Room 216 - Grade 1/2
November 21, 2022
Welcome to Ms. Samson’s Grade 1 & 2 Class - Room 216!
Welcome!
My name is Allie Samson and I am so excited to be your child’s Grade 1/2 teacher this school year! This is my fifth year teaching and my second year at Champlain Elementary School. Our student teacher this year is Mr. Rey and our EA is Ms. J.
I am so excited that we are back after such a long time away. I have missed each and every one of you. While this will be a strange year, I know we will all do our best to stay safe during this wild time. Please be sure to stay home if you are not feeling well to make sure that we can all have a safe and fun year at school!
Classroom Treaty
The students worked together to come up with the expectations we should work towards during the year. We call it our Classroom Treaty.
In Room 216 students are expected to Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Ready to Learn. We discuss and review often what these expectations mean and students are given many reminders to help them be successful.
Room 216’s Classroom Treaty
I will be safe by:
- giving other’s their “T” space
- keeping my hands and feet to myself
- walking safely in the school
- keeping my stuff to myself (supplies, jackets, food)
I will be respectful by:
- sitting at my spot
- listening to adults the first time
- using my manners
- raising my hand
- using my inside voice
I will be respectful by:
- sitting at my spot
- listening to adults the first time
- using my manners
- raising my hand
- using my inside voice
General Reminders
The school supply fee of $35 and indoor runners should be sent to school as soon as possible. The school supply fee helps to pay for the classroom supplies your child uses on a daily basis. These supplies are essential to your child’s success at school.
Lunch pick up is at 12 and end of the day pick up is 3:30 at the West Doors (look for the 216 sign on the door)
All gym classes will be outside in the field (weather permitting). Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather daily. Should the weather be too cold or raining, students will have health in the classroom.
COVID-19 Information at Champlain School
Staff at Champlain are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our students. We are so happy to have students back at the school and we want to make sure that everyone feels and stays safe.
Champlain Safety Plan
Champlain has a COVID-19 safety plan in place. If you would like to view it, it can be found at
https://www.winnipegsd.ca/schools/champlain/communityandfamily/champlain-safety-plan/pages/default.aspx
If you would like a physical copy of the safety plan, please contact the school office.
Screening your Child
Please screen your child with the provincial COVID-19 screening questions every day before coming to the school. A physical copy has been sent home with every child. You can find a digital copy of these questions at https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/coronavirus/covid19_screening_checklist.pdf
Your child will also be screened by the teacher before entering the school. Should your child develop symptoms of COVID-19 while at school then they will be isolated, and a guardian will be contacted to pick them up. You will then call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or toll free at 1-888-315-9257 and follow the advice given by Health Links.
Google Classroom/ At Home Learning
All students in Grades 1-6 will have a Google Classroom account. Please check this for ongoing updates. This account will be used should at home learning begin again.
How to log into Google Classroom
- Download the Google Classroom app on your cell phone or type in classroom.google.com to any web browser and login using your child’s school email and password.
- Click the box with my name on it (Ms. Samson) to open the classroom.
- You will find recent information on the classroom home page.
- You will find any work for your child at the top under the tab “Classwork”.
What Room 216 is Doing for COVID-19 Safety
- • Students in room 216 and 214 will be using a separate bathroom accompanied by an EA.
- • Students are separated into cohorts.
- • Students wash or sanitize their hands before entering the classroom, after recess, after using the washroom, and before and after eating.
- • Students are sitting at the same spot every day and are 1 metre apart in the room.
- • Each student receives their own set of supplies.
- • Students will stay physically distant and keep their hands and feet to themselves.
Math
Every student in Room 216 is a growing mathematician.
The Math Strands:
- *Number *Patterns & Relations *Shape & Space *Statistics
Students will be involved in a variety of hands on activities, working with a wide range of concrete materials and objects to aid in their mathematic development. They will work individually, in small groups, and in whole groups to target specific needs. They will move from hands on to written work to solidify their learning. They will also be using Dreambox on the iPads to further our math understanding. Any manipulatives used will be cleaned after use.
Language Arts
Every student in room 216 is a growing reader and writer!
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view, and represent to:
- Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
- Comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, literary, and media texts
- Manage ideas and information
- Enhance the clarity and artistry of communication
- Celebrate and build community
Literacy is promoted daily in all areas using a variety of print such as books, charts, poems, songs, journals, guided reading, and writing through small and whole groups instruction. This year the students will also build on their literacy skills using Read to Me, Daily 5, The 6+1 Traits, Lucy Calkins, Fountas and Pinnell, Raz Kids, and Beverly Tyner.
Science and Social Studies
Students will explore three different units in Social Studies this year: I Belong, The Canadian Community, and Connecting with Others.
Students will explore 4 different units in Science this year: Characteristics of Living Things, Growth and Changes in Animals, Properties of Solids, Liquids, and Gases, and Daily and Seasonal Changes.
This year we will also be focussing our learning on the Seven Teachings: Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love. These teachings remind us how to connect to ourselves, others, and the environment.
If Expectations Are Not Met
If students are having difficulty meeting classroom expectations, they will be given visual and verbal reminders (Teacher hand signals to indicate counting). After three reminders, they will be asked to think about making better choices during an alternative free choice time.
If any major concerns arise a plan will be created to support your child’s needs.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is very important for both children and adults. In Room 216, we have Mindfulness moments to help us transition from lunch to being ready to learn. We will be learning about the Zones of Regulation (Green, Yellow, Blue, and Red) and working on ways to get ourselves back to Green and ready to learn. We will also be working on mindfulness activities in the room such as guided meditations and yoga. If you have any mindfulness activities you do at home, please let me know!
Assessment
Assessment is taken from many sources such as:
- Observations
- Checklists/Rubrics
- Samples of Classroom work
- Teacher notes/Records
- Conversations with students and other professionals
- Self-Evaluation
In addition, your child will be screened using the division mandated reading and writing assessment as well as the Learning Pathway to determine the best programming plan of instruction for your child.
How to contact Ms. Samson
Calling the school at 204-586-5139 to talk over the phone.
Calling the school at 204-586-5139 to book a time to come to the school.
Emailing me at asamson@wsd1.org with any questions.
I am so excited for our year together!
Ms. Samson