Dear Me

We are almost finished writing our Dear Me letters. I am excited to read all about your goals and see how I can help you achieve them. Your ability to set achievable and authentic goals is a life skill that will help you succeed throughout your life. You are all already on the path to success! Woohoo!

Today's awesome thing:

Math Centres

What a great way to review for a test!  Awesome! 

PS  Don't forget to give Mom and Dad those 2 important letters.  first one is from the with important information regarding confirmation.  Second one is about the "fun"raiser that is going on until October 15th!

Special presentation

Today we had a special presentation by Kate MacNeil from the Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre.  She spoke about the diverse wildlife we find in and around Ottawa and explained the importance of protecting our biodiversity.  Conflicts often arise when animals and humans share habitat in an urban area and so she gave us many suggestions to coexist peacefully with the many species around us.  We also got to hear some pretty cool animal noises (Oh!  So that's what the fox says!) and got to view some animal artifacts.  For more information about this fantastic organization please visit their website:

OCWC

Today's awesome thing

Candy bars

So.Much.Candy.  Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink.  A rainbow of options.  AWESOME!

Upcoming Math Test

We have been working really hard on place value over the past few weeks.  Our unit test will be this following Wednesday.  Don't worry, we will still be doing lots of review in class.  Here is what you will need to know for the test:

- Place value (from decimal thousandths up to a million...  0.001 to 1 000 000) - Compare and order numbers, including decimals (using <, >, = symbols and a number line) - Rounding whole numbers and decimals
- Number forms (standard, word and expanded form)

I am very excited for our Math stations tomorrow where you will have a chance to practice the skills you've been working so hard at! 

PS (post script!) So excited for your French presentations tomorrow!  Not to mention our guest speaker!   Tomorrow is going to be a fabulous day! 

Mme

Uh oh! Looks like I'm behind on my awesomes..

Monday's awesome

Watching someone learn to skate

On the sidelines, watching as wee little ones practice skating.  They get up and start to glide on the ice, until all of a sudden they collide.  Three of them topple one at a time, just like dominoes.  I know I probably shouldn't laugh, but I just can't help the giggle that escapes my mouth.  Awesome!   

Tuesday's awesome

Catching up with old friends

Could there be anything better than sitting at Starbucks, drinking a PSL and catching up with some friends you haven't seen in a while?  Awesome!

Today's awesome

Online shopping

No need to leave your house, just have it delivered right to your home.  Awesome!  

We Day

Today we watched some of the live coverage of the We Day in Toronto. We day is a youth movement that shows that we can all bring on change no matter how old we are. In fact, one of the founders of the we day, Craig Kielburger, co-founded his organization, Free the Children when he was only 12 years old! Talk about being a light to others! For more information on this amazing initiative you can click on the link below:

We Day

Free the Children

We will be learning more about Craig's incredible story this year!  Our school is also registered for Free The Children’s WeAct program – a commitment to one local and one global act of change making.  Stay tuned to find out more details! 

Thursday's awesome

 

Program Night

 

Finally, being on the other side of program night as a parent, not a teacher.  No reason to be nervous, just excited that your child has a teacher who is both passionate and caring.  AWESOME!

 

Friday's awesome

Baskin Robbin's Pralines and Cream ice cream cake

 

Could there be a better way to celebrate becoming both older and wiser?  Close your eyes, make a wish, blow out those candles and get ready for a slice of heaven.  AWESOME!

Program night

Well, I had a great time meeting your parents! I could see they were really impressed by our 6 words video.  I certainly was proud of the messages you chose :)

Today's awesome thing:

Finishing your first book for the 30 Book Challenge 

Woohoo!  Only 29 to go!  Gonna go start on number 2 right now!  AWESOME!

100% awesome!

Woohoo! We finished our 100% me poems and they turned out...well you know... pretty fantastic! I love the the way the graphs compliment the words - a true marriage of math and literature! I am so proud of you all! Can't wait for your parents to see them during program night tomorrow! I know they are going to be impressed!

Awesome thing of the day:

Pay at the pump

Perfect for those times when you are running late.  No need to go inside, just pay right at the pump. How convenient is that?  The best part?  When you're all finished and the screen flashes "Have an awesome day!".  You bet I will!  AWESOME!  

New French Homework Program

To make French homework a little more exciting, and to get students to practice their French at home, I introduced a new homework program today.  Every two weeks, starting next Thursday, students will be presenting for 3-5 minutes (including a question period) on a topic of their choice.  It can be any topic of their choosing as long as it is appropriate and most of all involves new learning.  Parents and teacher must approve the topic and once that topic has been covered, it is off limits to everyone else for the year.  The presentation must include a written, digital or physical component of some sort, and must be presented completely in French (does not need to be memorized).  All of the details of the mini-projects (including the assessment form) can be found in the top tab above.  I am so excited to see what topics you all pick!  Can't wait until next week!

