You've got to start somewhere...

Hi there,
What a great start to the year we have had! Bright smiles and eager learners make my transition back teaching all the more enjoyable.
Blogging is a bit of a learning curb for me, but one I am keen for. I thought we would start easy with the class news letter, which you have probably all read but it may refresh your memory of some important points to begin our year.

Kay

Haumoana School, Newsletter 1

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Room 3,

Welcome to the new school year.  I hope you have all enjoyed your holidays and are looking forward to, as I am, getting back into the happy routine of school life.  The fine weather has been wonderful for enjoying all those outdoor activities our area is famous for.  Let’s hope it continues so we can also make further use of time spent outdoors.

 For those that don’t know me I am returning to school after a year’s study leave, having completed my Degree in Education.  It was a special year for me in which I immersed myself in some of my topics of interest, education for sustainability and environmental education being one of these.  My aim now is to integrate the new knowledge I have into the classroom, which should be fun.

Haumoana School is known for its THINKING capacity, where we embrace the skills that enable us to be even greater thinkers, through the Habits of Mind, DeBonos Thinking Hats and the Thinkers Keys to name a few.  They are woven throughout our programmes and work to give them greater depth.  We will be reintroducing these as we work our way through the year.  The Habits of Mind, Finding Humour and Using Past Knowledge in New Situations are our focus two for this term.

Our School wide theme for Term 1 is Cool Literacy Learning , where we will explore words in all areas of learning.  What a fun way to start the year.  Writers Notebooks will be used to generate ideas and vocabulary for writing.  If your child has one from last year, please send it along.  If not we will be creating new ones.  These books can become special records of important memories or events and a place to share photos, pictures, news cuttings or anything else they find of interest.  Even interesting words or phrases that they come across can be recorded here and used in their writing.

We will initially be working on developing the routines of our new class.  The reading books your children bring home in the first few weeks may be easy, as we work on establishing these routines and getting to know the children.

These are a few notes to familiarise yourself with expectations.

Brain Food – Each day starts with a healthy snack and milk to help activate the brain.  The snack should be fresh fruit or vegetables or a plain cracker and cheese.  We also encourage a named bottle of water.

Stationary- Please forward your stationary order as soon as possible as this enables us to get underway with our year of learning.

Sport- During the first few weeks our PE program is aquatics/swimming, and due to the fact that we live in a country surrounded by water, our swimming and water safety skills are extremely important.  We are indeed a lucky school to have the use of 2 beautiful blue pools which our caretaker Keith keeps looking pristine. Togs are required at school every day.

Topic Studies- This is where my focus on the environment will inevitably be woven.  It begins with a programme hosted by DOC (Department of Conservation) promoting guardianship of the Native Bush and our school grounds.  It is an exciting program which will run over 2 terms.  It will begin in week 6 and as only 2 schools can be accommodated on this programme per year, we are extremely lucky to have this opportunity.  There will be more information on this as we get closer to the time but if you are interested I am happy to share with you the overall plan. There is even a visit to the Pan Pac Kiwi Crèche by Lake Tutira to see the kiwis being fed, to look forward too!

Homework- This is an extension of the class learning and should not require more than 20 minutes per night.  Reading logs and books go home each night starting on week 2. These will be taken from either a browsing box (lower level) or from the guided teaching session (more challenging) each day.  Please remember to record the date, title and a brief comment.  A couple of questions to establish your child’s understanding is a good routine.  These logs become a great record of their years reading and a source of celebration when they receive the certificates at each milestone.  Weekly spelling will be in the Homework book.   Poem books will be sent home on Fridays to be returned on Monday.

Basic Facts- The school wide basic fact program of learning continues with even more emphasis than previously.  It is recognised that children need to master these basic facts to be able to apply the new strategies being taught.  We work on a basic facts ladder system which sees the skills develop as they move up the ladder.  Please take the time to learn and practice these skills which will definitely benefit your child with their numeracy understanding.

Phew!!! That is definitely enough to start off the year.  If there is anything you are unsure of or would like to share please feel free to pop in and see me. I  look forward to a year of fabulous, fantastic, fanatical fun…and learning.