Dear Summit Community,
As we reach the end of November, here is what we have been learning about!
Primary
Health
During the month of October, we began our Health Unit of Healthy Eating: Canada Food Guide. Over the month we have read various books about healthy eating and we have been discussing how to use Canada’s Food Guide to assess the nutritional value of meals. We talked about eating a “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables and how each one has special nutrients that help us to grow strong and give our body the “fuel” or energy it needs every day. The students then had the opportunity to “show me what you know” and create their own fruit and vegetable rainbows! We have also been learning how to identify food and beverage choices that enhance healthy growth and development and we have learned to differentiate between “everyday” foods and “sometimes” foods. We discussed the differences between processed and unprocessed foods and the students created their very own food guide based on the Canadian Food Guide. They also designed healthy snacks and meals to show their understanding of healthy eating.
Drama and Music
During the week of Halloween, the students revisited the Music Unit “Rhythm and Beat.” Some of the classes wrote their own rhythmic compositions and performed them in small groups. All the primary students had the opportunity to show me what they know by clapping “spooky” rhythms (bat = ta, pumpkin = titi and ghosts = shh). Moving into the new year, we will continue learning about the rhythms that they can create using their bodies as percussion instruments.
Beginning this week, the students will be learning about the Elements of Drama, with a focus on Role and Character. We will investigate who “characters” in drama are and how they can use their bodies, facial expressions, tone of voice etc. to become more believable as characters. We will also look at how to adopt the attitude and point of view of a fictional character. We will be studying Drama until the Winter Break.
Literacy Connections
Here are some the books we have been reading if you would like to follow up with your child:
The Vegetable and Fruit Alphabet from A to Z, Never Wil I Ever Eat a Tomato, Creepy Carrots, Gregory the Terrible Eater, *Amazing Grace, *The Happiest Tree.
*these books will be read in December when we begin our Drama Unit.
Junior
During our weekly Music classes, the students finished learning about The Beatles and they are currently listening to the musical repertoire of Stevie Wonder. We have watched documentaries, live footage and have been listening to a selected discography of each band/artist. The students have become “active listeners” and music critics, as well as critically reflecting on music that they have been listening to. Ask your child to tell you about the various songs and the different ways that they have responded to them. The next band they will be listening to is U2.
Have a wonderful December and a restful Winter Break with your families.
Warm Regards,
Robyn Shapiro
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Robyn Shapiro, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., OCT
Elementary Teacher
Summit Heights Public School
