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POD: Celebrating DOT Day!

The mornings are getting chilly—layers are a smart choice! Our day began with our usual routine: spelling, “Show, Not Tell,” listening games, and a maze. We also made sure our book boxes were ready and wrote about our weekends.

Math lessons focused on representing numbers and using number line benchmarks. Grade 2 worked with 0, 25, 50, and 100, while Grade 3 stretched further to 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000.

After recess, it was time to celebrate DOT Day! We took a school photo, though Mr. Coakley’s drone was delayed—we’ll try again tomorrow. Inside, we admired the Grade 4/5 class’s contribution to our giant “Napan N,” which was made up of everyone’s dot artwork. It was a wonderful collaboration, and we even grabbed a group photo together.

Back in the classroom, we fit in a quick “read to self” before heading to the gym. Warm-ups included a four-minute exercise video, and then we practiced forward rolls. Safety was key—remember the most important rule: tuck your chin!

In literacy, we reviewed sentence structure (capitals to start, punctuation to end) and then spent most of our time on creative spelling. We broke words into syllables, made sure each syllable had a vowel, and practiced segmenting each sound.

Ms. Doucet led us through work in our Nature and Weather journals. We talked about tools that help predict weather and even planned ahead for building our own weather vanes tomorrow.

Later, we continued School Days According to Humphrey, meeting a boy who became distracted when the bell rang. French lessons focused on the names of vegetables, and we wrapped up with our Book of Gratitude using the prompt: “One thing I did well today was…” Everyone squeezed in 3–5 minutes of free choice before dismissal.

Tomorrow morning will start with our first bus evacuation drill. It might take a little longer than usual, so patience at drop-off will be important.

POD: Prepping for Dot Day on Monday

Just a reminder that Monday is Dot Day.

POD: Working on Sorting Sentences and Sentence Fragments

The morning started strong, with students settling quickly into routines that are becoming more familiar each day. Before diving into new work, we took time to critique yesterday’s efforts and notice where we could improve. From there, we moved through spelling, a maze, listening games, and a short writing piece.

Math was packed with learning. We practiced representing numbers in different forms, compared numbers with greater than, less than, and equal to, and ordered numbers under 100 from least to greatest. The class also used the 100s chart to help add two-digit numbers before finishing with word problems that involved double-digit addition.

While the teachers met, Mrs. Corcoran led the class outside for some extra fun on the playground. When I returned, I was impressed to see everyone already reading quietly with their book boxes. Not long after, Miss Brown came over the intercom to announce a lockdown drill. The students handled it wonderfully—calm, steady, and practiced—just the way we want so drills don’t feel scary, and real situations won’t either. We wrapped up the morning’s writing before heading to the gym.

PE began with warm-up exercises, a review of our gym rules, and some free play with basketballs. This time, the class made it back to their “homes” before the buzzer and earned even more free time! We ended with a polka dance, shout-outs, and a big “CUBS on 3” cheer.

By lunchtime, appetites were high. With only 20 minutes, the challenge is always balancing eating and chatting—it’s not easy, but our routine is improving.

In the afternoon, excitement grew as we stayed outside for an extra 10 minutes to practice forming a giant “NAPAN DOT” in preparation for Monday’s Dot Day. Back in class, we switched gears to writing. We focused on complete sentences, looking closely at how subjects and predicates work together, and compared this to how simple shapes can come together to make a picture.

Ms. Doucet guided the class in their weather journals again, and did an activity where they travelled around the room filling in thermometer readings. We also had a talk bout the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Just before the end of class we had a fire drill! I went very smoothly!

Later, we read more from School Days According to Humphrey before doing French vocabulary on colors. To close the day, we wrote in our Book of Gratitude with the prompt: “I smiled today when…”

It was a day full of effort, fun, and progress—just the kind of momentum we’ll carry into Dot Day next week!

Picture of the Day – click to see Kal’s animation!

The mornings are getting colder, so dressing in layers is a smart idea. Our routine is running more smoothly each day, and we’ve been taking time to evaluate our work together. Some students need to focus on spacing, others on size, but the truth is—we all have room to improve!

In math, we reviewed representing numbers in standard form, expanded form, on a place value chart, and with base-ten blocks. We also introduced greater than, less than, and equal to, and practiced ordering numbers from least to greatest. A quick fire drill gave us some extra practice staying calm and organized, and then we wrapped up with word problems plus a mix of addition and subtraction.

Recess was a treat. With the breeze, it was right on the edge of “sweater or no sweater,” reminding us that the summer days are slipping away.

Back in class, “read to self” showed big improvement. It’s only ten minutes, but it’s a chance to get lost in a book—so being ready to dive in makes a difference! We also worked on writing complete sentences, focusing again on subject and predicate, and put together our new duotangs.

PE took us outside. After warming up on the soccer field, we moved to the basketball court, reviewed our gym rules (Be safe. Be gentle. Be kind.), and practiced personal space. We worked through the first few steps of a dance, played a lively game of reverse tag, and even had a short burst of playground free time before ending with calming breathing exercises.

In Social Studies, Ms. Doucet continued with weather journals. We practiced filling in thermometer temperatures—learning how to read them and record them correctly. How’s your journal shaping up?

Later, we read from School Days According to Humphrey. Who is Humphrey, and what has him so upset? Ask your child what they think!

French class had us practicing vocabulary for family, food, and animals. To finish the day, we wrote in our Book of Gratitude before heading out for dismissal.

Tonight at 6:00, we’ll gather in the gym for “Meet the Teacher.” It’s an informal chance to stop by, say hello, and see what’s happening in our classroom community. Hope to see you there!

A Cold Start to the Day

This morning was chilly enough that I could see my breath as I walked in! We settled quickly and jumped right into our work.

Our morning included spelling, a “Show, Not Tell” activity, Heggerty listening games, a maze, and a UFLI lesson. Everyone is really starting to find their rhythm with these routines!

Math time had us representing numbers in different ways, solving word problems, and practicing addition. The class showed steady improvement and some great problem-solving strategies.

Outside, the fall air was crisp but the sunshine made recess wonderful.

Back inside, we did “read to self.” It still needs practice, but today was already stronger than yesterday. We also began a writing lesson on complete sentences versus fragments, learning how a subject and predicate work together to make a full thought.

During guidance with Mrs. Lehnart, we stepped outdoors to practice mindfulness by using our senses in nature—and spotted a very cool caterpillar by chance!

PE was full of energy as we joined the K–1 class in the gym. We focused on personal space and safety, tried an animal-themed workout, and played musical hula hoops. The session ended with shout-outs and a big Cubs-on-3 cheer!

In Social Studies, Ms. Doucet had us working with thermometers and practicing how to read them. We know they’re useful for weather—but how else could a thermometer be important in science?

French class focused on vocabulary for the months of the year, days of the week, and different places.

At the end of the day, we wrote in our Book of Gratitude with the starter: “I am kind to others when…” Some of us earned free choice time, while others worked hard to finish up their tasks—because in this classroom, you have to work hard to play hard.

Dismissal was a little different today. With the other classes outside for PE and Guidance, we headed out early and ended the day enjoying the sunshine once more.

Get a good rest tonight—we’ll be ready for more learning tomorrow!