Ipad/Android Apps for ELA

Here is a list of good ELA apps that I have used with my previous students to work on spelling, sight words, phonics and alphabets. All my suggested apps are free, but there may be some apps that are available to purchase for the full edition.

Technology learning can be beneficial for some children, especially for those who find it hard to work with paper/ pencil. It does not however mean that I heavily focus on technology in the classroom, but it is an asset to a child's learning from home. Use learning on hand-held devices as an incentive, or as an alternative to engaging your child into learning. Even though we live in a fast paced world, we still rely on the beauty of using our hands to write. Enjoy! (Math apps to come soon)

Phonics:
Louie's Letter Challenge
Cimo Can Spell (lite)

Spelling:
Alphabet Car
Little Speller
Spelling Magic
Word Magic Lite
Magic Spell

Sight Words:
Read on Sight
Cimo Spelling Sight
Fry Words (Dolch Word List available for purchase)


Printing:
ABC Tracing
Kids Academy: ABC Alphabet
Pocket Phonics/ ABC lite
Alphabet Tracing

Scholastic Book Order

 

Dear Parent,

The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of good books and the joy and benefits of good reading. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.

Our class is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year. Each month during the school year I will send home a Club flyer with a different selection of books offered. You’ll find award-winning books, as well as old and new favourites. I recommend them because the books span a wide range of children’s reading levels and interests and because they are inexpensive (some books cost $1.99).

It is easy to order. This month’s flyer is being sent home tomorrow. Just look over the flyer with your child, select the books you want, mark them on the order form on the back of the flyer, and return the order form to me with payment in cash or a cheque payable to Scholastic Canada Ltd. by September 23 . The books will arrive in about two weeks after I send the class order to Scholastic.

Owning your own books is something special! I hope that you will encourage your child to order books this year. Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our classroom, however there is never any obligation to order. I know of no better way to encourage reading than to allow children to choose the books they want to read.

Sincerely,

Ms. Liu

PS: For more information about the books in this offer, you can visit the Scholastic Book Clubs Web site at http://www.scholastic.ca/clubs. You will also find great activities and resources for you and your child.

Homework Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that Weekend Web's have been distributed for homework and are to be due every Monday. If you forgot to bring one home or lost it, here is a picture of what it looks like:

Welcome to Grade 1 (2013-2014)

Am I ever excited to work with this new group of kiddos! I can almost imagine how many fun things we'll do, the adventures we'll go on and the cool things we'll get to try out. 

Mom's and dads, please fill out the student information sheet and return to school as soon as possible. 

It's good to be back into routine and learning lots! 

2013-2014 Supply List

Grade 1 Supply List

Items that need labelling:

1 pair of indoor/gym shoes

1 paint smock

2 boxes of Kleenex

1 backpack (large enough to hold binders)

1 set of extra clothes: underwear, pants, t-shirt, and socks

1 bag with drawstring closure to hold extra clothes (to be left at school)

Items that DO NOT need labelling:

1 large Ziploc box

1 medium Ziploc box

1 small/sandwich Ziploc box

2 large bottles of white liquid glue

5 glue sticks

Please send $50.00 cash or cheque (made payable to St. Emile School) to cover agenda, art supplies, binders, pencils, scissors, markers, crayons, photo processing (and you name it!) that we will require throughout the school year. This money should be brought the first day of school and given to Ms. Liu.

Teacher: Ms. Priscilla Liu 

Canola Farm Field Trip/ Year End

How fun was the Canola Farm? Take a look at the pictures!

Welcome to Kelburn Farm!

 Getting a good feel of what Canola seeds are like

Crushing canola seeds to make oil

 Phew, after a long day of learning inside, we finally get to go outside.

 At the wetlands enjoying a floating dock... or Ms. Liu getting sick from motion sickness!

We had a blast! Thanks to all the parent volunteers. This field trip couldn't happen without you guys!

Year End Happenings

• I will be packing up the classroom very soon. You will notice that your child will be coming home with some things like: Term 2 work, Term 3 portfolio, remaining supplies that you purchased for your child, Journal, Phonics book, and a few duotangs. 
• Last day of school: School bag is to be brought to school in case your child has forgotten to bring something home. We will also be doing a farewell/ birthday party for the students who are leaving St. Emile School, and for the summer birthday kids. I kindly ask that parents don't bring anything that day. I will have treats provided for the students. 

Field Day

What a blast we had with Field Day today! We had lots of fun stations and a few great games of Tug-o-War. Without the help of the older grades, we wouldn't have made it so successful!

Just a reminder to all families. School is coming to an end soon, and its so bittersweet. Next week (June 10-15) will be the last week for spelling test and weekend writes. We'll be packing up and do some really fun activities and crafts to wind down.

June 18 is the class pizza party. Your child got to make their own pizza order. Do no bring a lunch that day! We will also be putting on a movie as that was their prize from me.

There was a change in a field trip. Grade 1s will not be participating in the "We Day" at West St. Paul. Unfortunately, the program is just not age appropriate. Instead of going, we will be watching Charlotte's Web in the morning and we'll go on a mini-field trip to get slurpees. I will send out more information closer to the date.