Patrick Airlie School
1520 39 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2A 1H9 | 403-777-8220 f | 403-777-8228 e | [email protected]
w | http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b327/
Curriculum Newsletter | January 2017
Mrs. Marisa - Kindergarten
Throughout the past term we began exploring the concept of belonging. We have been
learning that a classroom community is a place where we celebrate, respect and appreciate
each other for who we are. Our daily PATHs Helper of the Day is given responsibilities and
has a leadership role for the day.
In all curriculum areas, we developed literacy skills around letter recognition and word
recognition. The focus has been around using story pictures and previous experience to
make predictions on what the story will be about. We focused on sequencing pictures and
creating puppets to retell the story’s events. We used the classic fairy tale, Goldilocks and
the 3 Bears, and re-enacted it at the house centre and retold with puppets.
Our math studies have crossed subject areas and allowed us to explore math topics
through art, games, building blocks, white boards and paper and pencil tasks. Patterning,
sorting and counting are at the core of the program.
Art was used as a tool to enhance learning already occurring in the classroom. Students
explored through a variety of mediums; play dough, tempera paint, watercolor paint, cutting,
gluing. In the visual journals, we drew ourselves every month and can see the progress
each has made.
In music this term the students experimented with rhythm, singing, movement and playing
simple rhythm instruments through action songs, musical games, and listening activities.
Students explored some of the many ways music helps us express ideas and feelings.
The most important piece is the continued support you give your child each and every day
at home.
Miss Melissa - Kindergarten
Room 9 has had an exciting first term of Kindergarten. We have had a strong emphasis on
oral language. Our biggest accomplishments have been learning strategies to learn new
words and learning how to work together as a community. Here some of the other things
that we have been working on:
SOCIAL SKILLS
 Sharing and taking turns with others
 Using our words to solve problems (“I’m sorry. Are you going to be
ok? What can I do to help you feel better?”)
 Cleaning up our own mess (and helping clean up other messes)
FINE/GROSS MOTOR SKILLS
 practicing our printing with proper top-down letter formation
 writing our names independently (and holding a pencil properly)
 using scissors safely (and with proper hold)
 dressing ourselves independently
Patrick Airlie
January 2017
NUMERACY
 counting to 10 from any starting point
 counting sets of items up to 10 in French (with one to one
correspondence)
 subitizing (identifying sets of up to five items without counting like
dots on dice/dominos and fingers)
 recognizing and reproducing AB, ABC, AAB and AABB patterns
LITERACY
 learning our letters and sounds
 learning many new songs
 storytelling (The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Man, The Three
Billy Goats Gruff)
 journal writing (drawing and printing beginning sounds)
Ms. Tomlinson & Ms. Hubbard - Grade One-Two Class
LANGUAGE ARTS
We continue to work on developing the following areas of literacy through guided reading,
shared reading, teacher read-alouds, independent reading AND modeled writing, shared
writing, interactive writing, guided writing and independent writing. Literacy is integrated in
all curricular areas:
 Writing journal entries, letters and compliments
 Developing more detailed texts and pictures that capture readers’ interest
 Developing reading fluency by re-reading familiar and ‘just-right’ books
 Talking about, retelling and making connections to stories we have heard and read
 Predicting, summarizing and asking questions while reading and listening
 Correcting our reading mistakes by asking, “Does it sound right? Does it make
sense? Does it look right?”
 Daily word work and activities to enhance vocabulary development
 Reading and writing for enjoyment
MATHEMATICS
Topics covered this term include:
Number:
1. Say the number sequence 0 to 100 by:
2. Represent and describe numbers to 20 and 100 concretely, pictorially and symbolically
3. Identify numbers that are one more or one less than a given number
4. Practice mental math strategies for basic addition facts and related subtraction facts to
18.
5. Compare and order number up to 100
6. Identify numbers that are even or odd.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of addition of numbers with answers to 20 and 100.
