February 28, 2017

We have now completed our non-fiction research projects on Penguins and Polar Bears.  Students enjoyed sharing their finished products with their classmates today.

Our class March Newsletter is available on the newsletter page of our website.  

Reminders:
- Wednesday - Early Dismissal
- Thursday - home reading is due, the Word Sort test and Rainbow Word test
- Friday - no school 
- Family Dance tickets (March 23) are available on Powerschool

February 24, 2017

Congratulations to Quentin, who was the 1-2E Student of the Week!

Our Math unit for the next month will be adding and subtracting to 100.  We will begin with manipulatives, move into the algorithm method and also learn how to solve equations on the open number line.  Students will share all three methods with you at the student led conferences in March.  

The foundation for all math is Basic Facts, thus far, we have mastered several strategies for solving basic fact equations (+/-0, +/-1, +/-2, make 10 and doubles).  Grade 1 students are required to have rote recall of basic facts to a sum of 5, including related subtraction facts.  Grade 2 students are required to have rote recall of basic facts to a sum of 10, including related subtraction facts. I strongly encourage all students to become experts by reviewing their basic facts nightly.  Online resources include xtraMath and Mathletics Live.  Also, hands on game ideas are available on the Basic Fact page of our website.    

February 22, 2017

Today was PINK SHIRT DAY!!  Check out this awesome video that explains this special Canadian initiative.

Today was also the release date for the RBES Kindness Matters Video. Please watch, like and share, share, share!  Let's spread our message, Kindness Matters, around the world! 

A special THANK YOU to Brodie and Cas for their generous donations to our classroom library!  They are now stickered, leveled and in our home reading bins, so watch for these new titles in your child's home reading bag in the weeks to come.  

February 21, 2017

I hope you all had a fantastic Family Day Long Weekend!

Our Math Basic Fact focus for the next two week will be on doubles.  Here is a Doubles Rap that is helping us to memorize these facts.  Students are bringing home a doubles book today that they can review nightly.  

The Grade 2s were introduced to the community of Iqaluit today.  Here are two links for websites they may like to explore at home.  Nunavut Tourism & Arctic Travel Resources. 

Today was TASTY TUESDAY!!  The M&M Peanut Butter Bananas were a popular treat.  Thank you for Mrs. Courtemanche for donating the ingredients!!  We are urgently seeking parents to donate for March, April, May and June, please email if you are able to help out.  

February 17, 2017

Congratulations to Emily, who was the 1-2E Student of the Week!

We had a great time learning about African drumming, singing and dancing with Garth Prince today.  

If you have not yet returned your Spell-a-thon pledge money, please send it on Tuesday.

Reminder that tonight is RBES Family Movie Night from 6-8pm!  

Feburary 16, 2017

Today was our spell-a-thon test day!  Congratulations to all students on a job well done!!  Please return the Spell-a-thon money (along with the pledge form) at your earliest convenience.  

THANK YOU to all of the outstanding Skating Volunteers!  I hope you truly realize how valuable you all are to our skating experience!!!  

February 15, 2017

Today was our 100th day of school!  Students each brought 100 items and that we compared them!  It was interesting to see that 100 pieces of rice looks so tiny, but 100 pom poms looks large.  

We created 100s mats, 100 necklaces and stories about being 100.  It was a jam packed day! 

Reminder that tonight is the last night to review words in preparation for tomorrow's Spell-a-thon test!!  

February 14, 2017

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  

Students had a wonderful time exchanging cards, creating art and candy heart writing.  

Then Grade 1s have been hard at work researching Penguins and their hard work was rewarded today when they got to meet a real penguin!!!  Students were very excited to learn about Deo, the African Penguin, who lives at the West Edmonton Mall Sea Life Caverns. 

February 13, 2017

Today we created 3D shapes using toothpicks (edges) and marshmallows (vertices).  Students enjoyed this yummy exploration.  We also reviewed all 6 3D shapes by playing BINGO!  

It was fun to be back on the ice for our second week of skating.  A giant THANK YOU to today's volunteers.  My fingers may stay blister free this year, thanks for all of your skate tying support!!    

Reminders: 
- Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  Students are encouraged to wear pink or red and bring cards for their classmates.
- Wednesday is 100 Day, students are to bring 100 items in a Ziploc bag.  
- Spell-a-thon pledge sheets are due.  The test is on Thursday.  
- Tickets for Trolls Family Movie Night are available on Powerschool.

