Good morning grade 1 families,

I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far. We had a lovely week together after the long weekend. We welcomed a new friend to our classroom as well. Some of our learning intentions for this week were surrounded around Math and subtracting. Please see below for the student outcomes. 

Reminder Wednesdays are still our library book exchange I believe we have 2 more book exchanges and then those are done for the year. Thank you also to those who still continue to partake in the decodable home reading program.

Our learning intentions for Subtraction math facts to 20 and understanding operations; 

• ⭐ I can show subtraction as taking away, comparing, or finding the missing part.
• ⭐ I can solve subtraction equations to 20 using different strategies.
• ⭐ I can explain what subtraction means in a math problem.
• ⭐ I can use pictures and drawings to help solve subtraction problems.
• ⭐ I can use tallies to show and solve subtraction equations.
• ⭐ I can use a number line to count back and solve subtraction problems.
• ⭐ I can use a hundreds chart to help me subtract numbers.
• ⭐ I can use counters, cubes, or objects to model subtraction.
• ⭐ I can use ten frames to help solve subtraction facts.
• ⭐ I can find the missing number in a subtraction equation.
• ⭐ I can show my subtraction thinking in more than one way.
• ⭐ I can explain the strategy I used to solve a subtraction problem.
• ⭐ I can choose a math tool that helps me solve a subtraction equation.
• ⭐ I can use counting back to solve subtraction problems.
• ⭐ I can use counting on to help find the difference.
• ⭐ I can use known facts and patterns to help solve subtraction equations.
• ⭐ I can solve story problems using subtraction strategies and tools.
• ⭐ I can check my subtraction answer using another method.
• ⭐ I can represent subtraction equations using numbers, words, pictures, and objects.
• ⭐ I can solve subtraction problems to 20 independently using a strategy that works for me.

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See you all on Monday friends, don't forget our ball hockey and flag football residency start this week.

Ms. Craik

Happy Friday long weekend grade 1 families,

I hope this email finds you all well. We had a lovely week together this past week. Thank you to all of you for returning your library books this week friends. Mrs. Norman is very proud of our classroom keeping good care of our books and returning them all on time, keep up the great work!

One of our highlights this week was starting our classroom animal research project together. Our learning intentions for this were:

Grade 1 Science “I Can” Statements – Coyote Research Project

• I can ask questions about coyotes and learn new facts.
• I can describe what a coyote looks like using pictures and words.
• I can identify body parts that help coyotes survive in nature.
• I can explain where coyotes live and what they need to survive.
• I can describe what coyotes eat and how they find food.
• I can explain how coyotes move and stay safe.
• I can identify how coyotes change or adapt during different seasons.
• I can compare coyotes to other animals I know.
• I can share ways people can safely live near coyotes.
• I can use illustrations to show scientific ideas about coyotes.
• I can share my learning about coyotes with others.

Grade 1 ELAL “I Can” Statements – Coyote Research Project

Reading & Viewing

• I can find information about coyotes in books, pictures, and videos.
• I can listen carefully to learn new facts about coyotes.
• I can use pictures and words together to understand information.
• I can ask questions before, during, and after learning.
• I can talk about important facts I learned about coyotes.

Writing & Representing

• I can draw detailed pictures to show my ideas about coyotes.
• I can label my illustrations with words.
• I can write simple sentences about coyotes.
• I can use sounds I hear to spell words.
• I can organize my ideas so others can understand my learning.
• I can add facts to my pictures and writing.
• I can share my ideas using both illustrations and words.

Oral Language

• I can talk about what I learned about coyotes.
• I can share my ideas clearly with classmates and teachers.
• I can listen respectfully when others share their learning.
• I can use new science words when talking about coyotes.

Student-Friendly Learning Goal

We are learning to research and share information about coyotes using illustrations and words.

Success Criteria

• I can learn facts about coyotes.
• I can draw detailed illustrations.
• I can label and write about my pictures.
• I can share my learning clearly with others.

Thank you friends also for continuing to take part in our home reading program with our decodable's. It is so great to see the growth this time of year with our amazing kiddos in their literacy skills. 

Have a fabulous weekend friends or those on trips have safe travels! See you all Tuesday morning.

Ms. Craik

Good evening friends,

Happy Mother's Day to all the parents and caregivers. I hope you all did something amazing with your families.

What an awesome week we had! One of our highlights for the week was our trip to the Zoo!

