Thursday, October 30, 2008

Poetry Contest

Dear Parents,

Your child will be submitting a poem in a poetry contest. In your child's Friday envelope, you will find a letter explaining the contest. Please fill out the STUDENT INFORMATION portion of the form and return the form on Monday, November 3rd.

If you have any questions, please email me at kwheeler@stjudesacademy.com

Thanks,
Mrs. Wheeler

Readers

Dear Parents,

Please return the reader with your child every day. Currently we are missing a few readers. Please check your home and return any readers.
Thanks,
Mrs. Wheeler

No Reading Homework Tonight!

Please note that there is no reading homework tonight. There is still writing homework. Please write one sentence in your notebook.
Mrs. Wheeler

Monday, October 27, 2008

Costume Party!



We are having a costume party! On Friday, your child may come dressed in a fun costume.


We will be having a party towards the end of the day. If you wish, your child may bring in a treat to share with the class. There are 16 children in the class. Please make sure that any item brought in is nut-free. Please check all food labels and remember to avoid products that may contain nuts.


If you have any questions, please email me at kwheeler@stjudesacademy.com

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Scratch Cards

Don't forget to bring your scratch cards on Monday. Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Smile!

Picture day is this Friday. Please check your child's agenda for information.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Math At Home

We have begun a new math unit called Number Sense. In your child's Friday Envelope you'll find a new Math At Home sheet. After you have completed an activity, colour in the pumpkin. Return the sheets by November 25th to receive a prize.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Reading tips for JK

Dear JK parents,

At St. Jude's we use both the bottom-up and the top-down methods to teach reading. Our reading programme is heavily phonics based. In JK, the students first learn the short-vowel sounds, then the sounds of the consonants. As each new consonant is introduced, the students learn the consonant short-vowel blend as well. A blend is when two or more letters are grouped together, but each phoneme retains its original sound.

In the reader going home tonight, you'll see a consonant on one page and then a blend on the next page. For example Mm, then mi. Students are to say the sound of the consonant. They may give the phrase if they wish. In this case, it would be "m says mmmmm for milk". And on the next page, you will see the consonant short-vowel blend. It is "mi for mitten". All blends or words being introduced at this time have a short-vowel sound.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Mrs. Wheeler

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Uniform

Please remember that students are now required to wear the full uniform. The full uniform consists of grey dress pants or tunic, white mock neck with SJA embroidered on the neck, crested navy sweater or vest and navy socks.

Scholastic Orders

Don't forget those Scholastic orders! Last chance to order books is this Friday. This is a great opportunity to encourage a love of reading at home.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Reading Groups

Since the beginning of the year, we have been reading together as a class. Today, we started reading groups. This time provides students with the opportunity to read individually in small groups. We will still continue to read together as a class.


In your child's agenda, please look for a letter, a reading chart, a reader and the assigned pages. Reading homework will be every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Since the page numbers will vary depending on which group a student is a part of, the pages to be read will be written in the agenda and not on the blog.


For parents with children in JK, please have your child repeat the following phrases when reading their books:

Ii says ĭ for igloo.
Oo says ŏ for ostrich.
Aa says ă for apple.
Uu says ŭ for umbrella.
Ee says ĕ for elephant.


Happy Reading!

Mrs. Wheeler

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your weekend! We'll see you on Tuesday!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Gingerbread Fun!

We have been inquiring into "who we are". We have learned about our five senses, our likes and dislikes and our roles in our families. To celebrate the end of our unit of inquiry, we made gingerbread men. Oh, what fun!




Friday, October 3, 2008

Newspaper

Look for your copy of The Knights United Times in your Friday Envelope. Two copies were included - one for you and one to share. Enjoy!