Room 1 and 2’s Classroom Newsletter “Together We Grow”

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Welcome our classroom update! We are pleased to provide this update to our parents of Woodlands School.

In the classroom, students are working on their classroom economy project. Students are responsible for a job, which they applied for, and need to complete on a daily basis. At the end of each month students receive a “pay cheque” and must document their pay and expenses in a bankbook. Students are able to spend their money on a variety of classroom privileges, while tracking their expenses in their bankbook. Students are very excited about this activity.

Classroom News Corner

Woodlands School 88 Woodgreen Drive SW

Phone: 403-777-8640

Literacy

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Currently, students are busily working on their reading stamina. Collectively, they can read for a total of 20 minutes of constant reading. We will continue to develop their stamina and lengthen their reading time throughout the year.

In writing, we have begun the writing process by introducing the outline and entertaining beginnings. Students are working to create stronger sentences by adding creative adverbs and also remembering to begin each sentence in a different manner.

Numeracy

Science In Science 6, students have been examining local tree species to identify their unique characteristics, such as leaf shape and branching pattern, and to understand their role in the environment. In Science 5, students have been carrying out classroom studies of wetlands, learning about the organisms, interactions and human impacts that occur in these ecosystems.

NOVEMBER NEWS

During math class, students have been exploring number sense, demonstrating an understanding of place value for numbers greater than one million and less than one thousandth. They have been developing strategies to solve problems involving whole numbers and decimals. Students are also extending their mental math skills to add, subtract, multiply and divide with increased accuracy, using a variety of methods.

Social Studies In Social Studies 6, students are very interested in learning about democracy!

We have learned about the pillars of democracy – Justice, Freedom, Representation and Equity. Currently students are learning about direct and representative democracy, which leads to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

For Social Studies 5, students have been developing their mapping skills, and applying them to create their own Autobiography Map.

- Room 1 and 2’s Classroom Newsletter Page 2

Teacher Contact Information Phone 403-777-8640 Email: ljlunnin@cbe.ab.ca nmrobinson@cbe.ab.ca

Circle of Courage

Daily reading at home and at school is so important. The student who reads more will have a larger vocabulary, better understanding of the language they are reading in, better reading comprehension skills, and more general knowledge picked up through their various reads. They’ll also learn more about how to construct a narrative, including setting, characters, plot, and even ideas such as themes. Reading just 20 minutes a day gives students a big advantage. That said, what if you are reluctant to read? Perhaps you haven’t found the right book. Here are a few suggestions:

• Bridge to Terabithia • Underground to Canada • The City of Ember • Silverwing

Novels to Puruse School Highlights

October 28 to November 4 - Unicef Fundraiser November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Between Generations and In School Mentors November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Drama Rehearsal November 2 - Patrol Meeting at Noon November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Handbells at Noon November 7 - Patrol Dodgeball November 9, 23 - Me to We Club at Noon November 9 - School Council Meeting 7:00pm. All Welcome! November 10 - Remembrance Day Assembly 10:45 a.m. November 10 - Individual Photo Re-take Day November 11 - Remembrance Day (No School) November 25 - Professional Development Day (No School) December 1 and 2 - Scholastic Book Fair December 1 - Parent/Teacher Conferences Evening December 2 - Parent/Teacher Conferences Day (No School) December 13 - Christmas Celebration - Day and Evening Performances December 16 - Last Day of Classes before Winter Break

We have been working hard to model the 4 pillars of the Circle of Courage in our classroom. Belonging: Instilling a sense of community, loving others and being. Generosity: Looking forward to being able to contribute to others; giving. Independence: Making one’s own decisions and being responsible for failures or successes; setting goals; self-discipline. Mastery: Striving to achieve personal goals; doing our best work.