Our First Week Back.

We have had a great start to the term with warm sunny days. On Tuesday we visited our school memorial gate and saw the names  of soldiers from Eastbourne and wreaths that had been laid in memory of the soldiers. We looked for names we knew. It was so sad as some of them must have been very young.

On Thursday it rained and rained so no cross country. We had inside dancing instead.It was so much fun.

At lunchtime Lauren, Lachie and Charlie made a ginormous number using the abaci and counters. Wow ! Can you tell what the number is ?

Term 2 Learning.

Teaching and Learning in Years 3-4 in Term 2

There will continue to be lots of great learning happening in term 2. Below is a quick outline of what you can expect your child to be learning this term:

Literacy

Reading opportunities will be varied: teacher directed (reading groups) and independent (personal interest and enjoyment); and will be integrated across all areas of the curriculum. Children will be researching and reading for information, reading for meaning and understanding a range of texts.  We will continue to encourage fluency, expression and reading punctuation to enhance comprehension levels.

Integrated Studies - We have three Inquiries this term:

Health: Kia Kaha 
 
Big Idea - Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.  Students will be able to define the differences between: Rude, Mean and Bullying behaviour.  Through this Inquiry we will endeavour to 'empower the bystander' where students will develop the confidence to intervene as well as seek help for themselves and/or others.
For more information please click on the link: 
http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/personal-and-community-advice/school-portal/resources/successful-relationships/kia-kaha/kia-0   

Social Sciences (Continuity and Change): ANZAC DAY 

Big Idea -The past can be remembered in different ways. Why do we commemorate ANZAC day?  

Science (Material World): Fizzing and Foaming
Big Idea - Substances have physical and chemical properties that can be described. When a physical change takes place, a substance changes form only. When a chemical change takes place, new substances are formed.

Numeracy

The majority of the term will be spent on number knowledge, number strategies and problem solving, with particular reference to addition and subtraction.

We will also be teaching the Measurement Strand and will be looking closely at how to measure Length and Area with standard and non-standard units. There will also be a Statistics focus this term in which children will be mastering tally charts, tables, line graphs, bar graphs, pictographs and pie graphs. 

Physical Education - We begin the term with Cross Country Fitness each morning in preparation for our School Cross Country event to be held on Tuesday 24th May. Children will need to be at school promptly each morning with running shoes on to ensure they are ready to take part and build up their endurance for the big day!

We have two units this term:

Gymnastics is the main PE focus for the first 5 weeks, followed by Winter Games and Ball Skills later in the term. 

Art - Painting

The children will be experimenting with colour, tinting and shading, brush strokes, adding texture etc.  They will also be discussing and reflecting upon colour choice and techniques used by themselves and other well known New Zealand artists.