[email protected]

POD: Entertaining Ourselves While the Teacher Sets-up!

The rain was coming down heavy to start the day!

POD: Christmas Bulletin Board Started!

Today was one of those rare mornings where the rain followed us to school, so we began our day with an indoor opening. Even with the weather, our breakfast program was open, and many hungry students were happy to start their day with something warm.

We kicked things off with Ms. Foresythe, who led us through our full morning routine:
– Hagerty listening games
– Spelling words
– Dictated sentence
– Show, not tell
– Maze

Everyone did a fantastic job staying focused.
We also continued our writing program, working on using capitals, punctuation, and writing multiple complete sentences. This is an ongoing goal, and we’re already seeing improvements.

In math, we reviewed:
– Representing numbers
– Addition
– Arrays
– Analog time (reading hour and minute hands accurately)

After recess, our JMH mentors arrived with activities ready to go, and they were especially on the ball today. It was great to see so much engagement and teamwork.

Just before lunch we went downstairs for PE. We did a quick workout to get our hearts pumping and then worked on rebounding, keeping our eyes up and hands ready.
Lunch was indoors again due to the rain.

After lunch we had art, where we started working on pieces for our Christmas bulletin board. It’s early in the process, but excitement is definitely building, and students are eager to continue tomorrow.

During social studies with Ms. Doucette, we talked about the climates of different places around the world. Everyone was assigned a climate region, and tomorrow we will begin researching to create small posters.

We wrapped up our day by reading from School Days According to Humphrey, watching a short video on responsibility, and completing our Book of Gratitude. Everyone made it to free choice time, which is always a great way to end the afternoon.

Before dismissal, we packed up our things and headed out for the buses—except for some of our Cubs, who have a basketball game at home against ECB tonight.

Go Cubs, and make us proud!

POD: Lunch Practice to Get ready for Tomorrows Game! Go Cubs!

It was a cold start to the day, but I am happy to say that everyone seems to be dressing much warmer for the weather. Hats, mitts, and winter coats make a big difference when you start the morning outside.

We began our day with a guest teacher, Ms. Sturgeon, who led our opening activities. The class was very kind and welcoming to her. When she moved on to another classroom, I came in and we shifted into math. Today we began working on multi-digit addition and the steps we need to take each time to be successful. Slow, steady, and accurate wins the race.

After recess, we headed to PE. We started with a quick workout, and our basketball skill of the day was using the backboard. Students practiced their shots and then moved into guidance.

During guidance, Ms. Leonard read The Boy with Big Feelings and talked about how different people feel and express emotions in different ways. Instead of going outside afterward, the class chose some free time in the gym, and I’m pretty sure I even spotted a scooter or two in action.

Some students had Burger King hot lunch today, while others went outside or joined basketball practice in the gym. We have a big home game tomorrow after school, and the team looks like they are ready. Go Cubs!

When we came back in, it was desk-cleaning time—and it was definitely overdue. We filled the garbage can, the recycling bin, and even a few book bags with treasures that were hiding in the back of desks.

Then we headed across the hall to see Ms. Doucette, who continued her lessons on The Seasons and The Equator. That is a very big word—what is the Equator, and why does it matter?

We finished the day by visiting the library before returning to the classroom. We read from our chapter book, where Humphrey and Aug are hearing teachers say how wonderful it would be to have them in their classes. Now the two are worried they might be separated. We are almost at the end of the book, and I truly have no idea what will happen next.

Before packing up, we watched a quick video on responsibility, and how using routines and checklists can help us stay on track each day. Our Book of Gratitude sentence starter was: “I was responsible today when…” Students had thoughtful examples to share.

We signed our home-to-school books, packed our bags, and headed home for the evening. Stay warm, rest up, and I will see you tomorrow.

POD: Boomwhackers for Music

POD: School Family Skate at the LBA

We started the day with our regular morning routine. Our spelling words were filled, added, checked, and wanted. Our dictated sentence was “He box kicked and jumped on his dad.” Our “Show, Not Tell” sentence was “It was a big breakfast.” We followed that up with our maze and Heggerty listening games before loading the bus to go skating at the LBA.

A big thank you to all the adults who helped tie skates and fasten helmets. Your help makes skating a much easier and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

After skating, we came back to school for a quick snack and recess break. When we came inside, we worked with our JMH reading tutors, who continue to bring fun and helpful literacy activities.

Once our mentors finished, we took a few minutes to continue working on our cityscape art from yesterday. Students are putting a lot of effort into the details, and it is really starting to take shape.

We enjoyed pizza lunch and were lucky to have warm temperatures outside to finish off the lunch break.

In the afternoon, we returned to class and began a writing activity about the puffer fish. We are still focusing on capitals, punctuation, and the parts of a complete sentence. Ask your child: What do you remember about the puffer fish?

Then we headed across the hall to see Ms. Doucette for Social Studies. Today’s lesson focused on the seasons and trying to wrap our heads around the idea that the Earth is round and what that means for sunlight and weather in different places.

We finished the day by reading from our chapter book—we are almost at the end now—and learned that Humphrey set the Ito family’s clock back again. After that, we watched a short video on responsibility and the five things we can control: our actions, our words, our attitude, our effort, and our manners. I hope everyone is thinking about how they can be responsible each day.

We signed our home-to-school books and ended the day with some free choice time. For many students, that meant rolling out the paper and continuing to work on our cityscape. It is really starting to come together.

Just a reminder: there is no school for students tomorrow as teachers will be writing report cards.

Have a great long weekend, and I will see you on Monday.