"PARR"-fect Art!

This week we were inspired by Todd Parr's creative illustrations and messages of acceptance and inclusivity! His books rock!

After a week of painting and creativity, our It's Ok To Be Different art project is done!

Using wacky, bright colours, we made "Todd Parr-inspired" self-portraits! Amazing! Check them out!

First we painted...

...then did a little cutting and gluing ...

...and finally we added black details!

Check out our bright masterpieces!

And the best part? Our art will be on display at the County Library for the month of November! 

Awesome job, kiddos!

#ChallengeAccepted

Have you noticed this? Perhaps you recognize it from the bottom of my emails. 

Each school year, our district comes together around a common theme. This year, we focus on the words of Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!"

God calls us. Each and every one of us. How do we answer? 

Students, staff, and families of EICS are encouraged to answer God's call boldly, with enthusiasm and joy! YES! #ChallengeAccepted

We've been unpacking this challenge and Isaiah's words as a school. Pictured below is our recent school-wide buddy project. It reminds us to raise our hands and say yes to God! I can do it, God! Send me!

Each month, our Superintendent Michael Hauptman is challenging us to grow in our faith. For October, he has challenged us to pray the rosary. 

To make this form of meditative prayer accessible for us littles in Grade 1, we will pray one decade each day. 

To prepare for next week's Decade a Day, we made single-decade rosaries. The beads can be moved around as each prayer is shared.

To connect our daily decade to the full rosary, we will colour in the 10 beads we pray each day. 

Learning the Hail Mary prayer has been central to our exploration of the rosary. A "puzzle-piece" Hail Mary prayer is coming home this weekend. Consider praying this prayer as a family. 

If you are interested in learning more about how to pray the rosary, this How to Pray the Rosary infographic is spectacular as well as the free app Laudate. 

Single-decade beaded rosary craft from Catholic Icing
Puzzle Piece Hail Mary activity from Pearson's Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ Grade 1 resource

Building Number Sense

In grade 1 we learn how our number system works by examining numbers up to 100. First, we took a speedy march around the school, hunting for numbers! Where do we see numbers? When do we use numbers each day? 

For now, we will be working very closely with numbers to 20. 

• How are numbers related? 
• What are some different ways to make a number? 
• How can we take a number apart? 

Keep hunting for numbers with your child! Road signs, recipes, flyers ... they're everywhere and so important!


Junk It Game

In case you haven't heard, we were introduced to a fast-paced card game last week, Junk It! It helps us recognize numerals and order them to 10. 

Junk It is a 2-player game. Remove face cards, but keep Aces. 

Put 10 cards in two rows of 5 face down in front of each player. Place the remaining cards in the centre. 

The first player flips a card over, and places it in its numerical spot. He picked up a 6 ... 

... so he put it down where the 6 goes. 

When he placed his card in the 6 spot, he picked up an Ace (formerly face down in the 6th place). Off the Ace goes to spot 1!

Notice how when he put his Ace down, he picked up the card in that spot? It is a 6! He already has a 6, so he gets to call JUNK IT and discard it. 

His opponent can either pick up the card that was just discarded, or select a new card from the pile. She needed a 6, so she chose to keep it. 

The first player to get all 10 cards flipped over in order wins!

It is a little confusing to explain on our blog, but the kids are definitely the experts! Will you challenge your child to a game of Junk It?!?

GIANT SHOUT OUT to the Ecole Edwards grade 1 classes in Airdrie (@Grade1Wiggles) for teaching us this game via Twitter! We love it!

Gratitude Changes Everything

This week we spent a little extra time exploring how blessed we truly are. Our blessings so are abundant and we seized every opportunity we could to thank God! Gratitude breeds positivity!

One of our Read In Week guests was our very own EICS Catholic School Trustee, Michelle Szott! She shared two WONDERFUL books that got us thinking about gratitude and blessings! With just the mention of the word "thankful", the students' hands were shooting up and ideas were overflowing. They were bursting with thankfulness!

In the spirit of fostering a "growth mindset" and giving the students (and their teacher) the opportunity to practice perseverance and patience, we tackled a challenging Thanksgiving project, woven place mats!

We began by writing and colouring. 

Then the students helped each other weave paper strips over, under, over, and under. Fantastic teamwork! Many also showed off their patterning skills!

Amazing work! These will, without a doubt, be the center of the Thanksgiving tables this weekend!

What are YOU thankful for? Take a minute to leave your reply. Simply double-click on the "wall" below to leave a "sticky note". There is no log in. Just type your idea and click GO. The students and I have left a few responses already (signed, Student). When leaving your response, feel free to sign your name as Mr. or Mrs. and your last initial (e.g. Mrs. S, Mr. H), or something equally appropriate. Thank you for not mentioning first or last names on our blog. 

We have been blessed beyond measure and it is so important to take time and give thanks. God is indeed SO GOOD! Happy Thanksgiving!