Welcome to 1H, 2016-2017!

My name is Mrs. Jenna Haugan, and I will be using this Classroom Blog as the information 'hub' of the classroom. This blog will be used as a tool to provide information and updates to parents. Student work, class events, and activities will also be posted. 

You can view the regularly updated blog on the Home page. Activities, videos, songs, and resources are available in the Links & Resources section. These links are intended to be a tool for you to use with your child at home to extend their learning or review concepts at home. Monthly calendars are posted in the Monthly Calendars section, just in case the hard copies that are sent home at the end of each month happen to be misplaced. I have also included a page with a link to our school website and BGRS Engaging Students website.

This September, I am excited to be teaching Grade One at Willow Park School. I have previously taught both Kindergarten and Grade One in Leduc and Calgary. I am originally from Sherwood Park, Alberta. I spent 8 years living in Calgary, where I attended Ambrose University and then taught at Bearspaw Christian School. In June 2014 my husband and I relocated to Leduc to be closer to our family and friends. While I once commuted over an hour both ways to the school I taught at in Calgary, I can now walk from my back door to my desk in under five minutes! When I'm not at the school, I enjoy going for walks with our Goldendoodle Nova Bean, keeping active by exercising with my colleagues after school and attending group fitness classes at the LRC, spending time at our family condo on Vancouver Island, reading, and volunteering with a local youth group. 

I've worked with a wide variety of children since the start of my career, including gifted students, students with diverse needs, students from various socio-economic populations, students who are considered at-risk, students who are english language learners, etc. From these experiences, I hold true to one simple and definitive idea. That is, children learn best when they feel good about themselves. 

Dr. James Comer wrote, "No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship." Those words are a cornerstone of my teaching.

"Play is the work of childhood" - J. Piaget

I am passionate about designing engaging, inclusive, and enriching learning experiences intended to nurture a love of learning within each student. It is my desire to create the conditions necessary to see each student experience success as they explore, discover, and make meaning of the world around them. I believe that high warmth, clear communication, respect, and high expectations are the key to success in the classroom. I am looking forward to spending the 2016-2017 school year with this lovely bunch! 

A glimpse into my classroom...

A few of my favourite things...

Colour: Sky blue... popularly known in Grade 1 as 'Elsa' blue
Animal: Dolphins & Nova Bean!

Food: Pizza

Drink: Caramel Macchiatos 
Children's book: Swimmy, Leo Lionni

Hobbies: Fitness classes, vegetable gardening, reading, and board games
Place to visit: Our family condo in Comox Valley, Vancouver Island

All About Me Books & Unbirthday Party

Just a reminder to please return your child's All About Me book and book package by tomorrow!

We will be celebrating our 'Unbirthday Party' on Monday morning. Monday afternoon is Fun Day. 

If you would like to contribute a snack to our Unbirthday Celebration, please send me an email to let me know. 

Options include: cupcakes, cheese and crackers, chips, or veggies. 
We have had one parent sign up to bring a fruit tray already. 

Have a nice evening!

Field Trip Reminders

Tomorrow is our Grade 1 field trip to Miquelon Lake Provincial Park! We are all excited and looking forward to a fun day of learning and outdoor play!  

The weather forecast looks great for our trip, but as we all know things are not always as they forecast, and can change throughout the day.  Please ensure your child is prepared for the day and for the changes in weather.  There are quite a lot of mosquitos at Miquelon Lake right now as well, so please ensure that your child has protection that they can apply themselves and a cool long sleeve shirt and long pants may be a better choice than shorts/ short sleeve shirt.

 

Here is a list of what your child should bring for tomorrow in their backpacks:

• waterbottle
• sunscreen
• bug spray or lotion
• hat
• long pants/ long sleeve shirt
• runners and socks - NO FLIP FLOPS OR SANDALS!
• bag lunch, with snacks
• rain jacket and rain gear

Your child should NOT bring any electronics.  The bus ride is not very long.  

