Haumoana School – Room 3 Newsletter, Term 3
24 July 2017
Dear
Parents and Guardians
Welcome
back to Term 3 in Room 3. I hope you and
your children have had enjoyable holidays and are over all the illnesses we
were experiencing before the holidays. Term
2 was so busy with Matariki and our School Production! This Term the children will be deciding on
what they will learn through their new research skills and based on their play.
Brain Food – Continue to
provide several healthy snacks for eating first thing in the morning and
throughout the day when children feel the need.
Named water bottles should be at school each day too to ensure the brain
functions well.
Our
Habits of Mind foci this term
are Thinking
Flexibly and Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. We will continue 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 focus on “Using
Language, Symbols & Text” and “Thinking”.
Integrated programmes: Last
term we brainstormed topics the children would like to learn about. Many expressed an interest in MAGIC so we
will begin with children exploring an area of Magic that interests them. The main focus of all learning will be
research skills but will integrate all Curriculum areas – including Art, Drama
and play etc. Our aim is to
explore values such as Respect and Integrity.
Play-based Learning
– This concept complements the strong literacy and numeracy programmes that are
already in place. We will try to play and
work outside (weather dependent) for either a half day or whole day each week. We have several knitters amongst us and more
children will add to the pool this term!
Irene (Yannick’s Mum) has made a very good start to the mosaic wall
along with Cat (Theo’s Mum) and the children.
It is looking fantastic. This
will continue each Tuesday afternoon.
The Potions table is set up now and children will no doubt be looking
for more ingredients to use in their potions.
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;
* Remnants from old bottles of vinegar,
shampoo, spices, sauces etc for our potions table
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
homework should not require more than 20 minutes each night, tasks still need
to be completed and books returned to school each day.
☺
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. It is a good idea to sign up to e-ako maths
and this is a more motivational way to learn their number knowledge. Thank you to those people who have offered to
help out with testing this term.
Finally,
if there is anything you are unsure of or that is worrying you, or you have
something to celebrate please do not hesitate to email, call in, text or phone
to make an appointment to discuss these matters. Please use the homework book
as a communication book. It saves losing
notes.
Sue
Jensen
Teacher
– Year 3.
