Welcome to the last week of November and the return of the cold weather.  I am so proud of the children and their independence with zipping their own zippers.  Thank you so much for encouraging this at home.  Everyday I have a new smiling face showing me that they have zipped the zipper all by themselves.  
We had a busy week with the presentation by author Ruhksana Khan (see the previous post) on Thursday and our Sharing Assembly on Friday.  We are in the process of choosing the date for the December Sharing Assembly, so continue to watch the blog.  The children will begin a short unit on bears and hibernation this week and are beginning to learn about and make graphs in math.  As we continue to make graphs, the children will be discussing "the most", "the least" and "equal" in regards what the graphs represent. Graphing is always a fun unit.  I have added the rhyme for number 8 on the right side of the blog.
Friday is "Dress Like a Man Day" in support of "Movember" and mens' cancers.  Children are encouraged to wear a tie and any other appropriate "male" clothing.  The Student Council will be collecting donations to contribute to this important cause.  Show your spirit and wear a tie on Friday.  All participating students will receive a moustache to wear.
The LKS Parent Council is once again joining with Stonegate Community Health Centre to help families in need during this time of year.  Your grade parents will be supplying information regarding the family that each class will be supporting.  I will be collecting the donations in the classroom.  When you are dropping off the donations, please ensure that your contribution is put into the correct box, as each family has different needs.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.  I will be discussing the importance of helping others less fortunate as we collect donations to help others enjoy this holiday season.

Both classes enjoyed the presentation from the author Ruhksana Khan today.  She shared three of her children's books. She read the classes "The Ruler of the Courtyard", "The Silly Chicken" and "The Big Red Lollipop."  Thank you to Parent Council for sponsoring this wonderful presentation.  The children did not exchange library books today due to the presentation.  They will choose new library books next Thursday as scheduled.

It is difficult to believe that there are only 2 weeks left in November.  This month has flown by.  Thank you to everyone for attending the parent teacher interviews.  It was a wonderful opportunity to share information about your child.  I hope that everyone enjoyed the new poems in your child's poetry book this weekend.
On Monday, I will be sending home the first set of completed phonics sounds and a set of cards to help your child practise his/her sounds and to make words.  I will continue to introduce new sounds as the months continue.
As we approach winter, I will be doing a short unit on bears and hibernation.  In math, I am continuing to introduce numbers to 10 and we are finishing up our unit of patterning.
On Thursday, both classes will be having a presentation from an author during their library periods.  Ruhksana Khan will be discussing her books with the children.  It is always exciting when authors come to visit.  There will be no book exchange that day.
A reminder of our Sharing Assembly on Friday, November 23 at 9:00 am and 12:40 pm in the lunch room.  The children are presenting a poem on "Manners".  

The children did a wonderful job discussing the mature topic of Remembrance Day this week.  The morning class displayed excellent behaviour at the assembly on Friday.  We are collecting poppy donations until Wednesday, November 14.  Thank you to everyone who has brought in a donation for the Legion.  
Through our daily messages and reading activities I am continuing to introduce high frequency words.  We have been discussing "to", "like", "my" and "no".  Students should be starting to recognize these words in their reading and be able to use them in their writing.  We completed our "This is Me in November" pictures this week and it is amazing to see the progress of all the students in their drawing and their writing.  I am so proud of their accomplishments.  The November pictures are on display in the classroom and you may have a look during your parent teacher interview.
Thank you so much for scheduling your interviews on-line.  A reminder that the interviews are 10 minutes long.  Please try your best to be prompt so that I can stay on schedule and give the next family their allotted time.  If your interview is scheduled for the evening, please use the front door of the school.  For safety reasons, I will not be opening the back classroom door.  I am looking forward to meeting with everyone.  If you are unable to make your interview, please let me know so that we can reschedule.  The interview site is now closed, so you will not be able to make your changes.
Senior Kindergarten students will receive their Progress Report on Monday, November 12.  The Junior Kindergarten Students will receive their reports in February.
A reminder that Friday, November 16 is a Professional Development Day and there is no school.  
I have 2 Scholastic Books that have become separated from their orders.  If you are missing: Strawberry Shortcake School Friends or                             a Samuri book please let me know.

A reminder of the Remembrance Day Assembly tomorrow, Friday, November 9 at 10:30 in the gym.   All families are invited to attend.  Both classes will receive their poppies tomorrow.  Children are invited to bring in a small donation for their poppy.  The money will be collected until Thursday, November 15.  The children have done wonderful writing about peace, which is displayed on our bulletin board in the hall and in our classroom.  Please have a look the next time you are in the school.

Welcome to the first full week of November.  As the days become cooler, especially the mornings, please dress your child warmly for school as we do play outside most days.  Thank you so much for sending shoes to school with your child.  Students may leave their shoes in their cubbies for the wet and cold upcoming days.
Parents will be able to book parent teacher interviews on-line beginning Monday, November 5.  Interviews will be held from Monday, November 12-Friday, November 16.  Times are available before school, after school and in the evening.  Please see the email from your grade parents for further information.  Please contact me if you are unable to book an interview, or the times are not convenient.  All interviews are 10 minutes long.  I am looking forward to meeting with everyone and discussing your child's progress.  The Senior Kindergarten students will receive their report cards on Monday, November 12.  Junior Kindergarten students will receive their first report card in February.
I am continuing to introduce the letter sounds to the class.  The Juniors are learning and consolidating their letter sounds while the Seniors are building their sight word vocabulary and reading skills through their letter sound activities.  A reminder that the vowel sounds I am introducing are the short vowel sounds.  The children have learned "s", "a", "t" and "i".
We will also be learning about Remembrance Day this week.  Discussion will revolve around being brave, peace and being thankful to the soldiers for keeping Canada a wonderful place to live.  All children will receive a poppy on Friday.  Our Remembrance Day Assembly will begin at 10:30 on Friday.  The morning class will be attending and the afternoon children are invited to attend with a caregiver.