OJCS Grade 1A / Kitah Alef-A

A Virtual Author Visit

JK to Gr. 2 students got a virtual visit from Lark the Shark author Natalie Newman from her home in the U.K. The story and presentation helped our students learn about sharks and their role in the ocean ecosystem. Natalie shared how she wrote the book with her son and her son after learning about pollution in the ocean in his Grade 2 classroom. The students were curious about the publishing process, and Natalie talked about how they wrote the book. I think some students will be writing their books one day.

                                      Math Olympics

In honour of Pi Day on March 14th, students celebrated a love of Math by participating in the first-ever 1A Math Olympics. The children picked their teams a chose a name. The Marvelous Mathers, Math Detectors, and the Air Force A Math AA teams problem-solved, collaborated, and had fun with Math.
Congratulations to the Marvelous Mathers for winning the 1A Olympics!

Take a look at our opening ceremony

La semaine de la Francophonie

La semaine de la francophonie was lots of fun. The students loved all the French activities on Wednesday afternoon. The first stop was visiting the Makerspace cafe for croissants and hot chocolate. Obstacle courses, word searches, and bingo helped the children review all the French they are learning this year.

1A enjoyed a workshop with Quinn, our school social worker. Quinn taught about empathetic and active listening. The children practiced using listening skills by playing a few games. The students will continue to work on these skills throughout the rest of the year.

This past week we celebrated the 100th day of school. In General Studies, we read 100 words, worked on 100 math problems, and wrote the 100th-day news. We counted to 100 en français and wrote 100 words in Hebrew. The highlight was making Fruit Loop necklaces with 100 Fruit Loops. The students had fun snacking as they counted and made their necklaces.

100 Hebrew words

In Social Studies, the students worked on personal timelines. Seeing all the beautiful pictures of children of different ages made everyone smile.

Friday was our kickoff for the love of reading. We made reading forts in class. Reading in forts was a big hit. It was our surprise for our homework bingos. One of the students said, “It is a dream come true!” He had wished only a month ago that we could make forts in school.

A few children also enjoyed some quiet reading after story time in the library today.

    **Save the Dates**

 March 23rd @ 6:30 pm                 

 Innovation Day     

March 30th @9:00-9:45

Come visit our class to see our Innovation Day Projects.

For parents unable to attend I will send you a video of your child explaining their project.

In Science, we are learning all about different types of energy. An energy hunt had the children looking for electrical energy sources all around the school. The middle school hallway was the place the class most wanted to visit. The children loved walking amongst the older students. Everyone was surprised that the library had the most plugs, switches, and outlets.

The students worked with an energy buddy to do some simple research in their Science notebooks.

Morah Lianna came to teach the puck in the rink rule. The children learned when to use <ck> and <k> when writing in their journals.

During a recent visit to the library, Ms. Brigitte had the class laughing as she read us a funny story about excuses for not doing homework. The children had a chance to come up with excuses. I will remember these excuses. Who knows if any students will use them in the future?😀

Quinn, our social worker, did a terrific #JDAIM workshop in grade 1. Quinn, talked to us about Diversity and Inclusion. We played a fun game that highlighted our differences and interests. We discovered that it is our differences that make us unique and special.

We are Yeti…..to be a good friend

We read the story Peg and the Yetti and learned how they became friends. The children then made yetis and wrote about being a good friends.

                                                Winter Fun Day

Winter Fun Day was so much fun! The children loved skating and tobogganing in the morning. 1A and 1B went to the Makerspace together to make catapults. They enjoyed launching snowballs (cotton balls) all over. Ms. Karissa and I told the children it was the only day they could throw/launch snowballs at school. Teachers might have enjoyed this activity as much as the children.

Treasure Hunt

Excitement filled the halls on Tuesday as the class participated in a well-earned treasure hunt. Each clue had the children reading and walking around the school. The children loved discovering and walking through the maze. The treasure was found and divvied up amongst the class. I think I loved it as much as the children.

Groundhog Day

The students made their Spring predictions for Groundhog Day on Thursday. We then watched how Wiarton Willie and Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early Spring and a late Spring, respectively. The class predictions showed most of the class thinking it will be a late Spring.

Math

The children have been busy working on addition and subtraction facts this week.  On Thursday, we practised math facts by playing fun math games. Quinn, our school social worker, even joined in on the fun.

Friendship Club

Here is a sneak peak at the new Grade One Friendship Club with Ms. Beswick. All the children have the option of taking part each Wednesday during the first recess. No sign up is needed.

Team Building Activity

How does a class finish off the week on a bitterly cold day with no outdoor recess? You get together with 1B to do a team-building activity. Ms. Karissa challenged the children to pass a hula hoop around the circle while holding hands with each other. The students did it as one big group and then made two smaller circles to move the hula hoop. Two Grade six students came to help the classes with this activity. It was so much fun!