Sunday 14 September 2014

Coming soon...

Hello Families!

We are just about to start Week Three.  This week will likely mark our last Monarch emergence.  We still have a few that pupated the first week of school that will emerge this week.  With the colder nighttime temperatures it's high time for our friends to start migrating.  It is always sad to let the last one go, but with it comes hope that we are making an impact on this Species of Concern and educating students on the importance of their role as stewards.  

You may have heard that last week a fuzzy caterpillar came waltzing through the Kindergarten doors on a walkabout.  It has currently taken up residence in a viewing box where it is spinning a cocoon to overwinter. In the spring it will emerge as a rather indescript American Dagger Moth.  The caterpillar certainly had perfect timing as we have been teaching the children the differences between butterfly and moth.  Let them tell you what they know. 

(FYI: Some fuzzy caterpillars have been known to cause painful rashes on sensitive individuals.  It's good practice not to handle caterpillars with 'spiky bits'.  Having them walk along your hand is okay, but prolonged exposure to their fuzziness by 'petting' can cause a reaction in some.)

American Dagger Moth
American Dagger Moth Caterpillar


Coming soon in an iBag near you:

1.     Kindergarten Poem and Song Book
This book will include the poems and songs we have been learning at school.  We already have quite a repertoire.  It will usually go home on Fridays.  We ask that you please return it to school on Mondays so we can fill it up with new material for the week.  

2.     Monthly Calendar
Our hope is to have this calendar attached to this blog to reduce paper.  However, the first calendar we will also send home in hard copy.  On the calendar you will find the days numbered according to cycle, library days, gym days, other special events and Star of the Day.  

3.     Scholastic Book Orders
Many of you are familiar with the monthly flyers which allow you to purchase books and other items through Scholastic.  There is certainly no obligation to purchase any items.  When purchases are made, rewards are returned to the classroom to purchase books and materials specifically for our classroom.  If you choose to order please fill out the appropriate info on the flyer and return with a cheque made payable to Scholastic Canada.  Cash payment is not accepted.  Be sure to verify the price for Ontario when making purchases as the taxes are different in other provinces.  You'll see the chart on the order form.  We will staple the flyers together and stamp a due date on the first flyer.

Have a great week!