Patterns:
1.Demonstrate an understanding of repeating patterns (two to four elements) by:
 describing
 reproducing
 extending
 creating patterns using manipulatives, diagrams, sounds and actions
2. Sort objects, using one attribute and explain the sorting rule.
Page 2 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017
3. Demonstrate and understanding of increasing patterns by:
 describing
 reproducing
 extending
 creating
numerical (numbers to 100) and non-numerical patter using manipulatives, diagrams,
sounds and actions.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Students have been learning about the different types of play that happen in and around
their community. By looking at different points of view, students are able to evaluate ideas
and information that are brand new to them. Students have learned that there are many
different factors that affect the type of play you can do. Some factors might be language,
geography, economics, and culture to just name a few.
HEALTH
Continuing with our PATHS work, we are looking at ways we can work together to solve
problems, develop friendships and create a safe and caring school community. We
continue to recognize the PATHs Kid of the Week, and practice giving and receiving
compliments. Students have classroom visits from Constable Ron as part of the ISSP
project and the S4 curriculum. Students talk with Constable Dalton about making safe
choices for themselves and their school.
SCIENCE
Students explored coloured materials, learning about different colours, how they are
created, what happens when they are mixed. Students learned to distinguish and describe
colours and work with a variety of materials to create, modify and apply colours. Combined
with learning about colours, students learned that changes in their environment occur in a
regular pattern known as the seasons. They explored weather change and the ups and
downs of weather affecting their own lives. Students learned to describe changes and
identified activities that are done on a seasonal basis.
ART
Students worked with a variety of media including tempera paint, water color, and pastels.
Students worked on techniques such as brush work, and sketching. Sketching has been a
large part of weekly routines. Students worked on creating various pieces as a part of their
language arts, science and social studies curriculum.
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP AT HOME?




Reading for fifteen minutes each night, talking about stories and visiting the public
library will help reinforce reading skills.
Encourage your child to identify the letters and words they see in the world around
them.
For writing practice, encourage your child to journal about their activities; write short
letters, thank you notes or compliments to friends or family.
Involve your child when writing a grocery list or reading a recipe. For math practice,
encourage your child to identify patterns they see, practice adding or subtracting
using common household objects or cook with your child and have them measure
ingredients.
Page 3 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017
Ms. Lindsay - Grade One-Two Class
LANGUAGE ARTS
Literacy is woven into all subject areas throughout the day. Over the past several months
we have been developing areas of literacy through: read-alouds, shared reading,
independent reading, interactive writing, guided writing, and independent writing. Some
examples include:
 Practicing letter formation
 Word work to understand letter sounds
 Labeling drawings
 Book reviews
 Writing journal entries
 Using dictionaries to find words
 Making our own dictionary containing student drawings and words
 Creating class books with pictures, drawings, and writing
 New sight words
Students have been doing self-assessments after writing lessons using our class created 4
Star Poster. They are able to check their drawing, colouring, writing, and overall quality of
work.
MATHEMATICS
Over the past term the students have been practicing using numbers in many different
ways. We have been exploring mathematical concepts such as:
 Patterns
 Sorting objects
 Recognizing numbers at a glance
 Math games
 Shapes
 Counting forwards, backwards, and by 2s
 Different ways to add numbers
 Mental math for up to 10
 One more, one less
 Measuring
During Tub Time, students have the opportunity to exercise both literacy and numeracy
strategies and skills.
SOCIAL STUDIES
At the beginning of the year, we discussed the importance of being a classroom community.
We spent time thinking about rules, roles, and responsibilities in the class and school. Our
class continues to work together as a community. Each week students rotate between
classroom jobs and get to experience holding different responsibilities as member of the
class.
SCIENCE
This term students have been busy learning and discovering. In science we have learned
about:
 Creating colour
 Seasonal changes
 Needs of animals and plants in Winter
 Using senses to explore the world around us
Page 4 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017
HEALTH
Students continue to work on building social, emotional and physical skills in our health
activities. Officer Ron has been coming in once a month to do lessons with the students as
part of our S4 Program. Some topics we have been learning about over the past several
months include:
 Physical activity and movement
 Personal hygiene and hand washing
 Brushing teeth
 Complimenting one another
 Feelings
 Healthy food choices
 PATHs lessons
 Calming activities
 Problem solving
 Working with others
 Setting goals
ART
This past term students have been exploring with various art materials and techniques.