If you have any questions, please let us know!  Thanks to all the parents for coming to help out!  We look forward to a great day.

Final L.I.F.T Package

I sent home your final L.I.F.T package this evening- there is no need to record this on reading logs. In the package you will find some books that your child can work on reading to you throughout the week, as well as an 'All About Me' book that you can work together to write. Students do the printing, but you may help them think about how to spell the words.

These packages are due back Friday. Please return your 'All About Me' book along with the package. 

*This activity is for L.I.F.T participants only.*

Leduc Library Registered Summer Reading Program

I just popped by the Leduc Public Library and noticed that they have some EXCELLENT summer programming available.

"The Leduc Public Library is proud to host the TD Summer Reading Club July 4 - August 12. This summer’s theme “WILD” will encourage children aged 5 – 12 to continue reading throughout the summer through both registered and non-registered programs. The programs will be run by a third year Bachelor of Elementary Education student, certified teacher and certified educational assistant. Take a step on the WILD side with us through indoor and outdoor activities, unique crafts, and other fun experiences!"

These program are FREE and fill up FAST. Click here to register!!! http://www.leduclibrary.ca/content/registered-childrens-summer-reading-program

There are many additional events for children all summer long at the Leduc Public Library. 

Have a great weekend!

Sunny Days!

With many very warm days the past few weeks I would just like to send a reminder to apply sunscreen in the mornings, as we spend at least an hour to an hour and a half outside each day for recess, outdoor gym, and other outside activities. The outdoors is a great place for learning to take place, especially as we focus on insects and plants the next few weeks!

Students may also bring hats and sunglasses, and water bottles are strongly encouraged- little sips at the water fountain are not enough on these very hot days!

After a few rainy days the amount of mosquitoes have increased in the school yard. Staff are not permitted to apply insect repellent (or sunscreen) on students, so if you think your child would benefit from these, please apply before heading to school in the morning. 

Today was the last day to take out library books- all library books must be returned next Wednesday. 

Our presentation from Butterfly Wings n' Wishes will take place tomorrow afternoon- we will be learning more about insects and how WORMS help plants! 

We have created our own greenhouses in the classroom and are eagerly watching our bean seeds sprout. 

Today we read 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. Here is a link to an interactive story where you could make your child the 'star' of the story. Take some time to do this with them this week! http://playtalkread.scot/ideas/164-jack-and-the-beanstalk-interactive-book

On Friday we will be having our 'Moving On Day', where students from this Junior Grade One program will be 'moving on' to a Grade One classroom to get an idea of what next year will be like. This an exciting part of the end of the school year!

Please remember to keep checking the blog regularly this month, as June is very busy!

Have a nice evening!

June Calendar & Updates

June is an exciting but busy month for us!

• I will be sending home a permission form for our upcoming field trip to Miquelon Lake on Wednesday, June 22nd. I would like to have 2-3 volunteers for this trip. It is a whole day trip. 

• The award ceremony is the morning of Friday, June 24th. 3 awards will be given/class, and due to the size of our gym, only the parents of the students receiving awards are asked to attend. 

• Every year, I like to throw an 'Unbirthday Party' celebration. Birthdays are a big deal at this age, and we are going to have a blast playing birthday party style games and enjoying birthday treats together before heading outside for our school-wide 'Fun Day' celebration! If you would like to help us celebrate by contributing a snack such as cupcakes, cheese and crackers, juice, or fruit and veggies, please let me know! 

• The last day to check out a book from the library is on Wednesday, June 8th. The last day to return books is Wednesday, June 15th. Books that have not been returned will be charged to your account on Acorn. 

• Students did not have library today, library is tomorrow instead- please send books back!

• Willow Park School is a host for the Alberta Summer Games and we are still looking for 2/3 of the volunteers needed at our 'village'. This is a great way to get involved in our community and will only take up a few hours of your time! Please call the office for more details, Mrs. Brunken is in charge of scheduling volunteers and she is able to be flexible with time slots

That is all for now, please let me know if you have any further questions or require additional information!