Welcome to week 8

Kia ora,
We are heading into week 8 - which means 1 week and 4 days of school left for term 1!!!!
Dates to diary!
1) Mufti day for Mrs Regnault: Friday, March 27th.
2) Open day - 1st April
3) Last day of school for Term 1: Thursday 2nd April

Congratualtions to Dylan & Jayden for being our ROOM 7 SHARP STUDENTS. Our SHARP focus for the last 2 weeks has been SAFETY in and around the school grounds. These boys showed responsiblity and SAFETY in helping and supporting a friend who was injured in the playground.
I was so impressed with what they did. Well done boys!

Emelia is leading the class in the school karakia - have a great day!

Now that it is getting colder the children can wear slippers in class.

We have set ground rules - no wearing slippers outside and no being silly with them.

;)

 Sadie with a teacher's certificate for excellent maths help.

 Toby had the pass it on bear for a night - and well done Toby - you did super writing and the bear had fun at your house!

Chinese lessons: Last Friday the children were given their names written by Zhang Zhang. These are positioned on their desks. The children have been practicing writing their name using the Chinese character writing - I WAS WELL IMPRESSED with their efforts.
You should have a copy at home for your child to practice. 

Erana & Angus's names written in Chinese.

 Below are photos of some of the childrens' handwriting and their name written in Chinese. Notice their attempt underneath the yellow card. 

Numbers to 10 in Mandarin. The children also counted to 20 - then up to 100 in 10s.

 

Special visit to room 7 from Uncle Matt & Auntie Amy (Abbey's Uncle and Auntie from England).

The children welcomed them with our school song - Ko Tararua.

Sadie welcomed them to our class by introducing herself in Maori. 

I was impressed with the childrens' willingness to ask questions - we had worked in pairs previously to come up with some good questions.

Amy & Matt talked to the children, we loved their accents.

And I think the children learnt some good information like that it doesn't take 2 or 7 hours to fly from England to NZ (like a couple of the children thought). 

We had a look at the world map and showed where England is compared to NZ. 

Artists just like Picasso!!

I love this saying "EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST"

 Riley in the 'caught ya' chair - Riley got to sit here for a little bit on Monday after his name was drawn out on the previous Friday. 

(Below): Riley about to lead the Karakia.

Room 7 have been really SHARP and we are the 1st class this year to win the tidiest cloakbay =)

Look at this SHARP work - certificates to say well done!!!!!

Maths, maths!

We are still working on our place value - adding 10. 

Wow - look what Sadie introduced us to: http://treechangedolls.tumblr.com/

Sadie brought one of the dolls she has repainted - what a difference.

It was quite an interesting topic to discuss with the children. 

I put a picture of Bratz dolls on the big screen - and we had a show of hands which doll the students preferred. We talked about the difference in their faces - big lips/make up etc...to the more natural look (like Miss Burt) haha!

I really love this part of Greytown...

http://wairarapanz.com/see-and-do/greytown-woodside-trail

To end the blog this week look at this treasure chest of photos - some from our bike day a few weeks back - and a lot from week 7, just gone! ENJOY!!

Wednesday 18.3.15

Thank you coming in last night - a positive goal setting with your child.

I had a few questions re: homework.
If you look in your child's home learning book (in the front from the beginning of the year) there is a sheet explaining this.

Reading (at least 20 minutes) - and I stress please still read to your child as well - they need to hear expression, you stopping at punctuation etc. Talk about what your child is reading. Make it a joyful time for you both - if they have younger siblings, get your child to read to them (and same with older siblings).
Read to their teddies (play schools) =)

Spelling - I only give 5 words per week. These are from their essential list (which they were tested on)..so the words they got wrong are the words that go home. I also give some words which they have spelt incorrectly in their workbooks during the week. The words might appear easy to you - but they are getting them wrong if they are coming home in their home learning book.

Maths - Basic Facts - your child will have examples of what step they are on.
I test every Friday - I like to test the children 1-1. Which means I can hear your child answering and I can see if they know the answers within the 4-5 seconds.
Your child may be tested every 2nd week - time depending.
Some of the home learning worksheets are for 2 weeks (please read my note in their book with sheet).

Being at home with you is a FUN time. That is why I add OPTIONAL activities...I like to see children enjoying what they are doing.
If they have a list of things (OPTIONAL) to do - they may do 1 - or they might do all of the things.
Some children have the time to do all the things and some children want to do all the things.

Any extra help your child gets helps overall.

Here is an interesting article about doing chores at home =)
Quote: "

Doing household chores has many benefits—academically, emotionally and even professionally."

http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-children-need-chores-1426262655

17.3.15..

I read this last night and thought it a good read, it's about reading.
I like that it points out - your child is an individual. Make reading enjoyable for your child - listen to them read and you read to them.
"Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, children are no different. Each child develops their reading skills at their own pace. "
http://creatingalearningenvironment.com/?p=213

Slideshow pics from last week =) AWESOME!!

Hi all - some photos I needed to add from last week..

The maths photos I just love - THE ROOM LOOKED LIKE A MATHS EXPLOSION.... - the children were all so engaged!! I looked around the room and thought I have to capture this....
(Hence when Angus's mum walked in she found me on the table!! - not dancing ;)
The photos also show Riley showing his painting, the children liked his artwork.
And a few of a group watering the school garden & Izzie with her SHARP morning tea.