Nov 25, 2022
Happy Friday Everyone!
It has been so nice to connect with everyone again and tell you all how amazing your children have been doing in school. It is a pleasure to be their teacher and I am so proud of the progress that they have already made this year. Here are some of the activities we got up to this week:
- We made our own thermometer!!!
- We worked on some more place value skills such as writing a number in expanded form ( 543 = 500 + 40 +3 )
- Learned about an Indigenous Hero - Tom Longboat and compared what we similarities and differences we share with him.
- Explored materials that make good insulators and conductors
Next week we will:
- Explore how animals keep warm and the types of insulation they have
- Dive into making "super sentences" by extending them into longer more detailed sentences
- Working on place value by comparing larger and smaller numbers
- Looking at natural resources in the 3 communities we are studying in social studies
Other important things to note:
Food Bank Boxes - Students can start to fill the boxes up anytime from now until the last evening of Dec. 15th. Non-perishable items only please. The Food Bank will be picking up the boxes between the dates of Dec. 16th and Dec. 22nd.
In hopes to track donations for the Wonderland of Giving and make sure we have enough a volunteer has set up a signup genius for us. Please take a look at the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a45a9aa29a3f58-woodbine
Nov 18, 2022
We learned so much this week, here is a summary of what we were up to:
- hot chocolate experiment (do you need HOT water to make HOT chocolate?)
- researching a variety of temperatures of different objects - including the sun!
- writing project - If you could be a teacher for a day, what would you teach?
- explored the questions: What is climate? What is the world's climate? What is Canada's climate? What are the differences between the 3 diverse Canada communities we are learning about?
Next week we will dive into learning about:
- Can we create our own thermometer?
- What is an insulator? What is a conductor?
- How do animals stay warm?
- Why did early settlers/first peoples decide to set up a community in Iqaluit, Meteghan and Saskatoon?
Additional Updates Below
Request: Clear (empty) plastic bottles
For an upcoming Science project, students are asked to bring in 1 clear empty plastic water bottle, the size doesn’t matter but the smaller the better.
Snacks
Some students are still very “hangry” at the end of the day and are asking me for snacks. We have some in the office, however they are for “emergencies” only. Please ensure you are packing enough to last them through the day :)
Parent-teacher conferences
I am very much looking forward to meeting with you all again! The Conference Booking Manager will open for families to book their slot at 6:00 am on Thurs, Nov 17 and close for booking at midnight on Wed, Nov 23.
Gr 1-6 Thurs, Nov 24 – 5:00-8:00 PM IN PERSON CONFERENCES
K Thurs, Nov 24 – all day IN PERSON CONFERENCES
Gr K-6 Fri, Nov 25 – 8:00-noon VIRTUAL CONFERENCES
Google Classroom
As a lot of students have been absent with a variety of illnesses, google classroom has become a place where I try and upload work we have been doing in class. Please contact me for login information if you are having trouble accessing it.
Woodbine’s WinterWonderland of Giving: please see the invitation below! Also, how is it already almost DECEMBER?!
Nov 4th, 2022
We have had a very busy week of learning on top of Halloween, the day after Halloween, a blizzard and a "blue dot day" with no outdoor recess!
Some of the things we got up to this week were:
- discussing and writing about courage (7 grandfather teachings)
- looking at the land in Iqaluit, Meteghan and Saskatoon and making comparisons
- started some beautiful art projects to represent the learning of the land
Next week we can look forward to:
- a remembrance day assembly
- learning about heroes and how they shaped the great country of Canada
- beginning measurement in math
Reminders:
- there is no school on Friday Nov 11
- Wednesday is Library Day
- Dress for the weather - It will be extremely chilly outside next week.
Have a great weekend!
- Jess
October 28 Update
We have been so busy experimenting and building this week with magnets. We even levitated a paper clip! See some of the highlights below:
- levitated a paper clip
- build an "invention" that moved by the force of a magnet (either repelling or attracting)
- decided what we would "pack" for a trip to the 3 different communities in Canada that we have been investigating
- worked on number patterns by adding or subtracting
- wrote a "hook" to begin a story using either a question, sound or talking
Next week we are looking forward to:
- focusing on writing the beginning of excellent narrative stories
- summarizing our inventions by thinking about what worked and didn't work
- introducing a new 7 grandfather teachings - Courage
- finish off our novel study of "The Wild Robot"
- continue to explore number sense and patterns
October 21
Some of the highlights from this week include:
- Writing a narrative while focusing on - adding a sound, using talking (dialogue) and focusing on a small moment in our lives
- Continuation of “The Wild Robot” novel
- Reviewing the vocabulary we have learned about so far in our magnet unit and creating a foldable diagram of our learning
Next Week we can look forward to:
- Continue to learn about, practice and embody respect
- Exploring more about and comparing three diverse communities in Canada
- Continue to look at magnets by constructing a moving object that can be repelled by a magnet
- Focusing on writing super stellar story starters
Friendly Reminders:
Halloween Dance: The Halloween Dance is returning Thursday Oct. 27th from 6 to 8pm. Buy tickets online for $4 each until Tuesday Oct. 25th. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door for $5 (cash only)
Buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wo...
We also still need a number of volunteers to help make this fun event run smoothly. Please consider signing up for a half hour volunteer role if you are attending. We could not have these amazing events without help from parents!
Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/g...
Gift Card Donations: The Woodbine School Council is asking for donations of grocery gift cards to help support families in our school community. Any denomination is appreciated and can make a big difference.
It is requested that, if possible, the gift cards be purchased for Superstore or Loblaws as these stores have other items such as clothing and can be used to meet more basic needs than simply food.
