Want to freshen up your writing lessons?

Are you looking for something new, or something to inspire you, in terms of writing assignments? Here are some ideas of topics/genres/styles you can explore with your child's writing assignments:

Wondering how to get creative with presentation ideas?  For those whose children are already writing a lot, or for those students who resist writing, here are some ideas of things you can give your child the option of creating for different assignments he/she has to do:

Looking for Canada Resources?

Here's a site that has a collection of resources for you as you and your child(ren) learn about Canada.

Canada's History

Safer Internet Day

Another HCOS teacher sent out this information and I know that there are a number of you that have thoughts about internet usage and safety, while at the same time wanting to teach your child appropriate internet usage skills.  

For ages 10-16, Please have a look at a course called Cybersafe BC www.cybersafeBC.ca.   It is also an online course with a certificate at the end (which can be used as a Health & Career Sample). Students will watch videos, and do activities as well as learn about the dangers of the internet. They will learn about their digital footprint and online crime, including cyberbullying. IMPORTANT NOTE : parents should have a look at the course first because there is a component of the course that discusses sexual predators and "sexting.

For grades 3-4 (under the 'Resources' tab in Cybersafe.BC.ca) there is another resource that includes downloadable comics and other resources to teach this topic to younger students.  Link to it at Zoe and Molly

The internet is an amazing resource for all of us - let's help our kids to be wise and safe!

Portfolios are due February 19

It is that time again!  I know many of you are entering the decision time of what you will be including in your portfolios this term and I wanted to help you out with some ideas:

Bible: samples/explanations of what concepts your child has learned, your child's involvement in prayer/church/youth/devotions, and how your child views or engages in serving others

LA:  oral speaking sample (recorded, on Raz Kids, video), description of what your child likes to read for pleasure (or a reading list), comprehension and extension samples (evidence that your child can read 'between the lines' or go beyond what the text stated), and a variety of writing samples (creative, informative, personal, visual)

Math: concepts covered, sample workpages/worksheets

Science: units/concepts covered, samples of work/project, descriptions of any experiments

Social Studies:  units/concepts covered, samples of work/project

I took this photo while visiting families earlier this year. :)

PE and DPA: list of physical activities your child engages in and how often and for how long

Fine Arts: photos/recordings of images or performances, feedback or reports form instructors, descriptions of activities

Health: description of what topics your child has learned about in regards to healthy living, healthy relationships, safety, making goals, personal responsibilities and thinking of own future (wants/needs, careers, personal strengths/weaknesses...)

Foreign Language (for grade 5 and up): what program is being used, progress in program or lessons, if your child is growing in their language knowledge

MANY OF YOU HAVE INCLUDED THIS INFORMATION IN YOUR WEEKLY REPORTS!  WOW!!  For you, I will only need to see samples for LA, Math, Science and Socials.  If I need to clarify something for one of the other course then I will email you directly.  If you haven't been covering this information in your weekly reports, or feel that you have more information that would provide a more accurate assessment, then please include it in the portfolio you send.

Portfolios can be sent to be digitally, posted online with an invite to me to view it, faxed or mailed.  If you would like to fax or mail it to me, please email me directly for the number or address.  Thanks everyone!!

Time is flying!

Time seems to be flying by right now!  I was considering the calendar and realized that we are a month away form our second term portfolios!  Wow!  The second portfolio is officially due on Feb. 19 and you are welcome to submit for it before and up to the week after it.  A number of you have continued to send me samples, or post samples, for me to see regularly, so I only have a few students that I'm unsure of exactly where they are at.  Please get back into sending those weekly reports!  Thanks everyone!

It is almost FSA time!  The grade 4s and 7s across the province write provincial assessments at this time and ours do a wonderful job representing our school.  A big thank you to all of you who have kids doing them this year!  What a great opportunity for your child to practice writing a standardized test and to serve our school community.  The results of the assessments provide information for us to provide to the province about things like the learning outcomes, creating flexibility for students in our province, and levels of service that we at HCOS would like to see valued or even funded.  The data is valuable to us as a school and so I'm thankful for all of you who get to write them.  Sorry to the rest of you - you'll have to wait until grade four or seven!!  :)

For those of you doing FSAs, can you please let me know if you received your package from HCOS when you send me your next update?  Also, after you read through the parent information sheet, let me know if you have any questions as I would love to help however I can.  Bruce did a tutorial that you can find at this youtube site if you would like to watch it.  Once you feel confident about the process, please let me know roughly when you are planning to have your child complete the assessments.  This is just stuff for the paperwork that I need to do.  :)

It sounds like it was a bit tough for many of you to get going again after the Christmas holidays and I completely understand!  I didn't really feel like jumping in  with both feet, rather more like slowing edging in one toe at a time!  However, I feel good now being back in the swing of things and I'm praying that all of you are feeling somewhat that way as well.  Over the years, I've always been amazing and inspired by what kids can learn during January and February.  Please let me encourage you - this is a great learning time!  For anyone who needs a little more time for prepping, or more time for the kids to work independently on reading, remember that Raz Kids is open to you and that can strongly support/supplement any K-3 reading program.

Winter Art Fun

Looking for a fun craft?  Try mixing equal parts shaving cream and liquid white school glue until the two liquids mix together, then spread or paint something!  The concoction dries 3D and is a pretty cool texture (although a bit fragile to multiple touchings!) and looks great!!  I love doing this one.  :)

Find great ideas for this puffy glue paint at Oopsey Daisy

This Polar bear is found at C.R.A.F.T.

                                             How about clouds for weather? at Allfreekidscrafts

Learning Commons News for You

Here is the link to our January  Learning Commons Newsletter, with curriculum articles, upcoming events and an Overdrive webinar invite for this Thursday for your training interest, and to share with your families.  This webinar is related to technical issues downloading materials.  Learning Commons Newsletter    Overdrive webinar