(Final) Tips of the Week: June 22- 25

Dear Families, 

I am grateful to have had the privilege to work with your wonderful children this year. We have each learned considerably from one another, and have taught each other many valuable lessons. We will all take away incredible memories, loads of new information, and many, many laughs! It has truly been a fabulous adventure. 

Thank you sincerely for your support over the year.

This week: 

• Wednesday is our free BBQ lunch. Please ensure your child has returned their form so that they may receive their BBQ lunch (if desired).
• Thursday is our LAST DAY OF SCHOOL and we will have a class party on Thursday afternoon. Please keep and eye out for an upcoming note home regarding what students can bring (in terms of food).

Tips for the Summer:

Over the summer, children should have access to activities and experiences that allow them to practice kindness, cooperation, responsibility, problem solving, attentive listening. as well as reading, writing and math. 

Many of the activities, or even the routines that your child will be doing will already include those skills, and are just as valuable (if not more) than any workbooks. However a combination of practical experience and 'sit-down practice' is never a bad idea.

Math can be telling time, estimating temperature, calculating distance to various destinations, measuring weight, length, doing addition (receipts/bills), subtraction, multiplying (equal groups of items), practicing critical thinking, problem solving (ie. there are 7 people coming to the cottage but only 3 rooms, where will everyone sleep?). Math is everywhere.

Here are some practical examples of how to keep your child up to date over the summer months:

http://www.babble.com/kid/13-teacher-recommended-ways-to-keep-kids-learning-this-summer-2/

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev073.shtml

http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/family-learning/36089.html

In addition to the above, when your child has 'down time' (i.e. on a long drive, on a rainy day, etc.), encourage them to check out some of the MANY educational websites (I have listed tons in the menu to the right). Here is a quick list:

Reading everyday is highly encouraged and recommended. Reading is also everywhere and can be in the form of newspaper comics, articles, blogs, story books, comic books (including graphic novels), chapter books, poetry, recipes, instructions and much more. 

Writing can be as simple as buying your child a diary, giving them a journal to recount adventures, or dictating the weekly shopping list and having them record it. Having them check over their work for spelling, punctuation and whether their writing 'makes sense' is a great way to keep them up to date over the summer. 

As you know, children absorb their surroundings and look up to their loved ones. The best way to get them to do any of the above is to lead by example. Perhaps pull out a book every evening after dinner, or even share a few fun stories from a childhood diary.  You will likely have some good laughs, and in turn may inspire your child to write their own diary! :) 

Have a wonderful and safe summer together, and thank you again for a fabulous year! :) 

Warm regards,

Emily Sullivan

Tips of the Week: June 15 -19

This is our second last edition for the year of our class blog. I have had some nice reviews in student agendas- thank you! I hope to have a blog again next year, and will take into account the feedback that I received from this year in order to make it as useful as possible.

This Thursday afternoon is our school's Play Day. Students will likely need a change of clothes (in case of getting wet in water games). More info to follow via notes home.

This Friday afternoon (1pm) is our annual Park Lawn Idol. Throughout the last 2 weeks, students of all grades were invited to audition for the show (which is very much like a talent show), performing many acts including: piano, violin, dancing, gymnastics, live bands, stand up comedy, singing, magic tricks, and much more.  We can't wait to watch the wonderful show!

Language- This week and next, we are focusing on reading and writing skills in our reading groups, and students are encouraged to use checklists as they read and write over the summer. Here is a fun reading challenge for this summer's reading:

Here is a great and straightforward reading checklist that is simple to follow and provides a great reminder to children while reading. It's also a great way to determine if the book is too easy or too hard for the child:

Math- We have wrapped up all of our units for the year and are doing review this week and part of next. Students will be practicing core concepts such as multiplication skills, skip counting, place value, problem solving skills, addition and subtraction skills, and various mathematical terms and vocabulary. All of these concepts are wonderful choices when planning review for the summer. Here is a general list of the terms (associated with various areas of focus) for math from grades 3-5. It is taken from a U.S. site but is very much in line with our Ontario Curriculum:

Here are a an excellent (basic) checklist to use over the summer when practicing word problems:

Please encourage your child to use the games in the tab to the right to practice math skills over the summer (when possible).

~Thank you for reading. Have fun working and being together!~