There will be a drop off box for these gift cards at the Halloween dance, or they can be dropped off at the school office at any point. Please indicate the value on the gift card
October 14, 2022
Happy Friday:)
We have been busy learning this week. Here are some of the highlights!
Some of the highlights from this week include:
- Taking a deeper look into what respect is by thinking about what respect looks like, sounds like and feels like
- Completing an art project by sketching inside an outline of a buffalo using some global indigenous art techniques
- Writing a personal narrative while focusing on - adding a sound, using talking (dialogue) and focusing on a small moment in our lives
- Starting our exploration into magnets by comparing strengths of different magnets and what is magnetic in and around our classroom
- Continuation of “The Wild Robot” novel
Next Week we can look forward to:
- Continue to learn about, practice and embody respect
- Exploring more about and comparing three diverse communities in Canada
- Continue to look at magnets by constructing a compass and learning about the different poles and repelling and attracting
Jess
Happy Long Weekend Families!
I am so happy to be back and thank you all for your kind wishes and messages.
Picture day is on Tuesday October 11th, so bring those smiles!
Some of the highlights from this week include:
- Testing and comparing different minerals by looking at the colour, lustre and hardness by conducting a variety of scratch tests
- Locating 3 different diverse communities on a map
- Learning about the 7 sacred teaching of respect by thinking about what respect looks like, sounds like and feels like
- Writing more personal stories about our best, worst and funniest moments
- Continuation of “The Wild Robot” novel
Next Week we can look forward to:
- Begin to look at the earth's magnetic field and what that tells us about the earth and magnets
- Continue to learn about, practice and embody respect
- Write more personal narratives while focusing on adding dialogue, sounds and a beginning, middle and end
- Exploring and comparing three diverse communities in Canada
Can’t wait to see you all next week! Happy Thanksgiving!
Sept 16th, 2022
Happy Friday, Families!
This week was finished with a lovely trip to Fish Creek Park. It was a joy to be with nature and learn about the land right in our neighborhood. Some highlights from this week include:
- Going on a rock scavenger hunt around the schoolyard
- Looking at the rocks we found with magnifying glasses
- Getting our visual journals started
- Writing about what is in our “heart”
- Starting the novel “The Wild Robot”
Next Week we can look forward to:
- Testing rocks and minerals
- Learning about our place in our world by looking at where we fit on a map
- Meet the Teacher (Thursday evening and Friday morning)
Can’t wait to see you all next week!
Take Care,
Jess
Sept 9th, 2022
Happy Friday Families,
We finished week 2 with a bang! Here are some of the highlights from this week.
- Welcome Back Assembly
- Introducing the 7 grandfather teachings
- Drew self portraits
- Designed our “ideal” school
- Explored the library and signed out 1 or 2 books (please return when finished)
- Started journal writing about what makes a great student and a great teacher:)
- Our 1st fire drill of the year
Next week we can look forward to:
- Learning more about the 7 grandfather teachings
- Stem challenges
- Starting our exploration of Rocks and Minerals and Magnetism
- What doesn’t belong math talks
- Journal writing about ourselves, our emotions and our goals
Take Care and Have a Great Weekend!
Mrs. Coppens
Sept 2, 2022
Hello Families!
What an exciting two days back we had. We had so much fun getting to know each other and settling into the classroom.
Some of the highlights include:
-writing about our summer break
-math about me
-longest paper chain challenge
-find someone who friendship building activity
-first music class with Mrs. Brocke
-first gym class with Mrs. Bignell
Next week we will be:
-exploring the library
-having more building challenges
-building our classroom community
We also read the best book about how to make schools an inclusive place for all. The book is called “The world needs more purple schools”. We will certainly be circling back to this book often!
I feel so grateful to be a part of your childs learning and I am very much looking forward to the year ahead. Please reach out with any questions!
See everyone on Tuesday,
Mrs. Coppens
Dear Grade 2 and 3 Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year at Woodbine School. I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher this year. My name is Jessica Coppens and I am delighted to be at Woodbine school for a second year in a row.
First Day Procedures:
This Thursday, September 1, is our first day of school. Please meet me at our designated entry door. Our doors are facing West and are on the South side of the playground. We will line up as a class on Thursday morning to enter our classroom together at 8:55.
Items to bring on the first day:
- Healthy snacks and substantial lunch - please packs snacks in a separate container/compartment
- Water bottle - please send a refillable spill-proof water bottle
- Indoor shoes - please send a pair of clean running shoes that can be kept at school. Please do not send lace up running shoes unless your child can independently and quickly tie their laces.
- Dress for the weather as we will be heading outside for fresh air breaks and physical education
- Please label all of your child’s belongings!
Home and School Communication:
The School Messenger system is for maintaining regular e-mail contact with families. If you were part of School Messenger last year you do not need to register again. Please look for updates and important messages from the grade two/three community. A strong home-school connection is so important, so please feel free to contact me at any time with your questions and concerns. My email is jecoppens@cbe.ab.ca . If it is an urgent matter during the school day, please call the school office at 403-777-8630 and they will get in contact with me.
School Hours:
Supervision for students begins at 8:40am on the school grounds every morning, with school starting 8:55am. Students are released to go home at 3:40pm Monday to Thursday and 8:55am-12:50pm on Fridays.
Please send a quick reply to indicate that you have seen this email. If there is anything that you feel I need to know about your child before I meet them on Thursday (ie. allergies, transportation to daycare or on the bus, etc…) please email me as soon as possible. The first day is a busy and exciting time for everyone.
I am looking forward to meeting you all,
Sincerely,
Jessica Coppens
