This week the class was introduced to our co-constructed calendar. Students helped add special events for the month of October (Thanksgiving, Halloween, Trinket the Therapy Dog).
Each afternoon during Learning Centres, The Special Helper will draw a picture about something we did that day.
On Monday, The Special Helper drew about what the daily survey was in the morning (Do you like apples or grapes?).
On Tuesday, The Special Helper drew a picture of what the class did in Gym (We did the crab walk and bunny hops).
On Wednesday, The Special Helper drew a picture of playing at the Building Centre.
On Thursday, the Special Helper drew a picture of our surprise visitor - Trinket The Therapy Dog.
At the end of each month, we will create a book with all of the months days.
This week in Math
We learned a new math game called Fill the Frame. Playing in partners, each student has a Ten Frame. They roll their die and add that number of jewels to their frame. When filling their ten frame, they learned to start at the top left spot, fill the entire row, and then start filling the bottom row from the left. Players take turns until one of them fills their frame first. If they roll a number higher than the number of spots they have left (i.e. roll a 6 but only have 3 empty spaces), they lose a turn and must keep trying until they roll the exact number!
This week in Literacy
After discussing as a class why we celebrate Thanksgiving, everyone worked in small groups to write and draw a picture about what they are thankful for.
We learned a new math game called Fill the Frame. Playing in partners, each student has a Ten Frame. They roll their die and add that number of jewels to their frame. When filling their ten frame, they learned to start at the top left spot, fill the entire row, and then start filling the bottom row from the left. Players take turns until one of them fills their frame first. If they roll a number higher than the number of spots they have left (i.e. roll a 6 but only have 3 empty spaces), they lose a turn and must keep trying until they roll the exact number!
After discussing as a class why we celebrate Thanksgiving, everyone worked in small groups to write and draw a picture about what they are thankful for.
During Read Aloud this week, the class heard a variety of stories from the series How do Dinosaurs... by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. These humorous books taught our class some very important lessons like how to behave at school, how to keep friends, how to stay safe, and how to self regulate when you are mad.
Trinket The Therapy Dog
Trinket (and her "mommy" owner Sue) will be visiting our classroom throughout the year during Learning Centres on Thursday mornings. The Therapy Dog Service program is run by St. John's Ambulance. Trinket is a King Charles Cocker Spaniel who has often frequented many places in the Leaside area. She is certified with a mild temperament and loves being around people, especially children!
Dog therapy has many benefits, which include a few of the following:
Physical:
- petting a dog produces a calming feeling (sensory)
- learning proper interaction with a dog subsides internal fears
Mental Health and Wellbeing:
- encourages communication
- increases socialization
-provides comfort and lowers anxiety
Academic:
- provides non-judgemental and non-stressful environment
- increases self-confidence and reduces self-consciousness
- helps students focus better
If you have any questions or concerns about your child participating in Trinket's visits, please let me know.
I would like to with everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy spending time with family and friends over the weekend!
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