Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thank you so much to all the families that sent in gifts for Ms.Rauser, Mrs. Cooper, Mr. Lam and Mrs. Witmer.  We were very spoiled today!

A BIG THANK YOU to Mrs. Smart for sending in the Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cookies!! Students really enjoyed decorating them. 

Today is our last day of school before our winter break.  School resumes on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.  We wish everyone a great winter break!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our wonderful families!!!

Exciting news for Ms. Rauser's class:

We would like to announce that Miss Jackson will be doing Ms. Rauser's maternity leave starting the middle of February. Students have had Miss Jackson for Music as she was previously doing Mrs. McBride's maternity leave. We are thrilled to have someone that the children know and love come in for Ms. Rauser! Miss Jackson will be in the classroom with Ms. Rauser for a week the second week back to help transition kids. Yay for Miss Jackson!!!

Wednesday, December 17

The students have been working on completing an art and writing project about the True Meaning of the Holidays.  Ms. Rauser's class completed it today and Mrs. Cooper's class will have time to finish it tomorrow.  

We are also completing a comparison of our writing and where we have shown progress with our writing since September.  The students will use these comparisons to set writing goals for the New Year.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be our last before the winter break.  It will be the last day for our student teachers so we wish them all the best in completing their year.

Mrs. Smart has very kindly volunteered to send Christmas tree cookies for the students to decorate tomorrow afternoon! 

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Message from a Penbrooke Meadows Teacher, December 14/14:

So taking the gifts was such an experience to the home I went to - I actually was emotional afterwards driving home.

When they opened the door there were 4 kids and 1 baby.  They had a small little tree that they had put lights on and it was sitting on top of a side coffee table.  The kids’faces were so happy - they lit up.  They started jumping up and down and saying Thank you Thank you Thank you..!  They couldn't believe that we just kept bringing more bags in and more....  We told them that they were to save these for Christmas to open...so they said they are going to put them under the little tree and they started to make a pile.  They commented on the wrapping paper and how special it made them feel that they were wrapped.  Mom gave us a big hug and said Thank you So much.  The kids were so excited and were waving to us when we left. 

There was no feeling like it.  Your families and staff have made SUCH a difference to our school and our families through your generosity.  This was only one family that I delivered and it didn't leave my mind all weekend. To see this family filled with such joy was amazing.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Cranston School and Ms. Rauser.  We love you. xx

A few students in Mrs. Cooper's class are bringing home their journals to finish their True Meaning of the Holidays writing.

Mrs. Cooper's class got new home reading books for today.  Both classes can keep their home reading books over the holidays.

We had caroling this afternoon - ask your child who the star jib jabs were today.


Our school's lost and found items will be donated to the 'Diabetes Association' at the end of the schools day on WEDNESDAY. We will take students by the lost and found over the next two days. If you would like to stop in after school to check it out with your child as well...please feel free! 

REMINDER THAT THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS THURSDAY!

Monday December 15th, 2014

Our school's lost and found items will be donated to the 'Diabetes Association' at the end of the schools day on WEDNESDAY. We will take students by the lost and found over the next two days. If you would like to stop in after school to check it out with your child as well...please feel free! 

In gym students played two games with our OMNIKIN BALL (1) chase game where the student tries to tag the ball  (2) tag game where the class tries to tag the student with the ball.
**Ask your child to explain the above further.

Students participated in a school wide Christmas caroling session in the morning. Our teacher JIB JAB videos are always a hit and are played for students each day. Mrs. Cooper and Ms. Rauser were some of the stars in todays videos ;0)

A BIG BIG BIG 'THANK YOU' to Mrs. McMinniman for sewing our envelope books over the weekend. It is so very much appreciated!!! You are a super star!!!

Friday December 12th, 2014

The 'Cantare Children's Choir' had the entire gym singing today. They were quite inspiring. Each student is coming home with a bookmark with information on the Choir. This group practices right in Sundance. So if your child is interested in singing be sure to check out the information on the bookmark!!

If your child (only 3 students from each class received these permission forms) has an environmental club form in their blue folder...these forms are due back MONDAY DEC. 15TH, 2014.

Next week our school will be singing Christmas carols each day (Mon, Wed morning, Tues, Thurs afternoon). It is sure to be an exciting and spirited time for our Cranston students!

A BIG thank you to Mrs. McMiniman for helping to sew some of our envelope books this weekend. You are amazing and we really appreciate your help!!!

