Term One 2013

Hi Everyone!

With the start to the new school year well under-way, it was time to send out our first Y3-4 newsletter for the year.

This Wednesday you will get to meet your child's teacher at Parent Interviews (if you haven’t already!), but you may not know some of the other teachers in the Y3-4 Team...

Room 7: Richard Dobson- Team Leader (Priya Gain on Fridays), Y4

Room 8: Karen Chao, Y4

Room 9: Hayley Skilton, Y3

Room 10: Gabrielle Heath (Sue Steele on Wednesdays), Y3

Room 15: Jess Savage, Y3/4

We are also very lucky to have Sarah Richardson, our wonderful Learning Support teacher, working with a number of our Y3-4 students each day, Ruth Holmes who will be working Monday- Wednesday mornings with some of our Year 3 students, and Narelle Ferrier who will be working Monday- Thursday with some of our Year 4 students.

Upcoming events later this term:

Swimming Sports: We are currently negotiating with Eastbourne pool for a suitable day for the Y3-4 swimming sports. Class Teachers will contact you shortly when we have this confirmed. We will be requiring a number of parent helpers for the morning.

Tuesday 12^th February

Adam Paige, an actor specializing in shows for children, will be performing for Years 3-6 this Tuesday afternoon, in the school Hall.

Tuesday 5^th March

Year 3-4 Hutt Valley Rippa Rugby tournament. We will be entering a team to attend this. We will require parent helper to help transport our team(s) to Petone Rec and back. An email will be sent next week (Week 3) asking for helpers.

Thursday 21^st March- Y3-4 attending the Capital E Arts Festival. We will require 3 parent helpers per classroom- contact your child’s teacher if you would like to join us for a wonder day of entertainment. Because the school will be covering the cost of entry for parents, we cannot accommodate extra parents on this trip- sorry. So get in quick!

Homework

Homework will begin properly in Week 4, after spelling and basic facts testing has been completed in-class. Teachers may start sending weekly homework sheets home before week 4. Each night’s homework comprises of 15-20 minutes work of practice in Reading, Spelling and Mathletics/Basic Facts. Each week there is an optional ‘extra’ to be completed as well, which may take additional time, spread out over the week.

We are aware of the busy out-of-school lives our children lead. For this reason, it is perfectly acceptable for out-of-school activities to count as ‘homework’. All we require is that the activity is recorded in the spaces where the ticks would normally go. For example, if your child has Ballet on Monday after school, write ‘ballet’ in the Monday slot for reading, spelling and basic facts. 

Teaching and Learning in Years 3-4 in Term One

There is lots of great learning happening this term! Below is a quick outline of what you can expect your child to be learning this term:

Literacy

Our focus for writing this term is recounts. Children will be learning to structure their writing by sequencing events chronologically, linking ideas in a variety of ways and adding an introduction and conclusion. During this topic we will also be focusing on the writing process and encouraging children to plan their ideas in a variety of ways before writing. Children will be learning to edit their own work by proof reading to check for meaning and by using simple dictionaries to correct spelling.

Mathematics

The major part of the term will be spent on number knowledge and strategies., particularly Place Value. This will include a focus on problem solving and algebra. Cross-grouping of students during Maths time will begin in Week 5 and continue for the rest of the term. 

P.E. 

Swimming is the main PE focus for the first 6 weeks, followed by large ball skills later in the term. We are lucky to have the skilled instructors of Swimming NZ taking each class for 8 lessons over 2 weeks. Their focus is on 'Water Safety and Survival', as well as fundamental swimming skills. 

Integrated Study:

"Happy Healthy Me" is a term long investigation into what makes us better learners. We will look at different learning styles, optimal conditions for new learning, and how to stay fit and healthy. Keep checking the classroom blog to see what each class is doing. 

Keeping in contact

As always, we can be contacted by our email address (surname@muritai.school.nz), or feel free to pop in before/ after school for a quick chat. If you wish to have a chat about your child’s learning at any stage of the year, you do not have to wait until parent interviews to do so! Your child’s teacher will be happy to talk with you - however be aware that Monday and Tuesday after school are usually teacher staff meeting times.

Thanks for your support so far this year, it has been a wonderful start to the school year.

Kind regards,

The Year 3-4 Teaching Team.

EOTC Week in Week 9

 

Below is the EOTC Week timetable

You will receive an email will further information about EOTC Week in Week 9. Please email your child's teacher if you did not receive this email.

