Thursday, December 7th ~ Christmas/Holiday Hair
(examples: tinsel in your hair or a candy can)
Friday, December 15th ~ Wear your pajamas to school...because it's cool!
Wednesday, December 20th ~ All classes will make snowflakes this day!
Thursday, December 21st ~ Christmas Sweater Day!
(If you don't have a Christmas/holiday sweater, you can wear red, green or something glittery as not everyone has a festive sweater.
December 3, 2023
Fish Creek Walk on Friday, December 1st
Unfortunately, we had to end our Fish Creek walk early due to students being uncomfortable and cold as we got down there. It is important to remember that we remind and encourage students to dress properly plus, this is also addressed in the letter provided through school messenger.
Clearly, we have been having very nice weather but it will continue to get colder and students need to be prepared to go outside for recess breaks, as well as, participate in our walking field trips.
If you would like to volunteer for our next trip in January, please let us know what day would work best for you!
Winter Solstice Songs
If anyone wants to practice these songs at home prior to our December 21st small performance.
We are practicing the song “Frosty the Snowman” using this version on playback speed at 0.75.
We have just begun our practice so will be using the lyrics until they know all the words well.
Frosty the Snowman
Our class is also singing the song “Walkin in a Winter Wonderland”
They will continue to use this video until they know all the lyrics.
Winter Wonderland
Here’s what we were learning last week:
✏️ Writing
- Printing Sentences Aa, O zero and 1 one
- Recess Review: AM or PM
- Stretchy Sentences
- November Writing Prompt
- Where would you prefer to visit and why? Dinosaur Provincial Park, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump or Wood Buffalo National Park
- Fish Creek Walking Field Trip: Important things to bring/wear
- Class Dojo: Respect is...
📚 Reading
- Read to Self for 6 minutes
- No breaks during reading: bathroom or water
- Reading 3 books of choice
- Read to Someone once a week, sitting EEKK
“elbow to elbow, knee to knee book in the middle so we both can see”
- Chapter Book: A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig ~ Chapters 1 to 5
🔢 Math
- Repeating Patterns Assessment
- Patterns in a Hundred Chart
- Describing Patterns
- Ordinal Numbers
- December Calendar
🌎 Social Studies & Science 🔭
- UNESCO Heritage Sites: Head Smashed Inn Buffalo Jump, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Wood Buffalo National Park
- Intro to Natural Resources
🖤 Wellness
- Class Dojo: Respect
- Grade 4 Buddies with Mrs. Tucker’s class
Important Dates for December 2023
Friday, December 1st
~ Fish Creek Walk and Work
Friday, December 8th
~ PD Day, No School for Students
Thursday, December 21st
~ Winter Solstice Evening 6:00 to 8:00pm
(Scheduled time to attend will be posted at a later date)
Friday, December 22nd
~ Last day of classes before Winter Break
Winter Break Begins: December 23, 2023 to January 7, 2024
School Resumes: Monday, January 8, 2024
We celebrated our November Birthday babies on Thursday, November 30th!
🥳 I hope that you all had the BEST day ever and ate a lot of cupcakes🧁
Love, Ms. Johansen
Happy November Birthday to...
❤️ Torren
Martin 💙
November 19th & November 26th
Our last week of November is upon us…time sure flies!
Thank you, families, for ALL signing up this year for Parent Teacher Conferences.
Please continue to feel free to email me if you need anything! amjohansen@cbe.ab.ca
Events Coming Up
*DATE SWITCHED* Friday, December 1st
~ Room 11 & 12 Going for Fish Creek Walk & Work
@ 9:30am to 11:30am…You are welcome to join us if you are available 😀
Friday, December 8th
~ PD Day, No School for Students
Thursday, December 21st
~ Winter Solstice Evening 6:00 to 8:00pm
Friday, December 22nd
~ Last day of classes before Winter Break
We are practicing the song “Frosty the Snowman” using this version on playback speed at 0.75.
We have just begun our practice so will be using the lyrics until they know all the words well.
⛄️ Frosty the Snowman ☃️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCjrcjFGQCA
Here’s what we practiced in class after Fall Break and last week:
✏️ Writing
- What did you do over Fall Break?
- What would you rather ONLY Fall or ONLY Summer?
