Room 9 Parents News

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noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:16:00 -0700

My Trusted Online Will Creator

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 06:29:00 -0700

I highly recommend this online tool for writing your will ~ Mr. Brown

Food Day - What a great experience!

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:32:00 -0700

Today was "ethnic food day" in our class. We are studying communities from around the world in social studies. Have a look at the variety of foods that our students brought in to share with each other.

Later in the day, we watched a video about a girl who was training to take part in a special tea ceremony in Japan. It seems that there are so many foods, cultures and traditions that you could spend your whole life learning about them!

Thank you parents for the delicious food you shared with us. We really enjoyed it and we learned a lot!

Mr. Brown

Perogies - Poland

Fried Plantain (bananas) - Jamaica

Haggis - Scotland

Shortbread - Scotland

Flan - Latin America

Irish Stew - Ireland

Namak Para - India/Pakistan

Easter bun with cheese - Jamaica

Corn chips with salsa - Canada/Mexico

Brownies - Canada

Math Homework April 21 - Shape Concentration Game

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:42:00 -0700

Dear parents,

Did you get the note about our math homework for the Easter weekend? It's a fun game called Shape Concentration.

The purpose is to practice looking at shapes and comparing them closely for their angles, length of sides, numbers of sides and dimensions, and naming them correctly.

Your child made a set of game cards and has them in a bag in their agenda. The idea is to turn the cards face down in an orderly array (suggested: 4 rows of 6 cards). Then, taking turns, each player flips two cards, and names the shape. The player must leave the shapes face up on the table so the other player can see their location. If the shapes don't match perfectly (ie. not congruent), then the cards are turned back down and the player's turn ends.

When a player successfully turns two matching shape cards, they are removed and the player scores a point, and gets to take another turn and flip two more cards.

The game continues until all the pairs of shapes are gone. The one with the most points is the winner!

Extra pairs of cards can be added to make it more challenging.

Ethnic Food Tasting Day

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:37:00 -0700

We're expanding our taste buds!

As I alluded to in a note this past week, I'm planning to hold a special Ethnic Food Tasting Day in our class. The date has been set for Thursday, May 12.

All parents are invited to prepare or provide a few small servings of their favourite ethnic dish. It may be something that has been a family tradition, or a special food that you share on special occasions. Food may be prepared at home or store-bought. The students will be invited to try a small sample of each.

If you are providing a food dish, please send a list of the ingredients, and a note about what special occasion or event this dish might be served on.

Tips for Reading With Your Child

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:30:00 -0800

For parents of 1st graders, from Reading rockets web site.

For parents of 2nd graders, from Reading Rockets web site.

Common thread between both articles: Meaningful conversation between adult and child, away from the TV.

Good Learning Web Sites

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 08:19:00 -0800

Hello everyone,
If you look at the green side bar to the right of this posting, you'll see I have a collection of bookmarks on Delicious.com. Click on the "mrbrownroom9" link to see the web-based activities I have selected.

Tumblebooks are an on-line, interactive reader and is hosted by the Hamilton Public Library. It has a big selection of story books that are read out loud to practice reading. A trial account can be requested.

March Break Reading

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:17:00 -0800

I have sent home some books at your child's learning level. Please take some quality time each day to have your child share one of the books with you. I hope you'll take a minute to record the reading and to comment on how your reading time went.

Thank you for your partnership, as always!

GB

Animal Behaviour - Chipmunk

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:02:00 -0800

This video shows just how amazing a chipmunk really is.

http://www.phantomhd.pl/m/video/?video=24

Mental Math

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 06:32:00 -0800

Mental math is something we probably never heard about when we were in school. It was only as I became an adult that I became aware of how often I performed mathematics in my head. Even the simple tasks of remembering a running score in a ping-pong game, or adding up purchases in the variety store, were things I did all the time, without knowing that I was doing "mental math."

"Do it in your head," is the way we usually say it. But nowadays, the Ontario curriculum has named it "mental math."

So what exactly is mental math? And how can it be taught?

My goal is to help the kids learn and understand a variety of patterns, facts and relationships about numbers. These are very simple, basic facts, and they will provide a strong foundation for learning in later grades.

Some examples:

The +1 family:
Here's how it works. I say a number between 1 and 19. In your head, you perform [+1] and then say the resulting number to me. For example, I say, "Six." You say, "Seven." or I say, "Twelve." You say, "Thirteen."
It seems so easy! But this is a mental math skill that is priceless.

The +2 family:
It works the same way as the +1 family. For example, I say, "Eight." You say, "Ten."

The -1 family and the -2 family are next.

Stay tuned for more mental math ideas.
GB

Parent Engagement

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 06:19:00 -0800

This article was published in the recent newsletter of the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario. GB.

