Candy estimations

Hello Division 19,

Tomorrow is Halloween.  We have been learning about estimating in math for both grades. I have asked the kids to make an estimation for how many candies they will collect tomorrow night.  When your child comes home tomorrow from trick-or-treating, please have him/her count the number of candies collected.  Please write the amount down in your child’s agenda so he/she can share the amount with the class.

My estimation with Ava is 18 candies.  We only go to 5-6 houses and 18 is plenty for her!  I will have to hide the candies afterwards because she loves chocolate!

See you tomorrow.  Remember costumes in the afternoon only.

Mme Rode

New Page

Hello Division 19,

I have added a new page under the main page-for kids.  It is called French stories on Youtube.  I have been finding stories with subtitles on my pinterest feed and I thought it might be helpful with French reading at home.  The good thing about Youtube is that when you watch one video it has recommendations for other videos with the same theme.  Many of you have been able to find some great French songs with subtitles that way.  I will add more stories as I find them but if you find a great one that your child loves please pass it on and I will post it on the blog.

See you tomorrow (Black and Orange)

Mme Rode

Hallowe’en week

Hello Division 19

Happy Hallowe’en!  This is the plan for the week.  Tomorrow we will have an orange and black day.  Please have your child wear something that is orange and/or black.  Do not go and buy anything for tomorrow.  It is a last minute Hallowe’en dress up activity.

Wednesday is Hallowe’en.  I invite your child to wear his/her costume in the afternoon only (only if your child wants to).  Please have your child dress as they would normally dress for the morning and have them bring his/her costume in a bag.  I only want them to dress up in the afternoon only because there is less of a chance for the costume to break or get damaged.  If your child’s costume is very elaborate, perhaps send only a prop of the costume.  They will be getting ready by themselves.

If you would like to send little treats for Hallowe’en please remember that there are 23 students in the class.  If you are sending something, please make it something that is easy to pass out.

Thank you,

Mme Rode

Warmer clothes

Hello Division 19,

Did you know that this is my 100th post!  Happy blogging!

The weather has started to turn.  It is now getting colder and I have noticed that many children are coming to school with thin sweaters and jackets.  I do realize that many of your children do not spend much time outside in the morning (going from the house to the car to inside the school), but I do worry about them at recess and lunch time.

I have also been thinking about the cold weather and what would happen in the case of a natural disaster.  The staff at Anderson have been learning about emergency procedures such as fires and earthquakes.  Did you know that if there was an earthquake your child could be outside for a long time (several/many hours). If he/she doesn’t have a warm jacket in the classroom he/she would be very, very cold.  Please send your child to school with a warm jacket and weather appropriate clothes.  If it helps, dress your child in layers (that are labeled). He/she can always remove the clothing during the day.

Just something to think about…..

I enjoyed chatting with all the parents who came today and look forward to seeing the rest of you this week.

See you,

Mme Rode

Early Dismissals

Hello Division 19,

Just a reminder that there are 2 early dismissals this week.  Monday and Wednesday, the students will be dismissed at 2 pm.  I will be starting conferences at 2:15 on those days so please arrange for your child to be picked up for 2 pm.  The other days it will be dismissal as usual (3 pm and 1 pm on Friday).

Looking forward to meeting with you this week,

Mme Rode

For Grade 1 Parents

Dear Grade 1 Parents,

Starting on Thursday, I am encouraging the grade 1 students to speak in French with me in the classroom.  The rational behind this is for them to become more immersed in the French Language.  Your child has been learning many phrases in class and has been doing amazing in picking up the French language.  To help your child continue to develop their French oral language skills I am sending home some French phrases that we use in the classroom.  It would be wonderful if you could practice these phrases at home with your child in order for them to feel comfortable and increasingly confident when speaking in French in the classroom.

Playing games with your child will help them significantly.  You do not need to be a French speaker to play oral French games with your child.

Oral French Language Games to play:

Ask them how many objects they see(combien?)  They answer: Je vois…or Il y a….