Thursday December 11, 2014

LOOKING FOR A PARENT WHO CAN SEW some envelopes together for us for a future book project this weekend. We have an example that we can send home of what kind of stitch/look we are needing. :0)  If this is something you would be willing to do please email Ms. Rauser (cerauser@cbe.ab.ca). Thanks so much!!! We would need these envelopes by Tuesday. Unfortunately sewing is not Mrs. Cooper's or Ms. Rauser's forte and we would have to resort to asking our parents or grandparents to help with this so thought we would ask our students parents first. ;0) LOL

Tomorrow students get to see the 'Cantare Children's Choir' at 11am. Make sure to ask your child tomorrow about this :0)

Ms. Rauser is looking for a parent volunteer to come in before next Thursday to pull students in our class one at a time to do a small thank you writing card for our lovely students teacher Mrs. Witmer! Her last day will be on December 18th! If interested, please send an email to cerauser@cbe.ab.ca

Tomorrow teachers will be delivering all of our gifts to Penbrooke Meadows and Douglas Harkness for our FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES. Ho Ho Ho Ho!!! Thank you again to all Cranston families for their generosity!

Wednesday December 10th, 2014

Wow...we are so proud of how well the students did in the Christmas concert last night. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings that came out to show their support last night.

LOOKING FOR A PARENT WHO CAN SEW some envelopes together for us for a future book project this weekend. We have an example that we can send home of what kind of stitch/look we are needing. :0)  If this is something you would be willing to do please email Ms. Rauser (cerauser@cbe.ab.ca). Thanks so much!!! We would need these envelopes by Tuesday. Unfortunately sewing is not Mrs. Cooper's or Ms. Rauser's forte and we would have to resort to asking our parents or grandparents to help with this so thought we would ask our students parents first. ;0) LOL

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES --> Teachers will be delivering gifts on Friday to both Penbrooke Meadows Elementary and Douglas Harkness Elementary for our sponsored families. Another BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU to our Cranston families for supporting this and helping our students discover the true meaning of the holidays.

Today we read 'Great Joy' by: Kate Dicamillo
*This was a great book to connect to the true meaning of the holidays and our work with 'Families Helping Families'

We are asking that all students at Cranston School bring their library books back before the winter break. Mrs. Aris would like to check our collection and see what we have, what needs repair, and if any books are missing. Thank you for helping your child remember to bring their library book back to school by Monday December 15th, 2014

This friday we have a special assembly at 11am. The Cantare Children's Choir will be performing for us! FUN :0)

December 9, 2014

Christmas Concert is TONIGHT

Our classes will be performing in the gym tonight at 7pm. Families can start coming at 6pm.  Our classrooms will be open for families to come in and make a Christmas ornament. The students were shown how to make their ornament and can get parents to help them.  They are painting snowmen and reindeer on a Christmas ornament.  Once it is dry, the students can hang the ornament onto the Christmas tree in our hall.  

There will also be a bake sale in the learning commons and a talent show in the hub that families can visit after they make their ornament. 

 Parents will need to stay with their children until 6:45.  At 6:45 students will need to return to their class to begin lining up for the performance.  At this time, parents will be asked to head to the gym to get a seat for the 7pm performance.  After the performance, students will return to the classroom.  Please pick your child up from their classroom after the performance.  

See you tonight!!!

Monday December 8th, 2014

All of the following documents and links have now been uploaded to our classroom website
-Grade 3 & 4 writing rubrics
-NEW report card indicators document (showing you what a 1, 2, 3, and 4 mean)
-Inquiry/Research website links for student use for their BIG inquiry question

Room 79 & 80's classroom website LINK


CRANSTON CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Our Christmas Concert for room 79 and 80 is tomorrow night and our students will be performing their songs at 7pm in the gym. Families are welcome to join tree decorating activities around the school beginning at 6pm.  Students are invited to come to their classroom to make a special ornament that can be hung on the tree in our hallway(the ornament will go home next week).  All students need to meet in the classroom by 6:45 so we can get them lined up in their order before we go to the gym for the performance.


Cranston School is participating in the annual Mayors Food Drive.  Students are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to put in the boxes that have been placed around the school.  Thank you

December 4, 2014

YIKES - sorry we missed doing our blog yesterday!  Thank you to those who do check the blog everyday, we try hard to do a daily post.

We are looking forward to meeting all of the parents either tonight or tomorrow morning.  During your 15 minute scheduled time, we will have the opportunity to discuss your child's learning and answer questions that you have.  Your child is encouraged to join us for this interview.  Students do not have school on Friday. 

