Junior Syndicate Newsletter
Term 4 2018
October 2018
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We trust you enjoyed the holidays. We extend a special welcome to families who are new
to Greenhithe School this term, especially our New Entrant children who are in Room 4
with Mrs Hooper.
to Greenhithe School this term, especially our New Entrant children who are in Room 4
with Mrs Hooper.
Term 4 Curriculum
Literacy
We sometimes get asked what to do if a child is reluctant to read when they get home.
Encourage regular reading habits and participation in reading:
- Let your child know that you enjoy reading with them. Make reading a special time
- Be seen as a reader yourself.
- Encourage your child to use the library and read a wide range of stories.
- Reinforce the message that reading is fun!
Praise your child’s efforts in reading, especially if their confidence is low. Your child
does not always have to be the reader, sometimes you could try:
does not always have to be the reader, sometimes you could try:
- Reading with your child (read the text together or take it in turns).
- Read to your child. (Your child could then read the book to you).
- Read the book to your child and make ‘mistakes’ for them to correct.
- Allow your child to read independently on occasions (aloud or silently).
- Ask your child to make up / retell / predict the story.
Our particular writing focus this term continues to be recount, along with persuasive
and procedural writing. Persuasive writing supports our opinion about something.
Procedural writing (e.g. writing instructions on how to make something), fits well with
our Inquiry learning for this term.
and procedural writing. Persuasive writing supports our opinion about something.
Procedural writing (e.g. writing instructions on how to make something), fits well with
our Inquiry learning for this term.
Maths
This term we will be learning about money, temperature and probability. We will
continue to focus on number knowledge and developing instant recall of basic facts.
Knowing and recalling basic facts quickly and accurately, gives your child a great
foundation for developing better mental maths strategies, which can boost their
confidence and love of numbers. We will also build a range of addition, subtraction
and multiplication strategies to help children to solve number problems.
continue to focus on number knowledge and developing instant recall of basic facts.
Knowing and recalling basic facts quickly and accurately, gives your child a great
foundation for developing better mental maths strategies, which can boost their
confidence and love of numbers. We will also build a range of addition, subtraction
and multiplication strategies to help children to solve number problems.
Problem Solving
Here are some of the benefits (from NZ maths website) why problem solving is
effective:
effective:
- It bases students’ mathematical development on their current knowledge;
- It is an interesting and enjoyable way to learn mathematics;
- It is a way to learn new mathematics with greater understanding;
- It produces positive attitudes towards mathematics;
- It makes the student a junior research mathematician;
- It teaches thinking, flexibility and creativity;
- It teaches general problem solving skills;
- It encourages cooperative skills;
- It is a useful way to practice mathematical skills learned by other means;
- It is similar in approach to the way that other subjects are taught in primary
How Can Parents Help at home?
On the NZ maths website there is an informative video with ideas on how you can
incorporate maths at home. Mathletics is also a great way to get the children motivated.
incorporate maths at home. Mathletics is also a great way to get the children motivated.
Continue to work on number knowledge with your child, ie. basic facts (including doubles),
number recognition, forwards and backwards counting and skip counting to help support
strategies being taught in class. Please feel free to see your classroom teacher for any
further guidance in this area.
number recognition, forwards and backwards counting and skip counting to help support
strategies being taught in class. Please feel free to see your classroom teacher for any
further guidance in this area.
Inquiry
This term our Inquiry learning has a science focus. The children will start to develop an
understanding that the sun and the moon are very important/crucial to life on Earth.
In week 3 Starlab will be visiting Greenhithe school and will be setting up a large ‘blow up
igloo’ for the Junior classes to sit with the stars. They will focus on a variety of
astronomical concepts, ie. day and night, seasons, planets, comets, space exploration and
myths and legends.
understanding that the sun and the moon are very important/crucial to life on Earth.
In week 3 Starlab will be visiting Greenhithe school and will be setting up a large ‘blow up
igloo’ for the Junior classes to sit with the stars. They will focus on a variety of
astronomical concepts, ie. day and night, seasons, planets, comets, space exploration and
myths and legends.
The Arts
This term the Year 1 syndicate will be teaching the arts (music, dance, drama, visual art)
during an afternoon rotation. Each teacher has planned to teach an area of their specific
strength and interest within the arts. Your child will work with a Year 1 teacher once a
week and will enjoy an exciting range of activities.
during an afternoon rotation. Each teacher has planned to teach an area of their specific
strength and interest within the arts. Your child will work with a Year 1 teacher once a
week and will enjoy an exciting range of activities.
The Year 2 syndicate will be focussing on Fibre and Fabric. We will be looking at a range
of fibres, focusing on weaving and stitchery.
of fibres, focusing on weaving and stitchery.
Physical Education
Our major focus for Term 4 is athletics. We have planned a range of activities. The
children will be developing skills in order to participate in long jump, shot put, javelin,
discus and sprinting. It is essential that children wear a sunhat for athletics.
children will be developing skills in order to participate in long jump, shot put, javelin,
discus and sprinting. It is essential that children wear a sunhat for athletics.
Upcoming Dates
Monday 22nd October Labour Day (Holiday)
Thursday 25th October Drumming in the hall
Monday 29th October Starlab visit in the hall
Monday 19th November Junior Athletics day
Friday 30th November Christmas on the Green
Wednesday 5th December (tbc) Year 1 Junior Syndicate picnic at Wainoni Park
Thursday 6th December (tbc) Year 2 Junior Syndicate picnic at Wainoni Park
Thursday 13th December School Prize giving
Friday 14th December End of year reports sent home
Tuesday 18th December Last day of term, school ends at 12pm
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kind regards,
The Junior School Teachers
P.S. We would like to remind you that sunhats (available from the School Office)
must be worn during sports or play times in Term 4 (please make sure they are
named).
must be worn during sports or play times in Term 4 (please make sure they are
named).
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