We were pattern-making machines this week! We learned how to identify and create patterns, translate patterns (from an action to a colour pattern), and had fun searching for patterns on our clothing each day. Students experimented with patterning using a variety of classroom materials and learned how to use our classroom iPads to take pictures of the patterns they created. Have a look for patterns around your house and ask your child to create and extend some patterns for you! 

 

Each week in kindergarten, we will highlight one letter to help us practice letter formation and become more confident with letter/sound relationships. This week we learned about the letter P. Students practiced printing this letter in their new printing journals and drew pictures of things that begin with this sound. I am so impressed with the risk-taking happening in their writing already. These kids are geniuses! 

Throughout the year, we will also be creating many exciting art projects that reinforce the letters we are learning. We had fun reading many Pigeon books by Mo Willems this week and created our very own Pigeon art using chalk and oil pastels. Students were so proud to learn how to draw their very own pigeons. 

We also spent time this week talking about what it means to be kind. Students reflected on something they could do to show kindness in our classroom and drew pictures of their ideas in their sketchbooks.

 

 

(Notice the patterns in their coloring!)

Our Early Dismissal Friday this week was MAGICAL! We learned about abstract art, collaboration and color! While listening to some very peaceful classical music, students worked together to create a stunning abstract mural. It was a beautiful thing to behold. The morning class will have a chance to create their mural next week. On that note...it may be a good idea not to wear anything too fancy on Friday just in case :)

 

Classroom Reminders:

Briar Hill will be a collection point for Jacket Racket this year. They are an organization that collects gently used winter coats, snow pants, hats and mittens for distribution to families in need across Calgary. If you have any of these items that you no longer need, we are collecting donations between October 2 and October 13. Items of various sizes are acceptable. There will be a bin in the foyer for donations. Please note, they will not be accepting boots and scarves.

Have a beautiful weekend! 

Miss Roberts :)

Hi Parents,

It was wonderful meeting with each of you this week! Thank you so much for taking the time to engage in these important introductory discussions about your child. I wholeheartedly enjoyed the conversations we shared. 

 

This week, we used our new skills of drawing shapes to help us progress beyond drawing stick people! Students used shapes to draw pictures of their family and learned how to add special details to personalize each family member. On the following day, students attempted to add letters and names to their drawings. This was brand-new for many students and they did a tremendous job of trying their best and making a guess if they weren't sure. 

 

We call this beginning stage of writing "kid-writing." Students may add random letters to their pictures or begin to match some letters with what they have drawn. If you see your child begin to experiment with letters at home, please be supportive of this HUGE developmental step. Encourage risk-taking and experimentation rather than perfection and fixing mistakes. 

 

On Tuesday, we met Marty the Math Monster! Students had fun watching him count and had a great deal of advice for him around how to make sure that he was counting accurately. We taught Marty that counting things in a clump can be tricky because we could miss something or accidentally count something twice. We learned that moving each item as we count it or organizing the objects into a line will help to improve accuracy when counting. Kids then showed off their understanding of numbers to 10. 

 

We practiced our scissor skills too! For a finishing touch on our paper portraits, we learned how to draw eyes that look realistic (just like real artists do). Students enjoyed using mirrors to get an up-close glimpse at what their eyes look like. 

 

 

Classroom Reminders:

Our school-wide Terry Fox Run will be taking place on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2:45 to 3:20. Parents, siblings and grandparents are welcome to participate! As this is an afternoon event, morning students are welcome to come join us for the run, as long as they come with a parent/guardian. We will be running at Green Park, across the street from the school. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather on that day.

Have an amazing weekend! Stay warm! 

Miss Roberts :)

We had another lovely week together in kindergarten. It is truly amazing to see how quickly our kiddos are becoming comfortable with our classroom routines. Each day when they arrive, students change their shoes, take out their folders, sign their name and work through some independent table activities...all by themselves! It's a beautiful thing :)

 

  

Learning to represent our ideas through pictures and drawings is a very important part of being in kindergarten. As an exciting introduction to this concept, we spent a lot of time this week talking about what it means to be an artist. Students were very excited to have an up-close look at a few of my paintings from home. 

"It looks like a sunset! I think the yellow part is the sun."

"It's almost as big as a car!"

"Wow, it's amazing."

"I see the sky at night."

"It looks like a dolphin splashing through the ocean."

"To me it looks like fireflies."

We talked about how artists become so good at what they do and learned the importance of persistence and practice, even when something seems tricky at first. This was a great starting point for our introduction to drawing. Students are quickly learning to just go with the flow when we make mistakes in our work. 

 

We practiced drawing circles, squares and triangles this week and turned each one into something neat. We learned that with just a few simple shapes, we can learn how to draw almost anything! Our kindergarteners were very excited to try out their drawing skills in their fancy new artist sketchbooks. Have your child show you some of their new drawing skills! When you are out and about, start looking around the community for things you could draw using simple shapes. 

Classroom Reminders:

1. Meet the Teacher Night is next week! You are invited to book a time to come in for a quick 10 minute chat on Thursday evening or Friday morning to tell me a little bit more about your child and how I can best support them this year. Online booking is now open. You are welcome to bring your child to this interview if you like. 

2. Due to interviews, there will be no school for morning or afternoon students next Friday, September 22.

3. Don't forget to subscribe to the blog to get it delivered directly to your email each week. You can do this by entering your email on the right hand side of the page. If you're viewing the blog from a mobile device, you will need to scroll to the bottom and click "view web version" to see the menu on the right. 

Have a beautiful weekend! 

Miss Roberts

Hello Parents!

We had a wonderful first week of kindergarten! Our first few days together were spent developing routines and exploring our new classroom environment. Students are learning about how to show respect towards others by sharing, taking turns and listening when someone else is communicating their ideas. We spent time learning how to take care of our special classroom materials and how to put things away where they belong.

When we came to school on Thursday, our pet lions, Harry and Larry, had mysteriously gone missing! Luckily, they left us sneaky clues that sent us on an exciting adventure to help us find them. Their clues led us to the office, library, music room, washrooms and the gym. Those tricky lions…what a fun way to explore our new school ;)

Take a look at these beautiful self-portraits students created on their first day of kindergarten...

Classroom Reminders:

1. We have our first Meet the Teacher afternoon and evening happening in a couple of weeks! On Thursday, September 21 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm and on Friday, September 22 from 8:00am to 12:00pm, you are invited to come in for a scheduled interview time where we can have an introductory chat about your child. All kindergarten parents are invited to sign-up for a 10 minute time slot. These will be booked online through your My CBE Account. You will need to create an account before booking an interview time. Booking will open on Friday, September 15 at 4:00pm. If you have any questions about creating your account, please contact the office and they will be happy to help you out :)

2. Please return your child's Kindergarten Contact Info sheet and school forms if you have not already done so.

3. Please ensure your child has a pair of indoor shoes to be left at school. It is important that these shoes are suitable for activities we may do in the gym.

4. Please remember to send your child’s folder to school every day, even if there is nothing inside it. Taking out our folders is one of our important morning routines.

Thank you for a great first week! We’re going to have a wonderful and exciting year together.

Miss Roberts