It's a FAIL-a-bration!

Learning isn't always easy. It includes challenges, setbacks, and often failure. 

This week we explored what it means to fail. 

After lots sharing and listening, we discovered that failing isn't something to fear. Failure is part of life and an important part of learning. Through stories and discussions, we explored perseverance, trying again, and seeing mistakes as opportunities to grow. 

To celebrate this mindset, we held a FAIL-A-BRATION! Wahoo!

To kick off the fail-a-bration, we shared times we've failed and reminded each other that mistakes help us learn. From falling off the monkey bars, spilling our yogurt, or getting mixed up at bus transfer, we proudly celebrated our mistakes. We all make them!

As we prepared to decorate cookies for the party, we had a laugh when we saw the treats! Mrs. Beliveau had planned to make us round cookies, but when they came out of her oven, they were funny-looking blobs. A few even got a little too toasty around the edges. But really, what better treat for a fail-a-bration?

Cookies, banners, balloons, and a disco-light dance party made our fail-a-bration so joyous and set a positive tone for our school year and how we'll handle mistakes. 

Our classroom is a safe place to take risks. We will be challenged, and when things feel hard, what matters is how we respond. In Grade 1B we will fail together, succeed together, and grow stronger together! 

We aren't aiming for perfection, we're just trying our best to be a little better than before. 

Thank you to Laurie MacIntosh for inspiring this celebration!

Connection Time: A Positive Foundation for Our Day

Each morning begins with Connection Time, a meaningful routine that allows us to gently ease into the day and prepare ourselves for our best learning.

We gather in a circle so everyone is seen and heard. 

1. Prayer and Land Acknowledgement

We always begin in prayer, remembering that God is at the center of all we do and all we are:

“Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen.”

Simple actions, led by our Prayer Leaders, accompany our words, helping us to pray with both heart and body.

Following prayer, we share our child-friendly acknowledgement of land and people.

2. Greetings

A warm hello, eye contact, and using someone’s name can go a long way in helping others feel seen, welcomed, and like they belong. We practice different greetings, including really silly ones, like this much-loved Stinky Shoe Hello!

3. News

Students are invited to share what is on their minds, whether joyful or hard. We’ve already heard about movie nights, lost teeth, lake trips, swimming, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem-Solving
To build problem-solving skills, students are presented with real-life social situations. In pairs, they brainstorm possible solutions, then come together as a group to discuss. Scenarios have included:

• You spill your yogurt drink on your pants

• A friend is crying at their desk, but you don’t know why

• You forgot your lunch at home

We're exploring the idea that problems can be “mouse problems” (small) or “elephant problems” (big), and that a small problem doesn’t need an elephant-sized reaction. 

6. Story
We end Connection Time with a story, carefully chosen for its message.

Though full, Connection Time moves along and sets a joyful, intentional tone for the day. This time is valued, not only for the learning it supports but for the way it builds our relationships and helps us see Christ in one another.

A Warm Welcome to Grade 1

Hello! My name is Mrs. Beliveau, and it rhymes with “grow”. I’m so happy that we get to learn together this year! We’re going to have a spectacular year filled with growing, laughing, helping, and joy! 

I can’t wait to learn all about you, but until then, let me share a few things about me.

Did you learn a little bit about me? I can’t wait to discover what makes you so special!

I’ll be seeing your smile very soon!

Your teacher, 

Mrs. Beliveau

Our Morning Connection Time

Each morning we begin our day with Connection Time, a meaningful routine that allows us to gently ease into the day and prepare ourselves for our best learning.

We gather in a circle so everyone is seen and heard. 

1. Prayer and Land Acknowledgement

We always begin in prayer, remembering that God is at the center of all we do and all we are:
“Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen.”
Simple actions accompany our words, helping us to pray with both heart and body.

Following prayer, we share our acknowledgement of land and people.

2. Greetings
Eye contact and a warm hello set the tone for kindness and belonging. We practice different greetings (sometimes even silly ones) like the much-loved Stinky Shoe Hello!

3. News

Students are invited to share what is on their minds, whether joyful or hard. We’ve already heard about movie nights, lost teeth, camping trips, skating, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem-Solving
To build problem-solving skills, students are presented with real-life social situations. In pairs, they brainstorm possible solutions, then come together as a group to discuss. Scenarios have included:

• You spill your yogurt drink on your pants

• A friend is crying at their desk, but you don’t know why

• You forgot your lunch at home

We talk about how some problems are "mouse problems" (smaller) or "elephant problems" (bigger), and how small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

6. Story
We end Connection Time with a story carefully chosen for its message.

Though full, Connection Time moves along and sets a joyful, intentional tone for the day. This time is valued, not only for the learning it supports but for the way it builds our relationships and helps us see Christ in one another.

Welcome to Grade 1!

Hello! My name is Mrs. Beliveau (it rhymes with “grow”), and I’m absolutely thrilled to be your Grade One teacher this year! We’re going to have a spectacular year filled with learning, laughter, and exciting adventures!

