Making Mat Man

Hello Parents,

This week we are working on building and drawing Mat Man.  Understanding the body and the ability to represent it appropriately is a development landmark of drawing and writing.  We talk about using circles and rectangles, as well as  straight and curved lines to build and draw Mat Man.






Often, our drawings begin with a head with the arms and legs coming out of it.  There may be details added to the face such as eyes, nose, mouth and hair.

When drawing Mat Man, we build a body that is a rectangular shape, because the straight lines are simple to draw.  We add the arms, ensuring that they come out of the shoulders at the top of our body.  We want the arms to be narrow rectangles, rather than just  skinny lines, to give our drawings some depth.  At this stage, we begin to add more details such as the hands and feet.








Finally, we come to a fully recognizable person, and this is where the real fun begins.  We can now colour in details, and begin to change the body to show action, such as running, sitting or dancing!







When building Mat Man with the class we sing a song to help us develop a body awareness about the basic body parts on Mat Man.  Check out a video of Mat Man from Handwriting Without Tears, and get ready to sing the Mat Man song at home with your child!

Mat Man

**To the tune The Bear Went Over The Mountain**

Mat Man has 1 head, 1 head 1 head, Mat Man has 1 head, so that he can think.

Mat Man has 2 eyes, 2 eyes, 2 eyes, Mat Man has 2 eyes, so that he can see.

Mat Man has 1 nose, 1 nose, 1 nose, Mat Man has 1 nose, so that he can smell.

Mat Man has 1 mouth, 1 mouth, 1 mouth, Mat Man has 1 mouth, so that he can eat (talk, smile, etc.)

Mat Man has 2 ears, 2 ears, 2 ears, Mat Man has 2 ears, so that he can hear.

Mat Man has 1 body, 1 body, 1 body, Mat Man has 1 body, to hold what is inside (lungs, heart, stomach).

Mat Man has 2 arms, 2 arms, 2 arms, Mat Man has 2 arms, so that he can reach (hug).

Mat Man has 2 hands, 2 hands, 2 hands, Mat Man has 2 hands, so that he can clap (high five, point).

Mat Man has 2 legs, 2 legs, 2 legs, Mat Man has 2 legs, so that he can stand.

Mat Man has 2 feet, 2 feet, 2 feet, Mat Man has 2 feet, so that he can walk (run, jump)

Mat Man has a belly button, belly button, belly button, Mat Man has a belly button, so he can find the middle

Mat Man has lots of hair, lots of hair, lots of hair, Mat Man has lots of hair, to keep his head warm.

Have fun singing,
Kindergarten Team

Agendas

Hello Parents,

Today, all children will be receiving their very first C. N. Gunn agenda!  Please ensure that you check the agenda everyday, as this is our primary individual communication tool between home and school.  Help your child to take responsibility to show it to you after school, and put it back in their backpack to return to school EVERY day.

  Just behind the front cover is a clear plastic sleeve where we will put all notes that are sent home.  Please check this regularly.  This is also where we will be looking for papers that are  returned to the school (permission slips, surveys, etc.)

Please check the agenda DAILY for written notes from the Kindergarten Team.  After reading, we ask that you sign or initial the bottom corner of the day to inform us that you have checked the agenda that day.  Please sign, even if there are no notes on that day.  

This is also the best place to write any notes to us, as we will also check this every morning.  We will be using a stamp as our signature to acknowledge that we have seen your signature and notes.

Please tell us if: 

- someone different is picking your child up

- your child is leaving early for an appointment

- you know you will be absent soon

- you have a question or concern

- you wish to set up a face to face meeting

- anything else you feel we need to know

At the front of the agenda you will find the Parent-Student Handbook for 2015-2016.  Here you will find all the important information concerning safety, routines, absences, clothing and more as it pertains to our C. N. Gunn community.  Mr. Wigglesworth has asked that parent review and sign on page 8 to acknowledge that they have read it.

There is also a calendar for the year on the back to show you when all the non-school days are.

Thank you,

Kindergarten Team

Welcome to Kindergarten

W E L C O M E

This is such an exciting time for your child as they start their journey into school and learning.  We have an amazing team of Kindergarten teachers at our school.  This year your child will have the opportunity to make friends, learn about the world around them, read, sing, dance, play, and most importantly, have fun!  

The Kindergarten Team at Catherine Nichols Gunn School
Janice Way, Kristine Wretham, Jordan Trechka

 About The Kindergarten Team

Hi. My name is Janice Way. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and the last eight years have been here at C. N. Gunn. I have had many wonderful experiences teaching a variety of special education classes however the majority of my time has been teaching kindergarten. I have found this age to be a real passion of mine and I love being one of the first school experiences for young children. Outside of school I enjoy camping, reading, and being with family and friends.

Hi!  My name is Kristine Wretham and I am so looking forward to working with you and your child this year at Catherine Nichols Gunn School!  I have been teaching Kindergarten for the past eight years with the Calgary Board of Education and love being a part of the Kindergarten program.  Out of school I enjoy photography, cooking and baking, and spending time outside.  I love to spend time with my family and friends.  I am an avid reader and enjoy reading and collecting children’s books.

Hello!  My Name is Jordan Trechka, and I am excited to welcome you to the Catherine Nichols Gunn family.  This is my seventh year teaching Kindergarten with the CBE.  I have a passion for Early Childhood Education, as this is an exciting time to play, sing, read, write, explore and learn.  There is never a dull moment in Kindergarten.  Outside of school, I dance with Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre, as well as teaching Ukrainian dance.  I have had the opportunity to dance for audiences across Canada and internationally.   I look forward to many discoveries of learning this year!