31 January 2012
Welcome back to another school year! I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and a wonderful New Years. My name is Fiésole Marks and I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher for 2012.
For the first few weeks we will be setting up class routines, going over behaviour expectations, practising manners and revising class and school rules. We will also be covering some basic number knowledge, handwriting, 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 underway. This is when we will begin our formal reading, writing and maths programmes. About this time, regular homework will be sent home weekly. The aim is for children to practise skills they have learnt during the week, and to establish time management. I understand that many children have busy lifestyles and after- school activities, however I expect them to do 20 minutes of homework at least 3 days a week. Spending set periods of time on homework in primary school gives children the skills in time management and working at home that are needed when they transition to intermediate. Details regarding homework will be sent a bit later on.
Our initial topic is “Myself” with a focus on getting to know each other, as well as incorporating the school wide social skills and virtues programme. By week three we will move into some inquiry learning and our focus will be “Our Community”.
In Maths this term we will be focusing on statistical investigations, then moving on to addition and subtraction. Although we will be covering a lot of material in class, it is vital to practice basic facts and times tables at home with your child, as much more time is needed to learn this type of maths knowledge than what is possible at school.
Our Fitness programme will be starting straight away, at 9.00am. We encourage all children to take part, so please ensure your child is on time for school and dressed in clothing that make it easy for them to move around.
Our Reading programme will kick off in approximately Week Three, and the focus will be on each child’s specific needs. We will be reading lots of different texts. Each day, every child will be expected to choose a new book from their group’s “Pick Box” to read at home, which they will bring home in their own (named) book bag. Reader books are to be returned to school the next day. (Please note that if your child is an independent reader, they may read books from home or the library). Reading mileage is critical for your child to become a reader, so do try to keep up the home reading.
A reminder – hats are essential at this time of year. You may also wish to put sunblock on your child each morning as extra protection against the hot summer sun.
School uniform must always be worn and if there are any problems in this regard, please let me know.
Thank you to those parents who have already sent in their child’s stationery. It is important that children have their stationery as early as possible as I need to set up each student’s workbooks before the formal programme can get underway, and your child needs pencils, glue sticks, etc. so that they can be doing activities in class without having to rely on others. It is very distracting to the entire class when children are not fully equipped for their learning, so I really appreciate your assistance in this regard.
Please name all of your child’s stationary / clothing (pencils and rubbers included) and I would prefer that you do not send “designer” equipment (eg. Smiggle) as these often get lost and cause problems. Any items that your child has more than one of (e.g. glue sticks, pencils, spare workbooks) will be collected and given out as required throughout the year. If there are any problems regarding stationery, please let me or the office know so that we can help.
Please also do not send medication to class. Medication can, however, be given to the office staff who are able to administer it during the day.
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Tissues are used by everyone, whether it be to blow a nose, cough or wipe hands, and I am keen to keep the classroom as hygienic as possible. In light of this, it would be appreciated if each child could contribute a box of tissues for classroom use throughout the year.
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Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or issues to discuss. The easiest way to contact me is via email, so we can set up an appointment to talk.
Thank you for your support.
Fiésole Marks
fiesolem@swanson.school.nz
