Week of April 2, 2026

 

What a wonderful way to kick off the week, with a fun and festive pancake breakfast!

Looking Back:

Literacy:

Phonics: 

This week in phonics, students practiced changing middle and ending sounds in words during our warm-ups. We also counted and broke down phonemes to strengthen their understanding of how words are built. These activities help students become more flexible and confident readers.

Reading: 

In literacy, students learned about different types of texts and the purpose of a text (to inform or provide enjoyment). During our “Café Book Tasting,” students explored a variety of texts to discover what they enjoy reading. They participated in café-style discussions with their peers to share what they liked and did not like.

We also continued reading The Boy at the Back of the Class as a class, building comprehension, and discussing important themes from the story. Students also explored fiction and non-fiction texts by creating fun “fortune tellers” to help them identify and sort text types.

Writing:

In writing, students focused on writing letters and cards. They practiced organizing their ideas clearly and thinking about their audience and purpose when writing. This helped students understand how writing can be used to communicate messages in meaningful ways.

Math:

This week in math, students began our geometry unit. We started by exploring angles and lines through a hands-on scavenger hunt around the classroom, helping students identify these concepts in real-world contexts.

Students also learned about polygons and their properties. To reinforce their learning, students created digital “Polygon Picasso” artwork, combining geometry with creativity.

Science:

In science this week, students learned about two simple machines: the wheel and axle, and the lever. Students explored how a wheel and axle reduces effort by using kits to test movement around the classroom. They also applied their understanding of Rube Goldberg machines and inclined planes while experimenting with their designs.

To explore levers, students built and tested catapults, observing how force and movement work together. This hands-on learning allowed students to experiment, problem-solve, and deepen their understanding of simple machines.

Social Studies:

In social studies, students continued exploring how natural resources influence communities and why people choose to live near them.

Students worked collaboratively to plan and perform “natural resource interview” skits. Each group took on roles such as host, resource worker, and resource expert to present their learning to the class. This activity helped students better understand how natural resources support jobs and communities in Alberta.

Looking Ahead:

Students will have the opportunity to try chocolate Smarties as part of a health lesson next week. Please let me know if you have any concerns about your child participating or tasting them. Thank you!

MTS Reminders - Wednesday April 1

MTS Yearbooks To order go to: https://ybpay.lifetouch.ca/ Use Yearbook ID code: 10614126 Early Bird Pricing: $29 (Now until April 17, 2026) Regular Pricing: $34 (April 18 - May 18, 2026) Last day to order:  May 18, 2025 If you have any pictures from any school events (ie, first day of school, Terry Fox Run, Halloween) that you would like to share with the Yearbook Committee, please click on the link below. Once you log in, please enter this code. ADD-PICTURES-TO-YEARBOOK-26 YEARBOOK PICTURES Grade 1 Celebration of Learning - EARTH DAY The grade 1 classrooms would like to invite grade 1 families to attend their learning assembly at 1:30pm on April 16. Grade 2 & 3 Spring Concert McKenzie Towne School is excited to present "Singing Through the Seasons," our Spring Concert for the Grade 2 and 3 classes on Thursday April 23rd.  The dress rehearsal is open to families to come watch. Please note, there may be pauses during this performance to fine tune some details.  Dress Rehearsal: Grade 2: 11:00am -11:30am Grade 3: 1:30pm - 2:00pm  Evening Performance: Grade 2: 5:00pm - 5:30pm (doors open at 4:30)  Grade 3: 6:30pm - 7:00pm (doors open at 6:00)  Fun Lunch The next Fun Lunch will be held on Wednesday April 29. 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 FRIDAY                                    Good Friday - NO SCHOOL April 23                                     Grade 2 & 3 Spring Concert April 24                                     Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL April 29                                     Fun Lunch - Coco Brooks May 6                                       Grade 3 & 4 Students visit McKenzie Highlands May 7                                       Grade 3 Field Trip to Calgary Philharmonic May 12                                     Class Photo Day May 15                                     Non-Instructional Day - NO SCHOOL May 18                                     Victoria Day - NO SCHOOL May 19-21                                Grade 3 & 4 Swimming Lessons at YMCA Seton May 22                                      AM Kindergarten Field Trip to Calgary Farmyard May 26-28                                Grade 3 & 4 Swimming lessons at YMCA Seton May 27                                     Fun Lunch - Subway