If you have not brought in your Families Helping Families gifts, they can be brought in tonight and on Friday.  Friday is the last day for gifts to be brought in .  Please remember to wrap and LABEL gifts.  Thank you

During inquiry, we discussed where we can find resources to begin exploring our topics.  We also visited our Learning Commons to make a list of books on their topic.  We explored safe search engines that students can also use.  Students encouraged to visit the public library for further resources.  The public library has many articles on-line as well.  We provided the students with a list of research resources that we posted below and will also post on our website.

Research Resources

SAFE Search Engines for Children:

1.    http://www.kidrex.org - Search Engine for Children

2.    http://www.gogooligans.com - Educational Search Engine for Students

3.    http://www.safesearchkids.com/kids-search-engines/#.VH4ju6XGpG4 - The Google kids search engine

4.    http://www.kidzsearch.com - Kids’ safe search engine

Dictionary, Thesaurus, & Encyclopedia:

1.    http://www.worldbookonline.com.elibrary.calgarypubliclibrary.com/pl/forkids/home?subacct=CD12363 - World book online

2.    http://www.factmonster.com - Fact monster includes a thesaurus, encyclopedia, dictionary, and a database of the Columbia Encyclopedia

Libraries:

1.    http://calgarypubliclibrary.com - Calgary Public Library (e-library)

2.    http://www.loc.gov/families/ - The largest library

Newspaper Articles/Magazines:

1.    http://www.sweetsearch.com - Newspaper articles (eg. ocean pollution)

2.    http://kids.nationalgeographic.com - National Geographic for children

December 2, 2014

The students worked a lot with writing today.  They assessed their story writing, using the rubric that we created together.  This is one tool that will help the students recognize their areas of strength in writing and what goals they have for improving their writing.  We continued with more writing after Ms. Rauser modeled for the students the process of taking jot notes and creating descriptive sentences for our EXPERT writing. We will continue with the writing tomorrow.

In the afternoon, our students were helpful to their buddies to help the grade 1/2 record a reading sample on IRIS.

Some students have brought their math food booklets home to complete. If your child has a green booklet in their folder, they are asked to please finish the week for the weekly family menu.  After completing the menu, student have been asked to total the cost of their food for each day and the week. We are asking for students to please return these completed on Thursday.

A reminder that we have parent teacher conferences Thursday December 4 and Friday December 5.  Please sign up on Conference Manager to book your 15 minute time.  The students do not have school on Friday.

For those students that are in Good Guys or Girl Power, we have the Wednesday meeting at lunch for the Wednesday club.

Mrs. Cooper's class will begin to have book exchange again.  If your child has a library book to exchange, please return it tomorrow.

December 1st, 2014 (Monday)

The students finished off some creative stories they were working on last week. They will be evaluating their own writing and peer reviewing another students writing. This is an important process in developing self awareness of their own abilities and setting goals for themselves for improvement. This is also a time of celebration in seeing areas that they are doing well in!

In gym, students participated in playing dodgeball. Tomorrow the game will be modified a bit so make sure to ask you child about the new rules tomorrow!

Students worked on their webs on the topic that they are an 'EXPERT' in. They will then take these jot notes and turn them into detailed and descriptive sentences.
MS. RAUSER's CLASS: has their webs as homework tonight to finish (4-5 jot notes per topic)

A reminder that all FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES gifts need to be wrapped/labelled and brought in by December 5th, 2014 (FRIDAY). Please keep in mind that Friday is Parent Teacher interviews and is not a school day for Students...but you can still drop off your gifts if needed on this day. :0)
Thank you again for your generosity and support of this amazing program. Its a valuable program that teaches students the true meaning of the holidays and understanding different quality of life within their own city!

November 28, 2014

The students had some time on IRIS today to record a reading sample.  We did reflections about our reading, thinking about what strategies we use and what we need to continue to improve our reading.  We ran out of time so our Reading Samples are not completed but we hope to finish this on Monday.

We also spent time this morning working on developing a writing rubric, followed by a fiction writing assessment.  On Monday, the students will revisit their writing and use the rubric to assess it.  This will help students recognize their areas of strength in writing and what they need to work on as a goal.

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES

We are still in need of more gifts for our families that we are supporting this year.  This is the last week for students to bring in their gifts so please take time to check the FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES BLOG to see what our family still needs.   Thank you

November 27, 2014

Mud City is our next read aloud that our classes will be doing. Mrs. Witmer (Ms. Rauser's student teacher) and Mr. Lam (Mrs. Cooper's student teacher) will be taking the leadership with this book and using many different kinds of teaching strategies to make it exciting and engaging.

