Dear Parents,
I'm putting the final marks on report cards and this round is particularly tough. It's hard to move from a descriptive perspective in Kindergarten, where I'm describing what students can do, to a more evaluative stance in Grade 1, looking at their successes against a fixed bar.
There are C's and D's going home for some students, because the effort and engagement are honestly there, but sometimes the skills aren't quite yet.
I feel like I've prepared families for those grades with the feedback on progress reports, but I do look forward to touching base about what next steps might be--because it is early days yet in their school careers.
That being said, this week we're focusing on:
Health--Students are learning some of the less intuitive parts of the food groups, like how nuts, beans, and potatoes fit into the Canadian Food Guide. We're also learning about how to look at nutrition labels. I've sent home a scavenger hunt homework assignment due next Monday and we'll be continuing to discuss in class.
Math--Looking at shapes and symmetry and identifying shapes. We played a musical game today with shape names.
Language--Still working in our 4 reading groups. Students continue to make solid progress in their reading. Skittles performed The 3 Bears for us yesterday and many students helped us read a new book called "I am NOT a Dinosaur" about some of the different creatures that also lived millions of years ago. My favourite part is the timeline in the back.
Social Studies-- We started off the week talking about many students' experiences at the Women's March on the weekend, and particularly now, I think it's important to create an activists stance and talk as directly as possible to government. We'll be sending our letters to Trudeau's office by early next week and hoping to get a response.
That said, there's a lot of variation in writing speed and proficiency amongst the class. I'm working to ensure that everyone is successful.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Hugs and Persuasion
Dear Parents,
It feels like forever since I've posted, but that's what a good break will do. Hopefully, you feel just as fresh and ready for new challenges.
This week in class, we've been finishing up our Measurement Unit from before the break and beginning the new Geometry unit that will take us up to report card time.
Today's measurement test was a little stressful for students. Even though we'd practiced the vocabulary this morning and I'd told them what was on the test, a new context (and probably the afternoon time slot it fell into) was challenging. No matter, we'll come at it fresh again tomorrow.
Yesterday by contrast, was one of those days in the classroom you dream about. I felt like students were excited and engaged by the partner work we did in math and hearing all the names of those never heard polygons, the nonagon, the decagon, etc. inspired a few to create the Hug-a-gon. It's the shape you create when the entire class joins in a group hug. Too cute?
We also are bridging up to writing some letters about some issues, so we're really working on means of persuasion. On the way to their Dental Screening yesterday, I had them brainstorm some ways they could convince me to brush my teeth.
A: They'll all fall out! It's good for you to brush your teeth!
B: Everyone has to brush their teeth twice a day!
C: Don't you want to do what you're supposed to do?
D: People won't want to get close to you if your breath is stinky.
E: If you brush your teeth, then I'll brush my teeth with you!
F: I have a toothbrush that sings and tells me when I do a really good job brushing my teeth. Maybe you should get one too.
G:Do it or else I'll be mad!
H: Please, just brush your teeth.
At the end of this highly hypothetical scenario, I was totally convinced.
We talked a lot about how #7 is not the best strategy, but that and #1 seem to be their go-tos. (Also begging, which never works).
Today, I made them use this list to convince me when some of them wanted to stay in for recess this afternoon. Hopefully, they'll continue to use their newfound powers for good.
I've also started a new read aloud book called "The Best Mistake Mystery" by Sylvia McNicoll, which is about a boy who solves mysteries by making mistakes and walking dogs. The author is local, from Burlington.
I'm also doing an art activity based on map making. Here's my partially finished example:
And here's the online tutorial I based it off of:
Kathy Angelnik's Neighborhood Art Project
About 2/3's of the class did their stamping in small groups while the class was doing the test, so more on that to come.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
It feels like forever since I've posted, but that's what a good break will do. Hopefully, you feel just as fresh and ready for new challenges.
