Aug 5, 2021
The Astronauts in space
JULY 25 2021
Kia Ora! Welcome to Term 3.
I hope you had a great break. Are you excited to start the new term?
I know the children will be, they will return with smiling faces and eager to be at school with friends and ready for learning!
I am excited for this term too, new children will be joining our class and our class number will increase: maybe by the end of Term 3, we might be a full class. The dynamics and class organisation of A6 will change.
What are we learning in Term 3?
In Writing, our focus will be on recount and informational text. Students will explore fiction and non fiction books with readers (level reading books) and also books teacher will share in class. In Reading, children will read with expression, with great emphasis on punctuation, and highlighted words in the text. We will focus on the strand of listening and speaking, 'tracking the speaker' and asking question about the text for clarification and further learning.
In Reading, children will recognise more words and letter patterns from their level book readers. Parents are encouraged to read along with their child every evening for fluency and learning new words. Allow them to read aloud, pointing their fingers as they read. It is helpful to go over with your child the high frequency words they are learning. Check the spelling list they are learning for the week and for some new words they are learning for phonics. Always check their book bag. Your child's progress depends on the input you give daily.
In Mathematics, we will focusing on counting, number patterns, place value, number lines, ordering numbers, adding and subtracting 1-10, adding and subtracting 1-20, number before and after 1-20, 2D shapes features and characteristics, measurement strand as to weight, length and time. We regularly have a counting session before each Maths lesson, it is an essential building block of knowledge of number names and number system. Towards the end of Term 3, we will explore counting up to 50.
In Religious Education, the main focus is on the Strand of Communion of Saints, that is on the Blessed Mother Mary-- the Annunciation and Feast of Assumption, her life with Jesus and Joseph, Mary's great qualities as a mother of God. We will also look into the other lives of Saints and Social Justice.
In inquiry or topic--- in Science, the topic is about Solar System and Earth our planet. For Technology, we will explore and demonstrate ways we can turn a shoe box into a useful entertainment, a game to enjoy and learning to appreciate. And lastly for Health, we will look into the aspects of fitness, personal hygiene, good manners and good habits and respect and responsibilities.
Every Friday is Fun Friday. In the morning we try to finish all the basic subjects-- Reading, Writing and Maths and from 11:30 onwards, we explore the Arts or Physical Education.
REMINDERS !!!
Meeting with the Teacher
If you need to talk to me, the class teacher, I am available at the beginning and end of each day. Sometimes I may not be able to talk as I have other commitments, you can always make an appointment. Let us make communication open.
July 25, 2021
The whole school had Matariki showcase, our learning about Matariki. A5 and A6 were proud to present their work and learning---
June 10, 2021
Kia Ora, whanau,
Welcome Vito Matisse, our new boy to A6. He will be starting school this coming Monday, 14th of June.
We are half way to our Term, there are 2 important things that will be helpful to your child..... firstly, support them with their poem recitation. They chose a poem they wished to do, they will be tested this Tuesday, 15th of June. They will recite them individually to the class. I will choose 2 winners that will compete with A4 and A5 classes. Please make sure their voice is loud, words are clear and actions well delivered. This is a competition for all new entrants and Year 1, a trophy will be awarded for the winner and a certificate for the finalist. Make sure they memorise their poem well and I will practice and help them with stage presence. Finals will be on the 23rd of June, Wednesday on Week 8.
Secondly, I noticed the sight words are not encouraged in home reading. Tomorrow, Friday I will test them in Spelling on their sight words--- I, a, am, an, and, is are, in, on, the, this, can. Every Friday will be Spelling day. Your child might be reading well to you, however, they are good in memorising the text. The most important thing is reading the print, recognising the letters that make the word. They will encounter these words over and over as they go up levels and also will use them in writing. It is indeed essential to know them. I will do a running record this coming week, please help and support them this weekend. I will send 2 previous books they already have read to practice them over with sight words.
For children that need support with fine motor skills and good grip in writing-- these are some exercises that will help ---colouring hard with no white space and not going over the line is a good one, cutting paper, tearing paper and scrunching paper and punching holes, these help hand muscles to be strong and stable. Keep doing these exercises everyday for 15 mins. If you like more exercises, please see me.
Thank you, and have a good weekend.
Mrs. Cochrane
Manaaki Whenua, Manaaki Tangata, Haere Whakamua
Care for the land, Care for the people, Go forward
Kia Ora whanau,
Thank you for your patience in waiting for this blog.... hooray, here it is!
This is the site where A6 class activities are posted, and updates of daily/weekly events.
An effective communication is essential for positive school and parent partnership. Together we support your child's well being and development. On the right side of the blog you may find the curriculum areas and special things you need to know.....
Home Blog Post
2021 Reading
2021 Writing
2021 Spelling
2021 Maths
2021 Topics
2021 Religious Education
2021 Health and PE
Key Competencies
2021 Special Events and Others
Online support learning
Your active support is needed for this blog, please feel free to write a comment. If you have some concerns contact me through email---- cristinac@marymackillop.school.nz or call the school to set an appointment and come after 3 pm and we can have a short talk.
Thank you for your support,
Cristina Cochrane, A6 teacher