In math, the students were introduced to using arrays as a strategy to do repeated addition/multiplication.  Students were provided time to practice this strategy while working on their family menu.  They are beginning to add up how much their family spends on meals each day.  This is being used to compare meals and the cost of food around the world.  

Ask your child what their big question is that they have chosen to investigate.  We made our final decisions about the DEEP THINKING QUESTION that we are most interested in.  Students will become experts in their chosen topic. Further information will follow as we move forward to the steps students are taking to gather resources and how they are going to plan their approach to their BIG problem.

Parent teacher conferences are Thursday, December 4th and Friday December 5th. Please remember to sign up on conference manager to meet with your child's teacher.

November 26, 2014

We are asking that each child please bring in a straight stick around 10 cm in length.  These sticks will be used for our Christmas ornament.  These sticks are due Thursday, December 4.  Thank you

Just a reminder that our classes perform for the December 9th Christmas concert from 6-7:30.  The students have been asked to practice the lyrics which can be found on Mrs. Jackson's blog under the admin heading in the teacher blogs.

In writing, we are working on making our writing more descriptive as we write about our areas of interest or expertise.  Students brainstormed for words that they could use and underlined words that they aren't sure how to spell.  Students have been asked to bring these home tonight to use a dictionary to find the correct spelling of these words.  An online dictionary will work for those who do not have a dictionary at home.  Please return the inquiry notebook tomorrow so that we can continue onto the next step.

November 25, 2014

Thank you to all the families that have already sent in gifts for our Family Helping Families.  Just a reminder to please post and check the Family Helping Families Blog to post the gifts that you are sending in.

Our students uploaded and reflected their Grizzly Bear Project onto Iris so parents can check it out.  We will be using their areas for growth and goals as we begin another project.  We are really excited to begin working on our independent inquiry questions this week. Students will continue to further develop writing skills to support their work in the research process.

We started a math project today with both classes combined.  This is a project that we will be working on over the next few weeks is called What do people eat in the world?  Students will be analyzing different families from around the world and figuring out what they eat and the cost of the food.  They will then create their own weekly family menu and compare their families menu to the families from around the world.  During this project students will be working on diverse addition and multiplication strategies.

In writing, the students were introduced to free writing about an area of interest or expertise.  Students choose 3 topics that they know a lot about and will be picking one that they could write the most information about (their experts and can write specific details about this topic).  Ask your child what topics they picked and have them tell you everything they know about it. You can help them decide which one they 'could' pick by the amount of knowledge they have about it. ;0)

A reminder to students to log into RAZKIDS and Mathletics to practice important reading and math skills at least 1-2 times per week. 

Thursday November 20th, 2014

Mrs. Jones and Miss Jackson have told the children that if they wish to practice the specific Christmas carols they are learning in their music class that they can access this link which will take them to all the lyrics :0)

Link to Christmas Carol WORDS

Ms. Rauser's and Mrs. Cooper's grade 3/4 classrooms will be presenting their songs on our 'Deck the Halls' night --> December 9th, 2014 at 7pm in the gym. The evening will officially start at 6pm and there will be family activities throughout the school to partake in with the night officially ending at 7:30pm!

DATE TO REMEMBER -> DECEMBER 9TH  (6:00-7:30PM)

Yesterday the students started to do a good copy of their bear writing on the computer and we continued with it today.  Some of the students were very efficient with using the computer to type a good copy.  Other students found this a very challenging task.  We talked about students taking the time to practice typing at home to help them improve in this skill.  Dance Mat Typing is a fun and interactive website that can help students become more efficient at typing.  We have the website linked on our website.  

Math and Literacy Family Night

We are looking forward to seeing our families tonight.  Our evening has been planned to provide parents with activities to do at home with their children for reading, writing and math.

TOMORROW IS A PD DAY SO THE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE ANY SCHOOL UNTIL MONDAY.  HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

November 19th, 2014

Photo Retake Picture Orders are due:  

November 24th, 2014 (Monday)

Scholastic HOLIDAY book orders are due:

TOMORROW (Thursday November 20th, 2014)

Families Helping Families Update for both classrooms

*parents: please check your emails as we will be sending out what has been purchased/donated to date to you through this form of communication either today or tomorrow. This will just compliment what is already on the BLOG :0)

Math and Literacy Night

**Tomorrow night is our family math and literacy night from 6:30-7:30pm
'Usborne' Book Fair will also be set up during this time!