I can’t wait to learn all about you, but until we meet on the first day of school, let me share a few things about me.

Did you learn a little bit about me? I can’t wait to meet you on the first day and discover what makes you so special!

When you arrive, I’ll help you find your very own hallway hook for your backpack. We’ll sing a silly song together and read my all-time favourite book! It always makes me laugh!

I’ll be seeing your smile very soon, 

Your teacher, 

Mrs. Beliveau

Building Strong Connections

Before we can learn and grow, we need to understand and trust one another. This is why, each morning, we begin our day with "Connection Time"! This invaluable time helps us ease into a busy day and prepare us for our best learning! 

When we gather, we sit in a circle on the rug so we can see eachother. 

Have a peek at some highlights from our morning Connection Time meetings:

1. Prayer
God is at the center of all we do and all we are, and we always begin in prayer. "Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen". 

2. Say Hello!
We have learned the importance of eye contact when greeting our classmates. While we have practiced our eye contact while giving a firm handshake, we also say hello in silly ways, too, like the stinky shoe hello!

3. News
This time allows the students an opportunity to share what's on their minds, thereby helping us focus on learning later in the day. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about making paninis, pirate books, visits from cousins, new bikes and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem Solving
To help the children develop age-appropriate critical thinking skills, they are presented with a social problem to solve. In partners, they brainstorm possible ways to solve the problem and then we come together as a large group to share and discuss. 

We talk about how some problems are "mouse problems" (smaller) or "elephant problems" (bigger), and how small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

Some of the problems we have tackled include:

• not being able to find your indoor shoe after recess
• a classmate pushes ahead of you in line
• you notice a friend crying at their desk but don't know why
• someone wants to be your partner but you don't want to work with them

It is important for the students to see that there is no one way to solve a problem and that they do not always need an adult's help. 

5. Story
We close Connection Time with a story. Each book is carefully chosen and has an important lesson. 

Here are a few we have enjoyed already:

While Connection Time seems packed, it rolls along quickly and sets a positive tone for our day. This is time very well-spent and enjoyed. Connection time truly is about building relationships and strengthening our roots before setting off to tackle the challenges each day!

We Are A Classroom Family!

Our adventure together has begun! Our focus during our first few days has been on creating a strong sense of belonging, safety, trust, and community. This is where the richest learning occurs.

We shared a wonderful story, Our Class is a Family, and each made a beaded name bracelet! We all belong!

Then we created posters featuring how we can show kindness to our classroom family!

Our hall looks INCREDIBLE!

We'll continue to build our classroom community with intention, care, and lots of laughter & love!

Welcome to Grade 1!

My name is Mrs. Beliveau (rhymes with "grow") and I am thrilled to be your teacher this year! It is going to be a spectacular year full of lots of learning and new adventures. 

I cannot wait to learn all about you, but until we see each other on the first day of school, I'll tell you a few things about me. 

Did you learn a little about me? I can hardly wait to see you on the first day so I can find out what makes YOU so special!

On the first day of school, I'll help you find your own hallway hook for your backpack. Together, we'll learn a silly song and will read my absolute favourite book, which always makes me laugh!

I'll see your smile very soon!
 

Morning Connection Time

Before we can learn and grow, we need to feel safe and loved. This is why, each morning, we begin our day with "Connection Time"! This invaluable time helps us ease into a busy day and prepare us for our best learning!

When we gather, we sit in a circle on the rug so we can see each other.

Have a peek at some highlights from our morning Connection Time meetings:

1. Prayer
God is at the center of all we do and all we are, and we always begin in prayer. "Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen". Look at us pray with actions!

2. Say Hello!
We have learned the importance of eye contact when greeting our classmates. While we have practiced our eye contact while giving a firm handshake, we also say hello in silly ways, too, like the stinky shoe greeting and goofy dances!

3. News
This time allows the students an opportunity to share what's on their minds, thereby helping us focus on learning later in the day. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about skating lessons, birthdays, farm animals, new pets, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem Solving
To help the children develop age-appropriate critical thinking skills, they are presented with a social skills problem to solve. In partners, they brainstorm possible ways to solve the problem and then we come together as a large group to share and discuss. 

We talk about how some problems are "mouse-sized problems" (small) or "elephant-sized problems" (big), and small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

Some of the problems we have tackled include:

• not being able to find your indoor shoe after recess
• a classmate shoves ahead of you in the line
• you notice a friend crying at their desk but don't know why
• someone pushes you at recess

It is important for the students to see that there is no one way to solve a problem and that they do not always need an adult's help. 

5. Story
We close Connection Time with a story. Each book is carefully chosen and has an important lesson.

Here are some stories we have already enjoyed:

While Connection Time seems packed, it rolls along rather quickly and sets a positive tone for our day! This is time very well-spent and enjoyed. Connection time truly is about building relationships and seeing the light in all of us!