This week in class, we've been finishing up our Measurement Unit from before the break and beginning the new Geometry unit that will take us up to report card time.
Today's measurement test was a little stressful for students. Even though we'd practiced the vocabulary this morning and I'd told them what was on the test, a new context (and probably the afternoon time slot it fell into) was challenging. No matter, we'll come at it fresh again tomorrow.
Yesterday by contrast, was one of those days in the classroom you dream about. I felt like students were excited and engaged by the partner work we did in math and hearing all the names of those never heard polygons, the nonagon, the decagon, etc. inspired a few to create the Hug-a-gon. It's the shape you create when the entire class joins in a group hug. Too cute?
We also are bridging up to writing some letters about some issues, so we're really working on means of persuasion. On the way to their Dental Screening yesterday, I had them brainstorm some ways they could convince me to brush my teeth.
A: They'll all fall out! It's good for you to brush your teeth!
B: Everyone has to brush their teeth twice a day!
C: Don't you want to do what you're supposed to do?
D: People won't want to get close to you if your breath is stinky.
E: If you brush your teeth, then I'll brush my teeth with you!
F: I have a toothbrush that sings and tells me when I do a really good job brushing my teeth. Maybe you should get one too.
G:Do it or else I'll be mad!
H: Please, just brush your teeth.
At the end of this highly hypothetical scenario, I was totally convinced.
We talked a lot about how #7 is not the best strategy, but that and #1 seem to be their go-tos. (Also begging, which never works).
Today, I made them use this list to convince me when some of them wanted to stay in for recess this afternoon. Hopefully, they'll continue to use their newfound powers for good.
I've also started a new read aloud book called "The Best Mistake Mystery" by Sylvia McNicoll, which is about a boy who solves mysteries by making mistakes and walking dogs. The author is local, from Burlington.
Happily, the cover artist is also local. So local that she's made a map of our neighbourhood. (I used this map on the test as a point of reference ---you can find the artist Tania Howells' site here, with a variety of other interesting maps.)
I'm also doing an art activity based on map making. Here's my partially finished example:
And here's the online tutorial I based it off of:
Kathy Angelnik's Neighborhood Art Project
About 2/3's of the class did their stamping in small groups while the class was doing the test, so more on that to come.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
Friday, December 23, 2016
A field trip before the break
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for the cards and gifts some of you sent in this past week. It always means a lot to know that you appreciate the work I do. I'm especially excited to try some of the treats kids have made...I like to think about the next generation of bakers.
Yesterday's trip was a smashing success. I cannot recommend the High Park Nature Centre enough to you all. We had a lovely exploratory session in the morning, looking at different signs animals leave in the wild and then taking a hike to see what we could find. Because we had so many excellent parent volunteers, my job was mostly to take photos.
Students did some centre based work: making pinecone feeders, molding clay to look like different types of animal scat, matching animal shelters, and connecting parts of animals to their wholes.
 |
| Put the lard over the pinecone, then roll it in sunflower seeds |
 |
| Match the animal to its tracks |
The faces from this centre are really the best. I had a hard time winnowing them down:
 |
| The Moose |
 |
| What kind of feather? |
In the afternoon, we talked about different kinds of owls and the special features these kinds of birds have. For example:
 |
| Sharp beaks |
 |
| Binocular vision |
After that, we played an owl trivia race game and role played as hunters seeking food in the forest--half the class hid the prey in one area, then the other half hunted for the tags (and vice versa).
All in all it was a fantastic day. Thanks to all the parents who slogged through the snow with us. And a very special thanks to Jackson D's mom, Jenny, who showed up with hot chocolate at lunch (and coffee for the grown ups).
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Following up on Forms
Dear Parents,
1. I'm still missing the majority of trip forms and money for our trip to High Park Nature Centre on December 22. I know that it's a busy time of year, but one form I got back today was a NO because that student will be out of town the week before Christmas.