Students have been developing skills as little artists through:
 Shapes and lines
 Use of various materials
 Mixing colours
 Drawing, sketching and designing
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Everyday in class we do several movement breaks and activities, or physical daily activity.
Some favourites of the students include:
 Pop See Ko
 Go Noodle
 Dance Parties
 Cosmic Yoga
Our class also tries to go outside to get physical activity in while playing games on the field
or playing on the playground. Students have physical education every day with Ms Halls in
the gym.
MUSIC
In music this term, the grade 1/2 students of room 10 have been enjoying music class with
Mrs. Ritchie on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Ms. Betker and Mr. Lockyer - Grade Three-Four Classes
LANGUAGE LEARNING
We continue to work on developing the following areas of literacy through small group
reading, shared reading, teacher read-alouds, independent reading AND modeled writing,
shared writing, interactive writing, guided writing and independent writing. Literacy is
integrated in all the curricular areas:
 Writing journal entries, answering questions through research, labeling sketches
and developing vocabulary
Page 5 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017







Developing texts that capture readers’ interest
Editing writing for capitalization, punctuation and spelling
Developing reading fluency by re-reading familiar books
Talking about, retelling and making connections to stories we have heard and read
Predicting, summarizing and asking questions and inferring while reading and
listening
Correcting our reading mistakes by asking, “Does it sound right? Does it make
sense? Does it look right?”
Reading and writing for enjoyment
MATHEMATICS
Topics covered this term include:
1. Number concepts –reading and writing numbers to 10 000, skip counting, place value
(1s, 10s, 100s and 1000s).
2. Number operations:
- Addition and subtraction: Finding multiple strategies to solve addition and
subtraction problems up to 10 000. Students worked on finding new and efficient ways to
solve questions and challenge themselves to try harder problems.
- Multiplication by working on these skills: representing and explaining multiplication
using equal grouping and arrays, creating and solving problems in context that involve
multiplication, modelling multiplication using concrete and visual representations, and
recording the process symbolically, relating multiplication to repeated addition and relating
multiplication to division.
- Practicing mental math for addition, subtraction and multiplication number facts
through various games such as Multiplication War, Race to 50 and Rock, Paper, Scissor
Math.
3. Problem-solving activities that encourage students to solve real-world and open-ended
problems in a variety of ways.
4. Identifying and sharing strategies for solving math problems.
5. Geometry: developed an understanding of 2D and 3D shapes and how these shapes
interact in our world. Integrated their learning with social studies to design, plan and build
their own 3D city.
6. Mapping, Grid Work and Graphing: Learned mapping and grid points to assist in their
city design work. Students learned how to read and write maps with accurate
measurement and object points.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Students began to develop their global understanding. They began to engage in active
inquiry and critical thinking while researching their heritage. They integrated this research
into their science learning through examining quality of life in relation to natural resources.
In their learning students were encouraged to ask questions, make connections, share
ideas, and collaborate with others.
HEALTH
Continuing with our PATHS work, we are looking at ways we can work together to solve
problems, develop friendships and create a safe and caring school community. We
continue to recognize the PATHs Kid of the Week, and practice giving and receiving
compliments each day.
Page 6 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017
SCIENCE
Students learned about the characteristics of light, such as colour and brightness in our
Light and Shadows unit. They also examined some of the properties of light, such as
reflection, refraction, and interference. Students explored with water, prisms, and mirrors to
make predictions and record observations of light and shadows. Students also developed
their understanding of direction and time by creating sundials and recording observations at
different times of the day.
In our Hearing and Sound unit, students were engaged in experiments that explored
aspects of sound, including sound waves, pitch, volume, and frequency. They constructed
sound device mediums, such as phone cups and cones, to measure vibrations, sound
pressure, amplification and sound proofing. Students used technology to measure and
determine decibels and pitch of some instruments. Students worked and collaborated with
each other in experiments to make predictions and, then, compare their observations and
findings with initial hypotheses.
