December Newsletter 2018 Fun with the Ones Dear Parents, Happy Holidays to you! It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. Advent and Christmas are such special times - a time when we need to slow down and enjoy it with the people that we are close to. Somehow, the opposite happens and we just seem to get busier! I hope that during this Advent season, you are able to find those peaceful moments of joy with your families. A BIG thank you to the parents and grandparents who volunteered in our classrooms during November. Your gift of talent and time, helping with field trips and special classroom activities are always greatly appreciated. There are a few special activities that are taking place in December that some helpers are needed. (Grinch Day (Dec. 18), gingerbread houses (Dec. 20 – pm) and a special project that I need a grandparent or aunt/uncle to help with – beginning of December whenever parent helper is available) Please let me know if you are able to come in and lend us a hand.

We have lots of special activities happening in December. Please look at the calendar of events and fieldtrips carefully!! Happy Birthday to our December babies: Mylo, Timaya and Olivia. Advent Joy Bags – This month we will share the Advent Joy Bags. Every child has been given a night to bring home a Joy Bag. Inside are an Advent clothe, prayers, an Advent wreath to set up, a Nativity scene, stories and activities to do. The children will be asked to complete a family journal page which they will share with their classmates. Don’t forget to include 8 nut- free cookies for the next family to share. There is a white copied book “A Night Filled With Love” that is yours to keep. Please be sure to return all of the parts of the Joy Box for the next day so that the next family does not miss their turn. Thank you for taking a bit of time in your busy schedule to share in this joyful Advent activity.

December Events and Activities

1. Sun. Dec. 2 - OLPH Mass – 12:30 – Join us for the first Sunday in Advent as OLPH church begins a new mass time of 12:30 pm!

Our choir will be leading the celebration. Hope to see lots of Holy Spirit family there!

2. Silver Bells Family Christmas Celebration – Tues. Dec. 4, 2018 Silver Bells Family Fun Night – 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

3. Wed. Dec. 5 - Early Dismissal - 2:10 pm 4. Holy Spirit Family Christmas Mass - Mon., December 17th

at 5:30 – 8:00 at OLPH church. Please join us for our school Advent Mass and hospitality afterwards. Children are to be at the church for 5:30. Mass begins promptly at 6:00pm

5. Grinch Day – SHHHH…this one is a surprise for the children! – Dec. 18 - Wear your pj’s to school and get your grinch on. We will lots of fun grinchy activities today! This one is a surprise for the kiddos so please don’t tell them!

6. Gingerbread Houses – We are going to be making Graham cracker gingerbread houses on Thurs. Dec. 20 after lunch. Please send:

7. a sturdy small piece of cardboard covered in tinfoil, 6 graham crackers (break/cut the rectangle shape into 2 squares to that it can fit the milk carton, a single serving size milk carton (250ml) and small candies to decorate it. I will provide the icing. A parent helper is needed for this activity . If you are able to come and lend a hand, please let me know as soon as possible.

7. Christmas Party Book Exchange – On the last day of school, Dec. 21,

the students in our class will have a book exchange within our classmates. Each child is asked to bring a wrapped book that

costs about $5. We will exchange books and each child will come

home with a new book for Christmas. If you are not able to particpate,

please let me know so that I can ensure we have enough

wrapped books for all of the children to bring one home. Thank you!

Field Trips1. Muttart Conservatory – Wednesday, December 12th from 9:00

am – 12:00pm. The bus will be leaving at 9 am. We will be

eating lunch as soon as we return. Please ensure your child has a hearty breakfast that morning. We are in need of 4-5 parent helpers to come on the fieldtrip. If you are able to come with us, please let Mrs. Johnston know by Dec. 5, 2018. Due to shortage of space on the bus, parents are asked to meet us at the Muttart.

Curriculum Outline for DecemberLanguage ArtsReview Short vowels and Long vowels (ask your child to show you the actions for each vowel)Blends and Digraphs – (ie. bl,cr,st and sh,th,ch)Review of colour words, number wordsProgram 2 – spelling words/sight words/word familiesWord Families and rhyming words – new ones come home every week. Reading – continue guided reading, independent reading, buddy reading and home reading activities. Don’t forget about RAZ kids.Writing – Friday Parent Journal, Elf on the Shelf Journal, writing organizers (job application to be an elf, job application to be a reindeer, letter to Santa, instructions (first, next, then, last)MathContinue with patterningProblem solving Science Building Things

Social Studies Christmas Around The World

-appreciate multiple points of view, languages, cultures and experiences within their groups and communities -what helps us to recognize different groups or communities

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the activities taking place in December, please feel free to send a note in the agenda, contact me on the DOJO app or call at 780-416-9526. Hope to see you at Silver Bells and our Advent Celebrations.

BlessingsCarole Johnston

mrs-johnstons-gradeoneclass.weebly.com

Joy Box ScheduleDecember 2018

Please enjoy the Joy Box for your night and return it for the next day. Don’t forget to take out your copy of the book “A Night Filled With Love” to keep. Please remember to fill the cookies for the next family.

(Peanut free cookies pretty please )

Mon. Dec. 3 – Josh, BreeTues. Dec. 4 – Claire, RyleighWed. Dec. 5 – Anna, Tyler

Thurs. Dec. 6 – Airelle, MiaFri. Dec. 7 – Cooper, MylaMon. Dec. 10 – Lock, ChristinaTues. Dec. 11 – Lochlan, CharleeWed. Dec. 12 – Jason/Cattleya, GracieThurs. Dec. 13 – Timaya, LincolnFri. Dec. 14 – Olivia, AndyMon. Dec. 19 - Allekz