Parent Engagement

by Debbie Pushor
University of Saskatchewan

A wealth of research concludes that students are more likely to be successful when their parents are engaged in their education. When parents are truly engaged, children:

attend school more regularly;
are better behaved;
have better academic outcomes;
have a greater sense of how to be successful in school; and
are more likely to graduate and go on to postsecondary education.

In light of this evidence, parents may try to enhance the way they support their childrens' learning.

What can parents do that works?

It seems it is not particular parent actions, such as attending school functions, establishing household rules, or checking student homework, that make the difference. Instead, it is more subtle aspects of parent engagement that prove to be the most important - such as creating an atmosphere in the home in which education is valued, and in which high expectations and levels of support are established. When parent engagement is linked to teaching and learning it contributes to enhanced student results. The benefits are greater when the parent is not expected to act as another teacher.

What might this mean for me as your child's teacher?

I can encourage parents to be engaged in their children’s learning on their own terms and in ways that fit their place in their children’s lives - playing games, cooking together, enrolling their children in language, cultural, or extra-curricular activities, or family outings.
I can learn from parents and families about their lives out of school, in order to have realistic and practical expectations for home and school interaction.
Work with parents to analyze together student achievement results and jointly establish school priorities and growth plans.

Some interesting thoughts, which I support.
GB

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Wed, 5 Jan 2011 17:55:00 -0800

Well, here we are in 2011. Time marches on. At this time of year it seems to go even faster.
In room 9 we are continuing with our homework sentences: 5 words each week, each one to be used in a sentence, and due for assessment on Friday.

I've noticed a steady improvement in printing skills as the year progresses. What are some things that still need attention? In most cases it is spacing of words and letter size. Many students are making good progress at removing unnecessary capital letters, and I'm seeing fewer and fewer reversed letters. This is encouraging.

Counting

It is evident that some students are practicing counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. Here's a next step for counting practice: Count by 10s but start on any number - say 15. The student continues with "25, 35, 45..." Or, another example: start on 22. The student continues with "32, 42..." Another variation is to have them say all of the multiples of 10 between two numbers, for example: "What 10s are there between 30 and 70?" Answer: "40, 50, 60"

Math

We are finishing up our measurement unit. Finished with perimeter and beginning area. We will also introduce the students to using standard units of cm. and m. for measuring length.

Science

Completing our unit on air and water over the next couple of weeks. Grade 2s should have completed the cloud and wind observation activity which was sent home at end of December.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch through an agenda note if you need to talk.
GB

Remembrance Day Poster

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:56:00 -0800

We made this for our Remembrance Day Assembly.

Due Date for Homework

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:30:00 -0800

Since Friday is a PD day, homework books will be collected Thursday, November 18.

Reading Rangers

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:29:00 -0800

Our in-class reading time is called Reading Rangers. It's modeled after the TVO program which, in a fun way, teaches kids about reading.

Today's topic: The Five Finger Rule - How to tell if a book is a "Just Right" book to practise reading with.

Fridge list #5

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:56:00 -0800

For the week of November 15 - 18. Notebooks collected on Thursday, Nov. 18.

List 5A

day
say
ray
cake
lake

List 5B

train
brain
chain
yesterday
today

Nov - Dec newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:01:00 -0800

Monday, November 15

Room 9 Newsletter - November/December

Dear parents and guardians,

It's hard to believe our first term is almost done. This week your child's preliminary progress report will be sent home. Please make sure you fill in and sign page 3 and return it to the school when you come for your interview.

In language, we have been considering "Who Am I?" as our theme for reading and writing. This theme can also carry into your home reading time, as you talk about characters and events in books your child is reading. In writing, we are learning to gather and organize our ideas. One of our main projects is to make a book called My Life Story. I hope you enjoy seeing the work your child has done. Thanks for sending some pictures to make the book more meaningful.

In math, we have recently been working on measurement, using non-standard units. As part of our daily routine and calendar time, we practice counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, forward and backward. To help your child, please take time and have them count various objects for you. Also, have them look at a group of objects and break it into separate parts, so they can see how two parts add up to make a whole, and become aware of the numbers that fit together.

Our Calendar has homework information on it

In the coming weeks, I am asking you to help your child with some simple homework tasks. The calendar shows that your child is part of a sharing group, and it tells you what day your child will be expected to "show and tell" their item that they have brought (or completed) from home. It takes just a few minutes of your time, and the extra input from home will really help to enrich our learning in our Social Studies and Science units.

Thank you for all your support. I look forward to seeing you and answering any questions you may have at our interview this week.

Sincerely, Mr. Brown

Interview Times: Book on-line

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Mon, 8 Nov 2010 12:55:00 -0800

Parents,

If you haven't had the chance to return the paperwork for booking an interview with me, go to this web site and you can do it on-line... very quick and very easy to see what times are available.

http://weathermagnet.youcanbook.me

Mr. Brown

Fridge list #4

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Mon, 8 Nov 2010 12:50:00 -0800

List 4A -

dog

got

pop

help

fell

List 4B -

helpful

doghouse

onto

pocket

bottle

Look for the list in your child's agenda. Grade 1s do list A, Grade 2s do list B, with a few exceptions.