🦋 Our Visit to the Calgary Zoo – Butterfly Learning! 🦋

This week, our class had an exciting opportunity to visit the Calgary Zoo and take part in the Gossamer Wings Butterfly Program. This hands-on experience supported our learning in the Alberta Grade 1 Science Curriculum.

During our visit, students explored what it means to be a living thing. We learned that all living things, including butterflies, need food, water, air, and space to survive. Students were able to observe butterflies up close and notice their unique features, such as wings, antennae, and body parts.

We also focused on how living things grow and change over time. Students learned about the butterfly life cycle—from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly—and began to understand how animals change as they grow.

Another important part of our learning was understanding habitats and environments. Students discovered how butterflies depend on plants and flowers for food and shelter, and how their environment supports their survival.

Throughout the experience, students practiced important scientific skills such as observing, asking questions, and sharing their thinking. Back in the classroom, we are continuing this learning through drawing, writing, and reflecting on what we saw and learned.

This field trip also helped students build an understanding of caring for living things. We discussed how to be gentle and respectful around animals and how we can help protect their environments.

You can support this learning at home by:

• Talking about what your child noticed at the zoo

• Looking for butterflies or insects outdoors

• Discussing what living things need to survive

We are so proud of the curiosity and excitement students showed during this experience!

🦋 “Ask me about the butterfly life cycle!” 🦋

Our learning intentions for this were;

🌱 Living Things (Science)

• I can tell that butterflies are living things
• I can describe what living things need (food, water, air, space)
• I can compare butterflies to other living things

🐛 Growth & Change (Life Cycles)

• I can describe how a butterfly grows and changes
• I can put the butterfly life cycle in order
• I can explain that living things change over time

🌼 Habitats & Environment

• I can describe where butterflies live
• I can tell how the environment helps butterflies survive
• I can notice how butterflies use plants and flowers

👀 Observation & Inquiry

• I can observe butterflies and describe what I see
• I can ask questions about butterflies
• I can share my ideas using pictures and words

👐 Caring for Living Things

• I can show care and respect for living things
• I can explain how to be gentle around animals
• I can help protect habitats 

 

Reminder that Wednesday are our library days and that this Friday May 15th is a pro d day, no school for the students.

See you all tomorrow morning friends.

Ms. Craik

Happy Friday Grade 1 families,

I hope you all had a lovely week. In grade 1 we sure appreciated the spring warm weather we had this week, and we even got some extra explore time outside and stayed dry. 

Reminder that on Monday is our field trip to the Zoo for the day! Please make sure to dress for the weather, as well as make sure footwear is worn. It's always a good idea for parents to pack an extra snack or two as they tend to get hungrier on whole day field trips. 

Another huge thank you to all the parent Volunteers who make Andrew Sibbald such an awesome place to be. We want to thank all of those who were able to attend the Volunteer tea on Friday. Thank you to Mrs. Odegard for her work with the organization of the performance pieces for our Volunteers.

One of our highlights from this week was in Art. Our learning intentions for this were:

🎨 WATERCOLOUR FLOWERS – “I Can” Statements

• I can use watercolours to paint flowers
• I can use lines and shapes to draw my flower
• I can use Sharpies to outline my artwork
• I can choose colours to show details in my flower
• I can use materials carefully (paint, brush, pencil)
• I can add details to make my artwork interesting

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🦋🌻 SUNFLOWER DRAGONFLY – ART + SCIENCE CONNECTION

• I can create a picture of a dragonfly and a flower
• I can show parts of a living thing in my art (wings, petals, stem)
• I can use watercolour paints to add colour and texture
• I can use lines and patterns to show details (wings, petals)
• I can combine drawing and painting in one artwork
• I can explain what I created and how it connects to nature

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🌱 CROSS-CURRICULAR (ART + SCIENCE)

• I can show what I know about living things through art
• I can observe nature and use it in my artwork
• I can create art inspired by plants and insects

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🧠 BIG IDEA STATEMENTS

• I can use different tools and materials to create art
• I can show my ideas and learning through art
• I can be creative and try new techniques

You Help Us Grow Art for the Volunteer tea, curriculum connection to living things!

Volunteer Thank You Cards from Grade 1's!

We are getting excited to learn about living things and our Butterfly Calgary Zoo session on Monday!

Reminder that Wednesday is our library days. Please still encourage your kids to exchange our home reading decodable books. Fun lunch is on Tuesday and our whole school photo is Thursday morning.

See you all Monday morning friends.

Ms. Craik