Monday, 19 September 2016

Oh Happy Monday!!

I hope that everyone had a lovely weekend! What a beautiful day we had yesterday! The showers on Saturday certainly did bring the sun out on Sunday!

We are now in third week of school and we are in full swing! We have had an exciting start to our new school year.  We have done many getting-to-know-you activities, learned rules and procedures, and established routines within the classroom. We are off to a great start and I know it is going to be a wonderful school year.

Today I will have sent home some Word Wall Words with your child. On the cover of the Word Wall Book there are some instructions.  Basically, the book is there for you to practice the words with your child.  There are no specific activities or timelines! All I ask is that the book be returned by Friday so I can put the new words in for the following week. We work on the words in class throughout the week. Practice at home is a great way to reinforce the learning that is happening at school! However, I understand how busy life gets and that sometimes homework takes a back seat to everything else in your day.  I also understand that there are so many more valuable things that you can be doing with the little time you have with your children at the end of the day. So, please do what you can, even if it is just talking about the words. Thank you so much for your help!
Here are of our words for this week:  


Group 1: I, can
Group 2: I, can, see
Group 3: said, find, and, come, big 


I have also sent home a Snuggle Book.  For the new families, the concept of the Snuggle Book is that I send home a book for you to snuggle up and read with your child.  While I am sure you have tons of books at home, this is a book that I have chosen to be at your child's reading level.  The idea is that you read the book with your child a few times until they can read it to you independently.  This may be right away or it may take a few days. However long it takes.....noproblem! Please keep the book until your child feels comfortable reading it on their own, then you can return it for a new book. In the folder there is a place for you to write whether the book was too easy, too hard or just right.  Please let me know so I can continue to choose appropriate books for each child! 

This week, we will be learning about words in the _en word family.  Talk to your child about what words belong in this word family (i.e., pen, Ben, ten).  
We have also begun learning about the vowels and the sounds they make.  Vowel identification is an important part of learning to read!  Ask your child about the different sounds that the vowels make.....they may even have a song to sing you! 

Here are a few little reminders:

Have you checked us out on Twitter yet? 
@MrsFaloonPLC
 There are tons of pictures and snippets of what we do everyday! 

  Transportation: If your child is absent from our Primary Language Class, it is very important that you call the transportation office to cancel the STS drivers (arrival and departure).  The phone number is 613-723-9677.


Does your child have indoor shoes at St. John the Apostle Catholic School?   We are requesting that each student brings an extra pair of shoes that could be left in our classroom. The shoes should be shoes he/she can put on easily on their own (i.e. without laces if you child is unable to tie his/her shoes yet).  This will help keep the class floors neat and tidy.  Please be sure to write your child’s name in the shoes clearly.

IEP's 
Your child’s Individual Education Plan is developed in collaboration between the homeschool team, you the parents, and me. The homeschool will send home a draft copy of the IEP in October.  Please take the time to read it carefully.  I would be very happy to arrange a time to sit and discuss the IEP with you.  I can also set up a time to talk to you by telephone if that is preferable.  Please remember your input is very important.   Please note that Rosalind McGuire, a teacher at St. John the Apostle, will be reporting on the Social Studies curriculum for our students.  

The students are working hard and I am really proud of them.  It is a lot of work coming to two different schools!  
Have a great week! Please remember that I am happy to help if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sarah Faloon