Term 4 newsletter for Year 3 and 4

 

Term 4 newsletter for Year 3 and 4

The year has flown by so quickly! It is now Term 4 and thoughts are turning to Athletics day, E.O.T.C week and the end of year Christmas concert.

Looking back over Terms 1,2 and 3, it has been such a busy year filled with so many amazing learning experiences. Ancient Greece, Wandering Whales, a beautiful Butterfly garden, writing competitions, Artsplash... and this is only scratching the surface! The teachers hope that you are able to visit your child’s class blog from time to time and see for yourself some of the wonderful learning opportunities that happen in their classroom.

The flowing is an outline of what will be happening this term. Later in the year, extra emails about E.O.T.C week will be sent by class teachers, so look out for those.

“Water, water, everywhere...”

Every two years, the Year 3 and 4 team aim to make a small difference in the day-to-day lives of other people who live in different parts of the world. In previous years we have raised money for the “Orphans of Nepal Trust” and “Green Gecko School’ in Cambodia.

This year, as part of this terms inquiry into how water is used by different people around the world, we hope to do a small amount of fund-raising to assist with providing safe drinking water in parts of the world where safe drinking water cannot be taken for granted.

Our children will be given an opportunity to plan, prepare for and run a small fundraising event in late November/ Early December.

Closer to the time, your child’s teacher will email you to keep you up-to-date with progress being made on the fundraising plan. As this is a ‘child driven’ inquiry, we may ask that you, at home, provide a bit of assistance here and there, if your child needs it.

READING AND WRITING:

Our writing focus for this term is Persuasive writing, where we will be exploring how to write a convincing argument. There is also the ongoing focus on embedding effective editing and proofreading skills into every piece of writing the children do. 

Oral language will focus on the oral presentation of their argument, with a focus on using vocal expression and confident body language.

Reading continues in all classes, with particular emphasis on reading for meaning and (out aloud) for expression. There will also be a strong emphasis on ‘reading for meaning’ as children read about the water cycle and how people in different parts of the world use water.

NUMERACY:

We have started the term in cross-grouped classes, re-visiting the addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fraction skills learned earlier in the year. We finish the term by learning about the features of geometry and looking at statistics.  

Ongoing basic facts practice and learning how to problem solve will also feature.

PE:

Each Thursday morning, the children have taking part in Athletics practice, in preparation for the school’s Athletics Day, which is Monday, 5^th November (Week 4) , here at school. Look out for a reminder email later in Week 3.

Swimming is scheduled to start around Week 7, however in reality this date is weather dependent and we will not begin swimming until the weather has warmed up a little.

ART:

We will be teaching your child how to sew this term! Most classes have already started teaching children how to thread a needle, tie a knot and sew a simple stitch. As the term progresses, children will learn to cross-stitch and sew some simple patterns on material.

Other news:

Y3-4 Science Club 

This Term Mr Dobson is working with 20 students, chosen by classroom teachers, each Friday lunchtime. Each week the science club will investigate a scientific idea, conduct an experiment, and arrive at a scientific truth. You can visit the Science Club's blog here  http://muritaiscienceclub.blogspot.co.nz/

Gardening Club

The Year 4 students who formed and have run the gardening club this year are now looking at passing on their trowels and gardening gloves onto a new group of (current Year Three ) students, who can form a Year 4 gardening club next year. 

Please check our class blogs! We would love to have you visit and leave a comment. Your child will know how to do this and will be able to guide you through the process. It’s easy! Just follow the class blog link at the school website www.muritai.school.nz

  

To contact us, the easiest way is to email us (teachers surname @ muritai.school.nz), or just pop in.

Kind Regards,

The Year 3 and 4 Team.

Term 3 Newsletter

 

Year 3 and 4 Newsletter

Term 3, 2012.

Dear Parents,

Term 3 is now well underway, and we all hope you had a lovely time with your children over the school holiday. Teachers were busy planning the term ahead, and we have some exciting learning ahead this term centred around “Ancient Greece”- Olympics (ancient and modern), Myths and Legends and lots more!

Term Three, as always, is a big performing arts term. We are building up for 2 major events- the Art Splash Choir performance on Wednesday 12^th September at the MFC, and the School Production “Uno’s Garden” which will happen in Week 10. There will be further emails about both these events; in the meantime, the children are working hard at honing their performing arts skills.

