Class Newsletters

Term 1 2017

Dear Parents and Guardians

Welcome to 2017 in Room 3.  I’m sure you and your children have had happy holidays and are eager to start a new year of learning.  We will initially be working on developing the routines of a new class, focussing on the Habits of Mind Listening with Empathy and Understanding and Managing Impulsivity and getting to know each other.  Room 3 will be a part of the Junior Syndicate this year and as a new initiative we have a buddy class in the Senior Syndicate (Room 5) so we will work together closely with them on some occasions.  It will be great to have children’s input about setting up our class walls in the first few weeks.
The reading books your children bring home in the first few weeks may be easy, as we work on establishing these routines and I get to know the children.  These are a few notes to help your child settle in…

Brain Food – Each day starts with a healthy snack and milk to help activate the brain.  The snack should be fresh fruit or vegetables or plain crackers and cheese.  Please cut larger pieces of fruit such as apples into manageable segments that can be consumed easily.  No packets or sweet biscuits.  Room 3 has a policy of flexibility with eating during the day (at any time suited to your child).  Please provide several healthy snacks for this purpose.  Research shows that when healthy snacks are eaten regularly, students are more attentive and enjoy learning more.  Morning tea is eaten while the teachers read to children.  I ask that they choose something that does not have commercial packets as the noise is difficult for children to hear over as the wrappers crackle.  I encourage them to bring a named bottle of water to the classroom and have this available throughout the day.  It is essential to keep the brain functioning well.  Please name bottles clearly.

Stationery – This can be ordered through OfficeMax – either online or in the shop.   If this is organised early we can get straight into our learning programme.  We use a shared/pooled system for rubbers, crayons and pens so naming is not necessary.  For this reason it is best to keep any extra fancy items at home.  It saves worries about loss or damage of these items.  Coloured pencils may be used, but we do not require felt pens.

Sport – During the first few weeks of term our PE programme is aquatics (swimming).  The few weeks we have available to learn to swim are crucial.  It is expected that your children bring togs every day.  Even though some mornings may be colder it often turns out hot enough to swim in the afternoon.  I will not take them swimming if it is too cold.  If there is a medical reason why your child cannot swim please write a note in the homework book (or see me).

Classroom programmesThis term our topic is ‘Community and Kiwiana’ and we will focus on working together, becoming aware of our immediate environment and then the wider community. We will have several out of school experiences to explore.  This focus will integrate all Curriculum areas - Reading, Writing, Maths, Art etc. Our aim is to explore values such as respect, honour and our School Value of Belonging (A place to stand – our turangawaewae.  Being empowered and connected.) 
Play-based Learning – This is a concept that the Junior School will be exploring this year and will be incorporated into the strong literacy and numeracy programmes that are already in place.  My holiday Professional Development inspired me to give this a go and I am sure the children will share my enthusiasm for play in the classroom each day.  There will be detailed information coming out regularly to inform you of what we are doing and why.  Learning Stories in the children’s portfolios will also update you on their learning in this area.  I am keen to incorporate my interest in handcrafts and mosaics so there will be a lot of creativity (Green Hat Thinking) going on.
Thinking Skills and Key Competencies - In Room 3 traditional ability grouping for reading and maths is minimised.  Research shows that collaborative learning in mixed ability groupings is proven to be more beneficial to children.  In time, the children will come home talking about this. Thinking Hats will feature strongly in all areas of learning too.  A Writer’s Notebook will be used to generate ideas for writing.  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.  The Key Competencies Relating to Others and Managing Self will be a huge focus in our play based learning.

Homework
Each week there will be a homework sheet that should not require more than 20 minutes each night.
    The spelling list comprises of 5 words taken from the essential lists, children’s own writing, or senior levelled lists, and 5 words using the Chunk of the Week.  I expect children to be learning these words by following the chart that is glued into their books.  Please encourage them to learn words before being tested.  Using colour to practice with is a very good way to aid memory. 
    They will have a reading book taken from either the browse box (easy books at a lower level) or from the guided teaching session (more challenging) each day.  Please remember to record the date, title and a comment about the content of reading in the Reading Log.  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.  “Good Reading” type comments can be made in the bottom section of the page.  Please discuss the reading with your child – this is crucial to understanding.  
    Number Knowledge must be learnt each day.  Last year’s notebook will be continued and a new one started upon its completion.  Please send along to school as soon as possible if you have it at home.  See more notes on this in the Number Knowledge book. 
    Sometimes there will be a topic task, which is optional but of course will benefit your child’s learning if undertaken.  Let me know if it is too much.
    We also look at Habits of Mind and other Thinking Tools (Thinking Hats, Thinking Maps, and Thinker’s Keys).  Please discuss your child’s learning with them and ask about their ways of thinking.


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.  Also, it is helpful to know when circumstances in your family change so that I can be aware of unusual behaviour etc.  (e.g. new family member, parent away for extended time, pet died, etc.)  Please use the homework book as a communication book.  It saves losing notes.  Feel free to email me on sue@haumoana.school.nz or text. It may be easier to email or text if your child will be absent or late, too.  I don’t mind – and it saves us having to chase up where your child is.  Please contact us every day your child is away – even if your child is sick for several days.  This is for security purposes and sometimes the reason changes!  They might be sick the first day but then need to go away for a family funeral/holiday etc.  Please record your email address and cellphone number below.  Thank you.

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