The End is Nigh...

Hi all,

Spelling: This should be a weekly occurance. For the first time ever a handful of students have been so consistent with their spelling homework that they have achieved TWO levels this term. Congratulations to those students, it is a terrific academic achievement so early in the year.

Reading and writing: A bumpy start for reading but we are now well underway with small group reading and writing activities are numerous. From expressive writing to regular weekly goal setting to word studies, students are showing learning is taking place in conversations and in their book work. Narratives and making connections between the text and personal knowledge has been the focus.

Maths: Addition and Subtraction are finished although we are still focusing on timestables.

We are now focusing on Geometry in particular, Translation, Rotation, Reflection and Enlargement.

Maori is developing well as a team teaching time and we are also trying to use our weekly phrase.

Social Science: Is winding up and should have been noticeable in homework. We have looked at culture and how stereotypes (both good and bad) are formed.

We have also recognised the variety of culture that exists in our class and, of course, nationwide.

PE and Fitness: Most students participated in our swimming sports day and many more competed in the Summer Tournament. I have been particularly impressed with the participation levels of many students this term.

As a class we have also looked at small ball skills, in particular, how to throw and catch a small ball accurately.

Thinking Skills: Multiple Intelligencies has been the focus and we completed a test to find our strengths and weakness – Ask your child theirs.

Class leaders and House Captains have also been elected.

Our virtue has been Friendship and our 'graffitti wall' is full of examples which I have also seen actioned in the classroom and out in the playground.

A terrific term in all and I look forward to what Term 2 holds, especially now that we have routines and systems underway and well practiced already :)

Regards,

Ché Ray