Bonne soirée, Mme

Almost forgot...  Today's awesome:

Pictures

They say a picture is worth a thousand words (or six really well chosen ones at least!), well I couldn't agree more.  I absolutely adore taking photos and love reliving good times by browsing through them at a later date.  So go grab your camera and snap some Awesome!

Beautiful Trees

Today we did some really cool art that focused on positive and negative space. We also talked about symmetry, asymmetry, organic and geometric shapes. I am so amazed by how gorgeous they are looking and I can't wait to see all the final products!

Today's awesome thing

Getting unexpected flowers

What a way to start the day!  Awesome!

Uncle Henry's Gorilla

Today the students worked collaboratively to solve a place value problem about Uncle Henry's gorilla - I am pleased to say that every group got the right answer! What was interesting was to see the various used by different students. I was very impressed!

Today's awesome thing:

Laughing so hard you think you just may fall over
It may start as a giggle, but pretty soon you are just trying to keep yourself off the ground!
Awesome!

Genre detectives

Over the past couple of days, we have been studying various genres and classifying books among them (you guys are awesome detectives!).  I hope you have learned about some books that you want to read for the Great 30 Book Challenge - I know I have!!!  Speaking of the challenge, don't forget to log on o your blog to post your homework about the book you are reading right now.  You can even change your avatar while you are there!  Talk about cool!

Looks like I owe you a couple of awesomes:

Yesterday's awesome

Driving with the windows down

I got my windows down and my radio up.  Feel that breeze.  Awesome!

Today's awesome

Con Queso

What cheesy deliciousness served up with a side of corn chips.  Makes all problems melt away.  Awesome!

Happy Blogging!

Today we learned that you each have your very own blog! We will be using these blogs in English as part of your homework. You will be able to comment on the posts of other classmates and ask them questions. As we get used to them, you will be able to add images, video, etc. I am very excited to read all of your blogs!

Awesome thing of the day:

Blogging
 
What a fabulous way to share your thoughts!  So go get on that computer and start blogging some AWESOME!

What an awesome first week!

Can I say how excited I am to be teaching at St. Emily's with all you fabulous students!  You have really made coming back easy!  I can't wait until next week to get to know you guys even better.  Hope you had a great first week! Lots more excitement to come this week!

PS Can I say how thrilled I am to have already received 9 book reviews (5 with an AWESOME rating too! Think I may put those on my to read list!)
Hope you had a fantastic, restful weekend! I'm off to read!
Almost forgot....

Friday's awesome thing:

Modelling Clay

Twist it, mold it, mix it.  Anyway you shape it, it is just plain...  Awesome!

Ready, set, read!

Today we took our student ambassador photos and went to an assembly all about the school's expectations.  You were all so fantastically behaved in the gym and I was sure was impressed :)  You also amazed me by how quickly you came up with the correct answer for Mindtrap.  I just may have to make them a little tougher!

This afternoon we learned all about different reading strategies to use when we are having difficulties understanding what we are reading.  I can't wait to see you apply them throughout the year. 
We also took a bit of break and regained some energy by dancing up a storm.  You guys had some great moves!

Looking forward to tomorrow!  Mme                              

Awesome thing of the day

Being called a diamond mermaid princess

Close your eyes.  Try to imagine a diamond mermaid princess.  I can't quite picture it, but I am sure she would be beautiful.  Awesome!

The Great 30 Book Challenge!

Today the students were challenged to read 30 books between now and the end of May. Not just any books, but books from a variety of genres. I will be doing the challenge along with them - I can't wait to hear about all the amazing books everyone is reading!!!

I just loved learning all about you guys this afternoon, as you each shared the three items you had put in your paper bag.  I was blown away by the amount of talent in our classroom!  I was also glad to see so many of you shared my love of reading and art :) 
 

Don't forget Student Ambassadors photos are tomorrow. I am so proud of you for agreeing to take on a leadership role! I can already tell that you will be bright lights in our school community!

Awesome thing of the day:

The Return of the Pumpkin Latte

Oh, how I have missed you.  A true sign that fall is just around the corner.  AWESOME!

Can't wait to read your awesome things tomorrow!

Bonne soirée! Mme

Bienvenue!

What an exciting first day of school we had! We started by discussing our big question of the year: How can I be a light to others? After lots of brainstorming, we came up with some really great ideas. Here are a few:

- Taking initiative to help others

- Being a good role model

- Supporting those who are lonely

I can't wait to see all the amazing ways that you will "shine" this year!
 
This afternoon, we had a special visit from Frisson l'écureuil and we talked about conquering our fears.  We also reviewed lots of rules, learned a "life lesson" (fair does not always mean treating everyone equally), had Phys Ed and lots more!

My favourite part of today was when we looked at the Book of AWESOME and discussed how fantastic things happen everyday. Every student was given their own Book of Awesome where they will record 1 new awesome thing a day. Here's mine:

The start of a new school year

There is something so exciting about a new school year.  A fresh start, new students, new adventures.  Just wait til you see what tomorrow has in store!  Awesome!

Mme Charles