Welcome back to the blog. If this is your first visit here, feel free to tour this site's features. But keep in mind that I have yet to move some of the stuff from last year out of this space. And, if this is your first visit, please have a quick read through last week's post so you're up to date.
Students, your job is to read the week's blog post to a family member each Monday evening. Please take the time to do this, and be sure your folks are listening!
We have begun to "move in" to our binders, bins and lockers. Check out the school supplies list that I emailed to your parents in case you are missing anything. Do the best that you can this year to stay organized with your supplies, and let your family know early on if you are running out of anything.
Here is the plan for this week:
Writing - One piece of advice that is common for emerging authors is to "write what you know". Writing about things that you have first-hand knowledge of makes coming up with ideas easier. We will begin brainstorming the things that each of us knows about, are passionate about, or could tell a story about. We'll map these ideas out into "writing territories". The plan is to have a big pile of ideas that we can continually add to, and draw ideas from throughout the year.
Language Arts - I'd like to know what sort of a reader you are. One way to let me know this is during our quiet reading time. Be prepared! You will need to have something to read every day. What you read, and how well you sustain your attention on reading is important to me. Do your best over the next few weeks to build your independent reading stamina. This year we will use some of our Language Arts time to read about current events. This week we'll look at the wildfires that hit Jasper, Alberta over the summer.
Math - I love math. And I think it is important that you learn to feel positively about math too. This includes feeling good about where you are starting this year. If in the past you have felt super-stretched by numeracy, you've felt defeated or lacked confidence with some of the basics, I'm hoping to change your mindset. We're heading into this year with various levels of skill and self-assurance and that is OK. Bring positive thinking and a "can do" attitude to this sometimes tricky subject. We'll begin the week by organizing binders and then revisiting some of the math you probably saw last year.
Terry Fox - Our school has some lofty fundraising goals for the Terry Fox Foundation. Parents, here is the link to our class donation page.
Enjoy your week, everyone!
