Happy New Year everyone,
We've had a great two weeks back to school so far! The students are really starting to speak in more fluent sentences! I'm now speaking French all the time in class, aside from instances when it is necessary to address certain discipline issues in English. During the next while I will be using a lot of incentives to encourage the students to use even more French in class.
Our theme for the month of January is 'J'aime l'hiver' (I love winter). We've been learning the vocabulary for winter clothing and winter activities. This past week we've been working on the following two sentence structures: 'Pendant l'hiver j'aime..' (during the winter I like to...) and 'Pendant l'hiver je n'aime pas...' (during the winter I don't like to).
We've been continuing with our literacy centres every morning. The centres relate to our theme and give the students an opportunity to work more independently, but in a small group setting. During this time, I lead guided reading with a group of two or three students where they practice their reading. I also have our school language monitor present to assist with the other centres while I'm leading guided reading.
In Math we have started a new unit on addition and subtraction using numbers up to twelve, with a focus on finding different ways to arrive at the same number. Soon we will be learning the doubles of numbers up to ten, and how to practice those as a way to hone their mental Math skills.
I will be continuing on with the current homework format. Students are sent home with a book on Monday afternoon and are expected to practice reading it aloud at home with a parent. They are also expected to practice reading the weekly sight words. Please return the books with your child on Fridays and on Monday they will be given a new book to work with. I have compiled a list of all the sight words that we have done to date this year below for your reference. Students should always have the weekly sight words written in their agendas.
If you are uncertain of the pronunciation, please use this great website! It will read aloud whatever French words you type in. Very helpful!
http://public.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php
papa
maman
le
je
te
bonjour
au revoir
la
ma
ami
fille
garcon
c'est
du
chat
j'ai
voici
jour
petit
petite
pour
un
une
tu
elle dit
il dit
j'aime
des
viens
gros
grosse
aussi
en
voila
n'est pas
tu cours
il court
beaucoup
non
est-ce que
moi
comme
avec
faim
il veut
je suis
aller
sur
sous
dans
derrière
devant
à coté de
ils disent
je fais
tu fais
je vais
jouer
je veux
met
regardez
regarde
je peux
Lastly, just a reminder to send two pairs of mitts with your child to school, because usually most of their mittens are soaked after little recess and aren't dry by big recess time.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Best,
Ellen
