On Monday, we talked about muscles and practiced relaxing and tensing various muscles in our bodies, leading up to the challenge of remaining still and relaxed “all over” for a minute or more. Children may choose and practice during the work period, by unrolling a rug on the floor and turning a sand timer. We also practiced various stretches and yoga poses to become aware of different muscles in our bodies.

On Thursday, we investigated the spine, and learned about the spinal cord that sends messages from our brain to our muscles. We played “Simon Says” and with a lot of laughter discovered that sometimes it’s hard to “stop” the message from going out to our muscles when “Simon didn’t say!” We also demonstrated good posture when sitting and standing to protect our precious spinal cords and allow then to do their jobs well. We will be continuing to emphasize the importance of this through the year.

We are looking forward to talking about germs, nutrition, and exercise during the remainder of May. Please think about ideas for body related show-and-tell!

The Casa students are continuing to use their knowledge of long/short sounds and can notate simple rhythms. We learned about Little Tommy Tiddlemouse’s dog friend and how to figure out if we need a long sound or short to create the rhythms.

The Lower Elementary students are refining their Year End pieces. We are still working on reading music, and some new symbols (repeat sign) and what it means to repeat a section of music.

The Upper Elementary students are also working hard on their pieces, as you may notice some extra sounds at home over the next few weeks. The Grade 5 students are also working on composing a new section of music in their piece, and are finding the creative rhythm making part easy – but notating their rhythms are now the challenge!

*If your child is unable to attend the End of Year concert, please let me know as soon as possible, as we will have to try our best to accommodate any missing parts*

Ms Ali

” Music is the shorthand of emotion” – Leo Tolstoy

We have introduced the students to identifying and working with various monetary currencies.  Making change is the most challenging concept for them to comprehend.  For additional practice, we will set up a store in our classroom and have a Shopping Day.  Parents can help the students grasp the use of money by having them assist with various shopping tasks, including estimating and/or calculating the change from a transaction.

As we head toward the “home stretch” for the school year, much of the students’ time will focus on practicing and honing the skills for concepts to which they’ve been introduced.  Additionally, the students have been practicing their poems for the National Children’s Festival of the Arts (“NCFA”).  The presentations commence this month, beginning with a performance before their classmates in Lower Elementary.  The students will also perform at the next school assembly.  Following this will be a performance for the NCFA judges and in front of other schools.  Finally, many of our groups are often invited to perform at the Harquail Theatre for Parent’s Night.  Parents are welcome to view all of these performances and details will be sent via email.  The students will also be working hard on their pieces for the Spring Concert with Ms. Ali.

May will be a busy and exciting month for everyone.  The students already sense that the end of the year is near and many are discussing their summer vacation plans.  Let’s all work together to keep them rested and focused on school for these next two months so they may end the school year with a sense of pride and completion.
Please click on the link below to review our curriculum goals for May.

May 2012

In Grade 1 we have started a research project using Microsoft Word. The students have chosen a subject, and are to create a ‘poster’ including word art, a background, clip art, and information collected on the internet (http://www.britannica.com/)

The grade 2’s are also working on a final project in Word or Publisher, and will continue to use their skills learned this year to create an elaborate card.

Ms Ali

April has been jam packed full of Easter fun and space exploration. Before Spring break we were busy doing special Easter crafts; we even had a visit from the Easter bunny! We all came back to school raring to go after the break, and our theme this month has been Space. We made some sparkly alien art and tried out a very cool astronaut suit. We have even learned the names of some of the planets – how clever!

This week, we completed the final chapter in our unit on travel and holidays.We learned how to say where we went on holiday, when we left, how long we stayed and how we travelled. We also learned the different modes of transport. The students recently completed a letter in which they described a holiday in detail, and we ended the week with the fifth episode of the soap opera.

Next week, we shall begin our final chapter of the course, in which we shall study language involving a trip to France. The students will revise talking about what’s available in town and study a publicity brochure on Dieppe. They shall also learn how to ask and give directions.

The final exams of the year will take place on June 12th and 14th. More information will follow.

Salut!

Mme Wendy