Academic Update

Dear parent(s)/guardian(s),
The following is an overview of the new units we are beginning in each subject area. It would be greatly appreciated if you could review the material discussed in class in order to make sure your child understands the content.

1. In Mathematics, we are learning about directions and positions in Geometry. Here is a list of prepositions and vocabulary to practice at home:

- sur (on)

- sous (under)

- dans (in)

- devant (in front of)

- derrière (behind)

- entre (between)

- à gauche (to the left)

- à droite (to the right)

- à côté de (beside)

- près de (near)

- loin de (far)

- contre (against)

- en haut (above)

- en bas (below)

- une case (a square/box)

- une grille (a graph)

- une carte (a map)

Sur, sous, dans chanson : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIYS2_Y9XhM
Vocabulary Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW5rdguq0q0
http://www.francaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-francais-2/exercice-francais-47685.php

You may play a game at home titled "L'objet mystère" (Mystery Object), wherein your child hides an object and describes the location of the object using preposition words.

2. In Language, we are beginning our narrative writing unit. We are learning that narratives have a beginning, middle, and an end, describe characters, setting, problems, and solutions. On Friday, we completed a narrative graphic organizer after reading the book "L'arbre généreux". Please reinforce reading comprehension questions through the weekly reading package sent home.

3. In Social Studies, we would like to expand our understanding of different professions by building the structures we see in our community using recycled material. This culminating activity will help students design maps with a legend and practice describing location on a grid for Mathematics.

Please send in any of the following recycled material as soon as possible to our classroom:
- bottle caps
- cereal boxes
- tissue boxes
- egg cartons
- card board
- magazines
- newspapers
- toilette paper rolls
- empty plastic fruit cups

UN GRAND MERCI!

4. In Science, we are wrapping up the unit on living and non-living things and identifying parts of the body. We will soon begin the next unit on daily and seasonal changes.

5. In Drama, we are going over a series of activities tied to the character trait of the month, empathy. We will continue discussing the importance of understanding, acknowledging, and talking about our feelings through activities such as, "Put downs and Put Ups", Listening Role Play, Point of View, etc.


6. For practice at home (les devoirs), students have:
a. A weekly dictation on Friday. They receive a list of 5 new words on Monday's.
b. A sound booklet to read (i.e.,"Mimi la souris", "L'histoire de chats").
c. A reading book bag.
We take time in class to do shared reading activities, such as; reading buddies, recount graphic organizers (Qui, Quand, Ou, Pourquoi, Comment), making inferences, writing new vocabulary on the word wall ("mur de mots"), and discussing grammar points. It is recommended that your child spend at least 10 minutes reading the book and answering comprehension questions orally.

As always, thank you for your continued support in your child's education in the French Immersion program. I would like to remind all parents to encourage their child to make more of an effort to speak French at all times. Please continue viewing websites and videos listed on the tab titled "Parent Resources".

La dictée - le 27 novembre

This week, we are practicing the sound "a". Read the story of the cat "L'histoire de chat" to help identify and spell the following words. 

Le jour de souvenir

Remembrance day (le jour du souvenir) is a time for us to reflect on the character trait, empathy. One day every year, we pay special tribute to those who died in service to their country. For one brief moment of our life, we remember why we must work for peace every day.

The class and I read the book entitled ''C'est quoi, la paix?'' and brainstormed ideas of what peace means to us all. To my surprise my students came up with amazing responses. We are in the process of making a booklet and presenting our responses in the form of a video. Take a look...

Shane

Finn

Kingsley

Lennox

Lily

Jaya

Sarwa

Hannah

Aahana

Iana

Nathan

Henry

Brayden

Abdallah

New vocabulary for November:
- un soldat (a solider)
- un coquelicot (a poppy)
- se souvenir (to remember)
- jour du souvenir (Remembrance Day)
- la paix (peace)

French Sound Booklets

Every week, the students and I practice a French sound, learn new vocabulary, and construct a little booklet revolving around the sound. We began with the French sound "i", pronounced "e" in English and started reading the book titled "Mimi la souris" (Mimi the mouse). The booklet is sent home to use as an aid for the dictation quiz on Friday's. Please return the booklets every Friday so we can collect them throughout the year.

Voici notre petit livret "Mimi la souris":

Bonne lecture!

Stratégies pour la dictée - le 20 novembre

Each week, students are given a set of 5 dictation words chosen from the word wall in our class (either tied to a unit of study or are high-frequency sight words). During the quiz, I say each word aloud three times and use it in a "context" sentence. 

In Grade 1 we spend time discovering how each student learns differently and we encourage the students to try new strategies when they study for the dictation. Here are some ideas:

1. Practice writing the words on a white board.

2. Use Scrabble letter tiles to put the words together and spell them aloud. Bananagram letters or alphabits work great too!

3. Take an old puzzle and write letters on the back of the puzzle pieces. See how quickly you can put the puzzle together. Use pencil so that the words can be erased and re-used each week.

4. Try "tactile, sensory" strategies by spelling the words with letters made out of plasticine or play dough.

5. Create a word search puzzle with the dictation words hidden in it. Bring it to school to share with the class.

Bonne étude!

Une recette

The culminating activity for the Language unit on procedures was to write a unique vegetable or fruit salad recipe using a success criteria as a guide (e.g., interesting title, ingredients, number steps, use verbs in the beginning, write clearly).
Following presentations of our delicious recipes, the students took a vote to choose the most appealing fruit and vegetable salad. We had a blast taking on the role of ''mini chefs'' in our classroom.

P.S. The recipe for the winning salads are the following:
1. Tropical fruit salad made with melon, pears, apple, and 1/4 cup of apple juice.
2. Filling vegetable salad made with spinach, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, corn, and cut Melba toast for croutons on top.

Bon appétit!

Book Fair Nov. 9-19 (extended date) in the Library

The Scholastic Book Fair has finally arrived at Clairlea! It will take place November 9th to November 19th (extended date). If you would like to purchase items, please bring a zip lock bag with money and your child's name on it. We will visit the library during class time to peruse the selection of English and French books. 

The Book Fair offers you the opportunity to purchase books at a reduced price. You may come visit the fair after school, as the library will be open until 4:30pm. Alternatively, your child will get the chance to purchase books either through class time, recess, or lunch. 

Bonne lecture!