Monday 19 July 2010
Dear Parents and Caregivers, of Room 15 children,
Welcome to Term 3 and I hope you all had a relaxing midyear break. Being the winter term, we often get a lot of wet weather. If possible, please send along some wet day activities, i.e. puzzles, colouring in books, activity books, etc your child can do on those days we cannot get outside.
Also this is the term when the ground is very wet and children do get covered in mud, particularly if they slip over. Please ensure your child has a change of pants in their bag as this makes dealing with accidents a lot easier.
Nikau Fitness is continuing as much as possible this term (weather dependant). Most activities are most likely to be on the concrete, and not on the field, so it is best if your child has suitable footwear for running and jumping on concrete. They also need to be dressed appropriately for these activities. This runs from 9 - 9.15 every morning so it is best for your child to be on time for school!
Maths this term will be starting with number and our focus will be fractions and decimals. We will also be revising aspects of addition and subtraction as well as multiplication and division. By about week seven we will be starting measurement. Keep up with the maths homework activities; already some children have made significant improvement with both their basic facts and times tables.
Reading is still a major focus at school and for homework – please encourage your child to read at home and if you can, try and find time to discuss what they have read as this can provide an opportunity to ensure your child understands what the story is about. Our library day continues to be Monday so please check your child returns their book so they can get a new one.
This term our English focus will be the novel “Charlotte’s Web”. This will be an in depth study of the story, its characters and the setting. We will also be comparing old and new videos, doing drama, art and other related activities.
As part of our oral programme, your child will be given an opportunity to select a poem at their reading level and the expectation is that they learn the poem for homework over a period of time. Towards the end of the term they will be expected to either read or recite their poem to the class.
Our Inquiry topic is “Countries around the World” and we will also be covering “Kia Kaha”. This is a bullying prevention programme, developed in response by the police and teachers, to protect our children. More information will follow regarding this programme and should answer any queries you may have.
Homework has changed again this term, so please check your child’s homework book for the latest example. We will continue to have a major maths focus, this term it is algebra. Please note homework sheets will be given out on a Monday and marked the following Monday.
Remember in week two we are having Parent teacher interviews and I look forward to discussing with you your child’s progress.
As always, feel free to contact me – if you need to make a query, or just to have a chat about your child’s progress. If I am off to a meeting, I can always schedule an appointment with you.
Kind regards
Debra Logan