Unfortunately, the entire class booked for the trip still has to pay once the reservation is set, so please let me know as soon as possible if you a) are also out of town and will miss the trip. b) need another trip form.
2. I sent home two pages of math today. If you would be so good as to send it back whether or not it's done, that would be ideal.
There was a bit of a mix up with the supply and the sheet that went home yesterday was best done in class, so we finished estimating together. I've sent it home so you can review it together if you get a chance. We measured using a paperclip as a non-standard measure. It's good for students to have a concrete sense of units, so we're using paperclips, blocks, and finger lengths as well as centimeters and meters to measure.
"Using a Grid to Measure Length" was the sheet that should have gone home yesterday. Some kids got more done than others on this sheet. I hope it's a little more clear how to follow the directions on it. Students are simply comparing different lengths to each other and there's a coded message if you get it right.
3. Taking up our "Activist Checklists" inspired some good conversations in class about what we think is right, why we make different choices, and how working towards our goals is important. There was some spirited debate about zoos and vegetarianism. This one made me laugh:
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
1. I'm still missing the majority of trip forms and money for our trip to High Park Nature Centre on December 22. I know that it's a busy time of year, but one form I got back today was a NO because that student will be out of town the week before Christmas.
Unfortunately, the entire class booked for the trip still has to pay once the reservation is set, so please let me know as soon as possible if you a) are also out of town and will miss the trip. b) need another trip form.
2. I sent home two pages of math today. If you would be so good as to send it back whether or not it's done, that would be ideal.
There was a bit of a mix up with the supply and the sheet that went home yesterday was best done in class, so we finished estimating together. I've sent it home so you can review it together if you get a chance. We measured using a paperclip as a non-standard measure. It's good for students to have a concrete sense of units, so we're using paperclips, blocks, and finger lengths as well as centimeters and meters to measure.
"Using a Grid to Measure Length" was the sheet that should have gone home yesterday. Some kids got more done than others on this sheet. I hope it's a little more clear how to follow the directions on it. Students are simply comparing different lengths to each other and there's a coded message if you get it right.
3. Taking up our "Activist Checklists" inspired some good conversations in class about what we think is right, why we make different choices, and how working towards our goals is important. There was some spirited debate about zoos and vegetarianism. This one made me laugh:
 |
| "What does that mean? "I don't know. My dad just told me to write it." |
Ms. Goegan
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Project Wild
Dear Parents,
Some service announcements:
1. I've sent home checklists based on Environmental and Animal Rights activism, which are two areas students indicated they were interested in following up on. Some of the items are probably controversial, but they're based on my conversations with activists in those arenas and our class discussions. Your checkmarks and conversation will facilitate ours, so please do return for Thursday, if at all possible.
2. We are really excited about the upcoming book fair, hosted by Another Story bookstore. I personally love this bookstore because they have high quality books and look for a range of perspectives and voices. This will run on Monday from 2:30 - 6:00 pm and Tuesday from 2:30-6:00 pm and after the Grade 2-6 concert from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
3. Another issue students cared deeply about was Poverty and Homelessness. Coincidentally, we are asking the community to help us decorate a Giving Tree, with socks, mittens and/or gloves for those less fortunate.
4. The deadline for school letters to Santa is ...tomorrow, so I fear that this will not be happening as a school based activity. However, if you're interested, Santa takes letters from individual families up until December 14th. All the information you need to get started is right here.
On an academic note, I reconnected with one of my favourite teacher resources today (Project Wild is a great conservation focused education program if you're a teacher looking for ideas). We had a nice think/pair/share discussion of several dilemmas. Sample topics today: How to approach a family who litters in the picnic area, What to do with a baby deer you find stranded in the woods, and What to do about the bald eagle next where you want to build a house. It's great to see the little minds solving problems and beginning to think more deeply about their relationship with nature. I'm leading them towards a more complicated role-playing scenario in the next few weeks.
