Term 2

Welcome back to Term 2 in Room 3.  I hope you and your children have had enjoyable holidays and are eager to start a new term of learning.  Term 1 flew by and here we are in the middle of autumn!  We have our routines and expectations all set up and we are set to take off to a new level of learning and playing. 

Our buddy class (Room 5) activities were enjoyed by most children and we will again be working together on some technology and science activities, as well as our buddy reading on a Friday.

Brain Food – Continue to provide several healthy snacks for eating first thing in the morning and throughout the day when children feel the need.  Water bottles should be at school each day too to ensure the brain functions well.

Our Habits of Mind foci this term are Responding with Wonderment and Awe and Questioning and Posing Problems.  We are focussing on articulating our thinking more clearly to learning buddies.  As a follow up at home you could expect your child to justify their thinking by using the word ‘because’ and to add detail to their discussions with you.  This is a good habit to develop and will ensure our learning accelerates.  For some people this feels a little uncomfortable, but our best learning is done if there is a challenge that is overcome.  The Key Competencies are an important part of the curriculum and this term we will add “Participating and Communicating” to “Relating to Others”. 

Integrated programmes:  This term we have two main topics -  ‘Forces of Nature’ and ‘Matariki’.  These foci will integrate all Curriculum areas - Reading, Writing, Maths, Art etc. Our aim is to explore values such as Respect and Excellence (To do and be our best in all that we do.)  The science topic will be decided upon with the children and could be volcanoes, air forces or water related topics.   Much of this learning will be through play related resources.  Matariki will be the focus in the second part of the term.  Room 3 are responsible for the Harvest Table and this will begin in Week 5 or 6.  We are hoping to have a hangi again but this is dependent on funds being raised.  I have a selected group of children who will be planning and organising a fundraiser for this purpose.  Watch for updates about this….we may require your assistance.  Weaving will be taught and we will work with our buddy class.  The term will end with our famous musical production – always worth waiting for.

Play-based Learning – This new concept complements the strong literacy and numeracy programmes that are already in place.  We try to play each day and this term will extend to learning handcrafts that we can undertake independently once some basic skills are mastered.  We have a new sewing machine to explore and knitting will be on the agenda too!  Hopefully we get some good weather and we can play outside each day.  Irene (Yannick’s Mum) is keen to help us create a mosaic wall so we will be very busy‼  

Learning Stories in the children’s portfolios will also update you on their learning in this area. 

Resources will be required so please keep an eagle eye out for anything that we may be able to use. 

*  Natural resources (e.g. seed pods, pine cones, drift wood etc) will be used for creating;

*  Fabric lengths or remnants, wool, threads etc will be valuable for handcrafts;

*  Old crockery can be used for our mosaic wall;

*  Plastic bottle tops for our upcycled wall hangings;

*  Remnants from old bottles of vinegar, shampoo, spices, sauces etc for our potions table to be set up

Writer’s Notebook -  Please encourage your child to bring along items of interest to glue in e.g. photos of pets, holidays, special events; newspaper articles of personal interest; tickets for rides, movies etc.  Even interesting words or phrases that you come across or that tickle your fancy which could be used in their writing can be included. 

Homework

Although the homework sheet should not require more than 20 minutes each night, tasks still need to be completed and books returned to school each day.  I have had to chase up some children recently.

☺    Spelling - Please encourage your child to learn words before being tested.  Refer to the chart in their books.  Using colour to practice with is a very good way to aid memory. 

☺    Reading Logs - Please remember to help your child record the date, title and a comment about the content of reading.  This could be related to what your child already knows about the topic, what he/she has learnt, what surprised, frightened, worried or made him/her laugh.  It is important to talk about the book before, during and after reading.  If your child is tired, share the reading.  Discuss their/your experiences around the topic.

☺    Number Knowledge must be learnt each day.