- Head Smash In Buffalo Jump Sequence of Events
- Setting a goal and what can you do to improve
📚 Reading
- Read to Self for 6 minutes
- No breaks during reading: bathroom or water
- Reading 3 books of choice
- Read to Someone once a week, sitting EEKK
“elbow to elbow, knee to knee, book in the middle so we both can see”
- Chapter Book: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo ~ Chapters 6 to 10
🔢 Math
- Repeating, Growing and Shrinking Patterns
- Word Problems on Patterns
- Addition up to Twenty
🌎 Social Studies & Science 🔭
- UNESCO Heritage Sites: Head Smashed Inn Buffalo Jump, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Wood Buffalo National Park
- Characteristics of the Prairie Landscape for Art
🖤 Wellness
- Growth Mindset: Rosie’s Glasses Writing and Class Dojo
🎨 Art
- Prairie Landscape Art: Ripped or Torn Paper Technique
See you tomorrow morning!
November 14th
Welcome Back Families!
I hope everyone enjoyed some of the Fall Break.. if you could!
School resumes tomorrow at 8:55am 😉
Here’s what we practiced in class last week:
✏️ Writing
- Printing Practice: Numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- The Good Egg by Jory John
- Reviewing the parts of a story: Beginning, Middle, End, Characters and Setting
- What is Peace? By Wallace Edwards
- Reviewing words and things that are peaceful in our own lives
- Poppy Art with words
📚 Reading
- Read to Self for 6 minutes
- No breaks during reading: bathroom or water
- Reading 2 books of choice
- Chapter Book: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
🔢 Math
- Continue with repeating patterns
- Word Problem related to Patterns
- Making 10 Addition
🌎 Social Studies & Science 🔭
- The Prairies
- Characteristics of the Prairie Landscape
- Rivers, Weather and Climate
🖤 Wellness
- Growth Mindset: Class Dojo
We are having a short week although many things to get done! Parent Teacher Conferences have opened up.
If you are having any issues with signing up or need to meet at another time, please email me at amjohansen@cbe.ab.ca
No School for Students on Thursday, November 9th until Tuesday, November 14th.
Classes resume on Wednesday, November 15th at 8:55am 
November 5th
Picture Re-takes 📸
Monday, November 6th ~ Ms. Claire Bignell will be in for Ms. Johansen so if you have specific requests or need to let her know that you want your child to have Retakes, please email her at ClBignell@cbe.ab.ca
Remembrance Day ♥️
Assembly will take place on Wednesday, November 8th at 10:15am. If your child participates in any club such as Beavers, Scouts or Girl Guides, please email me at amjohansen@cbe.ab.ca. With your permission, I would like to use your child to carry the wreath for our Remembrance day assembly. We would like these students to wear their uniforms on the day of this assembly.
Fall Break Coming Up 🚫
No School for Students on Thursday, November 9th until November 14th
🏠 Enjoy the time at home but also get out and play in the snow before it gets TOO cold! 🥶
School resumes on Wednesday, November 15th at 8:55am
Winter Wear ❄️
Please make sure that students have a pair of gloves/mittens, a toque and maybe a scarf. Remember that now is the time to wear socks, long sleeve shirts or a sweater and always have boots as well as, a warmer jacket!
If it gets warmer then we can always take it off…it is always better to be prepared!
Please remind your child that it is important to change their shoes at school with the weather changing during entry and exits.
Library 📕
Remember to return overdue Library books every Wednesday to check in and check out new books for home or Read to Self opportunities.
Here’s what we practiced in class last week:
✏️ Writing
- Printing Practice: Letter Zz, Numbers 0, 1, 2, 3
- In the Haunted House with a focus on Nouns (People and Places)
- Following Directions: Haunted House
- How I met my monster by Amanda Knoll ~ Drawing/Written Response
- Practice logging into Chrome books with students
- What if you had Animal Teeth? by Sandra Markle
📚 Reading
- Read to Self for 4 and then moving onto 6 minutes
- No breaks during reading: bathroom or water
- Reading 2 books of choice
- Finish Chapter Book ~ The Bad Guys: Episode 2: Mission Unpluckable by Aaron Blabey
- Chapters 7 to 9: Drawing the characters~ Mr. Wolf, Mr. Shark, Mr. Snake, Mr. Pepe Piranha
🔢 Math
- Repeating Patterns
- Word Problem related to Patterns
- Reviewing the CUBES Strategy ~ Focus on Circling the important numbers
🌎 Social Studies & Science 🔭
- The Prairies
- Characteristics of the Prairie Landscape
- Landforms
🖤 Wellness
- Rosie's Glasses by Dave Whamond
- Growth Mindset
It is finally November! I cannot believe it 😳
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up soon and more information will be provided soon. Please email me if you cannot make the days of the 23rd or 24th. I am happy to schedule a separate time or day to speak with you!