Reminders:

• Slippers: Term Three is an indoor term. If your child does not yet have slippers at school, please help encourage them to do so. Slippers are worn inside to keep the carpets dry and mud-free.

• Drink Bottles: Children are still to bring drink bottles to class. Encourage you child to regularly take their drink bottle home for a clean.

• Equipment: Some children are running low on essential supplies such as rubbers, rulers, pencil sharpeners, colour pencils. Please check with your child to see if they require a top up of supplies.

• Lost Property: It is crucial to have all clothing named so that it may be reunited with its owner quickly. Encourage your children to look for their missing clothing as soon as it is lost. If clothing cannot be re-united with its owner, it is left in the lost property containers under the stairs outside Room 7.

• Beginning of the school day: When the bell rings at 8.40, it is time to get ready for school. Some classes have spelling, handwriting or finishing off activities to do during this time, so students who are late miss out on this, therefore it is important that children are at school by 8.40am.

Reading, Writing and the “Ancient Greece” Integrated Study.

Reading and Writing will be strongly integrated with our Ancient Greece study as the term progresses. Writing information reports and reading of non-fiction texts will be the main focus during literacy time, along with spelling and handwriting skills. Key information literacy skills, such as skimming and scanning for key words and ideas, note-taking and note-making, summarising and questioning, will be a big focus in both literacy and integrated study time.

The study of Ancient Greece is going to be a highly motivating and exciting topic for most children. However, it won’t be all Forums and Greek Gods! There will be some very solid teaching and learning occurring in the area of questioning (open vs. closed questioning skills), gathering and interpreting information from more than one source, and making judgements on the usefulness of the information gathered.

Maths

In Term 3, children will be consolidating understanding of multiplication and division, and apply this understanding in problem solving situations. Recall of timestables features strongly this term, and you can assist your child by helping them practise their timestables as part of the homework programme.

Basic Facts: Basic Facts return to the homework programme for the last two terms of the school year. The basic facts on the homework sheet align to curriculum level expectations, and in most cases the strategy for working out each fact should have already been taught. If in doubt, contact the classroom teacher. Additional online practice for each week’s basic facts can be found at this website:

http://www.prototec.co.nz/maths.html

Your child should be able to tell you what ‘stage’ they are currently on. Very generally, Y3 students should be finishing stage 4 and starting stage 5, Y4 students should be mastering Stage 5, with some beginning stage 6.

Mathletics: In Term Three and Four, maths class teachers will be setting the mathletics homework, rather than your child’s class teacher. We think this will add an appropriate level of challenge to the ‘compulsory task’ mathletics homework being set.

The Arts

This term we will be building on the painting and drawing skills we learned in Term 1 and 2, as we now explore the world of multi-media­ artwork. Classrooms are now bursting with beautiful paintings, so come in a have a look! Term 3 traditionally has a BIG arts focus. The ARTSPLASH  performance at the MFC is on September 12^th, and tickets for performances are available from the school office or by phoning Mary Prichard on 027 448 4671. Tickets cost $5. Also upcoming is the bi-annual ‘School Production, which this year will be held during Week 10. Classes will start practicing their production items in the second half of the term. Details about ticket sales will be forthcoming from the school office, closer to the time.

Physical Education

For the first few weeks of this term, each class will participate in a number of gymnastic sessions in the Hall. Children will experience opportunities to practice balance, agility and poise as they navigate a number of gymnastics disciplines. Later in the term the PE focus turns to the performing arts, with dance being the major component of each lesson.

Slippers and excess clothing

Slippers can be worn at school during the day, and we encourage all children to have a pair they can wear while in class. The current cold, miserable weather means many children are bringing to school extra layers of clothing. Sometimes this is left in the cloak bay or classroom after school. Please ensure that your child’s clothing is labelled, so if it is left behind, we can find the correct owner, asap.

As you can see, Term 3 is going to be an incredibly busy time!

As always, feel free to contact your child’s teacher at school by either emailing (surname@muritai.school.nz) or popping in before/after school for a chat.

Kind Regards,

The Year 3-4 Teaching team.

(Richard Dobson R7, Karen Chao R8, Sheena Naik/Hayley Skilton R9, Annabel Smith R15)

 

Term Two Newsletter

 

Term Two is now underway with lots of exciting and interesting learning occurring in all four classrooms.

