In maths this term, we have been investigating measurement using the Gingerbread story. We have ordered gingerbread men from short to tallest, and found other things in the room that were shorter, the same and taller than our gingerbread man. This week, we problem solved how to make a bridge so that the gingerbread man could get across the river instead of going on the fox's back. The children were given two blocks, a piece of paper and some tape to use. In pairs, they had to discuss and think about how they could make the paper long enough to get across the water. In the end, most groups were able to solve the problem by cutting the paper in two and putting the two short sheets together to make one long bridge. Finally, we measured our bridges with each other's ones.
Well done to the people who wore wigs or hats on Wig Wednesday.
We also had a tennis session later on in the week where we were introduced to holding the racket like a high five and learning the word volley.
Next week our focus letters are l, f, r, h and words: my, here, are
Teacher Voice: Along with the usual reading, writing and maths and the other myriad of other subject areas that we cover in a week, I try to make sure that every two weeks at least, we have a Shining Star time. Shining Star time is where I put out special play items such as dress ups, train set, painting, puppets and other developmental items. This gives the opportunity for children to extend their friendships, oral language skills and mathematical concepts. It is great to see the enjoyment and roles that the children give themselves during this time.
Mrs Barlow takes the children for music every Monday in the music room. The children really enjoy the time they spend with her. Every three weeks she also comes into the classroom and teaches the children a special topic. This term she is teaching about the maths concepts of rotation and symmetry.
This weeks focus sounds are s, sh, th and the focus words are little, am, have.
Teacher Voice: Each week we study and read a big book as part of the reading and literacy programme. The big book gives children the opportunity to have them reading at above their independent level as we all read it together. It also provides a way to explore spelling patterns, the way rhyme is used in words, expression and punctuation features. On Friday, we usually have a fun activity related to the book to culminate the end of the week.
Just a few reminders: Please make sure that your child has a rain coat in their bag as we walk to the music room, hall and library rain or shine. Children should be practising their rocket words along with their home reader each night. Library books and bags need to be at school every Friday. Thank you for your help.
This week's words are: he, she, me and letter sounds of n, m, ng
Children's Voice: A few weeks ago we read the big book of Smarty Pants. Here is the iMovie that we made about it.
While Mrs Hutton was sick this week we:
-put some Maori colour drawings on our sheet and song the Maori colour song
- wrote about Goldilocks
-played our maths games and learnt some new ones.
-put Goldilocks pictures in order, coloured them in and glued them in order on the paper
Please view our video book that we created based on one of our focus words of the week.
Next week our focus words are: is, big, look and the sounds of ch and j.
It was wonderful to meet with you and share with you the progress that has already been made in four short weeks.
Zero the Hero
You may have noticed the poem about Zero the Hero in your child's poetry book. He will teach us about the value of ten as he sends Room 5 a message every ten days that we have been at school. Yesterday we celebrated 20 days at school, and look forward to the next time, which will be thirty days at school.
Dancers
On Friday afternoon, we were able to watch an amazing group of teenagers preform for us which we all enjoyed.
On Friday morning, we wrote this recount together using the photos that we took on the trip.
We are on the bus going to the Botanic Gardens. We got off the bus when we arrived. Then we had our morning tea together. After that, we are on the mat with the teacher looking at the lady bird on the mat. Next we went to dig some bugs. We found worms, slaters, millipedes, and grubs. Next we went to the classroom and played some games about minibeasts. After lunch, we explored the gardens. We found a tunnel and went through it and then we all had a turn at the water pump. We also looked at the vegetables. Finally, we lined up and went back to school on the bus. It was a happy and enjoyable day!
There are more photos on the classroom window for you to enjoy.
Teacher Voice: Welcome to Albert who started this week, our first boy! Congratulations to Ismaiah who was awarded a certificate in the School Assembly.
I have mentioned to most parents that I would like to meet briefly to discuss the Beginning School Report for their child. Please see me to set up a time if I have not already talked to you about this.
This week's words are went, you and the letter focus will be to complete the short vowel sounds. Please remember that our Library Day is Friday and that children are only allowed to get out a new book if they have returned their old one.
In maths, we are focusing on sequencing numbers, backwards counting and using tens frames to help us solve problems.
On Friday we had our first syndicate assembly. We had a special friend arrive to help us out, Sid from Ice Age! Congratulations to Sienna and Bella for their certificates.
Student Voice:
We have been learning about the Sunnybrae values of respect, being helpful and independence. We have written stories and drawn a picture about what we can do this week.
I can put on my shirt. Margarita
I can play on the playground. Sophia
I can paint a picture. Ismaiah
I can learn to write. Alea
I can make the necklace. Bella
I can put the book away on the book shelf. Sienna
I can play rugby. Jahzelle
Here we are helping each other complete a puzzle and working independently.
Teacher Voice: This week we had a special session with a hockey coach and this will be followed up with further lessons as part of our P.E programme. The children also have a short fitness session most days where we practise gross motor skills such as hopping, skipping, side stepping, jumping and galloping. I can already see an improvement in the children's coordination of these skills. If you have a spare few minutes, you might like to try these activities at home.
Please return and keep all reading resources in the children's book bag. I will collect the laminated story sheets each Thursday so that they can be used by the next child. Book bags need to come to school everyday. Next week we will focus on the words go, we and to and the short letter sounds of a and e.
Oral Language task: Talk to your child about a place that they go to on a regular basis. If you have a photo of that place, they might like to bring that in to school this week.
Please watch our video that we made during our tour around the school
