Book Creator

Our class meeting on Google was productive today as we all gave Mrs. Craig ideas of things she could plant in her very first garden!  It is hopeful when we can get outside and work in the dirt.

This week students are being introduced to a website called Book Creator that they can use to write and illustrate their descriptive story about spring.  After they are finished their book they can put it on the 'shelf' in the 'library' for everyone else to read.  Book Creator has many features such as voice to text and the ability to upload photos - you and your little learner can decide together which features you want to use.  I am looking forward to reading the published results.

Thank you to those students who have handed in work for the week of April 20 - 24.  When I return work it is just so you can see the comments, it does not have to be sent back to me.

World Book Day

In recognition of World Book Day I have put together a few sites that I use with students because if you're like me you have already read all the books in your house and are looking for something new!

Calgary Public Library is the best resource of all!!

https://calgarylibrary.ca/

Not only is Calgary Public Library free but you can borrow ebooks right on to your device.  I have had to learn to like reading on my ipad - it's not my preferred method but it's opened a whole new world to me.  If you don't have a library card you can get one online.  Check them out!

 https://www.tumblebooks.com/ is a site your little learner should be familiar with.  Username is Beddington and the password is books.

https://www.storylineonline.net/

https://www.scholastic.com/digital/trueflix.htm

Mrs. P's Magic Library

Read on -

Principal's Message

The work for this week is focusing around asking questions before, during and after reading.  I hope you enjoy the on-line books that accompany these lessons and create some conversation in your home!

Math practise continues with subtraction of 2 or 3 digit numbers and some problem solving.

I will do my best to answer your questions around the technology -

Please read the attached Principal's Message for April.

Read on -

April Principal’s message                                                                                              April 15^th, 2020

You will see this is a difference from past communication where you would have received my message on school messenger. In order to minimize the amount of e-mail to parents/families at this time, we have made a decision at Beddington to include this in the teacher e-mail you are already receiving. Hopefully this supports families need and will provide enough information to give you what you need.

We are continuing to learn about our student on-line learning and how to keep connected with our students during this period of isolation.  We know that whatever we are asking of you at this time needs to be balanced with your need for health and care of self and others. We will try to provide continuity where we can. Both on-line google classroom and paper packages have been implemented to provide opportunity for ongoing learning opportunities for our students.  This has been working with a level of success and we are glad to see successes with our students. The focus has been on math and literacy activities and we ask that you place your efforts on these activities first. You should be receiving weekly communication from your child’s teacher by this point outlining the week ahead. Teachers are available to answer questions either during scheduled google meet sessions or through responding to your individual questions through e-mail. We continue to refine weekly schedules to best meet needs.

Our specialist Mr. Sadowsky and Mr. Wiens have provided additional enrichment activities for you to work on. These are not compulsory and are there to support those who wish to engage at a greater level of involvement. I have had a number of questions as to whether these are required. They are posted for those who wish to access them.

Please note that for safety reasons the office is closed. Access for parents is in the main door and material pickup and drop off is in the gym. You are asked to exit through the gym door afterward. If you have questions for us in the office please feel free to call. Ms. Cumming and I are in the office during the day to answer your questions so feel free to give us a call.

Our knowledge of “Assessment of Learning” is ongoing. There will be more information forwarded to you regarding what to expect. We do know that report cards for year end will be part of our work. This will most likely be available on-line when they are complete.

We ask that you keep in contact with your teacher, whether your child is able to complete work or not. We are working to limit factors that prevent this from happening and we are able to provide resources in many cases. We have a listing for a number of resources that we may be able to connect you with. Our greatest goal at his time is to stay connected. We miss you all greatly.

Stay safe

Brian Hebert B. Ed. M.Ed

Distance Learning Motivation

DISTANCE LEARNING MOTIVATION

Set daily goals

Set timers for tasks

Have a designated space for work

Use smelly markers for marking

Get outside more than once each day

Use Go Noodle

Tell them for me how proud I am that they continue to read!

Please make sure you have looked at the classroom stream today there is a feedback question posted there that will help us with our planning.    Thanks for helping us out!

The Greatest Gift of All

💗The greatest gift you can give your child is a love of reading!

Simple things like reading to your child, sharing your thinking while reading , and telling stories is the foundation needed for your child to become an avid reader.

Today we hosted a class meeting at 1:30.  We started by taking questions about this weeks assignments that were posted this morning.  If you have questions after you have read through the tasks please don't hesitate to send an email.

Please don't forget your Raz Kids and Mathletics accounts.  Both those websites have great resources for keeping your little learner on track to success and neither one is seeing much traffic!!

Happy Easter

Our first week of working on line is drawing to a close.  I hope you have all have found your way around the classroom site and have been able to upload your work.  We will be posting new activities on Tuesday, as Monday is a scheduled PD day and all staff are involved in an online assessment seminar.

Our next video meeting will be Tuesday at 1:30 pm - the link will be posted on our wall just prior to the appointed time.

Have a great Easter weekend!!

Google Meet

We had a successful first Google Meet in our classroom.  A couple of gentle reminders:

• headphones would be great 
• we were busy muting mics because we can hear what the rest of the family is doing in the background
• keep the chat to classroom activities - students know I don't want to know all about the latest video game
• digital citizenship still applies - don't be name calling, using language etc.

We are thinking we will have a class meet up every Monday at 1:30 - next Monday is a PD day so join us on Tuesday.

All lessons will come in the form of video and written instruction so parents and students can access them any time.  You will see there is a little multiplication video there already.  Class meets will be for questions and explanations.  Email is the best way to ask questions about your own child and they can also send me work on email.  I am available every day from 8 - 2:30.  Some days I am at home and some days I am at school.  If you need to call the school you might catch me!

Lots of sites are opening up for little learners to read books - make sure you are still reading.