Term 4 2012
Kia Ora Koutou!
Welcome to Term 4 of 2012. It’s hard to believe we are
now in the final term of the year. Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who supported
our very successful production, ‘The Uno Effect’, at the end of Term 3. It was
a huge undertaking for everyone involved, the children performed fabulously on
stage and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
As usual, Term 4 is set to be another busy one. Below is a run down on the term. Feel free to
contact your child’s classroom teacher if there is anything you wish to discuss
further.
Literacy
Our major writing focus for this term is persuasive
writing, where we will be exploring how advertising is used to persuade others.
We will also be looking at poetry and short stories as a minor focus through
the term. Our Reading lessons will
continue to focus on developing comprehension skills and will be linked to our
inquiry topic.
Numeracy
We start the term revising some key concepts from the
year. We will be focusing particularly on the operational strategies of
addition/subtraction and multiplication/division. We will also be looking at
algebra as well. Please continue to
encourage your children at home with their Mathletics, particularly their basic
facts.
Inquiry
Our big idea is: ‘Live Right, Feel Great’. All classes
will be involved in an inquiry where each child will develop a healthy menu for
children. Their task will involve preparing for a ‘Master Chef’ experience
during our EOTC week.
Health
Towards the end of the term Year 5 classes will be
involved in revisiting the concepts around ‘Peer Mediation’. This is a
programme created by the Peace Foundation and is part of their ‘Cool Schools’
initiative. In this programme the children will learn the skills of resolving
conflict. At the end of the programme the Year 5 students will have an
opportunity to apply to be a Peer Mediator in the playground at lunchtime so
they can put these skills to good use. This will be an excellent leadership
opportunity for children when they are in Year 6.
Physical Education
An exciting term for PE is planned, starting off with
Athletics. The children will be taking part in Long Jump, High Jump, Vortex,
Shot put, Quoit and Sprints. This leads in nicely to our school athletics day
and Zone competition. We end the term with Swimming starting again down at the
local pool.
EOTC Week
EOTC will be in Week 9 (10th-14th
December) and planning is currently underway. Activities will be finalized by
the end of next week. As usual, we will
need a lot of parent support for these days. More information will be sent home
once ideas and dates are confirmed.
Year 5 and 6 Camp 2013
There will be a meeting for Forest Lakes Camp 2013
towards the end of the term. Details will be sent out closer to the time. You
might like to consider whether you would like to be a parent supervisor, preference
will be given to parents who can attend the whole week. The dates for our camp are 19-22 March 2013.
*Important Reminders
Homework
Homework will be given out each Monday and is due back
in on Friday. The continued focus for
homework is the basics: reading, spelling and maths – using Mathletics. The ‘classroom activity’ aspect of the
homework will be based around our inquiry learning and will also use ‘Ryan’s
Thinking Keys (http://www.tonyryan.com.au/home/innovation/thinkers-keys/).
Syndicate Assemblies
In term 4 we will continue to have ‘informal’ syndicate assemblies.
We found that this worked very well last term and we will continue to
have these meetings but on a fortnightly basis.
We will blog/email the minutes of each meeting.
Class Blogs
The class blogs are a great way for you to capture a ‘glimpse’
of what is gong on in/outside of the classroom.
We encourage you to visit often!
We would also like to see the students commenting on the posts that are
made, as it is a great way for the students to reflect.
Portfolios
If you still have your child’s portfolio please return
it for updating this term. They will go out at the end of the term with the
reports.
Stationery Check
Many students are now missing pens, pencils and rulers.
These are necessary for everyday class work. Can you please ask your child if
they need any items and replace them. Thank you.
Sun Hats & Drink Bottles
It’s term 4 and each child needs a hat to wear everyday
outside. It needs to be a wide brimmed hat, not a cap and ideally should be
left at school in their desk for easy access. Thank you to those students who
have remembered. Students not wearing hats have to stay in the shade area by
the junior rooms. It is also recommended
the children have their own named
drink bottle at school. As the days get warmer it’s important they are fully
hydrated.
Footwear and clothing
This term we need students to wear clothing that is
suitable for outdoor sport. Please ensure your child wears shoes that they can
run easily in (especially on Friday’s as this is our syndicate sport (athletics)
day. Jandals and boots are not
appropriate.
If you have any concerns or worries please contact
your child’s teacher by leaving a phone message at the office or by email:
teachers surname @ muritai.school.nz.
Mauri ora! Kia ora!
The Year 5 and
6 team,
Deane McKay
Murray McMillan
Raihania
Chadwick
Kirsten Berry
