We had our last Grade One skating session on Monday and wow did the children ever improve over the 5 sessions! Another big thank you to all of the parents who assisted at the rink. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This Week’s Sight Words: away, many, time, count, just, love

This Week’s Rhyming Word Family “ing”: king, sing, ring, thing

Covered Tissue Box: I sent home a pink memo today asking each student to send in a covered tissue box.  Please cover the tissue box with white paper at home and send the covered box into school before Thursday. We will be turning these pre-covered tissue boxes into cute Valentines holders.

Olympics Website:  We’ve began exploring different websites related to the olympics. Here’s a good one to Bookmark on your computer at home. It contains different games and activities related to the 3 olympics mascots as well as different winter olympic sports. http://www.vancouver2010.com/mascot/en/index.php

1More/Plus 1 Game from Last Week’s Homework: This game was part of last week’s homework. We’ve been playing this game in class since late September. Our purpose for not sending the instructions was related to having students use their oral language to give instructions to another person. My apologies for any confusion this may have caused. The game, which is still in BE books, requires either 1 dice or a pack of playing cards ( with all Face cards removed: jack, king, queen and jokers) and a counter for each square.  Counter suggestions include pennies, cheerios, small legos or small pom poms). You can play the game by yourself or with a partner. Start with a blank card and your counters in a neat pile in front of you. The player either rolls a dice or chooses a card. Eg. If you choose a 5 of hearts, you need to ask yourself What is 1 more? 1 more than 5 is 6. Check your card to see if you have either the numeral 6 or a dot representation of 6. Cover that number with a counter if its on your card.  If you choose a number which you already have covered with a counter, you miss your turn. Play on until each number is covered on your card. The children actually really enjoy this when we play at school.

Subtraction Stories: Please continue to work on this at home as well. Its important they practice making these stories with pictures, numbers and words.

Have a wonderful week and a nice Valentines Weekend. As always, any questions, please let me know.