Week of January 9, 2026

Happy New Year!!!

Looking Back:

Literacy:

Phonics:

Students continued exploring affixes this week. Our focus was on the suffixes -ly, -y, and -er, and how they can change the meaning of a base word. We played with familiar words, added these suffixes, and noticed how the words transformed in both meaning and sound.

Novel Study/Reading:
Our journey through Ollie’s Odyssey is continuing, and we are taking our time so we can use the story to support our reading focus. Last month we worked on predicting. In January our focus has shifted to sequencing. Students are learning how to retell stories in order and are practicing using sequencing words such as first, next, then, after that, and finally. We have been working with short passages, including sequencing the steps to build a snowman. Students have also sequenced important events from the chapters of Ollie’s Odyssey we have read.

Writing:

In writing, we drew inspiration from our winter break. Students wrote about memorable moments and important events from their time away, choosing to share whatever felt most meaningful to them. Before writing, we gathered for a circle share, talking about our “stars” (things that went well) and “wishes” (things we hoped had been different) from the break.

We also learned about New Year’s resolutions. Students wrote about goals and intentions for the year ahead. Please ask your child what goals and intentions they chose.

Finally, students listened to a story about choosing one word to focus on for the year. They brainstormed a list of possible words that connected with them, selected one, and explained why that word will guide their focus in the new year.

Math:

The students were very excited to begin our multiplication and division unit. We started by learning strategies for multiplying by zero and by one, and talking about what those facts mean. From there, we explored the many different ways multiplication can be shown. We created a reference chart in our math notebooks that includes visuals for each strategy: picture groups, repeated addition, arrays, number lines, grids, and bonds or fact families. This chart will support students as the numbers get larger and the facts become more complex.

This week, students received a practice brochure focusing on multiplying by 2s. To build fluency, students should continue practicing counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. This skip-counting practice helps deepen understanding and confidence as we move forward in the unit.

Two worksheets also came home that show what we have been working on so far. Please review these with your child. They are meant as practice and conversation starters to help your child explain their thinking.

Social Studies:

Students went into the winter break having been introduced to some landmarks in Alberta.  This week, students selected a landmark (natural or man-made) and created a postcard explaining the landmark as if they had visited the location themselves.  We will be using our knowledge of landmarks to move forward into our next integrated science/social studies project.  

Science:

We began an exciting introduction to coding. Students started with block coding and practiced designing simple programs on paper. I also “coded” the students by giving them commands to follow, and we even created a mini dance party. Ask your child what some of the codes were!

Students then worked with our Dash robots using the program Go to make them move, play sounds, and light up. We explored Blockly, where students learned to code the robots to complete specific commands.

Next, students will use Blockly to code Dash robots on adventures to different places in Alberta. They will connect their coding with what they know about Alberta’s six physical regions, landforms, landmarks, and treaty regions. We are very excited to see their creativity and problem-solving in action.

Looking Ahead:

MTS Reminders - Wednesday January 7, 2026

Happy New Year!! ​​​​​​​ Fun Lunch The next Fun Lunch will be held on Wednesday January 28. Mrs. Kruger and Mrs. Siarkiewicz's classes will not take part in this Fun Lunch due to their field trip on the same day. Fun Lunch is only for grades 1-4 and our EES students.  Go to healthyhunger.ca Log into you existing account or create a new one. Add your child’s information in the “add child” box – name, province, city, school, grade and class. All Fun Lunches will then populate – select the order now button! Please make sure to send a morning snack with your child on Fun Lunch Days. Orders must be placed by the Friday before the day. Food Support Did you know that the Breakfast Club of Canada has shared research demonstrating that 40% of Alberta’s children experience food insecurity?  This means that 4 out of 10 children do not have access to food when they are hungry.  If your family is experiencing challenges with providing food for your children you can find help at Brown Bagging Calgary.  Complete this form for support and they can deliver lunches to McKenzie Towne School for your children. https://go.bb4ck.org/l/858913/2024-01-15/38fdbw You can also find out more information on their website https://bb4ck.org/ Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids Upcoming Dates January 28                               Fun Lunch - Subway January 30                               Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL February 11                              Wear Red and Hearts for Valentine's Day February 12 & 13                     Teacher Convention - NO SCHOOL February 16                              Family Day - NO SCHOOL February 25                              Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks Pizza February 26                              PINK Shirt Day February 27                              Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL March 17                                  Wear Green for St. Patrick's Day March 18                                  Fun Lunch - Subway March 19 & 20                          Parent/Teacher Conferences March 20                                  Parent/Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL March 23-27                            Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

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