be participating in the Fall showcase through prerecorded videos. Some students will be filmed preforming poems, student artwork, and in-class work will also be showcased throughout the event. Families are welcome to attend the showcase, however our students will not be preforming live. There will be no childcare available during the showcase. Our blog for the week of November 17 will also highlight the work presented in the Fall Showcase.
Upcoming Dates
- November 6 - Daylight Savings
- November 8 - School Council & Parent Society Meeting (6 pm Online Meeting)
- Meeting Link will be shared the day before.
- November 11 - Remembrance Day (school closed)
- November 17 - Fall Showcase featuring Grades 5 & 6 and EES (show starts at 6pm)
- November 24 & 25 - School Conferences (see more information below)
