Kidblog

Many children have begun blog entries.  Please could these be finished and submitted for approval soon.  The stories are getting a bit old and must be finished.  Go through the link on the right.  Thanks!!

Monday madness!

Memory Hooks

WOW!!  I'm so impressed with the speed in which children learnt our new strategy of memory hooks today.  How well did you do?  Can you remember all 10?  Next week will come the next 10.  We are going to remember so much!  Photos coming soon.

Welcome to Term 2

Here's hoping you've all had a relaxing and rewarding holidays spent with your children.  I certainly have and have many new ideas for this term.

Change to Morning Sessions - Literacy time

This term begins an exciting change to literacy time.  As I will be working with the Accelerate Literacy group (out of the classroom), we are fortunate to have Mrs Marion Batchelor step in to teach literacy in Room 1.  Most of you will know her and know that her expertise in this area is valued.  She will begin in class at 10am and complete any reading tasks and groups as she takes over from Mrs Jensen.  She will then teach the writing component until 11am.  We have planned extensively to ensure this will be a smooth transition.  I'm sure the children will be excited about this.

Brain Food/Morning Tea

Snack time will continue at 9.15am to help activate the brain to be ready for learning. This will consist of fresh fruit or vegetable that are cut into manageable pieces, or plain crackers and cheese.  We also drink our milk at this time.  Please remember to include morning teas that don't involve commercial packaging to ensure children can hear stories comfortably.  

Topic Studies

This term we are going global and local.  Room 1 will learn about Norway and its indigenous people.  Can you find out what these people are called?  What is their culture?  We will make passports and in Week 6 travel 'around the world' (to other classrooms) to find out about other countries.  I will be looking out for the most suitable ambassadors to teach children from other classrooms about Norway.  During Weeks 7 - 9 we will explore Matariki and Marae protocols.  There are lots of exciting activities coming up related to this.  Watch this space!

Homework

This will continue in the same format.  Please ensure you support your child with this.  
Reading - 
They will have a book to read each night.  It is crucial that you discuss the concepts and ideas within their text to ensure depth of understanding.  There are several people not completing Reading Logs accurately.  The comments column is commonly misunderstood.  Here, we are looking for a comment that relates to the ideas in the story or article.  Please review Page 5 for ideas.  It might be something that your child has learnt, been surprised by, thought was unfair, made them laugh etc.  
Spelling - 
10 words to learn each night.  Please allow your child time to learn these by following the chart in their homework books.
Basic Facts - 
Practice the 2 steps you are working on each night.  We are fortunate to have several parents coming in to test children each week.  Thank you for this help - it is invaluable.  It is important children have their basic fact books in their book bags every day in anticipation for testing.
Check Term 1 newsletter in the homework book to revise details.
Books and Book Bags
I have noticed some children transporting their books to and from school not in their book bags.  ALL books must be carried in a book bag to protect them.  Please check that your child is doing this. 
Study Ladder
Congratulations to those children who are regularly completing activities.  Now that children are familiar with this site, I am asking that the main focus is the SET TASKS - particularly Literacy and Maths tasks.  Once some of these are completed each session, then they can explore other games etc.  Thanks for your support here.

Communication

Many thanks for your clear communication during Term 1.  Please keep this up.  Contact sooner rather than later avoid major concerns arising.

Enjoy Term 2 everyone!