Important dates for November:
Monday, November 6th
~ 📸 Picture Retakes Day (Ms. Bignell, Gym Teacher will be in for Ms. Johansen if you have specific requests regarding pictures) Email: ClBignell@cbe.ab.ca
Wednesday, November 8th
~ ♥️ Remembrance Day Assembly at 10:15am
Thursday, November 9th
~ 🚫 System PD Day: No School for Students
Friday, November 9th to Tuesday, November 14th
~ 🍂 Fall Break 😉 Enjoy your time at home and go play in the snow! ❄️
Wednesday, November 15th
~ 🎒 School Resumes at 8:55am 🍎
Thursday, November 23rd
~ 📌 Parent Teacher Conferences 5pm to 8pm
Friday, November 24th
~ 🚫 No School for Students: 📌 Parent Teacher Conferences 8am to 12pm
More information will follow regarding Parent Teacher Conferences and booking times.
Please email the teacher if you cannot make these dates and need to book a meeting for a separate time.
amjohansen@cbe.ab.ca
We celebrated our October Birthday babies on Monday, October 30th!
🥳 I hope that you all had the BEST day ever and ate a lot of cupcakes🧁
Love, Ms. Johansen
Happy October Birthday to...
💚 Omar
Maria 💜
Important Dates in October 2023
🦃 Thanksgiving Day on Monday, October 9th ~ No School
📸 School Pictures on Tuesday, October 10th ~ Individual
🚫 PD Day on Friday, October 20th ~ No School
🎃 Halloween on Tuesday, October 31st ~ Costumes are allowed to be worn without blood or scary masks. Please remember we do have Kindergarteners in our school and we want everyone to have fun!
Don't forget that Trick or Treating will be happening THAT NIGHT so only bring what you are capable of remembering to take home with you! ie: wands, swords or hats
You are welcome to bring a treat to eat in the afternoon either to share or for only yourself. Any treat needs to be peanut free. If sharing with the class the treat must be a pre-packaged item. (ie: bear paws or fruit roll up) This is only OPTIONAL not an expectation 🙂
We have 24 students in the class!
Tomorrow I will celebrate those whom had a birthday in September...
yes, I forgot to do it on Thursday?! 🙄
🥳 I hope that you all had the BEST day ever and ate a lot of cupcakes🧁
Love, Ms. Johansen
Happy September Birthday to...
Emma 💜
💛 Claire
Jude 💚
❤️ Mia
September 30th
HELLO ROOM 11 FAMILIES 👋🏻
Thank you for being patient with my blog as I realize that I have not updated it with school activities. Going forward I like you to know that I will update it on Sundays! This month has been a lot of testing with students using the Alberta Government Assessments. They have taken a while to do and this helps our school as well as, myself determine where your child needs the most help on specific tasks. Here is the types of assessments that have been completed in our classrooms. Please know that these are NOT reflective on your child’s reporting periods.
Provincial Numeracy Screening Assessment
This involves a few different math concepts with a specific amount of time provided to them. They are provided instructions and given examples to practice on before testing.
~ Comparing Numbers, Writing Numbers, Numbers on the Number Line, Number Facts: Addition & Subtraction, Ordering of Numbers
LeNS: Letter Name-Sound Test
Reviewing when two letter sounds are put together to make one sound. Students need to provide the sound those two letters make together.
Example: t sounds like tennis and h sounds like hot but what does th together make.
CC3: Castles and Coltheart 3 Test
Students are given lists of words to read as best they can. There are 3 different lists.