Last term we followed the lead of the Year 1-2’s and turned our vegetable garden into a “Butterfly Garden”, with lots of nectar flowers and swan plants. A big thankyou to Mrs Ryan in Year 1 for helping us with this project.

Term Two is a very busy time. Student portfolios will come home on at the end of term, and will be discussed at Parent-Teacher interviews. The children put a lot of time and effort making each ‘artefact of learning’ that make up each portfolio, to provide a snapshot of what they have been learning so far this year. We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with us and discuss your child’s progress and celebrate their achievements.

Dates for your Diary:

• Tuesday May 8^th (Week 3)  Year 3-8 Cross Country  at Williams Park, 9.45 onwards.
• May 15^th (Week 4) Year 3 Field Trip to Island Bay Marine Education Centre. 9.00-12.30, traveling by BUS.
• Friday May 18^th (Week 4) Year 4 Field Trip to Island Bay Marine Education Centre. 9.00-12.30, traveling by BUS.
• Friday 25^th May is the 40 Hour Famine weekend
• Monday 4^th June is Queens Birthday, no school on this day.

Reminders:
• Slippers: Term Two and Three are indoor terms. If your child does not yet have slippers at school, please help encourage them to do so. Slippers are worn inside to keep the carpets dry and mud-free.
• Drink Bottles: Children are still to bring drink bottles to class. Encourage you child to regularly take their drink bottle home for a clean.
• Equipment: Some children are starting to  run low on essential supplies such as rubbers, rulers, pencil sharpeners, colour pencils. Please check with your child to see if they require a top up of supplies.
• Lost Property: It is crucial to have all clothing named so that it may be reunited with its owner quickly. Encourage your children to look for their missing clothing as soon as it is lost.
• Beginning of the school day: When the bell rings at 8.40, it is time to get ready for fitness. The focus changes as the year progresses, but at the moment on fine days we are going out for cross country training. Students who are late miss out on this, so it is important that children are at school by 8.40am.

The major focus for the term, after the ANZAC DAY study concludes, is “The Wonder of Whales” This is a major science focus for Term 2. Students will explore the anatomy of whales, develop an understanding of why whales migrate and explore the historical and cultural contexts of whaling (and other examples of the exploitation of whales) It should be a very exciting and stimulating investigation! Throughout the study, student will be engaging in small science demonstrations and experiments, where we will be teaching the scientific principles prediction, observation and questioning skills.

In Literacy, news-telling is the focus for oral language development. The children will be learning how to ask open and closed questions, and know the different purpose of each. In Writing, the focus is on children understanding of, and their increasingly independent use of, the language features of Narrative and Report writing. As always, the children also work hard at learning how to improve their writing by editing and revision. Your child’s teacher will provide your child with honest feedback on what they are doing well, and what skills they need to develop next. In Reading, the key skills of self-monitoring, questioning and summarising are a focus this term. These skills are taught within the context of Reciprocal Reading, a reading strategy that encourages and scaffolds deeper reading of text.

In Mathematics, from weeks 2-8, we are teaching using a cross-grouping structure on Monday to Thursday, During this time the major focus is on developing knowledge and strategy in Addition and Subtraction. Later in the term the focus will turn to Measurement and Statistics.

In Art, the main focus is Painting, with an emphasis on experimenting with colour mixing, using different brush strokes.

Our PE focus this term is firstly preparing for the school cross country, followed by ball skills. Training for the cross country has already started, leading to our school cross country competition in Week 3 (see ‘Dates for your Diary’)

Around the middle of term two, the second major round of data collection occurs in Reading, Writing, Maths and other key areas. This information will be used by teachers to give you accurate and up-to-date information on your child’s progress in the end of term report, and the mid-year interview.

As always, feel free to pop in and see your child’s teacher if you wish to discuss any aspect of your child's progress at school. Email is a very handy way of communicating if you are unable to get to school- each teachers email address is surname@muritai.school.nz. Over the last few years, classroom blogs have become an important way that teachers can communicate with parents about what is happening in their classroom. Please visit your child’s classroom blog to see what has been happening, and leave a comment. To get regular email alerts when a classroom blog is updated, become a ‘follower’ of the blog by simply clicking the 'become a follower of this blog' link on the right hand side toolbar.

As you can see, we are planning to have a very busy term with a very solid academic focus. Thank-you for your support so far this year, especially is you have volunteered your time to help in different ways. We really appreciate this!