Monthly Archives: May 2013

Thank You Students, Staff, and Families!

Posted on by
Reply

Pretty pinks and blues to posh up my garden!

It was an honor to be invited to  judge at the Public Speaking Event!  Seeing all of my “friends” and former colleagues is always bittersweet, yet wonderful!  In case you are wondering about the Public Speaking Event, here are a few facts,

• all students from Grade One to Five participate in the event

-The Grade One students choose or write a poem to memorize and “present” to their classmates.  The Grade Ones are adorable as they debut on stage!

-The Grade Twos to Fives, choose topics and write a speech to present to classmates, in class and in another Grade appropriate class. Topics range from Dinosaurs, to Lego, Disneyland to Ice Skating, and beyond!

• There is established criteria- Posture, Articulation, Pace/Fluency, Introduction, Closing, Originality, Organization …

• class time and “coaching” is provided by staff, parents are encouraged to support their child with the process at home

• Finalists are invited to present their speech to the entire school. The Grade Four and Five students compete for First and Second Place.  All finalists receive a Certificate of Merit.

The Public Speaking finalists were entertaining, inspirational,  humorous and amazing!  To learn to speak well in front of a group is an art and I congratulate all of the students for their efforts.  As well, let’s not forget  to thank the dedicated teachers who encourage, support, and inspire students every day of the school week!

PS– Thank you for the beautiful flowers!  They are lovely.

I Love You, Mom!

Posted on by
2

Little boys grow up; treasure the moments.

One of my treasured Mother’s Day gifts, is a photograph that my son’s teacher took of him in Grade One.  In the photo, my son held a hand painted sign that simply read, I Love You, Mom!  Painted in his careful script, this simple gift touched my heart.  Little boys grow up.  Every time I look at this picture, I recall the fond memories that we shared.

Celebrate Mom

Posted on by
Reply

We love our moms and appreciate all that they do for us.  Moms lead busy lives!  They are cooks, nurses, housekeepers, personal organizers, custodians, teachers, chauffeurs, counselors, pet sitters,… the list goes on and on and they may even work outside the home!

On Mother’s Day, we have an opportunity to honor and celebrate mom.  Here’s a simple, inexpensive gift activity that young children can handle.  Create “Glitter Clips” to help mom hold all of her important papers or to use as a page marker for her favourite book.  You will need,

• wooden clothes pegs- large or small sized   

• children’s thick, white, craft glue

• a paint brush

• glitter

• a paper plate to hold the glitter

Have the children paint the clothes peg with glue.  Place the clothes peg into the glitter. Dip it to cover.

Let dry.*

* Here’s a tip- stand the clip or clip it to a suspended string to dry.

Clip the peg to a handmade card.

xox

Ladybugs are “Lovely!”

Posted on by
Reply

“Ah, there you are again,” said the friendly ladybug. “You must be hungry. There are still some aphids left. You can have them for dinner.” “Oh, thank you,” said the wet, tired and hungry ladybug.-Eric Carle

We think that ladybugs are lovely and appreciate that a creature so tiny can have such a positive and powerful impact in our gardens!  Here is a simple activity to “celebrate” the lovely ladybug!

You will need,

• one stone for each child

• red (acrylic) craft paint

• black (acrylic) craft paint

• brushes

* wiggly eyes- optional

Give each child a small stone.  Have the children paint the stone red.  Let dry.

Using the end of the paintbrush, have the children “dip and dot,” the black spots.  The stone ladybug can sit on a pile of papers, a shelf, or in a plant pot!

Toss on some red sparkles to glam up Ms. Ladybug!

•Read -Eric Carle’s, The Grouchy Ladybug, and discuss “problem solving” strategies to help the Grouchy Ladybug learn positive social skills!