Regular Words, Irregular Words and Nonwords
Words Their Way Spelling Test
This spelling test is based on letter sounds that your child can recognize with spelling patterns. I am only marking if they have included specific sounds to that word. An example would be the word, dream, most students spell it like drem or dreem. If they have the blend dr and the long vowel sound of ea then the word is marked correctly. The grade 2 teachers are using this spelling test to determine where your child will begin their Literacy Group on Monday, October 2nd. We want to emphasize that the group your child is in will be based on where they need the most support and there is NOT any reference to being in a high, medium or low group. All students will still be taking part in regular classroom Word Work with their teachers to review many of these concepts.
Digraphs & Blends ~ Ms. Johansen
Beginning & Initial Consonants/Short Vowels ~ Mr. Cuddihy
Long Vowel Sounds/Other Vowels ~ Ms. Christensen
Please feel free to email me with any questions, want a copy of the assessments or if you have issues at any time regarding the classroom. I want to make sure that you know I am available for communication with families ; ) amjohansen@cbe.ab.ca
Important Dates Coming Up In September:
🏃🏻♀️ Terry Fox Run 🏃🏾
Wednesday, September 20th @ 1:15pm
If you have a current volunteer clearance and are able to help out for the afternoon, please email me at amjohansen@cbe.ab.ca. We will be fundraising for this activity as well and walking down to Fish Creek to honour Terry's Memory.
🍎 Meet The Teacher
More information to follow about coming to meet myself and see the classroom.
Thursday, September 21st ~ 5:00 to 8:00pm (Open House)
Friday, September 22nd ~ 8:00am to 1:00pm (Parent/Teacher Requested Meet Up)
🚫 No School
Friday, September 22nd ~ Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, September 29th ~ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
🧡 Orange Shirt Day
Thursday, September 28th
A little bit about Room 11
🥜 Allergies
We do have a peanut allergy in the classroom. SO please ONLY provide Nut Free snacks and lunch items with your child each day! This does also mean that Nutella products cannot be eaten at school as well.
🥳 Birthdays
In my classroom, I prefer to celebrate a student birthday at the end of the month. I typically leave a time on the last school day of the month to sing “Happy Birthday” and offer a small gift to your child! If you would like to provide something for your child’s birthday then I encourage you to bring in something for EVERYONE (24) and your child must hand it out themselves. I prefer them to not be food but items like stickers, pencils or erasers. This is NOT an expectation but only a suggestion if you wish to!
👋🏻 Fidgets
I do allow students to bring in a pop or small fidget toy if they feel that they need it. However, I am not stating you must bring one it is only a personal choice. Our class has talked about how some students benefit from a fidget to help them focus. We continue to talk about how to use them properly and when are the appropriate times to use them. Students are responsible for their own fidget toy if they choose to bring it in and are not allowed to exchange/play with others.
🎧 Technology
We will be working on setting up student in our Google Classroom, Raz Kids and a Math Prodigy account. You will be given all computer codes during our Meet the Teacher time. If you are able to provide a pair of headphones for your child to use in order to reduce noise in the classroom, it would be appreciated. They do not have to be expensive and even Dollar Store ones work very well!
📄 HOMEWORK
I do encourage that families read every day and play games using dice or cards for repeated literacy and math review.
I do not send homework unless students have not completed enough work in the time provided. I want to respect that your child has been learning for a long period of the day and go home to play or participate in extracurricular activities.
Thanks Everyone!
See you all tomorrow morning ☀️
August 29, 2023 ~ Welcome to Room 11!
Please check out my Welcome Letter in the Resources Tab ➡️
🖍 First Day of School ~ Thursday, August 31st, 2023
Finding Your New Teacher at 8:40am
Bell Rings at 8:55am
School Begins at 9:00am
Grade 2 Recess TBD
Lunch at 12:35pm
Bell Rings at 1:00pm
Dismissal at 3:40pm
🚪 This is our doors for entering and exiting the school 😉
Remember to bring: (please label your child's items as well)
💧 a water bottle
🥒 🍌 healthy snacks for morning and afternoon (if needed)
👟 indoor shoes (to remain at school)
🥪 🧃 🍪 a delicious lunch *🥜Nut Free*
🔔 ALL Friday's are EARLY DISMISSALS!
Supervision starts at 8:40am
Bell Rings at 8:55am
School Starts at 9:00am
Grade 2 Recess TBD
Early Dismissal at 12:50pm
📌 Reminder ~ Long Weekend
NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 4, 2023
Back to school on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 8:55am 🎒
SEE YOU SOON EVERYONE🍎
