October Fun!

Well, my computer is back up and running after having a virus! : ) I am feeling much better, except I still don't have much of a voice! Thank goodness the kids have been understanding! Last night was the Family Halloween Party at Queen's and it was wonderful to see everyone in their costumes. What a great night! Pictures will be posted on the photo website soon! We have been working hard learning the water cycle and next week we will be completing a video all about what we have learned so far! Once this is complete, each child will be bringing home a dvd with our movie so you can see what we have learned at home!

Our class Halloween party will be on Friday, October 29 at 2 p.m. The grade 1-2 teachers have decided not to allow dressing up at the party. It was decided at a staff meeting that full costumes would not be allowed at school, but students would be able to wear one accessory item from their costume if grades could agree. We have decided to go simple and not have anything!

However, I would like to do a fun activity to get everyone in our class involved by having a Crazy Vocabulary Hat contest. We will be reading a cool book called: Miss Alaineus, A Vocabulary Disaster where the kids had to create costumes or hats that told the meaning of a vocabulary word. I will hand out directions and the hats on Monday! I will give some time in class to decorate and plan. Basically, students will pick a vocabulary word and show what it means on their hat. Go to this website for some examples: http://www.debrafrasier.com/pages/gallery.html This will be part of the spelling contract grade this week! The spelling contract will be shorter as well! : ) This should be a really fun learning project! I am excited to see all the hats!

When everyone didn't have school on Friday, Mrs. Engemann was at a conference learning how to be a better teacher. It was a GREAT conference and have realized that I already use most of the techniques, but now know how to use them better. I am excited to use the new techniques too! The conference was on differentiation which means making sure that I teach in a way that reaches every student! Every child learns at different speeds and comes to each subject manner knowing different things, I learned ways to find out what your child already knows and how to make sure they are achieving at their own potential! Needless to say, I am so excited to start using my new knowledge! This is why I love being a teacher! Let's have a great week!