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY (Teacher PD Day)

November 18, 2014

The students worked hard today to continue to develop sentences and paragraphs using the jot notes they gathered on grizzly bears.  Students are expected to write 3-5 sentences about each topic they found information about.  We talked about writing sentences that are descriptive and include proper punctuation and capitals.  We have the computers booked tomorrow for the students to begin their good copy that will be included with the grizzly bear art they did in their art journals last week.

After practicing our research skills with the grizzly bear work, students will be ready to begin the exploration of their wonders and deep thinking questions.  Next week we will fine tune our questions and begin working in groups to continue with the inquiry process for the year.

Mr. Southworth met with our students this morning to explore the very huge map of Canada in the learning commons.  Ask your child what they found interesting about the map. Our next mapping session is tomorrow afternoon.

Mrs. Cooper's math class is working on adding three digit numbers with regrouping.  It is very important that all students are able to quickly recall basic addition facts when doing three digit addition. Please take the time to practice basic facts using Mathletics, cards games, dice games, flash cards etc..
Ms. Rauser's math group is exploring rounding numbers.  They watched an interactive rounding video to increase their understanding of rounding.  They practiced rounding to the tens, hundreds and thousands.

Book orders are due Thursday

Life Touch pictures arrived today!

If gifts have been purchased or donated for our Families Helping Families, please wrap, label and send to school between now and December 5(DUE DATE).

November 17, 2014

Families Helping families

Students have started to bring in gifts for our family that we are supporting.  Thank you to those who have brought in gifts and for those that have already posted what they are bringing.  Please remember to use the previous Families Helping Families posts to indicate what you are able to contribute for your class's family.

Students have been reminded to go onto both Razkids and Mathletics 1-2 times per week.  If your child is having difficulties logging in, please let your teacher know.  This is an important part of your child's homework so we encourage your child to do this weekly.

Literacy and Numeracy Night

If you have not yet returned the form indicating that you will be attending the literacy and numeracy night on Thursday, November 20, please send it in tomorrow.  Thank you

Good Guys and GirlPower's Friendology notes are due November 20.  Please return these forms if your child is interested in participating.

Some students in Mrs. Cooper's class have not completed their jot notes for the bear research that we were doing to practice non-fiction writing and gathering information.  If your child needs to complete this, they will have their Inquiry notebook in their home communication folder. They are expected to have 3-5 jot notes for each topic.  This should be completed for tomorrow so they can continue on to the next step.

Schoslastic book orders for Ms. Rauser went home on Friday and Mrs. Cooper's class received them today.  If your child would like to order books, please return the order form and cheque made to Scholastic by Thursday, November 20th.

COOPER...Families Helping Families

COOPER...FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS

Cranston families, if you are interested in helping…

IMPORTANT à  Please send your child’s teacher a comment through this BLOG post titled ‘FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS’. State what item you are willing to contribute or donate based off of the needs the family has indicated so that all other families in your child’s class can see what has been contributed and what still is in need.

Please remember that our families would love to not have to worry about the purchase of food items and more than one gift card to their chosen grocery store would be welcomed!

**We welcome donations of gently used items for our families as well.

All gifts/donations will need to be wrapped and labeled to whom they are intended for. Wrapped contributions will be due by: Friday December 5^th, 2014

Comments when families were notified that they were chosen for this initiative:

"You have no idea whet this means to us." "This is truly amazing." "This could not have happened at a better time."

“Thank you for everything and for helping my family out. I’m grateful for the help complete strangers are willing to give us. It’s amazing!”

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, all staff at Cranston school would like to thank families in advance for their thoughts and contributions! Thank you for making a families Christmas a little brighter!!

RAUSER...Families Helping Families

RAUSER...FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS

Cranston families, if you are interested in helping…

IMPORTANT à  Please send your child’s teacher a comment through this BLOG post titled ‘FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS’. State what item you are willing to contribute or donate based off of the needs the family has indicated so that all other families in your child’s class can see what has been contributed and what still is in need.

Please remember that our families would love to not have to worry about the purchase of food items and more than one gift card to their chosen grocery store would be welcomed!

**We welcome donations of gently used items for our families as well.

All gifts/donations will need to be wrapped and labeled to whom they are intended for. Wrapped contributions will be due by: Friday December 5^th, 2014

Comments when families were notified that they were chosen for this initiative:

"You have no idea whet this means to us." "This is truly amazing." "This could not have happened at a better time."

“Thank you for everything and for helping my family out. I’m grateful for the help complete strangers are willing to give us. It’s amazing!”

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, all staff at Cranston school would like to thank families in advance for their thoughts and contributions! Thank you for making a families Christmas a little brighter!!