Week 7: Oct. 26 - 30

Happy Halloween!
There is a buzz of excitement and energy in the air this week.It must be about our special "Camp Wannaread". 3A read collectively 2875 minutes for Million Minute Reading day on Monday. Bravo! It is a joy to see children excited to read. There will be some photos to see at interviews.
* Fri. will be our 50 word spelling test (Units 1-5)so please review nightly. It has been difficult to score the tests when students print letters reversed, print in all capital letters, have no descending letters (like g,y),etc. (There are reversals in numbers as well). Please point out the proper printed letter formations and have them practise on paper.
*Tests are only one way a child is assessed. When a test goes home for a signature it is valuable that together you and your child take a look at his/her success and also at the mistakes. This week,many students learned to recheck the math test before passing it in as rushing may lead to mistakes. Also please don't focus on the test mark itself. With spellings for example, I hope that learning the list words "sing" and "king" will transfer to your child's ability to spell "unlearned" words like "ring, thing and bring". The list words should not be learned in isolation either so try having your child make up sentences using the word to show that he/she knows the meaning of the word.
*Anyone interested in carving a jack-o-lantern at home for our in school display are welcomed to bring it in on Thurs. and to take it home on Fri.
* Please jot me a note if you are able to provide a snack or treats for Fri. morning. Students should bring their own snack from home as usual.
* Some reminders for Halloween on Friday: No masks, Makeup on at home,no swords,etc. Students will have a regular morning and then fun stations in the afternoon.
* Interview times are going home on Wed. Please let me know if you need to make changes or cannot attend so I can accommodate other requests.
*Please return early closure/dismissal forms.
*We are awaiting info./forms to send home about the vaccinations next week. We will need to get this back quickly.
* Some students are consistently coming to school without their guided reading books, homework, agendas,etc. This makes it difficult the next day. I am telling the students that they need to keep everything in their backpack at home except when they are doing their h.w. As they get older, we should be able to expect more responsibility. I know at school I often feel like "The old woman who lived in a shoe, had so many children she didn't know what to do....". I am trying to encourage the responsibility to take care of one's own belongings so perhaps it may help at home too.
* Finally please limit the Halloween treats that are packed for your child's snack and lunch in the days and weeks to come. One treat per snack and one per lunch is the limit please.(No pop.)Thanks in advance.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Week Seven: Oct. 19 - 23

Fall is a wonderful time to celebrate the colors and tastes of nature. I hope you will find time to go on a nature walk,jump in a leaf pile, take a scenic drive and eat an apple everyday. Students enjoyed "spiral" apples today...one of my favourite snacks. We shared the stories of our "apple" homework today. Thanks for the great response and your involvement. Some children were eager to share that instead of giving up, they consulted the internet to get a complete Fruit ABC, some checked a cookbook for apple recipes to get a list of products, and one even tried the grilled apple and cheese sandwich recipe. Bravo!
We will have a math facts (addition/subtraction) quiz on Thurs. and our regular spelling test on Friday. Show and Tell will be Friday. Class photos will be taken this Friday as well. There should be 4 nights of reading this week so please help your child keep up his/her nightly reading.
Next Monday, Oct. 26 is Million Minute Challenge. Students can bring a pillow,teddy and lots of reading material for that day. All PEI schools will compete to see who reads the most that day. The TOSH Pumpkin Patrol will visit to review our safety rules for Trick-or-treating on Monday too.
On Friday, Oct. 30 students are invited to wear a Halloween costume to school. No masks are allowed and make-up must be put on at home. The morning will be classroom activities and the afternoon will be stations with Grades 3-6. If anyone wishes to send in healthy snacks for first recess please let me know. It's a hotdog day at lunch. If your child wishes to send in treats, there are 22 children in 3A.

I think that's all for this week. Thank-you!

Week Six: Oct. 13-14

It's a short school week so there will not be a new spelling list. Please go back and review the units to date as there will be a 50 word test with the review unit the last week of October.

Tonight's homework is a parent and child assignment. In keeping with our "Learn not to Burn" program and Fire Prevention Week, students are asked to draw their home escape plan.

Here are some helpful fire prevention tips from the children:
1. An escape plan should have 2 exits from each room.
2. Choose a meeting place away from the home.
3. Plans should be known by all members of the family and should be practised.
4. Know your address and phone number.
5. Stop,drop and roll when your clothes are on fire.
6. Never hide in a burning building.
7. Keep cloth away from anything warm.
8. Do not go back inside when there is a fire.
9. Always put rocks around your fire pit.
10. Do not take an elevator when there's a fire.
11. Never play with lighters.
12. Keep children away from hot stoves.
13. Never wear a cape around fire.
14. Do not smoke in bed.
15. Never leave a bonfire unwatched.
Well done 3A!

There is a project for the upcoming 4 days off school. Students will be provided with an "apple" theme take home project. All work should be returned completed on Mon. Oct. 19. Have fun!

Week Five: Oct. 5 - 9

It's Litterless Lunch Week at Greenfield! Please try to start the habit of reusable containers for lunch items. This might be the start of something good as your child is capable of washing out the containers, and maybe a few extras after supper, in warm soapy water. We will be learning about Fire Safety as it is Fire Prevention Week. Students will have special homework on Tuesday to be completed and returned on Friday. Weather permitting we will be doing a bus evacuation practice too. Your child needs a clean glass bottle , labels removed, for a Thanksgiving Craft project on Thursday. Our Friday spelling tests are going well. It's Unit 4 this week. We have been doing a number of math fact reviews in class so regular practice of the math facts at home nightly is necessary. We will be starting a Unit on Data Management on Thursday. As each child brings more gear to school to be dressed warmly, please label your child's belongings: boots, hats, mitts, etc. I am really encouraging the children to be independent and responsible. There's a better chance of finding a missing item if it is labelled. Finally the photo orders are due on Thursday, Oct. 8 and Vessey Seeds Orders are due on Tuesday, Oct.13. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!