As usual, the 5 sentences are due on Friday. Each word is to be printed 3 times for practice with its sentence.

Adults Who Don't Read

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:31:00 -0700

I sometimes wonder about adults these days, especially adults who don't read a lot.

I think to myself, "If people aren't getting their news and ideas from reading (ie, books, magazines or newspapers), then they must be getting it through TV or radio, or by just talking to other people they know."

It's not that TV, radio or conversation are bad. It's just that they are pretty limited. You can click off of any news you don't want to hear, and never have to think about it again. You can change the radio station to whatever you want. And, you can talk to just your friends and family who are like you. And, you forget what it is like to ask questions, and be curious. Next thing you know, you lose the one thing that connects you forever with your child. As a result, some people end up "small-minded." Their world is small. They feel uncomfortable with new ideas. They rarely think of new ideas. And worse, they sometimes are closed to meeting and talking with people who might be different. And then, they become protective, and guarded, and then in some mysterious way they become judgmental of others who think differently. And they say things like, "Why would I ever take time to enjoy reading a book?"

And then, as a teacher, I start to really worry, because I send books home every night for a child to enjoy and talk about with their parent, and I'm not sure that it is as fun as it should be.

And it's not the kid's fault.

Parents, reading with your child is not about getting them to learn to read. It's about inspiring within them a love for new ideas, new connections, new thoughts. It makes them truly alive, like we all ought to be!!

Homework Expectations: A slight change

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:21:00 -0700

This is the note going home tomorrow (Friday, Oct 29)...

Dear parents and guardians,

Up to now, I've been checking homework notebooks daily, and I've seen some very consistent results from most of the class. However, I'm changing the routine slightly. I will still be giving a "fridge list" of words each Monday, printed in the agenda. From the list, 5 sentences are to be printed in the homework book, and the fridge list word from the sentence should be printed 3 times extra, after the sentence, for practice.

NEW: Homework books will be due at the end of each week (refer to our class calendar). Books will be collected for checking, and returned at the beginning of the next week.

Since homework books are collected at the end of the week, this gives more flexibility at your end. Your child can print one or two sentences a night, or as an extra incentive, if they complete them all before hand-in day, I will accept them early.

I think this is fair and will be helpful at your end and at this end as well : )

Thank you!

Mr. Brown

Fridge List #2 Oct. 25 - 29

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:37:00 -0700

mother
about
went
what
yes

One word for each day of the week, Monday through Friday. Make a sentence with the word included, showing that you know its meaning. Don't forget to use upper and lower case and punctuation correctly. (ie. question marks on question sentences)
Then, to practice spelling of the word, print it 3 times under your sentence.

Fridge List #1

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:41:00 -0700

For the week of October 18 - 22

first
next
last
why

Starting Tuesday, for homework print a sentence using the day's word correctly.
To be done in the homework notebook, which is kept in the front of the agenda.

The homework sentence is checked the following morning, and time is provided for students to exchange their home reading book.
GB

Home Reading Starts on October 18th

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 07:01:00 -0700

Does my child have homework? Yes!

It's now official - I'm sending home one book at your child's learning level each day in their zip-lock reading bag in their backpack. Two on the weekend.

Parents I'm asking you do your part each day to spend some quality time sitting with your child and having them read the book to you. Then, take a few minutes and talk about the story and the characters and what it means to your child.

You never know where this conversation might take you!

Mr. B

What's new in Homework Land

noreply@blogger.com (GB) — Thu, 7 Oct 2010 12:58:00 -0700

Dear parents and guardians,

It has been an exciting two weeks since Room 9 was re-organized. I sense that the students are getting to feel more relaxed with me, and with each other, and that we are starting to settle into our routines.

Some parents have been asking: What is my child's homework? As I outlined in our letter at the start of the year, the best use of home study time is to enjoy reading a book with your child. Developing a love and a familiarity with reading all kinds of books is the most important daily "study" activity you can do with your child.

"But what else can I do to support my child's learning?" you might ask.

Try practicing counting with them, in the following ways:

Count forwards to 20, 30 and beyond.
Count backwards from 10, 20, 30 and beyond.
Start counting at any number and count forward or backward.
Count upward in 2s, 5s, 10s.
Play dominoes, or play snakes and ladders or yahtzee to practice simple addition skills.

Based on some notes I've received in student agendas, a few of you are inquiring about spelling tests. I will be soon be sending home a "fridge list" of spelling words, approximately every week, for students to practise and use at home. We will have a quiz on some of the words from the list each week. My emphasis is not just on the correct spelling of the word, but more importantly, can your student use the word legibly and appropriately in context of a sentence?

I'll try to post the fridge list here on the day we put it into our agendas.

Thanks for all your support.
G. Brown