classroom waste

This year, JG Workman is on a quest for Eco platinum. To reach this goal we all need to work hard to reduce our impact on the environment. We had a waste audit and here are a few suggestions of ways you can help us to reduce our waste at school. When I look in the garbage can, I see that it is full of straws, juice bags and food wrappers. Try to invest in a reusable drink bottle and reusable food containers. By packing your child's snack in reusable containers you are reducing the amount of garbage you create and, in the long run, saving money. Snacks that are individually wrapped are much more costly than packaging the snack yourself.

Thanks for your support,
:)
Miss Mynes

a bit about our day

Today we continue our theme of winter things. Our poem is about toboggans. We are making carbon paper messages in art today. We have a dental screening where dental hygienists check our teeth. The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym where they will be working on making lines, circles and partners. We will be watching a movie about ice fishing. Thank you to Jaccob's family who sent in yummy birthday treats to share with the class.

:)
Miss Mynes

art resources

Art is a delightfully tactile experience. By inviting children to express both verbally and visually, you help develop literacy skills within an engaging art experience. To that end, I would like to do a sensory art experience called Texture Garden. To do that, I need squares of fake fur or velvet (or other wonderfully textured fabric). If you have any scrap fabric like that laying around at home and would like to donate some to us, I would be very appreciative.

:)
Miss Mynes

today in kindergarten

Today, we begin a theme of winter things - not that the weather is cooperating. We have a riddle and a movie about snowmen.

The school will be receiving a dental screening over the next 3 days. If your child needs to see a dentist, you will receive notification.

We will be working in our writing folder.

The morning class has gym and will be working on making lines, circles and finding a partner.

The afternoon class has library.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

Great Golden Bears

Great Golden Bears are monthly awards that one child in each class receives. The teacher, and in some classes in conjunction with the students, chooses a student that best demonstrates the character trait theme for the month. This month is teamwork. February is fairness. March is honesty. April is co-operation. May is integrity. June is perseverance

FYI
:)
Miss Mynes

a bit about our day

Today, we continue learning about cold weather animals. We also have a lesson on asking questions. The morning class has library, the afternoon class has gym where we continue to work on staying in our personal space. We are watching a movie about taking care of horses in the winter. Miss Rogers is here today as well.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

Dufflebag Theater

This afternoon, at 1:30, the Dufflebag theater will preform The Beauty and the Beast in the school gym. They are a wonderful theater company that we have enjoyed at Workman for several years.
Parents of morning students can bring their child to enjoy the performance (and enjoy it themselves). Just bring your child to the gym at 1:30 and find a seat.

:)Miss Mynes

our day today

Today, we continue our theme of cold weather animals - yesterdays riddle was about penguins. We will be working on a group art project called "I Hear Art". The sound of music inspires us to feel, move and respond. Whether the sound is beautiful music or the sounds of nature, children's artwork is bound to reflect the mood of what they hear. We will be making a mural with paint and while listening to Spring by Vivaldi.

The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym. In gym we are working on maintaining personal space while in the gym.

:)
Miss Mynes

It's Friday!

Today we have computer lab. We are also continuing learning about length by building towers taller than, shorter than and the same as different objects. If there is time, I will be reading with the seniors and, in some miracle we have time left, we will work in our writing folders.

Have a great day and an even better weekend. It is positively balmy out there today.

:)
Miss Mynes

Thursday!

We are lucky to have Miss Rogers join us for the next 11 weeks. She is an Early Childhood Education student from Ryerson University (I have that degree!). I am thrilled to have someone working with me and I know it will enhance your child's academic experience having another adult in the room to guide their play. It will be a taste of next year as with all day kindergarten comes an early childhood educator as my partner. Let's hope I'm lucky enough to get someone with their degree like me.

:)
Miss Mynes

It's Wednesday!

Today, we continue our theme of patterns. The morning class will be working in their writing folders. They also have gym where we will be working on staying in our personal space. This afternoon, I will be in a meeting with the primary division. During that time, there will be an occasional teacher as well as the literacy lead teacher. She will be reading with the afternoon class and assessing their reading level.

As you may know, JG Workman has been chosen for all day kindergarten next year. All that I know I have learned from the CBC. When my employer tells me the details, I will be happy to share them with you. At this point, if you listen to the radio, you know as much as I do.

:)
Miss Mynes

our day today

This week our theme is patterns. We will have riddles, stories and movies about patterns. I am doing a math pre-assessment with the kids today which will carry over to tomorrow. The pre-assessment is about their math processing skills. Processing skills are problem solving, reasoning and proving, reflecting, selecting tools and strategies, connecting, representing and communicating.

This week, I have a Ryerson student starting a placement in my classroom. She will be here 2 days a week in the role of an educational assistant. Also, the Ryerson student that is working with one of the grade 1/2 classes will come and work with a small group of afternoon student two days a week.

:)
Miss Mynes

our day today

Today we will have a riddle about numbers followed with a lesson about measuring length. We will go to the computer lab and reading a story about measuring. At center time, I will be reading with the seniors. I will try to read with them all, time permitting. We also have a Friday award.

Thank you for understanding about entry and dismissal time. Be assured, I am here to help your child dress and undress but my focus is teaching them to dress and undress independently. It takes time but it is worth it. The most important part of my job is to teach your child independent work skills - including life skills.

Have a great day and an even better weekend.

:)
Miss Mynes

Today

I am out of the classroom today at in services with the primary division. Now that our school is an OFIP school, we receive a lot of professional development, which is a good thing. The bad thing is it takes me out of the classroom. I try to keep my eye on the greater good, and I hope you will too. When I am out of the classroom, I tell the kids that I am doing work for Mrs. Lee and as one child asked in frustration, "When are you going to be done all this work for Mrs. Lee?" Just try explaining the concept of "life-long-learner" and professional development to a 5 year old...not so easy.

I look forward to teaching the kids tomorrow. I miss them already.

:)
Miss Mynes

Cold Weather

I know that it is cold outside. The TDSB has guidelines for when it is safe for children to be outside. When it is unsafe, we bring the kids in early. Please remain outside while you wait for your child. Dress yourself as well as you dress them. The hallway gets very chaotic when it is filled with parents. It is loud (which disturbs the other classes). It also effects the routines the children and I have. Besides, the rule is that parents wait outside and by coming inside, you are modeling for your child that you only have to follow the rules you want to and you can ignore the rest - is that a lesson you want your child to learn?

Also, your child needs to bring shoes to wear at school on the days they wear boots. Wet boots make for a wet floor in the classroom. I suggest running shoes so that your child is prepared for gym. Feel free to leave the shoes at school until boot season is over (hopefully sooner rather than later).

Thank you for your cooperation.

:)
Miss Mynes