I also sent home a graph based on November's weather. Most students said they wanted to see more snow this month. I'm not sure I agree. I also scaled back on how much framing I did: some students did well, but others had difficulty using the scale or titles effectively. It's a work in progress.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
Some service announcements:
1. I've sent home checklists based on Environmental and Animal Rights activism, which are two areas students indicated they were interested in following up on. Some of the items are probably controversial, but they're based on my conversations with activists in those arenas and our class discussions. Your checkmarks and conversation will facilitate ours, so please do return for Thursday, if at all possible.
2. We are really excited about the upcoming book fair, hosted by Another Story bookstore. I personally love this bookstore because they have high quality books and look for a range of perspectives and voices. This will run on Monday from 2:30 - 6:00 pm and Tuesday from 2:30-6:00 pm and after the Grade 2-6 concert from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
3. Another issue students cared deeply about was Poverty and Homelessness. Coincidentally, we are asking the community to help us decorate a Giving Tree, with socks, mittens and/or gloves for those less fortunate.
4. The deadline for school letters to Santa is ...tomorrow, so I fear that this will not be happening as a school based activity. However, if you're interested, Santa takes letters from individual families up until December 14th. All the information you need to get started is right here.
On an academic note, I reconnected with one of my favourite teacher resources today (Project Wild is a great conservation focused education program if you're a teacher looking for ideas). We had a nice think/pair/share discussion of several dilemmas. Sample topics today: How to approach a family who litters in the picnic area, What to do with a baby deer you find stranded in the woods, and What to do about the bald eagle next where you want to build a house. It's great to see the little minds solving problems and beginning to think more deeply about their relationship with nature. I'm leading them towards a more complicated role-playing scenario in the next few weeks.
I also sent home a graph based on November's weather. Most students said they wanted to see more snow this month. I'm not sure I agree. I also scaled back on how much framing I did: some students did well, but others had difficulty using the scale or titles effectively. It's a work in progress.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
Monday, November 28, 2016
Supporting Youth Activism
Dear Parents,
Today we watched part of Hannah's Story, a short documentary about a girl from Winnipeg, who was passionate about helping homeless people. As we finish up our unit on Roles and Responsibilities, I'm doing my best to encourage students to do a little inquiry about what they can do to create positive change in their communities.
You can stream Hannah's Story online (along with a whole host of other films by NFB--this is an amazing resource!). Here's the link: Hannah's Story
What you can do to help is help your child wrap their heads around a social issue in our community. Perhaps one that your family is already passionate about, so we can begin to brainstorm as a class about our next steps.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
Today we watched part of Hannah's Story, a short documentary about a girl from Winnipeg, who was passionate about helping homeless people. As we finish up our unit on Roles and Responsibilities, I'm doing my best to encourage students to do a little inquiry about what they can do to create positive change in their communities.
You can stream Hannah's Story online (along with a whole host of other films by NFB--this is an amazing resource!). Here's the link: Hannah's Story
What you can do to help is help your child wrap their heads around a social issue in our community. Perhaps one that your family is already passionate about, so we can begin to brainstorm as a class about our next steps.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goegan
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Friday performance note
Dear Parents ,
We are baking banana bread in honor of our measurement unit and Mr. Eloi's last day tomorrow. I'm sending home the recipe in lieu of a student letter.
We are also performing in tomorrow's assembly after afternoon recess. Sorry for the late notice , but we'll be doing much the same stuff in our upcoming December concert.
(Apologies in advance for any typographical errors as this is being written on my phone.)
Sincerely ,
Ms. Goegan
We are baking banana bread in honor of our measurement unit and Mr. Eloi's last day tomorrow. I'm sending home the recipe in lieu of a student letter.
We are also performing in tomorrow's assembly after afternoon recess. Sorry for the late notice , but we'll be doing much the same stuff in our upcoming December concert.
(Apologies in advance for any typographical errors as this is being written on my phone.)
Sincerely ,
Ms. Goegan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)