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Pohutukawa News

Term 4  

We would like to welcome you all to the final term of 2017! We have had a great start to the term and are looking forward to a busy but exciting next eight weeks. A big welcome to the new families joining us.


The students have been participating in the Artstravaganza, using different media to produce art pieces. These will be on display for you to view. More details to  follow via the newsletter and calendar.


Uniform

Please ensure your child/ren are dressed in the correct uniform and have a school hat or cap and black sandals. A reminder is that the school rule is that all children must wear shoes when leaving or coming to school. Lost property is also a constant battle and can be very time consuming. Ensuring your child’s clothing is clearly named will help considerably. If they have a sweatshirt that has a previous owner’s name in it please clearly change this. Children also need to take responsibility for their own belongings.


Inquiry

We begin Term 4 with an integrated studies investigation about how food production impacts on humans and the environment. We will be use these main questions to guide our inquiry.

  • What are the stages of food production from field to table? (and who is involved)

  • What impact do humans and the environment have on food production?

  • How do our food purchasing choices affect people and the environment?


Numeracy

In maths the focus continues on building number knowledge, building skills and strategies in addition and subtraction, multiplication and division as well as exploring measurement and geometry.


Literacy

Oral language forms an integral part of the literacy program as oral language skills enable the students to process their thinking, explain their understandings, investigate by asking questions and by presenting their findings. It is therefore crucial that the oral language skills are used throughout the curriculum and it stretches far beyond sharing personal experiences known as "news” or "show and tell”. By working in groups and sharing ideas before writing and by having opportunities to present to others, students can develop deeper understanding of the content covered.


The classroom reading programmes are based on building a variety of skills and strategies that will enable the students to enjoy reading, comprehend what is being read and use the information in different ways for example creating an information report. Other skills include developing fluency, developing decoding strategies and skills that will help when coming across difficult words, discussing the books as well as developing deeper comprehension by making connections between texts, by finding hidden messages and by identifying and describing  the plot, setting and characters, just to name a few.


In writing we will focus on writing a range of different texts linked to our inquiry and everyday experiences. Students will be encouraged to use the writing process of planning, writing, improving and editing with greater independence. The use of tools such as dictionary skills will be developed further.


Home Learning

Home reading continues to be an essential component of the school programme. Please hear your child read the book they bring home and complete the reading log daily. This home support is extremely important and valuable. Please be aware that if the previous day’s book is not returned, a new book cannot be sent home. Also, books cannot be sent home without a bookbag for protection. Children who don’t read their home reader, miss out on valuable practise and consolidation of the skills focussed on in class lessons.


Other home learning areas to focus on:

  • basic facts to 20

  • counting patterns (counting in twos, fives and tens before practicing the patterns of three, four, etc.)

  • times tables (x2, x5 and x10 before learning x3, x4, etc.)

  • spelling

  • Mathletics

A reminder school starts at 9 am. It is important that your child is at school in time to complete any before school tasks and be ready to start the day on time. If your child is away please phone the school office. Please remember that before school is a busy time in the classroom. If you have any queries or concerns you wish to discuss with your child’s teacher, please make an appointment for a suitable time.


Yet again we have a busy term ahead of us. Please ensure you keep up to date with important dates shared with you on the calendar, through emails and by notices. Thank you for the support and encouragement given to your child/ren at home and we look forward to a successful end to the year.


Regards

The Pohutukawa Team