Ask them to identify objects (qu’est-ce que c’est?) They answer:  Voici un/une, C’est un/une

Ask them what they see (Que vois-tu?) They answer:  Je vois….

Ask them what they are doing (verbs).  They answer: Je (and then action they are doing, such as je joue- I play)

Ask them what they like Aimes-tu…. Get them to answer with J’aime or Je n’aime pas the object

Ask them to identify things that they have: They answer: J’ai…

The more your child practices speaking in French, the easier it will be in the classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping your child speak French.

Mme Rode

Here is a little table to help your child at home. I will also include a PDF file so you can print it off and put it on the fridge.

French Phrases Grade 1

French phrase	English pronunciation	English meaning
Voici…	Vwahsee	Here is…
Je	Je	I
J’aime	Jehme	I like/love
J’ai	Jeay	I have
Je suis	Je swee	I am
C’est	Say	It is
Je vois	Je vwah	I see
Est-ce que je	Ess se ke je	Can I …
Regarde	regard	Look
Où est…	Oo ayy	Where is
Combien	Combe-ehn	How many?
Aujourd’hui	Oh-jour-dweee	Today…
Qu’est-ce que c’est	Kess ke say	What is it?
J’ai besoin de	Jeay bezwin de	I need

Fun upcoming events in Richmond!

Hello Division 19,

Here are some fun events that are happening in Richmond.  This Friday (the pro-d) there is a Science Fair at the Brighouse Library.  It runs from 11-3.  You can check out some fun science projects as well as get some French books at the library!  Fun fun fun!

Also, the Canadian Parents for French is organizing a Spooky Halloween night.  The event costs $5 and all the money goes to supporting French Immersion programs in Richmond.  It is at Dixon Elementary on Friday October 26th from 6:30-8:30.  The event will be done in French and it is a great way for your child to be immersed in French outside of the classroom.  If you would like tickets, please see the office and drop off your money.

Don’t forget Pumpkin Patch day tomorrow.  I have my boots ready….do you?

Mme Rode

Pumpkin Patch

Hello Division 19,

We are looking forward to a fun-filled day on Thursday October 18, 2012 when we go to the Country Farms Pumpkin Patch! Here are a few reminders for that day.

1)   Please dress appropriately for the weather. We are going rain or shine. If it is wet out we would recommend bringing boots to wear and put an extra pair of dry shoes in the backpack for the afternoon at school.

2)   Please bring 3 big plastic bags. We will double bag the pumpkins we bring home (they will be muddy and wet) and then an extra bag for wet or soiled clothing.

3)   Your child will eat lunch AT the school, so send a lunch like every day. We will be eating in the classroom. We will have an early recess at 9: 50 or so to be on the bus on time.

4)   We would love parent helpers to come along to the pumpkin patch.  If you are interested in coming, please drive to Country Farms and meet us there.  The cost of admission is $7.00

Looking forward to a great day!

Mme Rode

Monthly calendar and newsletter

Hello Division 19,

Here is the calendar and monthly newsletter.  They are both PDF files.  Please take a look so you know what is happening this month.  Please make sure you return your parent teacher conference form and the money for the pumpkin patch.

October Calendar

October Newsletter

See you,

Mme Rode

Photo Day and Parent Teacher conferences

Hello Division 19,

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you had lots of turkey and family time this weekend.  

On Wednesday October 10, it is individual photo day at Anderson.  Have your child bring his/her best smile to school that day!

Tomorrow I will be sending home the sign-up sheet for parent teacher conferences.  They will the week of October 22.  October 22nd is the early dismissal day (2:00)and it will also be the day that I will be staying till 5:30 to conference. Due to family commitments, I cannot stay past 5:30.  From previous experience, the 5:00, 5:15 times are very popular and those times will go on a first come first serve basis.  Please return the forms as soon as possible to ensure that you get a time that works to your schedule.  

Also, if you haven’t paid already for the pumpkin patch, please do so because our field trip is coming up in less than 2 weeks!  The cost for the field trip is $10.00.  It should be a fun time.  I hope the weather holds up for this day.

See you all tomorrow!

Mme Rode