Tuesday 31st January 2012
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Welcome back to another school year. I trust you all had an enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New year. My name is Debra Logan and I am your child’s teacher.
For the first few weeks, we will be will be setting up class routines, going over behaviour expectations, practicing manners and revising class and school rules. We will also be covering some basic number knowledge and reading and writing skills. Some testing will also take place during this time, so next learning goals can be established.
By about Week Three, our main instructional programme will get under way. This is when we will begin our formal reading, writing and maths programmes. Also, about this time homework will be sent. The aim is for children to practice skills they need to know and to establish time management skills. On average, I expect children to do about twenty minutes of homework a night for five nights. Details regarding homework will be sent a bit later on.
Our initial topic is “Myself” with a focus on getting to know each other. By Week Three, we will move into some inquiry learning and our focus will be ‘Our Community’.
In Writing, children will focus on learning about narrative, poetry and diary writing, with a particular focus on myths and legends. We will continue to practice the surface features of spelling, correct grammar, handwriting and editing skills.
Our Reading programme will kick off in Week Two and the focus will be on each child’s specific needs. We will also focus on reading narrative and poetry texts. Reading mileage is critical for your child to become a reader, so please try to keep up with the home reading.
Our Library day is Monday so try to make sure library books come back in time! Our ICT day is also Monday and Sport is on a Thursday.
In Maths this term, we will focus on statistical investigations, and then we move on to addition and subtraction. While we will get lots of practice at school, it is important to remember to keep practicing the basic facts and times tables with your child as this really gives them a big advantage in their learning.
Our fitness programme will be starting straight away, at 9.00 am. We encourage all children to take part, so please ensure your child is on time for school and dressed in correct school uniform. A reminder that hats are essential at this time of year in order to stay sun safe and we will continue to encourage your child to wear their hats. Children need to be wearing correct school uniform and this does include correct hats. Please name all articles of clothing as children do leave their things lying around. We find if things are named, they are quickly returned to the rightful owner.
Late last year, you should have received your child’s stationery list, if not then copies are available from the office. It is important children have their stationery as soon as possible as I hope to set up books before the formal programme which gets underway in Week Three. Your children need pencils, glue sticks, etc. so they can be doing the activities independently. Please name all your children’s writing equipment (even if they will be kept in your child’s pencil case). Any items they have more than one of (i.e. glue sticks, pencils) will be collected and given out as required.If there are any problems regarding stationery, please let me or the office know so we can help.
Nikau Fitness will be continuing. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for fitness and that if possible, they have suitable footwear. Fitness is from 9 - 9.15 every morning, except Thursday where we all go to the hall and have music, so it is important to have your child to arrive at school early enough to get settled and ready for our 9:00 start.
I look forward to meeting with you and sharing in your child’s learning and development.
If you have any queries, please come in and see me either before or after school, preferably with some prior warning as we often have meetings and I would like to make sure I am available to see you.
Regards
Debra Logan
