Friday is Orange Shirt Day!

Instead of the aforementioned Purple Day, Clairlea Public School is celebrating Orange Shirt Day this Friday. Please wear orange this Friday to show your solidarity. 

September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day across the TDSB, acknowledging the effect the residential school system had on children's sense of self-esteem and well-being. It is a means for us to stand TOGETHER and ensure that everyone around us matters.

In class, we will be reading and listening to some stories that can help us connect with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people of Canada.

For more information, visit :http://www.orangeshirtday.org

P.S. The Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Thursday, September 29th (tomorrow) in the afternoon, weather permitting.

Faire le tour de notre classe

Enjoy some videos the students created of their favourite corner/event in our classroom.

Montre et raconte 

La carte de voyelles et consonnes

Règle de vie

Système de bille - ON PARLE FRANÇAIS

You're invited!

Dear parent(s)/guardian(s),

You're invited to the annual Clairlea Book Fair and Curriculum Night and barbecue! 

Book Fair

Location: Clairlea Library

Dates: Wednesday, September 21st to Tuesday, September 27th. 

Students have already started to peruse through the catalogue sent home last week. You may bring money with your child in a zip lock bag and the class and I will pass by the library to help your child select and purchase his/her "dream" item. Alternatively, you are welcome to visit the Book Fair with your child during Curriculum night.  

There will be a wide selection of English and French books!

Curriculum Night & BBQ

Location: Clairlea 

Date: Thursday, September 22nd

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

I have been able to briefly meet and connect with most parents, if not all. I look forward to seeing you this Thursday!

Bienvenue Ciel

Meet the  newest addition...our class Siamese Betta fish named Ciel. The students noticed the various colours of the fish; similar to a beautiful night sky with a hint of moonlight, hence the name Ciel. It is a special fish, as it has been in this classroom for several years. Each week, two students are responsible for feeding the fish and cleaning the fish bowl with me. We are learning about living things in Science and the characteristics of an ideal animal habitat.

So far, my students are demonstrating great teamwork and responsibility skills. Fantastique les amis!

Montre et raconte

Montre et raconte 

Show and Tell

Today the students and I discussed what a "montre et raconte" presentation consists of. We used our vowel/consonant chart as an example. Your child received a form with instructions on how to prepare for the oral presentation, what to say in French, and the date of the presentation all attached in their agenda.

This will only be a preliminary diagnostic to observe oral communication however, in October I will begin grading the presentations. So not to worry if your child is unable to say all of the components independently just yet, but please try your best. Merci !

What you can do as a parent/guardian?

1. Please help your child choose one suitable show and tell object (e.g., picture, game, book, travel souvenir, etc.).

2. Provide time for your child to practice saying the prompt phrases. I have written the instructions both in French and in English to make it easier for parents/guardians.

We will begin all presentations on Tuesday, September 13th. 

Below is the schedule we will use at the beginning of every month. Bonne chance!

P.S. I will have a special show and tell to bring to class on Tuesday. His name is Ciel and your child may remember who I am referring to. Ask your child and they can fill you in. 

Have a lovely weekend!

First Week of School

Wow, the first two days of school went by quicker than I thought. I'm excited for what this year brings. As I am getting to know your children, I am noticing that the French is stored in their memories and is slowly coming to life as we discuss content in different subjects. I am impressed with some students keen drive to learn and share what they have practiced over the summer. Bravo!

We have been moving around and exploring the classroom with a game entitled "Simon dit", discussing class responsibilities, expectations, and doing community building activities.
Roche, papier, ciseaux.

So far, we have our morning routine down pat! The students are quite eager to learn a song about the morning routine provided by TFO (Télévision Franco-Ontarien).

In order to learn about each other, the students created amazing glyph art pieces of their faces. They were asked to follow a glyph (symbol) legend to display their likes/dislikes while drawing a funny face. I was impressed with my students' ability to follow instructions and read and understand a legend. We had a good laugh, as we created our own glyph face for room 111. Superbe travail!

Voici notre galerie:

Nikola

Lucas

Izaak

Jade

Evanthia

Timothy

Olivia

A few housekeeping items:
1. A reminder to return the Clairlea package containing school forms (i.e., walking excursion forms, lunchroom forms, medical information, etc.). Please make sure that you have filled out all of the components outlined on each form.

