Term 3 2013

This term children will continue developing a variety of reading skills. We will be having a big focus on comprehension so that the children understand what they read to a deeper level. Weekly they will participate in guided reading, buddy reading, performing poetry and word detective. Some children will also be part of a self-regulated programme. We will be reading a selection of Roald Dahl stories as a class and also have a weekly shared poem where we focus on thinking critically, exploring language and processing information.

From Monday to Thursday the children will do a range of spelling exploration activities based around their words. The approach will be multi-sensory as all children learn differently. On a Friday they test their words and put in their new words for the next week. Spelling is also integrated into our reading programme when we explore language.

We have been amazed at how well the children are developing their fluency of ideas in think tank. The term will see us look at many more thinking tools such as silent brainstorming, compare and contrast charts and thinkers keys as well as build on those introduced in Term 1. These can then be integrated into other areas to support their learning/thinking. You are always welcome to look at out classroom think tank book which documents out learning.

We will begin the term finishing our hot air balloon sculptures to go with Barney Malloon's Balloon. They are going to reflect our identities. The paper mache process has been difficult but the children rose up to this challenge.

Following this we will begin our fabric and fibre unit investigating many materials including wool, material, paper and use them to create artworks.

In Physical Education, skipping will be a fitness focus and will prepare the children for "Jump Rope for Heart" later in the term.

We will also be focussing on developing hockey skills. The children will have weekly hockey sessions with experts. This will begin in Week 2.

Responding to live and recorded music will be our focus. We will be analysing and singing a weekly song.

Recorder will also be incorporated into the later part of the term.

With the focus on clarity, confidence, using correct tenses and voice projection we are going to have a weekly oral language task. These are outlined in the home learning section and should be a lot of fun!

The term will see a big focus on a big focus on multiplication and division as well as revise subtraction strategies and place value.

On a Friday we will be focussing on basic facts: for many children this will be multiplication. Maths games will be incorporated into this time. We will also be consolidating previous learning such as measurement knowledge from term 2.

In the middle of the term our focus will be on Geometry. The learning will be based around the knowledge identified in the pre-test.

We aim to inspire the children to write, gaining confidence and skills. Class and group teaching will be explicit and cater for their learning needs. We will be building on their term 2 writing, looking at editing, powerful beginnings and word choice.

There will be a focus will be on narrative writing which is exciting and will allow the children to learn a structure to base their stories on.

Maori will be integrated into all curriculum areas and explicitly taught. We will be focussing on writing and presenting mihis. It is vital that children know theur mihis as this reflects the importance of family.

"The Resilience of Heroes" is our over-riding theme as we embark on our inquiry for the term. The children will follow the inquiry process around this concept looking into the rights and responsibilities of those in our community,

We will begin the term looking at heroes and who they are to the children.