MUSIC
Students strengthened their understanding of Beat and Rhythm as well as the connection
between the two concepts. They applied this understanding in various musical situations,
through performance (percussion and singing) and listening. Our study of rhythm took us
into traditional hand drumming, where students learned the basics of creating good tone, as
well as the participation in group playing settings. We are now applying our knowledge
about rhythm to words, which is one of the bases of songwriting. Our class has learned
about the life and music of four classical composers: Bach, Mozart, Haydn and Brahms.
ART
Students learned about a variety of media and their applications to create unique art
projects.
•
Used art to express stories, cultures and ideas.
•
Used detailed sketches throughout their science learning
•
Learned different water colour techniques.
•
Learned about the different types of paint watercolours, pastels and acrylics and how
they interact with paper.
•
Learned how to use notebook or power point to visually show their learning.
•
Worked on different shading, blending and fading techniques.
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP AT HOME?
Reading for fifteen minutes each night, talking about stories and visiting the public library
will help reinforce reading skills. For writing practice, encourage your child to journal about
their activities, or write short notes and letters to friends or family.
Mr. Lauser - Grade Four-Five
LANGUAGE ARTS
We worked on developing the following areas of literacy through guided reading, teacher
read-alouds, independent reading AND modeled writing, shared writing, interactive writing,
and independent writing. Literacy is integrated in all curricular areas:
 Writing journal entries, poems, lab reports and stories.
Page 7 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017








Investigating the features of non-fiction texts such as diagrams, pictures and
graphs.
Writing non-fiction about current events.
Talking about, retelling and making connections to stories we have heard and read.
Predicting, summarizing and asking questions while reading and listening.
Reading and writing for enjoyment.
Writing fictional narratives using story stones as inspiration.
Use of online reading resources such as www.kidsa-z.com
Classroom Debates on topical topics.
MATHEMATICS
We collected, displayed and analyzed data to solve problems. We constructed and
interpreted pictographs and bar graphs to draw conclusions. We represented algebraic
expressions in multiple ways and used patterns to describe the world and to solve
problems. We developed number sense by working with whole numbers up to 10 000,
adding and subtracting decimals, multiplication, and estimation.
SOCIAL STUDIES
We spent time researching the different regions of Canada and then designing cloths and
shelter for those regions. We also learned about the immigrant experience in Canada by
looking at texts such as “The Arrival”, by Shaun Tan, deciding what we would put into a
suitcase if we had to leave to another country, and writing a story from the point of view of
an immigrant during their first week in Canada.
We have had some visitors, such as Michael Embaie, who share his own experiences as a
refugee to Canada, and his journey to having worked as a lecturer at the University of
Calgary. Father Green, a decorated WWII veteran, came and talked to us about the
importance of peace in the lead up to Remembrance Day. Finally Jose Rodriguez, the
editor of the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun, came into Room 3 and told us about
what makes a good newspaper article (so that we can write our own!), and the importance
of hard work.
HEALTH
Students continue to work through PATHS lessons and are learning more ways to solve
problems, develop positive friendships and continue to create a safe and caring school
community. Students continued having S4 lessons with Constable Ron as a part of the
ISSP project. Students also went to Camp Chief Hector, where they learned about the
importance of teamwork, understanding and protecting Alberta’s environment, all the while
coming together and strengthening their friendships.
SCIENCE
In science we learned about weather, and different types of clouds. We also studied the
greenhouse effect by building miniature greenhouses of our own! We followed that up with
electricity and magnetism, where we learned about the scientific method, the importance of
good lab reports, as well as how magnets behave, and their interactions with electric
circuits.
Page 8 | 9
Patrick Airlie
January 2017
ART
We worked with a variety of media including tempura paint, soft graphite pencils, markers
and pencil crayons. Students worked on several techniques such as brushwork, shading,
and sketching. Students worked on creating various art pieces throughout the term. We
have been working on gradients of shading, shading with colour, and building an
awareness of light.
Ways to help from home:
 Reading with your child for fifteen minutes each night, talking about stories and
visiting the public library will help reinforce reading skills.
 For writing practice, encourage your child to journal about their activities; write short
letters, thank you notes or compliments to friends or family. Involve your child when
writing a grocery list or reading a recipe.
Page 9 | 9