2. Thank you to all who purchased an agenda to facilitate communication. The agenda costs $8.00. For those who have yet to purchase one, a kind reminder that it is an indispensable tool for dialogue between parents and teachers. Remind your child to bring the agenda daily to school.

Bright smiles, fall is just around the corner. When it gets cooler, we will be reminiscing about the warm weather (more like tropical) we have been blessed with this summer. 

Get some well-deserved rest!
À demain les amis!

Welcome Back / Bonne rentrée

Dear parent(s)/guardian(s),

Welcome back to school! I look forward to being your child's Grade 1 teacher. This year is going to be full of many adventures and learning experiences and I cannot wait to embark on them.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could discuss the following important information with your child before the start of school in order to help make a smooth transition from Kindergarten to Grade 1. Merci d'avance!

SCHOOL HOURS
8: 40  - 11 :30 AM        LUNCH  11: 30 - 12: 25       12: 25 - 3: 15
Please make sure that your child arrives on time so that he/she receives the benefit from the program. As a courtesy to all staff, please pick up your child promptly at lunch and dismissal time. Students registered on the school bus for dismissal will be escorted to the school bus, unless there is a written note/phone call from parents/guardians advising us of other pick up arrangements.

LUNCH AND SNACK PROGRAM
If your child eats at school, please pack a healthy lunch and snacks. Until our school snack program begins, students may bring their own small snacks. We discourage glass bottles, soft drinks, candy, and chips. The lunch should be packed in a bag with your child's name on it. 
*Please be mindful of the following school allergies; peanuts/nut products and fish.  

BACKPACKS
There are many times when your child will have to carry work, art pieces, books, newsletters, etc. back and forth to school. When purchasing a backpack for your child please ensure it is large enough to hold a large library book, lunch bag, and agenda. 

CLASS TIMETABLE
Library day is DAY 5. It would be appreciated if you remind your child to return the book borrowed by this day so that he/she can take out another one. 

Physical Education day is DAY 4. Rubber soled running shoes (velcro please) are required during gym class to prevent slipping on the floor. These running shoes will also be used in the classroom daily (indoor shoes). 

Music day is DAY 2. 

Arts day is DAY 3. 

WASHROOM ROUTINES
Please encourage your child to use the washroom before coming to school each day. At the beginning of the year we will be going to the washrooms before recesses to practise routines and help develop a habit of going at this time. Students will be discouraged from going during class time due to interruptions and for safety reasons. If the child must go, they will go with a buddy.

HEALTH CONCERNS
Please notify me about all allergies or health concerns. If your child is ill, please have him/her stay home and rest until he/she can participate in all school programming.

OUTDOOR PLAY- RECESS
Students go outside twice during the school day for a 15 minute recess. As well, if they are staying for lunch, they will be outside for 30 minutes. Your child should wear clothing suitable for the weather every day. As many children have the same clothing items in the same sizes, it is best to label clothing/shoes/boots, etc. with their name. 

TOYS AT SCHOOL
Children are NOT allowed to bring toys to school. If they do, they will be asked to leave them in their back packs or with me until the day is over. Next week, I will be asking children to bring their favourite object/souvenir from summer as part of a speaking activity for Show and Tell.  

PROGRAM DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
We will spend time working on school routines and building a sense of community in and outside the classroom. We will establish and display our TRIBES agreement that will help us remember that mutual respect, active listening, appreciation, and positive participation promote academic success. 

We will also be reviewing what children learned in Kindergarten as well as gradually moving toward meeting the First Term expectations for Grade 1.

COMMUNICATION 
I believe that a solid flow of communication between parents and teacher is the key to success. I strive to keep parents updated on all student accomplishments through this blog and via agendas. 

You can help your child adapt to the routines of Grade 1 by making sure that he/she receives adequate rest and by talking with him/her about how to be a good listener and friend. You may also refer to educational French websites on the "Parent Resources" tab of this blog. 

Thank you in advance for your support and here's to a superb year!

Best regards,
Madame Bensalam