February 8, 2017

Today students completed their introduction to 3D Shapes.  They can now identify and create the: sphere, cylinder, cone, pyramid, cube & rectangular prism.  Grab some play-dough at home and practice making these shapes with your child.  

Have a wonderful extra long weekend!  Please ensure your child returns his/her home reading on Monday.

February 7, 2017

Today was a big exciting day at RBES!  The Shaw Cable crew was in the building filming the RBES Anti-Bullying video.  The message RBES wishes to spread around the world is that Kindness Matters!  We can't wait to share the finished product with everyone - stay tuned for the big reveal later in the month!!

Have you ever wondered what Morning Mindfulness looks like in 1-2E?  We have spent 8 weeks working through the MindUp curriculum and have many great strategies, now we take 5 minutes everyday to begin our school day in a calm and relaxed manner.  According to Ora Nadrick, "How we wake up and get out of bed really does determine how the rest of our day will go, and if we can take just a few minutes to connect to a “mindfulness zone,” everything we do from that moment onward will be with more awareness and keep us in the present."  Since our day begins at 8:35, we do everything that we can to launch it in a positive and calm manner; starting our school day in a mindful way, sets the tone for the rest of our day's learning.  

Skating Volunteers

We are urgently seeking volunteers for skating.  Please email me with the dates you are able to assist.

Date	On Ice	Skate Tying
Feburary 13 10:35-11:10	Mr. Babb & Auntie Kayla	Ms. Shah, Mr. Babb & Auntie Kayla
Feburary 14 10:35-11:10	Mr. & Mrs. Wagner	Mr. Bessette, Ms. Hewko, Ms. Shah, Mr. & Mrs. Wagner
Feburary 15 11:10 -11:45	Auntie Kayla	Mrs. Hammer & Auntie Kayla
Feburary 16 10:35-11:10	Mr. Babb & Auntie Kayla	Mr. Bessette, Ms. Hewko, Mr. Babb & Auntie Kayla

Thank you in advance for your support of our skating program!  

February 6, 2017

Today we focused on Kindness Matters.  1-2E students paired up and created kind notes for their friends. They are on display outside our classroom, be sure to stop by and check it out! 

This week is Teacher's Convention.  Students only have school Monday-Wednesday.  Below are unique things going on during our very short week.

- Filming for the Anti-Bullying Project will take place Tuesday morning.  Students will wear their Pink Shirts for the filming - shirts will stay at the school and go home with students after the Feb. 22 national Anti-Bullying Day.  Thank you to all parents for getting your permission forms in today, it was appreciated!

- There will be no word sort this week. Instead, students are encouraged to practice their Spell-a-thon words.  Reminder, that the words are available on Spelling City.  

- Home reading bags will not be returned until Monday, Feb. 13.  This will allow students to continue reading their books over the extra long weekend!  

- Students should continue to strive for 60 minutes of physical activity per day and record it in their Energize Log!  Congratulations to the students who have already earned their Oilers pencil reward. 

- We are skating next week.  Please ensure your child brings his/her helmet and skates for Monday, Feb. 13. 

- A complete class list was sent via email for students who wish to make Valentines for their classmates.

February 4, 2017

Congratulations to Isabella, who was the 1-2E Student of the Week!

Today we continued our research!  It is not very often that the two grades are separated in our room, it seems so odd!!  

There are many important notes coming home today.  An email was sent to all parents this morning that outlines the deadlines for each form.

February 3, 2017

Today, students began the research portion of their non-fiction unit.  The Grade 1s learned how to navigate their web based research links.  While the Grade 2s learned how to highlight key points in text and take point-form notes. 

Everyone is very excited about their animals and have enjoyed checking in on them through the San Diego Zoo Live Cams.  Many students are hoping to watch their animals at home tonight and also read all about their animals at the links below.  
Penguin Link
Polar Bear Link

February 1, 2017

Today in Math, we continued our exploration of 2D shapes.  Students used circles, ovals, squares, rectangles and triangles to create shape monsters.  

We also launched our research/non fiction unit on penguins (Gr. 1) and polar bears (Gr. 2).  Students are very excited for this unit!

Our afternoon was spent outdoors, enjoying the beautiful walking trails of Devon for the Alberta Winter Walk Day.  Thank you to the town of Devon for the delicious hot chocolate at the end of our adventure.