Term Newsletter

• 13 October 2008
  
  Dear Parents/Caregivers and Children
  
  
  Term 4 already, where has the year gone!
  
  Events this term:
  * Athletics day 29 October
  * Middle school swimming 24 November – 12 December (every day in High School pool).
  * Pet afternoon 28 November
  
  The Key Competency this term we are learning about is Thinking:
  I know when I am thinking when I think about my writing and how to make it better. I check if it makes sense. Go back and read it again. Take time to think about things.
  Inquiry Topic: How to beautify our school.
  Homework:
• Reading every day. If your child has not brought home a book get them to read to you a book they have at home. Remember reading to you improves fluency, expression and comprehension.
  Spelling. A list of 6 weekly words. Each word is to be put into a full sentence and learnt. Spelling tests are each Friday.
• Maths will also be glued into their homework books and to be completed by the end of the week.
• Oral Language homework focus for this term:
  1 Holiday news
  2 Present a Poem- find or write a poem to recite to the class
  3 Own news
  4 Amazing Discoveries
  5 Own news
  6 Out of Africa - choose an animal, country or person from Africa and tell us about it.
  7 Own news
  8 A-Z Speeches
  9 Own news
  10 Christmas: If I could have one wish for Christmas it would be….
  
  Extra Homework. If you think your child needs more homework you will find something on the websites listed on our class blog. Or there are really good books in the local book stores but please remember children also learn through play too and it is important they have time just to play. There is plenty of homework going home in the bookbag each day.
  
  Remember parents are always welcome to come in anytime if you want to talk or help out in the classroom.
  
  Cyndi Kruijer

Thank you Simon

Cross Country Skiing

Lexi and Petra put together this report all about our visit to the Snow Farm.
Enjoy!

Recycle and Reuse!

Hannah and Freddie have put together a report about Simon from Wanaka Waste Busters visiting our class.

Snow Farm

I attended a Mac ISchool training day on Friday and this video is a product from our learning on the day. It is unfinished because I got frustrated with the fluffing around and knew it can be done a lot quicker and easier in another programme using a different platform. But because it has the Snow Farm photos on it, it seemed silly to waste. Some Room 23 students are putting together a report using a different programme and will be presenting it soon on the blog, replacing this one.

What I was reminded of though, learning something new can be fun and frustrating! I do experience this a lot with ICT and it doesn’t matter what platform it is, Mac or PC. The thing about ICT is that it is changing all the time and will always require learning new things. It provides a great problem solving opportunity for students. I was interested to hear all the ohhs and wows coming from my colleagues. Yes ICT does have that wow factor and again it doesn’t matter what platform it is as this depends on the exposure. Kids are very quick to learn the whizz bangs, get over it and then find it boring! It is unfortunate but true, we live in an instant society. What I look for when I want to use ICT, is it educational, quick, reliable and simple to use because I use ICT as a tool in all curriculum areas. Time, class size and individual needs do not always allow time for fluff. .

I enjoyed the day and have gained some more experience using a Mac computer.

Wow! Principals Award!

Super cool this week! We have a student who got the Principals Award in assembly!
Well done Hannah!

Also to Ruben and Petra for getting this weeks class award.

Brilliant students!

I wonder who is going to be next with only 3 weeks to go before the holidays?

Olympics